[BL] The Mafia Boss Chapter 53: Between Pride and Love

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Between Pride and Love

Without another word, Matteo turned and walked toward his car, leaving Adrian standing there alone...

Adrian stood in the quiet parking lot for a long mont, the engine of his waiting car humming softly, almost in sync with his racing heart. He couldn’t go ho, not to that big, silent mansion where the walls only echoed his thoughts.

"To Charles’s house," Adrian said as he got into the car.

When he reached the house and rang the bell, Charles opened the door, clearly surprised. It was late, and Adrian rarely went out at night.

"Adrian? What are you doing here this late?" Charles asked, stepping aside. "Co in, man."

Adrian walked inside and sank onto the sofa, staring blankly at the wall. He didn’t say a word, even after Charles handed him a drink. He just sat there, the ice in his glass lting until Charles finally sat across from him.

"Okay, talk to ," Charles said gently. "Is everything okay? You’re acting weird."

"Everything is fine," Adrian said. "I just... I didn’t want to go ho yet. I wanted to hang out. That’s all."

"Should I call Frank? We could head out for a bit," Charles suggested, reaching for his phone.

"No!" Adrian said, a little too quickly. "No, let’s just stay here. It’s fine."

Charles leaned back, crossing his arms. He knew that tone. "Adrian, you can’t hide anything from . Your face is an open book. What happened?"

Adrian took a slow sip of his drink, his gaze dropping to his lap. "I saw him today, Charles."

Charles frowned. "You saw who?"

"Matteo," Adrian replied quietly. "He ca to see ."

Charles sat up straight, his eyes widening. "Matteo? As in Matteo? Where? When? Adrian, that’s huge. You’ve been waiting three months for this, why do you look like sothing went wrong?"

"He ca to the studio," Adrian said. "I was with Iris. We ended up in the elevator together, and he just... waved. Like we were nothing more than casual acquaintances."

"And then?" Charles prompted.

"And then I saw him in the parking lot after Iris left," Adrian murmured. "I thought... I don’t even know what I expected. But it didn’t go well. The first thing he did was accuse

of not visiting him in the hospital. He was just... being Matteo."

Charles looked at him. "You were expecting sothing more, weren’t you? Like... he’d co closer, maybe hug you."

Adrian frowned imdiately. "No. I was telling you he didn’t handle the conversation well. I didn’t say anything else."

Charles watched him for a mont, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"So what exactly is your problem?" he said. "Is it because he didn’t co close to you? Didn’t try to kiss you or hug you the mont he saw you? Or is it that you don’t want him anymore... Or you were expecting him to take you ho like he used to?"

Adrian’s face flushed deep red. He quickly looked away, trying to hide it. "Stop it. Who would want to follow soone like him ho?" he said, a little too fast. "I’m just saying... he didn’t handle the conversation well. It was awkward and aggressive."

"Adrian, be real," Charles said, his voice turning serious but kind. "Matteo is trying to change his entire life for you. He’s a mafia boss trying to learn how to love, he doesn’t exactly have a manual on ’how to have a sensitive conversation.’ Be honest with . Why are you really angry?"

Adrian remained silent, his thumb tracing the rim of his glass.

"What was your first impression when the elevator opened?" Charles asked.

"I didn’t have one," Adrian lied. Then, seeing Charles’s skeptical look, he sighed. "Fine. He looked... good. Healthy. Stronger than before. He looked exactly like the man I... rembered."

"Aha!" Charles pointed a finger at him. "Be honest. You expected him to rush over, sweep you off your feet, and tell you how much he missed you, didn’t you?"

"Maybe," Adrian murmured. "I wasn’t expecting it, but... I wouldn’t have minded if he did. Instead, he told

I was ’his’ and then made a comnt about Iris. It was infuriating."

Charles let out a loud, teasing laugh, shaking his head.

"Stop it! It’s not funny, Charles!"

"It’s a little funny," Charles said, his expression turning more serious. "Listen, Adrian... you need to stop hiding behind your pride. There’s nothing wrong with how you feel. There’s nothing wrong with loving him and there’s nothing wrong with showing it."

