Massimo's P.O.V
'What is Liam doing here?' I thought as I looked at him being inside Maya's room? 'And what the heck is he doing inside her room?' I had no information about him coming over and he would always inform beforehand, so it was a surprise for me to have him here, especially with Maya. And by the look of it they both looked to be engrossed in some whatever conversation they were having.
I heard Maya's soft giggle and my eyes involuntarily got narrowed. Since the door was ajar opened I could see inside, and currently Liam must've said something funny to her that made her giggling like that. 'When was the last time she giggled with me like that?' I didn't like the answer that came with that question.
I didn't know what I was supposed to do. 'Should I just walk away and leave them with whatever conversation they're having, or should I barge inside and politely ask Liam to get the fuck out of her room?' It was close to some torture for me to witness her being so carefree and happy with someone else.
'Well, you could've had all of that but you decided to be an asshole!' My subconscious mind taunted.
I knew I couldn't have her the way I wanted. In the beginning it was just physical attraction, just about getting her under me, on my bed. But soon, without my knowledge she became more than that, and I couldn't have that. I couldn't ruin her life. I couldn't force her into my dangerous world because that would only end her where my mamma had ended. I had already lost one woman in my life, I couldn't have afford to lose her as well in that way.
I remembered Liam showing some interest in Maya when he had been here the last time. But he had backed off saying he had known that someone else (that was me) already had eyes on her. Liam was a good man, he sure was a mafia boss but he was definitely not cruel, cold-hearted bastard like me. If there was anyone that could be seen worthy enough to be with Maya, it unfortunately was him. But then again he was also in the mafia, so there was no way I'd let him have her.
'Ya, him being in the mafia is the only reason why I won't let him have her!' I knew my subconscious mind wouldn't agree with me on that.
So, I let them knew that I was there. They had been conversing for a while anyway. I knocked on the ajar door, instantly getting their attention on me. Her beautiful eyes fell on me, first surprised, then she narrowed them a little and looked away.
"Oh Hi Massimo." Liam said, still sitting on her bed. "I hope you don't mind me coming over here unannounced." He then said. "As soon as I found out about the accident I just couldn't stop myself." He looked back at Maya, then put his hand over hers and gave it a damn squeeze. "I just wanted to come here soon & make sure everyone was ok." Ya of course, he had wanted to make sure "everyone" was ok by just sitting here and chatting with Maya. I had been in the accident as well but not once did he ask if I was alright.
"Of course not. Why would I mind you coming here." I said letting out a forced smile. In return he grinned back at me. He was still on the bed, not making a single move to get up and possibly make some distance between him and her.
I cleared my throat, looking in between them. Maya was not looking at me, she was looking in my direction but not at me. I knew it was for the best but I just didn't like how she had been having a full on conversation with Liam and had been giggling with him, but she'd not even spare me a look.
"I'm going to my office room now." I informed him. "If you want you can come."
"Oh it's alright you go. I actually have something to talk to Maya." He said looking at me in the eyes. I didn't know if I was seeing things but he had a slight smirk at the corner of his lips. I stopped myself from pulling him out of the room with me. With clenched jaw and tight fists I gave him a curt nod and then turned around. Without looking back I walked out of the room, leaving the door ajar on my way out.
***
I had been inside my office room for two fucking hours now and Liam still hadn't stopped by. I was trying not to think that he was still inside Maya's room with her, sitting on her bed, close to her.
Taking the waste paper in my hand I crushed it, trying not to think or imagine the scene in my head.
With clenched jaw, I picked up my phone and dialled Enzo's number. "Did you know Liam was coming today?" I asked as soon as he picked the call.
I heard him heaving a sigh and then some noise in the background. "I'm waiting for your response Enzo." I said not liking that he hadn't spoken yet.
But before I could hear his response I heard some feminine voice in the background, in the distance but couldn't understand the words. 'Is he with some puttana?'
"Uh um No. No I didn't. Why? Is he here?" He asked, his voice clueless.
