Chapter 11 Alia POV " Francesca … " I rubbed my forehead helplessly . " Sorry , I've been so busy I forgot to tell you . Don't be mad , okay ? " She huffed , clearly still upset , but her tone soon softened . " Fine , I'll let it slide this time . But be honest - is this about that drop - dead gorgeous boss of yours ? " I was stunned for a moment . Francesca had always been by my side . Memories of the past flashed through my mind that night three years ago , after being expelled from the family , I was attacked by several thugs , and she stepped forward to drive them away . Later , she helped me escape from Montellano and start anew in Portano . Without her , I might have broken down long ago . " Hey , are you spacing out on me ? " Her voice snapped me back to reality . " I'm sorry , Fran . Things have been … complicated , " I managed , keeping my voice low . " Complicated ? You disappeared for days , then suddenly moved ?? Francesca's voice cracked with emotion . " We promised no secrets , remember ? " She was right . Three years ago , when we first arrived in Portano together , we'd made that promise . Back then , We had opened " Promessa Eterna , " her wedding dress design studio . It was her dream come true creating beautiful gowns that symbolized eternal love and commitment . I only invested some money in this studio because I really couldn't participate in wedding dress design , especially since white fabric and lace too easily stirred up too many painful memories . In front of Francesca , I had no privacy whatsoever . It was Francesca who had arranged the blind date with Marco in the first place . I had planned to meet with Francesca this weekend to tell her about my marriage to Marco , but unexpectedly , Francesca went to my rented place looking for me beforehand . " Fran , you're right . I must make it up to you properly . " I admitted . " I'm worried about you , Aria . This isn't like you . Are you in some kind of trouble again ? " " No , no , nothing like that , " I assured her , " Look , How about I come over now and stay the night with you as compensation ? " Just then , I heard the door open . Marco stood in the doorway , his expression unreadable . My heart skipped a beat , wondering how much he'd heard . ' I'll come find you in a bit ! " I quickly hung up the phone . I sat up straighter , trying to appear casual . " That was just my friend weekend . ' - a woman friend , " explained hastily . " We were making plans for the Marco's expression softened slightly . He simply nodded . Then turned and left , closing the door behind him . For some reason , this bothered me . Did he not care where I went or who I was with ? A few minutes later , I came to the hallway and found the study door open , with Marco typing on his laptop . When I knocked , he looked up . * I'm going to stay at Francesca's tonight , " I said , " She is my best friend , and she's been under a lot of work pressure lately . I want to be by her side . " Marco stopped typing , his dark eyes studying me intently. For a moment , I thought he might refuse or question me , but instead he closed his laptop . ' Portano isn't safe at night . I'll drive you , " he said firmly , in a tone that brooked no argument . Before I could protest , he was already reaching for his car keys . Twenty minutes later , we were in his sleek black car , driving through the D Chapter 11 nighttime streets of Portano . As we neared Francesca's studio , Marco finally broke the silence . " Alia , " he said softly , " Shall I pick you up tomorrow morning ? " I pushed open the car door and got out , nodding : " You can go back now . Drive safely . " Marco gave me a long look before finally starting the car and leaving . Watching Marco's car gradually disappear from view , I then walked toward Francesca's apartment . As soon as Francesca opened the door , I was greeted by an excited bark and a gray - white figure . Francesca's Italian Greyhound , Lola , enthusiastically jumped into my arms and eagerly licked my hand . " Hey there , beautiful girl ! " I laughed , scratching behind her ears . " Did you miss me ? " " Of course she missed you , " Francesca said , leaning against the doorframe . " So did I , you ungrateful woman . After the blind date and forget all about us , huh ? " I looked up , wanting to introduce Marco , but Francesca quickly interrupted me . " Who dropped you off ? Your new boyfriend ? " she asked while closing the door . " Taking a taxi this late is difficult and expensive . You must be kept by some tall , handsome man , hmph ! " " He's … complicated , " I said , settling onto the familiar couch with Lola curled in my lap . There's a lot I need to tell you , Fran . Francesca sat across from me , her expression serious . " I'm listening . But first , let me get this straight - You're really living with a man , the one who just dropped you off ? And … what happened with that blind date I set you up with last time ? " Looking at Francesca , I suddenly said very seriously : " Fran , I got married . " Francesca was stunned . She thought I had only started dating someone , but my marriage was too sudden for her . Her mouth dropped open wide enough to swallow an egg , and it took her quite a while before she could speak . " Aria , who is that man ? " I said with a smile : " It's the man you introduced me to for the blind date , the one called Marco Vittorio . " Francesca's eyes widened . " Aria , what are you talking about ? I didn't introduce you to any Marco Vittorio . I've never even met anyone by that name . The room suddenly as we stared at each other in stunned silence . If Francesca hadn't introduced me to Marco … then who was the man I had married ? Chapter Comments ✩ 1