Mafia's heartbeat

"Morning of Departures"

Third person's pov :

The next morning arrived, bringing a sense of calm after a long sleep that had enveloped Marco and Ben for nearly sixteen hours. The previous afternoon had slipped into a restful night, and now the first light of the day began to filter through the curtains. Marco was the first to stir, gently disentangling himself from Ben, who was still lost in sleep.

Marco moved quietly, not wanting to disturb the peaceful figure beside him. After freshening up, he noticed that Ben was still deep in slumber. Deciding to give him a bit more time, Marco made his way downstairs to prepare some coffee and breakfast. As he busied himself in the kitchen, his phone buzzed with messages and notifications that required his attention. It was while he was scrolling through them that Liam and Enzo entered the room, their expressions serious.

"Boss, we've got a situation in the Paris office," Liam said, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "There's some critical work that needs your personal oversight. You'll need to leave by tomorrow."

Marco frowned, torn between his responsibilities. He didn't want to leave Ben, especially after everything that had happened. However, he knew that his presence was crucial in Paris. Work couldn't wait.

"Can't you two handle it?" Marco asked, though he already knew the answer.

"Not this time, Marco," Enzo replied. "You're the only one who can manage this. It's too important to delegate."

Reluctantly, Marco agreed, but only after ensuring that Ben would be safe in his absence. He immediately called his father, Don Valentino, to inform him of the situation. Marco explained that he'd be leaving for Paris but wanted to make sure Ben was well-protected in his absence.

Don Valentino assured Marco that he would move into the house to oversee everything personally. "Don't worry, son," his father said in a voice filled with authority and reassurance. "I'll make sure everything runs smoothly here."

Meanwhile, Ben slowly woke up, reaching out to the side of the bed where Marco usually slept, only to find it empty. A pang of anxiety shot through him, but he calmed himself down, realizing Marco wouldn't have gone far. He freshened up and made his way downstairs, his steps a little slower due to his still-recovering condition.

As Ben entered the kitchen, he found Marco, Liam, and Enzo deep in a serious discussion. The moment Ben appeared, their conversation came to a halt. Marco quickly masked his concern with a warm smile, walking over to Ben.

"Good morning, princess," Marco greeted, leaning down to place a soft kiss on Ben's forehead.

Ben blushed at the endearment, his heart fluttering at the simple affection. "Good morning," he murmured back, his smile growing as he looked up at Marco. But he couldn't shake the feeling that something was being kept from him. "What were you guys talking about?"

Marco, not wanting to worry Ben, gently brushed off the question. "Nothing you need to worry about, just some business matters."

They all sat down to breakfast, where Marco finally broke the news to Ben that he would need to go to the office for some important work. "I'll be gone for a while today, and I might have to leave for Paris tomorrow. But don't worry, Liam will be here with you, and Miss Agatha will keep you company. You can even invite your friends over, just stay safe and don't push yourself too much."

Ben's initial disappointment was clear, but he nodded understandingly. "I'll be fine, Marco. You don't have to worry about me."

Marco smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He stood up and took Ben's hand, leading him back upstairs to the bedroom where he began to get ready. As Marco buttoned up his shirt and adjusted his tie, Ben watched him from the bed, admiring how effortlessly handsome he looked. Before leaving, Marco leaned down to give Ben a lingering kiss, their lips meeting in a tender moment that spoke of both love and reassurance.