I heard footsteps from distance and I turned to the other side, my eyes fluttering open, my vision were blurry first, so I blinked few times unti my gaze settled on him.
First it was his sleek black suit and then him...standing there, buckling his cufflinks. I slowly sat back up, rubbing my eyes. "Good morning" he said and my brows knitted in confusion as I tried to wake up fully.
"Where are you going?" I murmured, my eyes moving to the clock. It was 6 am. "Why don't you go back to sleep?" He asked, walking to me.
I squinted my eyes staring up at him, how was he awake before me? Realization then hit me and I moved away. "Are you going to work?"
"It's not work-"
I hissed, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration. "And they call me the workaholic" I muttered under my breath.
"Hey" he tilted my chin to his direction and I stared into his grey eyes. "It's not work. I just gotta handle something real quick and I'll be back" he explained and I shot him a deadpanned look. "That's work"
He smirked, tucking my hair behind my ear but I slapped his hand off and got out of the bed. "How about I make it up to you when I get back?" He suggested and I turned back to him swiftly.
"You're barely strong enough!"
"I am"
"Who knows what else will happen" I said and he took a step closer. My worry evident on my face, he could be reckless sometimes. "Nothing will happen I promise " he assured and I stared.
Things really has changed.
He then smiled and placed a kiss on my lips. "And when I get back, I'll take you on a date" he added, as he moved back to grab his suitcase.
"If I'm not already widowed by then" I replied, heading to the bathroom. I shut the door and let out a sigh, I was up already, I couldn't go to bed again.
I walked to the sink and took my reflection in the mirror, my hair was at least put together, I looked good this morning, thankfully. We came back home yesterday which was Sunday and all we did was lazy around and stay in bed all day.
As I said, things really has changed. The whole tension was behind us now and if you didn't already know, you wouldn't believe we were in a contract marriage.
I took couldn't believe where we are on this shit, we are definitely not gonna put a label on it. I don't even know what we were exactly but it's been...really good, I must admit.
It was better than screaming at each other's face. I washed my face and brushed my teeth before going down stairs to have coffee, I still had a couple more hours before I got ready for work.
"Good morning Evelyn" I greeted and she looked back, surprised glint in her eyes. "Morning, Mrs Ferrari"
I shot her a smile before taking a sot at the table and staring out to the garden outside. It was indeed a beautiful morning, she placed the mug of coffee in front of me and I appreciated, grabbing it and taking a sip.
I was definitely in a good place right now, I don't mean it in a sarcastic way. Things have been good, though I know Travis was keeping a lot from me. I mean, we can't look past the fact he got shot and I'm like...the only one that knew about it.
What If he died? How would Rosa feel? And we haven't even addressed that one yet, why the hell doesn't he want me in Italy. I haven't really confronted him on that one and It's obvious why, he has been away for days and now he was back, he was hurt and I knew bringing that up will be bringing up an argument.
But he wasn't in the clear just yet, I'll be opening those not so pretty boxes soon.
But for now, I gotta concentrate on work. It's the 30th, the month will be over tomorrow and next month is gonna be really eventful, it's packed up.
Now I had my Mother's Gala to plan, that was gonna be much more of a handful than even planning Bethany's wedding.
I let out a sigh and took another sip of the coffee.
_________________________________________
The hardest clients are the ones you know very well, that was my story today. My very first clients, The Fidels'. Bethany and Eric.
These two were the most PDA couple out there, they didn't mind doing it right there on the sofa and they would definitely want me here to see it.
But if anything, they were perfect, I saw it now. I saw the way Eric stared at her, the way he listens to her and remembers those little details she loved but on the downside, they were both very picky.
The most indecisive couple I've ever worked with.
"...you know what, we'll keep an open mind" she said, shutting the binder. "The Garden Romance theme is all you, you've always wanted something intimate" Eric pointed out and she smiled, leaning in on him and say something inaudible.
They made me jealous, and I was the married one!
"I also think the The Garden Romance theme is perfect soothing the scenery of Sierra Madre" I spoke up and their both eyes shot up.
