Tangled in the Mafia’s Web

Episode Thirty-three

"Disconnect the cameras in her apartment," Leandro instructed Alonzo, gracefully stepping out of his sleek car. Alonzo dutifully held the door open, while the other guards loomed nearby, their presence an impenetrable shield.

"Sir?" Alonzo said as he tailed behind Leandro, who already was earning his way into the grand Vinci headquarters along with two more guards. A perplexed expression on his face. "Disable the cameras in her apartment? May I ask why?"

"The reasons are my own, Alonzo. The cameras, I want you to disable every single one of them" He declared in a low, commanding deep voice, leaving no room for further questions.

They halted before the elevator, Alonzo resisting the urge to probe deeper. He nodded in silent compliance, even though Leandro wasn't looking directly at him. "Yes, sir."

The elevator doors closed, enclosing them in a confined space. Alonzo pressed the button for their designated floor, the soft chime punctuating the air.

Thoughts of the previous night had consumed Leandro's mind since he awoke that morning—the footage, her vulnerable form, the way she quivered in pleasure, the look on her face. It was a maddening concoction that stirred both desire and torment within him.

He didn't stop watching! And since then, he couldn't escape the shame of watching it all unfold.

He had surrendered to the temptation, succumbing to his desires which had propelled him into a handjob just to discharge the building arousal that had consumed him– until she found release–him too. And now, burdened with guilt and self-reproach

He stepped out of the elevator as the doors slid open, only to be met by the hurried approach of Bianca.

“Morning, Vinci," Bianca greeted Leandro, her voice laced with a hint of deference as she approached him with a faint smile. Her eyes, sharp and observant, matched the calculated pace of her steps.

Leandro acknowledged her presence with a curt nod, his demeanor exuding authority as they walked side by side. "Good morning, Bianca. What do you have for me?"

Bianca adjusted the papers in her hands, stealing a quick glance at Leandro. “We've received two requests from one of our esteemed clients. They're seeking an update on the progress of their recent business arrangement with us."

Leandro's gaze hardened, his mind quickly shifting gears to her announcement. "I see. Have we prepared the necessary reports to satisfy their curiosity?"

“Yes, Vinci. I've already compiled the relevant documents and financial records. The team has analyzed the profits from the last deal and outlined the potential growth opportunities for the client."

Leandro maintained his brisk pace. "Good. I want to review those reports immediately. And the other request?" he inquired, a glimmer of anticipation dancing in his gaze.

"Alejandro Ramirez demands an emergency meeting. He insists on discussing a confidential matter that requires your personal attention."

Leandro nodded, his expression serious yet composed. "Thank you, Bianca. I'll make sure to review the necessary details before then."

Bianca's gaze flickered with curiosity, her next words laced with a bit of concern. "Is everything all right, Vinci? You seem preoccupied today."

Leandro's face tightened imperceptibly, but he maintained his composed conduct. "Just some personal matters, Bianca. Nothing for you to worry about." He swiftly changed the subject, his tone professional. "What else do I need to know?"

Bianca hesitated for a moment, her eyes lingering on Leandro as she followed him down the passage, but she ultimately decided not to press further.

"The management team you requested is already waiting for you in the conference room."

Leandro nodded, acknowledging the information.

Chiara lounged on a plush couch, her smoky laughter swirling through the air along with the scent of her cigarette.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Chiara leaned forward, her voice laced with an enigmatic playfulness. "So, darling Ginevra, how did your night with that intriguing gentleman go? The one you left the club with?" Her tone carried a hint of smug satisfaction, knowing she was about to ignite a fire within Ginevra.

Ginevra's smile faltering ever so slightly, attempted to dismiss the topic with a casual wave of her hand. "Oh, you know how it goes, Chiara. Just a simple night out, nothing more." Her words were carefully chosen, veiling her true emotions as she hoped to quell Chiara's probing curiosity.

But Chiara, known for her brazen nature, was not one to easily back down. Not when she wanted the gist. She let out a throaty chuckle, the smoke from her cigarette swirling between them. "Come on, Gin, don't leave me hanging! I can see it in your eyes. Something happened, didn't it? You can't fool me, darling." Her teasing laughter echoed through the room, filling the space with a captivating tension.

