BOUNDLESS DECEPTION: WILL LOVE PREVAIL?

CHAPTER FOUR: AURÉLIO

AURELIO

What was I doing watching her sleep peacefully? I thought of how my treacherous body navigated toward Her. I envisioned her exquisite body curled up against my body rather than the seat she lay on. I couldn't deny how beautiful and gracious she looked when I saw her standing close to her father and Mamma. The spaghetti Strap Button sundress she was dressed in really accentuated her beauty, and her subtle floral and vanilla scent intoxicated me, urging me to breathe in her scent. I'm still shocked and couldn't believe she woke up to me staring down at her mouth and wondering what it would be like to kiss her again.

"You know, I don't understand you" her voice, drew me out of my thought.

"What don't you understand," I asked carefully, trying to understand what she is driving at.

She turned to face me, "Why do you act cold to me every time", stopping to drink from the glass of water, she had requested before carrying on, "I don't get it. You act nice to everyone else but I get the cold side of you."

So she's pretending not to know, I'm tired of her acting all innocent like Aria. I made a promise to myself, never to think of that despicable woman again. I once let down my guard with Aria, but what did it earn me? I'm never going to let any woman deceive me again. After all, once beaten twice shy. "What can I say, I bet you just bring out the worst in me," I said coldly

"You can't be serious. You were civil to me for years, but suddenly turned against me after Maria's will was read." She pointed out sharply.

I raked my hands through my glossy black hair, then asserted "Since you've had it all figured out, why are we having this conversation?" I said cynically

"You know what, forget I asked you anything. I just want us to coexist for the two years we will remain married. We don't even need to talk to each other unless it's necessary. I am tired of you treating me like some criminal. Judging me based on your previous experience is f****d up you know." She said frowningly, turning away from me as though that would block me out.

How am I going to survive two years with this woman?

My wife! The concept sounded strange to me.

I tried to go back to work, but after a couple of minutes of trying to concentrate, I gave up. Finally, I decided to catch some sleep, hoping desperately that when I woke up, I would be rid of this tensed-up feeling and be able to carry on working. I threw one last look at her after settling into my seat, before drifting off.

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A couple of hours later after a restful sleep, I resumed working tirelessly on the paperwork I'd asked my assistant to pack for my trip. We carried on our journey without uttering a word to each other. Thank God, we decided to use a public plane rather than my private jet. I can't imagine my flying staff spreading weird rumors about our estranged behavior toward each other. I ate, but she didn't, rather she opted for coffee.

Soon the "fastened seat belt" sign came on, coupled with the captain's landing announcement. I fastened my seat belt tightly and watched as she did the same. I felt a tiny tingle in my chest and at the same chuckled as I admire her determination not to talk to me. We were soon out of the airport and settled inside a powerful black four-wheel drive car which had an ultra-impressive road presence, parked outside the terminal building.

I was too tired to appreciate the beautiful surrounding as we drove to the resort, we would be staying in. I watched as our driver, Pierre, who is also in charge of our tour here, happily and dutifully indulge Lucie's curiosity. It was impossible to not notice that she was full to the brim with joy. After her conversation with Pierre had died down, she looked out the window and studied the sky which was bright sky blue. I studied her as she catch a glimpse of the city's cultural heritage, as we drove through.

As soon as we arrived at the resorts, what seemed like an army of bellboys handled our luggage, and before we knew it, we were checked in. On our way to the suite, I studied the beach resort and love what I saw. The scale and volume of the resort were extremely big, with different allocated spaces and sections that had their distinctive air. The resort encompasses a modern bohemian setting that delivered an eclectic retro style. It is effortlessly sophisticated, and delightfully simple all at once. It provided a bewitching air of relaxed opulence, with eccentric details and homey vibes. The huge space accented the white wooden rafters and thatched ceiling, making the resort look eclectic and comfortable at the same time.

Less than an hour later, we were settled in a two people grand king suite with a master area and a living space with a strong emphasis on grand in-room decoration, high-quality amenities and supplies, and tailor-made services. The space also features jaw-dropping sea views and an airy balcony with beachfront access.

Lucie's silence was beginning to get to me. The only word she uttered since we arrived had been to the bellboys, who she'd tipped. I sat in the living area and examined her with great intensity. She was leaning against the rail, looking over to the beach's shallow intense turquoise water. She continued ignoring me, even after I slowly walked up and stood beside her. I figured I should leave her alone since she was hellbent on ignoring me, but I couldn't.

"Isn't this view incredible?" I said in a husky tone. After a few seconds of noticing she had no intention of speaking to me, I turned her to look at me directly. She just stared at me with a wary look. "For God's sake, are we going to continue like this? I thought you said something about coexisting. So what is this." I said, slowly losing my temper.