"Yes, it will be perfect. With the decor of soft floral arches, pastel flowers, string lights, and vintage furniture. The colour palette could be... soft pinks, whites, lavender, with greens!" She breathed, dreamily.
"Wow babe, you could plan this whole thing yourself " he remarked and they both laughed, I joined in too but mine came out dry and hollow.
She wasn't gonna steal my job.
"Alright, Garden Romance it is" I took that down, "the venue has been stated, what about the date?" I asked, looking up at them and they both shared a look.
10 indecisive minutes later.
"You know what, it should be at the end of the month" Eric declared, optimism in his eyes. "Yeah, like the at very end" Bethany agreed and they both shared a look and said in unison, "The 30th!"
"Thank heavens!" I heaved, taking that down. "How about we do shopping this week?" I suggested, "There's still time, silly" Bethany replied, chuckling.
"Yeah but with the way things are going. I think you'll need a lot of time to make a decision for a dress considering how...picky you are"
She gasped at my words, "Take that back!"
I grinned, falling back on my seat. "Thank you for your time, Mrs Ferrari, it has been wonderful" Eric appreciated and I smiled.
"What can I say? I've been anticipating for this moment like forever and must I remind you, I match made you too" I reminded and they paused.
Realization dawning on them, "Yes!" They both declared, turning back to me. "It was at your house party!" Bethany reminisced while I sat back fulfilled, taking in their reaction.
It was a rainy day in LA that day and I decided to throw a party, I was just fresh out of NYC, not used to the quiet laid back vibe In LA. Long story short, at the end of the night, cops shut the party down, I was only 21 back then, so young.
"Oh my gosh! I can't believe I forgot that" she heaved and I chuckled. So, the Fidels' appointment got rounded up finally and I left Bethany to bid her fiancé farewell while I went back upstairs to my office.
I slumped on the chair and let out a long sigh, that was stressful. I glanced at the time, it was past 3 pm. Where was Kourtney when I needed her?
The door was thrown open and my fairy god mother appeared—not Aunt Martha. Kourtney. "Hey bitch!" She called out excitedly while I sat up, taking in what she was wearing.
"Where have you been?" Was the first question I asked before moving on to her outfit, she was in a black coat tied over her waist. "What's with the coat? Isn't it hot in there?" I inquired.
Her grin widened before she swiftly untied it, revealing the red lingerie underneath. "Oh my gosh!" I screamed, jumping up from my seat while she squealed, hopping around.
I finally grabbed hold of her, my eyes as wide as saucers. "You...you did it?" I stammered. "I did it!" She confirmed and we both began squealing and jumping around again.
"What is going on here?" Bethany asked, walking in and I immediately spun Kourtney around to her, her as shot up too as she got the memo. "You did it?" She asked.
"I did it!" Kourtney confirmed once again and we began squealing and jumping around.
_________________________________________
I flexed my fingers and finally looked up from my laptop, I glanced at the clock, it was past 6 pm. I let out a sigh and leaned away from the table.
I needed to start rounding up work but I couldn't, I still had to come up with more ideas for the Ivory Circle Gala, I was gonna be pitching my Mom soon and you know I can't fail.
There was a knock on the door but I didn't look up, "not now Kourtney, I'm tryna do an hour worth of work In 10 minutes!" I called out but the door was still thrown open.
I let out a sigh and looked up at her, "you've got more than hour worth of work" she said before moving out of the way and revealing none other than my... husband.
I was indeed taken aback but then intrigued as a smirk settled on my lips and leaned back on the table. He walked in, his eyes settling on me. "Stèlla" he calked, trying to tease me.
"You've gotta be fucking kidding me" I muttered and he stopped at the table, leaning down on it. "Are you taking to be busy so you bail on me on this date?" He asked and I scoffed.
"She does do that" Kourtney called out, supporting him and I flipped her off. "You know it will be pay back, have you forgotten how many times you've been an asshole" I reminded and he grinned.
