III

Gio held both of my cheeks. My lips parted because of what he did, allowing his tongue to enter my mouth. It explored as if searching for something inside me. I couldn't help but close my eyes tightly. Something strange was happening in my stomach. It felt like a storm raging there, and I couldn't explain it.

I couldn't breathe anymore. Nevertheless, I couldn't bring myself to push him away or stop him from kissing me. Instead of stopping him, I saw myself being drawn into what he was doing. This was part of my duty as his wife: to satisfy my husband's needs, so he wouldn't think of divorcing me and leaving me.

When he finally released my hand that he had been holding earlier, I slowly wrapped my arms around his neck. Our kisses deepened, and I found myself reciprocating each of Gio's kisses.

"Hmm..." I couldn't help but release a small moan because of that. I seemed to have lost myself completely and my sanity had abandoned me.

His hand moved from my neck. I could feel his warm touch as it trailed down my neck and down to my chest. I involuntarily flinched when he grazed the curve of my right breast. It didn't stay there long; his hand moved down to my abdomen, almost reaching between my thighs, and I accidentally bit his lip.

Both of us froze, especially when I tasted the metallic tang of blood.

"S-Sorry," I stammered, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

He simply stared at me, his eyes devoid of emotion. He sighed before withdrawing from his position over me.

I bit my lip. Did my unintentional action disappoint him? It was embarrassing!

"Gio..." I couldn't remember if I had called him by his name before or if this was the first time. "Were you cheating on me? Is that why you left for a month?"

Gio swiftly faced me, faster than lightning. I bowed my head; I couldn't look at him because he was too much for me.

"Someone sent Dad photos of you with another woman. He said you were cheating and planning to divorce me," I managed to choke out the words, my saliva feeling like acid to swallow.

I raised my gaze to meet Gio's, boldly locking eyes with him.

He took a step closer, and I flinched, thinking he might hurt me. But he didn't lay a hand on me. Instead, he pressed his palm onto the bed and leaned in closer.

"I am not cheating on you," he said, his tone cold. "But be thankful for that woman you saw in the pictures; it's not you six feet under."

He straightened up after saying that. His expression was still dark and difficult to read.

"That's why I told your father that I wanted our wedding to be intimate, not broadcasted in any media. But he couldn't keep his mouth shut and spread the news about the wedding. Luckily, the pictures of you didn't circulate," he continued, shaking his head as if disappointed. "Because the moment our enemies find out that I'm getting married, as the head of our family, your life could be in danger." He tilted his head to the side. "Just think that I was absent for a month to ensure your safety."

I must have been drooling at his words. The thought that the woman with him in the picture might be buried six feet under crossed my mind. Is she dead? How?

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice the hand extended in front of me. I looked at it before raising my gaze to Gio. I hesitated for a moment before accepting it and getting up from the bed. I stared at him, trying to gauge his expression.

I had assumed earlier that he would be angry with me and would use force. I thought, like my father, he would punish me if I didn't do what he wanted. But it didn't seem that way.

"Let's go home, Millie."

It felt like a warm caress on my heart. For the first time, hearing my name being called by someone else felt so comforting.

I didn't know that someone who seemed so heartless could say my name in the softest and most caring voice I could imagine.

We were silent during the journey from my father's place to my husband's. I closed my eyes, realizing that in my thoughts, I was calling Gio, my husband. It's not technically wrong. Gio is my husband, but it still feels weird.

I glanced at Gio, who was seated on the other side of the car, deeply engrossed in his laptop. When there were no phone calls, he busied himself typing away on his laptop.

I wanted to strike up a conversation with him. I wanted us to be comfortable with each other because we had entered into a lifelong commitment, but whenever I saw Gio or his cold, penetrating eyes fixed on me, my confidence waned.

If my father was intimidating, Gio was worse, ten times more intimidating than my father.

When Gio's head moved, I quickly averted my gaze. My heart raced wildly for a moment; I thought he was going to look in my direction.

I kept my eyes fixed on the scenery outside the window. The view was familiar to me, as it was the same sight I had seen when I left Gio's house to return to my father's home.

We entered an exclusive subdivision where Gio's house was located. It's still awkward for me to call that house...ours.

After a while, I spotted the imposing and elegant gate of the house. It was towering, and you could see the family emblem on it. I remembered the first time I arrived here; I was captivated by the emblem carved on the gate. It was the only part of the gate in gold, while the rest was black.

The gate opened, and our car drove in. Not far away, I saw the familiar house where I had stayed for a few days before leaving.

I suddenly remembered what he had said about the woman he was with in another country. The woman died, and I didn't know the cause of her death. I wanted to ask Gio, but I was afraid. Gio had this aura that discouraged you from asking about things he had already discussed. It was as if he gave you certain details, and that was all you should inquire about; the rest was off-limits. If you asked for more information, he would become irritated.

And the last thing I wanted right now was to make him mad. He might... he might hurt me like my father did when he was angry with me.

The car pulled up in front of the house, and someone opened the door for me. As I stepped out, all the household staff and Gio's employees lined up to greet us. I felt a slight jolt when I saw Gio standing beside me.

Respectfully, they all greeted us. I slowly felt Gio's hand slide from my back to my waist. I took a deep breath. In those few moments, I wondered where his hand would go next.

We entered the house together. Aside from the staff who welcomed us, two more people were in the office. One was a woman, and the other was a man.

Both of them were as intimidating as their boss. It wouldn't surprise me if all of Gio's employees were emotionless.

"Welcome home, Mrs. Locatelli," both of them greeted me. A strange surge of electricity coursed through my back as I heard them address me.

Right, because I am Mrs. Locatelli now. I married Gio, and we are now husband and wife. When will I get used to this?

"My name is Mariana," the woman introduced herself.

"Dario, Mrs. Locatelli," the man added.

I smiled at the two of them, even though I was nervous. I extended my hand to shake theirs, but they just stared at it before looking at Gio, who was beside me.

I also glanced at Gio, who was staring at my hand, so I quickly withdrew it. Wasn't this a common gesture here? I mean, shaking hands with someone you just met.

Mariana cleared her throat and stood up straight.

"They'll be your personal bodyguards," Gio said, pulling me away from them as if our conversation was over.

I smiled again at Mariana and Dario, and they nodded in response.

Gio held me tightly, but I didn't feel any pain. Not like when Papa holds me. I couldn't help but compare how the two men in my life touch me. When Papa holds me, all I feel is fear because I know he'll hurt me. But whenever Gio's holding or touching me, my heart is at ease. Still, my fear lingers, afraid that one day he might hurt me too.