Chapter 80
Isabella shook her head, picked up her coffee cup, and took a small sip, letting the bitter liquid linger on her tongue for a moment.
"Our sex life isn't bad at all. In fact, it's really good. He always hits the right spot, and I climax multiple times."
"You know what? I had sex with him in the elevator the other day. Of course, I initiated it."
Aria was shocked. "What? Wait, girl, you've gotten this bold? Oh my God, you've really flipped a switch."
Isabella's face turned slightly red. "Yeah, I might really love having sex with him, but then he suddenly became cold to me."
"Laura says guys can have something like a monthly mood swing, some kind of emotional cycle. I don't think Vitale would have that. He's definitely avoiding me. I want to ask him, but I'm scared to."
"I don't really get it, and I don't want to overthink it, but Aria, you know what? Even work can't distract me from thinking about him."
"I'm desperate to know the answer, even if it means using my body to find out."
Aria gave an awkward smile, taking small bites of her chocolate cake. "I heard you guys have a new racetrack opening ceremony this weekend. Everyone's crazy busy. How do you still have the energy to think about Mr. Luca?"
She lowered her voice, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Is his sexual stamina really that amazing? I wouldn't even think about my ex. That loser finished in three minutes, and I had to comfort him by saying it was already a long time."
Isabella's face turned completely red, her fingers unconsciously spinning the coffee cup. "Yeah, he's amazing. But Vitale is also super busy. Sometimes, I turn around, and that man is already gone."
She paused, her voice dropping lower. "We haven't talked for a whole day and night. Sometimes I purposely walk past his office just to feel his gaze on me, even if that gaze is as cold as ice."
"I even wore a short skirt and strutted in front of Vitale on purpose, trying to seduce him, but he got angrier and wouldn't let anyone look at me."
Aria put down her fork, her expression turning serious.
Isabella continued, her voice carrying a pain she didn't even notice herself.
"Aria, I think I'm sick. Really sick."
"I feel like I can't live without Vitale. You know, at night, in that half-awake, half-asleep state, I can feel him coming to me. He slips under my blanket, licks my neck and collarbone. I'm awake, but I just want him to do it. And when he leaves, I feel so empty, like he's taken a part of my soul with him."
Aria reached out, gently stroking Isabella's blonde hair. "No, girl, you're not sick. You've just fallen in love with him."
She paused, her tone becoming more serious. "But I hope you can stay a bit clear-headed and think about yourself. Chris is the perfect example—your ex who turned around and got another woman pregnant. You need to protect yourself, Isabella."
"Yeah," Isabella gave a bitter smile, "and then there's our friend Gerard Bell. Just got married and already cheated. His wife is so curvy and gorgeous, but he still fell for a stripper from a nightclub. I know you're trying to tell me to be rational."
Aria nodded. "Exactly. Don't wear yourself out. You have a job now, so focus on that. And don't let Sonia intimidate you. She's just jealous, that's all."
Isabella looked at her phone screen.
Her chat with Vitale was still stuck at 48 hours ago.
The last message was from her: [Good night, Vito.]
No reply.
"You know," Isabella said softly, "we haven't called or texted in 48 hours. I thought there'd at least be a 'good morning' or 'good night.'"
Aria thought for a moment. "Maybe you can text him first? Just ask, 'Are you busy?' or 'Need any help?'"
Isabella's eyes lit up. "Is that okay? Won't it make me seem too eager?"
"Why not?" Aria countered. "That Judy definitely won't get into the banquet tonight. There's no way Mr. Luca would bring her as his date."
"If he takes her, it's probably just because she's a PR person who knows the rules and what to say or not say. Trust me, he's definitely thinking about you right now."
Isabella suddenly realized something.
She leaned forward and planted a loud kiss on Aria's cheek. "Thanks for reminding me, girl! I love you!"
Aria laughed, wiping her face. "I love you too. Now, cheer up. You're Isabella, not that little girl who gave up after losing a dart game at a party."
Isabella nodded. "Yeah, I get it. I'm going to find him now."
When she returned to the Tyson Group building, Isabella felt much lighter.
But as soon as she reached the 37th floor, she saw Laura sitting at her desk, staring blankly at her computer screen.
Isabella walked over and lightly tapped her shoulder. "What's wrong with you?"
Laura snapped out of it, hurriedly minimizing her computer window. "What's wrong? I'm fine!"
Isabella smiled and pointed at the screen. "Yeah, I can tell you're spacing out. And if I'm not mistaken..."
She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "That's a photo of Amboni. Oh my God, did something happen between you and Amboni?"
Laura's face instantly turned red.
She fiddled with her perfectly neat hair, her voice tiny. "Yeah, we got drunk last night, and then we had sex. But now I don't know how to deal with this situation."
Isabella sat down on the chair beside her, her expression turning serious. "That's a good thing if you like him, but does Mr. Scott like you? I mean, last time he was pretty close with my friend Aria. Guys like him can be a bit of a player sometimes."
"You don't know," Laura glanced at the door to make sure no one was listening, then continued, "do you know how I got into the company? Amboni brought me in."
"Three years ago, I was working as a waitress in a bar in Novaria, and I almost got dragged off by a bunch of thugs. Amboni saved me and then gave me this job."
She paused, then went on. "I don't really like the mafia world, but since he saved me, I joined his family."
Isabella listened quietly.
Laura's voice trembled a little.
"I had a great time last night, honestly, way too great. But Amboni didn't come to the office today. Do you think he's avoiding me, or what?"
Isabella shrugged, giving her a sympathetic look. "Sorry, I might not be able to help you with that answer because I'm also struggling with a man."
She gave a bitter smile. "I've seen people do worse things—cheating, betraying, using others. I asked Aria, and she suggested I just ask Vitale directly. I think you should try that too. Just ask Amboni, 'What did last night mean to us?'"
Laura's eyes widened. "Ask directly? Oh my God, I can't. What if he was just drunk, or worse, just felt sorry for me? If I ask, I'll look like a complete idiot."
"Then you should ask even more," Isabella said, holding her hand. "Laura, we deserve to know the truth. Even if the truth hurts, it's better than living in guesses and waiting."
"You ask him, and I'll ask Vitale. Men shouldn't keep messing with us. That's not right."