Chapter 10: Insomnia

Livia didn't bother to engage and instead opened up Facebook. Seeing Bronte's post flaunting a hand-in-hand stroll with Rhodes, the caption read, "Holding hands now and growing old together."

Livia hit the 'like' button.

Although it was a whirlwind wedding, it only further confirmed Bronte’s faith in love.

Suddenly, the sausage she had been biting into was gone. Lifting her eyes, she caught the man who had been eyeing her phone now chewing thoughtfully.

"Bronte's on her second marriage, right? I have no idea why she'd want to walk into that minefield again after seeing so many failures,” Angelo said. “Divorce is public drama, why volunteer for that embarrassment?”

Livia put down her phone, suddenly not in the mood to eat, "Marriage is not a minefield. It's a significant destination in life. It's fine if you don't believe in love, but don't question other people’s marriages."

Seeing her flip, Angelo swiped the plate from her hand and finished off the sausage she hadn't eaten. “Don’t you think Bronte’s making a mockery of marriage? Her last one barely lasted two years because she complained about the guy’s earning potential. This time, how long do you think it’ll last before it goes stale? She was better off dating around before getting hitched, dropping any man that didn’t fit.”

"Are you done?" Livia fumed. "Do you think everyone is as irresponsible as you are? Sure, marriage doesn't guarantee a lifetime together, but it means that at one point, the couple had the intention of spending their lives with each other!"

Taking a deep breath, Livia sighed. "Forget it, why am I even discussing this with you? I'm tired, just do whatever you want."

She returned to her room, closed the door, and locked it.

Angelo, not in a rush, watched the closed door. After washing the dishes, he went to knock on it.

“Miss Ashcroft, we were just discussing our different stances on marriage, why the temper? Can't you be a bit more magnanimous?"

Angelo leaned against the wall, his voice lazy. "I'm leaving on a business trip tomorrow and won't be back until early next month. Are you sure you want me to spend the last night before my trip sleeping on the couch?"

Livia was furious.

Even though she knew his views on love and marriage, hearing them expressed so bluntly always left her unsettled. He kept reminding her, again and again, that he was never going to settle down.

Livia refused to open the door.

After showering and stepping out, she heard the door close from outside.

She listened at her door for a while and heard nothing. Opening it, she saw no one.

He had left.

A sudden wave of disappointment washed over Livia.

Sleeping alone at night, she found herself unable to drift off.

It was well past 2 a.m. when she finally fell asleep, but it seemed only moments later that her alarm was blaring.

Getting ready, Livia pulled open the door to find Angelo blocking the doorway, staring straight at her.

She had no idea when he had returned.

She pretended not to see and tried to squeeze past him.

Angelo grabbed her hand. "Still mad about last night?"

Livia glared at him. "Yes."

"Perfect, I've been fuming all night long." Angelo scooped her up and carried her into the bedroom, laying her on the bed before climbing on top. "Let's extinguish our fires together."

Livia struggled. "Get off me!"

"No." Angelo's lips were already on hers.

"I'm going to be late!" Livia grabbed his face.

Angelo pinned her hands, interlocking their fingers, and looked down at her breathlessly. "I've seen your schedule, you've got nothing this morning."

Livia fell silent.

"Relax," Angelo whispered in her ear, his voice low and sultry. "We only have two hours before my 8:30 flight."

Livia never knew how to reject him, eventually giving in to their shared recklessness.

Like a wolf starved for days, Angelo devoured her with ravenous intensity as if he could consume her whole.

An hour later, Angelo was neatly dressed, looking at the flushed woman on the bed. "Do you want me to get you anything? I'll buy it for you."

Livia had calmed down. "What I want isn't something you can give."

"Miss Ashcroft, it's pointless to talk like that." Angelo adjusted his tie. "I'm leaving."

Livia remained silent.

Angelo paused at the door, then circled back, bending to place a kiss on her forehead. "Don't go getting all kinds of ideas, okay?"

Livia spoke indifferently. "You should go or you'll be late."

Angelo glanced at his watch, "Alright."

When the exams ended, Matilde also came back from her hometown.

They brought back quite a haul, preparing half for Angelo and half for Livia.

Livia eyed the two bags. "Why did you bring so much?"

"Smoked bacon and sausages. Got these eggs from a local farm, not too many, just a hundred. Fifty for you, and fifty for Angelo."

Matilde excitedly brought out the food, repacking it into a nicer-looking tote bag as she reminded Matias. "Bring these to Angelo at work tomorrow."

Livia wanted to mention that Angelo was still away on a business trip but she didn't dare to speak up.

Matias cheerfully agreed. "Sure thing."

"Hey, Livia, Watson was asking if you're seeing anyone. He even offered to set you up," Matilde said with a grin.

Livia stayed silent and listened.

Seeing her daughter standing mute, Matilde sighed, "Suit yourself."

Livia spoke up. "A happy marriage depends on the person you marry. Dad's always got your back. Even grandma couldn't trouble you if she wanted to."

Matilde glared at her. "What do you know about the hard times I went through when I first married him?"

"But now you two are so happy!" Livia said with a smile, hugging her mother's arm playfully. "Mom, I want to find a man who loves me like Dad loves you. So, my standards are high. I'm sure I'll meet him."

"Alright, enough with your marriage talk. My daughter is young, beautiful, and capable. There's no way she won't find a good man," Matias interjected to ease the situation.

Matilde shot a glare at Matias.

Matias just laughed.

Seeing the love in her parents' eyes, Livia felt envious.