Chapter 25 You Just Won't Stay

Matteo avoided my gaze, clearly uncomfortable.

"Perhaps Antonio really is busy, but surely not too busy to take a call," I thought. I pleaded with Matteo, "I just want to do my job. I promise I won't run away again and I won't cause any trouble for Antonio."

"I can't help, Miss Corsetti, I'm just a bodyguard. I can't make decisions." Matteo shrugged helplessly.

"Just help me make this call," I reduced my request to the bare minimum, "or at least lend me your phone for a moment..."

Matteo dramatically covered his pocket, "I can't do that!"

I looked at him in frustration. "I'm not trying to pry into your secrets."

"Miss Corsetti, you have your own phone. Why don't you use it to call the boss?" Matteo countered.

I glanced at my phone left on the desk, momentarily confused; I didn't have Antonio’s number... Matteo and I locked eyes in mutual bewilderment for a moment, then he tremulously pointed at me. "You haven’t removed Boss from your blacklist, have you?"

It seemed he was right. Silently, I picked up my phone, accessed the contacts, and unblocked Antonio. Matteo watched the whole process then quietly left my room.

I steeled myself before calling Antonio. The first attempt went unanswered, but just as the call was about to disconnect, it went through on the second try.

"I..."

"Miss Corsetti finally decided to unblock me," Antonio spoke mockingly.

"I didn’t know it was your number. I didn’t mean to block you," I stammered, sweating.

I couldn't very well say I thought it was an ex’s number. "I hope I can leave the hotel to complete my work. I assure you, once I'm done, I'll fly right back to Boston. I won't run away again, okay?"

"Sienna, you don't understand the situation," Antonio's voice turned cold suddenly. "I didn’t keep you in the hotel because of your job or because you ran away. You're lying."

Antonio’s certainty chilled me. "Tell me, what’s your real purpose in coming to Philadelphia?"

I wondered how he was so sure I was lying. Was this a trick to make me confess? Should I reveal Valentina’s wedding?

"Think carefully before you answer. I won’t accept any more lies," Antonio hung up.

I sat on the bed, phone in hand, drenched in a cold sweat. What should I do? Should I confess? Would confessing endanger Valentina and her family? If I didn’t, Antonio would never let me leave the hotel.

"Want to go to the garden?" Matteo entered, pushing a wheelchair.

"Sure, but I want to bring my camera. I might take some nice photos."

My mind a mess, Matteo wheeled me to the rooftop garden. It was as beautiful as he said, with flowers airlifted from different countries blooming competitively, the breeze carrying a hint of their fragrance.

The garden was sparsely populated, each guest keeping to themselves, giving me a sense of relief after being confined for two days.

I asked Matteo to take me to a secluded spot and mentioned wanting ice cream.

"Ice cream is only available in the hotel restaurant," he noted, taking his phone and leaving without suspicion.

My foot injury had improved significantly, though walking still caused some pain. If Antonio wouldn’t allow me to leave, I'd have to escape.

Using the wheelchair's armrests, I stood and tested my foot; the pain was bearable. I waited until Matteo was gone, then, with my camera slung over my shoulder, I headed for the garden exit. Pain throbbed in my ankle, sweat beading on my forehead, but I dared not stop, unsure when Matteo would return.

Just as I was about to leave the garden, a bunch of tulips suddenly appeared in front of me. I gasped, but before I could scream, I was hoisted into the air.

"Ah! Who are you, help, help!" My cries caught some attention, but soon everyone’s gazes retreated in fear. I was quickly set down, back in my wheelchair.

Staring blankly, I faced Antonio, his grin infuriating and contemptible. "What are you doing!" I screamed, accusing him, "You despicable kidnapper, thief! Is it fun to scare me like this?"

Antonio’s grip was firm on my face, not letting go even as I cried out in pain. "Afraid? I thought you were brave, lying to a mob boss and ignoring his rules!"

I swatted his hand away, anger overcoming my fear. "If you hadn't kidnapped me, kept me trapped, refusing to let me leave, why would I want to escape!"

"No, you've always wanted to escape,” Antonio retorted, his hands bracing against the wheelchair’s armrests, trapping me between him and the chair. He leaned down, his amber eyes boring into mine. “From the first time we met, to our encounters on Pink Island and now, you’ve never planned to stay by my side. Loyalty and contracts are what the mafia values most, and you lack both!”

“I am just your mistress, Antonio! Our arrangement was always going to end someday. I will pay off my father’s debts, and then I am supposed to leave. Why can’t you just let me go?”

“That may be in the future, but for now, you are still mine.”

“But you’re getting married, Antonio. You should be responsible towards your wife, our affair should end!”

Antonio’s eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on my chin. “Is this why you came to Philadelphia?”

“No, me coming here had nothing to do with you or her." Did he always think I was here just for his fiancée? It’s just a coincidence; I’m here for Valentina’s engagement party and to take my father away.

I hurried to clarify, “I really just came here for work.”

“Still lying!” Antonio’s expression turned terrifying.