obsessed with his badass ex-wife

Chapter 14

Natalie

Who said chivalry is dead? I haven't been out of Mario's house for two hours and he has my bar guarded down like a hunt down mission. Did I say chivalry? I meant to say suffocating. He can't even let me be on my own.

I haven't seen a man as shameless as him. First, he comes down to find me in this mini town after what he did to me three years ago, second, he takes me against my will and makes me feel guilty ten times harder because I enjoy his sinful temptations. I should have expected him to get more possessive as he spends more time in this town.

His is so overbearing. I dumped the cleaning rag in frustration, glaring at him as he sat at the edge of the counter doodling God knows what.

“How long are you going to be here?" I snapped, losing my patience.

“I won't bother you, Sunshine. You can keep working," he said, casually still focused on what he was doing.

“You are not bothering me. But my customers don't seem comfortable with you around. You are f*****g scaring them, Mario." I threw my hand at the corner where my customers were clustered up at a table quietly.

“Language, baby. I don't mind f*****g you right in front of everyone here. It would be an interest show but I prefer to share my things alone. Also, I am in no body's hair. If they chose to sandwich themselves at a corner like sardines in a tin that's their problem not mine. I will stay here until you are done working," he said, finally looking up and I feel my blood rise.

He so insufferable. How did I end up with him without noticing how annoying he can be? This won't work, I have to find a way to get him out of my bar.

“Don't you have anything to do? A job or something? You can't tell me you are going to miss your important meeting just to keep watch on me."

He scrabbled something down and passed it to me. A gasp escaped from my mouth as I stared down at the raw sketch he had made of me.

“Y...you, drew this under two hours?" I breathlessly asked. The sketch was beautiful, too realistic to be a drawing made out of a blunt pencil. “I didn't know you could draw," I muttered, staring down at it.

“There are a lot of things you don't know about me, Sunshine." he grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to the counter's edge. "Give me a second chance and I will prove myself to you again," he said calmly. The softened look in his eyes tempted to accept him

“Mario, we can't go back to stumbling again. You made me believe so that I am not perfect for you. What happened?" my voice creaked as my chest tightened from the memories of the past.

I had begged for him to let me stay, prepared to accept the monster he claimed to be even though I didn't see him in such light. But he chose to sent me off that night and made me regret my choice of loving him.

The pain still felt like a fresh wound. It stung deep into my veins, penetrating my emotions like an acupuncture needle.

“I had my reasons, Natalie. And that's why I am here now to make amends. Right my wrongs and start afresh." He reached out to hold my hand but I pulled away from him instinctively. Gone are the times I longer for his touch.

“I was scared and vulnerable at that time, Mario. When I needed you the most, you weren't there." Tears streamed down my eyes and I hated he had to see me like this. Broken, vulnerable, insecure.

“I am sorry, Natalie."

“Apologizing won't take away the pain so easily. Trying to make amends isn't as easy as you think I would be. You had my heart ripped when you told me to leave and never come back." I hit my chest hoping that by doing so the pain aching within it would go away.

“I was wrong and I regret it," he muttered, his voice low and full of regret. His eyes held a certain fear, the same I had three years ago. The fear of losing the one that mattered the most to me.

He was trying to make amends but I wasn't ready to accept him back into my life. Not when I have my girl's life at stake. I know pretty well how dangerous Mario is and his flood of enemies.

It won't be a healthy start for my baby even though he is her father. I can't risk her safety nor tell him about his biological connection with the child. He will only cause damage for the both of us.

“Give me a three months streak," he muttered and my brows furrowed in confusion. “I will try my best to win you back within three months. If I fail to do so, I will walk out of your life and never come back." the last part of his words stung me hard in the chest, trailing goosebumps along my arms.

The fact he was determined to give us a chance sent a thrill down my stomach. But at the same time I prioritized my daughter's safety.

“What if I do fall in love with you again but still don't want to have anything to do with you?" I asked, trying to clarify his terms.

“Then I will leave," he said coldly and I felt withdrawn by his answer. I expected him to say such won't happen or he won't let me go if I fell for him again. But I guess a part of me longed for his reply and dreaded it in a way.

After a long silence between us, tore a sheet of paper from my order note and signed my signature before passing it to him with a pen.

"So we are even now?" he asked after signing the blank sheet.

“No." I leaned forward, close enough to kiss him. “You have three months to woo me in order for us to be even. This mini contract will serve as evidence by the end of the term. So, get to work Mr. Mario or you are losing this deal." I clicked my tongue and stalked away from him, refocusing on my job.

I hope he makes it this time because earning back my trust is going to be a hard nut to crack.