Relationship Status: Mafia

Chapter 48

_______ Alice POV_______

It's like a ghost had appeared by the way Matsuo stared at the woman he called Nanomi. The way they stared longingly into each other's eyes made my chest hurt. There was something unspoken that transpired in the air between them. I fear that I picked up what it was.

"It's been a while, Toma, you look good." She smiled at Matsuo, and then her eyes shifted to me. "I apologize for walking in unannounced. I am Nanomi Kaneko. It's nice to meet you."

Nanomi bowed her head slightly, which took me by surprise. The last time I met a woman who is an acquaintance of Matsuo, she stabbed my foot with her heel. So, it's kinda new to have someone greet me so kindly, besides Anne.

"I'm Alice, a pleasure to meet you." I offered a smile in return.

She is very small compared to her brother. Her face is shaped like a V with high cheekbones that add to the regal and proper air that surrounds her.

Matsuo remained silent beside me staring at Nanomi almost unblinking. I nudged him with my elbow on his side to bring him back to reality.

"Uh, um I'm sorry, Nanomi, I wasn't expecting you, just your brother."

"She insisted on joining me and I can't say no to my little sister, you know what that's like, Toma." Kenji casually walks up standing beside his sister.

At this point, all eyes are on Matsuo waiting for a response at any minute now. I leaned in closer to make sure he didn't stop breathing.

"He's so happy to see you, he's speechless." I talk for him when all else fails.

Kenji shared a look with Nanomi before turning their attention to me.

"Now must not be the best time to discuss business, but maybe we can continue this later, maybe at dinner?"

Kenji tries to salvage the situation at hand when Matsuo is as silent as a corpse. He really is useless at the moment, leaving me to deal with these people I don't know in the slightest bit.

"That sounds like a good idea, um-I'll have someone contact you ASAP." At this point, I am doing all the talking which is quite the switch-up in our arrangement. "It was nice to meet you, Kenji and Nanomi."

Unfortunately, my ungifted tongue butchered their names when I tried to pronounce them. I hope I didn't offend either of them, they seem nice compared to our usual company. Kenji and Nanomi still smiled at me in return.

"We'll be waiting."

They took their leave exiting the room, and I was left alone with Matsuo. I look back at him watching as he loosens his tire around his neck. He took his seat while raking a hand through his hair and ruffled it.

I smacked Matsuo's shoulder, "What happened there, Mr. Freeze?"

He didn't even flinch from the impact and remained stewing in his thoughts. This time I walk around to put the desk between us giving him space.

"Why did you agree to dinner?" Matsuo finally spoke burying his face in his hands.

I tilt my head, "It's not like you were so talkative a minute ago. Someone had to speak!"

Matsuo just sat there unmoving for a few minutes, and I began to think I needed to leave the office. As I began to get up he picked up his head when he sensed movement. My ass met the seat again just by the glare he threw at me. He reached for the phone and began to dial a number. I sat idly by with my hands in my lap as Matsuo spoke in Japanese on the phone. When he hung up, immediately he stood up and I followed suit.