36. Different Feeling

“Dad!” Caterina hugged her father to express her happiness. She was very happy when he finally regained consciousness. His fever had also started to reduce.

“Where are we? Did we escape?” Dante got up to sit. He stared at the room that seemed so unfamiliar. His brow furrowed, his eyes narrowed as he felt the glare of the lights.

Caterina shook her head softly.

“This is Marco's headquarters.”

“Marco's headquarters?” Dante repeated the phrase. He looked even more confused. Shouldn't they be in confinement if this was really Marco's headquarters? Why were they in such a luxurious room?

Caterina nodded slowly. She still couldn't believe that Marco and she would be allies from now on. The man who once wanted to kill her, now invited her to be friends and work together to defeat their main enemy, Leonardo. Who would have thought something like this could happen?

“How so?” Dante stared with a questioning look. It seemed that he had missed many important things while he was unconscious.

“Marco is inviting us to join him. We don't need to give him any secret information about La Vendetta, he just wants us to work together to defeat Leonardo.” Caterina gave a brief explanation.

“And you believe that? What if this is a trap? We can't trust anyone in such a precarious situation. I'm sure Leonardo is looking for us right now. If he finds out we've joined forces with Marco, he'll kill us on the spot.” Dante looked very worried, because their opponents were not random people.

“Even without working with Marco, Leonardo will kill us if he finds us. At least now we have sanctuary. As long as we're here, Leonardo will never be able to find us.”

Dante let out a harsh breath. His hands were clenched very tightly. Whenever he thought of Leonardo, his chest instantly boiled as it burned with the fire of vengeance. The only enemy he recognized right now was Leonardo. Not only because that man had broken his leg, but also because that man had forcibly taken away his daughter's chastity.

“You can rest easy, Dad. I'm sure Marco won't break his promise. Isn't a man supposed to keep his word? I don't think Marco is the kind of man who would break a promise that easily. He will protect us.” Caterina tried to convince her father. While she herself was not so sure of what she had just said. That doubt remained in her chest.

The first impression Caterina got from Marco was quite bad. However, the man was still being a little kind by not destroying her chastity. Caterina always emphasized that in her chest. Her hatred for Leonardo gave birth to a thought that only Leonardo was the most bastard man in the world. At least Marco still had a bit of a conscience, so she pinned her hopes on Marco.

There was a knock on the door from outside. Followed by the appearance of Marco carrying a stick. He smiled when Caterina smiled at him.

“I just bought this. It might help a little.” Marco placed the cane between the bed and the nightstand.

Caterina looked at the cane with sparkling eyes. Her father was having trouble walking because they hadn't brought a cane from Leonardo's headquarters. His broken leg was getting worse as he forced himself to walk. With the cane, they would be greatly helped.

“Thank you, Marco. It means a lot to him.” Caterina said with great sincerity.

“It's nothing.” Marco replied casually. “If you need anything, don't hesitate to tell me.” The man reminded.

“Sure.”

***

“What are you doing?”

Caterina turned her head when she heard the question. It was Marco who was walking towards her. The man's demeanor and gaze were getting gentler by the moment. He stepped closer to Caterina.

“My father asked for fish soup. I saw that there was fresh fish stock in the refrigerator, so I cooked it for him.” Caterina replied with a smile. Her smile for Marco was now even wider, as she began to feel comfortable. Marco's gentle treatment of her made her forget what Marco had done to her.

“Can you cook? I thought you could only assemble a gun or pierce a syringe.” Marco looked doubtful. Because, all he knew was that Caterina was only good at medicine and weapons. He stood to the right of Caterina who was stirring food in a pot. 

Caterina laughed slightly. “I learned to cook after I worked at the same hospital as Gabriel. Gabriel often came to my apartment and taught me how to cook.”

Remembering Gabriel's name, the smile on Caterina's face suddenly disappeared. The feeling of guilt in her heart came back when she remembered him. Until now she didn't know how Gabriel was doing, because Rossie never allowed her to meet him. She wanted to apologize and thank him for all the good things Gabriel had done for her. He didn't have time to apologize because Leonardo almost took his life.

“Why?” Marco asked after he saw the change in expression on Caterina's face.

“I miss Gabriel. He was dying protecting me, I should have taken care of him until he recovered.” Caterina made a glum face.

“Do you like him?” Marco asked seriously. Suddenly his heart ached when she said that.

'Damn it!' Marco cursed inwardly. He really didn't want to fall in love. Especially if he had to fall in love with a woman who was his enemy.

Caterina smiled slightly. “Why? Are you going to kill me like your sister wanted if I like him?” She looked deeply at Marco.

Marco became mischievous when Caterina looked at him from such a close distance.

“I-I'm just curious.” She answered nervously. Marco clenched his hands into fists as he felt annoyed with himself.

“You're clenching your fists and you're looking at me like that. Are you sure you're just curious?” Caterina asked for confirmation.

Marco did not answer. He just grunted in annoyance as he felt betrayed by his own feelings.

“Can I have a taste?” Marco tried to change the subject.

Caterina laughed slightly. “You can rest easy, I already think of Gabriel as my brother. Tell Rossie that I'm not her rival. I'm happy for them to be together, as long as they love each other.” She explained as she spooned some soup from the pot. She blew on the soup, then held it out towards Marco's mouth.

Marco was wide-eyed, he stared in utter confusion as the spoon of soup was now in front of him. His brow furrowed, his right eyebrow raised.

“You said you wanted to taste it.” Caterina reminded.

Marco sighed deeply. “I meant I want one bowl and devour it at the dinner table.” The man straightened.

“Oh, I don't know.” Caterina responded casually. “Sit there, I'll serve it to you.”

“Are you really acting like this?” Marco could not believe it. Caterina was so gentle and so considerate. No wonder Leonardo and Gabriel were crazy about her. Behind her firmness was a gentle side that captivated the men.

“Be like what?” Caterina squinted her eyes not understanding.

Marco shook his head slowly. “Forget it.” He said coldly, then walked out of the kitchen.

Caterina could only stare in confusion.