Chapter 34

Almost halfway through the bottle, Franco came in with food; pizza and chicken. I was too late to realize what I was doing when I invited him to sit with us and drink.

I shouldn’t have done that since obviously I wasn’t the boss here. Just because I;m getting chummy with the queen herself doesn’t mean I have to act like the boss, too. Franco suppressed a smile, turning towards the kitchen and grabbing a couple of beers. He walked back to us, placing the beers on the center table before making himself comfortable on the armchair placed on Cara’s side. Cara gladly took the bottle of beer for herself.

I was momentarily dumbfounded since I didn’t exactly expect that. I admit that I find them strange from time to time. I didn’t expect a mafia to act this way- not like I’ve seen a lot of them. There was one. Maxwell Reed and his men- the man who made my life took a complete 180 turn.

Granted, Cara’s ways were worse but that’s when you antagonize her. However, when you don’t, she is… nice. I guess this is only based on how she had been treating me. Maxwell Reed, on the other hand, literally went full on threatening me and hurt me when I didn’t even do anything to him that was worth his fury and threats. His men were scary, arrogant and rowdy. The typical gang we see in movies. I was even compliant to them, afraid that they would make true to their threats, but still they would occasionally hit me, especially if they thought I was slacking. They don't even have the slightest idea of what I was doing.

I must admit. I’m regretting the fact that I didn’t tell her the truth sooner. I could’ve have spared myself from the physical and mental torture. Let’s not forget that she easily handled Maxwell Reed and his men without leaving a trace. It’s not like I knew before that they were the good kind of mafia.

Franco joined in easily. With how the two interact, I didn’t expect that they’re acting like good friends right now. Dropping out their boss and employee relationship, and just by how the two talked about their past, it was obvious that they were indeed friends and grew up together.

They talked about how Franco ended up in Cara’s family. Apparently, her father had a habit of picking up kids, especially orphans and adopting them to be one of their own. All of them are loyal to the family because they owe their lives to them and treat them as real family. It was part of the reason why the Di Angelo family is the most powerful and strong mafia. They don’t treat their men as expendables unlike others.

I somehow enjoyed listening to them talking about their childhood and mafia life, their missions- excluding the gory part, of course. I do not enjoy that.

I have never seen the two interact with smiles and laughter like right now. Both looked like the closest of friends while I was the new one to the group. This is why I would think they’re strange for a mafia, especially the boss who’s none other than a woman.

Once they thought they had talked enough, they shifted their attention to me. They asked me about my childhood. I don’t think there’s a need anyway to share. From the way Cara was looking at me and the knowing smirk plastered in her face, there was no doubt she already knew everything about me.

However, Franco did ask nicely so I told them a little about my past. I was sixteen when my dad died. He was an engineer and their construction site had an accident. He was one of those unfortunate people who got caught in it. Before he passed away, he was in a coma for months until he lost his life.

From then on, I was the man of the family. My mom tried to work for us but with Damian still being an infant and grandma being always sick, it was hard. So I took over despite my mom’s hesitance since I’m still a high school student. Either way, she had no choice.

The atmosphere became quiet and gloomy so I stopped my storytelling. I didn’t want to kill the mood. I wasn’t exactly privileged like them. And besides, I know it was just a kind gesture from Franco so I wouldn’t just be the only one listening. I know they know who I am.

Just then, a phone call interrupted Franco, making him excused himself and stepped outside.

This night was a huge surprise for me. I’m stunned at how it felt natural for us to do this. Like, we’ve done this so many times like normal people. I mean, if we throw away our status.

“I’m sorry.” I said.

“For what, tesoro?” She asked, amusement clear in her eyes.

“You two were having fun… until I spoke.” I said dejectedly. The phone call was like a period to a sentence but it unfortunately ended gloomily. I can’t help but feel guilty about it.

“If you want apologies, then ask Franco. After all, he was the one who triggered a sad memory.” Her voice lacked earnestness.

I frowned, looking down. I then heard her sigh before scooching closer towards me. I felt her hand reach my neck and urged me to look at her. I did.

“Don’t ever apologize. Not when you did nothing wrong.”

“I just feel guilty for ruining the mood.” I plainly replied. Although I’m not sure anymore.

She snorts a chuckle. “You know, sometimes you are too nice for your own good. I don’t give a fuck whether you ruined the mood or not. You’re not really exactly sorry for it. I know what you’re sorry for, tesoro. I know what you’re sad about. I know that you’re not exactly guilty. I know… you miss your family so much. I know you still grieve for the loss of your father. You just don’t know how to express it. The only thing you know is how to take care and worry of your mom, your brother and your grandmother.”

I could only stare at her, too stunned and speechless at the woman before me. That’s the only thing I could do as my chest tightened, making me choke at my own breath. She always managed to do that to me.

I look away, making her hand around my neck fall to my chest. The contact just ignited the feeling inside me.

God, I want to kiss her. She always gives me reasons to put my lips on hers or touch her like she’s… mine.

I frowned when I felt her hand being pulled away from my chest and I turned to look at her again. She was trying to reach the whisky bottle. I grabbed her wrist to stop her knowing she had already drunk too much. I don’t think beer and whisky is a good combination.

“That’s enough. Look at you. You’re flushed.” I chided.

Her eyebrows narrowed. “I’m not drunk if that’s what you think.”

“But tipsy, yes.”

She chuckles. “How is that even different?”

“You should go to bed. Come.” I moved to get up and pull her along with me so I could take her to bed.

My world spun when she suddenly twisted her wrist where I was clasping her and pushed me to the couch. My breath hitched when I fell with a thud. Next thing I know she was hovering over me, her hand wrapped around my throat, holding it with enough force so I won’t be able to get up.

“Is that tipsy enough for you?” She teased.

I was still a little dizzy so I couldn’t answer her right away. Not to mention the hand on my throat.

“Well, tesoro, I think you’re the one who’s drunk. You should go to bed.” The humor and mockery in her voice could not be passed.

I sighed defeatedly and closed my eyes. Yeah, she’s right. I’m a little drunk.

Opening my eyes, I grabbed her wrist, peeling off her hand from my neck and slowly sat up. Her head tilted to the side as she watched me in amusement.

I stare at her lips, my Adam's apple bobbing up and down . “Can I kiss you?”

She tries to hide her smile. “Permission denied.”

My shoulders slumped in disappointment but when she grabbed the back of my neck to pull me closer towards her, crushing my lips with hers. I almost couldn’t handle the sparks, bringing in extra heat to my already warm body.

The kiss was slow, passionate, intense. It lacked the aggression that I’ve gotten used to. But this was by far the best among all. The tingles it’s giving me were beyond words. It makes me desire for more— more than just kisses.

“Ahem!” I immediately pull away, pushing Cara away with unintentional force. Fortunately, she didn’t get mad with my uncalled for gesture. She only showed a playful smirk as her eyes danced in mischief.

I looked at Franco who stood a few meters away from us. He made sure his fake cough made his presence known.

I cannot imagine how he thinks of his boss who is having an affair with her lackey. He had caught us many times. I’m surprised he wasn’t being an asshole to me cause I would’ve. Just the thought of her with other men…

“Sorry.” He resisted a smirk. “I need to talk to you, boss.”

Cara nodded before rising to her feet. “Go to bed, tesoro. You’re going to have a long day tomorrow.” She said with a soft smile.