Chapter 39: Run to See Your Favorite Person

Staring at the incoming call displayed on her screen, Livia hesitated for a long while before she answered.

“Hello?”

"I'm heading back," Angelo's voice was deep.

Stirring her fruit tea, Livia replied, "Okay."

"Are you coming with me?"

"No," Livia said. "Have a safe trip."

There was a moment of silence on the phone before he spoke again, "I'll pick you up from the airport when you return."

"We'll see," Livia, who hadn't received a single word from him last night, spoke with feigned ease, her lips pursed slightly. "Anyway, we need to get ready for the next spot, bye."

Without waiting for a response, Livia hung up.

Florence was watching her closely, "No explanation?"

"What's there to explain?" Livia sipped her tea, finding it unexpectedly tart. "He's not my boyfriend."

"But you slept together. Doesn't that make you lovers?" Florence said, shocked.

"We're adults. Why overcomplicate things?" Livia's face showed indifference. "It's all just for fun anyway."

Florence shook her head, not quite understanding. "I don't think that should be the nature of your relationship."

"I've felt the same," Livia said with a bitter smile. "What can I do? Acceptance is my only option. Unrequited feelings are pointless."

Florence could sense the disappointment in her.

At that moment, she didn't know how to comfort Livia. It seemed that nothing would help.

"I'm fine." Livia knew Florence was worried and reassured her with a smile. "I've accepted it, so it's okay."

Florence frowned slightly and sighed. "Are you going to continue this relationship? Valentia is quite famous. Now with the media dubbing him as her boyfriend, I fear his past could be dug up by fans. That could drag you into it."

Livia had pondered this, too, but she didn't think Angelo would let the situation escalate.

Sure enough, just two hours later, the media reported that the man was not Valentia's boyfriend but an old friend and the owner of a partner brand. They had just been at Averlake shooting an advertisement and happened to be involved in an incident, which is why he stepped in to help.

That night, Angelo video called Livia.

She answered.

On-screen, Angelo sat in a leather chair wearing a black shirt, seemingly still at his office.

"When are you coming back?" Angelo leaned back in his chair and asked her.

Livia didn't know why he was asking again. They'd already discussed it that morning.

Seeing her silent, Angelo raised an eyebrow. "I bought you a ticket for tomorrow."

"You didn’t have to do that," Livia replied. "I still want to enjoy a few more days here."

"Aren’t I more fun?" Angelo asked, serious.

Livia avoided looking into his expressive eyes.

Clearing his throat, Angelo's voice turned low and sensual. "Come back tomorrow."

Livia didn't want to heed his words, but his pleading look softened her resolve.

The next day, Livia told Florence she was heading back. With a suggestive wink, Florence teased, "Going back to patch things up?"

Feeling slightly embarrassed by her friend's ribbing, Livia apologized. "I'm sorry. I did say we'd hang out for a few more days."

"Don't worry about it. I can have fun on my own," Florence reassured her and then offered, "Need a ride to the airport?"

"No, thanks," Livia declined. "I've already called a car."

As soon as the plane landed, Angelo texted her to say he was waiting at the exit. Livia felt an inexplicable surge of happiness and sped up towards the exit, her luggage in tow. She wanted to run to her beloved, but the crowd held her back.

Upon reaching the exit, Livia saw the statuesque Angelo waiting in a white tee and casual black blazer, his hair slightly tousled, which only added to his allure.

'He's brave, showing up like this at the airport after all the rumors about him being with Valentia. Isn't he afraid of being caught on camera?'

Livia approached, and Angelo naturally took her suitcase, walking with her side by side out of the terminal.

His pace quickened, and Livia had to jog to keep up.

He hadn't said a word since he saw her. After stowing the luggage in the trunk, Livia climbed into the car and buckled up. Angelo then drove them away from the airport.

Livia didn't understand his silence. Wasn't it he who had asked her to come back?

'Not a word now that we've met?'

They had just left the airport exit road when he suddenly pulled over.

Livia looked at him in surprise. Angelo, having undone his seatbelt, leaned over and pulled her close, pressing his lips to hers.

Their breathing grew rapid, his heartbeat pounding through the tight embrace.

Instinctively, Livia closed her eyes, surrendering to his kiss, until he sought something deeper, prompting her to pat his back and let out muffled noises.

Angelo released her, lust evident in his gaze.

His breaths were heavy, his fingers brushed through her hair, his Adam's apple bobbing. "I've missed you."

Swallowing hard, Livia's heart raced at his blunt confession.

"Do you miss me or my body?" she queried, her own breathing uneven.

"Is there a difference?" Angelo asked.

Livia countered. "Isn’t there?"

"I just miss you," Angelo declared before capturing her eagerly sought lips once more.

The confines of the car felt too narrow, and with traffic passing by, they couldn't stay parked for too long without risking police attention.

Angelo sat up, noticing how Livia's clothes had wrinkled, and her blushing face gave her an irresistible charm.

"Let's continue this at home."

Livia glared at him fiercely.

Angelo had already buckled his seatbelt. "Feeling good physically and emotionally makes everything else better."

Listening to his seemingly serious nonsense, Livia rolled her eyes.

Angelo started driving again. "So we’ll head to your place?"

"I'm going home," Livia responded curtly.

"Alright."

But instead of taking Livia home, Angelo drove to his own house.

The car slipped into the underground garage, and Livia glared at him. "I said I wanted to go home."

"Let's stop by my place first. I'll take you home later," Angelo said as he got out of the car and grabbed her luggage from the trunk.

Livia had never thought that one day she would be willingly brought to his home. It was almost like uncovering his secret. And now, she stepped into that very secret.

In the elevator, Livia felt an inexplicable surge of nervousness.

The uncertain nature of their relationship added an edge to her feelings about this sudden progression.

Once inside, Angelo left her suitcase by the door and asked her. "Do you want to take a shower?"

Livia licked her lips, looking at him without saying a word.

"What's wrong?" Angelo looked puzzled and took her hand with a frown. "Nervous?"

Yes, she was definitely nervous.

The last time she was here was to tutor Luke, and her mindset now was completely different. It was as though she had come home with a stranger.

"Don't worry, I won't join you," Angelo reassured, thinking her fear was about sharing a shower. "I've got some work to do in the study."

Livia drifted into the bathroom, feeling a bit dazed.

For over three years, she had never stepped even halfway into his domain, and now here she was, about to do the most private of things.

'Is he trying to change the nature of our relationship?'