Aurora’s POV
“I don’t think I want to talk about it. This isn’t the appropriate time for this conversation,” He said coolly and I nodded.
“Maybe we should go home then, I have to make breakfast and everyone should be hungry by now.” I said and resumed jogging, leaving him to ponder on my coldness.
Due to his long legs, he was able to catch up with me but I wasn’t ready for any strained discussion. “I don’t want to believe that you are angry because I didn’t say anything to you.” He insinuated.
A huff escaped my lips and then I halted. “We still have the boss-employee relationship, right?”
“Yes, why do you ask?” His eyes were squinted in confusion.
“Because I don’t want you to accompany me during my workout times. I didn’t sell my rights to you when I started working here and I should have my privacy.”
I didn’t give him a chance to respond as I took to my heels. My pace didn’t reduce till I got to the gate and waited for the guard to open up for me.
By the time I got in, Ginevra was already standing in the living room with a disapproving scowl and hints of jealousy in her eyes. Not that I cared about how jealous she was anyways, I just didn’t have the strength for her unending rants.
“I thought you wanted to spend the whole day with him.”
“Am I not allowed to go for a jog anymore? And if the Capo of the Famiglia decided to join me, who am I to decline?” I laughed.
Her face turned red with anger but gone were the days I tolerated her overbearing attitude. She was older than me so she should act like it.
“You should stop associating with him and focus on your duties, Aurora. If I had known that you were this lazy, I wouldn’t have allowed you to be employed.” She said in regret.
“Well, you should focus on the runnings of the house and not my life or Capo’s. Or he would find you incompetent and sack you,” I teased, her face turning a brighter shade of red.
“But he won’t, because I’ve done a lot for him.”
“If you think that your pussy would save you, then not this time.”
She flinched at my assumption while I smiled in triumph. I wanted to get a reaction out of her and confirm my suspicions about her having an affair with him, and she fell for it.
“Breakfast will soon be served.” I chirped and headed for my room.
My mind flashed back to my uncle, the only true supporter I had. I locked the door and began to work on taking off my clothes when my phone vibrated with a familiar number showing on the screen.
My lips stretched in a smile as I brought the phone to my ear. “I just thought of calling you.”
“That’s because you love me too much. I missed you that’s why I called,” He chuckled, my heart spreading with warmth and relief.
“I missed you too, Uncle.” I replied and a moment of silence passed between us while I anticipated his question.
“Is there any development between you and the Moretti boy?” He asked and I wondered when he’d stop addressing him as such. To him it was safer because no one would easily detect which of the sons we were talking about.
“Nothing, yet. He becomes distant anytime I bring up any topic that concerns his family, maybe he doesn’t trust me enough.” I admitted feeling a bit sad.
His distrust hurt me beyond the fake reasons I had in my mind. I wanted him to be open with me and tell me what was going on in his life, not because of my revenge scheme but I wanted him to heal from his past.
“For someone who came with an ulterior motive, you shouldn’t be expecting too much from him. Just flow with him and be welcoming, he would have no choice but to open up.” He advised and I nodded.
“I have to go, Uncle. It’s time to prepare breakfast.” I said.
“Make it delicious as always and don’t forget, the Camorra has your back and no one will hurt you. If it comes to that, they’ll have to go through me first.”
“I love you, Uncle.” I whispered, my voice laced with emotions.
“I love you too, principessa.” He replied and I ended the call.
Preparing breakfast was fun with Ilaria because I got to cook another dish that I liked. I made potato pancakes with chipotle lime sauce.
Ilaria helped me with the table while I dished everyone’s food apart from Angelo who was tucked away in his bed. Matteo, for the first time, ignored the cup of coffee as he dipped a chunk of the pancake into the sauce.
“Can I take Angelo’s food to him? He might be hungry,” I suggested, arranging his portion on a tray and adding a glass of orange juice.
He nodded, not taking away his attention from the food. I headed for Angelo’s wing, and passed through the hallway with my eyes on the empty rooms which had locked doors.
I stopped at his room and knocked softly to avoid disturbing the calmness that filled his room.
“You can come in,” He said in a gruff voice.
I pushed the door open and watched him take away his laptop, dropping it on the bed stand. “I brought you breakfast since you didn’t want to come downstairs for it.” I said and he nodded with a tight smile.
“You can sit beside me.” He motioned to the empty space on his bed, I sank on it and pushed the tray forward to him.
“Potato pancake and chipotle lime sauce. You’ll like it, I promise.” I said when he squinted his eyes in confusion.
He nodded and took a sip from his orange juice. “Thank you for being nice.” He said and tore off a piece of the pancake and dipped it into the sauce.
He chewed on the crunchy edges first like a child causing me to smile, as I imagined having a younger brother who would replicate his actions. I bent my head, my heart aching at the fact that it would never be possible.
“This is delicious. You should try it,” He said and dipped another piece of the pancake and held it out to my lips.
I shook my head and pressed my lips tightly. “No, Angelo, enjoy your meal.” I declined and then he formed an adorable puppy face which I couldn’t refuse and then I opened my mouth wide and allowed myself to have a taste of my food.
“Thank you.” I muttered and looked away.
“What do you think of the residing evil that makes us do what we do?” He blurted, his eyes peering at me.
I swallowed and thought of what to make of his question, then I realized that he was referring to what happened during the match. “I think that we are capable of controlling it no matter what. We just like the thrill and the fun that comes with being dark,” I stated.
“But what if darkness is all we have? I’d been fighting mine but last night I regretted not soaring on the wings of the darkness inside of me.”
“If you had done that, then you and your brother wouldn’t be alive to tell the tale.” I reminded him.
He opened his mouth to say something else but the door swung open with Matteo glowering at me. “How are you, brother?” He asked.
“I’m fine.” He replied, a cold look passing between the both of them.
He darted his eyes at me. “I need to talk to you, Aurora.”
I stood up and followed him out of the room.
“There’s an engagement party being organised by one of my underbosses for his daughter. I don’t want to go alone so you’ll go as my plus one.” He announced and my eyes widened.
I thought of the exposure that came with attending such a party. Journalists would want to carry the news and everyone would get interested in knowing about me.
“Can I refuse?”
“No, you can’t.” He concluded and walked away