"In that case..." he said, shrugging off his blazer with deliberate slowness, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
I raised an eyebrow, refusing to give him the satisfaction of looking impressed, but Kourtney gasped dramatically, slapping her hands over her cheeks.
"Oh my God" she breathed, her voice dripping with fake awe. I rolled my eyes. "What are you doing?" I asked, trying to keep my eyes on his face.
But then he rolled up his sleeves, revealing toned forearms that practically screamed I work out, and I caught myself staring for half a second too long.
"You were saying?" he asked smugly, flexing slightly as if to drive the point home.
Kourtney leaned closer, wide-eyed. "Stèlla, do you realize your husband is basically a Greek god in disguise? Why didn't you tell me?!" She whisper yelled even though he was basically standing there and could obviously hear her.
I groaned, trying to suppress a laugh. "Kourtney, I swear, stop inflating his already oversized ego."
Travis smirked, glancing between us. "Admit it, you're impressed". I crossed my arms, pretending to look bored. "I've seen better."
Kourtney gasped in mock betrayal. "You're lying!" She turned to Travis. "She's lying. Ignore her. You're perfect. Can you-can you flex again? Just for me?"
Travis laughed, and I threw a pen at her. "Kourtney, get out before I lock you out of my office."
"Fine, fine," she said, hands raised in surrender. "But just know if she doesn't appreciate you, I will!" She whispered to him and I was already getting suspicious.
Travis chuckled as she finally walked out, shutting the door behind her. He turned back to me, his smile softening.
"So, what was your planning exactly?" I still asked, "was that your pathetic attempt of seducing me?"
"I'm just getting comfortable " he defended, taking the seat opposite me and I held on a look with him. He was seriously staying in my office?
"Travis, I've got a lot of work, you sure you can wait " I warned. "Even if it means spending the night in your office, we can live off your...apple drink obsession " he said and I hissed and reached to smack him.
So, the next couple of minutes, he sat in front of me just staring, completely distracting me. I sighed and diverted my gaze to his, "Travis"
"Mmmm" he hummed in response. "Can you stop?"
"I'm not doing anything"
"You're staring. Stop staring" I clarified and he leaned away, raising his hand in surrender. In the next minutes, he was up and moving around in my office.
There was a clatter from behind and I turned, shooting him a look. "It slipped"
"Travis!" I hissed, getting up and walking to him. I picked up the golden plaque he just dropped on the floor. "This was a gift from the Mayor!" I snapped.
"The Mayor?" He repeated and I huffed and placed it back. "Yeah, now stop nosing around" I said and he moved to the other side. "What about this?" He picked up the certificate from the table.
"College degree...for writing" I answered, walking to him, hands crossed over my chest. "Remember? Oh wait, you weren't there"
He sighed and placed it back down, "You were a good writer" he remarked and my gaze moved to his. "You remember some of my works?" I asked and he turned around fully, dipping his hands into his pocket.
"Let's see, you once wrote a play for Halloween back in highschool " he said and a smile slowly went up my lips.
"It was called, Killing the Principal. You wrote a play about killing the principal" he reiterated and I bursted out laughing immediately.
"I can't believe you remember that"
"It's Halloween today" he reminded and I grinned, it is Halloween today. "The principal was so mad, I got detention for a week"
"And then you dragged me down with you by ratting me out to him" he said and I began laughing again, holding unto him for dear life. "You told him I was the one who burst his tyres and broke his wind shield" he continued.
"But you did it" I defended. "And you told he!" He argued and I wiped out the tears forming in my eyes while laughing so hard.
"You were always up to mischiefs" he commented and I looked up at him. "I've changed now, right?" I asked, tip toeing up to him.
"Still the same. Even worst" he disagreed, walking past me. "All you have in this mini fridge is apple drinks"
"It's less expensive than a coffee maker!" I defended and he shook his head, getting out a can and clicking it open. "I've got a better idea on date night tonight" I said, walking to him.
"Don't say takeout"
"Takeouts..." I drawled, tugging on his shirt while he took a gulp from the can. "No" he disagreed.
