Chapter 63 THE SECRET DOOR(2)

Chapter 63 THE SECRET DOOR(2)
He pulled out a very long gown midnight black, high slit at the side, fabric that would flow like water when she moved. He held it up against Aurora’s frame as she watched, expression unreadable.

"Don't forget to fill me with anything you find unusual" he said.

"I'm aware. Don't teach me my work" she replied, cold and controlled, taking the dress from him and letting the fabric fall across her fingers.

Matteo hesitated, then asked, "Aurora, what's up with you?"

"You know what, so stop asking," she snapped, eyes flashing. She met his gaze steadily. "I hope you haven't killed Enzo. That bastard deserves to be killed by only me"

"Yeah. I kept him alive because of you"

"Good" she said simply, already stepping behind the screen to dress. Her voice had a clipped finality to it as she smoothed the fabric along her hips.

Matteo reached out, then pulled back, the conflict visible on his face. "Don't let him touch you too much, please. I might die"

Aurora's hand paused at the zipper.

"Let's see how it goes"

She stepped into her heels, slung her purse over her shoulder, and walked out of the suite without another glance at Matteo. The soft click of the door closing behind her left the room steeped in silence.

Matteo exhaled heavily, dragging a hand through his hair before heading to the living room. He slumped on the sofa, elbows resting on his knees, mind spinning with everything Aurora had said.

Just then, the doorbell rang. His phone buzzed at the same moment.

Maya: Open the door, brother.

He rolled his eyes, already sensing the trouble that came with her tone.

A moment later, the door swung open and Maya strolled in, all black leather and attitude.

"Is that really Aurora?" she asked, whistling low. "She changed, damn! I'm glad that fool is gone though"

Matteo shot her a flat look. "What are you doing here?"

"Chill, okay? I just want to talk to you" she said, throwing herself on the couch opposite him.

"Start talking"

"Well..." she began, stretching the word lazily. "Axel is in Paris"

"So?"

"He wants to team up"

"We don’t need him"

"Are you serious right now?" she said, her eyes narrowing. "He’s our brother! That’s Axel we’re talking about!"

Matteo leaned back, his patience fraying. "Can you just leave now? I need some quiet time alone"

"No, I won’t," Maya shot back, already standing. "What’s available? I’m starving"

She sauntered into the kitchen, and Matteo groaned quietly. A minute later, she returned with a plate of food in one hand and a disgusted look on her face.

"First of all, that kitchen is a mess. Secondly, I tasted the food, and it tasted horribly. You have never tried cooking, and I know Aurora’s food doesn’t taste that way"

"Don’t mock me. I tried, okay?" Matteo muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You cooked?" Maya laughed, clutching her stomach. "Holy ball! What happened?"

"Okay," Matteo admitted with a sheepish smirk. "I think I messed up"

"Spill" she demanded, grinning now, leaning forward like she was ready for a story.

Matteo ran a hand over his face, the memory still burning hot in his mind.

"Look… I—there was this drug… some shit that got into my system, an harmless glass of water i drank. I was… I don’t know… completely out of control. I didn’t even realize what I was doing"

Maya’s eyes went wide, a mix of disbelief and shock flashing across her face. "Wait… are you saying…"

"I ended up… with Bianca, because I thought she was Aurora!"

Maya blinked, trying to process the confession. "Oh wow! You… you don’t even know your wife’s scent?"

Matteo groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "She had the same scent… and that night… Aurora… I wasn’t even thinking! My brain was completely gone. It wasn’t… it wasn’t intentional, I swear!"

Maya leaned back, hands on her knees, letting out a slow whistle. "Damn… I get why she’s furious. That’s… insane"

Matteo’s jaw clenched. "Insane doesn’t even cover it. And now… now she won’t even talk to me"

Maya tilted her head, smirking slightly despite the tension. "Well… you deserve it, bro. But it’s fixable… if you survive her wrath"

Matteo let out a humorless laugh, sinking back into the couch. "Yeah… surviving Aurora’s wrath is a whole different level of hell"

Maya shook her head, chuckling. "Man, you are so dead… literally and figuratively"

Matteo groaned again, burying his face in his hands. "Don’t remind me… I already know"

Maya snorted, shaking her head. "So you cooked for her to placate her?"

