The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 263: Fraud

Chapter 263: Fraud

Instinctively, she leaned her head on his shoulder and curled her arm in his. "I feel like a fraud."

"A fraud? Why do you say that?"

"Well, when I first came to you, it was for a job—"

"And," he asked impatiently.

"I got a lot more than what I had expected. It all started with Beatrix, and somehow, along the way, you took the baton."

"Isn’t that a good thing? I get to have you all to myself."

"Don’t you ever feel like you’ve done more than enough?" In that moment, he supported her while he came to face her.

"As far as I’m concerned, Stella, I’ve not done any more than I’ve done for a beggar on the street. Forgive me for the context, I just want to let you understand what you think I might’ve done for you all these while—it’s nothing much compared to what I wish to do for you."

"And what are those things?" She asked with a smile, completely diverting the topic.

"Oh, a lot of things, Ms. Rossi. And you’ll get to know them as the time goes."

***

The car turned into a familiar bend that indicated her home was close by. She jolted to a sitting position, turning to face him, eyes wide with panic.

"Matteo," he was roused from his activity on his phone, turning to face her.

"What’s the matter, darling?"

"This is my stop. I’d like to get down from here."

"Why? According to the navigator, you’re not home yet."

"Yes, I know, but... please, just listen to what I have to say. I have to get down here." The panic in her tone opened his eyes to the expression of dread that she now wore. He studied her expression for about a minute before he spoke.

"What’s the matter, Stella?" He asked in the most cautious tone he could muster in that moment, but she remained silent, for as it stood, the car had already pulled up at the curb right beside the fairly dilapidated building.

"Oh, look, we’re here. Let’s get down, shall we?" Just as the chauffeur opened the door for him to step out, she grabbed his wrist in her tightest grip. He turned to meet her gazing down timidly.

"Stella, what’s this about?"

"Please, Mr. Quinn, don’t do this. I’m pleading now, as your employee."

"And as your boss, I’d like to escort you to your door." Gently, he freed his wrist from her grip and stepped out. She remained seated, fighting back the tears that had formed in her eyes from pouring out.

Now that he’s seen where I live, it would be very evident that I am not a woman of his caliber.

"Are you coming, or should I pull you out?" Matteo asked humorously. She shot her gaze up to meet his hovering at the door. When she saw the look in his eyes, she let the tears flow out freely.

"Hey," he called out calmly, sliding back to his position beside her and pulling her into his embrace. "What’s the matter? Why are you crying?"

"I – I don’t understand, why?"

"Why what, Stella? You’re not being clear. Tell me what’s wrong so we can sort it out?"

"What is wrong, Mr. Quinn, is that my place, my home, is not a place that you should be seen at."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You know exactly what I mean, Mr. Quinn." She retorted heatedly.

There was a long, disconcerting pause that set her on edge. Series of thoughts began to cross her mind about just what was going through his, but then, isn’t that something she may never know? And just as she concluded, she looked up at him, hoping to somehow catch a glimpse of what might be going on in his mind. But all she saw, was nothing.

"I understand what you mean, Stella." He replied coolly, setting her back to a sitting position beside him and then stepping out. "But, if you ask me, I see nothing wrong with one owning a roof over their head."

Is that how he sees this?

"I get that it’s very embarrassing to you," he continued, holding out his hand to her so he could help her out of the car. She slipped her hand in his and allowed him to lead her out, toward her most embarrassing home entrance. "But it’s a lot different when one makes an honest living in spite of dire circumstances."

All of this just makes me want to tell him everything that has happened to me up until this moment, but honestly, I don’t think I’m ready... I don’t know when I’ll ever be. However, his kind words...

She gazed into his eyes, scared to see that somehow, he had given up on continuing their relationship. But that was not the case.

"However, if it bothers you so much, all you need to do is say the words and I can have it changed."

He was willing to go to that length for her, and all of it sounded like such a minor issue to him. She turned her face away from his, facing her entrance, she said, "Mr. Quinn, don’t you think you should head to the office?"

Matteo’s eyes grew slightly wider as he beheld her back view. "I should’ve known you’d be a bad host." There was playful hurt in his voice, which was on purpose. He had made her feel very uncomfortable and now, she could not bear facing him.

Stella on the other hand felt the pang of his words, causing her mind to begin to worry about the worst—him calling their relationship quits.

"Don’t worry, sir, I’ll invite you in next time."

This situation feels awfully familiar... oh, that’s right, Beatrix. I guess they bear similar traits. Completely understandable.

"I’ll hold on to your word." He said, grinning widely at her. She felt her heart skitter in her chest as she beheld him, once again, in that boyish aura.

"Get rest, Ms. Rossi, I’ll be expecting you at the office tomorrow."

"So soon?"

"Yes, ma’am," He replied, making his way toward where she stood, and propping her face with his hand so their eyes met. "Or have you forgotten, our relationship goes way beyond being an employee, plus, you know I can’t bear being away from you for another minute."

Her face stung with heat, not only from their proximity, but also from the words that he’d spoken to her. From what he’d just implied, he could literally not do without having her by his side. As unrealistic as it sounded, it made her feel very wanted, and for the first time, in her entire life, she realized that it was the best feeling ever—knowing she was needed. With that, he winked at her and made his way back to his car.

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