Share

160

Author: Um_royhan
last update Last Updated: 2025-01-31 12:41:44

160

Matteo’s POV

There’s something liberating about surrendering to a decision you don’t entirely agree with. I’d told Gianna I wouldn’t push her, and now I had no choice but to honor that promise.

So, I shifted my focus to work. Full steam ahead.

Monday morning came with a mountain of emails and back-to-back meetings. Perfect. It gave me something to concentrate on that wasn’t her.

That decision lasted all of two hours.

By the time the coffee run became unavoidable, I knew I was in trouble. Not because I wanted coffee—I needed it—but because her order was already in my head before I’d even reached the counter.

Black coffee, two sugars. It wasn’t difficult to remember, but the fact that I couldn’t forget it was the problem.

When I returned to the office, I placed her cup on the edge of her desk without a word.

Gianna glanced up, startled. “What’s this?”

“Coffee,” I replied, already walking away.

“Matteo,” she called after me, her tone suspicious.

I turned back. “Yes?”

She squinted at
Locked Chapter
Continue Reading on GoodNovel
Scan code to download App

Related chapters

  • The Mafia's Nanny    161

    161Gianna’s POVI was still reeling from the meeting with our new client when I found myself sitting across from Claire, my mentor and the one person whose advice I always trusted, even when I didn’t want to.Her office smelled like lavender and freshly brewed tea. A stranger would be surprised her office felt homely, due to the corporate and professional vibes it gave off from outside. Claire had been instrumental in shaping my career. She was older than me by a lot, but we still had a very great friendly vibes.“I’ve been hearing things,” she said, folding her hands on the desk.“Things?” I repeated, pretending not to know what she meant.She sighed, tilting her head in that way she always did when she knew I was being intentionally dense. “About you and Matteo.”I stiffened. “How do you know about Matteo?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. And then I scoffed when I remembered that Claire used to work in the office and she still had eyes and ears in it. “I swear to God, Claire, the da

    Last Updated : 2025-02-01
  • The Mafia's Nanny    162

    162Matteo’s POVThe tension between Gianna and me was suffocating as fuck. Every clipped response, every sidelong glance, every excuse to avoid being alone with me—it was like she’d built a wall overnight, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t break through. It was driving me through the edge. It was driving me through the breaking point.I wasn’t blind. I knew why she was pulling away. Her ambition. Her fear. Whatever internal battle she was waging, it was clear I’d been labeled the enemy.But I wasn’t about to accept that. Not when I knew what we had was real.Most of the office had cleared out, the faint hum of printers and distant voices dwindling into silence. Gianna was still at her desk, her brow furrowed as she stared at her laptop.I got up from my desk and walked over to her office, determined to talk to her today.I leaned against the doorway to her office, crossing my arms. “You planning on sleeping here tonight?”She didn’t look up. “I have a few things to finish.”

    Last Updated : 2025-02-01
  • The Mafia's Nanny    163

    163Gianna’s POVI couldn’t get his voice out of my head.“I’m in love with you.”The words had hit me like a sucker punch, leaving me breathless and unsteady. Hours later, I was still sitting at my desk, staring blankly at the screen as if sheer willpower could force my brain to focus on the numbers in front of me. But it was no use. My mind was a battlefield, and Matteo’s words were winning every skirmish.What scared me the most wasn’t that he said it. It wasn’t even the raw, unflinching way he’d looked at me when he did. No, what terrified me was the fact that some part of me wanted to believe him. That part of me wanted to convince me that he was telling the truth. That he does love me. And I was fighting that part with every fibre of my being.I pushed my chair back with a sigh, rubbing at my temples. The office was empty now, save for the cleaning crew somewhere down the hall. The stillness should have been comforting, but it only amplified the chaos in my head.I’d spent my en

