Bargain Bride: The Billionaire’s Forced Wife

AS REQUESTED, the married couple went on the date. Chiara looked at herself on the mirror while fixing her hair into an half-up and half-down hairstyle. She sprayed a little bit of hair spray before finishing it with a clip ribbon with pearls on top.

“Ezio,” Chiara spoke after knocking into her husband’s door. “I’m done.”

It didn’t took long for the door to open. Chiara was greeted by her husband that’s wearing a plain baby blue shirt with black jeans. It’s a simple outfit but Ezio carried it well, making him look attractive and manly in her eyes.

On the other hand, Ezio was stunned when he saw his wife. Chiara was wearing a midnight blue floral peplum top paired with a black flared bottom.

Even it is just a coincidence, Ezio couldn’t help but smile inwardly by the fact that they are wearing matching outfits.

Ezio cleared his throat before he could imagine more things. “Are you ready?”

Chiara nodded. “Where are we going, by the way?” She has no idea what kind of date her husband created. All he told her is to wear something comfortable.

“It’s a surprise,” he responded with a playful smile.

While walking out of the mansion, the workers greeted them. Everyone is on smiles knowing that their signora is now feeling well. Another thing that made them feel joyful is that the married couple now looks comfortable with each other.

“Have a safe and enjoyable trip, signor, signora,” the maids greeted in unison.

The two smiled at them before Ezio gave instructions and reminders. He told the workers that they might be home late, so Chiara assumed that they are going on a city far from their location.

“Hop in, cara,” Ezio spoke when he opened the door of the passenger seat of the car.

Chiara smiled and headed inside. She was expecting that it will be a long ride, and it really is.

She looked behind them and saw two cars following their trail. It was Ezio’s bodyguards, and they will accompany them to make sure of their safety.

Before, she will get mad because of having lots of guards. But now, she appreciate it. She knew that her husband is worried about her safety. And knowing that her husband is right there to protect her, she doesn’t have any fear while going out.

She was focused on looking outside. It’s been a long time since she last travel far from Ezio’s mansion that she almost forget how the city looks like.

Her staring battle with the tall buildings were interrupted when she felt a warm hand touched hers. She looked to her left side and saw that it was Ezio’s hand.

Before, she can’t stand being with him and always get irritated whenever he tries to go near or touch her.

Looking back, Chiara now realized that it was her fault their relationship came out this way. She was too focused on her heartbreak from her ex-boyfriend that she became blind of her husband.

She stared at his neutral face looking at the road. She can’t believe that this handsome man beside her insisted on marrying her.

He looked so serious, far from the man she saw the other night.

It was dark and cold, but Chiara was woken up by the presence of another human inside her room. She opened her eyes a little bit to have even a small sight of the surroundings, but it was too dark.

The only thing she can see is a silhouette of a man who is climbing on the railings of her terrace. Silhouettes might be broad, but the shape of it looks familiar.

“Ezio,” she whispered to herself. She can’t be wrong, that bodybuild belongs to her husband.

“What is he doing?” she asked. She was about to open her eyes more when she saw him opening the door from the outside.

Chiara is sure that she locked the door to the terrace, that’s why it confuses her when Ezio was able to enter her bedroom.

She hurriedly closed her eyes so that he won’t know that he’s awake.

“Cara,” Ezio’s voice entered her ears. His tone was soft and caring, just like his touch.

She felt the foam of the bed moved and his presence became nearer that their skin’s already touching. Ezio continued to caress her cheek.

Chiara tried her best to make her breathing even and pretended to be asleep.

“Are you still crying over him, hmm?” Ezio asked. “Fara said you didn’t finish your dinner. I know that you’re still broken on what happened, but you can’t starve yourself everyday.”

Ezio lay down beside her and hugged her body. It was the first time Chiara felt his body enveloping hers, and it actually felt comforting. His warmth have comfort to her chilling body.

“I attended an awarding today. Our mall was awarded as the most outstanding and best in customer relation. Can you believe that?” Ezio started talking about his day even if he knew that Chiara wouldn’t respond.

On the other hand, Chiara continued on listening to him. She actually felt her heart getting lighter, and it started beating louder.

“I want to bring you on the awarding, but I think you’re not healed yet. And oh, I remember. I saw a new restaurant down the 4th avenue. They have unli chicken wings and a lot more foods. All are unlimited! I’m sure you will like it there. I’ll bring you there next time.”

Ezio continued on talking random things on Chiara. From what happened to his day, to what he recently discovered, even to what he overheard from other people. It looks like they are having deep talks but it’s only him that doing all the talking.

The same thing went on several nights. At first Chiara will just be woke up by either noise or feeling of another presence, until she found herself waiting for Ezio to enter her room every night.

When Ezio fell asleep, Chiara opened her eyes and stared at him. It’s such a shame that she didn’t even make time to know him more before.

