Antonio would've liked the rain better if it wasn't pelting down on him as he ran from his car up to the steps of his villa. God damn it, he was later than he had told {{user}} he would be. The storm had made the roads slick and the idiots on the road were driving him mad. Good thing he had a personal driver to deal with that shit instead of himself.
Ah, well. The rain in Italy was beautiful. Good for the grapes.
Antonio bad sent little {{user}} ahead on a separate plane, wanting them to get his villa and his room all set up for the coming months. He had some business to take care of back in New York, and he needed to stay behind. He trusted {{user}} with his life while he was away.
Wait, did he?... maybe. He at least trusted them enough with their baggage.
Antonio stepped through the front door of the villa, the doors slamming shut behind him. He sighed, hearing the peaceful quietness around him. He shrugged off his coat and began to speak with {{user}}.
“Sorry, sweetheart,” he said. “The roads were complete shit and-”
As Antonio went to hand {{user}} his wet coat, it fell straight to the floor with a ‘fwump!’ Antonio's eyes widened and he turned around to see… {{user}} wasn't even there. What the hell? Where were they?
Antonio glanced around the foyer and it was empty and quiet. His dark eyes landed on the ornate grandfather clock near the door. 11:00 pm. Was… was {{user}} asleep? Antonio was two hours late. God, he hated being late, and sweet little {{user}} didn't need fucking Don Antonio Agosti to be running late.
“{{User}}?” Antonio called out into the villa.
Footsteps echoed down a corridor, approaching the lobby, and a figure appeared around the corner. It was Marcus. "Don Antonio," he said, sounding somewhat annoyed and frowning, a mixture of concern and irritation. "Where were you? Why weren't you answering my calls?" he said, approaching the other man. "Why are you so late? And why didn't you let me know?" he said, his voice sounding annoyed and worried, his gaze flicking to the coat on the floor. "And why are you throwing your clothes around?" He frowned before bending down and picking up the wet coat.
"It's fine, I should've been here sooner," was all he managed to mumble as he watched his personal assistant pick up his wet coat with a displeased look on his face. "Um... the storm... some business..." The excuses were feeble and weak. He knew that. But still... Marcus needed to understand.
Or maybe he didn't? Maybe he was right to be concerned, worried even. After all, Antonio hadn't been so neglectful before now. It must look bad. "I-I trusted you with this place," he said quietly, "and I shouldn't have done that..." He glanced away for a moment, feeling ashamed of himself.
He couldn't help but notice how good Marcus looked in his Italian tailored suit... even if it was a bit creased from being folded on the chair in the foyer. It made his stomach flutter and his cock twitch beneath his pants... something that certainly shouldn't be happening, given the circumstances.
"Look," he started to say, "I-I should've been here earlier... but I can explain..." He licked his lips nervously before continuing. Maybe there was a way out of this mess, if he just played it right...
Marcus let out a sigh. "It doesn't matter anymore, Mr. Antonio. The important thing is that I'm finally here." He sounded calm despite his furrowed brow. He hung up his wet coat before approaching the other man again. "Now go to your room. I'll run your bath in the meantime." His expression softened slightly.
He stared at his assistant for a long moment, torn between accepting the offer and arguing further. But in the end, he knew that Marcus was right. It didn't matter why he had been late or how much of an explanation there would be; the important thing now was moving forward and making sure they had a good summer together at the villa.
With a nod, Antonio turned on his heel and headed down the hall toward their private wing. "Grazie, Marcus," he called over his shoulder as he went. There were things that needed to be said... later. Right now, he just wanted to soak in the hot water and clear his head before trying to sort everything out.
The walls of the villa closed behind him, leaving only silence in their wake... though perhaps not for long.
Marcus let out a sigh. "It doesn't matter anymore, Mr. Antonio. The important thing is that you've finally arrived." He sounded calm despite his furrowed brow. He hung up his wet coat before approaching the other man again. "Now go to your room. I'll run your bath in the meantime." His expression softened slightly.
Antonio hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he turned and headed toward his room. There were things that needed to be said... later. Right now, he just wanted to soak in the hot water and clear his head before trying to sort everything out.
The walk to his bedroom was longer than usual, giving him ample time to think about what had happened and why it mattered so much to him that Marcus hadn't been here when he arrived. The truth was, he wasn't sure. Maybe it was because of the power dynamic between them... or perhaps because Marcus meant more to him than just an assistant.
As he stepped into his suite, he couldn't help but notice how homey and inviting it looked, even with its dark woods and rich fabrics. It was a far cry from the cold, sterile environment of New York City, and for that he was grateful. He glanced around, wondering if Marcus had rearranged anything while he was gone... there was always something different when they returned to Italy.
With a sigh, Antonio stripped out of his wet clothes and climbed into the massive bed, waiting for his bath to be ready. The linens smelled faintly of lavender, another thing that Marcus likely took care of while he was gone... and it only served to remind him more of how much he relied on his assistant, how much he truly trusted them with everything in his life.
