"You did all of this to divert his attention from me? Why?" Valeria was unable to think of any reason which could make Markos do such a thing. "And how did you even know he was my ex-husband?" She couldn't grasp anything and stared at Markos. Anticipating the reply from the man who was sipping on his coffee with a smile. "Have you been looking into me?" Raising her eyebrow she was curious to know what was going on in his mind.
Markos placed his cup and feigned ignorance and innocence. "Who? Me?" Making a shocking expression he smirked with a shrug. "Maybe I was." Tucking his one leg over the other one he smiled at her with a proud aura. "Maybe I was curious enough about your past. Jealous enough to destroy that bastard." Leaning to the side with his palm under the chin. "Protective enough to put my pride at stake for you."
Valeria was stunned for a moment and couldn't react. Staring at him blankly she finally put two into two and confronted him. "So, you knew all this time that he is my ex-husband. Is that also why you punched him in the reunion?" This time Markos was proud of her for grasping every single aspect of his plan. Valeria sounded somewhat excited upon the realisation. "Is that also why you didn't disclose your identity to him?"
Markos nodded without bothering to get any clarification over the matter. "You did all of this–for me?" Valeria placed a hand over her chest with a loving expression. Glancing at him she controlled her tears. "Oh Markos, you could have put Castello and Patrick in their places. But you hid the fact that you owned that hotel and you are the owner of the Moreno conglomerate." Covering her mouth with both hands she was overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, seizing the opportunity Markos pouted and tucked his arms over his chest. "Yet you still are unwilling to listen to your heart. Tsk, what's the use of doing all of this when you aren't impressed?" Smacking his lips, Markos sipped his coffee and stuffed his mouth with the pasta. Valeria chuckled inwardly while shaking her head. In her eyes he had been acting like a tween who was head over heels in love.
Valeria smiled at him while controlling her laughter. "What if I am impressed?" She counter questioned him with a faint blush appearing over her cheeks. Markos didn't say anything immediately, instead he stammered without words. "Tell me what will you do then?" She raised her eyebrows at him, putting her palms under the face. Valeria leaned over the table over her elbows. "Uh-huh?"
Pouting at him with a naughty gaze Valeria successfully seduced him. Markos immediately folded his legs to hide his screaming boner. Grinning at her he dropped his fork, skidding the chair back getting under the table. Markos reached for her foot, picking up and removing her black stilettos; engulfing her thumb at once. Valeria nearly jumped in her spot, reflexively looking around her in the public.
Covering her mouth, leaning backwards in the attempt to control her moans. Whereas, Markos crawled upwards her foot leaving smaller pecks all the way. Reaching Valeria's knee he placed her leg over his shoulder under the table. While the woman glanced at her surroundings in panic. Markos bent over, his hands sliding the hem of the dress upwards. Leaning further in her inner thigh, Valeria could feel his warm breath brushing her skin.
He sneakily licked the lower end of her thigh and kissed the same spot. Meanwhile, Valeria threw her head backwards only to realise that the couple sitting beside them had been watching. A glaring impression of embarrassment clouded her senses. Whereas, Markos approached her garter and removed the cloth. Pulling the piece with his teeth all the way to her foot. Valeria lowered her head and bit her lower lip while blushing.
Markos slipped out with the garter in his teeth. Without caring for anyone's gossiping glares, he took it in his hand and sniffed the cloth. "A reminder of our first date, I assume." Stuffing the garter in his pocket he sat down when Valeria rebuked him. "You–shameless!" Markos chuckled and raked through his hair proudly. "For you." Winking at her, he smirked. "Always. As ever." Valeria became speechless.
They ate and finished the meal silently as Valeria was awkward. Markos paid the bill and slipped his arm over her shoulder as walked out. Before exiting Markos glanced at a man who sat beside them at some distance. The guy nodded and headed towards the security room to delete the footage of their arrival, stay and exit. Markos had already planted someone to conduct the task for him.
During the drive back to the corp Valeria received a message from the orphanage about the money. A smile appeared over her lips with relief washing the worries away from her creased forehead. "So, where should I drop you? At home or you wanna go to the corp?" Markos wanted her to go back home since he had some important and secretive stuff to deal with. He didn't want Valeria to get involved in the inside matters.
"No, I want to go home. There's nothing much I can do at the company." Valeria lowered her head and spoke in a shallow tone. She was stripped from the ownership when Markos bought her company. The board members voted for the deed and due to the majority being on his side it was easier. "Well, you know how to get that back." Markos reminded her while occasionally glancing at her.
"Just say yes and I will hand over you the company." He made Valeria recall the decision, the day she refused and vow to never marry him. "Ain't that hard, is it? Just one signature." Valeria didn't respond. Instead her worry increased not knowing what Markos wanted from her. Valeria grew suspicious of why he was adamant on the marriage. Especially when they were already living under one roof.