Chapter 62
After changing Vitale's bandage, Isabella was about to leave the lounge when he suddenly pulled her back onto the bed.
The kiss came fast and deep, leaving fresh marks on her neck and collarbone.
"Vitale, that's enough." Isabella gasped, pushing him away.
But Vitale's hand had already slipped under her skirt. When his fingertips touched the dampness, he chuckled softly, "Your body is way more honest than your mouth."
It wasn't until Isabella pointed at his chest in frustration, "The bandage is going to bleed again!" that he reluctantly stopped.
"Isabella," Vitale propped himself up to look at her, his gaze dangerous yet captivating, "when are you changing my bandage next time?"
"Depends on my schedule," Isabella said, fixing her messy dress, "I'm not always free. I've got to make money for my boss."
"Isabella Lorraine." Vitale called her full name, his tone carrying a warning.
She ignored him completely and quickly walked out of the office.
The moment the door closed, she heard something being smashed against the wall inside with a dull thud.
In the hallway, Laura nearly bumped into her.
Seeing the fresh hickey on Isabella's neck, Laura smirked and lowered her voice, "Looks like Mr. Luca didn't last long this time."
"Stop it." Isabella's cheeks burned as she hurried toward the elevator.
Weekend sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the apartment, filling the space with the warm aroma of roasted chicken and herbs.
Aria and Amira lounged on the living room sofa, their glasses of white wine glinting amber in the light.
"So, I'm telling you, that new intern is definitely into you," Aria took a sip of her wine and shouted toward the kitchen, "what do you think, Isabella?"
Isabella poked her head out from the kitchen, still wearing oven mitts, "I don't even know who you're talking about!"
Amira burst out laughing and opened her phone's photo album, "Forget them, look at this."
On the screen was a photo of a man.
Brown hair, a gentle smile, wearing a lab coat.
Amira swiped through the photos carefully, as if showing off a treasure.
"He's a researcher at the medical school. We met at the library," her voice held a rare shyness, "last week, we went to a concert together. He knows so much about classical music."
Aria and Isabella exchanged a look.
They'd known Amira for years, but they'd never seen her like this.
This wasn't just a passing crush. She was seriously smitten.
"So, you've been on dates?" Isabella asked, carrying the roasted chicken out of the kitchen.
"Three times," Amira's face turned red, "he hasn't kissed me yet, but I think it's coming soon."
The three of them sat around the dining table, the food and wine making the vibe even more relaxed.
The conversation shifted from Amira's romance to Aria's recent work challenges, and inevitably landed on Isabella.
"This apartment gets such great sunlight," Aria looked around, then suddenly narrowed her eyes, "But why is there a men's shirt in that bedroom?"
Isabella's face instantly flushed. "This is the apartment Vitale arranged. He comes by to rest sometimes."
"Oh, I see," Aria and Amira dragged out their words in unison, exchanging teasing glances, "We get it."
"Let's not talk about this." Isabella quickly piled food onto their plates.
"God, do you know that at the office, every time you're called into his office, we secretly time it?" Aria grinned mischievously. "The record is two hours and seventeen minutes. Be honest, what takes so long in there?"
Amira chimed in, "Do we even need to ask? Mr. Luca's office is so soundproof..."
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Amira sat up straight, "Oh my gosh, it's not him, is it? Does he know we're here?"
"No way," Isabella denied immediately, "he respects my personal time. If I don't invite him, he won't just show up."
Aria swirled her wine glass, "Guys in love are unpredictable. My ex loved pulling surprise visits."
"We're not in love," Isabella insisted, "I haven't even agreed to anything with him."
Amira raised an eyebrow. "Then are those hickeys from mosquitoes?"
Isabella rolled her eyes and tiptoed to peek through the peephole.
The next second, she muttered under her breath, "Damn it, he's really here."
"Is this like an official meet-the-friends moment?" Amira excitedly fixed her hair, "Honestly, Isabella, you should've warned me. I'm dressed way too casual!"
Aria held her back, "Relax, girl. Mr. Luca only has eyes for Isabella. He won't even notice what you're wearing."
Isabella didn't open the door. Instead, she quickly pulled out her phone and texted: [Why are you here?]
Outside, Vitale looked down at his phone.
Today, he was dressed casually, which was rare for him.
A dark gray sweater and black pants softened his usual sharp edge, giving him a laid-back, homey vibe.
But that natural sense of intimidation was still there.
Vitale: [I missed you.]
Then he added: [And it's time to change the bandage.]
Amira leaned over to Isabella, "What are you waiting for? Open the door! We're your friends. We can help you size him up."
"No way," Isabella whispered, "he's a mafia boss, Amira. You need to keep your distance and show respect."
"Plus, I turned down his movie invite to hang out with you guys. If he's here now, he's probably mad. You absolutely can't make a sound."
Amira's eyes lit up, "We can hide! Let him in, and we'll sneak a peek. How exciting is that?"
"That's too risky." Isabella objected.
But Aria was already on the move, pulling Amira toward the guest bedroom, "Come on, hide in the closet!"
"No way."
The doorbell rang again, more insistent this time.
Isabella took a deep breath, quickly fixed her hair and clothes, glanced at the closed guest room door, and finally opened the front door.
Vitale stood there, holding a paper bag. Inside, she could vaguely see medical supplies and a box of chocolates.
"Surprise," he said, his eyes scanning her before settling on her flustered face, "you look like you've done something wrong."
"I haven't." Isabella stepped aside to let him in, "I just didn't expect you to show up."
Vitale walked into the living room, sharply taking in the surroundings.
Three used sets of cutlery on the dining table, two women's handbags on the sofa, and the lingering scent of perfume in the air.
"You had guests." he stated, his tone unreadable.
"Aria and Amira just left," Isabella lied, "they came over for lunch."
Vitale walked to the table, running his finger over a still-warm coffee cup, "Just left? The coffee's still hot."
Isabella's heart raced.
Vitale set the bag down and headed straight for the guest bedroom.
Just as his hand reached for the doorknob, Isabella rushed over to stop him.
"Don't go in there."
"Why not?" Vitale looked down at her, a dangerous glint in his blue eyes, "What's hiding in there? Another guy?"
"Of course not!"
"Then let me see." He pushed past Isabella and turned the knob.
The moment the door opened, the guest bedroom was empty.
Just a neat bed, a closed closet, and afternoon sunlight streaming through the window.
Vitale stood at the doorway for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed.
He closed the door and turned to pin Isabella against the wall.
"They're in the closet, aren't they?" he whispered in her ear, his voice teasing, "want to bet? If I fire a shot now, will they scream and run out?"
"Vitale!" Isabella glared at him.
Vitale laughed and let her go, "Relax, Isabella. I'm not going to shoot at your friends."
He walked to the sofa and sat down, patting the spot next to him, "Come here. Help me change the bandage first, then we'll talk about how you ditched me for them."
Isabella hesitated as she walked over.
Passing the closet, she heard the faintest rustle of fabric from inside.
Vitale clearly heard it too.
A wicked smirk curled on his lips. As Isabella opened the medical kit, he suddenly raised his voice, "By the way, about those things you said in bed last night, we need to go over the details."
A clear gasp came from the closet.
Isabella's face turned bright red as she shot Vitale a fierce glare.
But he just shrugged innocently, mouthing, "They asked for it."
When Vitale finally left, Isabella opened the closet door to find her two friends, faces flushed and eyes wide with excitement.
"Now," Amira said, catching her breath, "I'm 100% sure you're not in love."
Aria nodded. "This is straight-up married couple vibes."
Isabella collapsed onto the bed, covering her face with her hands.