Chapter 5 our honeymoon

Chapter 5

THE NEXT MORNING,

I woke up next to my husband, and it was the first time.

Ethan didn't seem to find it strange because I noticed him feeling around for me, as if checking to see if I was still there or had disappeared. I sighed.

"Don't worry, I didn't run away in the middle of the night. Or maybe you'd actually prefer that I had," I said as he took a deep breath and opened his eyes to look at me.

"I think you do know. You're my wife now, Chiara. That means you belong here with me." I would have believed that was sincere if I hadn't seen the strain on his face. I frowned, got up immediately, and started stretching.

"Do we need to get up soon? What time are we leaving for the airport? And where is our destination? With all the sudden wedding preparations, I forgot to ask you where our honeymoon plans were." He seemed taken aback by my question and quickly avoided my gaze.

"Right. Our honeymoon plans. I actually wanted to talk to you about that. Unfortunately, we'll need to postpone the trip for a bit." My brow furrowed. I couldn't have heard that right, could I?

"You want to postpone our honeymoon?" I asked, and he nodded.

"I'm sorry, but I have some business to wrap up here in the city, and I don't have time for a honeymoon trip right now." My face fell in confusion. I knew I wasn't planning to give myself to him fully yet, but I had hoped that this honeymoon trip would be a way for us to get to know each other better. How can our relationship improve if all he focuses on is work?

"I know you're upset, but I promise we'll go somewhere together eventually. We just can't go yet. This wedding was very last minute. I didn't have the chance to tie up all my loose ends. You understand, don't you?" I kept my head down.

"Our honeymoon was supposed to be a chance for us to get to know each other away from the influence of our families." I took a deep breath. I didn't want to show that I was affected, even though I was already quite annoyed. "I just thought we could bond, but if you're busy, it's fine. I understand." I lied.

"Thanks, I appreciate that. Anyway, I'm going to grab a shower and then I need to meet my father. Meet me downstairs when you're ready."

"If we don't have any plans today, why do we need to rush? Can I spend more time here?" He sighed before shaking his head.

"My parents have gifted us a penthouse to live in. That's why I'm going to meet my father now to get the keys. I want us to settle in as soon as possible, so we have somewhere to call home together."

"But-" He cut off what I was going to say by kissing my forehead.

"We don't need to go on vacation to give our relationship a good start. We can do that here." He said, then stroked my cheek. I watched him enter the bathroom, trying to hold back from speaking or asking more questions because I knew nothing would change.

He doesn't want a honeymoon but wants a place to call home with me. I really don't understand him.

I went downstairs once I was ready and found my brother waiting for me in the hotel lobby.

"There she is, the newlywed. Tell me, Chiara, how's married life treating you so far?" He laughed at his question.

"I've been married for less than twenty-four hours, Kuya Enzo. It's hard to tell right now."

He took a deep breath and became serious again. "You and Ethan left the wedding reception earlier than I thought you would. I guess he was eager to get you."

"Brother, maybe he just doesn't like parties. But we did spend the rest of the night together. We-" Brother raised his hand to stop me.

"Hey, enough. I don't need to know the details, Chiara. I just hope he was a gentleman." I smiled and nodded at him, remembering what he said last night about waiting until I was ready.

"He was definitely a gentleman." He nodded approvingly.

"Good. One less reason for me to kick his ass then."

"Kuya Enzo!" I threatened, but we both just laughed.

"So, when do you leave for the honeymoon? This morning? This afternoon?" he asked while checking his phone.

I was silent, which made him look at me again with a furrowed brow.

"Well, actually... we had to postpone the honeymoon for now. Ethan has some business to take care of here in the city."

"He what?!" I swallowed at his reaction. Should I have not told him? But he would find out sooner or later if I didn't tell him now. "That's impossible! All Montello business is shared with us now. Daddy definitely won't allow Ethan to do that if it interferes with your honeymoon." He said angrily.

"Maybe Daddy just doesn't know."

"You've been married to Ethan Montello for one day, and he's already doing business behind our backs. I knew he couldn't be trusted." Brother Enzo shook his head, muttering to himself. His hands were clenched now.

