The Underbosses Chef [M/M]

08 - Eight - Matteo Concetta's Point Of View.

Caio grabbed a cart inside, and I knew we were going to be here longer than I wanted. He pulled out his list, and I recognized it as the one from the fridge and I had to bite back a chuckle. Caio looked over the list a few times before he spoke.

"Anything else you didn't add to the list that you want, Matteo?"

"At this second, no, but if I get an impulse for something, I'll be sure to let you know."

"Alright. You don't have to hold back. Alessio said he sent extra. If you need something, get it."

"Just how much did he send you?" I asked.

He pulled out his phone, after stopping out of the way, and after a few moments, he spoke again. "More than enough."

"That tells me nothing. What is more than enough, in numbers?"

"If you're that nosey, ask your brother."

I was nosey, but not that invested that asking my brother was warranted. But it wasn't like my brother had any shortage of money. His husband was rolling in government funding and he had more than enough money of his own. Alessio was more than comfortable with the money he had. He had to be.

Caio was slow to get his groceries, so I wandered off. Caio was quick to find me, but not quick enough. I had a pack of cookies, a block of Italian coffee, and a knife set that caught my eye.

"Matteo, you disappeared. I came to find you just a moment later. How did you find all this stuff, with a broken foot, no less?"

"I found the cookies first, the coffee was pretty close by, and the knives, they were on an end cap."

"Put them in the cart."

"Are you sure? They were a little on the pricey side."

"Put them in the cart." He said again.

I set them in the cart, with the intention of running off again, but he grabbed my wrist. And pulled to see how tight his grip was on my arm.

"Matteo, please wait for me. It's not safe for you to run about."

"Fine, But walk faster. You walk slower than my grandfather did before he died."

Caio looked offended and didn't say a word. He just followed behind me. Grabbing the things he needed. Caio avoided the aisle with the alcohol and moved onto the next one.

"What, no cheap booze nights for you?" I teased him.

"Alcohol is pointless."

"I could take it or leave it. I'm not a large fan of it, but a drink every now and again is nice."

"Alcohol does no good for anyone." Caio said, a tone to his voice that was more abrasive than I was used to. I knew Caio wasn't a drinker, but I didn't realize he felt so passionate about not drinking.

Caio and I finally made it to the tech and electronic section, and it was hard not to look at things I really didn't need. I was happy to find they had my exact watch in stock, and it was on sale. Purchasing it right at the counter, Caio and I had words in Italian when I pulled out my bank card and tapped it before he could insert his.

His mood soured further.

"Caio. I know Alessio gave you money to pay for me, but I am quite used to paying for my own things. I don't mean to offend you, I am just used to it." I said, choosing my words carefully.

It did little to help, though; he was still mad. Walking behind him, I let my shoulders sag and looked at the floor. I walked right into Caio's back, not paying attention to the fact that he had stopped walking.