Chapter 73 I finally discovered Marco's identity: The Secret Admirer in the Shadows

Elena Garcia POV:

I had an awful nightmare. In it, I lost everything, just like when my foster mom died, and I couldn't do a thing to save anything. The mom who took me in hated me, and my dad kicked me out.

"You're nothing compared to Sofia! The Garcia family is ashamed of you!" They held Sofia, staring at me with cold eyes, while Sofia smirked at me.

I cried and begged, but the door slammed shut in my face. A sharp pain shot through my brain, my eyes, and finally my heart.

If that pain had a physical form, I would've ripped it out of my body with my bare hands, biting it with my teeth and nails to show my anger.

Then, a pair of hands hugged me from behind. "Elena, my poor, sweet girl, I love you, but I'm not the only one. You deserve to be loved by everyone. One day, someone will love you even more than I do."

That was my foster mom. She used to say that to me when she brought me home from the orphanage and even when she was bedridden.

I turned to see her, but her body slowly shattered into pieces.

As the last pieces flew away, Marco appeared. He hugged me, and the pain vanished, warmth spreading from my heart to my limbs.

Then I woke up.

I found myself lying on a soft bed, wearing a soft nightgown.

This wasn't my dorm room; my dorm wasn't this big or this fancy.

There was a glass of water on the bedside table, still warm when I touched it.

"Oh, Ms. Garcia, you're awake." A figure pushed the door open and greeted me calmly. "Please don't worry; I was the one who changed your clothes. For your comfort, I also cleaned you up before you slept. The ointment on your wounds was applied by Mr. Marco Bianchi. I hope it helps with your injuries. Do you feel any discomfort now?"

A maid, probably around forty, looked at me with gentle eyes. She reminded me of my foster mom; they both had that same kind, caring vibe.

"I'm fine." Actually, my arm still hurt from William grabbing me, but I didn't think it was a big deal.

I asked, "Who are you?"

"I'm Hanna, a servant of the Bianchi family." Hanna nodded at me. "Mr. Marco Bianchi had some matters to attend to, but he'll be back soon. Would you like to eat something first?"

I didn't have any appetite so I shook my head.

My mind felt pretty empty, like I had a really good sleep, feeling a bit lazy all over.

Just like Hanna said, Marco came back soon.

He opened the door forcefully, but slowed down when he saw me, like he had rushed to see me.

"Elena, you're awake. Are you not feeling well?" Marco asked.

I shook my head, watching Marco come closer.

He had dark circles under his eyes, showing he hadn't rested well.

I still remember last night; it was like he had a telepathic connection with me. At the moment I needed help the most, he showed up, hit William for me, and then took me away.

Last night, my heart was full of anger and sadness, but today I felt a bit calmer. However, when I looked at Marco, maybe because of the dream, a new bold impulse rose within me.

This impulse might be inappropriate, but I couldn't control it. I almost followed my instinct. I lifted my head and kissed Marco when he bent down to place a pillow behind me.

His lips were soft, just like how he presented himself to me, like a hedgehog retracting all its spikes, showing me its soft belly. He was also like a fierce wolf, baring its teeth and claws at everyone, but only showing me a gentle side.

Marco visibly stiffened, his brown eyes widening in surprise.

This made my lips, which were about to leave after a light kiss, unable to resist kissing him again in response to his reaction.

This time, Marco reacted. He wrapped his arms around my waist without a word, and took the lead, turning my gentle kiss into an intense one. He seemed afraid that our kiss was just a dream; I felt like my lips and tongue were almost swallowed by him.

I gasped, unable to breathe freely.

Finally, I bit his lower lip in warning, glaring at him in dissatisfaction, and stopped his kiss.

Marco laughed, his eyes sparkling.

After my warning, he still kissed the tip of my nose.

He didn't ask why I kissed him, but he seemed to understand something, becoming more energetic.

Marco said, "I asked Noah to get you a leave."

"Are you hinting at something?" I raised an eyebrow at Marco, knowing he didn't mean what I said, but wanting to see his shy expression.

Marco was a sly one; he lowered his head and said, "If you accept, then it's a hint. If not, then I'm just worried about you, hoping you can rest well."

