Chapter 9: Because You're Skilled

"Why would I be upset?" Livia shrugged off his hands and turned to face him. “It’s not like he said something I didn’t already know."

Angelo furrowed his brows. "What do you already know?"

"That our relationship has nothing to do with love. So, why should I be upset?" Livia was genuinely unbothered. Her perspective was crystal clear.

Angelo stared at her, eyes narrowed. "Does this mean you accept our current relationship and the way we get along?"

"What else explains you standing here?" Livia thought it over. She liked Angelo, and since she couldn't let go, she decided to embrace the status quo.

'A fling isn't too bad,' she mused to herself.

Angelo raised his eyebrows, surprised yet pleased. He scooped her up and set her on the countertop, lifting her chin. "So, what brought on this epiphany? Enlighten me."

Livia dropped her eyelashes, her face blushing slightly as she locked eyes with him. “Because you’re skilled.”

As she spoke, she noticed the fiery passion in Angelo’s eyes and the bobbing Adam’s apple.

"The next time I consider marriage, we’ll call it completely off," Livia said with utter sincerity.

She knew very well that the man she envisioned marrying was, from the start, always going to be him.

Angelo’s gaze lingered on her soft lips, his fingers caressing them lightly. "That guy you mentioned wanting to marry before—it wasn’t just to get a rise out of me, was it?"

Livia’s gaze fluttered, a touch of panic in her voice. “If he's the right one, I’d definitely consider it.”

Angelo pinched her most tender spot, his eyes shimmering with a vengeful gleam.

"And who knows, maybe you'll be the one wanting to get married first," Livia teased, her eyes brimming with allure and her face utterly charming.

Angelo loved this seductive side of her, how it effortlessly ensnared his soul.

He teased her most sensitive spot and saw her eyes blur with unshed tears as she swallowed hard.

"I'll never get married in my life. But changing women, that's a different story."

With bitten lips and a seductive, soft voice, Livia challenged, "How can you say something like that without shame?"

Angelo, grasping her waist, retorted, "Then don't get married. I can keep playing with you."

Livia bit down on his neck fiercely.

Angelo inhaled sharply. "Are you trying to bite me to death?"

She didn't let go until the tangy taste of blood filled her mouth.

The bite mark on his neck gave her a feeling of satisfaction.

Facing his slightly red eyes, she couldn't help but laugh proudly. "After all the good times, I should leave you something to remember me by."

Angelo's grip tightened on her waist as he gritted his teeth. "Do you really have such a strong desire to possess me?"

"Is that not allowed?"

"It is."

Before she knew it, Livia felt ominous about his consent, and in a blink, she was hoisted over his shoulder.

Once in the bedroom, she was tossed onto the bed, which was thankfully soft enough to cushion her fall.

'When it came to possessiveness, how could she ever compete with him?'

Livia's class was interrupted when her mom called.

Usually, her parents wouldn't disturb her unless it was an emergency.

She stepped out to take the call, and her expression darkened instantly.

"Sorry, class, I've got an emergency. You'll have to study on your own for now."

Livia hurried out of the classroom.

Luke, seeing this, stealthily pulled out his hidden phone and texted Angelo.

Livia took a taxi to the hospital and, upon entering the room, found both Angelo and her father there.

They both turned at the sound of her arrival.

Livia was surprised to see Angelo, but her father was the first to approach. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in class?"

"Jensen called me using mom's phone, said she had a fall," Livia rushed to her mother. "Mom, are you okay?"

Matilde shook her head soothingly. "I'm fine, don't worry about me. Go back to work."

"I got a colleague to cover my next two classes. I'll head back this afternoon," Livia said, glancing at Angelo.

Angelo stood quietly in a fitted suit.

Matias expressed his gratitude. "Thank goodness Mr. Bradley was here to bring Matilde to the hospital."

"You stay and take care of Matilde. She can return to work after she's discharged," Angelo's voice was low and sensuous, soothing to the ear.

"Thank you for your help, Mr. Bradley," Matias said, moved.

Glancing at his watch, Angelo announced, "I have other matters to attend to. I'll take my leave now."

"As you must. Livia, could you walk Mr. Bradley out?" her father suggested.

Livia followed Angelo out of the room, a step behind. "Thank you."

Angelo halted and turned to face her. "Verbal gratitude is worthless."

Livia frowned.

'With all the people coming and going in this hospital, what does he expect?' she wondered.

"Come see me tonight to show your gratitude," Angelo said before striding away.

Livia returned to the hospital room, where her father was helping her mother drink some water.

"Did Mr. Bradley leave?" Matilde asked.

"Yes."

Matilde commented to Matias, "Your boss, Mr. Bradley, seems quite kind to his employees."

Matias nodded. "I called in for leave, and there he was, Mr. Bradley, asking where I was going and even offering a ride. Not only has he given me a job, but he's also so considerate to his staff. He truly is a good man."

"It's rare to find bosses who care about their frontline workers these days," Matilde remarked with a sigh.

"Indeed."

Listening to her parents' conversation, Livia's mood sank.

After the study session that evening, Livia exited the campus and saw Luke again.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to raid your fridge for a midnight snack," Luke said dismissively, "I can make spaghetti myself."

Livia was silent.

"Aren't you going home? Are you alright?" Luke showed a rare hint of arrogance, glancing away, "You don't look too good."

"I'm fine." Livia eyed him suspiciously. "Are you concerned about me?"

Luke snorted. "Of course not."

Livia chuckled at his attitude. "So, you like Valentia too?"

"Why would I?" Luke slung his backpack over his shoulder, looking haughty. "She's so fake."

Livia didn't take his words to heart.

"Just get an A, and I'll make sure you meet the goddess," she encouraged him.

Luke rolled his eyes. "Idiot," he muttered, then walked away.

Livia was baffled.

'Why the random insult? He has no respect for me.'

When she got home, Angelo was making a call on the balcony.

In the kitchen, she served up some Italian sausage, and Angelo came in.

"Want some?" Livia asked.

Angelo leaned in with his mouth open.

Livia fell silent.

She forked up a sausage and held it to his mouth.

He bit off half of it.

Livia waited for him to finish. "Thanks for today."

Angelo chewed the other half and said, "Eat up, you'll need the energy to thank me properly later."

Livia was speechless.