He paused, then continued gently.

"Think about the last ti you saw him. You two weren’t on good terms. So how did you expect him to act? Rush in and kiss you? He wouldn’t risk that. He was probably afraid you’d push him away again. And you did."

Adrian stared at the floor, his heart sinking. "Are you saying... he won’t co to

again?"

Charles laughed softly, shaking his head. "We’re talking about Matteo Marcone. He’s not the type to give up on what he wants. He’ll be back."

Adrian let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair. "Charles... what am I supposed to do?" he muttered. "I’m worried... about my father, about my family. If they find out about him... If they find out I’m with a man, the disappointnt will be unbearable. Especially Maya. I don’t want to hurt her."

Charles’s expression hardened, his protective side finally showing. "I understand worrying about your sister, Adrian. She’s always been there for you. But your father? Forget him."

"Charles—"

"No, listen to ," Charles interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. "The only reason that man called you back after all these years was for a transaction. He wants to use you and Iris to seal so political or business deal. Why do you suddenly care about the opinion of a man who chased you away when you were twelve? You only went back because you were lonely and wanted a family, but that man isn’t ’family.’ He’s a shark."

Adrian looked away, knowing Charles was right but still feeling the weight of his bloodline.

"I don’t give a damn about Iris," Charles continued. "She’s a nice girl, but you don’t love her. It’s obvious. And I don’t care what your father wants. The only thing I care about is who makes you happy."

He held Adrian’s gaze. "If your sister gets angry, let her. She’ll co around eventually when she sees that you’re living again instead of just existing like a ghost. What you should be working on right now isn’t how to please your father, it’s how to fix things with Matteo. Don’t let your father’s ’blessing’ dictate your life. Care about the man who took a bullet for you."

Adrian gripped his glass. "You make it sound so simple."

"It is simple," Charles replied. "It’s just not easy. But staying with Iris while your heart is with a man who’s ready to burn the world down for you? That’s the hardest path of all, Adrian. Don’t choose the one that leaves you empty at the end of the day."

Adrian let those words settle in the quiet of the room. After a few more minutes of talking, Adrian checked his watch and realized how late it had beco.

"I should get going," Adrian said, standing up.

"Get so sleep," Charles replied, walking him to the door. "And think about what I said."

Adrian nodded, stepped into his car, and let the driver take him back ho.

The house was dark and imposing as they pulled up the long driveway. Adrian headed straight to his bedroom, the silence of the halls feeling heavier than usual. He was in the middle of unbuttoning his shirt and setting his watch on the nightstand when his phone vibrated on the mattress.

He glanced at the screen. His heart skipped a beat when he saw the na flashing: Matteo.

"So... You still have my number?" Adrian whispered to the empty room.

He hesitated, his thumb hovering over the screen as the phone continued to hum. Finally, he swiped to answer. "Hello?"

"It took you a while to get ho," Matteo’s voice ca through. "Where did you go?"

Adrian stiffened, his eyes darting to the window. "What do you an? How do you know when I got ho?"

"I’ve been waiting," Matteo replied simply. "I saw your car pull in just now. Where were you?"

"Where are you?" Adrian asked, his pulse quickening.

"I’m in front of your gate," Matteo said. "Can I co inside?"

Adrian let out a frustrated breath. "No, Matteo. Just go ho. It’s late already."

"I’m alone, Rian."

Adrian paused, his brow furrowing. "What do you an, you’re alone? Where are your bodyguards? Where is Harry?"

"I said I’m alone," Matteo repeated, and Adrian could hear the faint sound of the wind through the receiver. "Just . No cars, no security. Just

standing here in the dark."

Adrian felt a surge of genuine panic. "Are you insane? You’re standing outside my gate in the middle of the night with no protection? After everything that happened?"

"Yeah," Matteo said, his voice sounding tired but calm. "So, if you don’t co and let

in, I guess I’ll just stay out here. I’m not leaving until I see you."

"You are absolutely out of your mind!" Adrian hissed, already grabbing his slides. "Fine! Stay there. I’m coming down."

Adrian didn’t even stop to grab a jacket. He rushed out of his room...