His voice was so magnetic, now a bit husky with desire, like a feather brushing past my ear, making my ears, heart, and brain tingle.

Marco suddenly suggested, "Maybe, would you let me kiss you once? I think it's a bit unfair; you kissed me first just now."

Now it was my turn to blush. Marco was both as sly as a fox and as fierce as a wolf.

I remembered my impulsive action just now. That kiss, except for the beginning, how could it be considered initiated by me?

Seeing Marco's sly smile, I pretended to be cold and said, "Most things in the world are unfair."

Marco asked, "Including a kiss?"

I pretended to be serious. "Including a kiss."

Marco laughed again. He tucked my hair behind my ear and sighed softly. "Elena, maybe you'd like to get up and have lunch with us?"

I looked at him, confused. "Us?"

Marco said, "Francesco, my agent in the Bianchi family, wants to meet you."

I asked, "Why?"

Marco explained, "Maybe because I left in the middle of discussing family matters with them. Francesco is very curious if I have some kind of telepathic ability."

Marco pretended to be troubled, not directly mentioning anything about last night. I finally realized that he had left while with family members. I had heard him talk about his agent.

Marco acted irrationally last night for me. Would this make his impression worse with his agent?

But Marco seemed relaxed, showing no signs of any problem.

I could only temporarily put my mind at ease and asked, "Do you?"

Marco said, "Only with you."

After putting on the clothes Marco had prepared and having my hair styled by Hanna, Marco took my hand and led me into the dining room.

Marco told me this was a Bianchi family stronghold.

I asked, "A secret stronghold?"

Marco said, "No, the Bianchi family has many legitimate businesses on the surface; this stronghold is one of them."

Marco satisfied my curiosity, explaining everything I saw.

He told me Francesco was a highly respected elder in the family, but he was quite gentle. He was probably just curious about me and wouldn't make things difficult for me.

He provided scant information about Francesco; I suspect he was reluctant to divulge much about this agent. Perhaps knowing too much might put me in jeopardy.

In the dining room, I met Francesco. He wore a handmade bespoke suit, looking like a gentleman. He was the kind of man I couldn't associate with the mafia.

Seeing me, he walked over with his cane, then took my hand and kissed the back of it. "Ms. Garcia, it's an honor that such a beautiful lady is willing to accept my invitation to have lunch with us. I think Marco has already introduced me to you, but I still want to introduce myself. I am Francesco Bianchi, Marco's agent, a friend of his father, and a consultant to the Bianchi family."

Francesco even pulled out a chair for me, and after doing so, I heard him softly scolding Marco. "You are so dumb, Marco. Even I reacted faster than you. Italian gentlemen wouldn't let a girl pull out her own chair."

Marco looked at me, making a troubled expression, which made me laugh.

This lunch indeed seemed harmonious, as Marco said.

Francesco was very good at conversation, and he seemed very knowledgeable about medicine, even asking if I had found a suitable internship.

I shook my head, and Francesco then invited me to intern at a hospital affiliated with the Bianchi family.

It was a very tempting offer; no matter how much theoretical knowledge one had, practical opportunities were essential, especially in medicine.

I hesitated for a moment, saying I needed to think about it.

After talking about medicine, we discussed many other things. Francesco's gaze often shifted between Marco and me.

"But, I'm curious how you two met. Marco never told me he had a secret in his heart." Francesco teased Marco, who just smiled without answering.

I was about to tell Francesco that we got to know each other when Marco followed Albert to the Garcia Manor.

Francesco suddenly exclaimed, "No, don't tell me; let me guess. I can guess it."

I looked at Francesco, waiting for his response. I thought his answer would be similar to what I had in mind, but Francesco gave me a surprising answer.

Francesco said, "In Chicago, you met in Chicago! You both come from there and grew up there!"

I looked at Marco in shock and confusion.

Marco didn't refute.

As Francesco continued, I gradually understood everything.

I understood why Marco showed such ambiguous behavior when he first met me, or why he always seemed overly familiar with me.

Francesco asked in disbelief, "Marco, my God! Have you been secretly in love with her for a long time?"