3RD POV
The hum of chatter and clinking glasses filled the air of Luccio's, an unassuming Italian restaurant nestled in a quiet corner of the city. It looked like any other cozy spot, but everyone who worked there knew better. It was the domain of Emilio "The Don" D'Angelo, the most feared mafia boss in the world. Tonight, though, he wasn't The Don. He was just Emilio, stepping into his own restaurant with his girl, Val.
He wore a black hoodie and dark jeans, his usual intimidating air softened by the way his hand rested protectively on Val's waist. Val, in her casual outfit, looked effortlessly radiant, her laugh like music as she whispered something to him.
The staff froze for a moment, their eyes widening. It wasn't fearânot entirelyâbut respect mixed with surprise. Emilio rarely showed his personal side. Seeing him like this, relaxed and smiling, was rare.
"Relax," Emilio said, his voice a deep rumble. "I'm just here for the food tonight." He gave a small nod to the manager, who scrambled to clear the best table in the house, even though the restaurant was packed.
Val shook her head, rolling her eyes. "You're too dramatic, Em. We could've just sat in the corner like everyone else."
He smirked, pulling out a chair for her. "What's the point of owning the place if I can't treat my girl, right?"
As they settled in, the atmosphere slowly returned to normal. Emilio leaned back, sipping wine while Val teased him about his gruff demeanor. The staff stole glances, marveling at the way she softened him, how she made the most powerful man in the room look utterly human.
But Emilio was still Emilio. When a couple of rowdy patrons raised their voices at a waiter, he cast them a sharp glance that silenced them instantly. His girl didn't noticeâshe was too busy savoring her pasta. Emilio grinned to himself, knowing he was feared, but tonight, all he cared about was making Val smile.
"You know, we kind of look out of place with the way we dressed." Val said as she looked at women wearing beautiful dresses and men wearing suits.
"It's my restaurant, mon amour, no one will dare say anything." Em smirked.
"Yeah, right. Anyways, apart from this restaurant, what else do you own? "
"I own other restaurants, hotels, and companies, mon amor. Don't worry. You will see all of them, even those which are out of the country, " Em said.
"Just how did you do it, Em? I mean achieving all of this at your age is... shocking,"
"I told you I will tell you sooner, Tina. How is the food? Is it nice, " Emilio said, changing the topic.
Val noticed that, but she didn't pry. She knew that he would tell her someday.
"Obviously, it's good, I mean, the restaurant is rated 5 stars for God's sake," Val said.
"I'm full now Em" Val said, and she rubbed her tummy. Em chuckled at her childish behavior.
"So cute, you don't want any dessert?" Em asked her, and she shook her head no.
"There is no space in my tummy," she said.
"Alright, alright, come here," Em said.
Val stood up from her chair and walked over to Em. Emilio pulled her down so that he was sitting on his lap.
This didn't go past the staff's eyes. They were looking at their boss and his girl with so much shock. Their jaws were almost touching the ground.
"Is that really our boss?" One of the staff members asked, shocked.
"Why do you eat like a child?" Em said, ignoring the shocked gazes coming from his workers.
Val, on the other hand, was flustered, and she tried to stand, but Em wrapped his hand on her waist, preventing her from standing.
"Just chill," he said and took a wiper and wiped her mouth.
"Everyone is looking at us, Em. What are you doing?" She said shyly.
"Taking care of you, is that wrong?" he said.
"No, but this looks weird. Since you're done, can I stand up now? Plus, you could have told me to wipe myself up, and there was no need for you to do it, " She said after he finished wiping her.
"I just wanted to. Okay, you can stand up now, " he said and removed his hands from her waist.
Val stood up and avoided looking at the shocked people watching them.
"Let's go," Em said as he stood up
"The payment?"
"It's my restaurant, mon amor. Why would I pay?"
"I don't care we are paying Emilio, I will pay," she said and took out her purse.
