Chapter 3. Revenge And Affection

A few days later~

The tinted window of the SUV car rolled down and Antonio alighted with practiced ease. As he dragged on his cigar, his gaze drifted towards his luxurious mansion which stood tall among other buildings. His bodyguards stood behind him, their face tall with their jaws clenched.

They had just returned from a meeting with some other Mafia members at the Villa imperio.

Antonio’s mansion was not only large but it was tremendously deserving of being a sprawling estate and a fortified retreat.

The word “Castello Antonio (Antonio's Castle)” was inscribed on a golden placard, a symbol of his power and influence.

When his father was still alive, it was formerly referred to as “Rocca dei Leoni” but as soon as he took over, he had the name changed.

The maids bowed in unison at the sight of Antonio.

As he entered the sleek, modern building, his shoes clacked on the polished tiles, echoing off the high ceilings.

Silence lingered, his presence commanding attention.

Settling on his mighty chair, his eyes narrowed as his gaze drifted towards the file in front of him.

He picked it, his lips curling into a mischievous smile.

“Boss. They're here..” Luca, his bodyguard, informed him as he walked up to him.

Antonio nodded, and snapped his finger, a gesture for him to step aside.

He sat upright, his chin up as he awaited the arrival of his private investigator, 

The air was thick with tension and anticipation.

Ever since his father's death, Antonio had hired private investigators to uncover the truth about the son of the doctor responsible for his father's murder. 

Although the doctor was behind bars, Antonio's thirst for vengeance remained unquenched.. 

He would only feel satisfied when he tortures the doctor’s son as well.

Images of his father lingered in his mind, fueling his anger and a thirst for revenge. 

His private investigator, Donald, walked in, his steps resolute.

After handing a file to him, he said, “Here are the details I could get about the doctor's son.”

Antonio took the file from him, his gray eyes scanning through the content, taking in every detail, every line, every sentence and every single word.

Donald cleared his throat and broke through the silence. “The doctor's son's name is Marco. Marco Rossi. He's twenty two. An intern, and a medical aspirant. He's 5’10. with Olive skin.”

Antonio raised his head to stare at him. 

His lips curled into an evil smile as he massaged his chin.

“Any other information about him?”

“All I know is that his mom is currently hospitalized. Down with severe pneumonia and respiratory failure.” Donald replied.

“Bring him to me. Do everything you can to find him.” Antonio instructed, his voice cold and detached.

Not long after Donald had left, two of Antonio's bodyguards walked in with a young man in striped shirt and jeans.

He had spiky brown hair and blue eyes just like Marco. 

Antonio's gaze drifted towards them with a mix of concern and curiosity.

The scraping sound of the chair against the tiled floor pierced the silence as Antonio got on his feet.

His eyes held questions, demanding answers.

Franco was the first to speak.

“Boss. I've done my research and I think I've found the man you're looking for.”

His words bounced off the walls, hanging heavily in the air.

Antonio crossed his arms as he took his gaze to the young man in the striped shirt that revealed his hairy chest.

A weak smile stretches the man's lips as Antonio's gaze intensified on him.

Each step Antonio took towards him made his heart constrict.

Although he wasn't Marco, he still wore the same cologne or fragrance, giving off a familiar scent.

A deep sigh escaped Antonio’s lips as he studied his features.

His lips thinned as he caressed his jaw, his instinct telling him something wasn't right.

Although he could barely recall Marco’s exact features, he could tell that something was off about the person standing in front of him.

He seemed a little different from the stranger he slept with weeks ago.

Could he really be the one? 

Antonio's mind swirled with thoughts and uncertainties.

His thoughts were shattered when the young man bowed in front of him and introduced himself, “Hello, Sir Antonio. It's good to see you again.”

His smile was warm and inviting but Antonio still felt unsure. He recalled the encounter, the intimacy but the person's face remained hazy.

Pushing his thoughts aside, he accepted the stranger’s handshake, managing a weak smile.

“You're - you're the one?” Antonio asked, his voice uncertain.

