[BL] The Mafia Boss Wants My Body

Chapter 282: Chapter 282: Learning to Love Right

"Hey, baby... Mark is still your twin brother," Adrian said gently, tracing a finger across Matteo’s broad chest. "You can’t just leave him to handle all of this alone. What if Owen actually tries to hurt him? Think about it, Matteo. Don’t make a decision you’ll end up regretting later."

Matteo’s expression remained guarded, his jaw set in a hard line.

"I already told Tony I’ll pay him extra. He’s going to keep a close eye on Mark and protect him. Mark will be fine. I just... I don’t want my mother to think I’m the one corrupting her precious sons or forcing them to be gay."

Adrian shook his head, refusing to let Matteo hide behind that cold mask.

"Come on, baby. She’s still your mother, and I know you have a much kinder heart than you’re letting on right now. You’re only saying all of this because you’re deeply hurt."

Matteo looked down at Adrian, the heavy armor around his emotions finally beginning to crack. A rare vulnerability crossed his face, and a tear threatened to spill from the corner of his eye.

"I understand my mother doesn’t love me, Adrian... but why the hell does she always blame me for everything?"

Adrian’s heart broke for him. He immediately leaned in, wrapping his arms securely around Matteo’s neck and pulling him into a tight embrace.

"Come on, baby... look at it this way. Your mother is still a hell of a lot better than my father ever was. She’s just trying to be a mother in her own twisted way. At least she didn’t openly forbid Mark’s relationship with Charles. It’s just Mark who’s still completely confused about his own feelings."

Adrian pulled back just enough to look into Matteo’s eyes, his expression gentle but serious.

"Babe, I understand Mark’s perspective, even though I don’t support the way he’s been hurting my best friend. Trust me, I’ll definitely deal with Mark myself for treating Charles like that. But listen to me... I truly believe Mark loves Charles. If he didn’t, he would’ve walked away a long time ago. The fact that he used me as an excuse, since Charles is my best friend, only proves how confused he is. I was confused about us once too, baby. Remember?"

Matteo remained silent, listening intently to the soothing rhythm of Adrian’s voice.

"I know exactly how much you love your twin," Adrian whispered, gently rubbing the back of Matteo’s neck. "You’re only this hurt because he kept something so important from you when the two of you have always shared everything. But trust me, baby... he didn’t keep the truth from you because he wanted to deceive you. He kept it to himself because he didn’t want to hurt you."

Adrian smiled softly.

"Baby, I absolutely love the bond you and Mark share. I’ve always dreamed that one day, we’ll have twins of our own, and I hope they’ll love each other the way you two do."

A faint smile finally tugged at the corners of Matteo’s lips.

"So don’t let your mother’s bitter words get to you," Adrian finished, smiling back at him. "Instead, prove to her that her sons’ choices have absolutely nothing to do with you. Don’t turn against your own brother because of her toxic opinions, okay?"

Matteo’s smile widened, the heaviness in his chest finally easing

"Okay, baby," he murmured, his voice dropping into a low, playful purr as he tightened his grip around Adrian’s waist. "Are we making babies now?"

Adrian giggled, playfully hitting his chest.

"Yes, but you know I physically can’t carry a child, you idiot. But after we get married, we’re definitely having twins through surrogacy."

Matteo’s eyes sparkled with affection.

"Twins, right?"

Adrian nodded eagerly, a bright grin spreading across his face.

"Yes, twins."

He paused, looking closely at his man.

"I hope you’re not angry anymore."

Matteo leaned down, resting his head comfortably against Adrian’s chest, listening to the steady, soothing beat of his heart.

"Fighting with Mark always feels like fighting with myself," Matteo confessed softly, his voice muffled against Adrian’s skin. "I just... I don’t know why he keeps so many things from me these days."

Adrian gently ran his fingers through Matteo’s hair, smoothing down the dark strands in a slow, comforting motion.

"Hey... everything is going to be okay. Just sit down and talk to him properly tomorrow, okay?"

