Twisted Fixation

『 Chapter 17 』

She was so stunned at that sudden voice that she almost jumped directly to the water if she did not hold on to the handrail just in time.

"Oh, I did not realize that you are a little jumpy. Are you alright?"

The man who spoke came to her side and touched her arm in an attempt to get her off the water.

"I am fine. Please do not just touch me without my consent," she mouthed. The man realizing the meaning of her words quickly let her go and even raised his hands.

"I do apologize. I was just trying to help."

She narrowed her eyes on that. "Do I look like I need it?" she asked languidly but the man just smiled at that.

She looked at him closely. If her guess is right, they could be the same age or perhaps he is just a year or two older than her. He is attractive too but not on the same aspect as Giancarlo whose charisma is manly compared to this man in front of him who could be mistaken as a matinee idol. He has silver hair and a pair of aqua blue eyes which is the same color of the water in the pool.

And for a reason, he looked familiar to her.

"This is the first time that Giancarlo is with a woman who is feisty. Usually, he only likes those who would simply be on his side like a doll."

"I am not his woman. I work for him."

The man raised a brow at that as if amused. "For someone who works for him, aren't you a little too available? His soldiers don't usually get to spend their time sitting idly by the pool."

"Aleksei."

They both looked at the owner of the voice and saw Giancarlo and Favio walking in their direction.

"Cosa ti porta qui?" (What brings you here?) the question was for the man called Aleksei but Giancarlo's gaze is fixated on her.

"Non è normale andare a trovare il mio capo?" (Isn't it normal to visit my boss?)

"Signorina, follow me this way please," it was Favio who led her back inside the villa leaving Giancarlo and Aleksei.

Perhaps the two have something private to discuss that even someone like Favio couldn't join, or maybe that was the only way for her to be removed from the situation. She is certain that she has seen that man before, but she can't remember where. 

"You could have seen that man already. He is Aleksei Martin. A formula one racer being sponsored by Morituro."

She responded by nodding her head. Now it all makes sense. Giancarlo, after all, not only owns multimillion dollar companies, but he also sponsors some Olympians and athletes both domestically and abroad. That is essentially one of the reasons he has gained some people's respect despite being the mafia boss.

If her memory serves her right, she had once watched Aleksei's race on the television because her father used to do that and she even had to sacrifice the series she was watching then.

"I was just thinking that he looked familiar. Thank you for telling me that without even me asking," she said affectionately to Favio who just gave her a polite nod.

She wanted to ask him about the work that Giancarlo was talking about that they haven't even eaten breakfast yet but before she thought that it is the mafia's business that she is not officially a part of yet. Sure, Giancarlo considers her as one of his people already but she has yet to swear the Omertà.

"The boss mentioned that Signorina hasn't had anything yet for breakfast. The chef did prepare something at the dining area so please help yourself. If it isn't to your preference, just let the kitchen know."