The Underbosses Chef [M/M]

40 - Forty - Matteo Concetta's Point Of View.

Waking up, I looked at the ceiling. Caio was still asleep beside me. Checking the clock, it was only six seventeen in the morning. Things between Caio and I settled down last night, and we both returned to the same bed, enjoying each other's presence before passing out. I finally felt well rested. I took a few moments to appreciate the peace and quiet, feeling the warmth from Caio's body next to me and the soft sheets around us. I knew I had to get up soon, but I wanted to take a few moments to be grateful for the moment.

Slipping out of the bed, I flexed my fingers, and they were sore, but not enough to stop me from heading for a good workout. I would have loved to stay in bed with Caio longer, but I couldn't. I am wide awake now. Even though he was asleep, I leaned over and pressed a kiss to his temple and whispered that I was heading to the gym. I would be back shortly.

Tossing gym appropriate clothing on, I grabbed my headphones, my phone and slipped my shoes on at the door. Luca almost took me out with one of the front doors as he came running through it.

"Shit, Sorry, Teo. I'm fucking late to help your brother with an issue and he's—---"

"Go, Go. Don't worry about me." I said, waving him off.

I walked over to the fitness center and got inside, slipping in my headphones, tossing on a rock playlist. I hopped on a treadmill and started warming up. While warming up, all I could think about was Luca's quick pace and the issue my brother was having. That sounded more exciting than I cared for, but the urge was still there to find out what it was. I wondered if Vito was going to be called to that issue, too.

I nearly jumped out of my skin the next time I looked up, and Ilya was standing there, looking rather unamused and bored. I pulled a single headphone out and looked at him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Your father is over there, with Andrei." Ilya said, his eyes shining with mischief. And something else I couldn't place.

"So he let you out then, for?"

"Exercise, Vito insulted my thighs this morning." He hissed.

"Oh, did he?" I said, honestly wanting to know what Vito had said to Ilya.

"He said I have the thighs of a curvy woman." He groaned, pinching his thigh before he hissed. "Call me slightly overweight, or whatnot, but don't compare me to a woman."

"Did my brother mention your weight was a concern?"

"No, Not at all. He said I was fit and healthy." Ilya said, flatly.

"Then I wouldn't worry too much about it. Alessio is your doctor, not Vito, he's just—---"

"I am just what, Matteo?"

"An overpaid babysitter." I said, finishing my sentence, and tucking the extra headphone back into the case that was in my pocket.

"And Caio is what?" Vito snapped back, showing some attitude towards the comment.

"Caio is my boyfriend, for your information." I said flatly, changing the speed on the treadmill to a walking speed. "Now, come around the front of the treadmill if you want to argue with me. It's no fun when I can see your reactions."

"How did you ignore this? He screams your attitude, Vito. Christ." Ilya complained.

Vito came around the front of the treadmill and crossed his arms. "Did Caio and you work out your issues last night?"

"Yes. Thank heavens."

"If you want it to work between you two, find neutral ground, something you both can agree on wanting, and settle there. You have something together, I've seen it. You can build a sound foundation for communication and understanding. Have that, and it's like storm protection on a house." Vito said, and Ilya looked at him, almost amazed by his words.