    Last Updated : 2025-02-02
  • The Mafia's Nanny    164

    164Matteo’s POVI’d just sunk into my chair after back-to-back meetings when Gianna’s voice sliced through the air, sharp and commanding.“Matteo, in my office. Now.”No preamble, no softening. Just an order. I frowned, wondering what the hell she wanted that couldn’t wait. God. I almost cursed as I sat up straight.The room went quiet as heads turned toward me. I fought the urge to roll my eyes at the spectacle and instead stood, smoothing my tie as I made my way to her door.Gianna was already behind her desk when I walked in, her focus razor-sharp on the documents scattered across the polished wood. She didn’t look up immediately, but I could see the way her shoulders were stiff and I could have sworn there was an electric charge in the air.“Close the door,” she said curtly, still not meeting my gaze.I complied, folding my arms as I leaned against the frame. “What’s the emergency?”She finally looked up, her eyes blazing with equal parts determination and frustration. “There’s a

    Last Updated : 2025-02-02
  • The Mafia's Nanny    165

    165Matteo’s POVI wasn’t sure why she’d said yes to dinner this time.We’d been circling each other for weeks now, an unspoken tension and awareness building every time we were in the same room. When I’d asked if she wanted to grab a drink after work, I half-expected her to shut me down, sharp and decisive, like she always did when things got too personal.But this time, she surprised me. She had hesitated for a moment before nodding, her eyes guarded.Now, we were sitting in the corner of a dimly lit bar, far enough from the rest of the after-work crowd that it felt like our own little world. Gianna nursed her glass of red wine, her fingers tracing the rim absently, while I sipped a whiskey neat, watching her.She was quiet tonight. Not the composed, commanding quiet she carried at work, but a softer kind—almost vulnerable.“You’re not regretting this already, are you?” I asked, breaking the silence.Her lips twitched, but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Not yet. But give it

    Last Updated : 2025-02-03
  • The Mafia's Nanny    166

    166Gianna’s POVI thought space would help. I really really thought it would.When I noticed Matteo was keeping his distance again, I told myself it was what I needed. Time to clear my head, to focus on work, to push aside the ridiculous feelings that had been creeping in no matter how much I fought them. It was easier to breathe when he wasn’t hovering nearby, his presence a constant reminder of everything I wasn’t ready to deal with.But space didn’t help.Instead, it felt like something vital had been ripped away.I didn’t notice it right away. The first day, I told myself it was a relief when he didn’t come by my office with his usual wry remarks about my overpacked schedule. The second day, I convinced myself it was just coincidence that he hadn’t found a reason to stop by my desk.By the end of the week, I couldn’t deny it anymore. Matteo was pulling back.And I hated it.It wasn’t obvious, not to anyone else. He was still professional, still efficient, still the Matteo who cou

    Last Updated : 2025-02-03
  • The Mafia's Nanny    167

    167Gianna’s POVI wasn’t sure when the shift began—when Matteo’s steady presence stopped feeling like a burden I had to bear and started to feel like something I relied on. But as I sat in my office, staring at the flowers someone had sent over after a successful deal, the thought hit me like a punch to the chest.He’d been patient. Too patient, if I were honest.I pushed back my chair and stood, pacing the length of the office. The blooms on my desk taunted me, bright and celebratory. They were from a client, a token of gratitude for all the work I’d done to close a deal. But the truth was, Matteo had done just as much.More, maybe. Truth be told, he was the one who closed the deal. I was just the figurehead.A knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I called, straightening my blazer as though that would help.Matteo stepped inside, a folder in his hand. His sleeves were rolled up, and his tie was just slightly askew, the kind of imperfection that felt deliberate.“B

    Last Updated : 2025-02-04
  • The Mafia's Nanny    168

    168Gianna’s POVWorkplace events were always a mix of formal pleasantries and carefully managed chaos. I wasn’t a fan, but as the CEO, my presence was expected—necessary even. Tonight was no different. The annual awards gala was in full swing, and the ballroom buzzed with polite laughter, the clinking of glasses, and a low hum of music.I stood near the bar, a glass of champagne in my hand, scanning the room. My employees were mingling, laughing, and probably discussing things they thought I wouldn’t approve of. It was fine. They’d earned it anyways. If I was still working with them, I’d be doing the same.“Enjoying yourself?”The voice came from behind me, and I didn’t need to turn around to know it was Matteo. His voice always carried a certain calm confidence, like he belonged wherever he chose to stand. I rolled my eyes but smiled still. I was really getting comfortable with him appearing wherever I was these days.“Is anyone ever really enjoying themselves at these things?” I re

