It has been two weeks since that incident and it was time for me to go home from the hospital. I was happy yet couldn't help but to feel sad and worried because I haven't heard anything from Maximus during those two weeks aside from the bouquet of flowers with a small scented envelope that he sent 10 days ago saying that he loves me so much and that I shouldn't get worried about him because he was doing fine. I should concentrate on my recovery because we would see each other again soon.

Even though he said that through letter, I couldn't stop myself from worrying until I get to see him. I need to make sure that he's really okay.

"Are you ready, Your Royal Highness?" It was Sita. She was the only one who came to pick me up together with my driver and PRB, Grecco. My family wanted to come but their hands were tied to their state duties.

"Yes, Sita. Let's go. I can't wait to finally go home." We exited the hospital as quiet and discreet as possible. While we were on our way home, my mind was still full of Maximus.

"Are you okay, Your Royal Highness?" Sita asked and I forced a smile.

"I'm fine, Sita." She nodded her head but I could tell that she was still worried. I heaved a sigh. I didn't want to feel this way but I couldn't help it.

It felt like it has been so long since the last time Maximus and I were together and I missed him so much already. I only just hope that he's doing well.

"We're here, Your Royal Highness." Sita said when we arrived at the palace. Greco was the one who opened the door for me.

"Welcome home, Your Royal Highness." I gave him a small smile as I got out of the car.

"Thank you, Greco." My forehead crinkled when I noticed that he was staring at my necklace.

"Is there something wrong, Greco?"

He smiled and shook his head. "No, Your Royal Highness. I just can't help getting mesmerized of your necklace. It's so beautiful." I touched my necklace as a small smile appeared on my face.

"Yes, it is. The love of my life gave me this that's why this is precious to me."

"Take care of it, Your Royal Highness."

"Of course." I then walked towards the entrance. The other Royal household helpers greeted me upon seeing me. I received a warm greeting from them which they usually give me before and it surprised me a little bit.

After that scandal exploded where the photos of Maximus and I circulated the internet, they still greeted me when they saw me but I could tell that something has changed.

Now, looked like they finally know that Maximus is not a bad guy like everyone initially thought because of Giuseppe and Franco's doings.

When I reached the living room where me and my family usually hang out whenever we're home, my shoulders slumped down. No one was there. Deep inside of me, I was expecting to see my family there, waiting for me, but I guess, that was too much to ask.

"I'll just go to my room, Sita." I told her and then began walking towards the grand staircase.

"And you're just going to mope around in your room again, is that it, mi hermosa?" My steps came to a halt upon hearing that voice. My heart beat erratically as I slowly turned around, hoping that I wasn't just hearing things.

But when I saw his handsome face, my eyes automatically watered in so much happiness.

"Dolce metà..." I uttered softly and he nodded his head as he smiled at me before opening his arms, silently coaxing me to be enveloped in his arms.

Without any words, I ran into his arms and buried my face on his hard chest. His familiar manly scent filled my nostrils and it calmed my senses. He automatically hugged me back tightly. I sighed in relief when I felt his body against mine. Everything wasn't just a dream. He's really here!

"You missed me that much, huh?" He teased as he kissed me on the forehead. I pulled away from him a little bit and then glared at him.

"Where have you been? How come you weren't answering my calls and texts? Do you even have any idea how worried I was?" He threw his head back as he laughed heartily. That ticked me off. I pinched his side.

"Ouch! Didn't you miss me that you're being violent now? Have mercy on me, please?" He answered while staring at me with puppy dog eyes.

"I'm not joking around! Answer my question!" I hissed and he finally became serious. He cupped my face with his hands and then stared into my eyes lovingly.

"I'm sorry for worrying you, mi hermosa. I didn't mean to do that to you. I'm sorry because you got hurt again while I was away. It was my fault that's why I felt like I didn't have the guts to show myself to you. Thankfully, they didn't get you because I wouldn't've known what to do if that happened.

