Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 388

ARIELLA

“What the hell is going on here?” Asher asked.

Maria dropped the pillow immediately, Like she had just realised we were there. She stepped back quickly, wrapping her arms around herself, her eyes avoiding all of us.

“Luca,” Asher said, his voice harder now. “What the hell is going on?”

“I’m sorry,” Luca said.

But it didn’t feel like he was just talking to Asher. His eyes flickered to Maria and she lifted her eyes for a second and their gazes locked.

"Just get out." Maria snapped it so fast, it almost shocked me.

I blinked. I hadn’t expected that.....Not Maria losing it.

“Okay....okay, I’m going,” Luca said, already starting to move.

But Asher stepped in front of him, blocking his way.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

Luca dragged a hand over his face and took a breath. He wasn’t as drunk as before, but it was still there.

“I went to the wrong room,” he said. “I was trying to go to bed. I didn’t mean to come in here.”

He turned to Maria.

“I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Then back to Asher. "I apologise."

But Asher didn’t move. Didn’t blink. Just stared at him. And Luca held that stare long enough that it felt like something else was being said between them without words.

“We have a child in this house,” Asher said finally, his voice low. “My family is here. You can’t be doing this.”

“I said I’m sorry,” Luca replied. “It won’t happen again.”

Then, looking at me,

“Ariella… I’m sorry.”

He even lifted his hands slightly in surrender. Asher stepped aside then And Luca walked out. The tension didn’t leave with him.

Asher looked at Maria for a bit, then at me.

I nodded.

“I’ll talk to her.”

He didn’t argue and just left without another word, closing the door behind him.

The room fell quiet. Too quiet between us. Maria sat down slowly on the bed. Still holding herself and taking a deep breath.

I moved closer and sat beside her.

“Do you want something?” I asked gently.

“No,” she said quickly. “I’m okay.”

She wasn’t.

“Did something happen?” I asked after a while.

She shook her head. Too fast.

“You can tell me,” I said. “If he tried anything....”

She turned to me immediately. Frowning.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean… You were asleep. He came in drunk. Maybe he.....”

“Oh God, no,” she cut in quickly. “No, no, please stop. It’s nothing like that.”

“Then what is it?” I asked softly. “Help me understand.”

I handed her the glass anyway.

“Here.”

“Thank you,” she said softly, finally taking it.

We stood there for a moment in silence, the kind that wasn’t awkward, but still heavy.

“I really am glad you’re okay,” I said softly. "For a moment there, I really thought that something bad had happened to you, given the attacks.... I was really scared for you.", I admitted after a while, glancing at her.

“I know,” she said, letting out a small breath. “Anyone would think that.”

“But you’re okay. He didn’t hurt you.”

“No…”

A pause. She stared down into her glass and took a small sip.

“I just…” She gave a small, almost embarrassed laugh to herself. “It’s my fault.”

My brows pulled together.

“What do you mean?”

“I just… I mean…” She stopped herself, shaking her head. “I shouldn’t say it.”

“What is it?” I leaned a little closer. “Come on, you can tell me. I am your friend. I thought we were besties.”

That pulled a sad smile from her.

“I know… " You don’t know this,” she said quietly, “but I’ve always had this… this weird… stupid… crazy crush on Luca.”

I went silent, my eyes widening slightly. I mean… I had always felt there was something there, but I never knew that Maria would actually admit to it.

Still, I didn’t interrupt her. I quickly composed my face because she was trusting me as a friend. That’s why she was telling me all of this. So I just stayed quiet… and waited.

“And…” she continued, but then her voice drifted, like her mind wasn’t even here anymore. “And he’s not right for me. He’s never been right for me. He will never be right for me.”