Mafias mute love

8

The day felt like it was finally starting to turn around. After Dominic had left the room, I finished my breakfast and quickly got dressed. The thought of leaving the room and seeing the rest of the house filled me with excitement. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was ready for something new.

Dominic returned later, looking as put-together as always, wearing a dark shirt and jeans. “Ready, kitten?” he asked, his eyes sparkling.

I smiled, nodding. “More than ready,” I wrote on a piece of paper. My hand was still a little shaky from the emotional weight of the morning, but the excitement of getting out of my room made me feel lighter.

We walked out of my room, and I was immediately struck by the grandeur of the mansion. The hallways were wide, with marble floors that gleamed under the overhead lights. The walls were adorned with paintings that looked like they belonged in a museum, and the furniture was so immaculate, I was afraid to touch anything.

Dominic must have noticed my hesitation because he chuckled softly. “Don’t worry, kitten. You’re not going to break anything,” he teased.

I smiled, feeling a little embarrassed. “It’s just... everything looks so fancy,” I wrote, glancing at him.

He shrugged, leading me down the hallway. “It’s just stuff. The important things are the people in our lives, right?”

I looked up at him, trying to understand. Was he talking about me? Was I part of his life now? I didn’t have time to ask because he was already pulling me toward a set of stairs that led to the upper floor.

We climbed the staircase together in comfortable silence. Once we reached the top, Dominic showed me the rooms one by one. The first room we entered was a study, filled with books and large leather chairs. It smelled of polished wood and old paper. I was fascinated by the collection of books lining the shelves, and as I touched the spines of a few, I could tell they were well-loved.

“I didn’t know you were a reader,” I wrote on my paper, glancing at him.

Dominic smiled softly. “I read when I need to clear my head. Sometimes it’s the only way to escape, you know?”

I nodded. I understood that feeling all too well.

We moved on to a large dining room next, with a massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The long table in the center could easily seat twenty people, and I wondered if he ever had that many people over.

“I don’t entertain much,” Dominic said, as if reading my thoughts. “I don’t have the time, and honestly, it’s not my thing.”

I felt a bit of relief at that. It wasn’t just the mansion that felt intimidating—it was the idea of socializing with people I didn’t know, in a place so grand.

“Sounds nice,” I wrote, trying to make him feel comfortable. “It’s kind of peaceful here.”

He nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I like about it. The peace and quiet.”

We continued down the hall, and Dominic paused in front of a door, pushing it open to reveal a huge home theater room with plush leather chairs and a massive screen. I couldn’t help but gawk at it.

“Do you watch a lot of movies?” I wrote.

He nodded. “When I want to relax, yeah. There’s something about watching a good film that makes everything else fade away.”

I smiled at that. I understood the need for escape.

We walked through more rooms—an enormous kitchen with gleaming stainless steel appliances, a gym with a wall of weights, and even an indoor pool. The whole time, Dominic was easy to talk to. I found myself laughing more than I expected, even though I could only respond by writing on paper.

As we made our way back to the hallway, Dominic paused, looking at me for a moment. “I’ve been learning something,” he said, almost shyly.

I raised an eyebrow, curious. “What?” I wrote.

He smiled and held up his hand, fingers making a “C” shape. Then, he tapped his fingers to his cheek and moved them downward. It was a simple motion, but it was enough to make me realize what he was doing.

“That’s the sign for ‘cat,’” he said, grinning. “I thought it’d be fitting since I call you ‘kitten.’”

I blinked in surprise. He had been learning sign language? For me?

I quickly scribbled on my paper, my heart racing. “You’re learning sign language?”

Dominic shrugged, looking a little embarrassed. “I thought it’d be nice if I could communicate with you without needing paper all the time. I’m still new at it, but... I want to be able to talk to you better.”

His words hit me harder than I expected. I hadn’t realized how much I longed for someone to make that kind of effort. And here he was, doing exactly that. I couldn’t help but smile softly.

“That’s really thoughtful of you,” I wrote, feeling a warmth spread through my chest.

Dominic smiled back, his gaze softening. “I just want you to feel comfortable here, Olivia.”

We continued walking, and as the day wore on, the mansion felt less intimidating. Dominic kept showing me little things—a collection of vintage records in the music room, a garden with an outdoor fountain, and even a small library filled with leather-bound books. I was amazed at how much there was to see, but more than that, I was surprised by how easy it was to be around him. I’d expected him to be aloof or distant, but he wasn’t. He was kind. Genuine. And I was starting to realize that I might be beginning to trust him.

By the time we made our way back to my room, the sun had started to set, casting a golden glow through the windows. We paused in the doorway, and Dominic looked at me for a long moment, as though unsure of what to say.

“Thanks for showing me around,” I wrote. “It’s beautiful here.”

He nodded, his eyes holding mine. “I’m glad you liked it. But... there’s one more thing.” He seemed to hesitate, then took a deep breath, like he was preparing to say something important.

I waited, my pen poised over the paper.

“I’ve... been thinking about this all day,” he said, his voice quieter than usual. “And I think I need to tell you something.”

I furrowed my brow, sensing that something was coming. I quickly scribbled down, “What is it?”

Dominic stepped closer, his eyes soft but intense. “I like you, Olivia. More than I thought I would. And even though you don’t say it back, i just wanted to get it of my chest”

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. I didn’t know what to say—how could I respond? But before I could write anything, he turned away, running a hand through his hair.

“Anyway... I’ll leave you to rest,” he murmured, his voice low. “I just thought you should know.”

And with that, he left, leaving me standing there, completely still, my mind spinning