Chapter two: The Truth

7:10 pm

Matt finally finished his meeting. He called Emma to let her know about his plan. “I won’t be home tonight. John and I are having a party with some other friends.” He heard a moment of silence before she finally spoke. “You wore your most expensive suit for a meeting and a night with friends?” She barked. “Stop acting jealous for no reason, okay. I got to go now. Night, sweetie.” He sighed.

He headed directly to the hotel. “Hi, sir. Does your mother know about the girl in room 201?” The hotel manager asked him once he got inside.

“No, and don’t you dare tell her. I’ll take all the responsibilities.” He ordered. “Alright, sir.”

Matt walked fast into the elevator. “I don’t know why I am so excited to see her again.” He smiled.

Stella was watching TV. She heard knocking on the door; she swung it open to come face to face with a handsome man. “Matt,” she smiled “come in.” She walked behind him as he sat on the couch with his legs spread apart. “Your hair is dry! How come you still wearing a towel?” He looked at her from head to toe. She tried her best to cover some parts of her body with her hands. “I have nothing clean to wear for your information.” He smile faded when she heard his silly comment. “Don’t worry, I got you.” He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. “Please, come to room 201.”

Few seconds later a middle aged maid came in. “Sir, do you need something?” She raised her eyebrow as she looked behind Matt to see a beautiful girl with a towel. “Yes, Leila. Bring a suitable dress for this young lady. I need it as fast as you can.”

“Does Mrs. Garcia know what’s going on?” Leila questioned. “Here we go again,” He groaned. “Look, I know my mother loves you, but that doesn’t mean you have to get into my life and there’s no need for you to tell her.” He looked at Stella standing near the window. “She will leave the hotel soon.” He looked back at her with a fake smile. “Okay sir.”

“Why do I need a dress?” Stella asked him as he approached her. “I’ll take you to one of our famous restaurants. We’ll have dinner and talk about your problem. Besides, don’t expect me to stay with you in a bedroom with a towel around you.” She titled her head in confusion, but then realized the situation. “Are you scared? I’m not a monster.” She chuckled.

“But I am one.” He stepped closer to her, leaving no space between them. They kept staring at each other for a couple of seconds when finally Stella broke the awkward silence. “Um, about the dinner at the restaurant, I prefer we eat here please. I don’t want to be the reason of your problems.”

“Problems?” His forehead wrinkled as he waited for an answer. “Yes, your wife.” He patted her naked shoulders which were covered by her soft long hair. “Don’t worry about that. I want to help you find a solution to your situation. That’s what matters now.”

“Still, I want to be alone with you.” She paused a moment. “Oh my god, I-I don’t mean it that way. I just don’t want to be around anyone else.” She stuttered. “I got it.” He chuckled. “I will order food for a special dinner here.”

Moments later, the lady brought the dress and a pair of high heels. Matt thanked her before she left. “Here’s the dress. Change now.” Once he gave her the bag, she headed directly to the bathroom. Few minutes later, Matt turned his gaze when he heard the bathroom door swung open.

The black dress hugged her body perfectly. It suited her delicate white skin. “She’s stunning.” They moved closer to each other; he proceeded to tuck her hair behind her ear sending a chill down her spines. “You look…gorgeous.” He complimented as he examined her facial features. “Thanks.” She smiled to him while looking down at her beautiful dress. “It’s all thanks to you.”

“Let’s eat. I’m starving.” Matt said once the room service brought the food to their room. “Are you ready to hear my story?” She said as they sat down around the small table. “Yeah, sure. Go ahead.”

“I’m from a rich family. Well, I was not born in a wealthy family.  When I was around 8, we moved out to live in France. Back then, my father worked hard to be successful today.” She drunk some wine and proceeded to talk. Matt stopped eating and was only listening to her. “Lately, he had many problems at work. I don’t know what happened exactly, but he told us that we will lose everything we own due to that problem.” She played with the fork. “What happened then?”

“He refused to be part of the middle class again. Therefore, he decided to arrange a marriage for me with that douchbag.” She clenched her jaw. “For his money, huh?” He questioned. “Obviously…That’s why I ran away. I arrived yesterday morning to America.” She moved her gaze towards the window. “Why did you choose America?”

“New Jersey is my hometown. On top of that, I didn’t have much time to think of where to go. All I wanted is to be as far as possible from them, but I suppose his guards found out about my flight; he probably took a private jet and managed to arrive before me.”

“Where did he found you?” He asked. “I was roaming all over the cities of New Jersey, enjoying my peaceful life without pressure and the people who pretend to love me for their benefits.” She sighed. “Friends?” He titled his head as he asked. “Not just friends, even my parents never truly loved me.” She dazed. “Anyways, just after dark, he found me and his guards took my bag away. I was left with no clothes and no money. You know what happened next.” She tugged at her earlobe. “Yes, I know.” he touched her other free hand on the table, “You are between my hands now, but don’t you think you may regret for running away? I mean what if it is a wrong decision?” He curiously asked.

“I’m known for taking bad decisions, but this time I care less about what they think of me. You saved my life and I’m ready to do anything to return you the favor.” She smiled.

He stood up and held her hands to make her stand too. “What were you doing all day? You still didn’t think yet?” he smirked. “I have no idea.” She smiled. “Yesterday, you thanked me in your own way, right?” She nodded. “Now, let me welcome you in my way.” He grabbed her neck and brought her face closer to his. He leaned to kiss her patiently. She kissed him back but then pulled away.

“That’s wrong. We shouldn’t be doing that.” He didn’t answer her; he firmly pulled her body against his and brushed her lips with his again, this time much deeper and passionate. She held on his shirt. “I don’t care about anything else. I can’t resist her.”

Once they broke apart with racing hearts, he placed his forehead against hers. “That was too fast for a first kiss.” She said with her soft voice. He grabbed her hands and walked to the edge of the bed. “Yesterday, I couldn’t stop thinking about you and I’m bad at hiding feelings…you drove me crazy and I found myself kissing you.” She stayed silent, looked at him straight in the eyes. “This girl doesn’t get shy by any chance! Her stare caused me butterflies in the stomach.” He gave her an awkward smile. “Say something.”

She took his hand in hers. “Do you love your wife?” He paused for a moment looking down, before speaking. “My life can be described in few sentences. I always have important meetings with famous people in fancy restaurants. My wife! She only cares about how people see our relationship. I never felt like a real man with her.” He lifted her chin to meet his eyes, “You did well to ask me to stay here. I never felt this way before.” He stroked her cheek. “I think it’s too early for that.” She walked to the window crossing her arms.

He approached her once again. “We still have time-” He received a phone call. “It’s her.” He put back the phone in his pocket. “What the hell are you doing? Pick up. She will doubt if you don’t.” She took the phone out of his pocket and put in his hand. At first, he was shocked at her action, but then picked up. “Emma…um, yeah I’m fine.” Stella listened to him as she lay down on bed. “Emma, stop it. I have to go.” He hung up.

“I have an idea.” He turned his body to her direction. “Hmm!” She said closing her eyes. “Come live with me.” Her eyes popped up as soon as he finished his sentence. “What? Are you crazy?” she asked in disbelief. “Let me explain.” He fixed his shirt. “Are you ready to become a maid?” He winked at her. “You are out of your mind.”

“I’ll fire one f our maids and I’ll bring you home pretending to be a new maid to replace her. This is the only way to keep you safe right now.” He theorized. “To be close to your maniac wife!” she paused. “I don’t have another plan anyway. I’m in.” She said. “I will bring you home tomorrow after work.” He concluded.