CROWNED BY THE MAFIA KING

Chapter 9 – Inner Battle

Selena stood stiff in front of the big desk, her chest crushed. Leonardo’s words kept echoing in her head: “Don’t ever think I’ll fall for your cheap tricks.” That cold voice felt like a blade stabbing her heart again and again.

She wanted to say something, defend herself, explain that she never meant anything wrong. But her lips only trembled, no sound came out. Leonardo had already turned away, sitting back in his chair, eyes fixed on the laptop screen with no expression—like her presence didn’t matter anymore.

“Then… excuse me, sir.” Her voice was weak, almost gone in the air.

No answer. Only the cold silence from the man before her. Selena finally walked out, closing the door carefully, afraid even the smallest sound would make him scold her again.

The office hallway felt long and empty. Selena’s footsteps echoed against the glass walls. She walked quickly to her desk, sat down with her body heavy, and the moment she touched the chair, her strength collapsed.

Her hands covered her face, shoulders trembling. Tears fell, unstoppable. The tears she had held back since last night finally broke inside the office—a place supposed to be professional.

“What did I do wrong…?” she whispered, voice hoarse between sobs. “Why did he say that… I was only trying to do my job right…”

Not far away, Matteo stood silently as always. He was Leonardo’s loyal guard, always present but rarely speaking. But seeing the young secretary crying broke something inside him.

With calm steps, Matteo approached. His voice was low, almost careful.

“Miss Selena.”

Selena quickly wiped her cheeks, though they were still wet. She turned halfway, forcing a small smile.

“Ah… Matteo. I’m fine. Sorry if… I disturbed the workplace.”

Matteo shook his head gently. His gaze stayed respectful, but there was hidden warmth in it.

“You disturbed nothing, Miss. You don’t need to apologize.”

Selena lowered her head, twisting the edge of her skirt. Her voice shook.

“I’m only a secretary. I should be professional. But here I am, crying like a child. That’s stupid, isn’t it?”

Matteo was silent for a moment, then said firmly but softly, “Humans have hearts. Crying is not stupid, Miss. It’s natural.”

Selena blinked, her eyes wet as she looked at him.

“But… if I cry, it means I’m weak. Mr. Leonardo will think I’m useless.”

Matteo took a deep breath, his voice calm as the sea.

“Mr. Leonardo… sometimes speaks harshly. But that doesn’t mean you’re weak. From what I see… you’re much stronger than you think.”

Selena bowed her head, whispering faintly,

“If I quit now, people will say I wasn’t strong enough. But if I stay… maybe my heart will break. Which one should I choose, Matteo? Stay or give up?”

Matteo looked at her for a long time, as if weighing his words. Then, with steady tone, he answered:

“Only you can choose that path. But… allow me to say this.”

Selena lifted her head, waiting.

Matteo lowered his head slightly in respect.

“I’ve served Mr. Leonardo for a long time. Many people came and left. Most gave up before trying. But you… I think you’re different. There’s something in you that makes me believe… you can endure.”

Selena froze. Tears fell again, but this time not only from despair. A strange warmth filled her chest.

“Different…?” she whispered. “Do you really think I can be different?”

Matteo’s eyes stayed steady, his voice firm.

“If you don’t believe in yourself… then who will?”

Selena bit her lip, holding back sobs. Slowly, she inhaled deeply, then exhaled.

“I can’t lose. I must stay strong. Not for him.” She clenched her small hand on the desk. “But for myself. For my job. For my pride.”

Matteo bowed respectfully. He said nothing more, knowing his words were enough. But in his heart, he prayed she truly was as strong as he hoped. Because behind that door, he knew—the storm called Leonardo Valente was far from over.

Meanwhile, inside his office, Leonardo shut his laptop harshly. He pressed his temples, trying to push away the voice that kept haunting him.

“Don’t repeat your father’s history, Leo.” Isabella’s voice echoed endlessly. His mother’s crying face, his father with another woman—it all mixed in his mind like poison.

