Chapter-23 Plan (Part 2)

Gianna

Caelian leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, looking way too entertained for someone who had just eavesdropped on a very personal conversation.

Why does he always sneak up like that?

He pushed off the frame, walking toward us. “I have to say, I never thought I’d see the day someone tried to outmaneuver Nico Baldocchi in a game of control.” His gaze flicked to me, considering. “But it might just work.”

Teresa’s eyes narrowed. “Who the fuck are you?”

“Caelian Rizza. Nico’s right hand,” Caelian’s lips twitched in amusement as he inclined his head slightly “Apologies for overhearing, but your conversation was…hard to ignore.”

“Well, enjoyed the show, did you?” Teresa huffed, crossing her arms.

“Immensely,” Caelian smirked.

“Great. Another smug bastard,” she rolled her eyes.

“I am sorry…I do not want to intervene,” he muttered, turning to me and ignoring Teresa’s comment. “But as Nico’s best friend…I do feel this plan can work.”

“And why would you think that?” I asked, raising a brow.

“Because I have seen it—Nico is different with you,” Caelian exhaled, shaking his head. “He’s always kept himself closed off. Even when he slept with other women, it was just that—sex. But with you, Gianna… It’s different. I’ve seen it. He cares, even if he won’t admit it. Maybe he doesn’t know it himself, and you…you need to show him that. You need to show him what you can see, but he can’t. Because he is too blinded by self-loathing and hatred for himself. He thinks you’re too good, too pure for someone like him which is just plain bullshit.”

“Exactly,” Teresa nodded. “If he didn’t want you, he wouldn’t act like a possessive asshole about the whole Maximus thing. He might pretend love is off the table, but who knows? Men don’t act all possessive for just any woman.”

“You seem to know a lot about men,” Caelian remarked, raising a brow.

Teresa turned to him, eyes darkening with something wicked. “I do.” She leaned in, voice dropping. “Want me to show you what I know… Caelian, is it?” Caelian arched a brow, his mouth curving into a slow grin.

“Tempting,” he murmured, eyes locked on hers. “But I don’t play games I can’t win.”

Teresa’s smile widened. “Who said you’d lose?”

“Are you two seriously doing this right now?” I groaned, rubbing my temples. “Turning my personal crisis into foreplay?”

“Sorry,” Teresa shook her head. “But as I said…this is the only way to get to Nico because he isn’t going to let you in if you try to force him or try talking your way into his heart.”

“Yeah, he doesn’t know how to have a conversation that isn’t about business anyway,” Caelian agreed. “When you spend years closing yourself off from everyone and everything, that’s what happens.”

“And you guys think this will work?” I demanded, not at all convinced. This was stupid. How in hell would I make Nico believe I didn’t need him to love me after going on and on about how I wanted his heart and not just his body?

And how in fuck’s name was I going to seduce him?

“Well, you need to try since you aren’t willing to give up on him,” Teresa made a face. “At least it’s better than sitting and waiting for his ice-cold heart to melt.”

“Nico isn’t the kind of man you push,” Caelian added. “If you try to force him to talk about what he feels, he’ll shut down. But if you change the dynamic—if you stop asking him to let you in and make him want to let you in—that’s when everything changes.”

“Exactly,” Teresa nodded. “This isn’t about tricking him, Gi. It’s about meeting him where he is. Right now, you’re asking for something he doesn’t know how to give. So take the pressure off him. Let him relax a bit because this love bomb you hit him with…it’s too much for him. Make him believe you don’t need more from him other than what he can give. Nico needs to learn to walk before he can run, and right now he can barely crawl.”

“And what if it doesn’t? What if he never lets me in?” I whispered, my chest tightening with dread. “And this never becomes anything more than just sex?”

“Then at least you’ll have your answer,” Caelian said softly.

“And you’ll walk away with some mind-blowing sex to brag about,” Teresa added with a devilish grin. “Believe us, this plan will work.”

I sighed and slowly nodded, rubbing my face. If I did this, it wasn’t about playing games. It was about breaking through the walls Nico had spent his life building. Getting under his skin. Making him feel something he wasn’t ready for.

But once I started down this path—

There was no turning back.

“Fine, I’ll try,” I muttered. “But for how long?”

“Give him six months,” Caelian said softly. “And take it one step at a time.”

“I have a question though,” I said, narrowing my eyes at Caelian. “Why are you helping us? What do you want?”

“I want my best friend to be happy and I know you can make him happy,” Caelian said. “And…maybe her number as a favor for putting in my feedback?” His eyes followed my best friend and the look they exchanged—I’d rather they have had sex in front of me.

“I don’t give my number to strangers,” Tess quipped, licking her lips. Caelian’s gaze flicked over her, sharp and unreadable. Then, with a slow tilt of his head, he murmured, “Give it time, cara. You won’t feel like a stranger for long.”

Teresa’s smirk faltered for half a second, a faint flush creeping up her neck. She covered it quickly, tilting her chin up in defiance, but the spark in her eyes betrayed her.

“Cocky bastard,” she muttered, looking away.

Caelian chuckled, low and knowing. “Blushing already, bella?”

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” I grimaced. “I will give you her number. Thanks for your feedback, Caelian. Now, why were you here in the middle of the day, again?”

“Right—I needed some stuff from the armo…” he trailed off and shrugged. “I will get going then,”

“Uh…is Nico going to be home tonight?” I asked. “He seemed a bit distracted at breakfast.”

“He might be late…or not come home at all. Something urgent came up,” he muttered, and I didn’t like the look on his face.

“Right.” I nodded. It was a good thing Amara invited me to dinner. I could spend the night with my nephews then.

“Alright, ladies…” he waved. “See you later,” I waved back, and with a nod, Caelian started to head out. But he stopped beside Teresa and muttered something in her ear that made her blush and her eyes darken with lust.

“You better make it worth the risk,” she whispered, earning a panty-dropping grin from Caelian before he walked out. I noticed her eyes following him before turning to me, her face red.

“That’s one tasty dish,” she bit her lip.

“One that you’re going to eat…” I smirked before we both burst out laughing.