    Last Updated : 2025-02-04

Latest chapter

  • The Mafia's Nanny    184

    184Emilia’s POVThe villa was unnervingly quiet as I cracked the door open and peered into the hallway. The steady hum of distant conversation and the occasional shuffle of feet were the only indicators that the guards were still in position. My heart pounded in my chest, every thud echoing in my ears as if trying to betray me.I had spent the past few days carefully observing the guards’ movements, piecing together their patrol schedule and noting the blind spots in the villa’s security. It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough. If I didn’t take this chance tonight, I might never get another. Alonso had softened slightly toward me, but his determination to keep me under his watch was unwavering.Barefoot, I stepped into the hall, the cold marble floor sending a chill up my spine. My dress, loose and plain, clung to me as I crouched low and moved toward the staircase. The grand chandelier above cast sprawling enough brightness in some parts of the room, and I pressed myself into the dark

  • The Mafia's Nanny    183

    183Emilia’s POVAlonso sat across from me in the small study, a room filled with old, leather-bound books and the lingering scent of cigars. The air was tense, but there was something different about his demeanor tonight—less authoritative, more… human. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, hands clasped as if searching for the right words.“I owe you an explanation,” he began, his voice uncharacteristically soft.I crossed my arms, not ready to let my guard down. “You owe me more than that.”His lips pressed into a thin line, but he nodded. “You’re right. I’ve kept too much from you, and I see now that it was a mistake. But I need you to understand… everything I’ve done has been to protect you.”“Protect me from what?” I asked, my tone sharper than I intended. “From Alaric? From the world? From yourself?”He didn’t flinch at my accusation, which somehow irritated me more. “From the same people that took your mother from me,” he said quietly.The room fell silent, the w

  • The Mafia's Nanny    182

    18Emilia’s POVThe door to my room swung open, and Alonso stepped in, his presence as commanding as ever. I stood near the window, arms crossed, glaring at him. My heart hammered in my chest, but I refused to let him see how much he intimidated me.“Alessandra,” he started, his tone too calm for my liking, “we need to talk.”“Oh, now we need to talk?” I snapped, spinning to face him fully. “You’ve kept me locked up like a prisoner for days, and suddenly you’re interested in having a conversation?”His jaw tightened, but he didn’t raise his voice. “I’m protecting you. This is for your own safety.”I scoffed, the sound bitter even to my own ears. “Safety? You call this safety? Trapping me here, refusing to let me leave, keeping me in the dark about everything?” I took a step closer, my voice rising with every word. “You’re no better than the men who kidnapped me!”The flash of anger in his eyes was immediate, but he masked it quickly, folding his arms across his chest. “That’s a dangero

  • The Mafia's Nanny    181

    181Alaric’s POVThe office was eerily quiet, save for the soft hum of the monitors and the occasional shuffle of papers as Allesio sorted through reports. I stood by the window, staring out at the dark city. Its usual pulse of life felt muted tonight, like it was holding its breath alongside me.Emilia was out there. Alone. Possibly hurt.My grip on the glass of whiskey in my hand tightened until my knuckles went white. I hadn’t slept more than three days—not since she was taken. Every lead had been a dead end, every second wasted felt like an eternity, and every beat of my heart reminded me of what was missing.Her.“Alaric.” Allesio’s voice broke through my thoughts. He stood near the door, holding a stack of papers. His face was drawn, the lines of stress deepening. “We might have something.”I turned, placing the glass on the desk. “What is it?”He hesitated, a telltale sign that whatever he had to say wasn’t good. “Our men tracked a vehicle matching the kidnappers’ description.