"You're my life and source of strength. I love you too much. I'm sorry that I failed you. They managed to hurt you because I wasn't there." I could see the regret and guilt in his eyes while saying those words and it melted my heart just like that.

"What happened after you had your encounter with Giuseppe and Franco? Why did you disappear?" He released a breath.

"I got hospitalized, mi hermosa. I didn't reply to your texts nor answer your calls because I didn't want you to know about what happened to me. I didn't want to worry you but I guess, that was so wrong of me because you still got worried of me. In fact, it's even worse because you didn't have any update of me aside from that bouquet of flowers that I sent you. I'm really sorry, mi hermosa."

"You got hospitalized?! Why?! What happened?!" I asked frantically as I checked his body, trying to find where did he get hurt. I even pulled the hem of his shirt up to see if he got hurt there. He laughed.

"You really missed me that you're about to undress me here?" He teased laughingly but stopped right away when he saw my glares. He scratched the back of his head.

"Fine, you're serious." He pulled me by the waist until our bodies pressed together. "Franco shot me on my right shoulder. I got distracted when Joaquin told me about what happened to you; that someone tried to assassinate you." He released a breath as if he felt relieved. "Thankfully, they arrived and saved you on time." I was about to ask him who was he referring to when he leaned his head against mine before slowly capturing my lips with a kiss.

I instantly forgot about that as my mind went hazy. He's really the only one who has this kind of effect on me.

It was just a gentle kiss but as it lasts, it became hotter and passionate. I wrapped my arms around his neck as I tipped on my toes to kiss him back with equal fervor. Cazzo! It felt like it has been so long since the last time we kissed.

We were like people at the desert, thirsty for water and the only way to quench our thirst was kissing each other. Our tongues danced as our breaths mixed, making my body hotter with each passing second. We only stopped to breath for air and was about to kiss again when we heard someone clear their throat.

Maximus and I looked at the direction of that person and my cheeks went red when I saw my nonna together with my siblings, staring at us. I thought they weren't home!

"Y-You're all here..." I uttered as embarrassment rose within me. Darn it! They just saw us kissing like there was no tomorrow!

"We've been here since a while ago." Aris said with an amused look on his face and I wanted nothing but to disappear out of their sight because of embarrassment.

"Are you okay, mi hermosa? Your cheeks are red as tomatoes." Maximus pointed out while chuckling and I elbowed him which made him grunt.

"This is your fault!" I whisper-yelled.

"C'mon, mi hermosa. You're really violent when it comes to me. Aren't you glad that I'm here? If you don't want me here, I'll be going then." He acted like he was leaving and I raised an eyebrow at him as I crossed my arms across my chest.

"If you want to leave me again, I won't ever forgive you. Go if you want and I'll find another man who could stay with me forever." I turned my back and was about to walk away when I felt his strong arms wrap around my waist as he buried his face on the crook of my neck. I smiled inwardly. I knew it.

"Do you actually think that I will let that happen? Over my dead body, mi hermosa. You're mine and mine alone." I could hint the possessiveness in his voice.

"Really? But I thought, you would leave me again?"

"I didn't say that. I was just kidding. C'mon, mi hermosa. Have mercy on me." He begged and then kissed my neck.

"What the—. I can't believe that this guy would stoop so low like an obedient puppy. Who would've thought that the high and mighty Prince Z would act like a lovesick puppy one day?" Antonius said while shaking his head. That surprised me. He sounded like he knows Maximus very well.

"Shut up. We're just the same." Maximus retaliated.

"You—" Antonius was about to say something when our grandma interrupted him.

"—That's enough. Let's just discuss about the thing that we're here for."

My eyebrows furrowed. "What is it about, nonna?"

"We wanted to welcome you home, passerotta. We deliberately didn't go to the hospital because we wanted to surprise you. Did you like our surprise for you?"

"Surprise? What surprise?" I looked around and when I didn't see anything, I realized what she as referring to. Maximus.

"Y-You were the one who brought Maximus here?"

