Chapter 117: A Gift

**Althaia**

We were back at his Nona’s place since I had to attend the ball that was taking place tomorrow evening. This also meant we had to still sleep in separate rooms because they didn’t know we were married yet.

Now, I was in bed, tossing and turning as I couldn’t seem to find a comfortable spot. I was used to have Damiano sleep next to me and it wasn’t helping that he wasn’t with me either. I sat up as I let out a sound of frustration and got up from the bed. An idea came to mind when I took a look at the wrapped ring box I had. I grabbed it and made my way to the door.

I carefully opened the door and peeked out in the hallway to see if the coast was clear. It was as quiet as it could be and I thought I would take this as my chance and carefully closed the door behind me. I moved silently through the dimly lit hallway and made my way downstairs.

I stopped at the end of the staircase and took a look around in case his was Nonna was up. I almost wanted to chuckle how two adults had to sneak around to be with each other, and I was having my fun with it right now as I played spy and tried to be light on my feet.

It wasn’t that difficult as I tiptoed my way around, hiding behind any near furniture to see if the coast was clear. In no time, I stood in front of Damiano’s door and I carefully pulled the handle down and opened the door. I was even holding my breath just to make sure no sound was to be heard. I let out a breath once I had sneaked inside and closed the door behind me.

I looked at the bed, seeing Damiano lying there peacefully with his eyes closed. And it was such a mighty sight as he was shirtless and had his arms behind his head, making his biceps look deliciously huge. I walked closer and hovered over him, expecting him to open his eyes but they remained closed.

“Damiano.” I whispered out to see if he was truly asleep but he didn’t react.

“Damiano.” I still got no response from him. I squinted my eyes at him before letting out a smirk.

“I’m horny.” Damiano’s eyes flew open and grabbed me so fast I was now lying underneath him. I had to bite down on my lip to prevent myself from laughing.

“I knew you weren’t asleep!”

“Offer me your pussy and I will even wake up from death.”

“You’re too much.” I chuckled quietly.

“Spread your legs, baby” His hand was already on its way down before I stopped him.

“I’m not horny, I just said it to get your attention.” He clicked his tongue at me, not impressed.

“Shame. I was about to show you a good time.”

“I know. But I just wanted to sleep next to you.”

“That’s just as good.” He smiled.

“I actually have something for you.” I smiled nervously and sat up to turn on the light on the nightstand. He raised a brow at me when I reached in between my breasts to retrieve the ring box I had stuffed in since I had no pockets.

“Here. For you.” I handed him the gift, butterflies were flying around in my stomach as I had no idea if he would like it. I watched him unwrap it and observed his expression but not much was showing. He finally opened it and took a look at it before his eyes met mine. I gave a shy smile and took the ring out of the box, held his hand in mine, and put the ring on his finger.

“I want people to know you’re taken too. I thought it looked nice with the green emerald as you always say you love my green eyes. They say green represents growth and renewal, being the color of spring and rebirth. The gold represents divinity and power.” I finished and he took a look at it for a while.

I bit down on my lip in nervousness. I had no idea if it even was something he would wear. I had never seen him wear any kind of jewelry so this was a risky shot. I immediately thought of him when Mr. Felini told me what the colors represented, and considering Damiano’s story, I thought it was so fitting.

“I can’t remember the last time I received a gift …” He said quietly while still looking at it.

“But this is definitely my favorite one.” He looked at me with a soft smile.

“You really like it?” I asked, hopeful.

“I do. Thank you, my love.” A wave of butterflies erupted in my stomach when he pulled me in for a soft kiss. I was relieved he liked and it looked even better on him as it made him look rich and powerful in a different way.

“You look even more handsome with that ring on your finger.”

“Because it lets people know I’m yours.” He said amused.

“Yup!” I said immediately and got comfortable in the bed with him. It did make my jealous ass feel better now he was wearing a ring.

“There’s also something I want to ask you…” I trailed off.

“What is it?” He looked at me while stroking my hair.

“I just met Miciela today and she asked about you.. Made me wonder if you two have -“

“No, never.” He shook his head and I felt relieved when he said that.

“Okay, good. Now I can sleep in peace.” I yawned and snuggled into him with a smile.

“Is that what kept you awake?” He raised his brow at me.

“Maybe.” I gave an innocent shrug.

“You silly woman.” He chuckled and I poked my tongue out at him.

“Miciela is known for being a climber. There’s no way I could ever mess around with someone like her.”

“A climber? The type who fucks her way to the top?” I asked, not expecting to hear that.

“Yes. She thought she could use Rafaelle to get to me but he was only interested in fucking her. So he did, and left as soon as he was done with her.”

“No way!” I gasped.

“I had to save his ass as he almost got in trouble with her brother. I’ve told him many times to not fuck anyone important to my business but he still did.” He let out a small sigh and shook his head.

“… I kind of feel sorry that he used her like that, even though she used him too.” I muttered, not liking how they used each other.

“She tried to get to Lorenzo after she failed with Rafaelle.” My eyes went as wide as they could as I dropped my jaw.

“I take back what I said, I don’t feel sorry for her. She really tried to get with Tank Man?” I honestly had no idea how one had the guts to approach Tank Man. He looked like he could crush you with his pinky. Damiano laughed quietly at my reactions and when I said Tank Man. He moved to lie on his side and pulled me into him.

“If it makes you feel better, I always made sure it was with women I knew I wouldn’t see again. And I definitely don’t mess around with someone I’m in business with.”

“It does make me feel better. Thank you for telling me that.” I knew it shouldn’t matter as it was all in the past but it made me feel so much better knowing he never messed around with Miciela. I didn’t like her one bit as she was probably the biggest faker I’d ever met.

