Chapter 5

"Talk to me? What do you want to talk to me about Lorenzo?" Isabella asks with a confused look on her face. She scrunches her brows in confusion and wonders what Lorenzo would possibly want to talk to her about. Lorenzo smiles, he links arms with her and gestures her towards a table at the end corner close to the window. They settle down on the chair and a waiter scurries towards them to take their order. Lorenzo places the same order as Isabella and the waiter disappears out of their sight.

Isabella raises a brow at him and says "So? What do you want to tell me that you had to buy the place for just you and I to talk? What is so secretive that you do not want anyone else hearing?" Isabella asks. Lorenzo chuckles and raises his hand in mock surrender.

"Why did you not ever think of becoming a detective because Damn Isabella? Why do you look so curious to hear what I have to say?" Lorenzo asks. Isabella rolls her eyes and replies him with a serious look on her face. "Maybe it is because it just hurts me how you spent so much money in buying a place when other people are desperately in need of money. It just seems like a complete waste of money to me." Isabella says. Lorenzo sighs and rolls his eyes at her.

"Quit being such a boring person Doctor Isabella. You are acting like my step mother. I spent money because I wanted to and if anyone needs money, they can as well work for the money." Lorenzo says nonchalantly.

Isabella opens her mouth in shock and shakes her head at his nonchalance.

"Seriously? You think they have not tried? Money is not something you easily just work for you know?" Isabella snaps at him.

"Are we talking about someone in specific because it sounds like we are. Are you in need of money Isabella?" Lorenzo asks with a concerned look on his face. Isabella brushes it off and mumbles an apology. She mentally scolds herself and tries to get a grip of herself. She can not let Matteo and his threats get to her.

"Nothing, sorry. I was just reminded by something and no, I do not need money, thanks for asking." Isabella says in a calm tone.

"That is a real bummer though. I wish you needed money." Lorenzo mumbles taking his eyes off Isabella and towards the direction of the window.

"Excuse me?" Isabella raises a brow at him while pretending to have not heard what he just said. Lorenzo waves it off and smiles at her. "Nothing darling. Food is here." He says pointing at the direction of the waiters walking towards them with trays in their hands. They place the tray on the table in front of Lorenzo and Isabella. Different delicacies like spaghetti and meatballs, mac and cheese and other delicious meals are right in front of them.

Isabella's stomach grumbles at the sight of such delicious meals in front of her. The waiters walk out of their sight but not too far incase they might be needing anything else.

"Godere." Lorenzo mumbles in an Italian accent. Isabella scrunches her brows at him and he replies the questioning look on her face "it means enjoy."

Isabella nods her head and digs into the food. The both of them eat for a few minutes in silence before Lorenzo goes ahead to break the awkward smile by saying. "De la Cruz."

"Excuse me?" Isabella drops her spoon on the plate at the mention of her surname.

"Nothing, I am just wondering. You are Spanish not Italian right? What are you doing in Italy then?" Lorenzo asks.

Isabella clears her throat and hastily comes up with a lie. "I moved to Italy with my family a year ago. We just needed a fresh start."

"Oh, family? I see." Lorenzo says stroking his chin and nodding his head slowly.

"I can tell that you are not from a very wealthy home Isabella. Do you not ever feel like you are struggling? I mean I am very sure that Daniel does not pay you well enough for the services you render." Lorenzo points out. Isabella stops eating, she gulps down a bottle of water and turns to Lorenzo.

"What do you want Lorenzo?" She asks.

"Well if you really want to know then who am I to keep quiet. I have a deal for you Isabella. I mean you saved my life and I am more than grateful for that so I have come up with a deal for you. A way to grant you financial security." Lorenzo deadpans.

Isabella scrunches her face at him and tries to think of what he has planned in mind but Lorenzo is a man that is too hard to crack. You can never tell what he is thinking, not even by his expression.

"What deal?" Isabella asks.

"I want to propose a contract marriage. I am in need of a wife for a business deal. I want you to play the role of my wife for just a year, I promise to grant you and your family financial security. How does that sound?" Lorenzo blurts out.

Isabella stares at him with her eyes wide open, she looks taken aback by his sudden proposal. Why would he want to marry her and most importantly, what business deal did he need a wife for? Is it something dangerous? Questions like that dwell deep in Isabella's heart. As much as this is an open opportunity for her to get her plan executed, it seems like she would be going too far.

Isabella is about to decline when her phone rings out loud, she gazes at Lorenzo and he gestures her to pick the call. Isabella gazes at the screen and realizes it is a call from her neighbor which is strange because they are not that close enough to call each other out of nowhere.

Isabella picks the call and places it close to her ear.

"Hello Isabella? You need to come home right now! Your house is on fire!"

The mention of fire only leaves Isabella to one conclusion.

Matteo.