Chapter 53: Between Pride and Love
Without another word, Matteo turned and walked toward his car, leaving Adrian standing there alone...
Adrian stood in the quiet parking lot for a long moment, the engine of his waiting car humming softly, almost in sync with his racing heart. He couldn’t go home, not to that big, silent mansion where the walls only echoed his thoughts.
"To Charles’s house," Adrian said as he got into the car.
When he reached the house and rang the bell, Charles opened the door, clearly surprised. It was late, and Adrian rarely went out at night.
"Adrian? What are you doing here this late?" Charles asked, stepping aside. "Come in, man."
Adrian walked inside and sank onto the sofa, staring blankly at the wall. He didn’t say a word, even after Charles handed him a drink. He just sat there, the ice in his glass melting until Charles finally sat across from him.
"Okay, talk to me," Charles said gently. "Is everything okay? You’re acting weird."
"Everything is fine," Adrian said. "I just... I didn’t want to go home yet. I wanted to hang out. That’s all."
"Should I call Frank? We could head out for a bit," Charles suggested, reaching for his phone.
"No!" Adrian said, a little too quickly. "No, let’s just stay here. It’s fine."
Charles leaned back, crossing his arms. He knew that tone. "Adrian, you can’t hide anything from me. Your face is an open book. What happened?"
Adrian took a slow sip of his drink, his gaze dropping to his lap. "I saw him today, Charles."
Charles frowned. "You saw who?"
"Matteo," Adrian replied quietly. "He came to see me."
Charles sat up straight, his eyes widening. "Matteo? As in Matteo? Where? When? Adrian, that’s huge. You’ve been waiting three months for this, why do you look like something went wrong?"
"He came to the studio," Adrian said. "I was with Iris. We ended up in the elevator together, and he just... waved. Like we were nothing more than casual acquaintances."
"And then?" Charles prompted.
"And then I saw him in the parking lot after Iris left," Adrian murmured. "I thought... I don’t even know what I expected. But it didn’t go well. The first thing he did was accuse me of not visiting him in the hospital. He was just... being Matteo."
Charles looked at him. "You were expecting something more, weren’t you? Like... he’d come closer, maybe hug you."
Adrian frowned immediately. "No. I was telling you he didn’t handle the conversation well. I didn’t say anything else."
Charles watched him for a moment, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"So what exactly is your problem?" he said. "Is it because he didn’t come close to you? Didn’t try to kiss you or hug you the moment he saw you? Or is it that you don’t want him anymore... Or you were expecting him to take you home like he used to?"
Adrian’s face flushed deep red. He quickly looked away, trying to hide it. "Stop it. Who would want to follow someone like him home?" he said, a little too fast. "I’m just saying... he didn’t handle the conversation well. It was awkward and aggressive."
"Adrian, be real," Charles said, his voice turning serious but kind. "Matteo is trying to change his entire life for you. He’s a mafia boss trying to learn how to love, he doesn’t exactly have a manual on ’how to have a sensitive conversation.’ Be honest with me. Why are you really angry?"
Adrian remained silent, his thumb tracing the rim of his glass.
"What was your first impression when the elevator opened?" Charles asked.
"I didn’t have one," Adrian lied. Then, seeing Charles’s skeptical look, he sighed. "Fine. He looked... good. Healthy. Stronger than before. He looked exactly like the man I... remembered."
"Aha!" Charles pointed a finger at him. "Be honest. You expected him to rush over, sweep you off your feet, and tell you how much he missed you, didn’t you?"
"Maybe," Adrian murmured. "I wasn’t expecting it, but... I wouldn’t have minded if he did. Instead, he told me I was ’his’ and then made a comment about Iris. It was infuriating."
Charles let out a loud, teasing laugh, shaking his head.
"Stop it! It’s not funny, Charles!"
"It’s a little funny," Charles said, his expression turning more serious. "Listen, Adrian... you need to stop hiding behind your pride. There’s nothing wrong with how you feel. There’s nothing wrong with loving him and there’s nothing wrong with showing it."
He paused, then continued gently.