The stranger nodded, his smile broadening.

“Yes. I am. I knew you'd remember..” 

Antonio hesitated. Something just didn't seem right but he couldn't lay his finger on it.  

His response and confident demeanor. Everything seemed practiced..

Is this the man he really slept with?

“Who are you?” Antonio asked, his voice firmer this time around.

The man's smile dropped but he tried hard to pull it back.

Chuckling, he replied, “You really don't remember, do you? We had a great night together.”

“What's your name?” Antonio asked, settling back on his chair.

He waved his hand swiftly in the air, dismissing his bodyguards.

The young man sat in front of Antonio, keeping a forced but playful smile on his face.

“I'm Alessandro Bianchi.” He replied, his voice resolute.   

Antonio nodded, his lips conformed into an even thinner line as he drummed with his finger on the table.

“So. Tell me more about yourself.” He asked, his eyes never leaving his.

Alessandro’s face lit up in excitement. “I'm a software developer, specialising in machine language. I've worked on pretty cool projects and I love solving complex issues and creating solutions. It's great to finally meet you again, Antonio. I've heard quite a lot about you.”

Antonio watched as he playfully touched his arm, his fingers brushing against his sleeve. 

Antonio didn't pull away. He managed a small smile that didn't reach his eyes.

He listened intently as Alessandro kept talking about his passion for tech and fashion.

And then, his thoughts drifted towards Marco once more as he tried to see if there were really any similarities between them.

He badly wished he had asked for his name but they were so engrossed in their intimacies that he didn't notice the moment slipping away, lost in the thrill of sensation.

He had been immersed in thoughts about his father's death that he had to visit the club that night to seek solace in anonymity.

While he walked into the noisy club that night, his gaze wandered, locking onto a figure hunched over a glass. 

And that was when he saw him. The young man he found captivating.

Even in the dim light, he felt a spark between them.

And even when his features were obscured, his instincts had whispered that the young man was worth exploring.

Could that man really be Alessandro?

His thoughts shattered as Alessandro's legs touched him briefly under the table. 

Antonio didn't move away. He let the touch linger for a moment before shifting slightly.

“You left that morning..” Antonio began, his eyes narrowing.

Alessandro's eyes went wide a little, his jaw dropping.

“Urm..” He stuttered in an unsteady voice.

“I had a family emergency I needed to attend to. I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye.” Alessandro lied, sliding a strand of his hair behind his ears.

Antonio nodded and arched his brows. “It's okay. I understand.”

Silence ensued as their eyes locked on each other.

The sounds of footsteps pierced the silence and their gazes drifted towards Franco who was approaching.

“You've got a call from Sir Vincenzo, boss.” Franco whispered in Antonio's ears. 

Antonio nodded as he took the phone from him.

“You may leave. Or wait…” He said before turning to Alessandro..

“Why don't you show him around?” He suggested. “Make him feel comfortable and have everything he needs.”

Franco nodded and stepped forward, ready to escort Alessandro through the sprawling mansion.

As they left, Antonio placed his phone to his ear so he could listen to Vincenzo, one of his friends in the mafia.

“I'm sorry about what happened to your father, Antonio. I need you to stay strong..” Vincenzo’s voice came through, tinged with comfort and relief.

Antonio nodded, sliding his fingers into his hair.

“Thanks Vincenzo.” Antonio replied, managing a weak smile.

Not long after their conversation, the door creaked open with footsteps echoing through the room.

Antonio turned in the direction, his lips curling into an evil smile at the sight before him.

Two of his private Investigators emerged from the shadows with a young champ in their middle.

Antonio's gaze swept over the young man, but his expression remained impassive.

“Sir. We have him. Marco Rossi, the doctor's son.” Donald announced his voice firm.

“I'll call you back,” Antonio said as he ended the call with Vicenzo.

He dropped his phone on the desk, his feet burning with vengeance as he approached Marco whose breathing came in ragged bursts.

Marco struggled in the grasp of the men, his face, a mixture of rage, confusion and curiosity.