"This is coexisting. We are currently sharing the same space, but that doesn't mean we need to talk." She finally lets out after a minute of silence.

"Can you hear yourself? Okay, explain to me in better terms how that is good for us. Because when we return home, everyone would notice how we've drifted away from each other." I rang out, shocked at the route I had taken so she would talk to me.

"Ohhh...so now, you care about what everyone at home would think. Last I checked, I don't see the need to explain anything to you or anyone. Remember you started all these. I just want you to stay away from me. Give me the space I need." She answered me stubbornly.

"For Christ's sake, woman...." I began, only to be cut short by her.

"By the way, I would be sleeping on the sofa bed located in the other corner of the bedroom. So feel free to use the bed." She informed me, then walked past me into the suite.

"That's not going to happen." I shot back, following her into the living area. "We would both lay on the bed. And please stop throwing tantrums like a child." I watched her face heat up with anger and her eyes shot lasers at me immediately the words came out of my mouth.

"You think I'm acting out." her voice faltered, as her eyes beamed with tears. I noticed her effort to control the tears when she turned away from me and inhaled slowly.

I knew I shouldn't be moved by her deceptive crocodile tears. My head kept saying she was just like other women--like Aria, who used tears to deceive me when things weren't going her way. But, my heart said otherwise. Not wanting to see her cry, I tried to control her outburst. "Listen I'm sorry, that came out wrong. What I meant was..." I said at once

"Ohhh.. go on, let me hear how nice you want to put it. Should I help you? Would you have preferred, 'Oh dear Lucy, stop this unruly behavior or stop this socially unacceptable attitude or better still, keep your frustration in check, young lady.' you can go ahead now, choose the one that's appropriate for me" She threw at me brusquely, sounding pained.

I stared at her in disbelief. I couldn't help but admire her fierce nature. I abruptly pulled her into my solid chest and hugged her curved waistline with my hands. Before she could comprehend what was going on, I dropped my mouth on hers, capturing her lips in a raw hungry kiss. I felt her shudder in my arms as I continued to kiss her with blinding pleasure. She eventually gave in to the kiss and pulled me closer, pressing my hard-muscled body into hers. Not eager to end the kiss, I tasted her sweet and delicate lips with slow sizzling satisfaction. I pulled away a second for us to release our breath before I slammed my lips to hers again, and claimed her in a quick spontaneous, and vigorous manner. I eventually dragged my mouth away from hers and dropped it on her jaw, before kissing my way down to her neck, where I planted a deep kiss while sucking and biting the area. A sensual cry left her lips, then I felt her tense up before pulling away.

A very long silence passed before Lucie staggered away from me, and went into the bathroom. For the next twenty minutes, I heard nothing from her. That gave me enough time to think about the kiss. It's so unusual for me to let my desire control me. The thought that I had hurt her with my words spiked things up. After another fifteen minutes, she came out of the bathroom dressed in a fluffy white hooded styled bathrobe with her wet hair wrapped in a white towel. I cleared my throat, trying to get her attention.

"Not now Aurelio, we were stuck in a plane for over 12 hours and I'm really tired. I need to catch some sleep." She muttered softly.

She moved to the sofa bed and lay on it, her back turned to me. Soon I heard her breathe inhale and exhale. I moved from my position, to check up on her. I crossed the room to the double-door wooden wardrobe to pick up a fleshly washed silky and smooth blanket, then went back to cover her with the blanket. I stayed beside her, watching her sleep. I stared at her remarkable beautiful skin, silky girlishly long eyelashes, elegant straight nose, and her slender sleeping features. Not wanting to be caught staring again, I moved back to the sitting area to sit behind the simple white writing desk, where I had dropped my business bag. After an hour of being unable to work, I retreated to the bathroom to freshen up.

The bathroom looked neat and clean with flesh and floral fragrance. The bathroom had a frameless glass door and a glossy surface-like marble countertop. I stood before the luxury double-sided cosmetic mirror to undress. I observed that she has made herself at home. Her essential and personal hygiene items neatly adorn the space on the right side of the shelf, creating space for me on the left. I proceed to the Victorian bathtub and spent fifteen minutes relaxing my body and nerves. After my bath, I picked a towel from the upscale wall-mounted towel shelf to dry off my body before putting on a kimono-styled bathrobe to keep me warm. I changed into a sharp white shirt and a pair of distressed straight jeans, before going back to check up on Lucie.

I lifted her from her sprawled-out sleeping position into my hands, carried her to the king-sized bed, and positioned a pillow properly before laying her on the bed and using the white duvet to cover her.