"Let's talk about something different, perhaps like what you did after I left and how you got back to the apartment. You could barely even find your way when you were sober." Ginevra said as she sliced the veritable.

But Chiara just scuffed as she puffed out some smokes. "You can't escape that easily. You must admit, he was quite the handsome one, wasn't he? I bet you noticed." Her words dripped with insinuation, her playful taunting reaching new heights.

Ginevra shot back. "Oh please, Chiara. I bet you say that to every man," she retorted.

A mischievous smile curved Chiara's lips. "Well, the ones handsome, of course," She returned.

Ginevra sighed, her gaze shifting away as if searching for answers within herself. "I didn't go through with it. Something within me just... couldn't." Her voice wavered, hinting at a depth of emotion that had silently consumed her.

The room fell into an unexpected silence, broken only by the crackling sounds emanating from the stove. Chiara, her eyes widening with genuine shock, leaned forward, her voice filled with both concern and curiosity.

Chiara leaned forward, genuine shock etched on her face. "Why? What the f**k happened? If he is a jerk I swear–"

"No. No, he is not." Ginevra cut through before she had the chance to complete her words. "I, I just couldn't go through with it. That's all."

Chiara's brows furrowed. "You had the opportunity, you had been craving for it. What stopped you?" Her bewilderment resonated through the room, momentarily eclipsing their earlier banter.

"I don't know." Ginevra shrugged, an air of uncertainty surrounding her.

Chiara leaned back, contemplating the situation. "Was he that terrible at it?" Chiara asked. Perhaps that was it.

But Ginevra shook her head, her expression betraying a hint of reminiscence. "No, quite the opposite. He was good. Very good if I may say. We have gone a bit far– he even already had the condom, but then... I don't know, I just don't know what got into me and... Y-you know." She gestured nonchalantly, as if expecting Chiara to understand the unspoken words.

Chiara blinked, her brow raised in anticipation. "Know what?" she prodded, her gaze fixed on Ginevra, who sighed in response.

"I couldn't," Ginevra poured it so, her voice laden with a sense of longing and confusion. She turned her attention back to the stove, as if seeking solace in the comfort of the simmering pot.

"I couldn't," She answered as if that was what she had meant and returned to check the meal.

"Gush, Gin," Chiara let out. "I don't understand you, Gin. What's going on? Did you lose your longing for a man, is that it? You somehow start getting into women or what?"

The room seemed to hold its breath for barely a split second as Ginevra paused. "No, Chiara, it's not about that," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of something unspoken. "It's just... complicated."

Chiara stubbed out her cigarette, leaning in closer. "Complicated how? I know you've always been adventurous, never one to shy away from pleasure. But recently... what changed?"

Ginevra's gaze drifted to the simmering pot on the stove, her hands trembling ever so slightly as she wrestled with her emotions. "I can't explain it, Chiara." She hissed "There was something at that moment– I don't know... It might all be in my head, but I thought of someone else and somehow I couldn't go through with it." Her confession spilled out, laced with vulnerability.

"Woo.." A mischievous grin crept onto Chiara's face as she leaned back, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Oh, Ginevra, this just keeps getting more interesting. Tell me, who is this person? Someone from your past? A forbidden love? I know all do, do me the favor. You can't leave me hanging!"

Ginevra rolled her eyes in exasperation, a dismissive gesture directed at Chiara. "Oh, for heaven's sake, Chiara, don't be absurd," she scoffed, turning away and refocusing her attention on the stove.

It was not like she could tell her best friend that the man she had visualized was no other than Leandro himself. She couldn't tell Chiara about any of this. It was too complicated, too risky. And she must be crazy for even having a fantasy of him at such a time.

“All right, all right," Chiara relented, exhaling a stream of smoke. "I shan't pester you further, my dear. I'll wait untill you wanna share.” As her words floated into the air, wisps of smoke twirled in delicate spirals, dissipating as she extinguished her cigarette in the ashtray.

“You want just a little, right?” Ginevra offered, stealing a quick glance at Chiara as she plated the pasta.

Chiara nodded and rose from her seat, but an unexpected visitor announced their presence with a resounding ring of the doorbell. Both Chiara and Ginevra turned their heads in unison, their gazes fixated on the uninvited interruption.

“You expecting someone?” Chiara inquired and Ginevra shook her head.