"Yes, he is." with Maya in her room, I stopped myself from adding that. "I had no idea he was coming over."
"Oh well, he must've wanted to surprise us I guess." He said letting out a chuckle.
Now, I had no problem with Liam coming over. But he had never come unannounced before. He'd always inform me, saying being a mafia boss I should know who's coming at my house. And besides he'd always come for work related purpose, sometimes for some event or function, but never without any reason or purpose. 'What's his purpose of visit this time?' I thought to myself.
OMNISCIENCE
As soon as Massimo had left, Liam turned to look at Maya and chuckled at her. "I'm half expecting him to come back and drag me out of your room."
Maya looked at him with furrowed eyebrows, "Why would he do that?"
"Couldn't you see how hard it was for him to look at me in close proximity with you?" Liam asked in an obvious tone.
Maya didn't want to believe that. "That's absurd. You must've misunderstood something." Maya didn't want to believe Liam because then that would just make Maya more confused. She had been trying not to get affected by him, and if Liam would give her more hope then she'd not be able to control her emotions towards Massimo.
"Massimo is an idiot, but you my love I don't take you for some dumb girl." Liam said rolling his eyes at Maya. 'Massimo is one lucky bastard!' Liam thought as he looked at this cute clueless girl. If Massimo wasn't his friend and an alley, he would've done everything in his possession to make her fall for him. But unfortunately that was not possible, so all Liam could do was just pretend and maybe while playing the act he'd not just make Massimo jealous but would also get to know her more.
Maya sighed bringing Liam out of his thoughts. "I don't know what to say or believe anymore." She then said, "Your friend is one tough man with even more tough attitude." Maya let out a grunt.
"You love him don't you." Liam said out of the blue, causing Maya to look at him with a little wide eyes. She didn't reply to that and simply shrugged away.
"I'll take that as a Yes." Liam waited for her to deny but when she didn't, he knew her silent meant she surely was in love with Massimo.
***
Later that day, Massimo was still in his office room when Liam finally made an appearance. Massimo looked up at him thinking what took him so long to finally stop by his office room.
Liam walked inside and sat down on one of the chairs in front of Massimo. "I see you're busy." Liam said gesturing towards all the papers that were scattered on the table in front of him.
Massimo wanted to say, 'Not busier than you since it took you so long for finally coming down at my office room.', but stopped himself at the last moment. "Just the usual." He said instead.
Liam leaned back in his chair looking at him, "You know I really hope you don't mind me showing up here without informing you." Liam knew it was unlikely of him to show without prior information, he also knew that was probably what Massimo also wondering.
And, now he'd put the plan in action.
"Like I said I don't." Massimo replied. "The only reason why I asked because you haven't done that before."
"Ya you're right." Liam said, feeling excited from within because of taking the plan in action. "But when I found out about the accident and that Maya was in the coma, I just couldn't stop myself." Liam noticed a tick in Massimo's jaw. "Had I not been busy with some important work, I would've come here sooner."
"It's alright." Massimo said with a straight face. "You don't have to feel guilty about it."
"I just can't believe how you haven't killed that bastard yet. She almost lost her life." Liam said. Though it was a part of the plan to show care towards Maya, but he was genuinely concerned about her.
"Working on it." Massimo exclaimed. "I won't go without a plan and risk everything."
"I'm sure you have. But seriously how could he! It makes my blood boil with anger!" Liam said, making his voice rough. "She is so innocent and fragile little thing." He then added. "I don't like to even imagine how she must've gone through all of that." And just to prove he was angry he bumped his fist on the table.
"Calm down Liam." Massimo said, not liking how he was showing that much care towards Maya. It somehow bothered him to hear someone else being that worried for her.
"Ya sorry I just lost my shit." Said Liam, trying not to smirk. He could very well see the look on Massimo's face. He knew Massimo didn't like it. Hell, if he was in Massimo's place even he wouldn't have. After all they were alpha males, and they didn't like when someone else showed too much care for their women.
