THE MAFIA’S HEIR

AUDREY’S POV

These past two weeks had honestly been suprising! I know Manuel and I talked about making our marriage work, but I didn’t really expect things to straighten out so quickly. I guess it was all about making the decision. Once you know what you want and make the decision to get it, that’s all! I had been very suprised when he had shown up at the hospital during my prenatal checkup. At first, I thought he had been joking about staying with me through check up, but he did until the very end. Even asking Doctor Luigi a few questions in relation to the short lectures he had given us. He had also shown concern about the case of my hormonal imbalance, after the doctor had mentioned it. It made me suddenly begin to feel like I wasn’t alone anymore. To be very honest, more than anything, ever since I got pregnant, I felt lonely. Sometimes I just felt like I was doing this on my own. But lately, Manuel put in efforts that made me rethink that notion. I wasn’t alone, I had a co~parent. A partner.

Slowly and gradually, I could feel the connection and friendship we shared at the island returning. In as much as we were no longer at the island, it didn’t stop us from regularly going for our short walks around Mia’s large garden. We normally went every evening after he returned from work and today, I was particularly ecstatic about it.

I walked out of the bathroom, a little disappointed when I saw that he wasn’t back already. He usually didn’t stay out so late. I sighed and proceeded to put on my night wear. I pulled the robe off my body and just as I was about put on my night wear, the door flung open, revealing Manuel. I almost died of shock and embarrassment, seeing as I was stark naked. Oh God! I was so confused. I hadn’t an idea whether I should cover my body with my hands, or whether I should bend and pick up my robe. All the while, Manuel remained fix in his spot, just looking at me. The rotten man. After standing in confusion for some seconds, I finally squatted, covering my breasts with my knees. I looked to the other side of the bedroom in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry.” I heard him rush out, before the door got closed. He had stepped out. I quickly stood up and put on my night wear, before settling on the bed. After a little while, a knock came on the door and I heard his voice.

“Can I come in now?”

“Yes.” I muttered, but he could hear me. The next second, he opened the door and walked into the room. He walked towards the table and dropped something I hadn’t really seen, because I was looking everywhere else, but at him.

“I should have knocked, I’m sorry.” Why did it feel weird that my husband was apologizing for walking into our room?

“Not at all.” I eventually looked up at him. He raised a brow in question and I managed a small and awkward chuckle. “I mean, what husband apologizes for seeing his wife’s nakedness.”

“Just like I thought.” He muttered to himself, but I clearly heard him. We stayed silent for sometime, not knowing what else to say, until I broke the silence.

“You returned home quite late today.” I noted, and he nodded.

“Had some improptu but important meetings to attend with Nonno. Missed me?” He asked with a small smile, making my cheeks go red.

“No… not at all.” I shrugged, trying to act unfazed. “Why would I?” I asked.

“I’m just kidding.” He chuckled, his eyes locking with mine. I don’t know why, but I found it extremely difficult to hold his gaze these days. It was honestly frustrating. “That reminds me! Nonno asked to see you tomorrow at his penthouse.” He said, grabbing my attention.

“Oh?”

“Yeah.” He nodded, as he began unknotting his tie. “I can drive you there if you want.” He shrugged.

“That’d be nice. You could come pick me up when I’m about to return home as well. If I’m really going to pay Emilio a visit, then it simply means I wouldn’t be leaving until night. So you could as well pick me up on your way home.”

“Am I supposed to be jealous that Nonno has become so attached to a lady he met just two months ago? Yet here I have been for 29 years of my life, not half as close as you both are.” He had said that as a passing statement and a joke, but it had actually sunk into my head.

I have noticed that there is this way he talks whenever he refers to his Nonno. He makes it sound like he is Emilio’s least favorite grandson. I definitely did not know the reason why, but that was what I was gonna find out. I acted like I wasn’t really paying any attention, but stole glances at him as he stripped off his work clothes, leaving him in just his boxers, before making his way into the bathroom. I feel ashamed to admit this, but it was my favourite part of him returning from work everyday. Secretly admiring his body while he pulled off his clothes. His hard nipples and chiseled abs. This guy was a literal demigod. My husband was a demigod!

Why was I suddenly perceiving chicken nuggets now? My cravings these days could be really crazy. I had been craving chicken nuggets for a couple of days now. I was suprised when he opened the door to the bathroom and poked his head out.

“While you are waiting for me to be done with my bathe, you could munch on the chicken nuggets I bought you.”

“You bought chicken nuggets for me?” I asked and he nodded. It’s on the table. That was when I realized that I had indeed been perceiving it.

Before I could say any other thing, he shut the door and continued with his business in there. I quickly rushed to the table and took the bowl of chicken. Why was I close to tears now? Nonetheless, I focused on my nuggets and devoured them delightfully as a few tears dropped from my eyes. I didn’t even realize how far time had gone because I had been so busy eating.

“Why are you crying?” I jerked off my seat when I saw Manuel’s face in front of mine. Oh God! My butt hit the floor. That hurt. “I’m so sorry.” He rushed towards me and stretched his hand for me to take it. I obliged and he pulled me off the floor. When I got seated once more, he repeated his previous question. “Why were you crying?”

