Page 37 of Faking With The Frenemy

We spent a lot of time alternating between Alessia’s apartment and Jenna’s. The two places were the landing spots for these women. Most times, I tried to remain invisible, observing them as they interacted. They were an interesting bunch, widely different at first glance, but they appeared so compatible upon closer inspection.

They had thrown a mini sendoff party for Alessia the day before, each person coming with a gift that symbolized their relationship with her. A few of her close business associates had been in attendance as well. The last plan for the day was dinner at Jenna’s with her husband, who had just returned to town.

While I enjoyed spending time with Alessia and her friends, I was looking forward to returning home and couldn’t wait to get on the plane the next day. I could not remember the last time I had spent this much time in a single place overseas. While I wasn’t exactly tired, I felt the burning need to be back home again.

I picked up my laptop from the coffee table. I planned to spend the rest of the afternoon working and take a nap afterward. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Alessia busying herself in the kitchen. I set my laptop down and went to join her.

I held Alessia around the waist, kissing her neck gently. “What are you doing?” I asked softly, still peppering her with kisses.

“Nothing serious,” she replied. “Just wanted to make some coffee. Want some?”

“Actually, I’d have some cocoa instead,” I said, working my hand under her shirt.

Alessia cleared her throat loudly and emphatically. “Young man,” she said. “Shouldn’t you be, I don’t know, working? Focus.”

“Nope.” I squeezed her breast gently.

She let out a deep breath, hissing quietly. “Seriously, stop.”

“Fine,” I said, taking my hand out of her shirt. “Do I get the cocoa, though?”

She laughed. “Only if you promise to keep your hands off me for five minutes.”

I shook my head. “Steep price. You are going to have to ask for something else. This time, make it something I can actually do?”

She shook her head, laughing. “You make it sound like I asked you to stay away from me for the rest of your life.” She pointed to the door. “Go. You are distracting me. Plus, I am sure you have a million important things to do.”

“Fine,” I replied. I kissed Alessia softly on the lips. “Your five minutes start now.” I spanked her softly and walked out of the kitchen.

I settled into the couch and crossed my legs on the coffee table. I had a ton of work to do, but being the CEO of your own company comes with perks. I kept stealing glances into the kitchen, watching Alessia as she milled about. While I had seen her a million different times over the last month, her beauty still had a way of arresting my senses every time I saw her.

I thought about Enzo, but I tried to keep myself from doing it as much as I could. I could not think about him without feeling I was betraying his trust. Alessia was immovable about keeping what we had away from him and her father, and I grudgingly stopped forcing the issue.

I tried to let her know it was only a matter of time before he found out that his best friend had gotten his sister pregnant. They had a relationship, and they both conspired to keep him in the dark the whole time. Her fear seemed irrational to me, but I had stopped voicing my thoughts on the issue. She said she needed time to prepare for it, and I secretly hoped it did not turn around to bite us in the ass.

Alessia dropped a steaming mug of cocoa and thick cream in front of me, the rich smell filling my nose and breaking my thoughts - fortunately. She also sets down a plate of cookies on the table. She walked back to the kitchen and returned with a cup of coffee for herself.

She had just placed the cup down when the door buzzer sounded, the shrill sound cutting through the air. She looked at me, puzzled. “I wonder who that could be. I’m not really in a position to receive guests right now.” She gestured to the furniture covered in drapes.

“Expecting anyone?” I asked, picking up a cookie.

“Not that I know of,” she said. “Could be the wrong apartment.”

The doorbell buzzed again, and Alessia narrowed her eyes in annoyance. “Be right back, babe.”

She walked to the door as I leaned back on the couch to watch. “Who’s there?” Alessia asked. A muffled response came from behind the door. Her eyes grew wide as she unlocked the door, holding it open just a crack.

I craned my neck to get a good look at the visitor, but Alessia did not open the door wide enough. Whoever it was, Alessia knew the person. I could only assume that it was someone she did not want to see.

“Did my brother or father send you? Is everything alright back home?” Alessia asked the visitor.

“Sure, everything is great,” the visitor replied. His voice sounded familiar, but I could not place it. “I was just in Paris on some errands and thought I’d check in on you. See how you’re doing.”

“I’m not going to ask how you even know where I live,” Alessia said. “I don’t think we have that type of relationship where you can come to my house uninvited.”

“Come on, Alessia, why do you always have to be like that?” I heard the visitor ask. “Look, it would be nice if you could show me around town a bit. Maybe we could get some lunch together?”

“Listen, Giorgio,” Alessia said in a loud voice. I could tell she was pissed. “I am sure you can find your own way around Paris. I am not a tour guide. I’m busy right now, and I would appreciate it if you left.”

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