Relationship Status: Mafia

Chapter 42

_________Alice POV________

The sun finally decided to shine brightly the following day, and I was able to witness the sunrise for the first time in a very long time. I missed watching the sun as ridiculous as that may sound when I say it to myself. It's been a couple of days since I last saw it rise or set.

It's calming in a way ever since I've been taken away from my normal life. It is a welcomed distraction that took me away from the memories of my cement prison. However, it did little to soothe my nerves about Matsuo.

He's not a man of many words or kind words for that matter, and he left right after saying I was his yesterday on the bench. Today, I'm still in shock and taken aback by Matsuo, and hell, I think he is, too.

Immediately, he rushed off without an explanation like a bolt of lightning, and I don't think I wanted to hear one at that moment with it being far too awkward. I'm glad Matsuo left in a hurry after saying I was his because I am at a total loss for words. Never in my life has anyone ever said that to me like that, so how was I supposed to respond?

I let out an irritated grunt as I fell back onto my be, staring aimlessly at the white ceiling as the fan slowly spins.

Matsuo is like a Rubik's cube. As soon as I discover one side of him, there's another, upon discovering those many sides is endless and utter confusion. Complex would be an understatement to describe that mysterious yet vulnerable man that is downstairs.

However, the most confusing and surprising part of this situation is that I want to discover these sides of him. I'm afraid that this "arrangement" has become something more to me. I've plunged too deep into this pool of danger never to resurface again, and I'm the only one to blame for this ever since the beginning. My dammed curiosity had led me down this winding road of never-ending trouble at every turn and stop.

Why did I have to follow my gut?

I sighed as I rolled over onto my side and allowed my eyes to wander the landscape outside the glass, sliding doors of the bedroom. What am I even supposed to do now? Just wait here alone with Matsuo?

I would just stay in my room if it prolonged the inevitability of running into Matsuo. Even if I want to avoid him, I've been locked up long enough. So, despite the uncertain feelings I have of running into Matsuo at some point in this house, I decided to venture out and crack the door open to peer out into the hallway. When I am sure it's clear, I step out looking ahead at the large window at the end near the bathroom.

I take a minute to listen to birds happily chirping outside perched on a tree branch. That was new. It has been many years since I'd heard these many birds chirping at once that weren't pigeons. Slowly, I make my way down the stairs, careful not to make a sound. At the bottom, I look into the living area, finding it empty, then the kitchen before walking out into the open.

Matsuo must be in his room.

In the back of the house, I discovered a study room filled to the brim with books. Unlike the books in Matsuo's office, these were story books. I spot a few classics; Pride and Prejudice, Hamlet, and Jane Eyre. Instinctively, I grab Jane Eyre flipping through the pages. It's one of the few books I remember reading in college, I smile to myself as I continue to skim through the variety of books. I carried three books around the room until Matsuo, who I hadn't realized had been watching me for some time, cleared his throat rather loudly. My focus is brought to the doorway, meeting his eyes and then quickly looking away.

"Um-I was just grabbing something to read."

I walk out in a hurry, passing him when I exit the study. The sensation of him watching me the entire time made my leave even more awkward while trying to scurry up the stairs. Once I was in the safety of my room, I took a much-needed deep breath to calm the hammering in my chest. I rest my forehead against the door with my eyes closed. Why am I like this? I nearly scream when there's a knock at the door and when I'm in the middle of a panic attack.

"Yes?" I don't bother to open the door.

"Dinner will be ready soon if you want to join me," Matsuo said from the other side.

"O-okay."

God help me.

When I am sitting on the edge of the bed, I set the books I've acquired on the nightstand nearby. That was the first time Matsuo spoke to me, and it was about dinner. I should've expected him to brush aside those words from yesterday. It's not like him to deal with this sort of thing mature and levelheaded. Maybe I'm just working up over nothing. It's just words. They don't mean anything. It is best not to be hopeful when this will most definitely end in disappointment.

It is time to distract me because my thoughts are getting way too active for my fragile mental state. I reach for a book on the nightstand selecting the first book I had chosen; reading should consume my attention, at least until dinner.

By the time I get to the tenth or so chapter my stomach growls, I look out of the glass sliding doors, noticing the sun dipping in the sky. Have I been reading that long? Reading did the trick of distracting me, but sadly, it won't for much longer. I folded the corner of the page and placed it back on the nightstand with the rest of the books.

In the kitchen, the lights were dimmed, which I found odd, and a candle was lit on the table right in the center.

What the hell?

The table is set with silverware that sparkled in the dim lighting; it looked a little over the top for a simple dinner. The only dinners I've had like this is when Matsuo took me out as his mistress, so this isn't adding up a single bit. The blue curtains behind the round table are pulled aside, revealing the starry night sky. From another woman's point of view, they would perceive this setting as romantic. On the other hand, find it strange and out of character for Matsuo. I definitely did not expect dinner to be by candlelight and have a view of the stars.

Matsuo walked over from the kitchen stove with two plates in each hand. I gawked at him wearing a silk shirt that fit him very nicely with a few buttons undone at the top. I felt undressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans standing barefoot in the dining room. I sniffed the air, smelling a delicious aroma coming over from the plates he was holding. Hesitantly, I step up onto a chair looking down at the dish Matsuo cooked, and to my surprise, it's risotto.

"Hungry?" Matsuo asked with a faint smile.

I look up into his eyes, nodding eagerly. He sat across from me, uncorking a wine bottle like he had done this a million times. As I sat, he poured some red wine into two crystal wine glasses. At this moment, I wished for stronger alcohol to drown the building nerves coursing through my body. Just being around Matsuo has my heart performing gymnastics in my chest, and the way he is acting is all too confusing, but I liked it.

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