CHAPTER 140: ENGAGEMENT PARTY PART 1

Maya tossed that necklace into the trash and has been so rebellious, refusing to shower or dress up for the engagement announcement dinner party that will take place in an hour. All she has done practically the whole day is cry because it hurts too much. She just wants to go back to Alaska, to her husband, her beautiful home, and the wonderful life they were building there.

A knock sounded on the door, and Maya immediately thought it was the maids coming to get her ready for the engagement party. However, when the door opened, it wasn’t them; it was the last man she ever wanted to see—Marcello.

Maya pulled the comforter over her head. "Go away! I don’t want to see your moronic face!"

"Aww, my princess is having a bad day. I’m here to cheer you up, baby," Marcello rasped. It might sound sexy to any girl, but it made Maya’s stomach churn. Everything he does is utterly disgusting to her.

Marcello abruptly pulled the comforter from Maya’s body. "Ooh, you wear sweats to sleep? I find that sexy."

Maya’s head was still on her pillow as she rolled her eyes. "Oh my God, you are awful with this pickup line thing. Jeez."

Marcello laughed. "And it’s working because you can’t help but talk to me, even when you’re trying not to."

Maya swiftly leaped off the bed and faced Marcello. "I find you ferociously annoying," she spat.

"That’s the plan, baby—annoying enough to get a reaction from you. You being out of our bed to talk to me is a testament to that."

Maya’s lips seethed. "I hate you so much right now!" she screamed.

Marcello grinned. "And I love you so much right now."

Maya snorted, her eyes contemptuously scanning him. "Please don’t use the word ’love.’ You know perfectly well that you’re after Vico’s empire, which is why you want to marry me."

"Of course, I would love to have that empire, but you are so beautiful, and I love to possess beautiful things. So, having you as mine would be a bonus."

"I’m never going to be yours, unless I’m dead, and then you can marry my lifeless body," she glares.

Marcello ran his hands through his hair, doing that smoothly and with a boyish charm. "Sweetheart, you are not allowed to die; you can’t take your own life, so I will be marrying the living version of you."

Maya let out an exasperated groan. "You are the definition of irritation; every word you say is an invitation to get slapped or punched."

Marcello cracked a smile. "You know, if Dalton weren’t in the picture, you could have fallen in love."

Maya scoffed. "You’re delusional. I hate cocky men, and you are a red flag—not my type at all."

Marcello took a step closer, reducing the distance between them until their noses were just an inch apart. "Oh, come on! Don’t you love the banter we’re having? Isn’t this how the enemies-to-lovers plot begins and turns into an explosive love story?"

Maya chuckled, snorting slightly. "That only happens in novels and movies. It’s fictional! This is real life; I wouldn’t want to fall in love with an enemy." She extended her hands and pushed him away, frustrated by how close his lips were.

"Ouch," Marcello said, gripping his chest. "You’re hurting my heart," he joked. Then his expression turned serious. "You know, when I realized you were the woman Dalton had fallen in love with, I tried to back off because I really like Dalton. I even took a bullet for him. And prevent Vico from killing him."

Maya didn’t react because Dalton had already told her about Marcello saving his life during one of their late-night pillow talks.

"But then I saw you at that billionaire club gala party, and you were the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on." He paused. "I know you’ve heard this many times, but damn, you are so beautiful. I wanted you. When we had dinner at the Italian restaurant, I got to know that you also have a calming, sweet personality, which makes you so irresistible."

He reached out to touch Maya’s face, but she ducked, avoiding his touch.

"I’m sorry, I can never be yours, Marcello. I belong to another man."

Marcello shoved his hands into his pockets. "I know." He was overwhelmed with disappointment; hurt and pride collided on his face. "You know, accidentally shooting Dalton didn’t make him love you less, so I decided to help his mother and the crazy Charlotte frame you for infidelity."

Maya furrowed her brows together. "So you were the one who drugged me with my own pills when you visited me at work," she snarled at him.

"Bingo! Lesson of the day: You should always take your wine along with you. Wine has been used to commit great debauchery throughout the centuries, so be wise."

"Mmm." He’s right; she needs to be careful when drinking wine. She fell victim to being drugged with it three times

Suddenly, a memory hit Maya. "A creepy stalker sent me disgusting messages. Was that you, huh?"

Marcello smirked mischievously. "I was bored and wanted to mess with you."

Maya huffed. "If you’re always bored, then get a hobby!" she said, making Marcello laugh.

"Anyway, back to the conversation. Even with the evidence of you lying in bed with another man, Dalton’s unconditional love for you battled against his jealousy and possessiveness—and won. Wow, that man is so crazily in love with you."

That made Maya blush.

"You deserve to be loved unconditionally, Maya. You are just the kind of woman any man would pledge his loyalty to for life."

Maya took a breath, completely rendered silent by Marcello’s honest, intense words. If only he weren’t such a jerk, he could be a fine partner for any woman he wanted, except for her.

Marcello took a long breath and dug into his pocket, pulling out a beautiful diamond ring. "Tonight is our engagement party, and it would be bizarre if you weren’t wearing an engagement ring," he said, thrusting the ring toward her. "Wear this ring on your own, or I will go down on my knees and put this ring on your finger myself." He grinned.