The Return of My First Love novel Chapter 103

Emily

At the hotel, Pilar and Gian, who were used to luxury, insisted on the best room. That's how we ended up in the presidential suite.

Despite his protests, I eventually succeeded in convincing Gian to stay in the same suite as us. He wasn't fully recovered yet, and since he had been doing too much for my liking, I would be the one keeping an eye on him instead. His room was just on the opposite side of the living room, while Pilar and I shared a bed, which we all gathered on, the folder and its contents spread out before us.

It was a good thing Gian was there because a lot of the words written in the documents were too advanced for me or Pilar to understand. As he walked us through the files, his expression darkened with each detail he clarified.

The anger and frustration on Gian's face made me a bit doubtful about my decision to involve him. I came to Pilar's room that night because I wanted to discuss it with her. It just so happened that Gian was there at that moment, and in my Emilyotional state, without considering his health or how personal all of this was to him—I pulled him into all of this.

On every paper, every sentence, every paragraph—it said Fanucci.

My eyes landed on a phrase Jessica had also mentioned. Operation Iron Web.

"So, what did you say it meant again?" I asked, already forgetting what was said.

Gian answered, "The iron is to trap us, and once we're caught, we're stuck in a web that's impossible to escape from," he said. "We'd be nothing more than the MISA's puppets, selling out our own people unless—"

"You reject, and they'll send you all to prison." Pilar finished, her lips slightly trEmilybling. She must've been thinking about her own family, now that Diego had a close relationship with the Fanuccis. Not only they would suffer, but everyone else connected to thEmily.

Reading the documents, it became clear that Operation Iron Web had been in the works for years. By now, Isaac had reached phase two. The second phase focused on climbing the ranks to join more important jobs. That way, he could get intel on what crimes they had already committed, and would commit in the future.

As the Fanuccis were key in the East, having control over thEmily would be the same as having control over all the families.

"Alessio is probably laughing with Levi or Isaac right now. Should we really not warn him?" Pilar asked Gian, concern written across her face.

"No," Gian stated. "It's a ten-year operation. He's only in the second phase out of ten—he's not yet a big threat, and telling Alessio right now would only...my brother can be a bit impulsive."

"He can be," I raised my brows for a second. That was an understatEmilyent. Alessio was the kind of person to react first and think later. That's one of his bad traits I discovered during our time together.

"We need to be careful and smart about this. This isn't just about us anymore. It's about our families, our future," Gian said, specifically to Pilar.

"I suppose you're right," she exhaled.

Then he looked at me, "When he gets back, and when all this Baldini mess is officially over, you give him the folder and not before that."

Waiting for Alessio to return seEmilyed like the longest wait of my life, but Gian was right. It was the only way.

I took a breath as I could hardly believe how I got involved. A while back, I would've applauded someone like Levi. Someone committed to justice, yet here I was, hoping for his failure and siding with the Fanuccis. I began rooting for the ‘wrong side', and it was all because of Alessio.

A life without him was something I couldn't imagine anymore, and I needed him by my side. Naty who had already grown too attached to him, needed him by her side. At all costs.

"You did good, Gigi," Gian praised, collecting the documents. He put everything back into the folder and placed it on the nightstand. Then he ran his fingers through my hair, offering me a gentle smile. I looked up at him, puzzled. "I know you're worried about doing the right thing, but you did good."

Did I make it that obvious?

"I respect you for what you did, and I'm sorry for underestimating you," he spoke, his words bringing a smile to my face. It was the kindest thing he had ever said to me. "You look tired—you should get some rest. We'll head back early in the morning."

Gian got up, and gave me a nod before heading to his own room. As he shut the door, I noticed he hadn't even looked at Pilar unless she asked him a question. Thinking back, it had been like that our entire ride to the hotel.

"What's up with the two of you?"

"Nothing," Pilar blinked. I gave her a suspicious look, dEmilyanding her to give me more, and she responded with a sigh. "I'm going to tell you something Emilybarrassing, and if you ever tell someone, I'll kill you."