[BL] The Mafia Boss Wants My Body

Chapter 266: Chapter 266: Love, Vows, and Old Wounds

"I know you’re happy for your sister. You should take notes today. It’s about time you found yourself a good woman to bring home so we can finally settle you down properly too."

Adrian remained calm, his voice was steady and unwavering.

"You’ve already met the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with, Father," he said. "Whether you accept him or not is your decision. You’ve never truly accepted me as your son, so I don’t see why my happiness should suddenly matter to you now."

He paused for a moment, his voice remaining respectful. "As for my happiness... I’ll take responsibility for that myself."

The words landed like a slap.

Before his father could respond, Adrian turned to Maya, his expression immediately softening.

"I’ll head out first, sis," he said with a gentle smile. "I’ll see you at the altar."

Maya smiled back and gave him a small nod.

"I’ll see you soon."

Adrian inclined his head politely toward his father before turning and walking out of the bridal suite.

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving the heavy silence he refused to carry with him.

Adrian took a slow breath, smoothing down the front of his flawlessly tailored custom suit as he walked away from the bridal suite and stepped out into the grand garden where the ceremony was about to begin.

The breathtaking venue looked as though it had been lifted straight from the pages of a luxury wedding magazine.

A long ivory aisle stretched gracefully across the perfectly manicured emerald lawn, bordered by thousands of fresh white orchids, roses, peonies, and hydrangeas in full bloom. Elegant floral arches stood proudly along the aisle, while gentle fountains and neatly sculpted hedges added to the timeless beauty of the estate.

At the far end stood a magnificent floral pavilion draped in cascading white blossoms. Beneath it, the groom waited beside the officiating minister, quietly adjusting his cuffs as his gaze remained fixed on the long aisle where his bride would soon appear.

The soft melody of a live string quartet drifted through the warm morning air as hundreds of distinguished guests filled the rows of ivory chairs. Influential politicians, international business leaders, celebrities, diplomats, and old-money families conversed quietly while they waited for the ceremony to begin.

Everything about the garden spoke of quiet luxury. Nothing was excessive, yet every detail reflected extraordinary wealth and impeccable taste.

Adrian followed the stone pathway toward the reserved front rows, where his friends were already seated. Charles greeted him with a warm smile, Frank acknowledged him with a firm nod, and Mark lifted a hand in greeting, all of them looking impeccably dressed for the occasion.

After taking his seat, Adrian instinctively glanced around the garden. His eyes searched the distinguished crowd before settling on the empty chair beside him.

Matteo still hadn’t arrived.

A faint crease appeared between Adrian’s brows.

Just then, a subtle wave of whispers rippled through the garden.

Curious, Adrian turned toward the main entrance.

Matteo had arrived.

Dressed in a perfectly tailored midnight-black suit, he carried himself with the quiet confidence of a man who never needed to demand attention to command it. Even so, his arrival drew countless eyes. Guests whispered among themselves as politicians, business leaders, and influential figures discreetly acknowledged him with respectful nods.

Matteo returned the greetings with a polite smile, but his attention settled on only one person.

Adrian.

The moment their eyes met, the faintest smile appeared on Matteo’s lips.

He walked straight toward the front row.

As soon as he reached Adrian, he casually reached for his hand beneath everyone’s watchful eyes, intending to give it a gentle squeeze.

But Adrian had other plans.

Without the slightest hesitation, he rose to his feet, slipped his arms around Matteo’s neck, and pulled him into a warm, lingering kiss.

For a heartbeat, the entire garden seemed to fall silent.

A collective breath caught in the throats of the surrounding guests. A few influential politicians, close associates of Adrian’s father, exchanged startled glances, clearly taken aback to see the politician’s son openly kissing the man the entire city knew as the Devil.

Matteo smiled against Adrian’s lips before wrapping an arm securely around his waist as they finally pulled apart.

"I missed you," he murmured.

Adrian smiled. "I know."

Matteo guided him gently back into his seat, his hand never leaving Adrian’s.

Before the whispers had a chance to settle, the garden entrance drew everyone’s attention once again.

Another distinguished guest had arrived.

The man walked with effortless confidence, dressed in an impeccably tailored designer suit that reflected understated luxury. Every step was calm and measured, yet his commanding presence drew curious glances from every direction.

Adrian barely had time to look up before he sensed the sudden change beside him.

Next to him, Charles went completely rigid, the color draining from his face as his fingers dug sharply into the fabric of his own trousers.

Frank’s eyes widened in immediate terror, his gaze darting between the newcomer and Charles with intense, protective concern.

The man who had just entered.

