[BL] The Mafia Boss Wants My Body

Chapter 263: Chapter 263: Adrian’s Sincere Apology

He buried his face in the crook of Adrian’s neck, holding him as though he were afraid that letting go would make him disappear.

Adrian froze in surprise, his hands lingering awkwardly in the air for a brief moment before they slowly came to rest on Matteo’s broad shoulders. He rubbed his back gently.

"Hey..." he murmured. "What happened? Is everything okay?"

Matteo nodded against his neck. "Yeah..." he whispered hoarsely. "Everything’s okay. You just scared me, Rian. I woke up and you weren’t beside me." He tightened his hold for a moment. "I thought you’d left me again."

Hearing the raw vulnerability in Matteo’s voice, Adrian’s heart melted. A soft, tender smile curved his lips as he wrapped his arms around Matteo a little tighter, gently threading his fingers through his dark hair.

"No, love..." Adrian whispered reassuringly. "I just went to the bathroom. I’m so sorry I scared you."

He lifted a hand to Matteo’s cheek, waiting until their eyes met.

"I’m not going anywhere ever again," he said. "I told you last night... your baby is officially back with you, okay? I’m right here."

Matteo let out a long, shuddering breath, the last of the fear leaving his body.

"Okay," he whispered.

He pulled back just enough to look at Adrian’s beautiful face before leaning down to press a lingering kiss to his forehead.

Then his expression softened with concern.

"How’s your stomach feeling?"

Adrian gave him a wry, playful smile. "Honestly? Not much better. But hey, I’m not dying anytime soon."

The moment the words left Adrian’s mouth, Matteo smacked him.

Before Adrian could react, Matteo’s broad hand landed in a quick, possessive swat against his round bottom.

"Ouch!" Adrian yelped, his face instantly flushing a deep red as he jumped slightly at the unexpected swat. He puffed out his lips in an exaggerated pout.

"Babe! Stop!"

Matteo didn’t apologize. Instead, his expression grew serious, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Don’t ever say that again," he said. "And don’t joke about dying, okay? It’s not funny."

Adrian held his gaze, seeing the fear still lingering behind Matteo’s eyes. His heart softened immediately. The pout on his lips slowly melted into a mischievous smile as he stepped back into Matteo’s space, lazily looping his arms around his neck.

"Alright, Daddy," Adrian murmured with playful obedience, his eyes dancing with amusement.

Matteo let out a low, helpless sigh, unable to stay stern any longer. A smile finally broke across his face as he slipped his arms around Adrian’s waist and drew him close once again.

They stayed like that for a long, quiet moment, simply holding each other and savoring the comfort of being together again.

Eventually, Matteo broke the silence.

Resting his chin lightly against Adrian’s soft hair, he murmured, "Maya called while you were asleep."

Adrian smiled softly and looked up at him.

"I know, baby. I called her back while I was in the bathroom. We talked for a while."

His smile faded into a thoughtful expression.

"She had a lot to say, but I told her everything is okay now. I’ve learned from my mistakes too." He paused, lowering his eyes for a moment before continuing. "Looking back now, I know walking away the way I did wasn’t the best decision. But at that moment... I was overwhelmed, and I honestly couldn’t think of any other way."

Adrian held his gaze for a long moment before gently taking Matteo’s hand in his own.

"Come with me."

He led Matteo to the plush sofa in the center of the suite. After Matteo sat down, Adrian moved closer and gently climbed onto his lap. He settled there comfortably, slipped his arms around Matteo’s neck, and held his gaze.

For a long moment, Adrian simply stared at him.

Matteo didn’t interrupt. He waited patiently, knowing Adrian was gathering the courage to say whatever was weighing on his heart.

Finally, Adrian took a slow breath.

"I owe you a sincere apology, too, Matteo," he said, his voice filled with vulnerability. "I’ve been trying to think of the best way to make it up to you. I thought about so many things, but nothing felt like enough."

He lowered his eyes briefly before looking back at Matteo.

"So I want to ask you instead. Is there anything I can do to truly earn your forgiveness?"

Matteo blinked in surprise, his hands instinctively settling on Adrian’s hips.

"Forgive you for what, babe?"

Adrian’s eyes shimmered with regret.

"For leaving you on your birthday," he whispered. "I’m so, so sorry."

He swallowed hard.

"No matter how much time has passed... I know I was wrong for leaving that day. I know I hurt you. Walking away on your birthday wasn’t the right thing to do, and I’ve regretted it ever since. It hurt me just as much to leave you."

Adrian slowly folded his hands together in a pleading gesture, looking into Matteo’s eyes.

"I’m sorry, Matteo. Maybe I was a little selfish. The moment you realized you were wrong, you apologized to me without hesitation. But even though I knew I had hurt you too, I never gave you the sincere apology you deserved."

His voice trembled slightly.

