Chapter 302 - Would Have made a Good Father

"Ms. Andrea? Any problem?" Isabella asked seeing the reaction coming from her. 

Andrea closed her eyes while taking a deep breath before answering, "I'm sorry. I thought you were somebody I know - I'm so sorry. I did not mean to be rude. I'm Andrea."

Extending her hand to Ricardo, she asked, "Sorry again but what was your name again?"

"It's Ricardo and no worries at all. It's a pleasure to meet such a beautiful woman. I honestly thought I had died… Seeing an angel before me."

"Swag." Andrea made a comment. "You seem confident you'll end up in heaven. But so you know if my husband hears that, you might get sent to back to Italy in minutes."

Ricardo's mouth hung open, surprised by Andrea's bluntness. 

"I'm sorry, Ms. Andrea. He is really full of humor," Isabella said, explaining his behavior. 

While trying to regain his composure, Ricardo laughed and apologized before saying, "I have heard so much about you and especially you, Hanxi."

"Well, this is a surprise," Andrea said before turning to Hanxi again. "You never told me Isabella was in a relationship?"

Giving a sneer, Hanxi replied while still holding on to the little boy, "Aaa, it's not for me to tell."

"How long have you been together?" Andrea probed as she folded her arms across her chest. She looked incredibly intimidating. 

Isabella and Ricardo looked at each other before saying in unison, " Four months."

They went to a hotel restaurant to have an early lunch and continue their conversation. While indulging in their meal, Isabella narrated how they met and gave a little background about her new boyfriend. 

Ricardo was a model in Italy. They met while he was staying at one of the hotels owned by Isabella's family. He himself has a child of his own and it did not bother him that Isabella had Matteo. 

"He approached me relentlessly while I was on a one-week promotion for Andres Islands. Eventually, I gave in and had dinner with him. After I looked him up,  I allowed him to get my number. Apparently, he was a famous model in Italy and I had no idea. That was how we typically started seeing each other," Isabella explained. 

"Then… You have a child because?" Andrea asked, squinting at Ricardo. 

"I'm divorced. My little girl is two years old," Ricardo answered before taking a sip of water. 

"And you broke up because?" Andrea's eyes never left Ricardo's face, studying if he had any awkward reaction together with his responses. 

"That - That was my fault. I was so busy with work and I failed to deliver my husbandly duties. She found someone else to love," he said while gently nodding his head. 

There was a moment of silence in the room before Andrea empathized with him. Nevertheless, it did not stop her from asking further. While she was doing all the probing, Hanxi chatted and played with Matteo. She found it odd that her brother avoided getting involved in the discussion all throughout. 

Observing carefully how Ricardo was treating both Isabella and Matteo, there was no question he regarded her well enough. 

As for Matteo, they did not seem to connect just yet. He tried a few times to connect with him, but the little boy only listened to Hanxi. Not even Isabella could sway him to finish his vegetables. 

"Hey, buddy. You know how uncle got so big and strong? Remember, I showed you those moves?" Hanxi said before folding his arms in the air. 

"How, uncle?" The little boy eagerly asked. 

"I ate a lot of spinach! You can even ask your aunt Andrea, she is a martial arts expert herself."

Andrea gave a sweet smile and added, "That's true Matteo, spinach is a very nutritious and a good source of protein."

"Really? You are into martial arts? No wonder you are so fit. I know a thing or two about mix martial arts myself. We should fight sometime," suggested Ricardo. 

Isabella nearly choked at Ricardo's words. After gulping down water, she reprimanded him, "Ricardo! Ms. Andrea is really good. You'll regret it."

Andrea smirked instantly at his request but casually said, "If you can beat my brother, Hanxi. I may give you a chance to fight me."

Ricardo dismissed what she said, thinking she was merely bluffing.

After they ate, Isabella and Andrea briefly discussed business while Ricardo and Hanxi checked in their luggage at the same hotel with Matteo. 

Hanxi did not want to leave Matteo with Ricardo. He was not sure if they got along so he asked, "Is it okay if I wait for Isabella and my sister to finish? I'd like to chat with Matteo a little longer."

"That's not a problem with me. The kid seems to enjoy your company a lot. Whoever is his father is a douchebag for leaving him behind. He obviously needs a father," Ricardo said while looking at the living room area. Matteo was there, playing with his new toy. 

It surprised Hanxi that he did not know about Matteo's father. Only then when he realized that Isabella had not trusted him fully. He gave a fainted smile before answering, "The man was definitely a douchebag."

Turning his back to Ricardo, he lazily walked away from Ricardo and headed towards Matteo. 

Hanxi was relieved that Isabella reserved a two-bedroom suite. It only meant that they were not sleeping together.  When he learned that Ricardo was coming with them, it bothered him completely, but he tried his best not to be nosy. However, he had long wondered how far they had made into the relationship. 

It took nearly two hours before Andrea and Isabella came up to the suite. After having traveled for fourteen hours, Ricardo ended up sleeping on the couch by the living area. Matteo, on the other hand, slept in the bedroom.

Andrea sat on the sofa observing Ricardo in his rested while Isabella went to her room to check on Hanxi and her son.  

"I helped him wash and tucked him in. I hope it's okay. He was so sleepy," said Hanxi. He was sitting up on the cushion next to the little boy when Isabella opened the door.  

She came inside and sat on the bed, opposite to where Hanxi was. She caressed Matteo's face and looked up to Hanxi saying, "Thank you. You are really amazing. You would have made a good father to him."

Their eyes were locked on each other for seconds before Hanxi finally spoke while avoiding her gaze, "Are you going to be fine alone with… with Ricardo?" 

Isabella sadly blinked a few times and looked away before saying, "If you are so concerned. Why don't you just stay here instead?"

She witnessed him slightly flushed, but hearing no answer from him she said, "I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable. You can leave now. I can take care of him."

"Take a rest, for now. We will see you tomorrow, Isabella," said Hanxi as he stood up. 

"It's Bella. I've told you many times, you can call me Bella."

"Very well, Bella. I'll pick you up tomorrow at ten in the morning. Rest well."