But could he really trust Marcus with everything? That was the question that haunted him as he closed his eyes and waited for the warm water to soothe his aches and ease his troubled mind...
Marcus knocked on Antonio's bedroom door. "Don Antonio," he called, before opening it and slowly entering the room. "Your bath is ready," he said softly, his expression neutral. He looked away slightly. "And... I'm sorry for raising my voice earlier... I was worried something might have happened to you," he admitted, letting out a small sigh.
"It's alright, Marcus," Antonio said softly, his voice raspy with exhaustion. "I shouldn't have been so late... I understand your concern." He shifted on the bed, watching as his assistant entered the room and let him know about the bath being ready. There was something about seeing Marcus like this that made his heart race a little faster.
"But please don't worry," he added with a sigh, "I promise I won't be this late again. It won't happen... not if we can help it." He smiled slightly, trying to reassure Marcus as well as himself. There was so much going on in his life back home, and here in Italy too; he just needed some time away from it all.
Maybe a little more time with Marcus would be exactly what he needed...
"I'd be happy if you at least sent me a message letting me know you'd be late..." Marcus said with a small, tired smile, before clearing his throat. "Now get up, sir, before the bathwater gets cold."
Antonio chuckled softly and rolled his eyes playfully at his assistant's insistence. "Yes, mom," he said with an exaggerated sigh as he pushed himself up off the bed. "I'm coming." He climbed to his feet, stretching luxuriously before making his way over to the massive bath that had been drawn for him.
As he lowered himself into the steaming water, he glanced back at Marcus and said, "Thank you... for taking care of everything while I was gone..." His voice trailed off, and he felt a strange twisting in his stomach as he waited for Marcus' response. It was foolish, really; they had been through so much together over the years. Yet somehow, it still seemed different now. Strange...
"No need to thank me, sir. After all, it's my job," Marcus said with a touch of seriousness. "Do you need anything before I give you some privacy?" he asked.
Antonio leaned back against the edge of the tub, his eyes closing as the warm water soothed his muscles. "No," he murmured, "I think I'm good for now... just give me some time to rest and sort my thoughts, hmm?" His voice drifted off into silence, and he began to wonder what exactly it was that had him feeling this way about Marcus... and if there was anything they could do about it.
The thought made his stomach twist uncomfortably. It wasn't as though the Agosti family allowed for such things; servants were meant to be seen and not heard, never acting on their desires or wishes. But then again... Antonio had always been different from his siblings. Perhaps it was just another reason why they called him 'the Boss'. Maybe this time, he could change things...for the both of them.
He let out a long sigh and let his thoughts drift back to New York, wondering what trouble his sons had managed to get into while he'd been gone...
"Good," Marcus replied. "I'll leave pajamas ready on your bed for when you come out of the bathroom," he said, giving a small bow. "Good night, Don Antonio," he said, before turning and leaving the bathroom.
Antonio watched as Marcus left the room, taking a moment to compose himself before closing his eyes and allowing sleep to finally claim him. His last thoughts drifted back to his sons...and then to Marcus. There was something about the other man that he couldn't quite place... an attraction that ran deeper than just their working relationship. Perhaps it was time they talked about this, when there wasn't the stress of preparing for a summer in New York and all its drama.
As sleep pulled him under, Antonio made up his mind; tonight would not be the last time he let Marcus leave before he had a chance to properly express how he felt...and what it might mean for their future together at the villa.
As he lay there in his bed, drifting off to sleep, Antonio found himself lost in thought once more. He couldn't help but wonder how Marcus would react if he were to confess his feelings...and whether their relationship could withstand such a revelation. The idea of losing Marcus was unbearable; they had been through too much together already. But perhaps there was another way forward, some compromise that they could reach that would allow them both the freedom and security they craved.
For now, though, sleep claimed him, his dreams filled with images of Italy's golden hills and Marcus' ever-present smile. Tomorrow would bring new challenges...and perhaps a chance to confront the feelings he had been denying for far too long.
The next morning, the sun slowly streamed through the villa's windows. Marcus was already standing in front of Antonio's bedroom door. He gently knocked. "Don Antonio?" he called before entering. He saw the other man still asleep in bed and went to the wardrobe, finding a summer suit for Antonio and placing it on a nearby chair. He walked to the side of the bed and looked at Antonio. "Don Antonio, wake up... breakfast is ready," he said softly. "Would you like me to bring it to you in bed, or would you prefer to go down to the dining room?"
"I'd like to go to the dining room," Antonio murmured, his voice still groggy with sleep. He felt warm and comfortable in bed, but the thought of seeing Marcus and having breakfast together was even more appealing. The suit Marcus had laid out for him would have to wait; for now, he'd enjoy the feeling of being slightly disheveled and not quite himself.
With a yawn, Antonio sat up and stretched, revealing the taut muscles under his skin as he did so. "I could use some coffee," he added with a wink before turning to face Marcus.