"You want some water?" Massimo said, gesturing towards the jar filled with water.
"No, I'm fine." Liam replied. "More than fine actually after seeing her being fine." He then added.
Massimo clenched his jaw, leaning in forward he put his folded arms on the table, "It's nice to see you being concerned about her, but you don't have to." He wanted to add a few more things but refrained himself from doing so.
Liam sighed, looking at Massimo he said, "Look I know you like her and care for her and would do everything in you to protect her." Massimo listened, wondering where he was going with that conversation. "But, I just....I mean don't get me wrong but she has been in danger twice in your presence. First she got kidnapped and then the accident." Liam knew if there was anything that could set a man free especially a mafiosa capo, that would be telling him that he was incapable of doing his duty.
And Liam was right because Massimo's eyes had gotten dark, his already clenched jaw looked like he was about to snap but still he kept his cool. "Are you saying I'm incapable of protecting her?" His voice was hard, his tone dark.
"I'm not saying that. All I'm saying is if you let her come with me-" And before Liam could complete his sentence Massimo stood up from seat so fast that the chair fell behind him.
"Be glad that I think of you as my good alley, otherwise I wouldn't think twice before showing you exactly whom you're talking to!" Massimo almost roared at him. But Liam didn't mind his tone, or what he just said to him. Because that was what he had been expecting for Massimo to say.
"You take things to your ego so fast. Chill mate." Liam said in his calm tone, and Massimo didn't like that.
"You don't tell me to Chill after insinuating that I'm incapable and that I can't take care of what's mine!" Liam smirked inwardly, he knew Massimo purposely said mine in that possessive tone, to clearly tell him that Maya was his.
***
"I'm surprised he didn't punch you in the face for saying that to him." Enzo said to Liam who had just recited the entire conversation that he had with Massimo earlier in his office room.
Currently he was inside Enzo's room, with Maya, Hana, Bianca, Amanda and Enzo obviously. After coming out of Massimo's office room, he had went to meet the old ladies, who were very happy to see him. He had then went to Enzo's room since he had gotten a text message from him for coming to his room afterwards.
"Believe me I'm surprised as well." Liam said with a chuckle. "The moment I barely suggested taking Maya with me, he lost his composure."
"He's an idiot if he thinks he owns me." Maya said, but from the inside her tummy flipped at the thought of being his.
"He doesn't think that, he believes so darling." Said Liam with a smirk.
"Then he believes wrong, because he doesn't own me or anything." And he had made that pretty clear a lot of times, Maya wanted to add.
"He's in very strong denial phase right now." Said Liam.
"But we can't blame oppa, can we?" Hana interjected. "He has lost a lot and that's why he's scared."
"Scared of what?" Maya couldn't help but to ask.
Liam, Enzo & Hana they all gave each other knowing looks, since they all knew as to why Massimo was scared to let Maya in his world.
"Hana's right. We can't blame him given the fact where he's coming from." Said Liam. No other business alley of Massimo knew that about him. Liam being the only exception.
"He's scared to lose you." He then said, looking at Maya. "His mom...." Maya knew about his mom's death but that's all, she didn't know how she died. "She died inside the house Massimo grew up as a kid. She was murdered there." Maya, Bianca and Amanda, they all looked at him with widened eyes. "She was alone in their house, Mr. Romano was out for some work while Massimo was with his bothers at the ice cream shop nearby, since they had wanted to eat some ice cream. So, after taking permission from their mother, he had left with his brothers. Little did they all know it was the last time they were seeing their mother." Maya didn't like what was coming. "When Massimo returned home with his bothers there was an uncomfortable silence in the air, he knew something was not right the moment he entered." Liam paused before continuing, "And then he saw....he saw his mother's dead body lying in the pool of her own blood on the kitchen floor." A gasp escaped past Maya's lips. "Someone had killed her in their absence." Everyone was silently listening to him. "Later they found out it was Russian mafia. They killed his mom, the wife of Italian mafia boss because his father Mr. Romano had killed someone of theirs. So, they took revenge and killed someone important to them."
