Aurora’s POV
I couldn’t deny that Matteo’s rebuff hurt me more than a dagger thrust into my heart. Maybe I was hoping for too much and I failed to realise that nothing romantic could ever happen between us, not even the dinner he asked for.
My mind flashed back to the sparring match and wondered why he wanted to fight with his brother. I didn’t see Angelo as a violent person, but then, he was the second son of Aldo Moretti. Violence ran through his veins.
Sparring matches weren’t new to me since we had lots of them where I came from, but I wanted to know how it went so I headed for the kitchen where I’d find Ilaria.
I worried about how Matteo would fight with his injured hands, then I shook off the feeling of worry. It wasn’t my business.
“Are you busy?” I asked, putting on my apron. Matteo asked me not to cook but I wasn’t sure I could obey his order and stay away from the kitchen when I wasn’t lying on a hospital bed.
She jolted at my voice and nearly dropped one of the chinaware on her hands. I rushed towards her and steadied the plate which stopped the plate from falling off her hands onto the tiled floor.
“You startled me,” She admitted with a nervous laugh, wiping her hand with a towel on the sink.
“I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know you were so engrossed in your duties,” I joked and opened one of the cabinets which hung on the wall.
I was at a loss of what to prepare, but I really wanted to make something delicious and spicy as Matteo liked. “I’m having problems deciding what I should prepare for lunch.”
She stared at me like I was crazy then shook her head. “I heard that you were asked not to cook until tomorrow. Why do you want to flaunt our boss’ order?”
I shrugged. “Because, sitting in a place is boring and depressing, maybe.”
“This isn’t the right time to be sentimental. Sir Matteo isn’t in a good mood and you wouldn’t like to incur his wrath.”
It didn’t matter to me. I wanted to cook and no one would stop me from doing that. “He’ll be fine once he eats my meal, don’t worry. Just come here and help me please,” I begged, bringing my puppy eyes to play.
Since it was lunch, I decided to prepare something that was neither heavy nor light. I went into the pantry which was joined to the kitchen by an adjoining door and took some potatoes.
Ilaria finished with the plates and began to peel the potatoes while trying to grill the chicken. Then I decided that it was the right time for me to bring up the topic. “Do you have any idea of how sparring matches are done here?”
She slanted me a look and stopped peeling the yam, “They are very bloody and whenever they have a death match, people die. Well, that’s one of the major businesses of the Outfit and Sir Matteo is one of the greatest fighters or even the only greatest fighter over there.”
Her explanation caused shivers to run down my spine. “Matteo and Angelo will be having a bloody match tonight,” I announced and avoided her widened eyes.
“With his current dark mood? I’m afraid Angelo might get hurt. Yes, he’s a good fighter but no one can cross Sir Matteo right now,” My eyes shot up to hers and I saw real worry and anxiety spread over her small beautiful face.
Her genuine worry was transferred to me, not because of the tiny weird feelings gnawing in my heart, but because I personally wanted to punish him .
Ilaria served lunch while I sneaked back into my room with my own serving. I noticed a plastic bag on my vanity table and realised that someone had ordered food for me.
“Damn!” I muttered and kept the food aside for later when my door swung open with Matteo glaring daggers at me. His face had turned red and his eyes narrowed in slits. His attractive nose was flared up and I knew that there was trouble.
“Why did you go against my order?” He growled while I folded my arms, acting like I didn’t care even when I knew how dangerous my reaction to his question was.
I licked my lips and swallowed, pondering on the right thing I’d say to him to douse his anger.
“I just wanted to cook. Besides, I’m strong and nothing will happen to me just because I want to do my duties. Why are you so concerned?” I spat, flinging my hands in the air.
He approached me slowly with a lips stretched grimly. “If there’s anything I strongly hate, it’s people going against my orders. Since you thought you could be up to par with me, then I’ll place you under house arrest. You aren’t to leave this house until three days after, and don’t even think of flaunting this one.” He hollered while my lips parted on their accord in surprise.
“Why will you do that to me? I am just your worker,” I replied in exasperation.
“And workers should obey me.”
“What about your match? You wanted me to be there.” I added, hoping that it would make him more lenient but he only snorted.
“That too. You aren’t allowed to come,” He said and dashed off while I sank onto the bed, causing the bed to dip.
With each passing day, he added to my list of reasons for killing him. I glanced at my lunch and placed it on the bed. At least he didn’t stop me from eating.
Some hours later, I stretched from the bed with my eyes taking note of my surroundings. I was still in my room, I realized and checked the time. It was past 9 in the evening, the match would have started already.
I cleaned my teeth and changed my morning clothes to lighter ones. I had to go to the match even though my reason for wanting to go wasn’t clear. I wore a jacket because of the cold and tried to open the door but the knob didn’t bulge.
A smirk crawled over my lips. Though I acted innocent, I still had the knowledge of the streets. I dug into one of my shoulder bags and produced a tiny black hair pin and tugged at the keyhole.
I worked my magic on the lock which came off, then I headed straight for Ilaria’s room to get the location where the match will be held. She laid on the bed with a book in her hands when I got in and furrowed her brows.
“You really want to go against Sir Matteo’s wishes?”
I ignored her question, “Where is the match taking place?”
“At William’s club. It’s not happening in the main club but underground and you’ll need to have enough cash to get in.” She explained, staring at me like I was crazy but even I thought the same.
Maybe I’d lose my job by tomorrow but my curiosity had overtaken my sense of reasoning.
“Thank you, Ilaria. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow before I’m sacked,” I chuckled drily and dashed off.
I’d studied the house very well and I could tell that there was a tiny gate which wasn’t strongly guarded so I headed towards it, hoping that the camera wouldn’t catch a glimpse of me.
The guard stood up when he saw me coming his way but I pulled off my most charming smile at him, “Can you help me push something inside while I look for my necklace that fell off here.”
He regarded me slowly but when I caressed him slowly, he groaned and went into the house. I rushed towards the gate which wasn’t locked.
I turned back to glance at the house and exhaled deeply. I was going to be with Matteo in less than a few minutes even though he wouldn’t notice me.
*********
The match had already gone far with men; young and old, cheering them up. I gazed at the men in the cage whose bodies were already smeared with blood because of the punches.
Angelo had a greater share of the injuries with his shoulder looking out of shape. Apparently, his hands were dislocated but Matteo didn’t seem to care as I hadn’t seen anyone look so monstrous in my life before.
His eyes had gone another shade darker with his nose flared up. He had an expression of death glaring on his face and before I could blink he was already getting set to hit him, and I could tell that it was going to be hard and disastrous .
If I allowed Angelo to take the hit, then he was going to die or have severe complications that would keep him from his daily activities for a very long time.
He lurched at Angelo whose knees were propped on the floor, with his eyes begging him not to go further and was about to strike when a scream left my lips.
“Matteo, No!”