Chapter 303 - Live in Italy

A week of Isabella's visit went by in a blink of an eye. They were set to stay for two weeks in total. During the first week, Andrea was only able to join them on two occasions for half a day the most.  

The situation between Hanxi and Isabella confused Andrea entirely. They were constantly giving glances at each other and Ricardo did not take notice as he was often on the phone with his talent manager, arranging a show or a new contract. He apparently had a shoot in Beijing itself that for the next five days, Isabella will be on her own to explore the city. 

In conclusion, the real reason why Ricardo came with them to China was because of the shoot and not for the vacation. 

When Andrea had bought additional train toys for Matteo, they took a quick coffee break in a cafe inside the mall. While having coffee, Isabella's mother spoke to Hanxi over the phone to give greetings. It would seem to her that Isabella's parents, especially her mother, had warmed up to him. 

What made it even more puzzling was how calm Ricardo was in everything. Isabella and Hanxi's closeness did not bother him the slightest. In fact, his mind was often somewhere else. She wondered if they were really a couple. She has never even witnessed them kissing. 

Ricardo's display of affection towards Isabella was limited to smiling, holding her hands and shoulders. 

Hanxi arrived at the mansion without a word and Andrea, who was carrying Angela by the living room, was ignored completely as he went up to his room. His actions utterly hurt her. Worst, it was not the first time Hanxi had done this since Isabella's visit. She could only assume he was affected by it. 

Andrea had had enough. She needed to get to the bottom of things and handed Angela to Pilar. 

She went to Hanxi's room and knocked a few times. It was after her fifth attempt when her brother finally opened the door. 

"Hi sis, what's up?" He asked while rubbing his hands against his face. He was trying to wake himself up.

"You were asleep? I'm sorry to wake you, bro, but I really need to talk to you. Can I come inside? or would you like to have dinner with me?"

"Lu Fang is about to arrive. It will piss him you ate before him. Come in," Hanxi said while opening the door. 

They both sat on the bed, facing each other when Andrea asked, "Do you know why I'm here?"

"I have an idea."

"Really now? Then tell me. Why am I here?" Andrea asked as she tilted her head while raising a brow at him. 

He let out a heavy sigh before saying, "You are going to ask about Bella. It's written all over your face. Even from when you had first met them at the airport."

"Okay now, mister lover boy, spiel it," said Andrea as she folded her arms across her chest. 

Hanxi threw himself in the bed and closed his eyes while placing a hand on his forehead. He then started to tell, "A little over six months ago, I think. We were talking online and I think Bella was overwhelmed with the changes in her life. She suddenly asked how I felt about her."

"I was caught off guard. Then she asked how I would feel about living in Italy and seeing them more often."

Andrea's mouth formed into a circle. Her eyes grew wide at his narration. She asked, "Wait! Did she just confessed to you -"

"It wasn't clear. She never said she liked me. She merely asked how I felt about her and if I was willing to relocate to Italy," He said while turning to his sister. 

"Well, don't you think that's clear enough?" Andrea asked. 

"I saw it as a friendly invitation. The same way you invited me to tag along with your missions, but that's not the point. During our talk, she went on about how happy she was now and that I helped her a lot, especially with Matteo. She kept repeating about coming to Italy and experience it all, living there." 

He took a deep breath before resuming his tale, "Andy. The first thing that came into my mind was the worry. I was afraid of not seeing you often. I was afraid of missing the twins."

"Those thoughts ran through my head at the time that we spoke that I never got to answer her question. She immediately jumped into a conclusion. She apologized and said she was not thinking straight. She said how could a man like me like someone like her."

"She quickly ended our call that day and avoided me for two weeks. It was only Matteo that I got to speak to during those times. When she finally spoke to me again, we never brought it up - "

"Bro, are you saying you are holding back your feelings for her because you are afraid to leave me?" Andrea asked with her forehead creased. 

She could see that he was holding back his emotions. He sat back up and turned his back at her before asking, "Andy, what do I do? You are the only family I have? I am not ready to leave you nor part from you and your family."

Andrea finally understood him. It hit her that if Hanxi and Isabella were to have a serious relationship and end up together, he would need to be live in Italy. 

H: "The next thing I knew, she met Ricardo, and they began to date - "

A: "And then you drank your heart out. Tsk. Tsk. No wonder. You should have said something - "

H: "I know, but she evaded it as well... I never expected she would end up dating someone else right away."

A: "How much do you like her?"

H: "I like her a lot. I really, really like her."

"You need to talk to her. Maybe she is willing to come to China instead or will be fine with a long-distance relationship!" Andrea suggested, still holding on to her brother. She had to admit, she was also unprepared for any parting just yet with Hanxi. 

"I - I don't like getting in between relationships, Andy. I want to wait it out and see for now. If we are meant to be, then we are meant to be," said Hanxi before adding, "All I know now is that I'd rather be here than anywhere else."

"Don't worry about me, Andy. Don't take this too seriously. You should go downstairs now. Lu Fang is about to arrive," Hanxi said before walking her out the door. 

Andrea was in deep thought that night. Lu Fang and her were already getting ready to sleep when the man noticed her silence. 

"Anything wrong, babe? Why did you let Pilar take care of Angela tonight?" He asked as he sat beside her and hugged her tight. 

"Babe, is it okay to be selfish? I want to be selfish and keep Hanxi by my side... At least for now."