Regarding the recent de Renee had acquired, Marcelo decided to seek Sherell’s insights at ater time.
Though his words appeared mundane, they carried the weight of a promise.
Feeling an overwhelming sense of disappointment,Renee’s eyes welled up, and she dared not blink, fearing tears would betray
her.
“What about the mask? You im tock the time to craft one for me, yet you manage to fashion one for Vivian? I saw the post Vivian shared!“She shot at him through gritted teeth.
His silence regarding the mask was an attempt not to overextend mself. Little did he anticipate Renee being privy to this information.
Making a mental note to gift a sports car to Damian the next day,Marcelo was grateful for Damian’s revtion about Renee’s negative feelings. Without his help, Marcelo would have remained oblivious to why Renee had been upset with him.
He then rified, “It wasn’t from me.”
“But it’s credited to Mr. King,” She countered, skepticism coloring her words. “Do you think I’m easily fooled?”
Struggling to exin that the event was simply a coincidence, Marcelo dialed a number on his phone.
Perplexed, Renee questioned the sudden initiation of the call by Marcelo. Without hesitation, he opted to put the call on speaker.
The voice of a woman, clear and yful, echoed through the speaker. “Marcelo, you actually called me voluntarily. That’s so rare,” she teased.
“Vivian, someone ims the mask in your post is from me<b>. </b>Is this true?“Marcelo, looking at Renee, confronted Vivian.
Renee couldn’t help but wonder if this “someone” was alluding to her. She expressed her discontent by pursing her lips with an unhappy demeanor.
Vivian, caught off guard, apologized, “Marcelo, I’m sorry. A friend with the samest name as you gave me the mask. I didn’t expect it to cause any trouble. If it bothers you, I can delete the post”
“Delete it,“Marcelo ordered.
“Well…Okay.”
Renee detected a tinge of regret and sadness in Vivian’s response.
After ending the call, Marcelo fixed his gaze on Renee, raising an eyebrow and silently urging her to speak.
From the moment Marcelo dialed Vivian’s number, Renee’s mind went nk.
Confronting Vivian in front of her was a persuasive and emotionally charged move.
“I…I… “Renee stammered, torn between acknowledging her mistake and deflecting me for Vivian’s misleading post.
As Renee contemted her response, her attention was drawn to the gray scarf in his hands. “You tossed this away, didn’t you? “Renee picked up the scarf, examining it closely.
“Chad found it,” Kaiden lied, maintaining hisposure. “How did you know it was yours? Perhaps Chad bought a simr one.”
“Iknitted it myself. I can recognize my handiwork,” Renee asserted.
“You…you knitted it yourself?” Dumbfounded, Marcelo shifted his gaze towards Renee, recalling her assertion that she hadn’t designed the scarf.
“Of course.” Confusion filled Renee as she pondered why Marcelo seemed so agitated.
4
Mindful of the intricate design she crafted for Wyatt’s tie, she considered that if her gift to Marcelo fell short of Wyatt’s the, he wouldn’t easily overlook it.
Marcelo, momentarily stunned, was now filled with delight.
As he moved to put the scarf away,Renee yfully snatched it from him.
“You discarded it once. If you didn’t like it, you should return it to the.” With a grin, she took the scarf back.
She did it deliberately.
He couldn’t help but smile.
Renee was stunned for a while because of his smile. When she came to her senses, she was pressed against the seat by <b>him</b><b>. </b>
Leaning in, he ensnared her within the confines of his tall frame.
Within the confined space, the air charged between them.
“Exin why you turned down being my date to have a midnight snack with Damian.“Marcelo retrieved the scarf from her hand and proceeded to confront her about the actions that had upset him as well.
His low and maic voice added ayer of intensity to the conversation.
“When did I have a midnight snack with…“Renee began before realizing that she did share a midnight snack <b>with </b>Damian on the day she declined Marcelo’s invitation.
Seeing through her realization, he raised an eyebrow.
“Damian did Sarah a favor that day, and I treated him as a thank–you gesture,” She exined.
Uninterested in Sarah’s affairs, he did not question further.
“You still haven’t returned the birthday gift Damian gave me,” Reneeined.
“Renee, do you want another round of arguments with me?” Marcelo arched his eyebrows ever so slightly.
“Why would I argue with you again?”
“If you can remember, you once snagged the box of choctes Alyssa gifted me.“Kaiden wore an expression that silently conveyed, “So I have every right to seize Damian’s gift as well.”
Renee, momentarily forgetting the incident, acknowledged Marcelo’s exceptional memory.
“Alyssa has a crush on you, but Damian doesn’t feel the same about me. We’ve only be acquainted this month. Can they bepared?” Pushing against his chest but not truly resisting, she continued, “Get off me.”
Marcelo scoffed at Renee’s words. Damian’s romantic interest in her went unnoticed by Ellie. She was oblivious to his unspoken affection<b>, </b>not giving that aspect a second thought.
Marcelo, now in a better mood, affectionately tousled Renee’s hair Bracing himself, he leaned down for a kiss.
Renee,also in a better mood, closed her eyes as their lips met.
After a quick change of attire and makeup removal, Renee intended to begin with a shower.
The bathroom door clicked open, and Marcelo, tall and barefoot with wet suit pants, entered the mist–filled room. As he approached, his features gradually became clearer.
“I’m about to shower. Why are you here?” Instinctively, she covered herself with one hand while reaching for a bath towel with
the other.
<b>He </b>intercepted her hand, preventing her from grabbing the <b>towel</b>. Turning <b>his </b>wrist, he secured her smaller hand in <b>his</b>.
“I know you’re showering,” He dered, standing before Renee and holding her waist. His voice, hoarse and unnatural, <b>stated</b>, “Otherwise, why would Ie in?”
Startled, Renee nearly slipped on the wet floor<b>, </b>but her steadied her by firmly holding her waist. Her foot met a puddle with a
pop.
Simultaneously<b>, </b>his assertive kiss descended.
Nervously clutching his shirt, she found it soaked within seconds.
“I…”
“Let’s shower together.“He said against her lips,breathlessly.
And if you ask Renee on a deeper level,she might admit that she ended up having the best shower of her life that night.
The following morning, Renee felt a familiar weakness throughout her body upon waking.
She was still groggy, her mind clouded with memories from the night before.
She recalled her nails leaving marks on Marcelo’s arms and back.
A hazy memory surfaced of Marcelo doing something to her finger after they showeredst night.
He had said, “You’re wearing the wedding ring now.”
Suddenly fully alert, Renee lifted her right hand and noticed a diamond ring on her finger.
The centerpiece was a three–carat pink diamond of exceptional quality, encircled by smaller diamonds and designed with ssic elements.
“Do you like it?”
Marcelo’s voice echoed from the dressing room, already dressed.
Heart racing, Renee asked uncertainly, “Where did this ringe from?”
She remembered Freddy casually mentioning herck of a ring just yesterday afternoon. How did Marcelo manage this so quickly?
“Do you like it?” He approached, knelt on one knee on the bed, and gently kissed her on the cheek.