"No," he said quickly, frowning. "She told me to cook for her. I told her I can’t cook, but she didn’t even give a damn. I watched some YouTube tutorials, tried to follow them, but I still ended up… doing rubbish. And she… she didn’t even eat it after all the stress"

Maya burst out laughing, slapping her knee. "Why would she? This is nonsense, I can’t even eat it myself!"

Matteo groaned, sinking deeper into the couch. "You don’t understand, Maya… I put blood, sweat, and tears into that food!"

"Yeah, and she still hates your guts," Maya said, smirking. "Classic Aurora"

He rubbed his face, muttering, "I’m doomed… absolutely doomed"

Maya leaned back, still chuckling. "Welcome to being married to a mafia queen, bro"

After a moment, Maya spoke again, her voice careful, almost tentative.

"Matteo… can you allow one of your mobsters to be in a relationship with any of your family?"

He froze, looking up from his phone. "Where’s this question coming from?"

Maya shrugged lightly, pretending nonchalance. "I’m just curious… so, will you?"

Matteo’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing slightly. "No"

"Why… no?" she pressed, leaning a little closer.

"Just… no. Now stop being a curious cat" he said firmly.

Maya smiled awkwardly, exhaling a small sigh as she turned her gaze toward the window, pretending to study the city below, her heart quietly racing.

•••

DELUCA'S ESTATE

Aurora stepped into the DeLuca mansion. Nicholas appeared almost immediately, dark suit crisp, his presence calm yet magnetic.

"I'm so glad you came back," he said, sincerity threading through his tone. "I just couldn’t stop thinking about you"

Aurora offered a faint, controlled smile. "Me too," she replied, hiding the surge of adrenaline racing through her chest.

Antonio appeared from the side, his aura overwhelming, eyes sharp and unblinking. Aurora’s posture remained perfect, though her pulse quickened.

"Welcome, my… daughter-in-law," he said smoothly and commanding. "Like i said, the wedding will be scheduled next week, on Saturday"

Aurora nodded politely, allowing a measured smile to mask the calculation behind her eyes.

Nicholas guided her toward the dining hall. Antonio followed, silent but every step echoing authority. The long table gleamed under the crystal chandelier, silverware polished, wine poured, servants attentive yet invisible in the background.

Antonio’s gaze finally fell on her. "Aurora, what is your full name?" he asked.

"Aurora Rizzo" she replied evenly.

"And your parents?"

"They are dead" she said simply, her tone neutral.

Antonio’s eyes flicked toward Nicholas, a silent exchange passing between them. "Oh… so sorry about them" he said, voice calm, almost polite.

Aurora inclined her head slightly. The comment had been brief, but it allowed her a small window. Without hesitation, she spoke again. "The way to your restroom, please" she asked suddenly, her tone casual yet urgent.

Antonio and Nicholas exchanged a quick glance, then Antonio turned to indicate the direction. Aurora moved through the grand hall toward the restroom, the soft rustle of her gown loud in the heavy silence.

The bathroom door gleamed at the end of the hallway, and she pushed it open, finishing her business quickly.

As she stepped out, something at the far end of the hall caught her eye: a heavy, metallic door, the surface unadorned except for a faintly blinking keypad. Her curiosity pulled her closer, fingers brushing the cold metal.

Suddenly, a shadow fell behind her.

"You seem lost, the dining room is this way, Aurora" Came Antonio’s voice, underlined with unmistakable menace.

Aurora froze for a fraction of a second, forcing an awkward laugh. "Yes, I… I totally lost my way. This house is enormous" she said, stepping back and moving off, careful to mask her tension.

Antonio remained, eyes dark and unblinking, watching her retreat down the hall.

Aurora’s hand lingered at the keypad for a heartbeat longer before she walked away, heart hammering, mind racing.

'This house is big, more dangerous than I imagined… and that door, i want to know whatever it leads to' Aurora thought as she went back to the dinning room.

Antonio’s eyes followed her, shadowed, calculating, his look heavy with the threat of discovery.