MAFIA LOVE SCANDAL

Can’t count how many times Anne has let out a frustrated breath. Occasionally, she seems to be tousling her long hair while softly muttering under her breath.

No!

Anne reassures herself that she’s not even a bit jealous of what she just saw. The fact that Kaivan and Veronica were once again caught in an intimate embrace made her slightly uncomfortable.

Yes.

Anne nods repeatedly. It’s nothing more than irritation. Besides, she knows well that Kaivan never loved her from the start. The marriage they’re in is nothing more than a mere formality.

Oh my goodness, Anne.

Why are you getting worked up about this?

After all, Veronica was Kaivan’s date before you disrupted their relationship.

Your presence here was unexpected.

Anne squeezes her eyes shut tightly. It’s so exhausting to be in this complicated situation. A hint of regret crosses her mind; why did she have to deal with an annoying man like Kaivan Maximilian?

“Are you okay?”

A man’s voice immediately brings Anne back from her reverie. Blinking once, she then forces a somewhat awkward smile.

“Of course. I’m perfectly fine.”

Currently, Anne is sitting in one corner of the lobby after leaving Kaivan’s office. She feels restless and irritated. That’s why, instead of going back to her room, Anne chose to be alone. Until Hans, who was planning to visit Kaivan, stumbled upon her. He finds it strange to see her behaving unusually.

“So that’s how it is.” Without hesitation, Hans pulls out a chair and sits down directly across from Anne. “But from a distance, you look like someone who’s grumbling in annoyance.”

“Oh, my goodness.”

The woman’s voice clearly sounds like someone who’s grimacing.

“Have you been observing my every move all this time?”

Hans nods and then quickly smiles.

“I’ve been observing your behavior from a distance for more than 15 minutes. I can conclude that you’re annoyed, or maybe you’ve just experienced something unpleasant. It’s also evident from your facial expressions that you’re a bit confused. But most importantly, if you need a friend to talk to, you can count on me.”

Anne blinks. The next moment, she applauds as if impressed by Hans’ analysis.

“Is this really your ability? To analyze someone’s feelings and behavior, someone you’ve never met before, just through facial expressions?”

The man then nods slowly.

“That’s my job. I’m required to quickly describe what my target is feeling.”

“Wow!” Anne is surprised once again. “I really didn’t expect this from you.”

“It’s nothing,” Hans says. “But by the way, why are you alone here? Is it Kaivan who’s making you upset?”

Anne sighs again. She exhales softly, then tries to smile again.

“You could say that. A few hours ago, I took the initiative to accompany Kaivan for lunch as a substitute for the breakfast he didn’t have time to eat. When I arrived in his office, I found him and Veronica being affectionate.”

“Are you jealous?” Hans interrupts Anne’s words.

“I don’t know,” Anne replies. “It’s more of annoyance. He demands that I always be polite and cautious. I shouldn’t do anything careless that could tarnish his reputation.”

“And Kaivan, he’s breaking his own promise?” Hans tries to guess what his conversation partner is worried about. “That’s what’s been bothering me so much?”

Anne nods without hesitation. That’s what’s been irritating her. She keeps convincing herself that she’s not jealous of seeing Kaivan with another woman.

“I know Kaivan despises me like this. But because he himself decided to marry me, he should at least value the status of our marriage until he can prove what he’s been worried about. Yet, I never asked for much, right?”

Hans smiles again. Trying to understand the woman in front of him.

“But pardon me, weren’t you intentionally seeking out Kaivan to ask him to take responsibility?”

Anne nods.

“Please underline this. I only asked him to admit and take responsibility. Not to ask him to marry me.”

Hans furrows his eyebrows. For this statement from Anne, he’s confused.

“What do you mean? Then, what kind of accountability were you asking for if not marriage?”

“Just admit that the child in my womb is his flesh and blood. So that when the child is born, I won’t be confused when asked about his father.”

“But wouldn’t your status be clearer after getting married?”

Anne nods, affirming Hans’ words.

“It should be like that. But it’s different for us, who didn’t know each other, let alone love, from the beginning. The proof is, after getting married, what happened? Kaivan has always considered me a troublemaker. Ruining his life and future. Clearly, after marriage, I’ve been the one oppressed. So, I can conclude that Kaivan married me solely for his own interests.”

