Chapter 53: I'd Give You My Life, Don't You Want It?

After regaining her senses, Livia lay panting on top of him.

Angelo's hands caressed her back, planting occasional kisses on her shoulder. "What were you trying to say earlier? Did you call for me because you wanted to say something?"

Livia didn't lift her head. Deep down, she wanted to express her love.

They never said "I love you" to each other, no matter how intense or passionate the encounter.

Their interactions were always profound, engulfing themselves in each other's warmth. Communication existed, but it was always about whether the pace was right or if more was desired.

Discussions in bed revolved around the comfort and intensity of positions, never truly crossing into the realm of emotions.

"I wanted to say I love you," Livia felt those three words perpetually lodged in her heart, leaving her restless.

Angelo looked up at her. "Want more?"

Livia let out a deep sigh, not overly disappointed as it was somewhat expected.

"I'm tired. I want to sleep," she said as she rolled off him.

Angelo sat up, lighting a cigarette as she turned away. "Send me off tomorrow."

"My driving isn't great. Maybe have Donovan drive you instead," she genuinely doubted her driving skills and was worried about getting him to his destination on time.

"Just get up early and drive slowly," Angelo insisted on her taking him.

Livia grumbled sleepily, "Don't wanna."

Angelo took a fierce drag of his cigarette. "I've entrusted my life to you. You don't want it?"

At his words, Livia just pursed her lips. Who asked for his life, anyway?

It would be a curious turn if he dared to say those same words in a truly life-or-death situation.

The next morning, Angelo woke Livia up.

"What time is it?" she mumbled, eyes still heavy with sleep.

Angelo's hand wandered under the sheets, teasing her. "Seven."

"Stop it. I need to sleep a bit more," Livia tried to stop his hand.

"No more sleep," Angelo whispered close to her ear, his breath warm. "I won't be back for a week."

Livia turned away, annoyed, "Fine."

"I'm afraid you'll miss me," Angelo murmured, his lips fiercely claiming hers as his body pressed down upon her, silencing any protest with a kiss. "One last time. Give it to me."

He was insistent, his demand leaving no room for Livia to refuse, and he took her hard and uncompromisingly.

Livia's fingers clawed at his back, an unprepared cry escaping her throat.

Whether it was a rush against time or sheer intensity, it was over in the span of mere minutes, with Angelo reaching his climax.

Any trace of sleepiness had vanished from Livia. Instead, she bit down on his shoulder, holding on stubbornly.

Angelo didn't stop her, simply letting her bite him.

"Trying to leave a mark on me?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

Her eyes filled with a wounded look. "You were so rough just now. Are you trying to kill me?"

Curious, Angelo flipped back the sheets to check, but Livia quickly drew them up again in embarrassment. "What are you doing?"

"Just checking."

She rolled her eyes at the absurdity of it.

He asked seriously, "Does it hurt?"

"What do you think?" Livia glared.

"It's supposed to," he said.

She was at a loss for words.

Angelo, however, seemed quite pleased with himself. "That's the memory I'm leaving you with."

Enraged, Livia reached out to grab him, but he was quick to jump out of bed. "If you'd caught me just now, I'd be ruined for life, and your pleasure would've been cut short."

"My pleasure doesn't only come from you," Livia thought irritably, still feeling the effect of his forcefulness.

Narrowing his eyes, Angelo taunted, "This spot's been claimed by me. Anyone else wouldn't fit."

"Shameless!" Livia didn't want to argue. She pulled the covers over her head to block him out.

"Time to get up," Angelo announced. "Let’s have some breakfast, then it’s off to the airport."

Her muffled voice came from beneath the covers. "I'm not seeing you off."

Driving a car worth hundreds of thousands, Livia made her way nervously but safely to the airport parking lot.

Upon parking, Angelo unfastened his seatbelt. "A bit more practice, and you'll be set."

Livia got out of the car and handed him the keys after closing the door.

"Why are you giving these to me?"

"So you can drive yourself when you get back," she replied.

Angelo commented on the parking fees. "It's seventy or eighty bucks for a day here, don't you care about money? Just don't hit anyone driving back."

Livia rolled her eyes at the mention of parking fees.

In the distance, a man with a camera and a woman holding what seemed like a microphone for interviews approached hurriedly. Upon sighting the couple, they ran over, the woman greeting them, "Hi there, we're conducting street interviews, this episode is about airport farewells and reunions. Do you have a moment to spare us two minutes of your time?"

Livia found herself somewhat tempted to take the interview.

After casting a glance at Angelo, he pulled Livia behind him and said with a cold expression, "We’re in a hurry."

Angelo led her towards the elevator. Upon entering, he saw the two pursuers trying to follow but they were slowed down by the gear they carried and didn't catch up.

Inside the elevator, Livia shot a glance at the man's sour face. "Are you afraid of being on camera, or just afraid of being seen with me?"

"What's there to capture in this kind of stuff?" Angelo had already let go of her hand, his eyes exuding chilly indifference.

Livia looked down at her toes. "Valentia is the spokesperson for M Jewelry, and as the boss, you'll inevitably be photographed together in the future. Will you be able to avoid it then?"

Angelo gave her a look. "Don't make me angry before I leave."

That comment soured Livia's mood.

She admitted she was somewhat looking for trouble, but it was hard for her not to think that way.

"Fine then," Livia was at a loss for words.

Angelo frowned. "Stop making a fuss."

"Not at all," Livia put her hands behind her back, lifted her face, raised her eyebrows, and flashed him a smile. "I'm perfectly calm."

Angelo wasn't fooled and glared for a moment. "Stop smiling, it's hideous."

Livia fell silent.

After taking Angelo to the airport, he didn't head to the departure lounge but stood outside with her.

Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he awkwardly asked, "Since you're not busy, why don't you come along?"

Livia was surprised, thinking she had misheard.

Angelo turned his face away. "Never mind."

Livia looked at him, the corners of her mouth curling into a smile. "Did you just invite me to join you on your business trip?"

" Forget it," Angelo didn't want to dwell on it.

Livia pursed her lips, feeling slightly better. "Is there still time to buy a ticket?"

Angelo didn't respond. He just checked his phone, his brow slightly furrowed.

Livia leaned in to look at his phone screen and said in a slightly affected tone. "No more tickets."

Angelo put down his phone. "Guess you're out of luck."

"Yes, I don't deserve it," Livia replied sarcastically.

Angelo turned his head to look at her. "Cut the sarcasm."

"I didn't swear or say anything vulgar," Livia argued with him.

Angelo was lost for words.

After a while, Angelo asked again, "Do you really want to go?"