Her Perfect Half

Chapter twenty-two

We're now sitting together. Silently. I'm eating toast and bacon, and I don't dare to look up from my plate because everyone is looking pretty pissed today.

Hmm, I wonder why? 'So, how was your first night as a husband and wife?' Aria warmly asked. 'I think Kiarra would love to tell you.' I gulp down my food.

'It was good. Nothing special.' Diego raised his eyebrow playfully. 'Really? Nothing special?' He raised his voice a little, making him sound like a pubesic teenager.

'Yeah.' I grip my fork tighter. I could see my knuckles turning white. I'll die in this house. 'Okay, don't fight now. A key to a good marriage is peace.' Aria looked at her husband with warm, sparkling eyes.

He was cold. He glanced at Aria before he kissed her. I wonder if Aria knows that actually Diego and I are in an arranged marriage. I'll ask her. Wait, should I? That would be so unkind of me if I asked her this question.

'Diego, I need you today at a meeting. Maximo, you have some work to do, too. Aria, my love. We're going to be out all day. So don't make a lot for lunch.'

I'm so happy. Diego is going to be out of the house all day. 'Okay, Santiago.' Aria replays. Oh, so his name is Santiago. Hmh, so familiar. 'Okay, let's go boys.'

They got up and went into their respective rooms. I stayed and helped Aria clean up. 'So, dear, were you comfortable last night? Were you cold? Because I was shivering last night.'

'Oh, no, I wasn't. Actually, it was hot last night.' She looked at me, surprised. 'Guess you Italians don't know the differences between hot and cold.'

We laughed and continued to wash dishes. 'Aria, we're going. See you at dinner.' Santiago kissed her, and Diego did the same to me. 'So, now that they're gone. Tell me.'

I looked confused. 'What do I need to tell you?' Did that sound rude? Ugh, now I feel guilty. 'It doesn't look like you enjoy being here. Tell me, what is bothering you?'

Your son. 'Well, I'm fifteen, and my father forced me into marrying your son, and in other words, I like Maxino, and I want to go back to Italy.'  I did not just say that. What the fuck happened to me?

Did I forget my freacking manners at home? 'Pretend I didn't say that, please. Also, I'm so sorry for what I just said. I didn't mean it.' I did mean it.

'Oh, dear, I knew that. Well, not exactly. I didn't know that you had feelings for Maximo. He is pretty, right?' Damn, that woman starts scaring me. At first, she looked like a kind lady. Now, I'm considering running away from her.

'Yeah, yeah, he is pretty.' I shamefully admit. 'But don't tell him.' She chuckles at me. 'Aren't you two dating?' Are we dating? I mean, he hasn't talked to me since I came here. Should I confront him?

'Well, he hasn't talked to me in a while. I don't know what to do.' I admit. 'You can just call him, believe me, he is not busy. Whenever my husband says, "Maximo, you have work to do in the office.' He never does.'

'Go ahead and call him. And tell me what he said in detail.' Okay, I guess I can live with her.

/Conversation/

'Maximo, we have to talk.'

'Yes, mi vida. What's wrong? Do you need anything?'

'No, I want to talk to you.'

'What is it? Quickly, please. I'm in a meeting.'

I roll my eyes. Sure, you're in a meeting.

'Are you mad at me?'

'When did that come from?'

'You haven't talked to me since I came here. Are you sure everything is alright?'

'Mi Vida, yes, everything is fine. I don't want anybody getting suspicious. That's it. Okay? You know, I love you.'

'Yeah, I do.'

'Then, please don't think about that.'

I hang up the phone. I'm confused. Does Maximo really mean it?