Married to Mafia Boss novel Chapter 74

Married to Mafia Boss

Chapter 74

Marco POV

Just now, Alia declined my invitation.

“Why don’t you go ahead first? I still have some things to finish up.”

After a long pause, I finally said softly—

“Alright.”

On the other end of the phone, there was silence, then Alia sighed with relief. She chatted with me briefly before hanging up.

It’s now eleven–thirty, and many colleagues have left the office for lunch.

Alia put down her phone and began gathering her things to leave.

Focused on collecting her belongings, Alia naturally couldn’t see me outside the office, having just put down my phone.

Most of Cortez Tech’s office spaces are separated by glass partitions, allowing clear views from the outside. Right now, I’m standing outside the business department, quietly gazing toward Alia’s workstation.

I’ve actually been standing here for quite some time, watching Alia sit at her desk lost in thought, her expressions shifting between bright and somber. I can’t help wondering: what is she thinking about? Could it be about me?

As if possessed, I took out my phone and dialed Alia’s number.

Seeing my call, Alia first appeared flustered, then her face lit up with a smile as radiant as summer flowers.

I’ve seen many beautiful women in my life, countless more beautiful than Alia, but Alia has the most beautiful smile–bright and dazzling, blinding even. For a moment, I was captivated by that smile.

I want to claim that smile for myself, to tell everyone that Alia is mine.

Out of courtesy, I called to invite her to lunch.

From outside the glass, i could see her hesitation.

After being rejected, I suddenly felt a pang of disappointment.

Alia rejected me, rejected making our relationship public.

I suddenly wanted to walk in without caring about consequences, take Alia’s hand, abandon those strange promises, and announce loudly–Alia is my wife.

But I couldn’t bear to put her in a difficult position.

Luca, having finished his work, came to my side and asked quietly, “Mr. Vittorio, would you like to invite your wife to join us?

Inside the office, Alia was stil! gathering her things

I watched silently before turning to Luca and saying, “Let’s go. We’ll head there first.”

By the time Alia arrived at the private room at the Ritz Hotel, I had been waiting for quite some time.

When Alia opened the door, she saw me sitting elegantly by the window.

Sunlight from outside fell on my forehead and across my profile, accentuating the clear, strong lines of my face.

Chapter 74

Alia suddenly felt as if the scene before her was a painting, but, strangely, she saw loneliness in it.

Alia couldn’t help wanting to move closer, to embrace me deeply behind.

However, before she could act, I had already noticed her.

I turned my face and smiled, “You’re here.”

Alia felt her face grow warm and hurriedly avoided my penetrating gaze. She gave a soft affirmative sound and sat down across from me.

Today the chef had prepared a seafood feast.

Truffle scallops, Sicilian–style crab, pan–fried sea bass, olive oil poached shrimp, and a mouth–watering plate of Sicilian prawns. All Mediterranean sea! exactly what Alia loves.

Alia loves seafood, but unfortunately, when she lived in Montrano, the seafood wasn’t authentic. After moving to the coastal city of Portano, she fr indulged in seafood feasts.

Alia looked at the table full of dishes and glanced at me with some surprise.

Whether by coincidence or something else, Alia noticed that I always seemed to know what she liked, as if I were an old acquaintance.

“What is it?” I asked, puzzled by her gaze.

“Nothing,” Alia said as she spread the napkin on her lap, but couldn’t help asking, “I’m just curious how you knew these were my favorites?”

I didn’t answer immediately, instead pouring Alia a glass of white wine. “Try it.”

In truth, I had once gone to great lengths to investigate Alia, learning clearly what she had experienced, what she liked…

“Hmm?” Seeing my hesitation, Alia blinked.

“It’s nothing. I’m glad you like it.” I couldn’t yet tell Alia that I had personally investigated everything about her, so I cut the topic short.

The response was abrupt, and Alia didn’t know how to continue the conversation. She simply said thank you and quietly began eating.

We both ate in silence for some time before I suddenly asked with slight confusion, “Don’t you like Sicilian prawns?”

Alia was momentarily stunned, only then realizing that she had touched every dish except the Sicilian prawns…

‘I do like them,” Alia smiled and answered.-

Alia loves salt and pepper Sicilian prawns and could normally eat a whole plate by herself.

However, while Sicilian prawns are delicious, they are quite troublesome to eat and not very elegant to look at. So she didn’t want to eat them in front of

me,

But I understood differently. I knew Sicilian prawns were tasty but difficult to peel.

In the past, whenever Sabrina and I ate this dish, she would always complain and ask our mother to help peel them, as she couldn’t do it well and would cut herself. Mother would indulge her and peel an entire plate of Sicilian prawns for her.

Alia says she likes them but isn’t eating them–perhaps for the same reason?

With this thought, I put on disposable gloves, took a Sicilian prawn, and tried to peel it, recalling how my mother used to do it.

I don’t like eating Sicilian prawns, so naturally, I’ve never peeled them before. I was clumsy at it, unable to find the right technique.

Seeing me struggle without success, Alja also took a Sicilian prawn and said, “You should peel it like this.

12:28 Mon, 4 Aug

Chapter 74

As she spoke, she twisted off the head of the prawn, then inserted a fork from the tail. The succulent meat of the prawn instantly came out.

I watched with amazement and wanted to try it myself, so I picked up a fork and followed Alia’s example. But somehow, I couldn’t extract the meat as smoothly as she did.

Alia, seeing my awkwardness, couldn’t help but laugh, which earned her a glare from me..

Help me, I said.

Alia picked up another Sicilian prawn, about to demonstrate, when I added, “Guide my hands.”

I said it casually, as if it were the most natural thing.

Alia looked into my eyes, which seemed to contain the stars, and suddenly blushed again.

It was just peeling a prawn–why was she blushing?

She shook her head, dismissing the strange thoughts in her mind. Then she stood up and sat down beside me.

I remained seated while Alia stood.

She had to lean down, then took my hand, guiding me step by step.

The air was filled with the aroma of seafood, spices, and the faint scent from Alia’s body. This intimacy made me feel dizzy.

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