Chapter 105: 105 ~ Mira
How the tables had turned seemed amusing to me.
The Jace Romano was so close to throw a fit because of me.
I chuckled as the drops of water from the shower pelted my skin.
The shower door opened and he stepped in. There was a hard look in his gaze.
"I don’t get why you’re so stubborn." He sighed, standing in front of me.
The look in his eyes was unreadable. I just stared back, mirroring his stone cold expression.
"I learned from the best, I guess." I shrugged
Jace smirked slightly, leaning close.
My lips parted. I thought he wanted to kiss me.
"You’re lucky I have somewhere to be right now." He said lowly as he stepped back.
"When are you going to be back?" I asked, turning off the shower as I picked up his towel and wiped myself.
"Missing me already?"
"You’re very presumptuous Romano."
He chuckled. "I should be back in a few hours."
"Alright then."
I left him staring after me as I left the bathroom.
~
I went to ’my room’ and waited for him to drive out. Once I was sure he was far gone, I stepped out, pretending to look around the living room. I needed the men on standby and his few staff present to not suspect anything.
I touched the furniture, stood by the window and stared at the busy city. I had to admit, he had a better view than I did.
After minutes of standing around the wide expanse of space that was his living room and dining area, I walked towards his home office. It was on the same floor.
I got to the door and heaved a sigh. But just as I was about to open the door and get in, I heard a voice.
"Ma’am, the don doesn’t let anyone in there."
My hand paused on the door knob as I turned around and faced the lanky dude who was one of Jace’s men.
"You know I’m his wife right?"
Yes I played the wife card. It was necessary for this instance.
"Of course ma’am. But the boss left strict instructions."
I forced a smile. "Of course. That’s totally understandable."
He nodded and gestured for me to move away from the door.
"Wow," I sighed.
It felt like a walk of shame as I moved away from the door and found my way back to the room.
I took the stairs one at a time to maintain a calm demeanor.
When I got into the room, I paced back and forth, thinking of ways to get in there and search for that document Massimo keeps asking me for.
I thought about waiting till nightfall but that meant that Jace would have returned and he most probably wouldn’t let me leave his side.
I had to think fast.
A light bulb lit in my head. I had a plan but it was going to take some more time to execute.
~
When Jace returned, I was just finishing a meeting with my managers. My absence from Lisbon was beginning to show and I was cautioning them to step up or they’d all be fired.
He stood by the doorway, watching with an impressed look in his eye.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" I asked him, shutting my laptop as the meeting ended.
"Your growth is admirable, Mira."
I paused briefly. That was unexpected.
"Um, thanks?" I said after a few seconds of silence.
"You’re welcome."
"There’s a wedding I have to attend. Would you like to come with me?"
"You want me to be your date?"
"Who else would it be?"
"I dunno." I shrugged. "One of your supermodel girlfriends?"
"Ahh..." he showed off a mischievous grin.
"What’s that smile for?" I asked with a frown.
"I knew you were jealous."
I scoffed. "In your dreams. Why would I be jealous?"
"Because even if you deny it, you actually love me."
I blew out a breath. "You’re delusional."
Jace didn’t let it go. "You know I’m not. You my love, just keep denying the truth."
I rolled my eyes, ready to change the topic.
"Are you hungry yet? Cause I’m starving."
Surely dinner must have been served.
"You’re avoiding the topic." It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.
I arched a brow. "And if I am?
Jace smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes.
"Dinner must be served already. Let’s go." He said, taking my hand as he led us down to the table.
We didn’t talk as we ate. There were few glances here and there but no words said.
"So, are you joining me for the wedding or...?" He finally spoke up as we finished eating.
I paused and thought about it for a minute.
"When and where?"
He leaned back on his seat as he answered. "It’s this weekend."
"Hmm." I hummed. "I guess I’ll be free."
"You’re going to be here for the rest of the week right?"
"Um,"
"Come on, Mira," he tilted his head and stared at me.
I could almost swear he was giving me puppy eyes.
"Jace, I still have an apartment. I can’t just abandon it."
"I’ll buy it off Massimo’s hands and make it a rental property in your name." He offered so quickly I nearly jumped in my seat.
"Whoa, whoa, billionaire. Hold your horses," I gestured for him to calm down.
He raised a perfectly arched brow, genuinely looking confused. "What?"
"I don’t need you doing stuff for me. I can handle myself just fine." I told him plainly.
"I know you can. I just want to do it for you instead."
My palm itched to be softly placed over his face but I held it back.
"I don’t need it. But thank you."
"You’re such a stubborn woman." He said with an exaggerated groan of frustration.
"I know." I retorted cheekily.
Ready to retire for the night, I placed a peck on his cheek - one that he turned into a deep kiss real quick.
"Jace," I muttered against his lips.
"Stay in my bed tonight." He said, pulling me closer.
"I’m not in the mood." I lied even when my pants were literally soaking wet due to his kiss.
"I won’t do anything. I just want you by my side for the first time in a long time."
I was slightly disappointed he didn’t have a naughty response for me this time. I guess he missed me that much.
"Okay." I said.
True to his word, Jace did not try to get down with me that night. He held me close - so close, I thought he believed I would disappear any second.
I felt so safe in his arms, I slept like a baby.
Tomorrow, I would worry about my revenge. For now, all I wanted to do was enjoy the moment.
~
The next day, I was back to my apartment. Jace didn’t fight for me to stay longer. I was going to be back by weekend anyways and that was just two days away.
I had been cooped up in the apartment for a few hours when the doorbell rang.
My housekeeper went and checked. My eyes followed her movements as she opened the door without telling me who it was.
I sat up, setting down my mug of coffee as soon as he walked in.
"How nice of you to finally be available."
"Hello to you too, Massimo." I said calmly.
His jaw ticked. "We’ve gone past the point of pleasantries, Mirabel."
I swallowed and looked away from his searing gaze.
"You’ve been spending so much time with your lover you’ve forgotten what you’re supposed to do." He chuckled darkly.
I didn’t say anything in response.
"Answer me!" He slammed his palm on the coffee table.
I held myself back from flinching.
"I don’t owe you anything Massimo." I said calmly as his ragged breaths cut through the silence.
"I brought you back here!" He yelled.
I scoffed. "And you think I couldn’t afford it? You underestimate me."
I watched him struggle to keep calm but he was already too furious.
"Mira you’re getting carried away. Don’t you want to bring down the man who caused you so much pain? His father killed yours!"
I grimaced. "Thanks for the history lesson. You think I don’t already know that?"
"Do you love him?" He asked like it was something that was supposed to be a sacred secret.
"Who said anything about love?"
"Then why aren’t you doing what you’re supposed to?"
"If I remember correctly, you asked me to seduce him and utilize the fact that he wouldn’t give me a divorce so easily."
"Is that why you’re fucking him?"
I glared at him. "The last time I checked, Jace is my husband." I said through gritted teeth.
"I-"
"Hey!" I raised my hand, cutting him off. "And even if he wasn’t, it is none of your business who I sleep with. Got it?"
Massimo let out another dark chuckle. "You’re one confident woman. I see why he wouldn’t let you go. You make the perfect donna."
I scowled. Was he trying to flatter me right now?
Standing up straight, he stared me straight in the eye.
"You wouldn’t want him to find out that you’re there to bring him down. Or at least not before you have found your way out of this country."
"Are you trying to blackmail me?"
He smirked. "Take what I said with a pinch of salt Mira."
My eyes followed him as he walked out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him.