"Please forgive me. I’m truly sorry."

He let out a quiet breath before continuing.

"I kept thinking about how to make it up to you. I thought about buying you a gift... maybe a car or an expensive watch. But nothing felt right because you already have everything. I couldn’t think of a single thing that could ever make up for the pain I caused you."

His voice softened. "Please, baby... forgive me. Maybe I should have handled it differently, but when I saw the look on your face in that hotel room... I was terrified. I couldn’t handle everything that was happening anymore. I didn’t even have the strength to argue with you because I was completely exhausted. At that moment, walking away felt like the only way I knew how to calm myself down. Please, forgive me."

Matteo looked at him quietly.

"To be honest..." he admitted, "I never thought I’d hear you apologize for that. Your apology means more to me than you’ll ever know." He looked into Adrian’s eyes. "But I wasn’t truly angry that you left me on my birthday, Rian. I was angry and terrified that you left me entirely. I never want to lose you."

Matteo leaned up, his thumbs gently caressing Adrian’s waist.

"And yes, I might have everything money can buy. But when it comes to you, I’ll treasure anything you give me, no matter how small. So don’t ever think you have to do something extravagant to make me happy."

He held Adrian’s gaze, his voice growing softer.

"All I want is your love. Love me the way I love you. Treat me as your everything, just as you are mine. Put me first the way I always put you first... because, Rian, you are my everything. I mean that with all my heart."

Then a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You keep saying I have everything..."

Adrian nodded slowly.

"You do."

Matteo held his gaze. "No," he murmured. "I don’t."

Adrian looked at him curiously.

Matteo gently took both of Adrian’s hands in his own.

"The day you start living with me permanently... that’s the day I’ll know I truly have everything."

Adrian stared into Matteo’s eyes, his heart swelling with emotion.

"I want you to officially move in with me. No more going back to your place. I want you to see my house as your house... our home. I want to wake up beside you every morning and come home to you every night."

Adrian couldn’t help smiling.

"Is that all it takes?" he asked with a quiet laugh. "If I do that, you’ll forgive me?"

Matteo smiled. "I will."

Adrian giggled, slipping his arms around Matteo’s neck. "Then it’s a deal. I’ll move in with you."

He tilted his head. "So... you’ve forgiven me now?"

Matteo chuckled. "I’ll forgive you the day all your bags are officially under my roof."

Adrian smiled knowingly and pressed the tip of his nose against Matteo’s cheek.

"I know you’ve already forgiven me," he said cheekily. "There’s no way you could stay mad at me."

Matteo laughed under his breath before pulling Adrian tightly against his chest and burying his face in the crook of his neck.

"You’re absolutely right about that," he admitted.

Adrian smiled, hugging him back just as tightly. "Thank you, baby... for forgiving me."

After a long moment, Matteo reluctantly loosened his embrace.

"Come on," he said with a smile. "It’s time to eat. I ordered food while you were asleep so you can take your medicine."

"Okay, baby," Adrian replied.

They rose to their feet together. Just then, the sky outside darkened, and the steady patter of rain began tapping against the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Matteo wandered over to the glass and looked out at the rain-soaked city below.

"Babe," he called. "It’s raining."

Adrian walked over to stand beside him, his gaze following the rain as it streamed down the glass. "It really is," he murmured.

As Matteo watched the rain, something suddenly clicked in his mind.

He slowly turned to Adrian, his expression growing thoughtful.

"Babe," he said, his voice turning serious. "There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you, and I want you to answer me honestly."

Adrian nodded, completely unsuspecting.

"Alright."

Matteo held his gaze.

"If you really didn’t know who I was before I came to meet you that night... then how did you know about the umbrella?" He paused. "And how did you know about my jacket?"

Adrian froze.

His heart lurched.

There was no way he could admit the truth. His mind raced, desperately searching for a way to escape the conversation.

Then, all at once, he let out a dramatic groan and clutched his stomach.

"Ah..." he winced. "My stomach..."

He bent forward slightly, his face scrunching up as though another cramp had suddenly struck.

Matteo’s questioning vanished instantly, replaced by alarm. He immediately hurried to Adrian’s side, catching him before he could lose his balance.

"Rian," he said anxiously. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Adrian nodded weakly.

"I... I think I really need to eat so I can take my medicine," he murmured pitifully. "My stomach really hurts, baby..."

Matteo narrowed his eyes for a brief moment. The timing was far too convenient.

Then he sighed, unable to resist anyway.

A fond smile tugged at his lips as he slipped an arm beneath Adrian’s knees and lifted him effortlessly into his arms.

"Nice try," he murmured with quiet amusement. "We’ll finish this conversation later."

Adrian bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling.

"Now," Matteo continued, carrying him toward the dining table, "let’s get you fed."

********

Time passed quickly, and before anyone knew it, the morning of Maya’s wedding had arrived.