Chapter 24 Falling Deeper
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rose nodded in response and carefully pushed herself out of Antonio’s embrace, mindful of his wound. Yet, he showed no intention of letting her go.
“Let me go, or I’ll hurt your wound,” she insisted.
“Don’t squirm. If you stay still, you won’t hurt me,” he replied, his voice teasing yet firm.
“Let me go,” she repeated, trying to rise from his lap. But Antonio’s arms remained firm around her.
Irritated, Rose shot him a look of displeasure, only to realize her efforts were futile. Resigned, she stilled her movements, turning her face away from him in frustration.
Antonio couldn’t help but chuckle at her stubbornness. Finally, he loosened his arms, allowing her to get up. Rose immediately stood and moved to his side, picking up the fallen towel and placing it neatly on a chair. She then walked over to retrieve a fresh towel.
“My work is dangerous,” Antonio began, breaking the silence. “No matter where I go, I’m constantly surrounded by enemies.”
Rose paused, glancing at him before sitting beside him to continue wiping his back. She rinsed the towel, wrung it out, and returned to her seat to clean his arms.
“I’ve never trusted anyone,” he continued, his voice steady but reflective. “Their business partners betrayed my parents. They were killed when I was twenty-three. Everything they built fell into my hands.”
He paused, his eyes clouding with old pain. “I didn’t choose this life. I tried to escape it, but in the end, I couldn’t. It’s hard for someone like me to expect love or hope for a meaningful relationship when every day is a gamble with death. But,” his voice softened, “I want you by my side.”
Rose’s hand froze mid-motion. Her gaze fell to the towel in her lap as his words sank in.
“You’re telling me that...” she began hesitantly, raising her eyes to meet his. The clarity in his confession made her heart race, even though a part of her had already suspected the truth.
“You’re a mafia boss?”
“Yes,” Antonio admitted without hesitation.
“Why are you telling me this? You could’ve kept it a secret,” she asked, her voice laced with confusion.
“I don’t want to hide who I am from you anymore,” he said firmly. “You deserve to know the truth, even if it’s difficult to accept.”
Her brow furrowed as she processed his words. She wasn’t afraid of him because of his title; her fear stemmed from the pain and instability that often accompanied such a life.
“I’m sorry for keeping this from you,” Antonio said, his tone genuine.
“You had to. I understand,” Rose replied with a soft smile.
“Are you afraid of me?”
She shook her head, her expression sincere. She wasn’t afraid of Antonio himself but of the risks that surrounded him.
“I only know that being with a mafia boss means facing heartbreak,” she whispered. “A life dangling by a thread, with a love that might never be certain... Do you understand how much that hurts?”
Antonio did. He understood all too well. Being a mafia boss wasn’t just lonely—it was a constant battle for survival, a life where trust was scarce, and love even more so.
“No,” he said firmly. “I won’t let you get hurt because of me.”
His voice carried a conviction that made Rose look up, meeting his gaze.
“I will protect you—with my life and my heart,” he vowed.
Her heart skipped a beat as she looked into his unwavering eyes. The silence between them grew heavy, charged with emotion.
Antonio stood, breaking the momentary tension. He walked to his wardrobe, retrieving a fresh suit. As he buttoned his shirt, he turned to her.
“By the way, I’ve arranged for your things to be moved to the room next to mine.”
Rose blinked, confused. “Moved? What do you mean?”
“I want you nearby to look after me,” he replied casually.
“To look after you?” she repeated, suspicion creeping into her tone.
“Yes. Once I’m fully recovered, you can move back to your old room,” he assured her with a smile. “But for now, I don’t trust anyone else to be so close.”
Rose nodded; her smile tentative. She wasn’t entirely convinced, but she let it slide for now.
“You should rest. I have work to finish,” Antonio said, gesturing toward the door.
“Alright,” she whispered, leaving the room. Antonio watched her go, his heart swelling with an unfamiliar warmth.
 
Rose wandered through the mansion, her steps aimless and her mind adrift. Her heart pounded erratically, and the emotions swirling within her were too complex to untangle.
She paused, realizing Rossi stood in her path.
“The room is ready,” he informed her. “If there’s anything you need, let Martha know.”
“Thank you,” Rose replied with a polite smile.
As he turned to leave, she called out, “Rossi ”
He stopped and turned back, his expression impassive.
“What kind of person is Antonio? Are there things I still don’t know about him?”
Rossi hesitated. “I can’t say,” he replied evenly.
“I see...” Her shoulders slumped slightly, her disappointment obvious.
“But I can tell you this,” Rossi added, his voice softening. “Right now, you mean everything to him. He wouldn’t care this much or go to these lengths for anyone else.”
Rose’s cheeks flushed at his words, leaving her unsure how to respond.
“I understand,” she murmured.
“If that’s all, I’ll take my leave,” Rossi said, walking away.
Rose descended to the mansion's lower level, finding her way to a quiet balcony. She gazed at the sprawling garden, where neatly trimmed hedges and vibrant flowers swayed gently in the breeze.
As the wind tousled her hair, she sank onto a bench, lost in thought. Her hand absentmindedly brushed her lips, still tingling from Antonio’s kiss.
It wasn’t her first kiss, but it was the only one that had left her breathless, trembling, and utterly captivated.
Love... Maybe she had fallen for him without even realizing it.