He slammed his fist on the desk. “Damn it.”

His head spun, his heart raced. Selena. That innocent face, her awkward laugh, her smile that made the office lighter. All of it felt… dangerous.

“Why did I almost believe…?” he muttered. “Why did I almost… feel comfortable with her?”

Leonardo stood, pacing back and forth. He knew why he gave that strange rule for a secretary—to wear short skirts every day. People thought it was arrogance, or playboy behavior. But in truth… it was a test.

Years ago, his father had a secretary. A woman who dressed to tempt, until eventually his father fell for her, leaving his mother broken. Leonardo grew up with that wound. And he swore he would never trust anyone easily.

“Short skirts…” he muttered again. “If they’re all the same… they’ll show their true face sooner or later.”

But Selena was different. At least, so far. She wore the skirts, yes, but never proudly. Often she looked restless, even annoyed, whenever she had to wear them.

That unsettled Leonardo. Because if Selena truly was different… his walls could break.

“No… I can’t trust. I can’t fall.” His voice came out strained, like pain. He closed his eyes, pulling his own hair. “If she’s only pretending, I’ll be destroyed. I can’t let it happen.”

The day passed slowly. Selena worked silently at her desk. Leonardo never called for her again. Matteo stayed in the corner, calm as a shadow. The office air was heavy, everyone felt it, but no one dared speak.

When evening came, Selena quickly packed her things, wanting to leave before anything else happened. But before she could step away, that heavy voice came from the office door.

“Selena.”

She froze, clutching her bag strap tight. Slowly, she turned. Leonardo stood at the doorway, his face still cold.

“Tomorrow morning, come earlier. There’s a meeting you need to prepare.”

Selena swallowed hard, then nodded quickly. “Yes, sir.”

That was all. Leonardo turned and went back inside. Selena walked fast to the elevator, almost running. Her chest was tight, but deep inside, her determination grew stronger.

“I can’t give up,” she whispered to herself. “I won’t let his words break me. I’m here not because of him. I’m here because I need this job. I must endure.”

That night, Leonardo sat in his home office. The desk lamp lit his tired face. A glass of whiskey was half empty in his hand. Matteo stood quietly nearby, silent as always.

Leonardo looked out the window, the city lights of Milan shining. But his mind was restless. Selena’s face kept appearing—her smile, her voice, her pleading eyes when she said, “If I’ve done something wrong, tell me. So I can fix it.”

Leonardo scoffed, angry at himself. “Stupid. Why do I keep thinking of her?”

Finally, Matteo spoke, his voice calm but sincere. “Sir, if I may… I don’t think Miss Selena is what you fear.”

Leonardo turned sharply. “What do you mean?”

Matteo bowed slightly. “I watch her often, sir. She works hard. She never tries to take advantage of her position. She’s not like…” he paused, choosing carefully. “…not like the woman from the past.”

Leonardo stared at him for a long moment, then drank his whiskey. “You know nothing, Matteo.”

“Of course, sir.” Matteo stepped back into silence. But in his heart, he knew—Selena truly was different.

---

In her apartment, Selena sat on the edge of her bed, eyes swollen. She hugged a pillow, staring blankly at the wall.

“Why does it still hurt… even when I knew from the start he was like that?” she whispered. “Why do I still hope he might change?”

Tears fell again. But she shook her head hard, wiping her cheeks. “No. I can’t think like this. I’m not here to fall for my boss. I’m only here to survive. That’s all.”

She looked at the mirror across the room. Her face was tired, but her eyes held a faint fire. “I’ll prove I can do this job. I won’t run away. If he thinks I’m weak… he’s wrong.”

Selena lay down slowly, closing her eyes though her mind was still full of him.

And across Milan, the same man was also unable to sleep.

Leonardo stayed awake until late night. His whiskey glass empty, his thoughts restless. He stepped out to the balcony, letting the cold wind brush his face.

He looked up at the night sky and muttered softly, as if speaking to the ghosts of his past.

“If you’re really different, Selena… prove it to me.”