Chapter 69: Switch

"I must not have paid attention. It's okay. No worries," my father says.

My father actually didn't do this on purpose? That's good to know. Now what? What should we do? I don't think my father will let Dante sleep in the same bed with me. If Dante does it, then he'll get beaten up again, and I don't want that to happen again.

"Perhaps an extra bed would solve the problem. What do you think?" the concierge asks.

Oh, hell yeah. How didn't I think of that? That's definitely what Dante and I need. We should get the extra bed. That's a need. If we have the extra bed, then there's no blame my father can throw at Dante. Yes. That's a good idea.

"That won't be necessary," my father says.

What did he just say? Is he fucking serious? Didn't he not want Dante and me to be too close? Now this feels like a real test. How could he reject the offer anyway? Oh man. Dante is so fucked. No. I can't let my father punish him again.

"Alright then. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, Mr Benetti," the concierge says.

"No problem," my father says.

I watch as the concierge leaves, not able to utter a word. Damn it. I should've said something. I should've asked him for the damn extra bed. Fuck.

"Father! You could've agreed to the extra bed. Now what? We only have one bed in our room," I say.

"We're now on the Ricci's expense. We don't want to spend too much now, do we? I don't want to owe him too much. You can switch with Carlo or something. Do whatever suits you both," my father says. I see him glancing at Dante for a second before entering his room, leaving Dante, Carlo, and me in the hallway.

That was what my father was worried about? To be indebted to the Ricci? Fucking hell. If he wanted to, he could've paid back what we've spent. Even if Fabio refuses, my father still could send the money back to him. Oh gosh. I guess we have no other choice but to switch with Carlo now.

"Boss is right. You could switch with me. I'm sure the boys won't mind sleeping in the same bed with me or the other. It's only for two nights," Carlo says.

"It's fine. We'll think of something," Dante says. I turn to him with wide eyes. Did he- Oh my god. What is going on with everyone today? First was my father. And then it's Dante. Wait, but actually, though, I don't mind it. I'll gladly sleep in the same bed with Dante.

"Alright then. I'll leave you two to discuss it. Ciao," Carlo says, immediately leaving Dante and me alone in the hallway.

"Let's get inside," Dante says. Despite my confusion, I follow him into the room with my suitcase and belongings and put my stuff on the table.

"You know we could've accepted Carlo's offer," I say as I observe the room in front of me.

It's just like any other hotel room. The bed is on my left, facing the wall, and the TV is on my right. There's a desk and a chair next to the TV, and a set of two chairs and a coffee table on the balcony. Even though the room has only one bed, there's a window seat big enough to be considered a single bed. I can definitely sleep on that. I'll fit just fine there. However, I have one problem. I have no spare blanket. It'll definitely be cold at night since we're right by the sea, where the wind is stronger.

"I don't want him to sacrifice his bed for us. Besides, I can sleep just fine here," Dante says, pointing at the window seat.

Dante? Sleeping there? Yeah, I don't think so. He's too tall to sleep there. Only I can fit perfectly there. Honestly, I don't mind sleeping in the same bed with Dante. The problem is, he doesn't want to, so I don't want to make him uncomfortable by forcing him to sleep next to me. It's clear from what he said before that he doesn't want to be caught dead being seen too close to me by my father. For his sake, I'll stay as far away as I can, and that also means not sleeping in the same bed with him.

"Yeah, no. That won't work," I say, shaking my head. The seat can only fit me, not Dante's tall and huge body. How will he sleep fine there? If he really doesn't want to sleep on the bed with me, then I'd rather him have the bed to himself.

"Why?" Dante asks.

"Have you seen yourself? You're too fucking tall to sleep there," I say, gesturing at his tall stature. Dante can't force himself to sleep there comfortably. What does he think he is? One of Snow White's dwarfs?

"I'll be fine," Dante says.

"Nah, you won't. Just take the bed. I'll be fine here," I say, quickly taking my place on the window seat.

"Absolutely not," Dante says. He grabs my arm, trying to pull me up and out of the seat. I stand my ground, not moving away from my place. He puts both of his hands under my arms and moves me to the bed. I scowl as I watch him take a seat across from me on the window seat.

Dante would probably refuse to sleep on the bed with me, but it won't hurt to ask, right? The worst he can say is no. I can't just let him sleep in that damn nook. It may look like a bed, but it's still not as comfortable as a bed.

"You know it's fine if we sleep in the same bed again, right? We've done it in the past. It's no different from those times," I say.

Dante has slept next to me on my bed before when I was sick. He even let me freaking cuddle with him. Now that I think about it, I guess that was what got him the punishment. Ugh. That was my fault. Not him. Yet he was the one who got hurt. This time is different, though. My father won't see Dante and me sleeping on the same bed. So, if he's still going to punish Dante later, then I'd retaliate. I'm not letting him hurt Dante again. We're both consenting adults. My father can't stop us from being together.

"I'd rather not. You know very well what your father will do to me if he finds out," Dante says.

Yep. Just as I expected, he won't do it. I'm still gonna try to convince him, though. I can't give up just yet. It's for the sake of his well-being. If he still refuses, then it's his choice. I'll still feel bad, though. He should be sleeping in a bed, not on the damn couch. How could he get a good rest if he can't even sleep well for two nights?

"You'll be safe. It's not like my father will barge into our room," I say.

"I'm not taking that chance. Nuh-uh," Dante says, shaking his head slowly, adamant about his decision. Well, there he goes. There's nothing I can do now. I'll ask him again later. Who knows, he'll change his mind.

"Fine. Suit yourself," I say, pouting at his decision.

What should I do now? Staying in the room will be boring. Perhaps a quick walk to the beach and some refreshing beverages will be perfect to spend my free time. I'd better enjoy my quick vacation here to the fullest. I'll get back to work tomorrow, so I need to clear my mind before I face the Ricci again.

"I'm gonna go to the beach and watch the sea," I say, getting on my feet with a sigh. Dante follows suit, standing right in front of me.

"Let's go," Dante says.

Right. He's still my bodyguard. Even though my father has chosen him to be his second-in-command, Dante still needs to look over me and goes with me wherever I go. However, I feel like having some time to myself, though. Dante can be great company, but still, I want my alone time.

"You don't have to go with me. I'll be fine. I promise I won't run away," I say.

"I know you won't, but your father will kill me if I let you out of my sight even for a second," Dante says.

I hate that he's right. Well, no me time for me, I guess.

"Fine. Let's go."