He did not even apologize. What a jerk!
This man almost ruined my first private jet experience but I refused to let it get to me.
He could stare all he wanted but no apology meant no conversation from me.
The flight lasted a couple of hours.
I ate something light when the flight attendant offered and then I drifted into a short nap.
When I woke up, he was still on his laptop working.
So it's true what they say about billionaires working nonstop...
Interesting.
We landed in New York and our next point of call was the hotel we would be staying near my sister's home. More like him. Because I knew my father would insist I stay with them.
"Are you okay?"
I heard his raspy voice for the first time in hours and I almost missed it but for the fact that I was secretly yearning to hear him speak to me.
"Yeah, I'm good." I nodded, staring straight ahead.
"Ada, look at me."
There was a mix of tenderness and firmness in his tone.
Defiantly, I stared out the window.
That familiar jolt surged through me as his palm touched my arm softly.
"You're angry."
It was a statement, not a question.
I looked at his devilishly handsome face for a moment but it seemed like an hour with the silence that passed between us.
I couldn't hold it in anymore.
"If you knew you couldn't trust me to keep it safe, why did you give me such an expensive ring? You could have gone with a much cheaper option."
He pulled back. I watched his face scrunch into a scowl.
"No woman of mine would wear anything cheap." The firmness in his tone did things to me.
My heart lurched. I was his woman.
Only on paper, Ada. I reminded myself quickly.
With brows raised, I asked with a hint of offense in my tone; "So it's an ego thing for you now?"
He shut his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Please don't be like that."
I scoffed. "Like what?"
"I chose you because I thought there's no way you'd be whiny like the other women I've come across."
I felt annoyance flood my veins in torrents.
"You know what? Fuck you, Alessandro." I said, not caring that he was appalled by my cussing.
But from the corner of my eye, I spotted a smirk from him. It was gone as soon as it came.
Thankfully the driver had just parked at the hotel.
I got down without another word and had to stop myself from storming into the lobby without him.
He tried to reach for my hand. I pretended to not see it.
I could see how excited the staff were to have him there.
He had booked the penthouse suite. Typical...
We going to be here for barely two days and he went ahead and splurged.
Maybe I couldn't understand because even though I was comfortable, I wasn't rich-rich like him.
Wordlessly, we stood side by side in the elevator.
The penthouse suite was breathtaking. I busied myself with admiring the interior as well as the impeccable view whilst he busied himself with one call after the other.
I eventually called my mother to let her know that we'd be there in time for dinner. She was pretty excited and I tried to mirror it but the nerves in the pit of my stomach inhibited any form of excitement.
Soon, I went inside the suite's bedroom and took a shower. Thankfully, Alessandro didn't barge in at any point and I had my privacy until I was done dressing up when I stepped out with my overnight bag.
He walked past me on my way out. He was going to change.
I sat in the living room and waited after pouring myself a glass of juice, sipping slowly as I tried to steady my racing heart.
It was too late to back down now. If not for anything but the jet fuel Alessandro burned to get us here.
I did everything to hold it together and not let my jaw drop at the sight of his private jet.
What did I even expect from a billionaire? Somehow I seemed to forget his status. Maybe because I hadn't gotten to know him well enough or he just did a good job at not shoving his status in my face.
Well, good. Because if he turned out to be one of those entitled wealthy assholes, I would put him in his place.
I was still lost in my thoughts when I caught a whiff of his cologne.
"Ready?"
His voice reached my eyes before I could turn to him.
Involuntarily, my breath hitched as I set eyes on him. He looked dapper in his navy blue suit that hugged his biceps. It was tailored to perfection.
His hair was looked a little moist, the jet black locs calling me to run my hands through them. I squeezed my palms into fists to stop them from reaching for it.
Then our eyes locked.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah," my voice came out shakier than normal.
What the fuck was he doing to me?!
"Let's go?" He gestured towards the door, ready to put his palm on the small of my back.
I picked up my small luggage.
"Where are you taking that?"
"I'll be staying over at my parents'." I told him.
"Ada, I took this suite for you."
There was something about the way he said that that left me in what felt like a trance.
Ada, focus. You're supposed to be angry at this man.
"My parents are quite strict. I'm not sure they'd like the idea of us staying together."
"And what if we were already cohabitating?"
I chuckled. "Trust me, they wouldn't like that."
"But they'd adjust eventually,"
I rolled my eyes. And with a smile in my voice I said to him; "Alessandro, let's go. We're going to be late."
"Okay ma'am."
I chuckled again and he did same.
I guess we were in good terms again.
~
It was a twenty minute drive and soon we found ourselves at my sister's home. Or should I say her husband's. He had the house before they got married. I should know because...
"Ready?"
Alessandro cut through my thoughts.
I giggled in amusement. "I should be asking you that. You're about to get into the lion's den."
"Oooh, I'm scared." He sardonically said, faking a shudder.
I rolled my eyes yet again before letting out a nervous breath.
Here goes nothing...