My Mafia Husband

CHAPTER 9

I forced a small smile, knowing that Teresa was trying to be supportive. But deep down, I couldn't help but feel a knot of anxiety in my stomach. I had no idea what Matteo really wanted from me, and I suspected that his motives were far more complex than simply wanting a domestic wife.

As lunch was finished and served, I watched Matteo sit at the head of the table, surrounded by his associates. He carried himself with confidence and authority, and his associates deferred to him with respect. It was clear that he was the undisputed head of the family, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation as I began to eat.

During the meal, Matteo occasionally glanced in my direction, his expression unreadable. I couldn't tell if he was simply monitoring my behavior or if he was secretly impressed by my cooking skills. Regardless, I made sure to maintain a polite and gracious demeanor throughout the meal, conscious of his watchful eye.

As the meal concluded, Matteo announced that he had some business to attend to in his study. I watched as he excused himself, feeling a mix of relief and unease as he left the room.

With Matteo gone, I felt a sense of tension lift from the room. His presence had a way of dominating any space he occupied, and I found myself taking a deep breath and relaxing my shoulders as he left. Teresa, who had been quietly observing the scene, turned to me with a small smile. "You did well, signora," she said softly.

"Matteo is a difficult man to please, but you handled yourself with grace and composure. I'm sure he will come to appreciate your abilities in time." I couldn't help but feel a small flicker of hope at her words. Perhaps there was a chance that I could use my cooking skills to gain some measure of respect and autonomy within this household.

After lunch, I spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the estate. I wandered through the grand halls, marveling at the opulence and extravagance of the place. But despite the beauty around me, I couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped. The walls felt like they were closing in, and the endless ticking of the clocks echoed in my ears, a constant reminder of the time slipping away from me.

As the light outside began to fade, I found myself standing in front of a pair of mahogany doors, the intricate carvings telling me that they led to Matteo's office. I hesitated for a moment, feeling my heart quicken at the thought of disturbing him while he was working.

But before I could turn away, the door opened, revealing Matteo standing there, a bemused expression on his face. "Ah," he said, a hint of mockery in his voice. "You've come to disturb me from my work. What is it that you want?"

I felt my cheeks flush at his sardonic tone, but I held my ground, trying to muster up the courage to speak. "I...I wanted to ask you something," I said awkwardly, feeling my heart race in my chest. Matteo raised an eyebrow, inviting me to continue.

"Go ahead," he said, leaning against the door frame. "I assure you, I'm listening." I took a deep breath, knowing that what I was about to ask could potentially be seen as a transgression.

"I was wondering...if perhaps I could have a key to the kitchen," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "I find it relaxing to cook, and I thought it might be nice to have access to the kitchen whenever I wanted. I promise not to disturb you or your work." Matteo studied me for a moment, his expression inscrutable.

"Interesting," he said finally, tapping his fingers on the door frame. "You want access to the kitchen, do you? I must admit, I hadn't pegged you as the domestic type. But I suppose it's harmless enough. As long as you don't get in the way of the staff or disturb my work, you may have a key."

I let out a small sigh of relief, feeling a sense of triumph at successfully asking for what I wanted. "Thank you," I said, grateful for his unexpected generosity. "I appreciate it." Matteo just nodded, giving me a small, enigmatic smile before returning to his office and closing the door behind him.

I turned away from the door, feeling a mix of relief and confusion. It seemed that Matteo was not as completely controlling as I had initially thought. Perhaps there was room for some independence within the confines of this marriage after all.

As I made my way back through the hallways, I began to wonder if there was more to Matteo than met the eye. Was he truly the cold, calculating criminal mastermind he appeared to be, or was there something deeper beneath the surface?

The sound of footsteps behind me snapped me out of my thoughts, and I turned to see the bodyguard, Antonio, walking a few steps behind me. His presence served as a constant reminder of Matteo's watchful eye.

I continued on my way, acutely aware of Antonio trailing behind me like a silent shadow. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at his constant presence, knowing that he was reporting back to Matteo on my every move.

As I turned a corner, I spotted a set of glass doors that led to a beautiful conservatory. I paused for a moment, admiring the lush greenery and colorful flowers inside. But Antonio cleared his throat behind me, a subtle reminder that my every action was under his watchful gaze.

Reluctantly, I turned away from the glass doors and continued walking through the maze of hallways. As I passed by a grand staircase, I noticed a group of servants standing at the bottom, whispering amongst themselves. Their gazes flickered over to me, and I wondered what they were saying.

I tried to ignore their gossiping and focused on the sound of my footsteps echoing in the empty corridor. But their whispers followed me down the hallway, a constant reminder of my role as the new wife of the family.

As I finally reached my room and closed the door behind me, I couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider in this house. The servants gossiped behind my back, Antonio followed my every move, and Matteo remained an enigma, his true motives and intentions always hidden behind a mask of ruthlessness.