Chapter 11
Alia POV
“Francesca…” I rubbed my forehead helplessly. “Sorry, I’ve been so busy I forgot to tell you. Don’t be mad, okay?”
She huffed, clearly still upset, but her tone soon softened. “Fine, I’ll let it slide this time. But be honest–is this about that drop–dead gorgeous boss of yours?”
I was stunned for a moment. Francesca had always been by my side. Memories of the past flashed through my mind that night three years ago, after being expelled from the family, I was attacked by several thugs, and she stepped forward to drive them away. Later, she helped me escape from Montellano and start anew in Portano. Without her, I might have broken down long ago.
“Hey, are you spacing out on me?” Her voice snapped me back to reality.
“I’m sorry, Fran. Things have been… complicated,” I managed, keeping my voice low.
“Complicated? You disappeared for days, then suddenly moved?? Francesca’s voice cracked with emotion. “We promised no secrets, remember?”
She was right. Three years ago, when we first arrived in Portano together, we’d made that promise. Back then, We had opened “Promessa Eterna,” her wedding dress design studio. It was her dream come true creating beautiful gowns that symbolized eternal love and commitment.
I only invested some money in this studio because I really couldn’t participate in wedding dress design, especially since white fabric and lace too easily stirred up too many painful memories.
In front of Francesca, I had no privacy whatsoever. It was Francesca who had arranged the blind date with Marco in the first place.
I had planned to meet with Francesca this weekend to tell her about my marriage to Marco, but unexpectedly, Francesca went to my rented place looking for me beforehand.
“Fran, you’re right. I must make it up to you properly.” I admitted.
“I’m worried about you, Aria. This isn’t like you. Are you in some kind of trouble again?”
“No, no, nothing like that,” I assured her, “Look, How about I come over now and stay the night with you as compensation?”
Just then, I heard the door open. Marco stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable. My heart skipped a beat, wondering how much he’d heard.
‘I’ll come find you in a bit!” I quickly hung up the phone.
I sat up straighter, trying to appear casual. “That was just my friend weekend.‘
–
a woman friend,” explained hastily. “We were making plans for the
Marco’s expression softened slightly. He simply nodded. Then turned and left, closing the door behind him.
For some reason, this bothered me.
Did he not care where I went or who I was with?
A few minutes later, I came to the hallway and found the study door open, with Marco typing on his laptop. When I knocked, he looked up.
*I’m going to stay at Francesca’s tonight,” I said, “She is my best friend, and she’s been under a lot of work pressure lately. I want to be by her
side.”
Marco stopped typing, his dark eyes studying me intently. For a moment, I thought he might refuse or question me, but instead he closed his laptop.
‘Portano isn’t safe at night. I’ll drive you,” he said firmly, in a tone that brooked no argument.
Before I could protest, he was already reaching for his car keys. Twenty minutes later, we were in his sleek black car, driving through the
1:04 AM D
Chapter 11
nighttime streets of Portano.
As we neared Francesca’s studio, Marco finally broke the silence.
“Alia,” he said softly, “Shall I pick you up tomorrow morning?”
I pushed open the car door and got out, nodding: “You can go back now. Drive safely.”
Marco gave me a long look before finally starting the car and leaving.
Watching Marco’s car gradually disappear from view, I then walked toward Francesca’s apartment.
As soon as Francesca opened the door, I was greeted by an excited bark and a gray–white figure. Francesca’s Italian Greyhound, Lola, enthusiastically jumped into my arms and eagerly licked my hand.
“Hey there, beautiful girl!” I laughed, scratching behind her ears. “Did you miss me?”
“Of course she missed you,” Francesca said, leaning against the doorframe. “So did I, you ungrateful woman. After the blind date and forget all about us, huh?”
I looked up, wanting to introduce Marco, but Francesca quickly interrupted me.
“Who dropped you off? Your new boyfriend?” she asked while closing the door. “Taking a taxi this late is difficult and expensive. You must be kept by some tall, handsome man, hmph!”
“He’s… complicated,” I said, settling onto the familiar couch with Lola curled in my lap. There’s a lot I need to tell you, Fran.
Francesca sat across from me, her expression serious. “I’m listening. But first, let me get this straight – You’re really living with a man, the one who just dropped you off? And… what happened with that blind date I set you up with last time?”
Looking at Francesca, I suddenly said very seriously: “Fran, I got married.”
Francesca was stunned. She thought I had only started dating someone, but my marriage was too sudden for her. Her mouth dropped open wide enough to swallow an egg, and it took her quite a while before she could speak. “Aria, who is that
man?”
I said with a smile: “It’s the man you introduced me to for the blind date, the one called Marco Vittorio.”
Francesca’s eyes widened. “Aria, what are you talking about? I didn’t introduce you to any Marco Vittorio. I’ve never even met anyone by that
name.
The room suddenly as we stared at each other in stunned silence.
If Francesca hadn’t introduced me to Marco… then who was the man I had married?
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