“I don’t know.” I replied truthfully. “Maybe the nuggets were just so good. How did you know that I’ve been craving them?” I asked, and found myself crying again. Oh God, what was really happening to me?

“Heyyyy.” He held my hand and gave a sympathetic smile. “Stop crying.” He cleaned the tears from my eyes with his other hand, causing me to tear up even more. “You said it in your sleep last night. You said you wanted some chicken nuggets. So I thought to myself, could it be my baby telling me what he or she really wanted to eat? They probably found a way to speak up, now that mama was asleep.” He joked, making me laugh. Now, I was laughing and crying at the same time.

“Shhhh…” He muttered softly, cleaning the tears off my cheeks once more. “Do you want to go on our stroll now?” He asked, and I nodded.

“Alright then.” He smiled. Why was he being so nice these days?!! Why couldn’t he just continuously piss me off? Why couldn’t he just remain infuriating? Now, he was just always so thoughtful, making me think if I had ever truly gotten over him. It was still too early in our unconventional marriage to be feeling this way. “I would just go get you some water to drink, after which we would step out.” He explained. I should have just calmly nodded in understanding, but I found myself yelling at him.

“Stop being so nice!!!”

He seemed taken back for a moment, before observing me more closely.

“What?” He muttered, and I repeated myself.

“Stop being so nice to me. Why are you doing all the nice stuffs you have been doing for the past weeks? Why did you get me that fancy hair clip two days ago?!” I cried out. “Oh, I saw this pretty hair clip, and I just thought the color would match so well with your hair.” I mimicked, just how he had said it before giving me.

“Because I truly thought it would look good on your hair.” He said, making me angry all the more. Why was I feeling so aggressive? He seemed to be slightly pissed, but was trying his best to not let it show.

“You know what? I think you need some space.” He muttered.

“Then get the fuck out!” I yelled, to which he calmly obliged. The moment he closed the door shut behind him, I felt hot tears drop from my eyes. Was I really okay? I had literally just chased him out of our room for no just reason. I expected the chicken nuggets to become less enticing to me, but I was so wrong. I continued eating them as little strands of tears made their way down my cheeks. Just when I decided I was satisfied, I walked into the bathroom and washed my hands, before heading to the bed where I laid for sometime. It wasn’t up to half an hour later, when the lights in my room suddenly went off. Weird. This has never happened for the 6 weeks I’ve spent here. Lights never went out. Sighing, I assumed there may have encountered some sort of problems. I was about closing my eyes shut when I felt a large palm on my mouth, making me not able to scream out in shock. I struggled with whoever had held me, kicking and tossing. I felt the person’s other hand make its way to my belly, palpating it sort of.

“Your baby would never be safe.” He gave an evil chuckle, making my body run cold. I didn’t know where the energy had come from as I pushed backwards, making the intruder’s hand fall off my mouth. The first thing I did was to scream so loudly. I felt the person’s hand gripping my shoulders so tightly, making me release a whimper. I kept struggling, making us fall off the bed, onto the floor. Just then, the lights came on and just like the speed of wind, the person disappeared through the open door that led to the balcony. I had only been able to make out the clothe the person had been wearing. A black hoodie and trouser. I shivered in fear as tears slipped down my cheeks. Just then, the door to the room burst open and Manuel rushed in. I found myself crying even more when he gathered me in his arms and picked me off the floor.

“Someone was here!!” I cried out, and he nodded. “Manuel someone was here!!”

“I know. I know. I’m so sorry.” He muttered into my ears. I felt like a baby in his arms as he sat on the bed, with me sitting on his thighs. He hugged my body, as he gently rocked me back and forth.

“They tried to hurt my babyyyy.” I cried harder.

“I’m so sorry.” He repeated. “I shouldn’t have left you here.” He apologized, and I held onto him much tightly. We stayed in that position for a long while. I guess a few family members had stopped by, but I was halfway into my sleep to have noticed any of them.

All I remembered was waking up in the middle of the night to pee. I was suprised to see that Manuel’s hand held my waist so tightly, preventing me from moving.

“Where are you going?” I felt his hot breathe against the back of my ear, making my neck and face go hot as well.

“To pee.” I replied, and he released his grip. I rushed into the bathroom, did my business, and rushed back out. I was literally running. The incident of the night was still in my mind, making me run out of the bathroom. It seemed to be that Manuel understood my fears because the moment I returned to the bed, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to himself.

“You are safe.” He whispered into my ear. “They were just lucky this time. It would never repeat itself.” He assured me, making me nod.

Even after so many minutes, I closed my eyes and tried to sleep, but it just wasn’t coming. I knew it wasn’t because I was scared. The moment Manuel wrapped his arms around me, I instantly felt safe. So what was it? I could feel his hot breathe against the nape of my neck once more, making my entire body tingle with desire. Oh God, no! No no no!! I tried to moderate my breathing, but all my efforts seemed completely useless when I felt his hand moving from my waist, towards my breast. I was about protesting when he kissed the nape of my neck, gently massaging my breasts.

“Are you awake?”

“Yes.” I whispered in response. The next minute, he was flipping me over in a way that I straddled him. My heartbeat accelerated as I looked down at him, the bedside light serving as the only illumination in the room. I was still trying to place my thoughts together, when he said the next words.

“Kiss me.”