𝐒𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐟 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐫 (𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐆)

5

The Bride
°•○●♡●○•°

I've been waking up to a rose every morning since Antonio came.

Every single time I opened my eyes, on my nightstand would lay a fresh red rose, the thorns torn off and the leaves cut off.

I smiled every night before bed knowing that in the morning I would wake up to a rose Antonio picked for me.

I think I might even start liking the 'nice guy'. It felt refreshing, knowing someone was going to encourage you instead of putting you in your place.

And that was exactly what Antonio was doing.

I get ready and go on about my day until lunchtime.

I step into the official living room, noticing everyone on their phones, and one person searching through papers.

Dante Moretti.

According to my great identifying team, I found out a lot about him.

But his main occupation was being Rossi's right-hand man.

Most of the times we encountered each other he was accompanying Rossi.

Although I did notice he held less grudges on me. Even though I shot him in the arm, twice.

Antonio, who was sitting next to him, looked up at me and sent me a warm smile before scanning my body, his gaze returning to my eyes.

It made me feel special, knowing someone noticed me, not as a monster or a killer, but as someone who had days when they suffered just as much as any other human on this planet.

His affection for me came out of the blue, but I can't say I don't mind it, I just haven't got used to it.

He stands up and steps toward me.

"You look beautiful today," he said, and I could tell he was nervous.

I hear a sigh behind him and notice Moretti rolling his eyes before returning to the paper in his hand.

"Thank you, Tonio," I started calling him that last week when the rose that woke me up had a cute message written to it.

'Even asleep you look like an angel.'

I tried playing it off as cool as I showed it to Sofia, but I couldn't help but feel my heart pounding through my chest as I pictured him watching me sleep.

Making sure nobody steals me.

And it made me feel special. It made me think this deal might end up giving me some good.

°•°•°

After lunch, me and Tonio stayed in the kitchen joking around.

But I couldn't give my all into the humor while an angry son of a bitch was sitting at the table in the kitchen, gritting his teeth as he read some documents.

"We should go cycling if you don't have anything planned" I suggest and Antonio nods playfully. He then grins and looks over at Rossi who is still reading the document, even angrier than he was five minutes ago.

"Hey Theo, do you want to come cycling with us?" He asks and then lets out a throaty laugh. Rossi didn't laugh, he seemed, almost embarrassed.

He closed whatever he was reading and started leaving the kitchen.

Before walking out the door he turns to Antonio halfway.

"Even if I could, I wouldn't. I think you forget what a busy man I am and the fact that I work instead of sitting on my ass all day doing nothing, like my good-for-nothing bro-" he cut himself off the half sentence, jaw tightened, fists clenched and shoulders stiffened. And with that, he leaves.

"What was that all about," I look over at Tonio and he shrugs.

"We have a secret joke, you wouldn't get it." He ensures me and I nod, going back to joking with him.

But a piece of my mind couldn't go away from the sight of Rossi.

It didn't seem like a joke to him, and although I didn't care about it, it still felt unusual.

°•°•°

I grab the door handle as Antonio follows right behind me.

We were giggling and laughing at all the fun we had today.

Most of my work I've done before noon, and I've decided to give myself a free afternoon to spend time with Antonio.

Meaning all my calls were directed to Sofia and Lorenzo.

They weren't the biggest fans of the plan, but they let me go through with it since we were to be married.

I turn to Antonio before entering my room and just then I realize how close his face was to mine.

I let out a gasp and tried to step away but he stopped me in my tracks, his face more serious than the one before.

His hand goes on to grab my wrist and whilst I think he's about to do something to me, his thumb rubs the skin of my wrist.

His other hand cups my cheek, moving my head to look up at him.

And when I do his thumb continues doing the same motions on my cheek.

I give into the comfort his hands give me and I know what's about to happen.

His eyes scan mine, then they move to my lips and I step closer as he lowers his head.

And then happens.

His lips meet mine and I take in his warmth as much as I can.

Both of his hands cup my cheeks, as he pushes me against the door, and I lean in stepping higher to reach closer to him.

He pulls away and smiles down at me, making me feel warmth all around my body.

But then I also feel another set of eyes piercing my side. I look to my left and notice him.

Rossi standing at his door, watching us with his stoic face.

He nonchalantly left the floor and went downstairs, without giving us a second thought.

What a creep.

I was kissing his brother as he watched.

Antonio grew uncomfortable and with a peck on the lips and a warm tight hug, he sent me his goodbyes, before returning to his bedroom.

As our wedding day approaches next week, I am confident that my instincts are right - everything is going to turn out perfectly, and I might just end up being happy.

AUTHORS NOTE

I might just say that the next chapter is where the story actually begins. All of these past chapter were more like a fill in to get to know the characters and to give you some backstory on them.

I hope you guys will enjoy the rest of the story and I am so thankful for all of you reading it right now.

Toodles💋💋

21/4/2024