"Well, it was actually nonna." Aris answered. I looked at my grandmother.

"I promised you, right? Besides, I didn't really need to do anything." I smiled emotionally and hugged her.

"Thank you, nonna."

"Don't thank me, passerotta. All I did was to send someone to find him and they actually found him lurking around here for two days already." I looked at Maximus with knitted eyebrows.

"You've been here for two days but you didn't show yourself to me?"

"I'm sorry, mi hermosa. I just made sure that everything's okay now before I show myself to you. I didn't want to endanger you again. It was because of me that Giuseppe ordered to kill you and—" Before he could finish what he was about to say, I put a finger on his lips.

"—That's enough, dolce metà. It wasn't your fault. Giuseppe is a vile man and he deserves nothing but to rot in hell. I'm just so happy and relieved that you're finally here with me right now." He hugged me tightly.

"Thank you, mi hermosa. I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too." We kissed once again but then my nonna cleared her throat once again.

"Oh, God. Enough of the kissing. Let's just go to the dining room to eat." My cheeks went red again but then, I remembered something.

"Aren't you guys mad at us?"

"We don't have a reason to be mad now because the most important thing is the man you love wasn't the one who killed those innocent people almost two years ago because if he did, we would never accept him for you." Nonna answered.

"Of course, we wouldn't. Nobody in their right mind would accept someone like that. Now that everything's clear, we actually felt relieved." Aris added.

"I was team MaTh from the beginning." It was Amelia.

"Team MaTh?" I asked confusedly.

"Yes. Team Maximus and Athena." I couldn't help but chuckle.

"What the heck. That's so corny." Amelia beamed.

"Well, I can't say anything other than take care and love my sister, or else, I will skin you alive." Antonius said to Maximus which made my eyes widen.

"Antonius!"

"What? I am just telling him what will happen to him the moment he hurt you in anyway." I rolled my eyes and huffed.

"Don't worry, bud. You know how much I love your sister." Maximus answered, pulled me closer to him and then kissed my temple. I looked at Aria who was quietly listening to us. I bit my lower lip. Damn. She looked serious.

She released a breath. "Don't look at me like that, Ath. I know what you're thinking and my answer is no."

I gasped. "Really?"

"You heard me. I don't want to be a party pooper or something. Besides, now that we finally know the truth, all I want is for you is to be happy and I just hope that Mr. Vázquez could give you that." Because of so much happiness, I rushed to her and hugged her. I felt so happy, emotional and relieved that everyone of my family finally accepted Maximus. I couldn't believe it.

"Thank you, everyone. Don't worry because I will love and take care of Athena until the day I die." Maximus said to my family with a smile on his face.

After that, we went to the dining area and ate together. For the first time in two years, we ate together with smile on our faces without any trace of sadness and resentment. My heart felt full because of so much happiness.

I could finally shout to the world that the only man I will love 'til the day I die is Maximus only. We're finally free.

I thought, I would be with Maximus from that day on but imagine my disappointment when he suddenly said that he had to leave right away because there was an emergency meeting that he needed to attend to in Nuevo Imperio. I couldn't help but to get ticked off.

"Hey, what's with that long face, mi hermosa?" Maximus asked me while we were in my room. He was sitting on the edge of the bed while I was standing in front of him. He had to leave in 3 hours.

"Do you really have to go? You said, you missed me so much but why do you have to leave? We didn't even have time to be together that much." He chuckled and then pulled me b the waist before making me sit on his lap, facing him. I was now straddling him.

"Don't worry because after this, I'm all yours. I promise you that. Just be patient for the meantime." He answered as his eyes turned smokey with desire. His hands were now caressing my legs. I bit my lower lip when I felt his hardness poking against his pants.

"We're discussing about a serious thing but your hands are already busy with something else. Even that friend of yours." I said with an eyebrow cocked up, trying to hide the fact that my body was beginning to burn. He threw his head back as he laughed heartily.

"I'm sorry, mi hermosa. I can't help it. It has been so long. I can't take it anymore."

