Chapter 3
Alia POV
I returned to the office in a daze, still reeling from the discovery that my new husband was also my company's CEO. The PR department was buzzing with excitement, everyone gathered in small clusters discussing the press conference and our mysterious new boss.
Tina, one of the junior staff members, practically pounced on me the moment I walked through the door.
"Alia! Quick, tell me everything!" She grabbed my arm, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What's the new CEO like? Is he as handsome up close as he looked from a distance? "
I carefully extracted my arm from her grip, trying to maintain a neutral expression. "Sorry, I was too busy with the documents to really notice," I lied, avoiding her gaze.
"Oh, come on!" Tina pouted. "You were right next to him for the entire press conference. The whole office is talking about how you dropped those files and he helped you pick them up. Did he say anything to you?"
My cheeks burned at the memory of Marco's whispered words. Clumsy hands, not great technique. We'll practice more when we get home tonight. God, was he seriously flirting with me in the middle of a press conference?
"Nothing important," I muttered, busying myself with arranging papers on my desk. "Just... professional stuff."
Before Tina could press further, Berti Mella, our department supervisor, clapped her hands sharply.
"Alright, everyone back to work! The new CEO will be conducting a department tour in fifteen minutes. I want everyone at their desks looking productive!"
The office erupted into a flurry of activity. I froze, my heart hammering against my ribs. Marco was coming here? Now? I'd have to face him again, pretend we were strangers, when just last night we'd been...
I shook my head, trying to clear the inappropriate images flooding my mind. This was getting complicated fast. When I'd accepted that impulsive marriage proposal, I had no idea Marco was connected to Cortese Tech, let alone its new CEO. What were the odds? And why hadn't he mentioned it?
"Alia! What are you doing standing there like a statue?" Berti's sharp voice cut through my thoughts. "Get to your desk!"
"Sorry," I mumbled, hurrying to my workstation.
I tried to focus on the marketing proposal in front of me, but the words blurred together as anxiety twisted my stomach. Fifteen minutes later, the office door opened, and a hush fell over the room.
Marco strode in, flanked by several men in expensive suits. He looked even more imposing in the office setting, his platinum-framed glasses catching the light, his expression coolly professional. My breath caught in my throat as his gaze swept across the room, briefly pausing on me before moving on without a flicker of recognition.
Berti rushed forward, all smiles and nervous energy as she greeted him. "Welcome to PR, Mr. Vittorio. We're honored to have you visit our department."
Marco nodded, his voice deep and measured as he addressed . "I look forward to seeing what PR brings to Cortese Tech. Please, continue your work as normal."
Normal? How was I supposed to act normal when my secret husband was standing ten feet away, pretending not to know me?
The tour continued around the office, with Berti pointing out key team members and current projects. I kept my head down, typing random gibberish into my document just to appear busy. When they finally left, the office erupted into excited whispers.
"Did you see how tall he is?"
"Those glasses make him look so intellectual!"
"I wonder if he's married? No ring on his finger..."
I bit my lip to keep from laughing hysterically. If only they knew.
"Alia, what do you think of the Black Prince?" Tina whispered, leaning over my desk.
"Black Prince?" I echoed.
"That's what they're calling him already. Dark, handsome, mysterious... and apparently ruthless in business. I heard he completely restructured his previous company within a month of taking over."
Black Prince? Who exactly had I married?
By the end of the workday, I was mentally exhausted. As I walked out of the building, I realized I had no idea what to do next. Should I go back to the apartment—our home? Would Marco expect me to be there?
I decided to walk home rather than take the bus, using the time to sort through my thoughts.
I stopped at a small grocery store, picking up ingredients for dinner. Was I really going to cook for him? For us?
As I stood in the checkout line, my phone buzzed with a text message. My heart jumped when I saw Marco's name on the screen.
Wait for me at home tonight.
Five simple words, but they sent a pang in the heart. No 'please,' no explanation, just a command.
I was juggling my grocery bags in front of the elevator when I heard footsteps behind me. Turning around, I came face to face with Marco.
He looked different from his office persona—still impeccably dressed in his tailored suit, but somehow more accessible, his platinum-framed glasses softening his sharp features. His dark eyes studied me, taking in the grocery bags.
"Let me help," he said, reaching for the heaviest bag before I could protest.
"Thanks," I murmured, stealing glances at him as we waited for the elevator. Even though I was intimate with him last night, being alone with him still makes my heart race.
The elevator arrived with a soft ping, and we stepped inside. As the doors closed, Marco's eyes caught mine in the mirrored wall.
"Bought a lot of food," he said, with a hint of teasing in his tone. "What's this?" He glanced at one of the bags. "Men's supplements? Are you planning to practice your... skills again tonight?"
My face flushed hot. "That's for my studies! I have finals coming up!"
His lips curved into a subtle smirk. "Is that so?"
I glared at him, then deliberately let my gaze drift over him, lingering a moment too long before meeting his eyes with a challenging look. "Why? Are you worried you can't keep up?"
The elevator doors opened at our floor, and I quickly stepped out, heart pounding from my own boldness.
Inside the apartment, I set the groceries on the kitchen counter, trying to act casual despite the tension crackling between us.
"I'll start dinner," I said, turning toward the refrigerator.
Strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me against a solid chest. I gasped as Marco's breath tickled my ear.
"Before dinner," he murmured, his voice dropping to that deep, intimate tone that made my knees weak, "perhaps we should have something sweet?"
His lips brushed against my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
"Marco," I protested weakly, "This is the kitchen..."
He turned me in his arms, dark eyes intense behind his glasses. "Then let's go to the bedroom."
I placed my hands against his chest, feeling his heart beating strong and steady beneath my palm. "That's not what I meant."
But my body betrayed me; when his hand slid to my hips, I unexpectedly felt a surge of excitement.
The bedroom light was on, and my clothes were peeled off one by one, my heart pounding so fast it felt like it might explode.
He leaned close to my ear, nibbling on my earlobe, and whispered, "Let me see if your skills have improved."
He locked the door behind us and, without hesitation, lifted me up and threw me onto the bed.
He wedged one leg between mine, his large hands roaming over my body, sending shivers through me.
With a sharp rip, my skirt was torn open, and my underwear was pulled down, leaving me feeling a sudden coolness beneath me.
Then, a thick shaft thrust forcefully into my body.
Marco suddenly thrust with ferocity, giving me no chance to catch my breath.
I don’t know how much time passed before Marco lifted me to sit on top of him, gripping the soft flesh of my waist tightly.
"Time to practice your skills. Move yourself."
Marco buried his head in my chest, lightly biting my breasts with his mouth.
I closed my eyes, straddled him, and began to move my body vigorously.