The Mafia’s Forbidden Desire

ROSALINDA.

“Please, please, please. I want to play more games.” I heard Carlo’s distant voice. It felt like I was dreaming.

“No.” Antonio said, and the next thing I heard was Carlo’s giggles. It seemed like Antonio had tickled him.

“You’ve played enough for this morning.” Antonio told him.

It was then that I realised that it wasn’t a dream because the voice sounded clearer now.

Slowly, I opened my eyes to see Antonio and my son on the sofa that was at one end of the room, looking bright and happy, with Antonio tickling Carlo while he giggled.

“Mommy!” Carlo was the first to notice that I was awake.

A lazy smile touched my lips as I stared at him.

He quickly disentangled himself from Antonio’s arms and pranced towards me with his tiny legs.

He found it difficult to climb up the bed, but he was determined to, and he succeeded.

“Good morning, handsome.” I said with a smile as I watched him crawl towards me.

“Good morning, mommy!” He was so vibrant and seemed exceptionally happy that morning.

“Did you sleep well?” I asked, brushing his hair with my fingers. He nodded vigorously and excitedly.

I was immensely glad that what Lorenzo made him go through didn’t traumatise him. He was a strong boy.

“Daddy wouldn’t allow me to play more games.” He pouted.

My brows drew together in confusion. “Daddy?”

“Yes. Gabriel and Georgia have a daddy. I want to have a daddy too.” He whined. Turning to look at Antonio, who also had shock expressed on his face, he muttered. “Can I call you daddy? Please?”

“Who are Gabriel and Georgia?” I asked him with a raised brow.

“Gabriel and Georgia are from one big family.” He replied.

My mouth formed an ‘O.”

One Big Family was a show he so much enjoyed watching.

Guilt weighed on my chest. I felt really bad for not knowing who his father was, where to find him, or how to even find him. He would be deprived of the luxury of knowing his real father, and I felt insanely guilty for that.

Soon enough, he’ll grow older and start asking questions about his dad. Questions I wouldn’t be able to answer when the time comes. I had never regretted my actions as much as I did when Carlo said he wanted a dad too. He deserved better. He shouldn’t have to suffer because of my recklessness. But on the positive side, I was lucky to have a son like him.

Antonio and I were both speechless as we stared at Carlo, too stunned at the question he asked.

A knock sounded on the door, saving us both from having to say anything.

“Yes? Come in.” Antonio said with a husky tone. It was so mesmerising that I almost forgot I was still mad at him.

The door was pushed open almost immediately, and a lady who seemed to be in her early thirties walked in.

“Sandra.” Antonio addressed her.

“The food is ready, sir.” She told him.

He nodded. “We’ll be there shortly.”

“Yayyyy!” Carlo beamed.

“Rosalinda, let’s go downstairs and have breakfast.” Antonio said, casting his gaze at me.

“I’m not eating.” I stubbornly replied.

“Sandra.” He called.

She was about to slip out of the room, but quickly shut the door and turned to look at him. “Yes?”Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

He sighed. “Can you go with Carlo? We’ll meet you there shortly.”

Nodding, Sandra inched closer to Carlo and carried him in her arms before trudging out of the room.

When we were finally alone, Antonio closed the distance between us and sat beside me on the bed.

“Why are you acting this way, Rosalinda?” he asked.

“You know why.” I replied and averted my gaze.

“You know everything I do; I do it to protect you and your son. You asked why I risked my life to save Carlo. It’s because he is dear to you, and everything that is dear to you is dear to me also.” He explained calmly.

“You shouldn’t have brought us here like you owned us. Like we were some property.” I still stood on my ground.

Even though it was a normal practice among the Mafia-using the women as pawns in their agreements-I was vehemently against it. I’ve always wanted to be able to make my own choices, regardless of the world I was born in. I’ve always hated it so much when choices were made for me, choices I had to unwillingly concede to.

“I used the failed agreement as leverage because that was the only way I could get Roberto to allow me to bring you and Carlo here.” His voice was calm, which was unexpected. Unlike yesterday, when hell broke loose on earth while we were having the same conversation.

Before I could reply, he continued, “Lorenzo’s father, Sergio, would avenge his son’s death, and I want you to be at arms reach where I could protect you. I don’t want you to leave my sight. Because I love you so much, Rosalinda. I would do anything for you. You just have to trust me.”

I was dumbfounded, and my heart rate accelerated at his statement. Although I was surprised that a Mafia boss like him took his time to explain things to me, I finally understood his point of view and the depth of the love he had for me. I was so stupid for ever doubting his intentions towards me, when he risked it all for me.

I loved him as much as he loved me.

“I understand.” Was all I could bring myself to mutter.

“So…” he extended out his hand for me to take. “Let’s go and have breakfast.”

A small smile touched my lips, and I took his hand. “Sure.”

When we got to the dining area, we sighted Carlo seated on Sandra’s laps while he was being fed pancakes.

“Mommy. Daddy.” Carlo beamed excitedly.

I was still perplexed by the new name he decided to address Antonio with.

“A puppy!” He suddenly exclaimed, his eyes fixed in a particular direction. He begged Sandra to allow him to get down, and she did. After that, he chased after the puppy, while Sandra also chased after him.

Antonio shook his head, an amused smile on his face as he settled on the chair. “The puppy’s for Camilla.” He informed me.

“Oh…” was all I uttered.

Pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs were on the dining table, so we served ourselves. We ate in utter silence afterwards, not without stealing glances at each other, though.

After we finished eating, I was the first to speak. “Thank you,” I said.

I realised I hadn’t properly thanked him for the incredible thing he did for me and my son.

He raised a brow. “For?”

“For saving Carlo, I really, really appreciate what you did.” I said with all sincerity. “You risked your life for someone who isn’t your son. You are truly-”

I trailed off when he suddenly leapt to his feet and angrily walked out of the dining area without uttering a word to me.

I was confused, wondering if I said something wrong.