It was miraculous that they made it back to the resort in one piece.
Alia was worried that a fight might break out, or that Emline would play a dirty tactic to ignite yet another scandal. After all, their trip wasn’t kept a secret― she was sure that there would be so paparazzi who were dedicated enough to follow them across the ocean just to get so photos.
After everything, Alia wondered if perhaps Lady Vanity would report their fight in tomorrow’s latest article. They weren’t exactly quiet about it, and when they found Emline sitting dazedly on a bench a short distance away, there were quite a few people looking curiously her way.
Unfortunately, they had already gathered the attention they didn’t wish for.
They separated right outside their rooms in the corridor, and that was when Aiden finally could not sit still any longer. He eyed the stuffed lamb plush toy in Alia’s arms which she had won earlier and pointed to it.
"You know," he said, "I could really do with a souvenir. How about you let keep this prize and I will get you a replacent when we get back to Sol City?"
Alia looked down at the plush she carried. It wasn’t too big but it wasn’t small either. The lamb stuffed toy was about the size of her torso, a perfect size for hugging to sleep. As soone who had slept with a companion for years, that was sothing Alia couldn’t do without.
She had unfortunately forgotten to pack an extra pillow with her, but she supposed it wasn’t too difficult to ask the hotel staff for an extra to make do on this trip. If Aiden wanted it, he could have it. That way, she wouldn’t have to worry about how she could lug it back ho. Not to ntion the mories associated with this stuffed toy weren’t the most pleasant.
"Well, here―"
"Weren’t you whining about needing to wash the dirt and gri off after a long day?" Matteo swiftly cut in. He took a subtle step forward, using half of his body to block Alia from Aiden’s plain sight.
Aiden imdiately clicked his tongue, wrinkling his nose before huffing at his brother.
"You’re no fun," he muttered under his breath. "It’s just a toy."
"Then you can buy one from the souvenir store," Matteo calmly replied. He gestured down. "There’s one in the hotel lobby."
"You’re no fun," Aiden grumbled. He then quickly regained a bright smile, beaming at Alia and showing her a dimpled smile. "Good night then, Alia."
Tucking his hands into his pockets, he whistled a rry tune under his breath before making his way over to where Emline was. He whispered sothing to her, sothing Alia and Matteo couldn’t hear, which caused Emline to stare their way. She bit her bottom lip and hurriedly muttered sothing back, which caused Aiden to chuckle before continuing his way, unlocking his door, and disappearing inside.
Emline didn’t linger for long, however. She took a step forward, and when she did, Matteo reached for Alia’s hands. They were out in the cold for hours, but for so reason, his hand was still warm and cozy, and it made Alia feel as though she was sitting right in front of a roaring fireplace.
The action wasn’t missed by Emline. She bit the inside of her cheek and muttered out her own good nights before scurrying into her own room. The door slamd shut behind her.
"I could’ve given Aiden the stuffed toy," Alia said as Matteo reached for their room key and unlocked the door. "It will be a hassle to bring ho."
"If you’re not planning on keeping it, why not give it to ?" Matteo finally said once they stepped in.
"What?"
The door closed shut behind them and instantly, Alia and Matteo were plunged into darkness. Matteo hadn’t inserted the card into the slot for the lights to turn on, and he didn’t seem to be planning to do so anyti soon.
From the large windows, silver moonlight stread into the room, barely illuminating enough for Alia to make out the shape of where’s what. She gulped when she looked up and was t with Matteo’s blue eyes. They seed almost like two iridescent orbs of crystal, shimring even in the darkness as he stared at her intensely.
Reaching up, he loosened his own scarf, flinging it backward so it landed on a couch’s backrest. Then, he reached his hand forward, digging his index finger into the scarf that was wrapped around Alia’s neck. With a gentle tug, he pulled the fabric free, revealing her slender neck to the cool air.
In doing so, his finger grazed her skin, causing Alia to shiver. It wasn’t cold by any ans, but the sudden touch sent electricity to dance across her neck.
"Shouldn’t you be heading to the shower now, my wife?" Matteo asked. Even in the dark, Alia could see the curve of his lips stretching just the slightest, amusent dancing in his eyes.
Alia swallowed, turning to look at the bathroom. She could imagine the glass wall that separated the bathroom from the rest of the suite― there was no way she could shower like this!
"You need to get out of the room―"
"There’s no need," Matteo said. "We’re about to be married soon enough."
Alia bit her bottom lip. Their marriage wasn’t real. Their relationship wasn’t real. Even if Alia found herself swooning once or twice, she had to remind herself not to fall too deep lest she get hurt in the process.
"It’s just an agreent," she murmured under her breath. "We’re not a real couple."
Matteo didn’t say a thing. Instead, he slowly moved his hand forward, his hand cupping her cheek tenderly, forcing her to look up. When she did, his fingers left a feather-light trace from her cheek to her chin, further tilting her face up.
He leaned in slowly, and for so reason, Alia found herself holding her breath in anticipation. Her heart was beating so madly that it felt as though it was about to fall out of her chest through her throat.
In Matteo’s hands, guided by his words, Alia found herself swaying along to the waves of this ocean he had created.
When their lips were just inches apart, he suddenly stopped. Alia’s eyes widened when they were previously about to fall shut.
"And what if I want to make whatever it is between us real?" Matteo muttered, his warm, minty breath fanning across his lips as he spoke. "What if I am greedy and want more than this?"
Alia swallowed the bile in her throat, her heart skipping a beat in her chest. An unexplainable flurry of butterflies danced in her stomach, but before she could rationalize anything, Matteo leaned forward and closed the distance between them, causing their lips to et in an electrifying shower of sparks.
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