“Ezio, just let me cry my heart out. After this, I promise to make it up to you,” she whispered on his ear before closing her eyes.

Chiara was brought back to the present when she felt the car stopped.

“Huh?” she thought to herself before looking around. The place looks familiar to her, but she is sure that she hasn’t visited the place.

“We’re here,” Ezio spoke while helping Chiara remove the seatbelt.

“Where are we?” she asked, but Ezio just smiled and take her outside. He was holding her hand and she followed his steps.

At last, a certain sign made Chiara gasped.

“Oh my god,” she said in shock. “Centro Vista Daini?”

She looked at Ezio, trying to ask using her eyes if what she’s currently seeing is true. A nod from him makes her so excited.

She giggled and pulled Ezio’s hands towards the entrance. Both of them were greeted by the green scenery of the reserve, and of course, a lot of deers which makes Chiara’s eyes twinkle.

They have a tour guide that brought them to the different places of the area. The reserve was small, but pleasing in the eyes.

“I like the tour guide. She’s funny,” Chiara spoke while walking towards a group of deers under the trees.

“It’s fascinating that she knows how to answer all of your questions. You like deers so much, huh?” Ezio asked.

Chiara hummed a yes. “I love all animals.”

She hopped towards the deers and squat to pet the one in a loaf position. “Cutie deer,” she spoke in a baby voice while rubbing the deer’s head.

Ezio just watched his wife petting every deer that she can see, even playing with some. He can see happiness radiating in her face, something that he was really craving to see for a long time.

“I’ve really wanted to be here,” Chiara spoke while she was laying on Ezio’s lap.

They’re currently sitting on a pink checkered mat. Chiara complained that she’s already tired playing and running with deers so they had to rest first.

“I know,” Ezio answered before wiping the ketchup that she has on the side of her lips.

Chiara’s eyebrows furrowed. “How did you know that?”

Instead of answering her question, Ezio diverted the topic. “I thought you and your family used to bring you to parks? Why haven’t they brought you here?”

She shrugged. “It’s too far from our house. We usually visited park near our city only,” she answered before looking at the lake nearby.

“I see. Did you enjoy it?” he replied while brushing her soft hair.

“Of course!” she exclaimed. “I met a lot of deers and I was able to pet them! That’s a new experience!”

Ezio smiled on her beaming face. “I’m glad you liked it. Just tell me where you want to go and I’ll bring you there.”

He forgot that he promised his wife a divorce after their date. He was too happy to remember that. Well, Chiara forgot about it either. They are still not finished on their first date, yet she is already looking forward for the next one.

Both of them became quiet afterwards. It was not the kind of silence that’s uncomfortable, it was actually a silence of relief and contentment.

While Chiara was busy looking at scenery, Ezio was focused on her. His eyes were on her only as if she’s the only one that matters.

Chiara turned her head to her husband. She stared at his mismatched eyes and touched his jaw.

“They’re beautiful,” she thought to herself. The color blue and green suits his face. It made him more special in her eyes.

“Will out children have different colored eyes, too? Or will one have blue and the other one will have green? How about my eye color? Will they also inherit it?” Chiara asked herself and started to imagine how their kids will look like.

She was just pulled out from her reverie when she heard Ezio spoke.

“Done staring, cara?” he asked with a playful smile on his lips. “You can stare longer when we’re at home.”

She immediately looked away, making Ezio chuckle. Chiara tried to put his attention elsewhere.

“I’m hungry,” she said.

“Okay, okay. Where do you want to eat, cara?” Ezio asked, trying to suppress his laughter because of his wife’s embarrassment.

Suddenly, a wicked idea formed in Chiara’s mind. She won’t let her husband tease her.

“I want to eat on the new restaurant on the 4th Avenue near our house. The one that serves unlimited wings,” she said while smirking inwardly.

Ezio, who was stunned by was she said, blinked his eyes slowly for a couple of time before asking. “That’s a new one. How did you know about it?”

Chiara couldn’t help herself but to smirk. “You told me about it, right?”

Before Ezio could ask for more, she stood up. “Hurry. I want to eat now. You don’t want to know what happens when I get super hungry.”

Ezio couldn’t protest but he knew something was off. He never told Chiara about the new restaurant for they haven’t spoke to each other for weeks. The only time he talked to her is while she was asleep.

Sudden realization hit him while he was driving that he couldn’t control himself on pushing the break.

“Hey, what happened?” Chiara asked when they stopped. She even look outside to see if it’s a red light, but it’s not.

“Why did you stop?” she asked.

Ezio was about to answer when the cars behind him started to honk.

“Nothing. I just remembered something,” he answered while starting the car again.

Chiara just shrugged and looked outside to watch the surroundings. On the other hand, Ezio was blushing from the inside. He can’t stop thinking about the possibly that Chiara might be awake on those nights he sneaked in.

Such an embarrassment, but he knew that he would do it again. Not just once, but a couple more times.