•25•

Aiyana Valentino

I was in the closet, strapping a pair of high heels on when I exited back into the room to the most divine sight ever.

My husband stumbling out of the shower in nothing but a pair of slacks while still drying his wet chest with a towel, his arm and back muscles contracting at the action.

My mouth went dry at the sight and heat pooled at the bottom of my stomach. I one thousand percent hated the effect he had on me.

I decided to ignore him, give him the cold shoulder as he was doing; nursing him his own poison, and headed to the vanity table to finish my makeup off.

I gave him absolutely no reaction and stood there in all my glory, with the black satin dress hugging my curves in all the right places, accentuating my curves, also it came with a slit so high that it showed my upper thigh.

I notice the unwavering sight of Ren lingering on my figure, concentrating on certain areas longer than necessary with a look of desire clouding his hazelnut eyes.

Serves him right.

He disappears into the closet, to put on the rest of his clothes, and I'm left to check myself out in the mirror. I knew I looked too good, with my hair curled and makeup smoky, lastly ending the look with a classic bold red lip.

I was finally done with retouching my face, when I pulled a little necklace that had a single pearl hanging from, screaming simplistic and minimal to compliment my look.

I struggle with clasping it on with my freshly done nails. I huff in frustration, just when I thought I'd finally done it; turns out I don't.

I was about to give up on putting it on when the whiff of his addictive cologne penetrated into my body, I noticed his figure standing behind me, towering over me in his jet black suit, standing extremely close; too close for my liking.

His hands brush my hair to the side, his fingers leaving burning marks on my skin which caused me to hitch my breath from the contact.

We lock eyes through the mirror, holding each other hostage through the gaze. The tension rising between us, engulfing the whole room.

His nose nuzzles in my hair, I'm dying at the proximity. How fucking long does it take to put a fucking necklace on?

It's safe to say my guts are mushed at the feel of him this utterly close. I wanted to push him away, but at the same time, bring him down and kiss the hell out of him, branding him with my lipstick to claim him mine.

I force myself to snap out of the moment, reminding myself that I'm mad at him and shouldn't melt at his touch, I should be able to hold my ground and not crack down under the first means of temptation thrown at me.

Somehow, we made it to the car without ripping each other's heads off, or clothes either for that matter. We file in silently, this time Ren opting to occupy the driver's seat.

He gets behind the wheel, leaving me no choice but to plop down in the passenger seat beside him. He starts the car, the engine roaring to life and we trek down the road.

I lean my head on the window, facing the passing scenery. This is the first time I'm officially meeting his family.

Sure, I met his parents briefly at the wedding ceremony, but now I was bound to meet the rest of the family, knowing he had siblings.

I was lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice when the car came to a stop, I made movement to get out when Ren's hand caught my hand in his, halting my movement.

"I know they're my family but no one knows anything about the deal, apart from my father that is" He says and I turn my head to face him.

"Don't worry, we'll act as if we're madly in love" I let out with a humorless chuckle, pettiness dominating my tone.

Without further exchange of words, I break free from his electrifying touch and step out of the vehicle.

We stand at the door, my heart thumping loudly in my ribcage, until a maid emerges from behind the door welcoming us in.

His hand snakes around my waist locking me in, and I urge myself to remember that this is all an act, an act we need to put up.

We come around to the pristine living room, Marco and Christina - his parents - stand up to greet us.

Amren leaves my side to go for a hug from his father, while Christina squishes me in her tight embrace.

"Hello, darling. How are you?" She asks with her sweet tone of hers.

I force a smile on my face "I'm doing great, Christina. Thanks for having us here" I say and she tilts her head back laughing.

"Of course honey, you're a Valentino now, you're family. You're always welcomed here" Her words warm my heart in an instant, not believing how fast she trusted me and accepted me as a part of the family.

We break apart and I briefly hug Marco, with him patting my back, after all he was the one who struck the deal with my father.

I came to learn that the brunette girl seated at the couch was Layla, Amren's sister who's studying to become an Architect; in her final year of uni; that being.

The blonde man who stood at similar height to my husband, only a few inches shorter, with broad shoulders nonetheless was Mateo, Amren's younger brother by two years.

From what I gathered, he's the one who's currently responsible for the legitimate business. Meaning he's the CEO for the hotel and food chains owned by the Valentino family all around the world, while my husband on the other hand inherited the mafia.

"Well brother, you've never said your wife was that gorgeous" Mateo teases playfully and I sense Amren's shoulders stiffen a little bit. His hand rests back on my waist, squeezing the flesh as if to protest his brother's vile words.

"I know, she's a sight to look at" He smiles down at me, eyes staring deep down into mine and I offer one in return, cupping his cheek with my hand.

We snap out of our reverie by Layla and Christina whom are both looking at us with gooey eyes and dazzling smiles. My stomach sinks, to think we're lying to these people who were nothing but good and hospitable to me.

I almost wanted to confess the truth, to let them in on our little secret. My thought process is interrupted and thrown out the window when his warm breath hits my ears.

We're currently seated around the table eating dessert. I don't know how I was able to survive the entire dinner, probably for how good and respectful these people seemed to be.

His nose hits my earlobe "You're thinking too much, almost blowing the whole thing" He whispers in my ear.

To everyone seated around us, we probably looked like a newly married couple, who were still in the honeymoon phase. They most likely think Amren is whispering something dirty in my ear.

I turn my head that my mouth is near his cheek, not that far from his mouth, only a couple agonizing millimeters away, pressing my chest teasingly into his.

"So what if I do? What're you going to do?" I ask in my sultry voice, batting my eyelashes seductively in his way.

I'm happy to discover the effect I have on him, seeing his jaw clenched, his hand resting on my thigh; dangerously high, rubbing circles along my exposed aching skin through the slit of the dress.

"Keep playing and you'll find out" He leaves a sloppy wet kiss on my jaw that leaves me wanting more and I curse the fact that we're in a social setting.

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A/n: longer chapter,

but we have a lot to work through.

Too much tension.

Plus, accusations.

Who is whom? What is what?