mysterious papers. While Alessandro stared, I opened it and read the first document. It was a confirmation from the bank, stating the account that had been opened in my name, with a substantial amount of money on it. Uncertain what to make of this, I glanced at Alessandro, but he only encouraged me to read further. The bank statement was only the beginning. What followed were receipts from the initial payments he had made for my driving lessons, brochures for different schools and courses, and numerous applications for the position of a nanny. The last document was a contract. It stated Mr. Giordano had sold the restaurant to Alessandro Damiani. I lifted my head and met Alessandro's glistening dark gaze.
“You bought Mangiare?” I parted my lips in utter bafflement.
At that moment, the clumsy waitress appeared with our meals and belated drinks. It took her a while to set everything on the table and the nervousness she felt around Alessandro only made things worse. At least now I understood the real reason behind her trepidation. It wasn't every day one had to attend to their boss.
“Here, let me help,” I offered kindly, and put the decorative plates aside so she had space for the lasagna.
She thanked me in her already usual flustered manner and then left us alone. Alessandro seemed completely at ease and was already indulging in his portion of food while I sipped on my tea.
“Not bad for a vegetable lasagna. Good choice, cara,” he praised the meal.
“Can we please talk about the fact you’ve acquired this restaurant,” I reminded him. “How did you even manage to do that? My old boss loved this place. He would never give it up.”
Alessandro shrugged. “Signore Giordano was getting old and his children had no interest in taking over the business,” he elaborated. “I offered him a good price and he was happy to get rid of the restaurant and enjoy his retirement.”
“That's how you managed to get this place to shut down for the evening,” I concluded.
“Yes,” he confirmed with a charming smile. “The staff was very curious to meet their new owner.”
“Haven't they met you before?” I wondered.
“They have met me plenty of times, tesoro. I might be the ogre that tortured them during the restorations, but I’m not the owner they're expecting,” he said mysteriously.
“But I thought you just said—”
“Read further,” he instructed softly.
With my growing curiosity piqued, I scanned over the last bit of that document and read the part where it said the restaurant was registered in my name. Alessandro had gifted it to me. I blinked a few times and held my eyes frozen on that piece of paper.
“I...own this place?” I asked, completely flabbergasted.
“Well, technically no, not yet,” he pointed out, and picked up a pen from the bottom of the box. “You still need to sign the papers.”
I shook my head in utter disbelief as he held out that pen in front of me. “I don't understand. Why would you do this?”
His eyes frowned. “Do I really need to explain myself on this matter, tesoro?”
“Yes,” I requested. “I'm afraid that you do.”
“It's really simple,” he explained, sounding relaxed. “You wanted independence and I’m giving it to you.”
“But why?” I insisted on receiving an elaborated answer.
His eyes bored into mine. “I did it because I care about you, Olivia and I truly want to make you happy. You needed proof that I’ve changed and I’ve done everything in my power to provide it. Please understand this doesn't mean you can do whatever you please. Protection still needs to come first. I have many enemies. Some things are always going to be dangerous and off limits, but I promise I'll push the boundaries as much as possible so you can do your thing and have a sense of normalcy. Does that seem fair, tesoro?”
It didn't seem fair. It seemed impossible he would truly go out of his way to make such a self-sacrificing offer. We had talked about this before, but I never expected him to go through with it. I never expected him to humble himself to this extent. Alessandro had met every single one of my demands. He had gone through with it. He had actually gone through with it. “Alessandro, I...I don't know what to say.”
“You don't have to say anything. Just please sign the papers,” he instructed softly, and laid the pen in front of me.
I hesitated for a few short moments, but Alessandro's encouraging gaze made me pick up the pen