"Nothing special, we've been working in the same office for three years. You can guess for yourselves how we met," Altezza casually answered. He chose to put the food from Adaline's plate into his mouth.
"Ah, an office romance, it seems. Then, who first said they liked the other?" The questioning continued.
"According to you?" Altezza responded with another question.
"I know, you were the first one to confess your liking. Your hobby is showering poetic and cheesy lines to all the women," Claire replied flatly. Letizia and Gian nodded in agreement.
"Who says?" Altezza wouldn't give in.
"So, it's Adaline?" Gian looked at Adaline, who returned his gaze with surprise.
"M-me? What about me?" The girl asked in panic.
"Are you daydreaming, Madam?" Altezza whispered in her ear, making Adaline feel ticklish, even throughout her body. Her stomach seemed to be tickled by something she couldn't identify.
"That's impossible. Adaline is shy. Even if she becomes a grandma, she might not express her feelings," Claire replied again.
"Hmmm... Is that so?" Altezza teased Adaline again with a whisper so soft in her ear. His nose was close to her neck, making the fine hairs on her skin stand on end.
Inevitably, Adaline swallowed hard out of nervousness.
"Say that Altezza was the one who expressed his liking to Adaline first because that's his hobby. Then, among you, whose love is greater?" Gian asked again. All eyes squinted towards the couple.
"What do you think?" Once again, Altezza let others guess.
Altezza had moved his nose from Adaline's neck and placed his chin on her bare shoulder. His head moved left and right, causing the short hairs on his chin to tickle Adaline once more.
"For God's sake, can't you just answer?" Gian started to get annoyed.
"Why don't you take a guess?" Altezza said casually, pulling Adaline even closer to him.
Adaline could feel the firm chest of the man on her back, and his strong arms encircled hers. He even intertwined their fingers without intending to let go.
"In my opinion, it seems like Uncle Altezza is the one chasing Aunt Adaline," Abigail blurted out. All attention now turned to her. The girl just shrugged. "Just look at how he always sticks to Aunt Adaline. It's like a mouse caught in glue."
"Isn't the common phrase 'sticking like a stamp'?" Gian asked, furrowing his brow.
"That's for the old days. Nowadays, it's different," she answered, not willing to back down. "Anyway, what Uncle needs to do is marry Aunt Adaline as soon as possible before she realizes and leaves you."
"Why would she leave me?" Altezza was now confused. "Are you planning to run away from me, Mrs. Quirino?" Altezza lifted Adaline's chin so that she looked at him. Adaline's face was now as red as a tomato.
"N-no," she answered in a panic.
"Come on, Aunt. Just admit that you intend to leave Uncle Altezza," Abigail said again.
"Are you wishing bad things for me?" Altezza looked at Abigail with annoyance.
"Not like that, Uncle... I'm just stating the facts. Don't you see how Aunt Adaline looks uncomfortable sitting next to you?" She honestly spoke.
Gian applauded. "Finally, now you're caught. Adaline, just admit it. You're forced to accept his love, right? Come on, confess."
"If he forces you, just say it. My arms are open for you. I'll protect you." Gian stretched out his arms, as if inviting Adaline into his embrace.
"No way! Go find another woman. Don't bother my woman. Shameless." Altezza tightened his hug around Adaline without realizing it, while his gaze sharply focused on Gian.
Altezza's unintentional actions only made Adaline's heart beat even faster. Her face became even hotter, and various emotions struggled in her heart, which Adaline herself was confused to classify.
The man's embrace on Adaline's body never loosened throughout the night. Whether intentional or not, the man's warm breath often tickled her ear. Even his thumb made circular movements on the back of Adaline's small hand.
This was the first time Adaline was close to a man. And everything she did for the first time was with Altezza.
The man who would be her husband, the father of her child. But Adaline was also aware that everything the man did to her was just acting, so that their families believed they loved each other.
In reality...
Several hours earlier
After breakfast, Altezza led her into the room Adaline would use during her stay. He closed and locked the door from the inside.
"Have you seen my family? They're not as intimidating as you might think, right?" He asked while sitting in the corner of the bed. Adaline just nodded in agreement.
Yes, she liked his family. They were friendly, kind, and seemed genuine. Especially his mother, Mrs. Delila Quirino.
"I know I've been a bit too much. But please, cooperate with me.
"For the next two days, you might think I'm being impolite. But my entire family knows that I'm a spontaneous person who likes to touch.
"So if later I touch you, or even kiss you-not in a vulgar way," he quickly corrected when he saw a blush spreading on Adaline's face, making her look adorable. "But maybe I'll kiss you occasionally, which I think and they see as something normal for someone in love, then I hope you understand." He paused to let Adaline comprehend his meaning.
On the other hand, Adaline just stayed silent, thinking about the worst-case scenario of what Altezza said. They would touch each other?
Being close to a man was a new experience for her. What more with physical contact. Would she be able to bear it all?
And kissing?
What kind of kiss did he and his family consider normal? So far, the only man who had kissed her was her father. It was just a gentle kiss on her forehead, hair, and both cheeks.
If it was just that, Adaline could endure. But if it was more than that? Just imagining it made her fine hairs stand on end, and her face turned red.
"Madam? Are you listening?" The man was now crouched in front of her, waving his hand in front of Adaline's face.
"W-what?" She asked with a confused expression. Altezza smiled, amused by his future wife's behavior. "Y-yes, I'm listening." She answered, as if waking up from Altezza's question.
"So, you don't mind?" Altezza asked again, receiving a nod. "Okay then. Thank you, Madam." The man tousled Adaline's hair affectionately. "I have some business with Antony; later we will go together to Claire's place." Once again, Adaline nodded. Altezza left her in silence.
Flashback off
So, here Adaline was now. Being a puppet willing to accept the touches of the man as agreed upon before. Strangely, every touch Altezza gave her didn't make her uncomfortable, but rather made her heart beat with anticipation.