  • The Mafia's Nanny    180

    180Emilia’s POVThe heavy, ornate doors of Alonso Cruz’s villa loomed ahead as I marched toward them, every step fueled by a mix of defiance and desperation. My chest heaved, not from exertion, but from the rage simmering beneath my skin. Alonso’s words still rang in my ears: “You’re not going anywhere, Emilia. This is your home now.” Home? The absurdity of it made me want to scream.I wasn’t staying here.“Open the door!” I yelled, my voice reverberating through the marble hall. Two guards exchanged a look but didn’t budge.“Let me out!” My fists pounded against the wood, the sound echoing like a gavel in a courtroom. The verdict was clear: I was trapped.When it became apparent they weren’t going to comply, I turned, pacing like a caged animal. My thoughts spiraled. How could I have let this happen? One moment, I was enduring hell in a dank hideout, and the next, Alonso Cruz was calling me his daughter and dragging me into a gilded prison.My real father.A bitter laugh bubbled up,

  • The Mafia's Nanny    179

    179Emilia’s POVThe maid, Rosetta, moved around the room like a ghost, her steps light and deliberate. She set down a tray on the table near the bed—a steaming bowl of soup, a glass of water, and a neatly folded napkin. I stayed perched on the edge of the armchair by the window, as far from her and the bed as I could manage without leaving the room entirely.“You should eat something,” she said gently, her voice thick with an accent I couldn’t place.“I’m not hungry,” I muttered, keeping my arms crossed over my chest.She hesitated, her dark eyes flicking to me with a mixture of pity and concern. “You’ve been through a lot, signorina. It will help.”I didn’t respond, staring out at the sprawling villa grounds instead. Perfectly trimmed hedges, a fountain bubbling softly in the center of the courtyard, and beyond that, a stone wall that loomed like a fortress. It was beautiful in a way that made my skin crawl.The maid left without another word, and the silence in the room settled ove

  • The Mafia's Nanny    178

    178Emilia’s POVThe world around me felt like it had dissolved into static. My body moved because Alonso’s men pulled me forward, their grips firm but not cruel. I stumbled over my own feet, too stunned to resist, too dazed to speak.The blood-streaked room was now behind us, but its horrors stayed lodged in my mind: the gunshots, the bodies, Alonso’s fury. And then there was the name. Alessandra. My name. According to him.“This way,” one of the men grunted, guiding me toward a sleek black SUV parked just outside the warehouse.I yanked my arm out of his grasp, finding a shred of my voice through the haze of confusion and fear. “Don’t touch me!”He raised his hands in surrender, glancing at Alonso, who stood a few feet away, watching me. “It’s for your safety,” the man muttered, stepping back.“Safety?” I snapped, my voice trembling. “You just killed three people in front of me. How the hell is this safe?”Alonso approached then, his expression unreadable. His tailored suit, still i

  • The Mafia's Nanny    177

    177Emilia’s POVThe stench of the room was suffocating—sweat, alcohol, and something metallic that I couldn’t quite place. My head hung low, my body too weak to sit upright for long. Days had passed—how many, I didn’t know—and the ache in my bones felt permanent now. I’d been left alone most of the time, which, as degrading as this situation was, had become a small mercy.Until tonight.The sound of boots scraping against the concrete floor reached my ears before the door groaned open. I flinched involuntarily, my hands curling into weak fists as three of them entered the room. I recognized them immediately: the smug one with the crooked nose and greasy hair, the one who had smacked me in the van, and a wiry man who always seemed to watch me a little too closely.“Look at her,” Crooked Nose said, his tone laced with mockery. “She’s barely got any fight left.”“Bet she squeals just the same,” the wiry one replied, his words making bile rise in my throat.“Shut up,” I hissed, though my

  • The Mafia's Nanny    175

    176Emilia’s POVThe room was dark, and the air reeked of mildew and stale sweat. My entire body ached, and every movement sent sharp stabs of pain rippling through me. My cheek still throbbed where that bastard had hit me, and the coppery taste of blood lingered on my tongue. I didn’t dare try to stand; the last time I did, I’d nearly passed out from the dizziness.Instead, I stayed curled up in the corner, my knees pulled to my chest, trying to make myself as small as possible. The dirty concrete floor was unforgiving, but at least it was cool against my feverish skin.Voices filtered in from outside the room, low and muffled. I strained to hear, desperate for any scrap of information that might make sense of this nightmare.“Alonso won’t like this.”The name cut through the haze of my exhaustion. Alonso. Cruz. The don of their syndicate. The one who has had scores to settle with the Castillo family for as long as he could breathe. The one who Alaric hated more than anything else. T

Scan code to read on App
DMCA.com Protection Status