The Mafia Queen's Obsession gxg

Goodnight Little Fox

Ayla's eyes welled up with tears as she gently took the box. "Amos... you didn't have to."

"I did," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "You've grown into someone I'm so proud of, and I had no part in it. This is the least I can do."

Amos chuckled nervously. "Noted."

Ayla carefully opened the box, revealing a delicate bracelet with a small charm—a pen and a camera, symbolizing her journey as a journalist. She gasped softly. "Amos, this is beautiful."

"I thought it fit," Amos said, his smile genuine.

Ayla hugged him tightly again, her voice trembling. "Thank you. This means so much."

Nico, leaning against the wall, smirked. "Alright, so it wasn't a kidnapping. But next time, man, maybe a heads-up?"

Amos laughed, the tension finally breaking. "Deal."

As the group continued finalizing the decorations, Nico quietly excused himself, muttering something about needing a quick break. Ayla, busy rummaging through a closet for more streamers, barely registered his departure.

A few minutes later, Ayla opened the closet door again to grab a box of candles and froze mid-motion. Inside, in a rather compromising position, she saw Amos and Nico sharing a heated kiss. The surprise rendered her speechless for a moment, her hand gripping the edge of the door as she tried to process what she was seeing.

"Uh..." Ayla finally managed, her voice breaking the silence.

Amos and Nico immediately broke apart, their faces flushing with embarrassment. Nico quickly adjusted his shirt, while Amos scratched the back of his neck, looking anywhere but at Ayla.

"This... isn't what it looks like," Nico started, his tone utterly unconvincing.

Ayla raised an eyebrow, folding her arms. "Really? Because it looks exactly like what it looks like."

Amos sighed, giving Nico a quick glance before stepping forward. "Look, Ayla, I—"

"Save it," Ayla interrupted, her tone surprisingly light. "You don't need to explain anything. I just wasn't expecting to walk in on that while trying to grab candles for Selene's party."

Nico looked sheepish. "Sorry, Ayla. We didn't mean for you to find out like this."

Ayla chuckled, closing the closet door halfway to give them some privacy. "Well, now I know why Nico's been so chipper these past few days. I should've guessed."

Amos rubbed his temples. "Can we maybe talk about this later? Preferably when we're not in a closet?"

"Fine, fine," Ayla teased, stepping back. "But just so you know, you're not off the hook. I'll be grilling both of you later."

Nico groaned. "Great..."

Ayla couldn't help but smile to herself. It wasn't every day you stumbled upon something like this, but she was happy for them. Amos deserved a bit of happiness, and Nico clearly brought out a lighter side in him she rarely saw. With that thought, she grabbed the candles she needed and rejoined the others, keeping her discovery to herself—for now.

As Ayla walked away, she couldn't help but smile to herself. It wasn't every day you stumbled upon something like this, but she was happy for them. Amos deserved a bit of happiness, and Nico clearly brought out a lighter side in him she rarely saw. With that thought, she grabbed the candles she needed and rejoined the others, keeping her discovery to herself—for now.

The decorations were finally complete. The hall was dazzling with colorful balloons, streamers, and twinkling lights. A banner reading "Happy Birthday, Selene!" hung prominently across the room. Giovanni was fine-tuning the music playlist, Leo was double-checking the cake delivery, and Nico—looking slightly flustered but happy—was helping Amos arrange the gifts.

Ayla stepped back, admiring their collective effort. "This is perfect," she said with a satisfied smile. "She's going to love it."

As the others nodded in agreement, Ayla glanced at the clock. "Alright, I'm going to get Selene and make sure she doesn't suspect anything. Everyone, act normal!"

With that, Ayla made her way to their room, finding Selene sitting on the bed, scrolling through her phone. She looked up as Ayla entered, her face softening with a smile. "There you are," Selene said. "I was starting to wonder if you'd abandoned me."

"Never," Ayla replied, walking over and sitting beside her. "Come on, let's head to bed. Tomorrow's going to be a busy day."

Selene tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Busy how?"

Ayla feigned innocence, shrugging. "You know, just... usual stuff."

Selene narrowed her eyes playfully. "You're a terrible liar, you know that?"

Ayla grinned, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "And you're too good at reading me. Now, come on. Let's get some rest."

Selene sighed but followed Ayla's lead. As they settled into bed, Ayla nestled close, resting her head on Selene's shoulder. Selene ran her fingers through Ayla's hair, a content hum escaping her lips.

"Whatever you're planning," Selene murmured, "just remember, I don't need much. As long as you're by my side, it's enough."

Ayla's heart swelled, but she kept her secret. "Goodnight, Selene," she whispered, closing her eyes.

"Goodnight, little fox," Selene replied softly, holding her close as they drifted off to sleep.

There was a playful glint in Ayla's eyes, and her cheeks were flushed with anticipation.