Half an hour later, the cigarette burned softly between his lips as I leaned forward, the lighter clicking to life in my hand.
The flame illuminated his face briefly, his sharp gaze locking on mine as he inhaled deeply. A puff of smoke escaped his lips, curling lazily into the air. He sighed, pulling the cigarette away, his eyes still steady on me.
After finishing the takeout, we found ourselves perched by the wide window, the city stretching below us like a sea of glimmering lights.
A faint hum of traffic buzzed in the background as we smoked and sipped from chilled cans of apple drink. He glanced down at his can, his brows slightly raised. "Apple?" he questioned, a teasing note in his voice.
I exhaled slowly, the smoke lingering like a veil between us. "Okay, hear me out," I began, turning to him fully. "It kinda tastes like alcohol."
His expression didn't budge. "You're shitting me."
"I'm not!" I exclaimed, a little louder than necessary, earning an amused smirk. "When I was trying to quit alcohol, I realized this was a great alternative. It tricked my brain, you know?"
He chuckled, shaking his head as he leaned against the frame. "Your phase of quitting alcohol... when you were 17, right?" His tone was playful, but I could see the glimmer of concern in his eyes.
"Hey!" I shot back, smacking his arm lightly. "It was a long phase, okay?" I defended, turning my gaze back to the cityscape. The view was stunning; the world outside felt alive, buzzing with energy as lights flickered across the horizon.
His voice sliced through the silence. "Did you really start drinking again because of me?"
I froze, the question hanging in the air like a weight. Turning to him, I caught the flicker of worry in his gaze, his features etched with guilt. He remembered-of course, he did-when I'd confessed that my spiral into alcohol wasn't just my rebellion but a desperate way to cope with the pain he had unknowingly left behind.
"Yes," I answered quietly, my voice steady but soft.
The answer visibly struck him, his jaw tightening, his shoulders sinking ever so slightly. "I'm sorry," he whispered, the words carrying a gravity that pulled at my chest.
I held his gaze, unblinking. "You'll have to apologize every day for me to forgive you."
His brows furrowed. "Every day?"
"Every damn day," I said firmly, my lips twitching into the faintest smirk.
He took a step closer, a hand brushing lightly against my arm. "Then I'm sorry," he said, leaning in. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry," he repeated, his voice softer with each word. He closed the gap between us, his forehead brushing against mine as he whispered, "I'm sorry."
I laughed softly, shaking my head. "I said every day, not every second."
"But this is faster," he murmured, his lips grazing my neck in the lightest of touches. My breath hitched as the warmth of his mouth lingered on my skin, the sensation sending shivers down my spine.
"Ferrari," I managed to say, trying to sound composed. "Ash that cigarette first. You're not burning down my office."
He froze, pulling back just enough for his eyes to meet mine. A slow smirk crept onto his face before he leaned back, taking one last drag of the cigarette. With practiced ease, he snuffed it out on the windowsill, his movements deliberate.
The air between us shifted, the tension thick and heavy. I stubbed out my own cigarette, brushing my hair from my shoulder as I turned to him. "I never said you should stop," I reminded, my voice barely above a whisper.
That was all the invitation he needed. He pulled me back to him, his hands firm but gentle as they slid down my back. His lips found my neck again, this time with a quiet urgency. Every kiss was precise, each one igniting a fire under my skin. A soft groan escaped my lips as my hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer.
He didn't stop. His kisses trailed lower, brushing along the curve of my collarbone, his breath warm against my skin. Before I knew it, I was off the floor, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist. He carried me with ease, the strength in his hold grounding me as he placed me gently on the desk.
For a moment, we just stared at each other, the air between us crackling. His breathing was uneven, matching the rhythm of my own. Without a word, I pulled him down, our lips colliding in a kiss that was both frantic and deliberate.
Everything around us faded-the city, the hum of the traffic, the glow of the lights. In that moment, it was just us, lost in a haze of passion and all the words left unsaid.