[BL] The Mafia Boss Wants My Body

Chapter 284: Chapter 284: You’re Not Alone Anymore

Gently, Mark pulled back from the embrace just enough to look Charles in the eyes. He cupped his tear-stained face with both hands, his thumbs gently wiping away the tears.

"Listen to me very carefully, baby," Mark said, his voice filled with quiet certainty.

Charles searched his eyes desperately, holding his breath as he waited for what Mark would say next.

"The money I sent you is just a gift. I want you to go out and buy yourself anything your heart desires," Mark explained. "I’m not leaving you. I swear to you, I’m not going anywhere. I promise, Charles. I’m so sorry I made you feel this way when all I wanted was to make you happy."

Charles stared at him, his lips trembling as fresh tears spilled down his cheeks. "You... you’re really not leaving me?" he asked in a tiny voice, as though he still couldn’t quite believe it.

Mark shook his head immediately. "Never," he answered without hesitation. "Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever."

Charles let out a shaky sob before throwing his arms around Mark’s neck again, burying his face against him. "I’m sorry," he whispered brokenly. "I know I overreacted... I just got scared."

Mark tightened his embrace, gently cradling the back of Charles’s head as he rocked him back and forth.

"No, baby," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You don’t have to apologize. If anyone should be sorry, it’s me."

He rested his forehead against Charles’s.

"I made you believe you had to ask for permission before I would willingly give you anything. I made you believe you had to earn my affection or ask for permission before you’d receive the love and reassurance you deserved. That’s my fault, and I’m truly sorry.

"I know an apology alone can’t undo the hurt I’ve caused. Trust isn’t rebuilt with words, it’s rebuilt through actions. So please... give me the chance to prove I can do better. Let me show you, every single day, that I can be the man you deserve. And please... don’t keep thinking I’m going to leave you, because I’m not. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere."

Charles sniffled, pulling back just enough to meet Mark’s eyes. "You don’t have to push yourself too hard just to become better for me," he whispered, gently brushing his thumb along Mark’s jaw. "Just... don’t scare me anymore. Don’t speak to me so harshly... Just be gentle with me. That’s all I need."

Mark leaned into his touch, pressing a gentle kiss to the palm of Charles’s hand. "I will," he murmured. "And I’ll do even better than that. I promise."

Charles slowly pulled back. "I believe you," he said softly before glancing down at his phone with shy curiosity. "Do you... Do you really want me to spend it?"

Mark smiled warmly, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he brushed a loose strand of hair away from Charles’s forehead.

"Every last cent if you want," he replied. He lifted his hands and used his thumbs to wipe away the last traces of tears from Charles’s cheeks. "From now on, seeing you happy is all I want."

Charles searched his eyes for a long moment, looking for the slightest hint of doubt. Finding nothing but warmth and sincerity, a small, genuine smile finally spread across his face.

"Thank you, honey," he whispered, a faint blush warming his cheeks. "I really appreciate it."

Mark’s smile widened. "You’re very welcome, pretty." He gave Charles’s waist a playful squeeze before asking, "Now, what do you want for breakfast? I’ll make whatever you want."

Charles fell quiet, thoughtfully considering his options. But before he could answer, his phone suddenly buzzed loudly on the mattress beside them.

Charles offered Mark a small, apologetic smile.

"Excuse me for a second, babe," he murmured, reaching over to pick up his phone.

He unlocked the screen, and the warmth instantly drained from his face when he saw the sender’s name.

Owen.

I waited for you yesterday, and you never showed up. Don’t blame me for what I’m going to do next.

Charles stared at the message, a familiar chill creeping through his chest.

His first instinct was to hide it. He couldn’t tell Mark the truth—not now. Mark had already promised to deal with Owen himself, and Charles knew exactly what that meant. If Mark found out Owen was threatening him again, he wouldn’t hesitate to go after him. Charles couldn’t bear the thought of Mark putting himself in danger because of a mistake from his own past.

Taking a slow, steadying breath, Charles looked up at Mark, forcing his voice to remain calm. "I’m going to use the bathroom for a minute, honey?"

Mark smiled softly, completely unaware of the message. "Alright."

Charles slipped out of bed and walked briskly into the bathroom, quietly shutting and locking the door behind him. Leaning against the sink, he unlocked his phone again. His fingers flew across the screen as the fear inside him gave way to anger. He was done letting Owen control his life.

He typed back a reply:

Do whatever you want. We were both in that video. Unlike you, I don’t own a massive company, I’m not a public figure, and I don’t have a pristine corporate reputation to protect. You’re the one with everything to lose here. I have absolutely nothing to lose.

And if you think you can edit the video to show only my face, think again. The second anything leaks, I’ll make it known to the entire internet that you were in that video with me. I’ll post the unedited clips where your face is clearly visible.

So go ahead. I’m ready when you are. Let the games begin, Owen.

Charles leaned against the locked bathroom door, his pulse racing as he stared at the screen, waiting for Owen’s inevitable reply. It didn’t take long.

Owen: How dare you threaten me? You’re nothing but a worthless slut.

Charles’s thumbs flew across the keyboard. The adrenaline still coursing through him was now mixed with bitter anger. He was tired of being treated like someone who could never fight back.

Charles: You started this. Don’t expect me to sit back and do nothing. We were both in that video, and I’m not scared of you anymore.

Owen’s reply came almost instantly, as though he had been waiting for it.

Owen: Fine. You’ll regret threatening me, Charles. Just wait and see.

Charles let out a silent scoff. His fingers moved quickly across the screen as he typed one final message. He was done letting Owen control him.

Charles: I’m not scared of you, Owen. You don’t deserve another second of my time. You’re nothing but a twisted monster.

Charles hit send and immediately tossed his phone onto the bathroom counter. The dull thud echoed through the small room. He stepped over to the sink and splashed cold water across his face, trying to wash away the heat burning beneath his skin.

Taking a few slow, shaky breaths, he gripped the edges of the sink, willing the trembling in his hands to stop.

I’m not scared, he lied to himself. I’m not scared.

He slowly lifted his head and met his own gaze in the mirror. Bloodshot eyes stared back at him, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached. He looked nothing like someone who wasn’t afraid.

He was terrified.

"I can’t be weak forever," he whispered fiercely to the empty bathroom. "I’ve survived everything Owen put me through. If someone has to stand up to him, it should be me. I won’t let anyone else get hurt because of me."

Meanwhile, Owen was relaxing in his bedroom when Charles’s final message appeared on his phone.

A twisted smirk slowly spread across his lips as he read it again.

Charles threatening me?

He let out a mocking laugh.

Impossible. Charles isn’t capable of this. He’s too afraid.

Owen was convinced someone else had written the message for him.

But it didn’t matter.

His expression darkened as he clenched his jaw.

Whoever sent it... They’ll regret it.

Back at Mark’s estate, Charles finally stepped out of the bathroom. His face was noticeably pale, and tension was written all over him. Without saying a word, he walked to the nightstand, placed his phone face down, and climbed back into bed, trying his best to act as though nothing had happened.

But Mark wasn’t convinced.

He had been lying there in silence the entire time, and the unusually long time Charles had spent in the bathroom had already made him suspicious.

Who was he texting?

The question settled heavily in Mark’s mind.

He was certain Charles was hiding something important.

His eyes drifted to the phone resting on the nightstand.

Thinking quickly, Mark came up with a plan. If he wanted to check Charles’s phone, he first needed to get Charles out of the bedroom, and make sure he left the phone behind.

As Charles settled beside him, Mark offered a calm, practiced smile.

"Hey, baby..." Mark murmured...