Chapter 37: This Man Is Fierce

Valentia's envy reached new heights when she saw the kiss marks on Livia's exposed skin.

She had considered the possibility that Angelo had come for Livia last night and hadn't slept well. Seeing the staff headed to Angelo's room earlier, she followed them.

Sure enough, they were back together.

Angelo also saw Valentia. Without uttering a word, he took his luggage inside and closed the door, ignoring Valentia standing at the threshold.

"Aren't you going to explain?" Livia could sense Valentia's inner turmoil and rage.

Angelo began to dress, "Explain what?"

"Last night."

"Why should I explain? Valentia's not my girlfriend," he retorted, slipping on a white shirt and handing a tie to Livia. "Help me with this."

Livia took it, having tied his tie before.

Back then, she liked doing it, feeling it was something a wife did for her husband.

"Later, have the staff change the sheets and duvet." Angelo nodded at the nightstand. "Restock the stuff there too."

Following his nod, Livia's gaze fell on the adult supplies the hotel provided—last night's box was empty.

"Actually, never mind, I'll get them myself," Angelo commented. "The size was a bit small, anyway."

Livia fell silent.

Angelo noticed the bite mark on his Adam's apple was hard to conceal but dropped the subject.

After he finished dressing, he cradled Livia's face and softly kissed her lips. "Rest well. Order room service if you get hungry. I'll be back after the meeting."

He was now the epitome of a husband informing his wife of his whereabouts, patient and tender.

Livia nodded, watching him leave. He had just closed the door when there was another knock. Livia assumed he'd forgotten something and opened it without asking.

"Did you guys hook up last night?" Valentia cut straight to the chase.

"Isn't it obvious?" Livia smiled at her.

Valentia eyed the love bites on her skin, knowing without a doubt that their night had been intense. She was green with envy.

Valentia had harbored hopes of something happening between her and Angelo, but he wouldn't even stay in the same room with her.

That afternoon, she had this nagging fear at the sight of Livia, worried they might end up together again.

"Didn’t you two break up?"

"Yeah. But we're both single. What's the harm in hooking up again?"

"So, what are you now? Friends with benefits?" Valentia mocked her.

Livia was unfazed. "Just an emotional outlet and connection between two consenting, single adults. It's natural when there's mutual desire."

"Heh, you're supposed to be a teacher, an educator. How can you be so casually promiscuous in your personal life?" Valentia scrutinized her. "If the parents of your students saw you like this, would they still want you teaching their kids?"

Livia's expression darkened. "What's wrong with normal social interactions? Have I stolen your boyfriend or done something illegal? Valentia, we're both women here. Why speak so unpleasantly?"

Valentia was fuming, but she really had no ground to lecture Livia.

"I've said it before. Angelo is mine."

"I remember. He's not yours right now." Livia didn't back down. "When he's actually your boyfriend, you can slap me if I spend the night with him again. But until then, you have no business interrogating me."

Valentia clenched her teeth, furious.

"Sorry, I need to catch up on some sleep. Excuse me." With that, Livia closed the door.

While Livia previously had her ups and downs with Angelo, it had always been just between the two of them. Now with Valentia in the mix, even a casual fling with Angelo seemed unlikely to go smoothly.

Florence called again, asking if Livia wanted to hang out that afternoon.

Thinking of the marks on her body, Livia silently cursed Angelo. "No, I'm not going out. I'm staying put for the next few days."

"What's up? You feeling okay?" Florence's curiosity was laced with a tinge of concern.

"It's nothing. You go have fun, and I'll just rest up in the hotel."

The less Livia divulged, the more intrigued Florence grew.

Before long, Florence knocked on the door.

Unable to resist any longer, Livia opened it.

Florence gasped, eyes wide and hand over her mouth. "You weren't assaulted, were you?"

Livia remained silent.

Seeing the suitcase on the floor, open with men's clothing inside, Florence's eyes bulged. "A fling?"

Livia plopped down on the couch, clutching a pillow, and watched with a cool gaze as Florence made a fuss, uncertain how to explain.

"Yes."

"Since when does a fling come with a suitcase?" Florence was stunned.

Livia said pragmatically. "It's convenient."

Florence was frozen, sizing up Livia. "I never pegged you for being so liberated."

"Live in the moment. Didn't you say coming here was all about the flings?" Livia leaned back into the couch. "Didn't you also head out with a hunk last night? Nothing happened?"

That prompted a sly grin from Florence. "Well, I wanted something to happen, but I had to play it cool. I left him my number. If I'm still feeling it before we leave, I might just create some happy memories."

Listening to her, Livia gave an approving thumbs up.

Florence was genuinely curious. "This guy must be intense. How do you handle it?"

Livia didn't expect her to be so deeply engrossed, letting out a sigh. "It was all about mutual enjoyment."

Florence smirked mischievously. "Seems like he's got skills. Usually, you're so prim and delicate. I never imagined you'd drop the mentor facade and go wild."

"My personal life has nothing to do with my career."

Florence nodded. "Fair enough. Students are our nation's future, and we give our all to nurture them. But in our own time, we don’t always have to follow the rules."

Sometimes, the label "role model" can feel like shackles.

Parents often judge a teacher's competence by their personal attire and conduct, so dressing impeccably and minding one's behavior at work is crucial.

If they showed up looking like they were headed to the beach, they'd be dog-piled with critiques.

Florence chose to stay in with Livia, ordering food, as the two of them chatted the evening away. She found herself genuinely intrigued by the man who had captured Livia's gaze. Anyone who could charm such a captivating lady had to be remarkable.

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, there was a knock at the door.

Florence asked with delight, "Is that him? Is that the guy coming back?"

Livia wasn't sure, but Florence hurried to answer the door, her eyes widening in surprise upon seeing the visitor.

She had seen this man before. Just yesterday, he had helped Livia up.

Angelo glanced at Florence, giving only a slight nod before walking in and asking Livia directly. "Haven't you gone to bed?"

"No, I haven't." Livia noticed Florence was still rooted to the spot and said, "This is my colleague, Florence. Florence, this is Angelo, a friend of mine."

Livia deliberately avoided stating their relationship to prevent any misunderstandings with Florence and to not give Angelo the impression that she wanted to hold him to any title.

It was as if not claiming a title meant not expecting anything more.