The elevator beeped open, and Isabella exited the elevator onto the huge rooftop. The dimly lit environment was pervaded with spice candles and had a rich scent of flowers. The breeze was strong yet relatively cool.
The moment Isabella stepped outside the elevator, the atmosphere in the space brightened. The area was lit up with the parapet stringing twinkle led lights, and the swimming pool at the edge was gleaming purple lights.
The smooth, pleasant music playing in the background and the beautiful designs on the rooftop create a romantic ambience.
Isabella just realized that Matteo wasn’t lying when he described the beauty of the rooftop displays at night.
The environment was radiant throughout. The white longue chair and plush sofa were both shimmering, changing colors every few seconds. The hue is stunning and enhances the beauty of the surroundings.
Isabella makes her way to the parapet, looking around for Matteo. He was meant to arrive before her because he had called her over. She settled her hand on the parapet and then turned to look in all directions to see whether Matteo could be anywhere around, but he wasn’t.
From where she was standing, the wind was blowing heavily, sending cold chills all over her body. Isabella wasn’t sure how long she could stay here since it was already late and it appeared like it might rain any time soon.
“Isabella,” Matteo called, and Isabella turned to face him with shock. He was walking out of the bar with two port glasses that was half-filled with Aperol Spritz soda added with ice cubes. It seems he spotted her from the bar when she appeared here. The chilly breeze blew across Matteo’s face, tousling his long, black hair backward as he moved towards her.
Isabella couldn’t help but find it sexy. Who knew long hair could make him look this hot? He looked great in his black shirt, and his green eyes brightened up his handsome face. His walking steps exuded macho vibes, and she felt the urge to run into him and wrap her arms around him, but she controlled herself.
Matteo handed Isabella one of the port glasses, which she collected.
“I don’t drink alcohol,” Isabella muttered inaudibly. She assumed he didn’t hear her, but he did.
“I know… It’s not alcoholic,” Matteo remarked, standing next to Isabella at the parapet.
He seemed like a calm gentleman this evening and even offered her a drink, which she finds strange. ‘Are we celebrating something?’ Isabella wondered, then turned to the parapet and placed one hand on the handrail while she held the drink with her other.
As they looked down from the terrace, they both took a sip from the glass. It was a lovely and well-lit view down there.
“Do I need to apologize to you, Isabella?” Matteo questioned.
Isabella was perplexed by Matteo’s inquiry, so she slightly turned to face him.
Matteo’s face is completely expressionless when he turns to face her, but he still manages to seem endearing. “For not telling you how stunning you are”. He said.
Isabella flushed, her confidence rising again.
He had previously avoided complimenting her physical appeal in the office because he was certain that Leonardo was monitoring him through the CCTV camera in office. He didn’t want to bring any suspicion that would make Leonardo want her. It was difficult for him to convince Leonardo to go home without him, but he was sure that this place was secure from Leonardo’s presence. It was the only place he could be alone with her. “You look beautiful,” Matteo said, and Isabella blushed at his words.
“Thank you,” Isabella said calmly, sheepishly glancing away. She could feel Matteo’s gaze on her and felt her cheeks flush. She had a dark complexion and assumed he wouldn’t notice her blush.
Matteo chuckled softly as he spotted her cheek protruding as she blushed. She looks so adorable in his eyes. Matteo took a sip from his drink and stared out into space.
“Last night, why didn’t you let me drop you off at home?” Matteo inquired, and Isabella gave him an awkward look. He didn’t wait for her to respond before asking, “Did you think I would have taken advantage of you?”
Isabella’s heart started thumping like a beating drum in her chest. She attempted to speak, but her words got stuck in her throat.
He assessed her reaction and saw how hesitant she was to speak. Matteo grasped her arm with his free hand and forced her to face him. Looking down at her, he spoke, “Why didn’t you just tell me that my question made you feel uncomfortable in the car?” Matteo inquired, his voice deep and cold. Isabella couldn’t tell if he was angry or not. She sees no reason why he should anyways.
Isabella looked into his eyes, and her heart skipped a beat. She felt so terrified that he might do something to hurt her. She tried to think of a response, but her numb brain couldn’t process an answer. “I… I… I” The words that managed to leave her lips caused her heart to beat quickly and her palms to start perspiring once again. She was unsure about her next words. She was unable to think clearly. She seems so confused about everything.
Her little lips caught Matteo’s attention, and he swiftly averted his gaze to glance at them. His attention was drawn to her little lips as he watched them twitch. Matteo yearned to kiss them, but he had promised himself that he wouldn’t go off-limits without her consent.
“I… I… I… don’t…” Isabella continued to stumble over her words; her brain had mysteriously stopped functioning, and she couldn’t think of anything to say. She shifted her attention away from him, trying to avoid his hard gaze.
Matteo could read her facial expressions, and the look on her face indicated that she was perplexed and dumbfounded. “Were you scared I was going to take advantage of you?” He asked, and from the expression on her face, he knew the answer was “yes.” She was afraid he would take advantage of her in the car. He doesn’t find her at fault for it, and he needed her to know he wasn’t the type of man who would take advantage of a woman against her will.
“Three days ago, you begged me to fuck you,” Matteo started, and Isabella stared up at him, wide-eyed. She appeared to be so embarrassed.
Isabella couldn’t believe she was capable of telling a man to fuck her. She knew herself, but glancing back at his solemn expression, she realized he wasn’t joking.
“I didn’t because you weren’t in your right mind,” Matteo said, tightening his grip on her arm and gently tugging her up to meet his gaze.
Isabella gripped the glass hard so she didn’t spill it, just as he grabbed her arm in an uncomfortably strong grip.
“So, what makes you think I would have taken advantage of you?” Matteo enquired.
Isabella had a flash of insight, so that explains why he didn’t touch her. She assumed it was because he was repulsed by her body or because she was black, but this surprised her.
“I’m sorry,” Isabella said, her voice barely raising above a whisper.
Matteo sighed and let her go. He took a large gulp of the Aperol liquid to calm his anger and yelled out, “Aries!” And right away, a man rushed out of the island bar and ran toward him.
“Sir,” says the man who appears to be Aries.
Matteo handed Aries his port glass, and Aries took it from him.
Isabella returned her glass to Aries. “Please drop mine too.” She couldn’t drink hers as she was tense being beside Matteo.
Aries grabbed it away from her.
“Leave us alone once you’re done,” Matteo said to Aries.
Aries nodded before he dismissed.
Isabella watched Aries depart for the bar and turned off the lights in the bar. He heads out to the elevator and leaves. Her heart was hammering against her chest as she realized she had been left alone with Matteo.
Isabella turned toward the parapet. She has so many questions going on in her head to ask him, but she doesn’t know how to broach the questions.
Matteo could see she was bothered. He inclined his back on the parapet and supported himself with his elbow so he could have a better look at her face as she glanced down the rooftop. “You can ask me anything,” he said, and Isabella felt as if he knew what was going through her mind.
Isabella mustered all her courage before turning to face him. “Uhmm… Why… Did… you… kiss me…” She blushed and lowered her head slightly to conceal her face from him before she continued. “When… you… have… Lu…Lucia as… your girlfriend?” She blurted out, stammering. She noticed his jaw contracting and his face contorting in wrath, as if she had said something that affected him so badly inside.