All Chapters of Puzzled Hearts (Book 3 of Precious Series): Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

After the old man was beaten into submission somewhat, what with a broken nose and jaw, Alonzo accompanied by his son and Devlin went to the don’s villa. Tiernan decided to stay in the rented cottage to watch out for trouble. He believed that the old man’s surrender was too easy and as Tiernan was once the leader of a gang, he knew, the don was hatching a dangerous game for father and son. Still having contacts in the underworld, he solicited their help for his brother’s friends is how he described the situation. Upon arriving at the villa, the don’s guards immediately secured him inside asking for his long-time mistress, Greta to call for a doctor. Greta after being kept by the don for a long time developed an affection for the don or for the luxury, he afforded her, nobody really knows but she stayed. Upon seeing the don’s bloodied and bruised face, she cried with sincere horror. “Amore mio, what happened to you? And who are you?” She glared at the three men and

Aware that they were left alone, Eliza looked at Matan with questions in her eyes. “What is it habibti?” Matan asked refusing to let her out of his embrace. “When did you arrive? And how did it go with your travel? Is your great-grandfather dead?” Eliza asked in succession but not moving away from his embrace although her rational mind was wanting to. Her heart’s desire won. She wanted to be held by him longer than what propriety entails. “One at a time, sweetheart.” Matan didn’t regret using the endearment. God knows they both need it now. “As you can see, I am as whole and hale as the last time you saw me, although to be honest I was quite upset when I found out you weren’t there when I got back. I know, I have no right to be, but I was hoping that my previous gallant gestures would have given you a clue as to what I feel towards you. But that matter could wait, what matters is I am here to offer you a shoulder to cry on and sturdy arms to hold you should y

Matan ended up going back to the UAE by himself as Eliza’s ticket didn’t coincide with his. Their talk at the Gonzales Manor proved enlightening. He managed at least to get Eliza’s consent for him to formally court her as she deserves. The courtship is all but a formality for Matan because she is already his despite her objections. He laid her concerns to rest. Her spouting gibberish about her lack of virtue was no concern to him as he jokingly teased her that he himself is no longer a virgin as well. Eliza was torn between laughing and angry with him but at least he was able to make her smile. Although he did not get his heart’s desire that they would fly back together, he could at least pick her up at the airport with no awkwardness whatsoever between them or so he hopes. He brought Eliza back to her house so she could pack up. Her brothers agreed to Claudia’s plan of having Eliza stay with them at the manor until it was time for her to fly back. Her brothers and her niece

Three months have passed since Matan and Eliza went back to the UAE but after that airport pickup, the former got so busy with work that he wasn’t able to sustain his vow of picking Eliza for work. They were both so busy with their work that neither noticed until she overheard her employer talking with someone over the phone. She didn’t mean to eavesdrop but sharing the office with Mariam means hearing her conversation with people over the phone. “How long will you be gone? Who will run your businesses? Oh well then, I guess that is alright. I didn’t know that Devlin’s brother remained in Italy. It has been what, almost five months now, hasn’t it? Eliza? Yes, yes of course, that you would even ask. Take care of yourself and of your father, we hope you’ll come back safe and whole. You’ll always be my son, love you. See you when you get back.” Mariam ended her call and waved at Eliza when she noticed her hovering by the door. “Do come in habibti. That was Matan, he and his f

Eliza has been going out with her officemates every Friday night in succession and every single time Evan was there to her dismay. It might have been fun if the gentleman was another. True, Evan was handsome, the cliched blue-eyed blonde but she was longing for the tall, dark and handsome person who was with her when her mother died. She hasn’t heard from Matan for how many months now and she dreadfully miss him. What a silly heart she has, longing for that which is never going to happen. She couldn’t forget the stolen kisses they shared as they awoke a hunger in her for more. Silly, silly longings for a silly girl. As if a rich man such as Matan would deign to lower himself to a poor expat like her. But then, this is her dream, and she just wants to indulge just for once. She couldn’t sleep with these thoughts running in her head. After much tossing and turning about, she finally dozed off. Her dreams were filled with Matan’s kisses, and she ended up getting sweaty and restless in her