“Go to sleep, you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow.” I gave a nod as I was already feeling my eyes getting tired. I snuggled into him and soon let sleep take over me while he did smooth circles on my back.

It was yet another day of training after I had sneaked my way out of Damiano’s room and gotten ready. Even though I had an event to attend later in the evening, Damiano wouldn’t let me miss my training. And trust me, I tried to get out of it by saying it takes time to get ready but he simply shut me down, having me scowl at him all the way to the field.

“Hey there, pretty lady!” I looked up at the familiar voice.

“Rafaelle!” I said excitedly when I saw him. He did a small run towards me and gave me a bone-crushing hug.

“Have you missed me?!” He shouted.

“I have!” I chuckled when he let go of me. “When did you get here?”

“Not too long ago. I heard something big happened to you and I had to come and see for myself. Let me see your hand!” He grabbed my hand and did a dramatic squeal.

“Holy fucking shit that is huge! Congratulations!” He picked me up and started to shake me as I laughed.

“How did he do it? Was he romantic? Did you spread your legs for him after?” He wiggled his brows, making me roll my eyes at him.

“As if I’m going to tell you.” I shook my head at him and he almost pouted at me.

“Come on! Just tell me!”

“I will leave it to your imagination.”

“Oh, baby, the things I imagine are going to make you feel so dirty -” Rafaelle barely got to finish his sentence when Damiano punched him in the stomach, making him let out a strangled breath. I just shook my head at him for never learning to keep his mouth shut when Damiano was around.

I looked to the others while Damiano was busy threatening Rafaelle’s ass when I noticed Antonio was here as well. He walked up to me with a smile, completely ignoring the ruckus between the cousins.

“Congratulations, Althaia. I’m happy he finally proposed to you.” He said and ruffled my hair.

“Thanks, Nino.” I smirked as he slightly squinted his eyes at me.

“I told you, you can’t call me that.”

“Mess up my hair and I will call you Nino.” He shook his head at me in amusement.

“How’s Ellie and the baby girl?” His eyes brightened at the mention of them, having me smile.

“They’re both doing great. Baby girl is healthy and growing stronger every day.”

“Just what I want to hear! I can’t wait to see her, she’s going to be so cute!” I had no doubt she would be one beautiful baby girl with the genes of her parents. Her father with blue eyes and her mother with a sepia skin tone. She was going to break hearts for sure.

“Me too. Just don’t let her wait for too long, she needs her cousins.” He said quietly to me and my heart just started to beat a little faster at the thoughts of both our kids running and playing around together.

“I’m already working on it.” I whispered to him with a chuckle.

“Good.” He gave a playful wink.

“Not the face! I have to stay pretty for Ava!” Rafaelle’s voice rang out and I turned to look at them.

“My God, Damiano just leave him alone!” I quickly went over to them and stopped Damiano before he could land another punch. I pulled him away from Rafaelle who tried to compose himself before he let out a goofy smile

“Don’t worry about me, I can take it. It keeps me young.” I just sighed at him but couldn't help but laugh anyway.

“So, when’s the big date?” I looked at Damiano and he gave me a nod, letting me know I could tell them.

“Well, there’s no rush actually since we’re already married.” Rafaelle dropped his jaw open and Antonio just smiled as he slightly shook his head while looking at Damiano but he didn’t look surprised.

“Without me?!”

“We haven’t told anyone, you’re the only ones who know. So keep your mouth shut.” Damiano said sternly to Rafaelle.

“Does that mean she…?” He stopped talking when Damiano gave him a deadly glare, making him raise his brows a little before letting out a smirk when he looked at me again. I looked at them, not having a clue what they were talking about.

“Althaia, get started. We don’t have that much time.” Damiano gestured for me to get out on the field.

“Which one of you losers is fighting me today?” I looked at Giovanni and Luca with a teasing smile.

“Oh, look who’s confident! Let me go for a round.” Rafaelle rubbed his hands together and got ready.

“Ready to get that ass spanked?” He wiggled his brows.

“It’s my turn to beat him up.” I said to Damiano when he pulled out his gun.

“We’ll see about that.” Rafaelle caught me off guard when he grabbed me and put me in a headlock. But I had practiced this at least hundreds of times now and knew exactly what to do.

I quickly moved my head to the side to free my airway. I elbowed him in the stomach to create a little distance between us before he could restrain my arms. Next, I held onto his arm, put my chin down, and bit him. Hard.

“Ow, shit! You bit me!” He yelled in surprise and immediately loosened his hold on me, giving me the chance to get a better grip on his arm before I flipped him over my shoulder. He landed with a loud thud upside down in front of me.

“Don’t underestimate me. Look who’s my trainer.” I gave him a taunting smile.

“Don’t get cocky!” He smirked and grabbed my ankle. I saw right through it and got down on one knee before he could push me down. I gave a painful punch to his bicep to give a temporary paralysis.

“Come again?” I teased when he let out a groan.

The training went on as I had my fun kicking Rafaelle’s ass. He obviously went easy on me in the first rounds but after seeing I wasn’t that easy to take down he went tough on me. It was challenging but fun as I managed to hold my ground for a long time before he eventually slammed me to the ground.

It had to be a short training as I had to get back to get ready for tonight’s event. I took a much-needed shower when we got back to his Nonna’s place and started to get ready once I was done. I did a warm makeup look with winged eyeliner and decided to do my hair in an elegant low updo with a few strands of my hair loose around my face.

Pleased with the result I went back to the bedroom to grab my dress but stopped when I noticed my phone had been buzzing on the bed. I grabbed my phone but it had stopped ringing. I frowned a little when I saw how many missed calls I had and before my mind could think of the worst possible things that could have happened, it rang again.

It was Michael.

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