Matteo’s POV
Her question unnerved me as I wondered how she got to know that I had a history with Ginevra. It was a part of my life that disgusted me till date and I hated talking about it.
“Can we not talk about it tonight and focus on your healing so that you can come home with me,” I replied, ignoring her question.
She nodded but her pursed lips and lowered lashes showed that she wasn’t happy with my response. For sure I would tell her about it, but not yet. Not when our relationship was still on a shallow level and she had the tendency of leaving me if she found out the truth.
**********
I watched Aurora change her clothes with Giselle aiding her. Her wound still hurt, but for the past few days, the only thing that left her lips constantly were complaints on how tired she was of staying in the hospital, and how she wanted to feel the softness of her bed again.
Since I couldn’t say no to her pleas, I had to speak with Doctor Luca who discharged her and now I was watching my beautiful woman change into a floral patterned flare dress.
“Thank you, Matteo. I’m finally going to leave this shithole and cook a sumptuous meal for everyone,” She chirped in excitement, causing a smile to creep to my lips.
Her happiness was infectious and by merely staring at her glowing countenance, my day had already been made.
“Anything for you, Mamacita.” I replied and Giselle clearer her throat, biting in her smile.
I’d noticed a slight connection between Angelo and Giselle and wondered if my brother wanted to follow in my footsteps of dating people older than him. Ginevra and I already had something which was forbidden, but if my brother wanted something genuine with Aurora then so be it.
We were the only ones in her room. Her uncle had been avoiding me since I told him that his niece was my girlfriend. Maybe I was over thinking, but it was obvious that he had a personal beef with me and the only reason I wasn’t comfortable was because of Aurora.
The door pushed open and doctor Luca let himself in, wearing a white lab coat and a stethoscope on his neck. He looked serious as usual with slick gray hair combed to the back.
“Are you set to leave?” He inquired.
“More than ready to leave. No offense, doctor, but staying here can get me depressed and I don’t think it will be beneficial to me,” Aurora replied bluntly.
As usual, she was always airing her mind without fear of being scolded or offending the other party.
If doctor Luca was offended his face didn’t give away any negative emotion, rather he smirked and approached her to do the usual check up that had turned into a routine since she was admitted to the hospital.
“You are free to go right away, but make sure that you don’t exert yourself and don’t forget your medicine as well.” He advised then turned to me, “Someone will have to bring her to the hospital once a week for thorough check up and so that we can check the rate of her healing.” He explained and dug his hand into his coat’s pockets.
“That won’t be a problem.” I replied firmly.
“Alright then, I’ll see you later.” He concluded and left.
Aurora sat on the wheelchair even though she kicked against it vehemently, stating that she was strong enough to walk without support. But I knew better and I wouldn’t allow anything to jeopardise the success she had made so far.
“This chair sucks!” She said with a cranky tone.
I stifled my laughter as I only wanted to act as Capo in public and hide all the emotions that people thought I didn’t have.
I wheeled her out of the hospital while Giselle held her bag. She was unusually quiet and I wondered if anything had gone wrong between her and my brother.
Usually, I’d drive faster than I was driving presently, but there was an indisposed person with me so it took longer than usual for us to get home.
The gates opened as soon as I got home and I drove to the garage, then wheeled Aurora out of the car, heading straight to the living room. Ginevra stood by the door as usual with her face raised high in disapproval.
I ignored her, and made a mental note to talk to her later and remind her that she wasn’t my mother.
“Welcome, Matteo.” She greeted warmly then passed a cold glance at Aurora who tried to get up from the wheelchair.
“Thank you,” I said to Ginevra then glared at Aurora. “Don’t do that, Aurora. You’re still weak.” I scolded her but she wasn’t having it as she had already gotten up slowly while she held onto her stomach.
“See, I can stand perfectly.” She tried to convince me, “I’m just wounded, not crippled.”
I shrugged then led her to her room, while I snaked my hand around her waist, holding her gently as we climbed the stairs to her room.
My phone rang in my pocket causing me to roll my eyes when I saw who the caller was. I’d been taking care of my duties and torturing Aurora’s shooter for a while but it seemed like he was as hard as stone and wasn’t ready to give up the truth.
But I could see the weakness in his eyes and the drooping of his shoulders from the last time I tortured him that he wasn’t far from revealing the truth to me.
“What’s the matter, Francesco? Has he said anything else?” I inquired, feeling disturbed by his call while helping Aurora settle on the bed as she had been yearning for.
“Far from that, Capo.” His voice was edgy and restrained, like he had something to say but didn’t know how to say it.
“Tell me, Francesco, what’s going on?” My tone was harsh as several negative thoughts were flying into my head.
Aurora tried to sit up as she was scared of my outburst, but I patted her back and placed her head on the pillow so that she could relax. Then I went out of her room to continue the call. Deep inside of me, I knew that something had gone really wrong.
“He’s dead. I don’t know how it happened but I went to check on him this morning and realised that he wasn’t breathing anymore. The medic checked him and they were able to tell that he was poisoned.” He informed me, “I’m so sorry.” He added and I ended the call.
My fingers clutched my phone tightly to a point I thought it would crush. If he was poisoned then someone knew of my plans and was interfering with it.
But who could the person be? I pondered.