"I'm okay with discussing your health, Don Marco. It really matters to me, but I'm also thankful that you're thinking about mine," Rafael said, clearly uninterested in Marco's teasing. Marco's face tightened into a frown as his gaze focused on Rafael.
"Is everything okay with you?" Marco asked, scanning Rafael and noticing that he seemed troubled.
If there was one thing Rafael couldn't do, it was hide his emotions. Whether in the torture room, the car, or Marco's leisure room, Rafael's feelings were always visible.
Marco remembered the moment he had invited Rafael into his leisure room. The look on Rafael's face when he saw the various sex toys scattered around was unforgettable. Rafael had seemed both disappointed and relieved when Marco told him all he wanted was a massage.
To Marco, Rafael was like an open book, his desires and emotions plain to see. He was someone trying to escape reality, but deep down, he knew he couldn't.
Marco snickered at the memory, which only deepened the frown on Rafael's face as he raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Nothing," Marco said with a smile. "It's just that you're so cute, even when you're trying to act tough. I can't help but smile."
"Oh…" Rafael murmured, picking at his food.
"And now you're getting all embarrassed. Your face is heating up, and I bet you're so nervous you can't even get your fork straight on the plate," Marco added, watching Rafael intently.
Rafael sighed heavily, dropping his fork onto his plate, his face flushed as he raised his head.
It was clear Marco's deduction was spot-on, and Rafael's blushing face only confirmed it.
"Don Marco, are you always this flirty and playful with all your staff?" Rafael asked the question that had been bothering him.
When Rafael had been keeping tabs on Marco, he had never imagined him as a cheerful or playful person. He had only known of Marco's playboy ways and how quickly he changed partners.
Marco smiled mischievously at Rafael's words. Folding his arms, he leaned back in his chair and asked, "Why? Are you jealous?"
"That's it," Rafael muttered before continuing, "You know, one could get the wrong impression when you do this."
"Well… I'm being sincere," Marco replied, though his words seemed a bit strained and forced.
Then he leaned forward, his face bearing a playful glint. "You know, at first, I was just acting so I wouldn't scare you away too soon. But now, you're seriously making me laugh; you're always so easy to tease. You get flustered so quickly."
Marco added jokingly, "Are you doing something bad?"
Rafael quickly shook his head, which Marco replied to with a smirk, "Hard to believe with how flustered you get."
Then, after a moment, he asked a question that made Rafael's blush deepen. "Do you… perhaps like me?"
"No… you're doing it again, Don," Rafael said, his tone low and clearly annoyed.
"Fine, since my sweet boy doesn't want it, I'll stop," Marco said, his expression calm and neutral. "Why don't you go wash up again, maybe just your face and then come to my room."
"That sounds good," Rafael quickly agreed, seizing the opportunity to leave.
He had been looking for a way to end the conversation but hadn't had the courage to risk offending the mafia boss.
Even though he didn't know Marco well, he knew enough to understand that Marco had a hot temper, and once he got angry, there was no stopping him.
_______________
Rafael stumbled into his room, his breath still coming in ragged gasps as he closed the door behind him. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat feeling like it might burst out of him at any moment.
It took what felt like an eternity for him to regain his composure, and even then, his mind was still reeling from what had just happened.
He dragged himself into the bathroom, turned on the tap, and splashed cold water on his face. The icy water jolted him, but it did little to soothe the turmoil swirling inside him.
He stared at his reflection in the mirror for a moment, water dripping from his chin. His eyes were wide, and his expression was one of confusion and distress. This wasn't just about the teasing; there was something else, something deeper that he couldn't quite put his finger on.
With a heavy sigh, he walked back into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed, his legs tapping anxiously on the floor. His hands were clenched together, his fingers digging into his palms as he tried to steady his racing thoughts. His forehead was damp with sweat, and despite the coolness of the room, his body felt hot.
Finally, he let himself fall back onto the mattress, sinking into the soft plushness. He stared up at the ceiling, his mind still whirling.
What the hell happened in the dining room? he asked himself, the question echoing in his mind.
I shouldn't eat with him again, he cautioned himself, the thought tinged with frustration and regret.
But beneath that, there was something else, something that made him feel even more unsettled.
Am I really that easy to read? he thought, bringing a hand up to cover his face as Marco's words replayed in his mind.
The way Marco had looked at him, the way he had seemed to see right through him, had left Rafael feeling exposed in a way that was both unsettling and oddly thrilling.
'How am I supposed to keep a straight face when lying to him?' he wondered, his thoughts starting to spiral.
He needed to be stronger, more resolute, but every time he was around Marco, he felt his resolve slipping.
'I need to keep my distance,' he told himself, but even as he thought it, he knew it wasn't that simple.
There was no escaping Marco's presence, not when he was right under his roof, tasked with a job that required him to be close to the mafia lord.
Rafael groaned softly, running a hand through his hair. His thoughts were a tangled mess, but he knew he couldn't afford to dwell on them for too long. He had a job to do, and he needed to focus on that.
With a sigh, he sat up and glanced at the small box on the bedside table; his massage kit. It was the only thing in his life that felt stable right now, a routine he could cling to. He reached for it, opening the box and starting to pack the items he would need for tonight.
He carefully placed a few bottles of essential oils into the kit, each one chosen for its calming properties. Lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood, each scent designed to soothe the mind and help with relaxation.
Next, he added a small vial of a special blend he had prepared, a concoction of herbs and oils known to aid in sleep and relieve insomnia.
His hands moved methodically, almost mechanically, as he placed the bottles in their designated slots. Next, he picked up a small container of cooling balm, perfect for easing tense muscles.
Then came the massage tools; a set of smooth, rounded stones for hot stone therapy, and a few handheld massagers designed to work out knots and tension in the muscles.
Rafael's hands stilled for a moment as he looked down at the kit, a sense of calm settling over him. This was something he could control, something he could do well. No matter how chaotic his thoughts or feelings, he knew he could rely on his skills to get him through.
But as he closed the box, his mind wandered back to Marco, and the way he had looked at him during dinner. The way his voice had softened, the way he had seemed almost…genuine.
What am I getting myself into? Rafael thought, his resolve wavering as he stood up and prepared to face whatever the night would bring.