chapter 22

Scar Boss led Amaira out of the hospital without another word. His grip on her wrist was firm but not harsh, and Amaira had no choice but to follow. Luke stayed behind, watching them go with a sigh.As they reached the car, Amaira finally spoke. "Where are we going? What’s so important?"Scar Boss opened the passenger door for her, his expression unreadable. "Sit."Amaira hesitated but got in. Once he settled into the driver’s seat, he started the car and drove off, his hands gripping the wheel a little tighter than usual.Minutes passed in silence. Amaira stole a glance at him. His face was calm, but she could tell something was bothering him. "Sir… was there really something important, or did you just not want me to have coffee with Luke?"Scar Boss's jaw clenched slightly, but he kept his eyes on the road. "Does it matter?"Amaira sighed, crossing her arms. "Yes, it does. Luke is my friend. You can't just pull me away like that.""You are MY maid. I don't want to hear you argue with ME."Before she could argue, the car stopped. Amaira looked out the window, confused. They were parked near a quiet, scenic riverside. The sun reflected off the water, casting a golden glow. It was beautiful, peaceful—but completely unexpected.Amaira turned back to him. "Why did you bring me here?"Scar Boss leaned back against his seat, his expression unreadable. "I needed fresh air."Amaira narrowed her eyes. "So, this wasn’t important at all?"A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Depends on how you see it."She huffed in frustration. "You’re impossible!"Scar Boss only chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. For now, Luke was out of the picture, and that was enough.***After Scar Boss a brief moment in the relaxing place, he drove her back to the mansion. Once they arrived, he gave her a short command."Go inside. I have things to take care of."Amaira, still annoyed by his actions, huffed but didn’t argue. She disappeared inside, leaving Scar Boss outside just a cap pulled up. Luke stepped out, his expression unreadable.The two men locked eyes. "You seriously left me there alone?" He whined trying to sound innocent as the cab left.Scar Boss stopped, arms crossed. "You don’t know when to back off, do you?"Luke smirked. "And you don’t know when to admit the truth."Scar Boss narrowed his eyes. "What truth?"Luke chuckled, stepping closer. "That you’re jealous."Scar Boss’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond.Luke shook his head. "I’ve known you since we were kids, Nicolo. You don’t get involved unless something matters to you. And right now, you’re acting like a man who doesn’t want to share."Scar Boss scoffed. "She’s under my protection. I don’t trust people easily."Luke raised an eyebrow. "Including me? Your childhood friend?"Silence stretched between them. Scar Boss finally spoke, his voice low and controlled. "I don’t like the way she looks at you with that grateful face."Luke’s smirk widened. "So, you do care."Scar Boss exhaled sharply. "Stay in your limits, Luke."Luke chuckled, shaking his head. "You should be telling yourself that. Because sooner or later, you’ll have to face what you feel."With that, Luke walked past him into the mansion, leaving Scar Boss alone with his thoughts.Scar Boss stood still, watching Luke walk into the mansion. His jaw clenched, and his chest tightened in an emotion he hadn't expected: jealousy.It didn’t make sense. How could he be jealous of the very person he had to take revenge on?But there it was, rising in his chest with each passing second. The way Amaira laughed with Luke, the way her eyes lit up when he spoke—it bothered him more than it should have.He turned away, forcing his gaze to the ground. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. Amaira wasn’t someone he should care about. She was the key to his revenge, a pawn in a game he had no choice but to play.And yet, the feeling wouldn’t go away.He couldn’t let this jealousy get the best of him. He couldn’t afford it. But every time he saw Amaira interact with Luke, that tightness in his chest deepened.He shook his head, trying to push the feelings away.This was about revenge. He had a score to settle.But as he made his way into the mansion, his mind kept drifting back to those moments between Amaira and Luke. The trail of his thoughts didn't stop. He didn't know what to do. How to stop it so he went inside the room and took a quick shower.He had to get a grip over himself and his emotions. He was not going to let a simple fling get in his way to a perfect revenge. A revenge for his sister...