The Mafia King's Virgin Healer

Fear and fluster

"Mom?" Maya called, taken aback by her mother's promptness.

Sarah smiled warmly. "I couldn't sleep all night and had to rush down here as soon as possible." But then her expression shifted to one of polite curiosity as her gaze settled on Pedro, a silent question mark written across her face.

Maya quickly realized the awkwardness of the situation. She hesitated for a moment before jumping on the first lie she could think of. "Mom, this is Pedro Delgado... my new boss at my job." The words felt strange on her tongue, but she knew they were going to be true sooner or later. Pedro was going to be her boss whether she liked it or not. Besides, she had already made up her mind to accept whatever job Pedro might offer her, all for her sister's sake.

Sarah nodded understandingly, a warm smile on her face as she greeted Pedro. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Sarah, Maya's mother."

"The pleasure is mine, Sarah," Pedro replied smoothly, his demeanor shifting to one of polished charm. "I can see where Maya gets her strength from. You have raised incredible daughters, and your care and love for them is truly admirable. Maya is fortunate to have such a devoted mother."

Maya felt nothing but cringe from the sugarcoated lies that easily flowed out of Pedro's mouth. How could he do that with such a straight face? It was obvious to her that Pedro wouldn't hesitate to harm her loved ones if she continued to resist him, and this fact scared the hell out of her, even though she tried not to show it.

Sarah beamed at the compliment, clearly pleased. "Thank you for saying that. Maya has always been such a responsible girl. I hope she'll do well working for you."

Before Sarah could say more, Maya was already grabbing Pedro's hand and dragging him towards the door.

"Mom, my boss was just leaving," she said hurriedly, pulling Pedro along. "He has other important matters to attend to."

Pedro simply smiled at Sarah as he allowed Maya to drag him outside, clearly amused by her desperate attempt to end the conversation.

But just as they got outside the hospital room, Pedro suddenly cornered Maya, pinning her against the wall in the corridor. He moved his face almost an inch close to hers. It looked as if he was going to kiss her but never did, his green eyes burning with dangerous intensity. His hand reached up to grab her chin, forcing her to look directly into his intimidating gaze.

Maya felt shaken and feverish from his touch and their confusingly close proximity. She almost closed her eyes in anticipation but held herself back.

"Don't think you can act however you want in front of me," Pedro said in a low, stern voice that sent shivers down her spine. "Learn to know your place. I won't take it lightly the next time you repeat this. Do you understand?"

"Y-yes sir," Maya stuttered, suddenly realizing she had been unknowingly gripping his other hand tightly. She quickly released it, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Pedro held her gaze for a moment longer before stepping back. "You will be guided on what to do," he said simply, then turned and walked away from her with a confident stride.

Maya remained pressed against the wall, breathing heavily as she watched his retreating figure. She was both scared and confused by what had just happened. The man had just made her heart flutter in two completely different ways—with fear, and with something else entirely. She could swear that butterflies were somersaulting in her stomach.

"Is that normal?" she wondered helplessly, touching her lips unconsciously as the memory of his closeness lingered in her mind.

"But why is his body always hot?"

***

Pedro rubbed his chest as he walked away, as if trying to wipe away the strange excitement swimming in his heart.

For the first time in years, he was getting all excited and giddy to be around a woman. Ever since his wife died, no woman had ever gotten him so excited and curious, let alone received his affection. They all felt like s**t to him, and he only used them to relieve his stress and anger whenever he wanted to.

But this Maya was just something else. Because of her, Pedro couldn't understand himself and why he was suddenly feeling flustered, his heart beating unnecessarily loud with just her touch. Her stubbornness irked him beyond measure, but then their close contact made him want to lose his mind and dominate her. She wouldn't break his curse obviously, but with her, he could feel so much peace and tranquility filling him. Now, he could feel the familiar hotness in his chest returning slowly as the space between them widened. Did it mean that he would have to stay with her all the time?

Last night, he was able to sleep peacefully for the first time in years, thanks to her. Was it really okay to feel this tranquility with a potential spy with witch blood flowing in her veins? Did she really work with Ethan? Did she do it for money?

While all these jumbled thoughts were going on in Pedro's head, Alex suddenly walked up to him as he stepped out of the elevator.

"f**k, Alex, what do you want?" He frowned at her.

"You know what I want." Alex smiled. "You look lost, and your face is looking bright unlike other mornings. Share the good news."

"Well, the curse is still there on my chest. Do you want to see it?" Pedro rolled his eyes at her before hastening his steps.

But Alex wasn't ready to back down. She chased after the gist.

"That's not what I meant, Pedro. How was your first night with Maya?" she asked, studying his face with curiosity. "You know exactly what I mean."

"Strangely peaceful, no pain," Pedro said, his confusion vivid in his voice.

"Are you happy?" Alex decided to tease, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

Pedro suddenly paused as he turned to face her, his expression darkening. "Do I look that happy to you? I had to chase her down to this hospital because of you," he seethed, causing Alex to shiver involuntarily.

"I'm sorry," Alex apologized quickly, recognizing the dangerous edge in his tone.

"Thank your stars I'm in a slightly good mood today," Pedro smirked as he resumed walking toward the hospital exit.

"So, why don't you tell her that you've settled all her sister's hospital bills?" Alex asked, falling into step beside him. "You're even sponsoring the whole treatment right now. Are you going to hide it from her?"

Pedro suddenly paused, his piercing glare making Alex take a wary step back.

"If you ever spill that information to her, I will really cut that useless tongue of yours out of your mouth," Pedro warned, his voice carrying the weight of absolute certainty. "Try me!"

"I would never," Alex quickly said, hiding the shiver that ran through her bones. "It was only a mistake, Pedro. I will never repeat it again, please."

"Good for you." Pedro sighed with a shake of his head as he continued walking.

"But why, Pedro?" Alex decided to ask, her curiosity getting the better of her caution. "Won't that make everything easier?"

"Easy, you said?" Pedro scoffed. "She won't have any reason to stay by my side then. It's for a later purpose. There's a way to handle stubborn people like her."

"Oh," Alex nodded in understanding, though she wondered if Pedro truly understood his own motivations.

As Pedro walked out of the hospital and headed for his car, his phone buzzed with an incoming call from Rico.

"Any action from them yet?" Pedro asked as he opened his car door.

"No sir," Rico replied, his voice sharp through the speaker.

"I'm coming home now. Tell the boys to get ready—let's proceed with the plan."

After ending the call, he quickly typed some instructions on his phone and sent them to Alex before he slipped into his car and drove off, his mind already shifting from the confusing emotions Maya stirred in him to the cold, calculated world of business he understood far better.