Mafia's Obsession [18+]

24.

Sofia

I wake up at noon on empty bed. My sleep patterns have been shitty these days. I stayed up late and skipped breakfast in the morning. Meanwhile, Ezio gets his shit together. Always waking up early doing God knows what.

I stay a lil bit longer on bed, then dialing my brother for the latest update. I am stressing about his safety in Sicily. Though his line of work always involves danger, I feel like this time we need to be extra cautious.

"You okay?" It's currently his greetings whenever I call him. A reminder how I really hate our situation.

"Yeah. You?"

"Intact." Marco answers. I try not to stress even more. No. He'll be okay. He has to be.

"How is it going over there?" I ask, deeply curious how he's handling it. How far he's taking it. Have he eliminated all of them?

"Almost perfect." He reassures. Silently telling me it is nearly being wrapped up. I truly hope so.

I let go of the breath I am unaware I'm holding. "Thank God. Please, be safe." I say, internally praying we'll be alive when it's all over.

"I will, Sof."

We talk more about everything else. Like mom's gallery and her upcoming trip to New York. Just nothing in particular. A diversion to our current situation.

When I disconnect the call, I am feeling lighter than before. I shower and put on some floral dress before going downstairs. Ezio is having his risotto for lunch in the kitchen as I sit on the dining chair across from him. He's already dressed in navy button down. Possibly has endured morning meetings.

"Awful night?" He begins. Eyes observing quietly. I raise my eyebrow questioningly until he adds. "You tossed and turned every minute."

Now I notice the bags under his eyes completely match mine. He has been having trouble sleeping, too, unfortunately. And I wonder if it was because I made too much noise at night. Guilt suddenly fills me. Apparently, I am not the only who's in distress.

"Sorry. I'll sleep in spare room tonight." I decide without thinking. He stares at me, quite surprised by my reply.

"You've gone soft today. What happens?" His words make me scoff immediately. He doesn't deserve my softness. No. This man doesn't deserve me in general.

"I take that back." I place a slice of frittata onto my plate and take a bite. Food never fails me. I have to admit that Ezio has the best cooks.

"Good. Because I don't want us in separate bedrooms." He states, taking the last bite of his risotto. His demand makes me roll my eyes.

"Definitely attachment issue." I murmur to myself, but of course, the man has sharp ears.

"Call it what you want. It's more for safety reasons." He says, his face void of emotions. I never suspect him as clingy before, but what the hell did I know?

I just nod my head. "Sure." If he detects my sarcasm, he lets it go.

"You have plans for today?" He asks instead, diverting our conversation intentionally.

"I am the only one in the house that never has plans for the day." I reply and continue to eat. I am not bitter or anything, but it's true that I simply have nothing to do here. Only hiding until the storm subsides.

"Do you want to train?"

"Train? As in self-defense?" My eyes widen as I register his offer.

"Yes."