The Mafia’s Forbidden Desire

It’s been two weeks now, and I have been discharged from the hospital, but my memory still hasn’t returned. I also hadn’t seen Antonio since that day. Although I missed him and taught about him every single day, I persuaded myself that his absence was for the best.

Ruby’s absence, on the other hand, hurt me even more than Antonio’s absence did. I was worried that something might have happened to her, only to realise that she was hale, hearty, and well aware that I was in the hospital. After calling her several times without reaching her, I decided to try using another phone, and behold, Ruby picked up. The second she realised that I was the one on the line, she ended it, without hesitation, shattering my heart to pieces.

“Here it is.” Grace said, cutting through my thoughts as she placed a cup of coffee before me on the counter. “You look so lost in thoughts. What are you thinking about?” She continued, her face brimming with curiosity.

“Nothing.” I cleared my throat. “Uhm, where’s Carlo?”

“He’s with Sofia’s fiancé in the living room.” She told me, and I widened my eyes in perplexity.

“He’s with Antonio?” I asked to confirm, thinking I heard wrong. But upon nodding her head, I realized I heard her correctly.

Confusion spread across my face as I questioned. “Why is he with Antonio?”

“He brought out a sweet to lick, and when Carlo saw it, he excitedly ran towards him and asked for it. I tried to stop Carlo, but he insisted that it was okay. Carlo has been with him since then.” Grace narrated, and I let out a sharp breath.

Quickly leaping to my feet, I rushed to the living room, but Antonio wasn’t there, nor was Carlo, and that further frustrated me. I wasn’t sure why I was so desperate to get to them. If it was to keep Carlo away from him or because I wanted to see him-Antonio.

“Joy.” I called one of the maids that happened to walk into the living room at that moment.

“Yes?” She responded immediately, approaching me.

“Have you seen Carlo?” I asked impatiently.

“I think I saw him by the swing outside.” She told me, and I quickly turned around and started making my way outside.

“With Sofia’s fiancée.” She added, but I didn’t bother to reply. That was a fact I knew already.

Outside, by the swing, was Antonio with my son, laughing and giggling. Antonio was sitting on the swing, holding Carlo on his lap. With how happy they seemed, one would’ve sworn that they had known each other for a long time when in reality, they just met today. I didn’t approach them immediately; I just stood there, admiring the both of them as something warm swept inside me.

It wasn’t even up to a minute before Carlo noticed my presence and beamed. “Mommy.”

“Yes, baby.” I replied, a wide smile pulling on my lips as I started walking towards them.

“Sorry for the inconveniences.” I said as I tried to reach for Carlo and lift him up, but Antonio held my hand, gently pulling it away from Carlo.

“Do I look inconvenienced?” He raised a brow, staring at me with those killer eyes.

“No, but-”

“I am having fun with Carlo.” He cut me off, and I titled my head to the side, speechless.

He used his head to motion to the swing next to him. “Join us, Rosalinda.”

I flicked my gaze to the swing, sceptical about whether to oblige or not. After a few seconds of consideration, I decided to join them.

“How are you?” He asked the moment I settled on the swing seat.

“I am fine.” I replied.

He nodded. “I am glad.”

After that, there was a long stretch of silence, and I wondered what was going on in his head. Did he miss me within the two weeks that we were apart, or was I the only one doing the missing? Was he happy to see me again just the way I was? A torrent of thoughts kept coursing through my little head.

“So… how did you manage to clean up your tracks?” He finally asked, breaking the ice.

I arched my brow as I turned to look at him. “Does that mean you weren’t successful?”

“Just answer my question.” He muttered almost angrily.

“Stop looking for him. You won’t find him. He is long gone, Antonio.” I said with certainty, and he flicked his head to the side to look at me, his brows furrowing.

“What do you mean by he is long gone? Is he dead?” He questioned, his voice dripping with curiosity.

The conversation was getting too uncomfortable for me, so I quickly averted my gaze and exhaled a breath I never knew I was holding. “Stop asking questions, please.”

“Rosalinda.” He called firmly. “Answer me.”

“No.” I persisted, matching his tone.

He didn’t respond immediately, but I could feel his gaze on me, and that left me wondering what he was thinking.

“You amaze me.” He finally said after several seconds, surprising me.

I turned to look at him, and our eyes locked, my heart feeling the impact as it pattered to an uneven beat.

“Do I?” I asked, still holding his gaze. I loved how I felt-how he made me feel.

“Yes. And you are beautiful, too.” His hand suddenly went to my hair, causing me to flinch at his unexpected gesture.

“Don’t be scared. I don’t bite.” He grinned as he slowly tucked my hair behind my ear, brushing his long fingers against my temple in the process.

As his gaze flicked to my lips, staring at them, a wave of heat began to swirl in my core. Every inch of my skin began to burn, desperate for his touch. I was so hot that it felt like I would explode at any minute.

“I just wanted to see every detail of your face. Your beauty.” He continued, his eyes staring longingly at me.

I gulped as I fought with everything in me to resist placing my lips on his and kissing him. I wanted him, and that was a known fact.

“Aunt Sofia.” Carlo beamed, pulling us out of our daze, and I quickly turned to look at her. Oh shit!Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I didn’t miss the death glare she threw at us. Fuck. She shouldn’t have witnessed what just happened. I should have stopped him the second he touched my hair, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. I lost control and got carried away. With him, I never had control.

She cleared her throat as she darted her gaze between us, her eyes filled with disdain.

“Papà asked me to inform you that he is done.” She finally said as she settled her gaze on Antonio. “He is waiting for you in his office.”

“Very well then.” Antonio sprung to his feet, placing Carlo on the swing seat.

“Be a good boy.” He tickled Carlo, causing him to laugh uncontrollably before turning around and walking away without at least sparing me a glance. He stopped in front of Sofia long enough to mutter something that baffled me-a warning-before continuing on his way.

“I’ll be watching you. Be very careful.” He said.

What the hell did he mean by that? I worried as I sprung to my feet and paced towards Sofia.

“What was that about? What did you do?” I asked impatiently.

“You suddenly care now, uh? Why don’t you go and ask your fuck buddy?” She sassed, her choice of word leaving me perplexed.

“I guess you have taken it to another level.” She continued before I could even gather my words.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Sofia?” I groaned, and she rolled her eyes.

“You are in no position to ask me that, Rosalinda.” She retorted before turning around and walking away from me.