Matteo nodded weakly against Adrian’s chest, finally at peace.

"Okay. Thank you, baby."

Adrian smiled and kissed the top of his head.

"You’re welcome, my big baby."

Meanwhile, back at Mark’s estate, Mark and Charles had finally arrived home.

By the time they got settled, it was already very late. They took a quick shower together and changed into comfortable clothes, the heavy tension from earlier finally washed away.

But before they could climb into bed, Mark glanced at his laptop.

"Pretty, I have a proposal I need to finish and submit tonight," Mark said softly, brushing a hand through Charles’s hair. "Go ahead and get some sleep. I’ll join you soon."

Charles smiled softly. "Okay."

He climbed into bed, pulled the covers over himself, and rested his head on the plush pillow. Mark pulled out the chair at his desk and sat down, his fingers moving quickly across the keyboard as he focused on finishing his work.

Just as Charles was beginning to drift off, his phone suddenly vibrated on the nightstand.

He blinked his heavy eyes open and looked at the screen. The moment he saw the caller ID, he realized it was a call he couldn’t ignore.

Not wanting to disturb the quiet room, Charles quietly slipped out from under the duvet. He tiptoed toward the door, intending to take the call in the hallway.

But just as his hand reached for the doorknob, Mark’s deep voice stopped him.

"Pretty, where are you going?"

Charles paused and turned around with an apologetic smile. He held up his phone so Mark could see the screen.

"Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to bother you. My mom is calling. I was just going to step outside and answer it."

Mark stopped typing and looked directly at him.

"You don’t need to leave the room to take the call. Just answer it here."

Charles stared at him in surprise. He could hardly believe what he was hearing.

"Babe... you always told me never to take calls while you’re working or sleeping. You literally forbade me from making any noise or even watching TV while you were busy."

Mark stood up from his desk and closed the distance between them. He stopped in front of Charles, genuine regret shining in his eyes.

"That was then," Mark said gently. "Now, you can take your calls and do whatever you like. I won’t mind at all. You can even turn on the TV while I work."

Charles searched his face, a sudden wave of anxiety tightening in his chest.

"Are you sure? You’re... you’re really sure you aren’t secretly angry about those videos?"

Mark let out a soft sigh and cupped Charles’s cheek.

"Not at all, baby."

"But it’s so strange," Charles whispered, his voice trembling slightly. "I’m scared... are you planning to leave me?"

"Come on, pretty. Don’t think like that," Mark said gently, his thumb brushing the corner of Charles’s eye. "I just want you close to me. You’ve been through a lot today, and I don’t want you stressing yourself out by standing in a cold hallway just to talk on the phone. Stay right here."

Charles looked down at his buzzing phone. "It’s just my mother calling. See? It’s not anyone else. I haven’t been talking to anyone else lately."

"It’s fine, baby. I trust you completely," Mark reassured him, gently guiding him back toward the bed. "Just sit here and talk to her."

Charles looked up at him, a hopeful spark lighting up his eyes.

"After I finish the call... can I come and sit next to you? I want to wait until you finish your work so we can go to bed together."

Mark smiled, the expression softening his sharp features. "I’d like that. Go ahead and return her call, then come sit with me when you’re done."

"Okay," Charles breathed, a beautiful smile spreading across his face.

Mark returned to his desk and resumed his work, while Charles called his mother back. He sat on the edge of the bed, listening to her warm voice on the other end of the line. She gently scolded him for staying up so late and insisted that he come home for the next holiday because she and his father missed him terribly. Charles smiled, promising that he would visit them very soon. After exchanging warm goodnights, they ended the call.

Charles set his phone down and slowly walked toward the desk.

When he was only a few steps away, he suddenly stopped. A lingering hesitation made him afraid to step any closer into Mark’s workspace.

Mark noticed immediately. He slowly turned his chair toward Charles and held out his hand.

"Come here, pretty," Mark murmured.

Hearing those words, Charles’s hesitation melted away. He walked over without another thought...