Chapter 13: HIS ATTRACTION

Antonio

“What are you going to do now that she knows about everything?” Matteo asked as he leaned casually against the side desk in my office, concern flickering in his eyes.

“Nothing,” I responded from behind the heavy rosewood table where I sat, signing off on the long overdue documents scattered all over it. After leaving the room I’d gone back to the office with Matteo, so I could give her enough space to think and accept that her new life was with me now.

“Nothing?” he re-echoed my words, his tone rising in surprise.

“Nothing,” I repeated, my focus on the paperwork before me. “She can't get away from me anyway.”

“That’s besides the point,” he said as he leaned away from the desk and walked my way, taking the seat in front of me. “Why don't you try a gentler approach? I don't think your Mr. Hard guy antics are going to work on a girl like Celine.”

My hand stilled, my eyes lifting from the document to his face. “What do you mean?” I dropped the pen, leaning back into the leather chair.

“Loosen up,” he stated. “Let down your guard a bit,” He waved a finger in my face. “Those creases on your forehead can be quite scary, you know.”

My eyes rolled upward, an amused smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

“See what I mean?!” he exclaimed playfully. “That's the problem right there. She sees the bloodshed, the ruthlessness, the dangers, but never gets to see this side of you that I do. All you have to do is be a little more empathetic, and watch her gradually warm up to you. Who knows, you might just win her heart too.”

“I'm not interested in winning her heart,” I remarked. “She just has to stay right beside me, where I can see her. Love is a—”

“Weakness,” he cut in, taking the words right out of my mouth. “Yeah, right. I've heard that about a million times already.”

“So you should know better,” I said lightly. “Love only makes you vulnerable. It takes and drains you until you end up losing yourself in the process.”

His eyes crinkled at the sides, a mischievous smile framing his lips. “All these epistle on love yet you say

you aren't interested in winning her heart. Why do you feel the need to defend it if you're so convinced?”

“So it sinks into your head, smart mouth,” I retorted playfully. “Perhaps, don't women love cold and dangerous men?”

“That's a terrible theory,” He stifled out a laugh. “Where on earth did you get that faulty generalization from? Well if you must know, women actually despise guys like you. I'm more of the ideal type.” He flashed me a teasing smirk. “Humourous, kind, attentive. Which you seem to all lack.”

“Haha,” I chuckled dryly. “Real funny.”

“You know, I'll never be able to phantom how you, who has never for once been interested in keeping a woman, went through all that trouble to get her. You practically watched her for weeks.” He laughed softly. “It's crazy the more I think about it. And to think that you two are like fire and ice. Never mixing. You must really like her.”

“It's not that deep, man,” I remarked. “It's just an…” I paused, searching for the right words. “Attraction. To something unfamiliar. To me, Celine’s like a hunger I can't quench. I don't want to love her. I just want her to exist.”

“That’s not what I see,” he said cheekily. “You care about her. You're just in denial.”

“Then I'm afraid you'll have to get your eyes checked.”

“Like I said, denial,” he teased. “You don't jump from that height into the sea without thinking twice to save someone you don't care about.”

“What does it matter?” I scoffed. “She doesn't even remember any of that.”

“Then tell her,” he urged. “Make her remember.”

“It's not that simple, okay,” I snapped. “If she has no recollection of falling into the sea even until now, then it only means she's not past the trauma yet. Moreover, we still don't know the identity of the man who’d tried to kill her. She's the only one who knows what had transpired leading to that event, but her brain doesn't want her to remember. I can't force it back.”

“I understand that, I do,” he said softly. “But you're the one making this seem so difficult. Life doesn't have to be so complicated, Antonio. I'm not asking you to force her to remember anything. What I wanna know is why you've chosen to put up such a huge wall between you two when you could just pull her close? Let her get to see the real you I've always known before…” he hesitated. “before that incident happened.”

My eyes dimmed with heavy sadness, memories of my family flashing back in bits and pieces. “I'm no longer that man,” I muttered, my face hardening

“What are you so afraid of?” he asked softly. “A repeat?”

“I never got feedback from you on Armando,” I blurted, dismissing the topic. I grabbed the pen, turning my attention back to the documents on the table.

“He's been taken care of, just as you’d ordered,” he answered quickly. “Don't try to change the topic.”

“Just make sure he stays locked up in there,” I continued, making it very clear that I had no intention of delving into the past. “I don't want her finding out about his whereabouts.”

“Antonio,” he called out.

“Matteo,” My jaw clenched, my cold eyes lifting up to meet his.

“Fine,” He lifted his right hand in surrender. “I won't bring back the past. Only if you agree to take my advice.”

I sighed deeply. “What advice?”

“About treating Celine better,” he said, his hand lowering. “Being more empathetic and understanding of her feelings,” he added.

I exhaled sharply. “Fine. If I do what you want, will you get out of my face?”

He nodded, a self-satisfied smirk spreading across his lips.

“Okay, then,” I leaned up from the chair, folding my arms. “Let's hear it. What do I have to do?”

“Leave it to me,” He threw me a sly smile, his eyes lighting up. “Firstly,” He rose to his feet and closed the document in front of me. “We'll need to get out of here.”

I squinted my eyes, eyeing him suspiciously. “What are you up to, Matteo?”

“Patience, my man,” he said, giving me a pat on the shoulder. “Just trust me on this one. Come on.” He tilted his head in the direction of the glass door.

“Suit yourself,” I said as I rose from the chair. I grabbed my suit hanging on the backside, slipping it on as I followed him out.