Hans tightens his lips slightly. Then, after a while, he responds again.

“Are you sure that only Kaivan has an interest in this marriage?” The sturdy man leans forward a bit, then whispers. “Do you not have any hidden motives yourself?”

Anne hisses. Her face remains calm.

“What motives? Money? I’m even financially well-off. It doesn’t matter to me if Kaivan has abundant wealth.”

Hans shrugged dramatically.

“Who knows, maybe you have motives and hidden intentions beyond just asking Kaivan for accountability.”

“You’re exaggerating, Hans,” Anne retorts. She continues trying to convince the man in front of her.

“Alright, that’s just my guess,” Hans then gets up from his seat. He’s getting ready to leave since his purpose for coming to the hotel was to meet Kaivan. “I hope your relationship improves soon. If not as partners, at least be friends who support each other.”

Anne also gets up. She nods and extends her hand, inviting a handshake. “Yes, just pray for us. Actually, I’m quite flexible. If he behaves well, I’ll definitely respond much better.”

Hans immediately grins.

“Just keep being kind. Kaivan is originally a nice guy. Sometimes, he acts tough to hide his vulnerabilities,” explains the man. “Well then, I’ll take my leave now. We’ll talk again sometime.”

****

“Do you have important news today?”

Kaivan immediately bombards Hans with questions as soon as Hans sits in the chair right across from his desk. It’s been a while since Kenzi Maximilian’s personal bodyguard visited him at the hotel.

“There’s some news I want to share about your wife.”

“Ugh!” Kaivan groans. “What is it this time?”

“You need to be cautious.” Hans’ expression turns serious. “In the past few days, my people have noticed someone who seems to be tasked with observing Anne from a distance.”

Kaivan’s brow furrows immediately.

“One of Luca’s people?”

Hans nods, reaching for a cup of coffee that’s been offered to him. He takes a slow sip, then continues speaking.

“It seems they’re trying to find opportunities when Anne is away or not under your surveillance.”

“Hans, let me ask you now.” Kaivan’s face suddenly becomes serious. “In your opinion, which makes more sense: Anne being targeted as bait to lure Giogino out of hiding, or Anne herself having been keeping that significant secret all along, which is why she’s being chased like this?”

Hans appears to think for a moment, analyzing the most likely possibility.

“Both options are equally likely, Kai. But for some reason, I feel like she’s being chased as bait. But you should slowly clarify this with her.”

“By asking her directly?”

Hans nods.

“How long are you going to pretend not to know?”

“Wasn’t it you who asked me to follow Anne’s lead first and see how far she goes with this?”

“Yes,” Hans answers. “But the situation is different now. It seems like this case can’t be underestimated.”

Now it’s Kaivan’s turn to fall silent. He’s deep in thought about how to approach Anne with these questions, especially since they had a heated argument just now.

“I need to find the right moment to ask her all this. It’s not easy to get someone to reveal their secrets, Hans.”

“Yeah, I know that,” Hans agrees. “Just take it slow. And remember, Kai. Don’t let your emotions take over. You’re dealing with a woman here, not a thug. I even had a brief chat with Anne before entering your room. She admitted to being annoyed by your behavior towards her.”

Kaivan snorts. Anne can feel annoyed? Clearly, it’s his life that has been disrupted by her presence.

“Exaggeration,” he scoffs. “Oh, and by the way, I’ll be leaving for Italy in a few days. There’s a project I need to oversee in person. If you want to give me reports, just contact me via phone for now.”

“Are you taking Anne with you?”

“I haven’t decided,” Kaivan replies.

“But leaving her alone at the hotel is also risky, Kai. Yes, even though your hotel security is quite tight. I’m just worried that someone might manage to sneak in or even abduct her from the neutral zone.”

Kaivan lets out a long sigh. It seems he can’t just leave Anne behind like this.

“Bringing Anne also poses significant risks, Hans.”

“Just assign more guards or ask some witch hunter personnel to accompany you and Anne during your trip.”

Kaivan finally agrees with a nod. It’s safer to be accompanied by professionals.

“I’ll contact Dominique soon.”

“Well then, I’ll take my leave. After this, I have a few things to take care of as well.” Hans then gets up. But before he completely leaves, he’s intrigued by a certain object he’s been wanting to open.

