CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

That easy stride with his long limbs. But there was that strong appeal in his actions. She noticed that his skin was tanned and his wavy hair grew longer. There were some strands covering his forehead, but he simply pushed them back with his hand. It flexed his biceps. He was wearing a white V-neck shirt and black straight-leg jeans, paired with black ankle boots. Aurora also noticed people, especially girls, stared up at him when he walked by their tables.

Who wouldn't? He had that lean and fit muscled body that was obvious in his fitted shirt. She won't be surprised if there were toned abs hidden inside that piece of clothing. His jet-black hair, even if it looked all messy, only added to his charms. He had that clean-shaven face, prominent jaw line, Roman nose, and reddish lips for a guy. His green eyes that he got from his pure Italian father, as well as his model-worthy height of 6'2.

Maximus D'Arco. Their families were super close. Their dads were best friends and pure Italians. While their moms were Filipino. They have the same ethnicity, half Italian-Filipino. But unlike her, Max totally grew up in Italy. He sometimes visits the Philippines to his mom's family side for vacation or a business trip. But he also knew how to speak Tagalog because it's their main language in the D'Arco mansion. So that they won't forget that they have Filipino blood in them.

EcoSource. Owned by D'Arco family. The biggest supply company in Italy. They have mines and almost every resource needed to create something for manufacturing or producing. They're also the supplier of the best quality materials to make their stellar creations. Fontalva and D'Arco's businesses go hand in hand together.

"Salve." Hello. His formal greeting to the two ladies.

"Hello." Aurora's reply to him. They had to lift their heads to look at him properly because they were sitting.

"Signorino Max, kumusta po?" 'How are you?' Ade started.

Max's forehead knotted. She was familiar, and he wondered how good her Tagalog was. She could have been mistaken for being a Filipina even if she looked Italian.

"Ade?" He asked hesitantly. He remembered her as the one who always follows the only daughter of the Fontalvas. "You're Tagalog was great."

"She won't speak with you in Italian anymore." Aurora uttered.

"Anyway, I'm good. How about you girls? How was your moving going?" Then he looked at Aurora. "Sinabi sakin nina mamma at papa na dito ka mag-aaral." 'Mom and dad said you'll be studying here.'

"It was so sudden, but here I am." She shrugged her shoulders. "Wanna join us?" She doesn't want to look at him anymore while sitting down.

"Uh, no." His abrupt refusal. "Instead, do you wanna join us?" He pointed to his table, and when she looked over, it was obvious that his friends were waiting. His group consisted of two girls and guys. One of the girls looked like Filipina. She may be an exchange student or international. There was still enough space on their table, but she was tired enough to mingle with other people now. And they still had some things to do later. So she wanted to conserve some energy.

She shook her head and gave him a small smile. "I'm sorry, but we're in a hurry. We're still not yet done unloading things."

"Do you need some help?" He offered.

"No—"

"—Will you be the one to help us, signorino? Sure." Ade instantly cut her before she was about to reject the offer.

"If you don't want to lift your things, there are boys across the building. They—"

"—Signorina, I know you're tired enough from the long drive to get here. And what boys? Of course, we won't just allow anyone inside our dorm."

"I'm the best option." Max chimed in. There was amusement in his eyes from listening in their interaction.

"Tama si signorino Max." 'He's right.' Ade added with a wide grin.

Max was staring at her as he waited for her answer. He was hovering over them. She stared back at him, then a reflection from the light outside glinted directly into his eyes. That second was enough for her to see how intense his green eyes were when he stared and when his eyes caught by the light. That forest green eye made her hitch a breath.

She swallowed and withdrew her gaze from him. "Fine." She uttered.

Ade clapped her hands. Aurora wanted to kick her shin under the table.

"Great." His face brightened. "Um, I'll get back to my group to tell them I'll be going with you later."

"Do you have a car with you? If not, I would leave Ade here."

"Signorina!" She gasped when she heard her say that she would be left behind.

"What? Where would he sit if he doesn't have a car?" She raised her eyebrow at her.

Max chuckled in their exchange. "Don't worry. I brought my own car. I'll follow you in your place."

"That's good to hear." Ade leant back to her seat.

"Okay. I'll get back to my group, then I'll be with you later."

"Sure. Thanks, Max." Aurora thanked him.

He nodded to the both of them and turned around to get back to his group. She momentarily followed him by gaze. Even just his back figure was already attractive. She shook her head from what she was thinking. She was just hungry.

When she turned to Ade, her friend's eyes squinted as she looked at her. Her eyebrows formed a single line. "Ano?" 'What?'

A mischievous smile was gradually tugging on Ade's lips and she chucked finally. Aurora's brows were forming a single line from what her friend was acting.

"Wala, signorina." 'Nothing.' Ade was shaking her head while biting her lips to stop smiling but she failed. Then she glanced at Max's direction.

Aurora leaned back on her seat as she folded her arms. "Schiarisci la tua mente maliziosa, Adelina Conte." 'Clear your malicious mind, Adelina Conte.' She finally understood what her friend was thinking.

"Uh-huh. Napapa Italian pa nga with my complete name." So, now you're speaking Italian with my complete name.' Ade's taunting with a stifling smile. She was about to say more but the waiters already came for their orders.

"Bon appetite." They said in unison and started eating.

They ate with some side comments about the snacks. Their food was delicious, no doubt the place was famous.

"Were those boxes heavy enough that you need help in lifting them?" Aurora asked as she finished her food and now sipping her orange juice.

Ade was eating slowly. She was always the last to finish because of how slow she eats.

She nodded and hurried in her eating to finish up. She reached her pineapple juice after.

"There were three different sewing machines. The other boxes were threads and sewing equipment. And the other box were my footwears. One of the luggage were my clothes and the other were variety of fabrics." She explained after drinking her juice.

Aurora did not wonder why she had a lot of things because her mom was a fashion designer in their company. Ade idolized her mother that's why she took the fashion course. Her mother was their company's head designer. And she doesn't have any interest to run a business. All she wanted to do was to design and make clothes. Ade had been her mother's apprentice so she already knew a lot of things.

"I was actually surprised that Butler Durante bought those things for me. He said Signora Sofia suggested the things that I needed." She said, pouting. Sofia was Aurora's mother.

Butler Durante, Ade's father. She often called him that because he was too formal even towards his daughter. "I'm glad signora suggested those expensive things so that old man would have to spend. You know how strict he is to me." She was huffing and her face had a scowl. "Signor Adolfo was much more approachable. He even smiles at me. Unlike Butler Durante that it seemed like he doesn't even have any ticklish bone in his body."

Aurora laughed at her friend's statement. She knew that their butler wasn't fond in smiling but he was excellent in his job. All the maids follow his orders. Every nook and cranny were spotless. Even the back of their mansion. A guest could visit anytime unexpectedly because of how always prepared the place is. And before she transferred in Italy, Ade's family was already in service with them.

"Excuse me. Mind if I join?" Their attention instantly turned to the man that was asking. Max was back with a slight curve on his lips. And that smile made Aurora's heart skipped a beat.