"Is this the reason why you wanted us to come here in my room?" I asked him in disbelief and he smirked.

"Of course." I pinched him on the side of his abdomen and his laugh became louder. "But aside from that, I wanted us to be together alone. I can't act sweet in front of your family because your brothers give me those glares." He then became serious. "Don't you want to make love with me?" His voice became husky in need.

Just staring into those tantalizing hazel green eyes of his made me give in. Of course, I missed being intimate with him too.

"Of course, I want to." That was his cue. He claimed my lips for a passionate kiss. I could feel the longing in his kisses which made me forget everything.

He undressed me in a jiffy and I couldn't help but to chuckle.

"Oh, God. You look so h*rny right now, dolce metà."

"I am damn h*rny, mi hermosa, so brace yourself." I purred like a cat in heat as he began nibbling with my already protruding nipples. His hand slipped between my legs, teasing my already wet core. I was still sitting on his lap.

"Yes! Oh, just like that." He didn't disappoint me. He continued worshipping my body until we both couldn't take it anymore.

"Oh, cazzo!" I almost screamed when he suddenly lifted me up by the waist and then impaled me on his c*ck. Damn. It felt like he became bigger than the last time we made love.

I didn't move right away and just savored his throbbing hugeness that was deep seated inside of me. We stared at each other for good three seconds before our hungry lips met once again. We kissed like there's no tomorrow.

"Show me how much you want me." He whispered. Our lips were still touching and we were both catching our breathes. I gave him a seductive stare as I bit my bottom lip sultrily.

I smiled inwardly when he grunted. "Don't tease me, mi hermosa." I held onto his shoulders and began teasing him by gyrating my hips.

"Oh, yeah! More, mi hermosa. You feel so good." He was gritting his teeth, trying to control himself not to explode. He was about to thrust upward but I stopped him.

"Not yet. Let me." I whispered as I teasingly bit his earlobe. I continued gyrating my hips.

"Ahh! You're driving me crazy!" He was breathing raggedly as beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He looked like he was having a hard time. Damn. He looked so hot btu I was not done yet.

"This is your punishment for worrying me these past two weeks." I began moving in an up and down motion but in a very slow manner.

"I already said sorry. Please, mi hermosa. Don't do this to me. I'm about to burst already." Even his voice sounded like he was indeed having a hard time. I was having a hard time either. The heat in the center of my being was beginning to get out of control and it was about to explode.

"But you're leaving me again."

"Because I need to. Damn. I can't take it anymore!" I screamed in pure bliss when he suddenly held onto my hips and stormed me with upward thrusts.

"Oh, Maximus!" The attacked of ecstasy made me lose my mind. All I knew was the pleasure that I was feeling. It was too much. Shortly after that, I reached my intense climax. My body shook uncontrollably but he wasn't done yet.

He stood up and began moving inside me again. I held onto his neck while chanting his name over and over again. He felt so deep inside of me and the pleasure was blinding. The wet slapping sounds accompanied by our cries of pleasure were echoing inside the room and it added to the fire of desire within us.

"Ohhh, sh*t!" I screamed as I reached another mind-boggling org*sm. I felt like I was already going insane. It was too much. I wrapped my legs around him as I tried to match his fast movement.

Then, we went back to bed and now, he was on top of me, ramming inside of me relentlessly. We kissed once again as his hands kneaded my jiggling breasts.

"C*m with me, mi hermosa." He whispered as he sucked on my bottom lip. His words were like a switch that upon hearing it, I exploded like a volcano.

"Dolce metà!" Our bodies shuddered as we reached our peaks at the same time. Feeling his hot juices spurt inside of me sent me to the 7th heaven. Our bodies were both drenched with sweat but as our hearts beat as one.

"I love you, mi hermosa." He whispered and then buried his face on the crook of my neck. I hugged him.

"I love you too, dolce metà." After that, we chatted about the things that had happened in the past two weeks while cuddling, enjoying the post coital bliss.