"Everyone was grieving after her death, but it was Mr. Romano Massimo's dad who was devastated after losing the love of his life, his wife. He became like a robot, like a body without soul. He even stopped going to work and because of that his mafia family was going down." Liam exclaimed. "Massimo was 20, not that young but not that old either. So, he decided to take over since he was already supposed to take over one day."
"20 is a young age to involve yourself in mafia." Maya interjected. "He should've explore more in life, learn new things, enjoy life." She wasn't supposed to say that out loud but she did.
"After he took over at the age of 20 he became the heartless, cold-hearted man. He only involved himself in the mafia business and nothing else." Liam said, "He swore to never become like his father, to never have feelings. Because then that would mean to have weakness, and in the mafia world you can't have that."
***
Ever since Maya had found out how Massimo's mother had died, she just couldn't stop thinking about it. She couldn't stop thinking about how Massimo had dealt with his mother's loss, how his brothers and Mr. Romano had dealt with the murder of Mrs. Romano.
Maya thought back to the day Massimo had took her to the room where he had kept all his mother's paintings. The way he had talked about his mother that day, had shown how much he had loved his mother and still did. She couldn't even fathom how difficult and painful it was for him to witness his mother's lifeless body.
Maya was deep in her thoughts that she didn't realise she was about to step down the stairs. But before she could lose her foot, and probably fall down the stairs, a hand came out and pulled her back.
She was pulled back into someone's chest. Her hands were in front of her, as she felt someone's body close to her. She knew who that someone was. She could just tell by his cologne, the heat coming out of his body.
"Where were you so lost that you didn't see the stairs!" She was right when she heard Massimo's voice now scolding her, but keeping her in his arms as if she would disappear. "You could've hurt yourself, had you fallen from the stairs!" A smile came up on her lips, seeing him getting worried about her well being.
She finally looked up at him and as she did what Liam had told her about Massimo's mom's death, it all came down in one go. She couldn't help but to look at him with sadness in her eyes, and as Massimo sensed that he loosened his arms a little and pushed her a little to look at her clearly.
"What happened?" He then asked, on seeing her eyes about to spill tears. "Did you get hurt somewhere?" He looked down, trying to inspect if she probably twisted her ankle or something.
Maya kept looking at him and before she could control herself, a few tears slipped down her eyes.
Massimo immediately went down on his knees as he saw tears in her eyes. 'Looks like she has hurt herself badly.' He put his hand over his left and then right foot to check for some injury. "Mio amore are you hurt somewhere?" He asked after not finding any injury. "Tell me where it hurts."
Maya didn't know what to say. The stupid man thought she was crying because she had hurt herself. "Get up." Her voice was low but he heard her nonetheless. "But tell me-" He was about to speak when she urged him to get up by pulling him up by his shoulders.
As he stood up Maya didn't waste anytime and hugged him tightly. She wrapped her arms around him and put her head over his chest. The tears had now started to spill uncontrollably.
Massimo being unaware, got even more worried but didn't break the hug and hugged her back with the same intensity. "Shh shh mio amore." He cooed to her, trying to stop her from crying since he didn't like her crying like that.
"What happened? Tell me please." He was getting worried, Maya could tell that from his tone.
"Just let me hug you please." Was all she whispered to him.
Massimo obviously didn't deny her that, although her crying all of a sudden was worrying him and he didn't like not being able to know the reason for her crying.
They stayed like that for a while, Maya crying in his arms, while Massimo saying sweet nothings to her. Finally, when there were no tears left, Maya finally broke the hug. Massimo hesitantly pulled his arms as well, not wanting to stop hugging her.
Maya wiped her face and sniffed in case she had snot on her face.
"Are you going tell me now what happened?" Massimo asked when he saw she was now no longer crying.
