Chapter 27 Letting Go II
 
 
 
 
 
 
After breakfast, Antonio returned to his study to continue working. It wasn’t long before Rossi entered with updates on Lorenzo. Antonio’s expression grew increasingly tense as he listened to his trusted bodyguard.
“Boss, perhaps it would be best to pause weapon shipments for now,” Rossi suggested, knowing Lorenzo had been quietly expanding his influence on the black market.
“If we do that, we’re essentially giving him more room to grow,” Antonio replied, his fingers tapping sharply on the desk with his mounting frustration. He couldn’t believe Lorenzo had managed to poach nearly half his clients.
“But what about Rose? Do you want to risk her safety? She could be caught in the crossfire,” Rossi argued. “Not to mention, the police have been intensifying their investigations into black market arms deals. We’re risking exposure to both enemies and the law.”
Rossi’s words hit a nerve. He wasn’t wrong. The authorities were gathering evidence to crack down on influential mafia groups, and Lorenzo’s unchecked expansion only added to the growing threats. Antonio’s frustration deepened; the situation left him with few viable options.
After a long pause, Antonio sighed heavily and nodded. “You’re right. Let’s pause weapon shipments for now.”
“Do we have any pending orders?” he asked.
“None at the moment,” Rossi confirmed.
“Good. Then put everything on hold,” Antonio said, his tone firm despite the weight of the decision.
“What about the casino?” Antonio asked, hoping for better news.
“Everything is running smoothly,” Rossi assured him.
Antonio exhaled a sigh of relief. At least there were no complications at the casino during his absence.
“And Vega? Any updates?” Antonio inquired.
“No progress,” Rossi admitted.
“Forget it,” Antonio said flatly, his voice carrying a note of finality.
Rossi’s brow furrowed in surprise. “Does that mean we’re no longer pursuing her?”
Antonio leaned back in his chair, deep in thought, before speaking. “Yes.”
The answer startled Rossi. Antonio had been adamant about finding Vega for years. Even though it was clear his feelings for her had changed, Rossi hadn’t expected him to give up so abruptly.
“Pursuing Vega feels like a chain that’s been holding me back. It’s time to let her go,” Antonio admitted.
It was a realization he should have come too early. How could he claim to love Rose while clinging to the past? Letting go of Vega was the only way to move forward without hesitation or doubt.
“I need to forget Vega,” Antonio murmured to himself. It was time to set his first love free and leave those memories in the past.
“Prepare the car for tonight. I’m going to the casino,” he instructed Rossi.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? You’re not fully recovered,” Rossi asked, his concern obvious.
“I’m close enough. Just do as I say,” Antonio replied firmly.
“Understood. I’ll make the arrangements,” Rossi said before leaving.
Alone once more, Antonio stared at the piles of unfinished work on his desk. Shaking off the lingering thoughts of Vega, he focused on clearing the documents that had accumulated.
Hours passed, and the sun began to set. By the time Antonio finished, exhaustion weighed heavily on him. He leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply. Yet the moment he stopped working, memories of Vega’s smile and thoughts of Rose’s presence flooded his mind. It was as if both women were battling for space in his heart.
‘I can’t love you the same way anymore, Vega,’ Antonio whispered to himself. ‘Let everything between us remain in the past.’
Standing, Antonio resolved to prepare for his trip to the casino. On his way out, he encountered a maid carrying a cleaning bucket.
“Have you seen Rose?” he asked.
“She’s in the kitchen with Martha,” the maid replied.
“What’s she doing there?”
“I’m not sure,” the maid said hesitantly.
Antonio nodded, his expression neutral, and approached the kitchen.
 
The bustling kitchen starkly contrasted with the rest of the mansion’s quiet halls. Several maids rushed to prepare the evening meal, but all froze in place when Antonio entered, their faces pale with apprehension.
“Where’s Rose?” he asked, his tone firm.
“She’s at the stove,” one maid stammered, pointing toward the kitchen’s interior.
Antonio strode forward, his sharp gaze scanning the room until he spotted Rose standing at the stove, a spatula in hand. She appeared engrossed in frying something in a pan. Martha, standing nearby, jumped on the alarm when she saw Antonio approach.
“Sir, I—”
“Rose,” Antonio called, his voice tinged with both authority and concern. Startled, Rose turned too quickly, causing hot oil to splatter into her hand.
“Ow!” she cried, instinctively shaking her hand and blowing on it to soothe the burn.
Antonio was at her side in an instant. “Didn’t I tell you not to do this?” he scolded.
“Well, maybe you shouldn’t sneak up on people!” Rose retorted, her tone laced with irritation.
“Does it hurt?” Antonio asked, his voice softer now, but still laced with worry.
“No, it’s fine,” Rose replied, attempting to pull her hand away. But Antonio held firm, his intense gaze fixed on her injured hand. Sighing, he took her wrist and led her out of the kitchen.
Once they were far enough from the bustling kitchen, Rose pulled her hand free, cradling it with her other hand. Her expression was a mix of frustration and confusion as she faced him.
“What was that about?” Antonio asked, his tone sharp with disapproval.
“What do you mean?” Rose countered, her voice rising slightly.
“You shouldn’t have been doing that—it’s not your job.”
“But I wanted to!” She shot back, glaring at him. “I wanted to do something for you.”
Antonio’s eyes softened momentarily, but his voice remained steady. “You don’t need to—”