Matteo’s POV
My lips parted as she kept muttering the name over and over again.
“Is that your uncle?” I asked softly and she snapped her lips shut and made an attempt to sit up but it failed as she winced.
“Are you alright?” I stood up from the edge of the bed and sat beside her. Her body tensed then relaxed as she breathed evenly again. Her bright eyes were squinted as she kept her lips pursed.
“Thank God, she’s getting better. I want to know who will be in charge of her medications.” Doctor Luca asked and I raised my hand with enthusiasm then dropped it when I realized that I was being too obvious.
“I don’t want her to waste your time and effort and someone needs to ensure that she’s back on her feet to prepare breakfast tomorrow, so I’ll do it.” I offered.
Ginevra sneered, then said, “Another day of lazing around.”
I gave her a look that reminded her that I was Capo which shut her mouth. She hadn’t seen me torturing people before or dishing out punishments and the only reason I didn’t allow her to see my dark side was because of my past.
Aurora tried to sit up again and she did even though her face was scrunched up in pain, and a cracking sound was heard from her ribs. “Don’t worry, I’ll prepare dinner. I miss cooking and I don’t want to feel useless just because of a common cold.”
I shook my head in disagreement as I rose up. “My order is non-negotiable so you’ll cook when I ask you too, besides I’m your employer. You answer only to me.”
She stared at me with an expression I couldn’t understand, but I looked away, willing myself to stay away from her. It wasn’t up to a month but weird feelings I’d never felt before whirled in me because of her.
Love was something I never believed in and I gave my father credit for instilling the notion in me without knowing it.
Ginevra stood aloof beside the door with her arms folded, but I needed to talk to her and ensure that she wasn’t going nuts or giving other staff the wrong impression.
“Come to the study room, I need to talk to you.” I ordered with a commanding tone.
I glanced at Aurora one more time whose eyes were fixed on the drugs doctor Luca was telling her about, then I headed for the study.
I pushed the door open and sat on my executive chair which I swirled around on purpose. She came in, dropping the I-am-obedient expression and glaring at me.
A scoff escaped my lips, did she think I owed her anything?
“You need to stop acting like we have anything going on between us.” I said, massaging my temples.
She shrugged and smirked, kindling a nostalgic memory inside of me. “I think I’m doing well. At least I’m not the one going crazy over someone I just met.”
My clenched fist landed on the table causing a loud bang to reverberate in the room. She jerked, not expecting me to react in such a manner. “Ginevra,” My voice rose in a crescendo. “You have been with me for as long as I can remember and I really thank you for that. But don’t overplay your roles, you are just the housekeeper and nothing more.”
“A housekeeper? Really?” She huffed.
“Whatever happened was in the past and I’m truly ashamed of it. Let it be bygone so that we can continue with our lives peacefully.”
“Things can never be the same way again, Matteo. Our lives took a complicated turn from the very first night and it took more worst turns when it became continuous. If your mother hadn’t found out, it wouldn’t have stopped.”
I jerked up my feet at the memory, “And she died, Goddammit! I lost the chance of ever being close to her because she had a heart attack.”
The memories were becoming too much to hear and I was on edge but I couldn’t control it anymore. My demons were thirsty for blood and I needed to give it to them.
“I’m sorry for delving into the past, Matteo.” Ginevra tried to apologise as she came close to me but I raised my hand and she halted on her steps.
“Don’t come any closer. You can leave, I want to be alone.” I growled, my eyes narrowing into slits.
She nodded and took to her heels. When she left a sudden surge of anger flowed through me. I pushed my desk with a kick, tearing down the books in my shelves and the vase that decorated the desk.
I did everything to stop the memories rushing into my mind like the wind that appears before the rain but it didn’t stop. Angelo barged into the study, and held me from carrying out any crazy plan that stirred in my head.
“You need to calm down, Matteo. People can’t see you like this, you are Capo of the Outfit.” He slapped my chest and pushed me down my chair.
I glared at him for stopping me but I couldn’t make any move against him. He was the only family I had left that loved me and could die in my stead.
“We need to have a sparring match. You and I, or someone will die.” I growled.
He stared at me, wearing a forlorn look. “I’m a diplomat, Matteo. You know how much I like to distance myself from all of this.”
His lips were saying one thing but his eyes expressed hunger.
“That’s not true, Angelo. You’ve tried to convince yourself severally that you don’t want it but you do. I can see through your eyes that your dark side wants to be unleashed, but you’re the one putting a rein on it. For how long do you want to cage who you really are?”
He looked away from me, knowing that I was telling the truth. He always wanted to be away from the dark, but if he went through the same thing I did in the hands of the man I called my father, he wouldn’t have hesitated.
“I don’t want to do this, Matteo.” He disagreed with a raspy voice but I could tell from his drooped shoulders that my words were taking effect against his decision.
“Let’s just have a sparring match tonight. It will be nice to let it all out, our dark sides.”
His eyes flashed up to mine, a dark smile lighting up his face. “I’ll be ready by 9pm,” He said and walked away.