Matteo POV (Third POV)
Matt walked through the hallway, not knowing what to think. He should have been angry at Lucia; he should have used the opportunity to vent all his anger.
But seeing all her wounds changed the target of his anger.
He took the elevator to the top floor.
"Oh, it's rare to see you here, Matt," the bartender asked with a smile. She had crimson eyes with a piercing on her nose. Her black hair was tied in a ponytail.
"Give me your strongest, Alice."
Alice whistled, then started preparing the drink.
"Did something happen? The last time you asked for something like this was when you got fired."
"Hmph, this time it's worse. You know the person I told you about."
"Ah, her? What is it now?" Alice asked with a bored expression. She had already heard stories about her all the time when Matt was a regular.
It was to the point she could recite everything since he kept repeating it over and over.
CLANG! Alice put the glass on the counter.
Matt drank it all in one gulp, then pushed it back, asking for more. Alice took it, then returned to fill it.
"Can you believe it? She is now in my apartment."
"WHAT!?" Alice stopped her action and then turned back, looking at Matt. "You serious?"
"…You think I am joking?"
"But that is impossible."
"It's complicated. Telling you about it will put you in danger."
Alice let out a chuckle, then continued her work.
"Danger? Sweety, see where I am working and what I do.
Danger is my life; just spit it out. That is the least you can do after boring me with the same repeating story."
"I do that?"
"Well, you are drunk; you probably don't remember much."
"…"
Alice put another glass in front of Matt. "Don't drink it all in one go unless you want to get drunk."
But Matt ignored her. He gulped it all again in one go. "Why do you think I am here? I just don't get what I should do now."
He then started telling Alice a part of the story. The main point was that he was conflicted; he didn't know what to do. He could just let Luciel go by herself, but he didn't want to do that.
"Think carefully. You already have problems with the Luciano family. If you take her, this means you will face the De Luca family."
"What do you suggest I do then? It's not like I can just leave her to die."
"Sweety, you think she is that weak? She will find her own way to survive. This will be what I say as a bartender.
But personally, I will say you should help her."
"Why?" Matt asked as he took a sip from the freshly filled glass.
"Cause you loooove her. Don't you even realize that? Nah, love is not correct; you are obsessed with her."
"What are you talking about? I hate her."
"Yeah, no. Maybe at that time, you hated her, but now? Nope. Look, no one will remember someone from when they were ten years old and stalk her every single day.
Did you tell her that? You spent so much money on me to get information on the De Luca family, asking about her condition.
You even paid extra when you heard the Don died."
"I did that for revenge."
"Yeah, say whatever you want, but you know the truth. Just stop being a sissy and say it to her face."
Matt looked at the glass and started shaking it.
"Let's say I do that. What's next? Does your offer still stand?"
Alice looked around, making sure no one was listening. She then leaned in and whispered in his ear.
"Of course, a doctor like you is highly sought after by the familia. Now the question is who you want to work with and how far you want to go."
"Tell me in detail."
"You can just accept to do treatment like other doctors; this is the least risky way, but...
If you want their support and backup, you will need to go further."
"Just get to the point, Alice."
"Fufufu, so impatient. Look, I will need to make sure first, then search for the best position for your needs.
It's been a while since I gave you the offer. Just don't forget my fee."
Matt put down the glass. He then looked at Alice. "I will give you 20% of everything I earn, but I will need your support."
"20% to back you up against a whole familia? Do you think that is enough? Too risky, sweety."
"Think again. I don't mean 20% of what I earn from that job. I mean 20% off everything I earn.
We have known each other for a while, Alice. If I'm gonna do this, I will need someone I can trust."
Alice tapped her finger on the table. After a while, she replied, "Let me think about it, but I want to meet with her first. I need to make sure she agrees to your terms, and you know you will need to convince him, too."
"Damien? That drunkard? Will he be helpful?"
"He is the best I know. And if what you plan is really what I think, his help will be important."
"Sure, but he gets a part from your 20%."
"Let's not talk numbers now. I need to consider things first. Just bring her here when she is ready." Alice leaned back while taking Matt's empty glass.
"Fine, give us a week. You can also do your homework at that time. Also, fill me again."
"It's already five shots. Do you want more? Now I start pitying this woman; what will you do to her when you're that drunk?" Alice said with a helpless sigh.
"That is not your concern. What kind of person do you think I am?"
"You forget what happened last time when you were drunk?" Alice replied with a chuckle.
"That man deserved it, or would you prefer I didn't intervene?"
"I am not saying he didn't; I just pointed out that you went beyond what was needed."
Matt stayed silent. He put some thought into it but still asked for another glass. His mind was just so muddled now that he wanted to get drunk.
He didn't even know what he would say to her. Did he forgive her?
The answer he knew for sure was no. But could he let her hurt like this?
Her wounds and scars started surfacing again in his mind—her face, her back, the amount of pain that she had faced made his heart burn with anger.