Chapter 10 A Heart In Turmoil

After their conversation ended, Antonio asked Rose to wait in the lounge while he attended an afternoon meeting. Initially, he had told Rossi to take her sightseeing around Italy, but Rose declined. She didn’t feel comfortable exploring unfamiliar places alone. An hour later, Antonio emerged from the meeting, having finalized plans for the auction set for the end of the month. By tomorrow, preparations would officially begin without any further delays. The mafia boss walked into the lounge, his sharp gaze sweeping the room. When he didn’t immediately see Rose, he stepped inside further. There, on the long sofa, she lay curled up, asleep. Her serene face, framed by stray locks of hair, looked so peaceful. Antonio knelt before her, reaching out instinctively to brush the loose strands from her face and tuck them gently behind her ear. His eyes lingered on her delicate features—her soft lips and calm expression. For a brief moment, the icy wall around his heart began to crumble. Is this selfish? He wondered. I haven’t forgotten Vega, but I still want her here... Realizing where his thoughts were heading, Antonio quickly stood and turned away. Just then, Rose stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She sat up abruptly upon seeing him standing nearby. “Sorry,” she said hurriedly, her cheeks flushing. Antonio smirked faintly. “It’s fine.” “Um… I…” “Are you hungry?” he interrupted. “Huh?” Rose blinked at him, clearly surprised. “Let’s go eat. I’m starving,” Antonio said, making his way to the door. Rose sat there in shock. Hadn’t Martha mentioned that Antonio never ate with others? Why now? “What are you waiting for?” Antonio said, looking back at her. “Are you planning to sit there all day?” Startled, Rose quickly stood and followed him out the door. The car stopped in front of an upscale Italian restaurant in the heart of the city. Rose remained silent the entire way, still processing everything. Once they arrived, Antonio glanced back at her. “Let’s go. I’m hungry,” he said, striding into the restaurant. Rossi, watching from the driver’s seat, frowned slightly but kept his thoughts to himself. It wasn’t his place to question his employer’s decisions. The restaurant’s soft Italian music and warm ambiance offered a relaxing atmosphere. Antonio selected a quiet corner table, but when he sat down, he noticed Rose still standing awkwardly. “Sit down,” he said, his tone firm. “I thought…” “If I don’t order you to sit, you won’t sit, is that it?” he asked, his voice tinged with irritation. Before Rose could respond, Antonio’s tone turned cold and decisive. “Sit.” She sat down quickly, looking both confused and embarrassed. “What do you want to eat?” Antonio asked, his tone unexpectedly gentle. When Rose didn’t answer, he turned to the server and ordered for both of them. “I’ve ordered something I think you’ll like,” he told her once the server left. “Um… Martha mentioned you don’t like sharing meals with others. I thought—” “Martha said that?” Antonio’s voice was calm, though a faint edge crept into it. Martha hadn’t been wrong. Other than with his family and Vega, he hadn’t shared a meal with anyone in years. “Yes. Well, I asked her,” Rose explained. “I thought I was imposing on you.” Antonio leaned back slightly, his gaze steady. “You’re not acting like the person I first met. I liked you better than.” “That… that was just an act,” Rose admitted, her voice soft. “Whatever it was, I prefer that version of you,” Antonio said, his voice quiet but firm. He disliked the way she now tiptoed around him. He wanted her to be herself, not this overly cautious version. “Well… I’m sorry if I’m bothering you,” Rose replied. “Forget it,” Antonio said dismissively. “I’m eating this meal with you. You won’t refuse, will you? Because if you do, I’ll make you sit here, anyway.” Rose hesitated but eventually nodded. “Okay.” Their food was soon served. Rose looked down at the dish Antonio had ordered for her, smiling faintly before taking a bite. After lunch, Antonio abruptly left, having received an urgent call from Rossi. The Riva family had once again attacked his men, leaving one critically injured. Antonio’s patience was running thin. It was time to put an end to their provocations. The black car stopped in front of an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. Antonio stepped out, his expression masked by dark sunglasses. The audacity of Lorenzo Riva to summon him here only confirmed one thing—Lorenzo was openly declaring himself an enemy. “What should we do, sir?” Rossi asked cautiously. “Let’s see what they’re planning first,” Antonio replied coolly. The large warehouse doors creaked open. Antonio strode inside without hesitation, his presence commanding attention. “I didn’t expect a mafia boss like Antonio Sofph to lower himself to this level,” sneered Lorenzo Riva, stepping forward to confront him. “I’m not here to ‘lower myself,’” Antonio replied icily. “I’m here to see what game you’re playing. Are you trying to kill me again?” “Me? Never,” Lorenzo said mockingly. “Is that so?” Antonio’s lip curled into a dangerous smirk. “Then prepare to collect your men’s bodies.” With that, Antonio turned and walked out, leaving Lorenzo seething with rage. “You’ll be the one burying your men, Sofph!” Lorenzo’s furious voice echoed through the warehouse. “This is just the beginning!” As Antonio stepped outside, Rossi approached with concern. “Do you think they’ll stop, sir?” “No,” Antonio replied calmly, climbing into the car. “Take us back to the company.” On the drive back, Antonio gave Rossi specific orders to gather more Intel on Lorenzo Riva and his operations. The time had come to deal with him decisively. Antonio stared out the window as the car sped through the streets. The looming threat of the Rivas consumed his mind, yet thoughts of Rose kept intruding. Why am I letting her into my thoughts? “Are we heading to the casino next?” Rossi asked from the driver’s seat. “Take me to the office,” Antonio said, his voice firm. Rossi obeyed, turning the car back toward the company. Antonio knew that Lorenzo’s challenge could not go unanswered. The Rivas were pushing too far, and soon there would be consequences.