My Mafia Husband

CHAPTER 5

The next day, I woke up feeling a sense of unease, knowing that Matteo and I would have to continue our act in public. I spent the morning preparing myself, mentally and physically, for the day ahead. I dressed up in a beautiful dress and did my makeup, making sure I looked the part of the perfect mafia wife.

As I emerged from my room into the living room, Matteo was already waiting for me, dressed in a sharp suit and looking like the epitome of power. He surveyed me with a critical eye, his gaze roaming over my appearance.

"You look presentable," he said, his tone lacking any warmth. "Let's go." Matteo leads me out of the house and into the car, his hand firmly on my lower back as he guides me towards the passenger seat.

As we drive to our destination, I can feel the tension between us mounting. I steal sidelong glances at Matteo as he drives, trying to gauge what he's thinking. But his expression remains stoic and impassive, giving nothing away.

We arrive at a grand manor, surrounded by manicured gardens and expensive cars. I can tell that it must belong to a person of great wealth and influence. As we approach the door, Matteo turns to me and whispers, "Remember, you have to continue playing the part. Laugh at my side, touch me affectionately, and act like a real wife. Understood?"

I nod "Yeah"

We walk into the manor, greeted by the sound of chatter and laughter. Immediately, Matteo takes charge, introducing me to various people as his new wife. Everyone seems genuinely surprised and happy for us, offering their congratulations and wishing us well. Matteo plays the part of the dotting husband perfectly, his hand constantly at the small of my back or wrapped around my waist.

We make our way through the crowd, mingling and conversing with ease. As we talk, Matteo occasionally stops to whisper something in my ear or place a gentle kiss on my cheek. It's all for show, I remind myself, but I can't help but feel a flutter in my chest at his touch.

As the evening progresses, alcohol is flowing freely and the atmosphere becomes more rowdy. Matteo seems to fit right in, regaling the crowd with anecdotes and exchanging friendly jabs with the men. I stay by his side, laughing at his jokes and offering compliments where necessary.

Later in the night, a few of Matteo's business partners approach us and offer their congratulations on our marriage. One man remarks that he always knew Matteo had a soft spot for beautiful women, which earns a chuckle from the group. Matteo laughs along with them, but his grip on my waist tightens slightly. It's subtle, a hint of his possessive nature.

The man seems oblivious to Matteo's reaction but I notice it, my heart racing as I feel the possessive grip he has on me. As the night continues, Matteo's touch and presence become more possessive. He often keeps his hand on my lower back or wrapped around my waist, as if staking his claim on me in front of his colleagues.

As the night progresses, the group of men become more drunk and rowdy. They start exchanging stories and making crude jokes, completely losing any sense of decorum. One man leans over and pats my thigh, his hand lingering for a moment too long. Matteo quickly intervenes, his hand grabbing the man's wrist with a firm grip.

Matteo glares at the man, the coldness in his gaze enough to send shivers down my spine. "Keep your hands to yourself," he growls, his voice low and dangerous. The man quickly apologizes, stumbling over his words as he tries to save face. Matteo releases him, keeping his arm wrapped possessively around my waist as the conversation resumes.

The atmosphere seems to have shifted, the mood taking a darker turn. Matteo's grip on me remains firm, but I can feel his muscles tensing as he remains on high alert. For the rest of the night, he keeps a close eye on the other men, making sure no one crosses the line again. Despite the tension, I can't help but feel a sense of safety and security in his presence.

As the party comes to an end, Matteo guides me towards the exit, his hand still firmly at the small of my back. He exchanges goodbyes with the remaining guests, and we finally make our way outside, the cool night air a relief after the stifling atmosphere of the manor.

As we climb into the car, Matteo leans back in his seat and lets out a deep sigh. The tension in his shoulders starts to ease, his jaw unclenching slightly. We drive in silence for a few moments before Matteo finally speaks.

"That was quite the ordeal," he mutters. "Those men got a bit too rowdy for my liking. I don't want anyone disrespecting you or touching you like that again."

I feel a rush of gratitude and warmth at Matteo's words, touched by his protective nature. Despite his cold demeanor and possessive tendencies, there was a part of him that cared deeply for me, even if it was just for appearances.

He turns to me, the corner of his mouth lifting in a barely perceptible smile. "You did well tonight, I almost believed it myself."

I smile back at him, feeling a strange sense of contentment. Maybe this arrangement wasn't as bad as I thought. With Matteo's protective nature and our shared moments of warmth, we could almost pretend we were a real couple. Almost.

The rest of the car ride back to the house was filled with a comfortable silence, both of us lost in our thoughts. When we arrived at the house, Matteo walked me to my bedroom door, his eyes locking with mine. "Goodnight, mia cara," he murmured softly, his thumb grazing my cheek.

"Goodnight, Matteo," I replied, feeling a flutter in my chest at the unexpected softness in his voice. As I slipped into my bedroom, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness that this moment of tender connection would fade into the cold reality of our business arrangement.

The rest of the night was spent tossing and turning, my thoughts swirling endlessly in my head. Matteo's possessive nature and tender moments had left me feeling confused and conflicted. On one hand, I was grateful for his protection and small moments of affection. On the other, I knew that this was all a part of his role as my husband and nothing more.