"Think about the last time you saw him. You two weren’t on good terms. So how did you expect him to act? Rush in and kiss you? He wouldn’t risk that. He was probably afraid you’d push him away again. And you did."
Adrian stared at the floor, his heart sinking. "Are you saying... he won’t come to me again?"
Charles laughed softly, shaking his head. "We’re talking about Matteo Marcone. He’s not the type to give up on what he wants. He’ll be back."
Adrian let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair. "Charles... what am I supposed to do?" he muttered. "I’m worried... about my father, about my family. If they find out about him... If they find out I’m with a man, the disappointment will be unbearable. Especially Maya. I don’t want to hurt her."
Charles’s expression hardened, his protective side finally showing. "I understand worrying about your sister, Adrian. She’s always been there for you. But your father? Forget him."
"Charles—"
"No, listen to me," Charles interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. "The only reason that man called you back after all these years was for a transaction. He wants to use you and Iris to seal some political or business deal. Why do you suddenly care about the opinion of a man who chased you away when you were twelve? You only went back because you were lonely and wanted a family, but that man isn’t ’family.’ He’s a shark."
Adrian looked away, knowing Charles was right but still feeling the weight of his bloodline.
"I don’t give a damn about Iris," Charles continued. "She’s a nice girl, but you don’t love her. It’s obvious. And I don’t care what your father wants. The only thing I care about is who makes you happy."
He held Adrian’s gaze. "If your sister gets angry, let her. She’ll come around eventually when she sees that you’re living again instead of just existing like a ghost. What you should be working on right now isn’t how to please your father, it’s how to fix things with Matteo. Don’t let your father’s ’blessing’ dictate your life. Care about the man who took a bullet for you."
Adrian gripped his glass. "You make it sound so simple."
"It is simple," Charles replied. "It’s just not easy. But staying with Iris while your heart is with a man who’s ready to burn the world down for you? That’s the hardest path of all, Adrian. Don’t choose the one that leaves you empty at the end of the day."
Adrian let those words settle in the quiet of the room. After a few more minutes of talking, Adrian checked his watch and realized how late it had become.
"I should get going," Adrian said, standing up.
"Get some sleep," Charles replied, walking him to the door. "And think about what I said."
Adrian nodded, stepped into his car, and let the driver take him back home.
The house was dark and imposing as they pulled up the long driveway. Adrian headed straight to his bedroom, the silence of the halls feeling heavier than usual. He was in the middle of unbuttoning his shirt and setting his watch on the nightstand when his phone vibrated on the mattress.
He glanced at the screen. His heart skipped a beat when he saw the name flashing: Matteo.
"So... You still have my number?" Adrian whispered to the empty room.
He hesitated, his thumb hovering over the screen as the phone continued to hum. Finally, he swiped to answer. "Hello?"
"It took you a while to get home," Matteo’s voice came through. "Where did you go?"
Adrian stiffened, his eyes darting to the window. "What do you mean? How do you know when I got home?"
"I’ve been waiting," Matteo replied simply. "I saw your car pull in just now. Where were you?"
"Where are you?" Adrian asked, his pulse quickening.
"I’m in front of your gate," Matteo said. "Can I come inside?"
Adrian let out a frustrated breath. "No, Matteo. Just go home. It’s late already."
"I’m alone, Rian."
Adrian paused, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean, you’re alone? Where are your bodyguards? Where is Harry?"
"I said I’m alone," Matteo repeated, and Adrian could hear the faint sound of the wind through the receiver. "Just me. No cars, no security. Just me standing here in the dark."
Adrian felt a surge of genuine panic. "Are you insane? You’re standing outside my gate in the middle of the night with no protection? After everything that happened?"
"Yeah," Matteo said, his voice sounding tired but calm. "So, if you don’t come and let me in, I guess I’ll just stay out here. I’m not leaving until I see you."
"You are absolutely out of your mind!" Adrian hissed, already grabbing his slides. "Fine! Stay there. I’m coming down."
Adrian didn’t even stop to grab a jacket. He rushed out of his room...