Page 105 of Fight Me Little Pearl

It’s not a love confession, but it’s good enough. I’m in love with him, and right now, I want to tell him, regardless of whether he feels the same way, but I don’t want to ruin this moment by coming on all hot and heavy. I might push him away, so I stay silent.

“Francesca,” he calls. “Listen, I know the foundation of this marriage sucks, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s start afresh,” he says. “I want to be the husband of your dreams. I want to be the man you want.”

When Valentino says stuff like this, I can almost believe he loves me, but I don’t want to get my hopes up and have it dashed later.

“Francesca, let’s make this a real marriage. I’m ready to do whatever it takes.”

Chapter Forty-Six

FRANCESCA

If there’s one thing I love about Valentino, it’s that he’s a man of his word. When he told me a few days ago that he was ready to do whatever it takes to make the marriage work, he meant it. I’ve been living like a Queen since then. Valentino hasn’t told me he loves me yet, but his actions are loud enough.

“Wake up, baby.” The smell of bacon wafts up my nostrils, and I open my eyes to see Valentino walking toward the bed with a tray. I sit up, my stomach is more in need of biscuits than fried bacon and eggs, but I’m not about to ruin his manly happiness by telling him about the gory side of morning sickness.

“How’d you know I was hungry?” I ask, taking the tray.

“Because I know the little bean will be hungry.” He kisses my lips and leaves the bed. That’s when I realize he’s already dressed to go out.

“You’re going out?” I ask.

“But I won’t be long because I know my babies need me.”

“You’ll be gone until evening.” I nibble at the edge of a piece of toast. “I know it.”

Valentino sighs and sits beside me. “I’ll try to be back earlier, okay? There’s something important going down and I have to be there for it.”

I try not to concern myself with the business aspect of Valentino’s life, but in spite of the happiness we’ve been enjoying the last two days, I can’t help but notice that Valentino has been stressed.

“Okay.” I nod.

“So you won’t be mad if I come home a little late?”

“If you’re not home before nine I might have to put your naked body over my knee and give you a good smacking.”

His eyes shine with amusement. “I might be a bit too big to go over your knee. Perhaps you might want to handcuff me to the bed and do whatever you want with me.”

“Only if you’re back before nine.”

“It’s a deal.” He kisses my forehead and stomach before rising to his feet. “Wish me good luck.”

“Good luck.”

He starts walking towards the door then comes back for one last kiss on my lips before he finally leaves the room. I reach for my dry biscuits and eat them slowly before going to brush my teeth and have my bath. In the bathroom, I stare at my reflection. Looking at me, you’ll never be able to tell that I’m pregnant. My stomach is still flat, and I haven’t changed at all.

The only difference is my eyes. They shine brighter now, happier and free. It’s easy to tell that I’m a woman who is being loved and cared for by her husband.

I’m still examining my reflection when my phone rings. It may be Louisa or Mama because I’m supposed to go to the house today. Louisa and I plan to start shopping for the baby today, plus I also have to give my mama the news of my pregnancy. Valentino doesn’t want us to announce it yet, but we agreed that I’ll tell my mama.

But when I get to the phone, it’s not Louisa or Mama; it’s Thomas. I feel an instant surge of irritation as I watch the phone ring. I don’t know how Thomas went from being the man I thought I loved to one I actively dislike. The phone stops ringing, and I’m about to walk away when it starts again. This time, I take the call.

“Thomas, why are you calling me?” I ask sharply. “Have you forgotten I’m a married woman now?”

“Francesca, the NY Times reached out to me some days ago,” he says. “The CEO personally called to offer me the job.”

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