“Lunch box? Did you bring lunch?” Hans asks.

Kaivan, who is indifferent, nods briefly. “Anne brought it here earlier.”

Curious about its contents, without asking for permission, Hans opens the silver lunch box. Inside, he finds a portion of fettuccine complete with black pepper beef on top.

“Fettuccine,” Hans says. “This looks delicious, Kai.” Without hesitation, he picks up the portable fork on the right side of the box. He opens it and takes a small bite to taste. “I’m not exaggerating. But seriously, this fettuccine is delicious. Why aren’t you eating it?”

Kaivan shook his head. He felt too lazy to respond.

“If you like it, just finish it.”

With delight, Hans continues to take small bites from the food in the box, finishing it all before leaving Kaivan’s office.

****

Kaivan enters his room feeling extremely tired. After showering and getting dressed, he heads to the dining area. For some reason, tonight he really wants to drink warm milk before deciding to sleep.

As he passes by the dining table, his eyes catch an array of various dishes carefully arranged. Curious, Kaivan pulls out a chair, sits down, and starts trying each dish that’s laid out there.

“What a waste. Who told her to prepare this many dishes? If they’re not finished, they’ll probably be thrown away.” Kaivan grumbles softly. As his right hand brings a spoonful of food to his mouth one by one, he chews slowly, trying to savor the flavors and nodding in approval.

“These dishes are surprisingly good.”

Once again, Kaivan continues to bring his hand to sample the different foods. When it’s time to try the fettuccine, which Anne might have brought for him earlier in the day, Kaivan suddenly exclaims, “Oh my God… Why does this taste so familiar?” He tries to recall. Where has he eaten fettuccine with the same taste as the one Anne has laid out on the table? “It’s like the one Mama usually cooks. Why does it taste the same?”

Lost in his thoughts while sampling the dishes, Kaivan’s sense of hearing catches the sound of the front door being closed. He shifts his gaze and notices Anne walking casually toward her room.

“Where have you been at this late hour?” he asks, glancing at his wristwatch.

Anne doesn’t reply. She just glances briefly and continues walking toward her room. She locks the door tightly. Kaivan doesn’t care about whatever Anne might feel or what she’s doing outside.

Even as morning approaches, Kaivan finds himself having breakfast at home. The appetizing aroma of the prepared food he caught when passing by the dining area arouses his appetite. He can’t resist the perfectly arranged breakfast spread on the table.

“Meggy, who’s the chef this morning?” Kaivan asks when he finds his assistant just finished tidying up the room.

“Hasn’t it been a few days since Mister has used the Chef’s services in the hotel room?” Meggy replies. She distinctly remembers that Kenzie asked a few days ago not to have meals delivered to the room. The beautiful woman insisted on preparing meals herself. “Miss Anne asked to stop the hotel kitchen’s service as she insisted on personally preparing meals for you.”

Kaivan nods. He’s aware that Anne has been the one preparing meals for him for the past few days. Still chewing his food, Kaivan issues another order.

“In that case, please call my wife. Tell her to have breakfast with me.”

“But, I’m sorry, Mister.” Meggy interrupts again. “Madam Anne isn’t in her room. As far as I remember, after cooking and cleaning up, she hurriedly left her room.”

“Left the room?” Kaivan repeats to confirm.

“Yes, and she seemed to be in a hurry.”

“Alright, I’ll have Mike find out her whereabouts. You can leave once your tasks are done.”

After Meggy leaves, Kaivan quickly grabs his phone from his suit pocket and calls Mike, then gives him an order.

“Find out where my wife is. Make sure you locate her and find out who she’s with.”

It doesn’t take long for Kaivan to receive a response to his order. About thirty minutes after he’s back in his office, Mike contacts him.

“Madam Anne is at the hotel restaurant on the fifth floor, Mister,” Mike informs.

“In that case, let her enjoy her breakfast.”

“But there’s something you need to see.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll send you a picture message. I’m sure you need to see it.”

The next second after ending the call, Kaivan receives a picture message that startles him. It’s a photo showing his wife enjoying breakfast with a man whose face isn’t quite clear.

Kaivan remains silent for a while. He’s thinking, trying to figure out who might be with Anne this morning. Shortly after, he contacts his assistant again.

“Mike, please investigate who the man with my wife is.”