Hana was absolutely right. Matteo was not amused. He was furious. His jaw was tight, his eyes unreadable as he took in the sight of Alexandra strolling into the penthouse suite. 

She had a bruise forming on her cheek, her muscles aching from the fight, and she was utterly exhausted. Alexandra had been praying all night that he’d cut her some slack, but only time would tell. 

Matteo looked like he was one sentence away from locking her in her room and never letting her out. His expression gave away just enough, which wasn’t much. 

He crossed his arms, eyes pinned on her bruised cheek, “Care to explain?”

She dropped onto the couch, stretching her legs out. She moved to her side and closed her eyes. 

“I lost my purse. Well got mugged. Punched some guys. Now I need a hot bath.”

Silence.

“That sums it up,” she said, filling the quiet penthouse.

More silence. 

Then—“Your purse? You lost your wallet, phone, everything?”

“…and my passport.”

Her eyes opened briefly, to make out his facial expression. She could practically hear him screaming internally, Where?

She waved vaguely, pointing in no particular direction. “Alleyway, somewhere downtown. Next to Haneul Seoul. But don’t worry! I put a tracker in my purse and every phone has GPS on them nowadays.”

Sharply, Matteo said, “I’ll handle it.”

“See? That’s why I keep you around.”

He didn’t even humor her with a response. He was still furious of the situation.

“I think it is best you get cleaned up, I will bring you a change of clothes.”

Alexandra made her way to the bathroom and turned on the shower. She looked in the mirror as she undressed and finally had a chance to look at her appearance. 

This is what I’ve looked like all night?

She was truly embarrassed at the sight before her. As she managed to make her way into the shower she found she no longer had the strength to stand. Every ounce of strength she had was now gone. 

The shower water trickled down her face as she sat on the cold marble floor, replaying the situation. She began to cry. She paused when she heard footsteps towards the bathroom door. 

“You’ve got your robe hanging on the wall here and a change of clothes on the bed,” he said, maintaining his distance near the door. He dared not venture too far. 

He turned to leave before pausing, “Are you okay? Sorry I should have asked you that first.”

His voice was softer this time, and she heard the crack of concern slip through. 

She didn’t answer immediately. Her once unruly curls, soaked from the shower water pounding down on her face. enough to hide the tremor in her voice when she finally spoke.

“I’m okay. Just tired,” she said as the water washed away her tears. 

Matteo lingered for a moment, debating if he should stay but soon decided it was not his place. 

She thought he might say something more or even swoop her up and tuck her into bed. But the door clicked behind him and he was gone. She felt alone once again with the sound of the water, her fatigue, and her chaotic thoughts swirling.

She leaned against the wall, letting the warmth soak into her hair, her chestnut skin, slowly curing her aching muscles. The hot water melted away the events and everything else in her life. Finally, she crawled out of the shower and wrapped herself in the robe he’d left behind. 

Her mind was a foggy mess, teetering on the edge of sleep. She walked into the suite to find Matteo in the chair by the window. He was sound asleep. 

She looked down at him fast asleep. His face serene and untroubled. 

He looks so peaceful. 

Alexandra carefully draped a soft, warm blanket over him, hoping not to disturb him. Her movements as delicate as a whisper in the night.

Her bed was calling her. She allowed herself to collapse onto the soft pillows as the world blurred into darkness and her eyes drifted shut. 

Matteo stirred. He jolted awake when he realized he had fallen asleep. Disoriented at first, he ran a hand through his hair and glanced around the room until his eyes fell upon Alexandra.

She was curled up on the bed. Soft steady breaths. He lifted his hand to brush her cheek but hesitated, fighting the internal turmoil. Finally, he rose quietly from the chair.