CHAPTER 5

MATTEO

I switched the phone off, from the content of the message I could tell who it was alright and the least I could do was to bother myself about a weakling like Leonardo.

I drew Rosa closer to me, taking in her lavender and shampoo scent, it made me feel at ease and slowly I fell asleep.

******

The sound of my alarm woke me up, I stretched my arms and that was when I realized that I wasn't cuddling Rosa anymore, I tapped on each side of the bed, too lazy to open my eyes.

Her side of the bed felt cold, I opened my eyes and realized that Rosa had left. Her bag on the table and her shoes were nowhere to be found

“Did I just get used and dumped by a lady?” I asked no one in particular, finding the situation hard to believe.

I stood up and got ready to leave for work.

Jaden and everyone else at work could notice that I was in a bad mood. Although Jaden tried talking to me, but how could I possibly open up and tell him I was moody because of a lady, that wouldn't be good for my ego.

“Make sure to convince Vance company in any way you can, we need their collaboration, is that clear?” I said in a stern tone to my secretary

I didn't know what was wrong with…. whatever her name is. She has been smiling at acting weird, the same way the other secretary’s acted when they tried to seduce me

“You're not listening to me” I pinched the bridge of my nose

“Oh, I'm sorry sir” she bowed her head indirectly showing me her full cleavage

“Replace her immediately and this time I want a male secretary” I ordered Jaden who has been behind me, watching all the drama unfold

I didn't wait for his response and I certainly didn't wait to hear the pleas of the lady. Damn, that was the fifth secretary this month

I hadn't gone far when I noticed a familiar figure at the end of the hall

Rosa

What was she doing here? I thought as I made my way towards her

“You can go in there ma'am, you don't have an appointment with my boss” the receptionist yelled, holding Rosa in a tight grip

“Please just let me see him this once, it urgent” she plead

“What is urgent” I asked as soon as I got to where they were

“I'm sorry sir, I tried to stop her from creating a scene” the receptionist bowed deeply

“It's fine. You can go back”

The receptionist left but not without giving Rosa a side eye.

“You left this….” I couldn't complete my sentence since Rosa press her soft hand on my mouth, keeping me shut

“Don't. Don't say something like that in public, it's embarrassing” her face was red in embarrassment

Did she find me embarrassing?, but I wasn't going to say anything bad. I found her red face cute and I would have teased her but then I remembered she came here for something urgent.

I slowly peeled her hand away from my mouth, without letting go of her hand I pulled her towards my office.

Slamming the door shut, I gestured towards the couch in my office, silently asking her to make herself comfortable

I watched her in silence, noticing how she bounced her leg and picked her nails in nervousness. What was she nervous about?, Was she scared of me?

“What did you want to talk about, Rosa”

“I…I have a…a proposal to make” she said

“Let's hear it” I tried to stay calm, I didn't want to make her feel more uncomfortable but deep down I was wondering what proposal she wanted to make with me

With the type of work I do, proposals weren't always a good thing and most times it ended brutally

“I need your help in getting my properties back from my ex fiance. I know you have the connections I need in getting those properties back and in return, you….you can do whatever you want with me” she stammered

That didn't sound right, that didn't sound like Rosa. She currently sounded like a harlot and I didn't like it, I wanted the innocent and goofy Rosa.

“Don’t ever reduce yourself that way in front of me or any other person again” I cupped her cheeks, staring into her eyes

“If you want my help you'll get it but not on those terms. I want you, yes, but I won't take advantage of your situation” I scolded

“So…. you're going to help me, with no conditions attached?” She blinked at me

“How naive” I chuckled, “I'll help you but on my own terms”

“What do you want, Matteo”

“It’s simple. Move in with me Rosa” I stared at her face, taking in all the reactions displayed on her face, from shock to confusion

“Is that it?, that's your condition?” She looked at me like I had just said something ridiculous

Actually I didn't expect those words to come out of my mouth. I was desperate to make Rosa fall in love with me and I was ready to do anything to keep her close to me forever.

“Yes. Simple isn't it?”

“Simple and weird but I can do it. When am I moving in?”. Eager and desperate I see, with time she was going to realize what she had gotten herself into and I wasn't sure how she was going to take her new life.

The chaos, the brutality. There was nothing fun about being a Mafia Don, risking the life of people around you, the life of your loved ones.

I stared at Rosa, not sure if I was happy about the risk and dangers I was going to get her into. I was going to be selfish even if it was just this once and I was going to give Rosa my all.