Marked as His ?

Chapter 09

Pure.

And he didn’t mind, experiencing them.

They walked side by side through the exhibits, Andrea easily falling into her element, explaining brush strokes, color palettes, and the stories behind certain pieces.

Alfonso listened in silence, his attention entirely on her rather than the art.

Every now and then, she would glance at him, expecting him to look bored, but instead, she caught him watching her with that same quiet intensity.

" You don’t actually like this, do you? "

She asked, stopping mid-sentence, raising an eyebrow.

He tilted his head slightly.

" Not particularly."

Andrea blinked, then let out a dramatic gasp.

" Wait.
Then why are you still bearing this? "

She pointed an accusatory finger at him.

" Oh no, I'm torturing you?
You could’ve just told me! "

His eyes met hers, steady, unreadable but their was hint of amusement in them.

" I thought you like it, so I should listen."

Andrea’s heart skipped, just once.

She quickly turned away, pretending to study the next painting.

" Right well, moving on."

But the warmth in her cheeks were impossible to ignore and Alfonso saw that and a little curve appeared on his lips.

Andrea, shy but quietly confident, took the lead without realizing it.

No one had ever dared to lead him before.

Yet here she was doing it without any hesitation.

She walked ahead, pointing out different paintings, glancing back every so often to make sure he was following.

Alfonso walked two steps behind.

Watching

Listening

When she turned to him, wide-eyed, asking his opinion on an impressionist piece, he simply folded his hands behind his back.

" I prefer something darker.'

She scrunched her nose, huffing a soft laugh.

" Of course you do."

A rare smirk tugged at his lips.

She was the first person who had ever dared to tease him.

The moment she asked him to accompany her to the art museum, Alfonso's bodyguards,  Rafael and Marco, they exchanged confused glances, they knew Alfonso doesn't like like these places.

Then, Rafael said.

" Boss...!!! The museum? "

Alfonso barely spared him a glance as he adjusted his cufflinks, about to get in car while Andrea had already inside sitting bouncing and humming a sweet melody in her happiness.

" She asked."

Rafael exchanged looks with the Marco again, silent glances that spoke volumes.

They all knew.

Alfonso agreeing to something
Only meant one thing.

He will soon make a final move.