"Don't worry about it. It's probably nothing. I know you're suspicious of Ethan because he's a Montello, but he hasn't done anything to raise my suspicions so far." I tried to calm him down, afraid he might confront Ethan and cause more trouble.

"What kind of newlywed doesn't want to immediately whisk his wife away for their honeymoon?! I don't get it." I held his hand to calm him down.

"Brother Enzo. Relax. Like you said, Ethan and I have only been married for one day. This wedding was a whirlwind. Maybe he just needs a couple of days to get his affairs in order before we go away together." He shook his head.

"Well, I'm not willing to give him the benefit of the doubt." I sighed deeply and hugged him.

"We'll talk later, okay? Don't drive yourself crazy with conspiracy theories." He sighed and then nodded.

"I'll try my best. Take care, little sis. I'm only a phone call away, remember?" he said, and I nodded.

"I know." I replied and then said goodbye to him.

Ethan and I were silent during the drive earlier. He didn't explain or elaborate on this "important business" he mentioned. I'm trying to be reasonable about this, but the fact that he's postponed our honeymoon is making me feel a bit bitter, especially after talking to my brother.

"Well, Mrs. Montello... Welcome to your new home." He said as I looked at the entire penthouse gifted by his father. The place was incredible-full of old-world grandeur and classical elegance.

I looked at him and smiled. "It really was generous of your family to give us a whole penthouse as a wedding gift." He only gave a small smile and squeezed my arm.

"It wasn't that generous. Do you know how many properties the Montello family owns?" I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms, moving closer to him with a smile.

"However many it is, I bet the Bianchi family still has a bigger portfolio." He laughed quietly, shaking his head. My smile faded as he held both of my cheeks and stroked them.

"My wife. So competitive." His smile was genuinely warm as he looked at me. "I want you to be happy here. I know you're still adjusting to everything, and calling this place your home as a Montello feels strange, but remember this: what's mine is yours now, okay?" I swallowed. Why does he look so sincere?

"And of course, make any demands you want. I've instructed the staff to make sure you get everything you ask for." I laughed quietly and bowed my head for a moment, feeling like I might melt under his gaze. When I looked up again, I returned his gaze.

"Do I seem demanding, Montello?" I asked jokingly, and he shook his head.

"That's not what I meant. I just want you to know that you can have whatever you want," he said, so I just nodded, and we stayed in that position for a few seconds before he finally released my cheek and took a deep breath.

"Anyway, I'll have the staff bring your luggage up to your room." My brow furrowed.

"My room? I think you mean our room," I said, and he shook his head.

"Not yet. I think it would be best for us to sleep separately until this marriage feels more... natural." I was quiet. Part of me wanted to object to the idea, but I knew he was doing it for my sake.

"Do you think you could be happy here? Maybe not now, but one day soon," he said, and I nodded. It was clear from his eyes that he was waiting for my answer, but he just smiled.

"Good. If that's settled, then it's time for me to give you my wedding gift." I was surprised.

"You got me a gift? I didn't realize there were gifts. I wish I had prepared something."

"It's okay. I don't know if it's typical, but I wanted to do this for you." Curiosity welled up in me as he revealed a wrapped package. It was large and rectangular, like a frame.

I quickly opened it to see what was inside. A picturesque scene greeted me.

"Wow! It's... a painting. It's a beautiful landscape. It seems familiar, but I can't quite place where I've seen it."

"It's Catania in Sicily. The town where you were born." I looked at him in awe.

"How did you know I was born there?"

"Your father told me, of course. What do you think of the painting? Do you like it?" I nodded enthusiastically.

"I love it! I'm so surprised. I didn't expect to receive such a gift from you. My mom lives there. We still have family there, but we haven't visited them yet," I told him, tears welling up.

"I heard about your mom. She passed away when you were young." I nodded again, like a child staring at the painting.

"Too young. I never even got to meet her, but Dad always talked about her to me and my brother," I continued. When I looked up at him, I immediately looked away because he was staring at me.

I took a deep breath before looking back at him. "Why did you choose this as a gift?" I tried to make my voice sound cheerful.

To Be Continued...