Deceptive Hearts

28

The private jet cruised high above the clouds, carrying Dante and Alora toward a secluded Mediterranean paradise. Dante had spared no expense for their honeymoon, booking an exclusive villa nestled along the cliffs, surrounded by nothing but the endless blue sea and the soft hum of nature. It was the perfect place to escape the chaos of their lives and, for Alora, to temporarily forget about her mission.

As they stepped out of the car at the villa, the warm Mediterranean breeze swept over them, carrying the scent of saltwater and wildflowers. Alora inhaled deeply, letting the calm atmosphere wash over her. This place was beyond beautiful, with its white stone walls, glass doors that opened to a private infinity pool, and breathtaking views of the coastline.

"This is heaven," she murmured, walking to the balcony to admire the panoramic view of the setting sun. The horizon glowed with shades of gold, pink, and lavender, and the sea below sparkled like a bed of diamonds.

Dante followed her, his hands sliding around her waist as he pulled her close. He kissed the top of her head, his voice low and soft. "I wanted you to have the best, Alora. You deserve it."

Alora stiffened slightly at his words, but forced herself to relax in his embrace. Did she really deserve all this? The guilt from her double life felt heavier in moments like these, when Dante's love and devotion were so genuine, and her betrayal so close at hand. She had promised herself that the mission wouldn't interfere with her feelings, but it had become impossible to separate the two. The lines had blurred, and she was living a lie in the arms of the man she loved.

For now, she'd push those thoughts aside and try to live in the moment.

They spent the evening lounging on the deck by the pool, sipping champagne and indulging in decadent dishes prepared by a private chef. The stars began to twinkle above, their reflection shimmering on the water's surface as they talked about nothing and everything.

Dante was different here, more relaxed, more open. He laughed easily, his eyes sparkling with the joy of having Alora all to himself. They shared stories from their pasts, moments from their childhoods-safe memories that brought smiles to their faces, free from the complications of the world they now lived in.

As the night deepened, Alora excused herself to shower, leaving Dante to sit by the pool, his gaze following her until she disappeared inside. He loved watching her, the way she moved with effortless grace, the way her smile lit up her entire face. She was everything he had ever wanted, and more. But even in moments like this, he couldn't shake the feeling that there were parts of her he still didn't fully understand.

While the sound of running water echoed from the villa, Dante pulled out his phone to check his messages. Business never really stopped, even during a honeymoon, but he tried to keep work at bay. As he scrolled through his emails, he noticed Alora's phone resting on the table beside his. He hesitated for a moment, feeling a slight tug of curiosity.

He knew he shouldn't look-trust was essential in any relationship, and he had no reason to doubt her. But something in his gut told him there was more to Alora than she let on. His instincts, honed by years of dealing with people who wore masks, warned him that she was hiding something. And then, just as if fate were taunting him, her phone buzzed.

A message popped up on the screen: Message from Mina.

Mina? Dante's brow furrowed. He didn't recall Alora mentioning anyone named Mina. Was she an old friend? A family member? The name triggered no memories, and the longer he stared at the screen, the more unsettled he felt. What could Mina possibly have to say to Alora right now, on their honeymoon?

His fingers hovered over her phone, his internal battle raging. He could easily unlock it and read the message. Maybe it was nothing, but maybe it wasn't. Just as he was about to reach for the phone, his own phone rang, the sudden sound breaking his focus.

It was one of his associates, and the call was urgent.

With a frustrated sigh, Dante grabbed his phone, pushing Alora's message to the back of his mind. "What's the problem?" he asked, stepping away from the table as he answered.

The voice on the other end was rapid, explaining an issue with a business deal that couldn't be delayed. Dante listened, his mind already calculating the solution, pacing back and forth along the edge of the pool as he discussed next steps. It wasn't a major problem, but one that demanded his attention nonetheless.

Fifteen minutes later, the issue was resolved. Dante ended the call and turned back to the villa, but the lightheartedness of the evening had slipped away. The message from Mina still lingered in his mind, an uncomfortable shadow that he couldn't shake.

When he returned to the poolside, Alora was standing by the glass door in a white robe, her damp hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders. She smiled softly at him, her skin glowing from the heat of the shower. She was beautiful, but something in the air had shifted.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, her eyes searching his face for any sign of worry.

"Just work," Dante replied, his voice tight. He forced a smile, trying to let go of the strange feeling. "It's taken care of now."

Alora nodded, her gaze flicking to her phone on the table. She stepped forward, casually picking it up, and saw the message from Mina. Her heart skipped a beat, panic flaring in her chest, but she quickly swiped it away before Dante could see the full notification. For a second, she wondered if he had noticed it-but if he did, he gave no sign.

"Come on," she said, forcing a playful tone as she took his hand. "No more work tonight. Let's just enjoy this."

Dante squeezed her hand, letting himself be pulled back into the villa. He would let it go, for now. Whatever that message was, it could wait. He had more important things to focus on-like the woman standing in front of him, the woman he was determined to spend the rest of his life with.

But the seed of doubt had been planted, and it was already beginning to grow.

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I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Sorry for really late update, school is pretty busy and studying as well.
I hope this chapter brought at least some light and showed a beautiful "connection" between them.

Thank you!
Love y'all 💗

-1135 words-