Maya didn't know what to tell him. 'I know how your mother died and that's why I got emotional.' She couldn't say that since that would be a little awkward.
"Um I was....actually, I...I um I'm on my period actually." Out of all the things she blurted out that. She wanted to smack herself. "Eh ya I'm on my period so my hormones are everywhere and ya I just got emotional." She blabbered out.
"Are you in pain?" Massimo asked with genuine concern. There was no sign of discomfort on his face. "I can ask for the tea for you, that last time you had?" He offered.
'If only this man wasn't so difficult, she would've kissed him right now!' She thought to herself.
"No, no I don't have any pain. It was just my hormones." She said gesturing with her hands. "Thanks though."
He was about to ask her again if she was alright when Liam came where they were standing.
"Hey you alright?" He asked Maya when he saw her eyes and it looked like she had been crying.
Maya nodded at him. "Ya I'm alright."
"But your eyes are telling a complete different story. Were you crying?" He insisted. Massimo was looking at him now with narrowed eyes. He didn't know what was wrong with Liam and why he had been showing that much concern towards Maya all of a sudden.
"Um it was nothing." Maya figured Liam was doing it on purpose, he just wanted a reaction out of Massimo.
"Did Massimo say something to you?" Liam then asked that made Massimo to look at him with a scowl on his face. 'Why would he think I did something? He thought.
"No, no he didn't." Maya was quick to answer. "I'm fine seriously, don't worry." She then added.
Liam nodded at her. "Alright if you say so." He then added. "But you can always tell me if something bothers you, alright love?" Maya stole a glance at Massimo and surely he didn't like Liam saying that.
"By the way I was actually coming to you." Liam then said, "I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me tonight for dinner?" As he said that Massimo was quick to interject. "Dinner? What dinner? She isn't going out anywhere!" Was all he said.
Liam snorted at him. "Last I checked she's her own person and can very well make her own decisions."
Massimo shook his head at him. "It's not safe for her. I can't allow it. No."
"Pfft I'm not a kid, I'm a damn mafia boss myself." Liam said dismissively. "And I've my own bullet proof car with me and my bodyguards as well."
"I wasn't asking you Liam. I was telling you." Massimo said, trying not to lash out. "She is not going out." with you, he wanted to add but didn't.
Liam lazily looked at him in the eyes, "And why is that?" He asked. "You're worried about her safety I get it. That's why we're not going out any where far. It's a restaurant just 15 minutes from here and I'll have my bodyguards with me." He said, his eyes challenging.
"It's not safe." Was all Massimo said.
Liam shook his head at him. "So you're just going to keep her inside forever?"
"Until Dino's situation isn't taken care of, no I won't let her out." Massimo replied.
"Come on Massimo it's just 15 minutes away. And we know how Dino is. He won't attack again this soon." Liam insisted.
"Are you two just going to argue or if anyone's going to ask for my opinion as well?" Maya said, feeling stupid standing there and listening to them arguing about her going out.
"Ya she's right." Liam said, now looking at her. "You tell me. Do you want to go out or not?"
Maya looked in between Liam and Massimo. Liam knew what she was about to say since it was the part of their plan, still he looked at her as if waiting for what she'd say. While Massimo was looking at her intensely, as if telling her not to say yes.
"Look Massimo, I know after the accident you find yourself responsible for my safety." Maya began. "And I really appreciate it, but-" Before she could say anything further, Massimo stopped her mid-sentence. "No! You're not going out." He said. "This is not something up for discussion. I'm not letting you out of here." He then added. "Even if it's just a place 15 minutes away from here. I can't let you. Please understand."
Massimo had already let her get into danger twice in his care, he'd be damned before letting anything happen to her again under his watch. He didn't care if he sounded like a caveman. For him, Maya's safety was the topmost priority.
Liam was about to speak when Maya stopped him. "Let it be Liam." He looked at her with furrowed eyebrows but did as she said. Well, according to the plan she was supposed to say yes, and go out with him to make Massimo jealous. But she was not going with the plan. "We'll go out some other day." She said. "When this Dino situation is under control." She then added.
