Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 368

ARIELLA

He smiled sheepishly.

" I just brought it up because I thought it would be funny or something, but you seem really disturbed by it.”

I forced myself to respond. I didn’t want him to think I was jealous and desperate. I didn’t want him to see how much what he said, had actually affected me.

“No,” I said, shrugging. “I just thought it was something I should have known.”

I swallowed.

“I mean… growing up, I had a few harmless crushes too. And Asher was… Asher. Everyone knew he was the Don’s son. So I guess it wasn’t just me. My friends and probably everyone I knew all had a crush on him.”

I let out a small breath. “It's just like you said, it was years ago, and now it doesn’t mean anything,” I finished quietly.

He nodded, satisfied with that answer, and threw his arm over my shoulder again, pulling me forward.

“Exactly,” he said. “You know how women can be....especially Italian women. I thought you’d react differently, but you’re calmer than most. I like that.”

Then he laughed again.

“Especially when Leon has such a crush on Sia now,” he added, laughing harder, his hand even going to his chest.

He had no idea what his words were doing to me.

“And wow,” he continued, still chuckling, not even looking at me as he pushed me forward. “How the tables have turned. Now it’s Asher’s turn.”

I frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”

“It’s Asher’s turn to know how it feels to have a member of your family crushing hard on your best friend,” he said with a grin. “You know, I had to watch my sister crush on my best friend for years, knowing very well that was never going to happen.”

I blinked. Wait....what?

“I just wish Sia is over her little crash on Usher,” he added, still laughing as we reached the dining room. And then he walked in. Still laughing.

Like he hadn’t just said something that completely stopped me in my tracks. I stayed there Frozen, right outside the door. That wasn’t bad news, not really. But it wasn’t nothing either.

And I didn’t have time to process it because suddenly Arms wrapped around me from behind. Warm and Familiar..... Asher.

He kissed the side of my head gently.

She smiled.

“Well, I am working there, but I took a few months of leave. And when I heard that you were looking for a tutor, I thought it wouldn't be much work. We could create a timetable. It won't be as demanding as if I had to work at the school. I would have a lot of classes and a lot of work, but just dealing with one child… it gives me… more time for myself, it's not lots of work. I get to give a hundred per cent.”

She paused, glancing at Asher.

“And of course, Leon is Asher's son.” She looked sheepishly at him. “When I heard that Asher had a son. I was really… I don't know… waiting for, you know, to meet him. And we all have to admit Leon looks so much like his father. It's..... I just figured this would give me time, you know, to know him.”

“Oh. Okay,” I said because there was something about what she said that sounded a little odd, then I looked towards Asher.

But Asher was looking at Leon.

“He’s asleep,” he whispered.

And that’s when I looked at him, and I found that, yes, Leon was indeed asleep.

“I’ll take him upstairs,” he whispered and carried Leon to his room.

After Asher left, Luca stood up too and said, “I have something to do in the office. I’ll just leave you, ladies, to it.” And he walked out.