As Antonio approached him, his facial features became clearer, leaving Marco stunned and curious.

That face .. it seems as though he had seen it somewhere before.

But where?

Antonio’s eyes narrowed as he studied his features, feeling a certain connection with him. Where could he have seen him?

Several thoughts swirled in his mind but his thirst for vengeance overshadowed any fleeting sense of familiarity.

He couldn't be the man he slept with.. impossible. 

He can't sleep with the son of a murderer. 

It's definitely Alessandro he slept with and not him..

Although he tried to evade those glaring truths, he still couldn't shake off the feeling that there might be unsettling possibilities that it might indeed be true.

‘Focus, Antonio. It's definitely not possible…’. He whispered in his mind, trying to get a hold of himself.

As he leaned towards Marco, he grabbed his jaw but the strong scent of cedarwood hit him, stirring up memories.

Antonio's mind jumbled with conflicting emotions – anger, desire and a deep-seated need for vengeance.

“What do you want from me?” Marco demanded, his voice deep and furious.

Antonio smirked as he brought out his gun from his pocket, his movements calculated as he circled Marco who was still in the grip of the private investigators.

As Marco kept wriggling in their hold, Antonio directed his gun to his nape, his eyes filled with rage.

Leaning towards him, he whispered, “Stay still, and don't let me blow off your skull.”

Marco gulped down the heavy lump in his throat as Antonio's presence suffocated him.

He stood still as Antonio’s gaze lingered on him.

“Leave him.” Antonio instructed, his voice commanding.

With a gesture, the men released him and left.

The door closes with a soft thud, leaving Marco behind with his predator whose eyes feasted on his youthful body.

Antonio continued circling him, his steps deliberate.

He paused behind Marco and whispered, “I see. You're the son of Dr. Thomas Rossi. That bastard who deliberately killed my father!”

“My father is not a murderer!!” Marco snapped, his voice bouncing off the walls with certainty.

Antonio got enraged. Squeezing his face, he grasped his neck and pushed him hard to the wall.

“YOU EXPECT ME TO BELIEVE THAT??!” Antonio bawled, his face red with fury.

Tightening his grip on Marco's neck, he continued, his voice low and menacing, “I know you're only saying this to save your skin. You're a pathetic bloody liar from a useless family. Don't try to manipulate me with your lies when there is truth and evidence.”

Marco choked as Antonio’s grip became even tighter.

“He - he.. I can assure you that he was framed. M - My father was framed.” Marco stuttered, his voice cracking at the edges.

“LIAR!” Antonio growled, pushing him off him.

Marco lost his balance and fell to the ground, his chest rising and falling as he struggled to catch his breath.

He stared back at Antonio's furious eyes.

He's not just anyone but the ruthless fearful mafia, the son of Don Leonardo De Moreno.

Marco was sure that his father was innocent and had only been framed for Leonardo's death. His father was the best surgeon and he was certain there was more to it.

Antonio squatted in front of Marco, yanking his hair with his fingers.

Gritting his teeth, he whispered, “There is evidence which proves your father was indeed guilty. He might be behind bars but that doesn't mean I will spare you, Marco. I will make your life miserable!”

Pushing him off him, he got on his feet and straightened his suit before tearing his gaze away from him.

“Franco! Luis!” He yelled, his voice commanding.

The bodyguards came running towards him, their faces mixed with anticipation.

“Take him to the secluded attic room and have him locked up!” Antonio ordered before stepping out of his study, his brows furrowing with his face hardened.

The guards approached Marco and took him away.

As Antonio swallowed the lump in his throat and took his gaze drifted towards them, he could feel his icy heart melting.

Why did he feel some kind of connection to him and a certain reluctance to hurt him?

His brows furrowed as he pushed the thoughts aside, consumed by the thirst for revenge. Besides, he couldn't trust anyone and he suspected that Marco and his father might be Mafia members from an unknown clan who are on a mission to ruin him.

He's been receiving threats lately and he was determined to find out those behind It.