If she had wanted she could have just went with the plan, but she saw the look in Massimo's eyes. He looked vulnerable. He was genuinely concerned and her going out was a big deal for him. So, instead of going with the plan, she listened to what her heart wanted her to do.
Maybe if they had gone with the plan, they would've been able to make Massimo jealous, but would it be worth it? Maya knew it wouldn't be. Knowing Massimo, he'd be worried for her the entire time and Maya didn't like the thought of it.
Massimo was relived that Maya declined Liam's offer. Ya he sure was worried for her safety and that's why he didn't want her to go out, but he also didn't want her to go out for dinner with Liam, especially since he had been showing a lot of interest in her all of a sudden. He didn't like the thought of her going out with another man.
Later that night, Maya was standing in the front yard. She couldn't sleep so she thought to get in some fresh air. She was about to turn around to go back inside, when she collided with someone.
"Can't sleep?" Massimo asked.
Maya sighed, thinking how every time it's him with whom she'd always end up colliding.
She didn't reply and just shrugged at him.
"Thanks for keeping my words and for not going out." He then said. Again, she didn't reply.
Sighing, he looked up. The sky was covered with stars. "Earlier, when you were crying...." He said, "....what was it?"
Maya looked at him to see him looking up at the night sky. "I told you I had my -" He stopped her mid-sentence. "I know you're not on your period." He stated confidently. Maya raised an eyebrow at him, "And how are you so sure?"
"Because you've had your periods last week." He said making Maya to widen her eyes. 'How does he know?' She thought to herself.
"You asked Martha to make some tea for you." He said looking at her. "I happened to be outside the kitchen that time."
Maya thought back to few days ago last week, when she sure had asked Martha to make her some magical tea that she had made for her once when she had her periods. Though her periods only lasted 4 days but still the first day would be like hell, and that's why she had went to the kitchen in order to get something warm to drink.
"So, since you're not on your periods..." Massimo began, "...why were you crying back then?" He asked now looking at her.
Maya bit down on bottom lip involuntarily, that obviously didn't go unnoticed by Massimo. But he stopped himself from tugging her lip from her teeth's grip and then bite down on her lip instead.
"I um..." Sighing, she said, "Liam told us about your mom." Massimo let her elaborate. "Told about how she died." Maya waited for his reaction. He probably didn't like others discussing about his personal things, especially his mother's death.
But he didn't look angry or didn't look like as he it offended him. He just simply looked at her. "And you were crying because?" He asked instead.
Well, she wasn't expecting him to ask that.
"Um I just....don't know." She said, unsure as to what to say. She unintentionally didn't want to say something that would in any way offend him. "When he told us everything I felt a tug in my heart." She exclaimed. "That's all I can say." Fortunately for her, he didn't force her any further.
"Let's go inside. It's getting late." Was all he said. Maya started to walk with him following behind her.
They had reached her floor and she was about to go towards her room when his voice stopped her. "Don't cry like that again." His tone wasn't his usual hard tone, it was the one he'd only use with her she had noticed.
Maya turned to look at him. "I can't control my emotions you know." She said, "If there's something that made me cry. I can't help it."
"Maya..." Since Massimo didn't use her name that often to call her, it made her curious as to what he wanted to say to her. "Promise me if you ever feel like crying, you'll tell me."
That was not what Maya was expecting him to say.
He didn't even wait for his reply and walked away to reach for his room, leaving a startled Maya behind.
That man was something, Maya thought. He was the same man who had wanted her to not feel anything for him, to not have any of her feelings attached to him. Then he said that, and expect her to not fall for him even more.
*********
A/N: Hello everyone!😊 I hope you all are doing well. Here's the much awaited update. Thanks for waiting patiently like always. Since I updated in a while, so this chapter is a bit lengthy. Enjoy reading!❤️
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