Chapter 65 : Who was here with us all along

𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚'𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬

“Do me a favor and use the door,” Antonio muttered, resuming what he was doing.

Grinch raised both hands in mock surrender but didn’t leave.

“Always remember the rule: don’t love what you can’t protect.”

Antonio took a long pause, staring at nothing. “You are such an annoying jerk.”

Grinch gave a short, humorless laugh. “Yeah? Jerky enough to be her executioner?”

Antonio’s eyes flickered—dark, conflicted, dangerous. He inhaled sharply for a full, dangerous second.

Then he leaned closer— menacing enough that Grinch felt the rage on his skin.

Antonio’s fingers curled into Grinch’s collar and squeezed.

“Grinch,” he murmured, voice rough and strained, “don’t make me do something I shouldn’t.”

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then Grinch swallowed hard and gently pried Antonio’s hand off his collar.

“Forfeit whatever you’re doing with her,” he warned, barely keeping his voice level “You can also be called up to be her executioner. The Don knows no relationship.”

Antonio tore his gaze away and walked toward the door — looking like a man trying very hard not to feel something.

----

Somewhere in Nevena's house that morning, Junior smeared white powder over his face. Ready.

“Bestie!” he called “I’m going to the dining table — get ready quick”

Nevena didn't answer, only the sound of the hand shower splashing against the bathroom tiles.

She was lost in a train of thought, her mind replaying last night in dizzy loops.

The stone-cold man from the last afternoon had melted into an obsessed, breathless psychopath in the night.

Nevena instinctively pressed her fingers to her lip, and the memory of his soft, passionate kiss replayed, weakening her knee.

She finally extinguished the shower and dried up.

Stepping into her room, his voice cut through like scissors. “Do you always spend that long in the shower?”

“Mr. Hunt?” her pulse fluttered.

All cladded in black, he stood at the doorway, one hand on the frame, the other tucked in his pocket.

"I didn't hear the doorbell ring” She said softly. “When did you arrive?”

“It's been a while" he breathed, bolting the door and pivoting toward her. "Junior already gave me a tour around the house"

Nevena's eyes dropped to the floor, her cheeks heating. “He’s always hyperactive when it comes to you"

She lifted her gaze to avoid awkwardness—only to find Antonio already in front of her.

His hand came up, and her heart pounded against her rib, but he stopped just short of her cheek, plucking away a stray strand of hair.

“Good morning" he whispered softly, tracing out her lips with his eyes but not going beyond that.

“Oh— morning” she stuttered like she had been expecting —aching, for something else.

“I should go,” Antonio rasped.

Her lips parted in protest, but Antonio leaned in first, before she could speak and kissed her. Soft and slow.

Almost at the same time, a small, impatient knock landed at the door.

They pulled back, laughing under their breath.

“Buddy, I know you're in there" Junior cried, pounding harder.

“I knew he’d show up,” Antonio chuckled, patting Nevena's cheek softly before rushing to open the door.

She countenance dropped, already feeling the absence of his warmth.

“Hey, champ,” Antonio whispered, scooping Junior easily into his arms, before he senses something. “I told you I was coming.”

“But you wasted a lot of time,” Junior complained, leaning to look behind him—but Nevena stepped back on instinct.

He let out a conflicted exhale at the empty room “Let's go. I even wonder why you locked the door. Bestie's still bathing.”

Antonio avoided questions related to why he locked the door as they headed to the living room.

Nevena followed after some minutes, dressed in shorts and blouse.

“Finally—she’s done bathing,” Junior announced as soon as he saw her.

Antonio straightened and looked, soft and charismatic defined each step she took.

He drooled her like she was the first warm light he’d seen after years underwater,

“Sorry for keeping you guys waiting” she apologized, standing by the table.

“Not at all," Antonio smirked, pulling out a chair for her.

Nevena sat down, her fingers brushing the table’s edge, and he gently pushed the chair in.

She laid out the plates and began serving the meal, accidentally leaning close— such that Antonio could smell her shampoo, and it broke his restraint.

His hand moved on its own, hovering beside her waist, but he stopped it mid-air with visible effort.

“Don’t do that,” he whispered, voice hoarse.

Junior turned to him while Nevena paused mid-air with the spoon of beans. Surprised.

“You don't like beans?” the little boy asked softly.

Antonio nodded, and Junior's gaze drifted away. “Me too — but bestie always insist”

He didn’t notice beyond that, but Nevena definitely did.

It wasn’t beans but Antonio was losing restraint.

She dropped the spoon — sank back and they started eating.

Now he tried focusing on anything, not her tanned legs crossed under the table — but each time she leaned forward to cut Junior’s pancake, his breath hitched.

The short revealed too much, at least for a man trying to pretend he wasn’t falling apart inside.

“Fuck" he breathed, knuckles whitening from suppressed impulse.

All through breakfast Junior rambled about some topics, and Antonio nodded along without even hearing a single word.

When they were finally done eating, Junior hopped off his chair.

“Bestie! Hurry — let’s go!”

He ran to the door before either adult could answer.

Nevena smiled, clearing the table. “Give me some minutes, I will do the dishes and grab my bag”

Antonio’s eyes followed her movement like a man tracking the thing that could destroy him until she was out of sight.

Relieved breath left him in one harsh exhale and he scooted his chair back one inch. Standing.

Nevena barreled into the room after some minutes with her purse and Junior's backpack, “Let's go guys — I'm ready"

"Where exactly are you going?” Antonio cleared his throat. Confused.

Junior and Nevena paused and locked gaze at him.

“Come on” Antonio nearly choked on his own heartbeat. “You guys never mentioned about going out”

Junior dragged a hand down his face dramatically.

“Who was here with us all along?”