Chapter 28 CHAPTER 28

Chapter 28 CHAPTER 28
EMILIA

"It's a surprise," Andrea's voice resounded in my head. Heat rushed to my face, as my throat burned, I felt like I was about to pass out.

I remained silent, with different thoughts running through my mind. There was no way out for me. I was trapped.

"How long until we get there?" Andrea's voice hardened, slightly laced with annoyance.

"Five minutes," Lucas responded, shifting the gear.

Five minutes. That was how long I had until my fate was rewritten.

"I... I need to use the restroom," I blurted, turning to Andrea.

He sighed. "Can't you wait until—"

"It's urgent," I interrupted, pretending to be pressed with pee.

"Fine," he muttered, a smile on his face. "Pull over at the nearest hotel," he ordered.

A smile formed on my face. God, I can't believe this worked. I muttered a silent prayer within me as I dashed out of the car immediately Lucas pulled over.

Oh God, I'm not going to waste this chance at freedom. Not again. I casted one last look at Andrea, still smiling as he watched me enter the hotel.

Goodbye, dumbass, I smiled as I turned my head to continue running. There were a lot of people here, so it had to be impossible for him to find me. I was just going to use one of their exits and escape or find another way, but I wasn't going to let Andrea get to me again.

"Miss, how may I help you?" I was stopped by a very intimidating person with a huge body, and muscles that promised to snap any bone in two.

I gulped as I felt eyes linger on me—some with curiosity, some judgmental, some indifferent, while others were quietly amused. A few people slowed their steps, watching without stepping in, as if my discomfort was a brief distraction before their day resumed.

"I... I... the restroom," I muttered, pointing to nowhere in particular. "I need to use the restroom," I said with a shaky smile.

"Can you please show me where it is?" I added after my words.

His eyes travelled from my feet up to my head before he spoke. "Restrooms are for registered guests and VIP members only," he said flatly, already shifting his weight as if the conversation bored him.

"What?" I blurted, disbelief slipping through my voice. How can fundamental places like restrooms be restricted to some stupid so called ‘very important personalities?’

As far as I'm concerned, every individual is important, irrespective of status or position.

His eyes flicked over me briefly—dismissive, uninterested. "Policy," he added. "If you’re not checked in, you’ll need to use facilities elsewhere."

He leaned slightly to the side, pointing down the corridor. "There’s a public motel a few blocks away."

"You son of a bitch," I smiled, muttering beneath my breath. "That's alright, sir. I will find my way."

I looked around, trying to think of something else. Andrea would come after me if I didn't make it out in a few minutes. Gosh, I couldn't afford this.

"Your way is right out there," the man pointed towards the sliding door that brought people in and out of the hotel.

I turned to him with a look that said, ‘I know, dummy’, but my feet were still rooted...

"Is there a problem?"

The change was immediate. Conversations dulled. Movements straightened. The guard stiffened as if someone had snapped a spine into place. Smiles appeared: not warm, but practiced and obedient.

I didn't need to turn to know who it was. The voice, aura, and everything could only belong to one person—Andrea Luigi. And somehow, he was my husband.

"Ga... greetings, Mr. Andrea," the man who had tormented and sexualised me said, suddenly turning into a man with speech Impediment.

Andrea didn't respond as he turned to me. "Are you done? We need to leave."

"No," I smiled, turning to the man who still had his head bowed. "He requested VIP card access for me to be able to use the restroom."

A frown settled on Andrea's face. "You should have called me rather than stand here and waste time."

Hello... you and your subordinate took all my belongings, I wanted to say, but that could wait for later as I really needed to use the restroom.

"Come with me," Andrea said, letting his hands fall on my waist, not unkind this time, as he led me through the winding crowd, each gasping as we passed. Both men and women seemed to be smitten by his looks.

Andrea seemed to know his way around, and in no time I was in front of the ladies' room. I rushed in, and the unexpected happened when Andrea walked in as well.

"What the hell?" I snapped. "Find yourself the male section."

I had planned to slip away after I was done, and if Andrea was in the same space as I was, I knew that was going to be impossible.

"You are my wife. And I want to be here."

I was dancing at this point as my bladder threatened to let loose.

Two women exiting the restroom slowed when they noticed him. One frowned, confusion flashing across her face. The other hesitated, her red lips parting as if to say something.

Andrea didn’t look at them. Didn’t acknowledge them at all.

A moment passed. I waited for when they would raise an alarm or maybe even label him a pervert. I would have joined them, then security would come in, and that would buy me some time to escape—but no...

Their expressions softened, not with approval but resignation, and they walked away, whispering under their breath as if convincing themselves it wasn’t worth questioning, leaving me to my fate.

Shortly after they left, Andrea turned to me.

"We don't have all day. Do your business, or we leave."

"Do my business with you in front of me?"

"Let's leave then," he smiled.

Ahhh. I couldn't hold it back anymore as I let my leather coat fall to the ground, and since I had my nightgown underneath, it made it easier. Andrea turned as I was about to pull off my gown.

Relief rushed through me the moment I finally let go. I focused on breathing, on anything except the fact that Andrea stood only a few steps away.

I felt lighter when I was done, but this only meant there was no escape for me. My earlier smile was now replaced with a frown.

"Just because you have a VIP card doesn't mean you own the place, Mr. Andrea," I spat.

He turned to me with a smug smile. My eyes widened. "Wait! You do?"

"Well, I didn't want to come off as too proud, but now you've known for yourself."

That meant he actually knew what I had planned to do, and he got me cornered.

"Anything the matter, wifey?" he asked. "I hope I didn’t interrupt anything you were planning," he added softly, as if the idea amused him.

That bastard. He knew.

I ignored him as I stomped angrily outside the restroom. Andrea followed behind me, walking towards the busy hall of the large hotel. I sighted the guard I encountered from a distance.

That man. He messed with my plans. Maybe I might have been able to escape if not for him.

"You own this place, right?" I asked quietly.

Andrea glanced at me, then followed my gaze to the guard. He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, a slow, thoughtful smile spread across his face.

"What’s his name?"

The guard’s face paled instantly as we neared.

"I’ll have someone review his conduct," Andrea said calmly. "Decide where he fits… if he still fits."

His eyes returned to mine. "Satisfied?"

How the hell did Andrea read my thoughts again? Does he have some psychic power or something?

He didn't even care to ask what the guard might have done to me or whether he deserved it. I let my thoughts trail as I began to feel bad for him. What if he was the only breadwinner his family depended on? Well, maybe this would teach him a lesson not to sexualise women next time.