It was Charles’s ex-boyfriend, the man who had once manipulated him, abused him, and turned what should have been love into a nightmare.

The man walked calmly toward their section, his commanding presence drawing subtle glances from the guests around him. When he reached their row, his eyes settled briefly on Matteo.

As longtime business associates, he offered a polite nod.

"Matteo," he greeted. "Good to see you."

Matteo returned the nod, his expression calm and unreadable.

"Likewise."

The man’s gaze then shifted.

It rested on Charles for a brief moment.

Neither of them spoke.

After a brief moment, he looked away and made his way to his reserved seat in the next row.

Sitting beside Charles, Mark quietly watched the exchange. He didn’t recognize the man, but he couldn’t ignore the sudden tension in the air.

Leaning slightly toward Charles, he lowered his voice.

"Who was that?"

Charles’s heart pounded violently against his ribs. He forced himself to remain calm, refusing to let the panic show on his face. Slipping his hand into Mark’s, he intertwined their fingers and turned to him with a reassuring smile.

"Nobody important, honey," he said with a small smile. "His face looked familiar for a second. I thought he was someone I knew, but I was wrong."

Mark studied him for a moment, sensing that something was off, but before he could ask another question, the music changed.

The gentle melody of the string quartet gave way to the grand, emotional notes of the bridal march.

Conversation throughout the garden ceased instantly.

Every guest rose to their feet.

All eyes turned toward the beginning of the long ivory aisle.

A moment later, Maya appeared.

With her hand resting gracefully on her father’s arm, she began her slow walk down the aisle, looking absolutely breathtaking in her wedding gown.

A visible wave of emotion swept through the guests.

Adrian felt a lump rise in his throat as tears of happiness welled in his eyes. Watching his sister take each step toward the man she loved, he couldn’t have been prouder.

Beside her, their father carried himself with quiet dignity as he escorted his daughter toward the floral pavilion where the groom waited. A composed smile rested on his face as countless cameras captured the moment.

When they reached the floral pavilion, her father gently placed Maya’s hand into the groom’s.

The groom accepted it with both hands, his eyes never leaving hers.

The ceremony unfolded beautifully.

The officiating minister spoke movingly about love, commitment, and standing beside one another through every season of life.

Then came the exchange of vows.

Holding Maya’s hands gently in his own, the groom looked into her eyes, his voice thick with emotion.

"From this day forward, I promise to stand beside you through every joy and every hardship. I’ll love you, protect you, and choose you every single day for the rest of my life. You are my greatest blessing, Maya, and I can’t wait to spend forever with you."

Tears shimmered in Maya’s eyes as she smiled through her emotions.

"And I promise to love you with all my heart, to be your peace when life becomes difficult, your strength when you feel weak, and your home no matter where life takes us. Today, I don’t just marry the man I love, I marry my best friend, and I will choose you for the rest of my life."

More than a few guests quietly wiped away tears as the couple slipped diamond bands onto each other’s fingers.

The officiating minister smiled warmly before raising his voice.

"By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

The groom smiled through glistening eyes before drawing Maya into a tender, heartfelt kiss.

Thunderous applause and joyful cheers erupted throughout the garden as the newlyweds shared their first kiss as husband and wife.

As the ceremony gave way to the reception, waitstaff began serving champagne and refreshments while guests gathered around the newlyweds, offering warm congratulations before lining up to take photographs with the happy couple.

Matteo, who notoriously disliked cameras and avoided public photographs whenever possible, rose from his seat and gently guided Adrian toward the newlyweds. Out of respect for Maya and everything she had done for Adrian, he wasn’t about to miss congratulating her on her special day.

Mark and Charles followed close behind, with Frank joining them as they made their way toward the front.

As they approached Maya, the crowd shifted slightly to make room for another guest.

Charles’s ex stepped forward, a crystal champagne flute resting loosely in his hand. His gaze locked onto Charles, a smug smile spreading across his lips. "Oh, Charles," he murmured, his smooth voice cutting through the ambient noise. "Long time no see."

The air around their small group instantly turned to ice.

Charles froze entirely, his breathing hitching as he felt Mark’s gaze instantly snap toward him.

The ex didn’t stop there. He looked as though he was about to say something else.

But Matteo spoke first, his calm voice cutting in before another word could leave the man’s mouth.

"Mark is my brother, and Charles is my brother’s boyfriend," he said evenly. "I believe introductions are unnecessary."

Charles’s ex held Matteo’s gaze for a moment before a faint smile spread across his lips.

"You’re right," he said smoothly. "I’m only here to celebrate my cousin’s wedding. Let’s not keep the happy couple waiting...