[BL] The Mafia Boss Wants My Body

Chapter 248: Chapter 148: The Reunion They Never Expected

"Don’t," Adrian pleaded, but with a stubborn edge that brooked no argument. "I’m not going to the hospital, Maya. If they admit me, I’ll miss your wedding. I’ve got my medication here. I’ll be fine."

"Why the hell are you being so stubborn?" Maya shouted. "We’re talking about your health!"

Adrian let out a small, weary breath that almost sounded like a broken laugh.

"Because we’ve talked about this day for years, Maya. We’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. I’m not missing your wedding for anything in the world."

Hearing the unyielding determination in her brother’s voice, Maya let out a defeated sigh. She knew there was no changing his mind when he was like this.

"Fine," she groaned. "But if you won’t go to the hospital, at least come over to my place. Let me take care of you properly."

"No, I’m staying here," Adrian replied gently, not wanting to burden her during the busiest week of her life. "I don’t want to trouble you with a sick brother right now. I’ll rest. I’ll be fine. Leah will take care of me."

Maya hesitated on the other end of the line. The silence stretched between them before she finally spoke again, her voice dropping to a cautious murmur.

"Or... should we ask him for help? He can take better care of you than anyone."

The moment the words left her mouth, Adrian’s entire posture stiffened. His voice, which had been weak and raspy from the fever, turned instantly cold.

He knew exactly who Maya was talking about.

"Maya, please don’t start," Adrian warned, his eyes snapping open. "You already told me you haven’t spoken to him since I left. Why are you bringing him up now? Or have you been lying to me this whole time?"

"Of course I’m not lying!" Maya replied quickly, letting out a frustrated breath. "I haven’t spoken to him. I don’t answer his calls whenever he tries to reach me, just like you asked. I did everything you wanted, Adrian. I even sent the wedding invitations only to Charles and Frank, exactly like I promised. I’m just saying... he has the means to—"

"Please, stop," Adrian interrupted, cutting her off with exhausted finality. "Don’t bring him up ever again. He’s part of my past now, and I can take care of myself."

Maya bit her lip, reluctantly letting the subject go.

"Then... maybe you should ask Charles to come over and help Leah keep an eye on you."

"I already did," Adrian murmured, his voice softening into a tired exhale. "But Charles said Mark is home with him, so he can’t get away. Frank is coming over later tonight, though."

Maya sighed softly, unable to resist one last attempt.

"You could have just called the one person who would drop everything and run to you..."

"Please, Maya," Adrian whispered, rubbing his forehead as the fever pounded through his body. "I really need to rest now."

Recognizing how exhausted he was, Maya finally gave in. "Fine. You’re as stubborn as you’ve always been."

She stayed on the line a while longer, reminding Leah to keep checking Adrian’s temperature and make sure he drank plenty of water. The call finally ended, leaving a heavy cloud of worry hanging over the upcoming celebrations...

Completely unknown to the man who was counting down the hours until he could finally see Adrian again.

A while later, Leah stepped out of the bedroom and headed downstairs to prepare a warm herbal tea to help soothe Adrian’s throat.

The moment the bedroom door clicked shut behind her, Adrian slowly pushed himself upright. A wave of dizziness hit almost immediately, forcing him to grip the edge of the bed until it passed. Taking a slow, shaky breath, he gathered what little strength he had left and made his way toward the dressing mirror.

Picking up the comb from the dressing table, he carefully ran it through his hair before tying it back into its familiar ponytail, ignoring the fever weighing heavily on his body.

Afterward, he peeled off his damp T-shirt and lay back down on the bed.

Resting his head against one hand, he lifted his phone with the other and quietly opened the camera.

He adjusted the angle several times, carefully making sure the warm bedroom lighting softened the sickly paleness on his face. Once he was satisfied that the fever wasn’t obvious, he finally snapped the picture.

Opening Instagram, Adrian uploaded it without hesitation. Beneath the photo, he typed with a faint smile.

My sister is getting married in a few days... I guess I’m next. 😉 Feeling attractive and strong.

The background of the photograph clearly revealed the familiar layout and décor of Adrian’s bedroom at his Central City home, a room Matteo knew like the back of his hand.

Back at his estate, the sharp vibration of Matteo’s phone cut through the silence of his room.

Seeing the Instagram notification, Matteo hesitated, remembering the promise he had made to himself to stay away from Adrian’s social media.

But the pull in his chest was stronger than his resolve.

He reached for his phone and opened the post.

The moment his eyes landed on the background of the photograph, his breath caught in his throat.

He recognized the room instantly.

"Adrian is back," Matteo whispered to the empty room.

A radiant smile slowly spread across his face as he leaned back against the couch.

A desperate, hopeful thought suddenly crossed his mind.

Maybe my calls will finally go through now.

With trembling fingers, Matteo dialed the number he hadn’t been able to reach for the past two months. He didn’t dare hope it would connect, but to his utter shock, the line began to ring.

In his bedroom, Adrian stared coldly at the flashing screen as Matteo’s name lit up on it. He simply let it ring, watching the screen in silence until the call finally timed out.

Rolling his eyes toward the ceiling, Adrian muttered to the empty room,

"I’ve moved on. You should move on too."

He opened the messaging app and typed a short, direct text.

Don’t ever call me again.

Matteo’s reply came almost instantly.

Can I come over?

Adrian stared at the message, a cynical smirk tugging at his lips. Then he typed a reply.

My girlfriend is here. If you’re okay with that, then sure, you’re welcome.

Matteo’s chest tightened as he read the message. The mention of another person in Adrian’s home stung, but he refused to give up.

How about you come over instead? I’ll have my men pick you up right now.

Reading the text, Adrian let out a dry, humorless chuckle.

"Such a joker," he muttered to himself.

"You really think you’re going to see me?" He shook his head with a faint scoff. "I’m leaving for Paris as soon as my sister’s wedding is over. My return ticket has already been booked."

He tapped his screen one last time, sending a biting response.

Fuck you and your men.

Before Matteo could even type a single word back, Adrian swiftly hit the block button, cutting off the connection completely.

With a faint, tired smile, Adrian slipped his T-shirt back on.

Strangely enough, the brief clash with Matteo had given him a small burst of energy, making him feel a little better for the moment.

Right then, the bedroom door opened, and Leah walked back in carrying a steaming mug.

"Here, your tea is ready. Try to drink it while it’s still hot."

"Thanks, Leah," Adrian murmured, taking the mug.

Meanwhile, Matteo desperately tried calling again and sent another message, but every attempt failed. His calls went straight to voicemail, and none of his messages went through.

Adrian had unblocked him just long enough to deal with the confrontation he knew would come after posting on Instagram. Once it was over, he blocked him again without hesitation.

Matteo slowly locked his phone and set it aside, his expression calm but determined. The digital blocks no longer mattered. Adrian was back in Central City, and the bachelor party was tomorrow.

Closing his eyes, Matteo silently counted down the hours until he would finally see Adrian again.

But Adrian sat in his room completely unaware, fully believing Maya had kept her promise and left Matteo off the guest list.

He had no idea the man he was determined to avoid would be waiting for him tomorrow.

The night passed, the hours slipping by in a quiet, tense countdown. Finally, the day of the party arrived.

Central City seemed to buzz with excitement as everyone prepared for Maya’s big night.

See you in the next Chapter.