"Okay, fine, you don't have to, I will pay." he opened his phone and paid online before putting it back in his pocket.
"Done, are you happy now?" He said, and Val nodded.
"Now let's get you home," he said, and they went to his car outside. They got inside, and he drove to the De Luca mansion.
He parked in front of the mansion' s gate.
"Bye Em" she said and was about to get off the car, but he stopped her.
"No, Kiss?" Em said, acting sad.
"Um... Oh," she said and bought her face slower to his before kissing him on the lips. When she was about to pull back, Em gently wrapped his hand on her neck and deepened the kiss.
They broke away, and Val was panting heavily. Her lips were red and swollen, and her cheeks were also red from blushing.
"I could kiss you and never get bored, you know," Em smirked.
"Don't start with that," she said and opened the car door and left with her rosy cheeks but not before hearing Emilio's sexy chuckle.
VAL'S POV
I passed the guards who looked as if they had just come from war. Some even looked at me in pity.
"What's wrong with you guys?" I asked them, and they pointed at the house.
"Wait, Dad is back?" I asked, feeling my hands getting sweaty. I mean, I mean, I would be happy if he was back, but right now, I just came home late, and I didn't ask for his permission to go out.
They did not reply, so I decided to just go inside the house and find out.
Pushing open the heavy front door, I was greeted by the sight of my father's closest friend and my uncle, Uncle Marc, sitting in the armchair with his arms crossed. His piercing gaze pinned me in place.
"You're late, Valentina," he said sternly, his voice low and controlled. "And you went out without any guard."
"I just wasn't around for a few days, and you decided to do this? you know I left knowing that you won't do something stupid. Now I'm also at fault for leaving you, and Enzo is angry with me," he sighed, rubbing his temples. "Your father warned you about this. You know he has enemies who would see you as the perfect target. You're playing with fire, Val."
Before I could retort, my phone buzzed in my pocket. The caller ID read Dad. My stomach sank.
I answered reluctantly, and my father's sharp voice filled the room.
"Valentina Rose De Luca, a cosa stavi pensando?"His face appeared on the screen, his expression a mixture of anger and concern. "Siete usciti senza informare nessuno, senza protezione, sapendo benissimo quali rischi ciò comportasse."
T: What were you thinking?
T: You went out without informing anyone, without protection, knowing full well what risks this entailed.
"Papà , stavo â"
T:Dad, I was
"Nessuna scusa!" he barked. "Non sei più una bambina, Rose, ma le tue azioni sono sconsiderate. Se ti fosse successo qualcosa, non so cosa avrei fatto."
T: No excuses!
T: You're not a child anymore, Rose, but your actions are reckless. If something had happened to you, I don't know what I would have done.
I bit my lip, guilt creeping in. She hadn't thought about how her actions might worry her father.
"Mi dispiace, papà ," I murmured.
T: I'm sorry, dad.
"Dove sei andato?" he asked angrily.
T: Where did you go?
"Sono uscito con Em, papà ," after I said that, he looked less angry.
T: I went out with Em, dad
"¿Ya sabe que volviste? Ese hijo de puta, apuesto a que debe estar feliz. Tendré que esconderte de él o te robará. " He mumbled, but I could hear him even though I did not understand what he was saying, since he was using a different language.
Her father was less angry, but his tone remained firm. "Okay, I understand if you went out with that Emilio boy, I know he will protect you. But if you want to go out and it's not with Emilio, tell me alright, and take a guard. "
"Sì papà " I said
"Go to bed, Rose. Goodnight"
The call ended abruptly. I glanced at umcle Marc, who gave me a pointed look.
"Goodnight, I'm staying today," he said.
IÂ nodded silently and trudged upstairs. As much as I hated being scolded, I knew they were right. Some lessons in caution came with a sharp reminder of how much she was lovedâand how much was at stake.
___________________________
Vote and commentð¥°
I made a long chapter today.ð