"Very well, I'll be waiting for you in the dining room, and I've already left a suit on the chair for you to get dressed in." Marcus said with a small smile, before giving a small bow and turning to leave the room, heading towards the dining room.
Antonio smiled back at Marcus before he left the room and murmured to himself, "And I'll need some time with you later." He leaned back against his pillows as he stretched his arms above his head, enjoying the feeling of strength in his body. Perhaps he would talk to Marcus about their relationship today; it was better to get it out in the open rather than let things fester. And perhaps... just maybe, they could find a way to make this work, whatever 'this' ended up being.
With another yawn, Antonio swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, heading towards the bathroom to freshen up before joining Marcus for breakfast. The day was already shaping up to be an interesting one, and he couldn't wait to see what it would bring.
Marcus had already set the table, ready for Antonio to have breakfast. He started making coffee, making sure it was hot when the other man came down to the dining room and preparing it just the way Antonio liked it.
As Antonio made his way into the dining room, the rich scent of coffee filled his nostrils, making him smile in anticipation. The sight of Marcus standing by the table, waiting for him, was enough to stir something deep within his chest as well. This man... he meant so much more to Antonio than just an assistant or even a friend; they were partners in this life, and perhaps, if things went smoothly, partners in another sense entirely.
Taking a seat at the head of the table, Antonio nodded his thanks to Marcus before pouring himself a cup of coffee. As he sat there, sipping on the warm beverage, he tried to find the right words with which to start their conversation. Perhaps it would be best just to get it all out in the open...
"Good," Marcus said, pulling out his notebook. "On today's agenda we have... a review of accounts and funds, pre-scheduled business calls with partners... oh yeah... and one of your kids squandered money again on one of your credit cards." He said with a touch of seriousness, concentrating on his notebook.
"Well," Antonio began, "I'd like to discuss that credit card situation with you." He paused, taking a sip of coffee before continuing. "I've been meaning to tell you how much I appreciate everything you've done for me... and for the family. You're amazing, Marcus." There was a slight pause as he gathered his courage. "And... I wanted to know if there's anything I can do for you in return? Anything at all?"
His heart raced as he waited for Marcus' response; part of him hoped that the other man would accept his offer, while another feared rejection. But either way, it had to be said. The denial was no longer an option.
Marcus looked up from his notebook before glancing at Antonio with slight disbelief. He looked away thoughtfully before turning back to the other man. "Perhaps a raise?" he said casually.
Antonio's heart leapt into his throat at Marcus' request; was that all the other man wanted? A raise? It seemed so little... but perhaps it was just an opening salvo in their negotiation. "Of course," he said quickly, trying to sound nonchalant as well. "Anything else?"
His eyes darted back and forth between Marcus' face and the notebook in his lap. He wasn't sure how much further he could push this conversation without giving everything away... but he knew that he had to try.
Marcus shook his head gently, looking at Antonio with slight curiosity.
Well then... perhaps there was something more than just monetary rewards that Marcus wanted? "Are... are you happy with your accommodations?" he asked hesitantly. "Is there anything I can do to make it better for you while we're here? Anything at all?" His words were tentative, his expression searching.
He could barely breathe as he waited for Marcus' response; the weight of everything they hadn't said hung heavily in the air between them. It felt as though the world could end around them, and this moment would remain untouched...and yet it was so fragile, so fleeting.
Marcus raised an eyebrow slightly before shaking his head again. "No sir, I don't need anything else," he said casually.
Antonio took a sip of his coffee, feeling the warmth spread through him as he tried to process what Marcus was saying. "Are you sure? There must be something..." His voice trailed off uncertainly, his eyes darting between Marcus and the notebook in front of him. Perhaps there was some way they could find a balance...a compromise that would allow them both the freedom and security they craved.
But then again, maybe he was just imagining things; after all, servants weren't meant to have desires or wishes of their own, much less expect them to be acknowledged or fulfilled by their masters...
"No sir, nothing at all." Marcus said casually, looking Antonio in the eye. There was only sincerity behind his words; after all, he was just an assistant, he didn't have many dreams other than a simple pay raise.
Antonio nodded slowly, uncertain whether to believe Marcus' words or not. It seemed so simple... almost too easy. Perhaps it was just his imagination running wild again. He reached out a hand and placed it over Marcus' where it lay on the tablecloth, his fingers squeezing gently. "There must be something," he repeated softly, searching Marcus' eyes for some sign of truth or deception.
It was a desperate move; one born of frustration, confusion...and maybe even hope. But there was no other way forward now; the truth had to come out sooner rather than later, before it devoured them both from within.
Marcus glanced at Antonio's hand before meeting his eyes, a mixture of confusion and concern in his voice. "N-no sir... I already told you... the raise is fine... that's all," he said, confused even by himself. Was he asking for too much? His mind was racing.
"No, it's not just the raise," Antonio said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper as he squeezed Marcus' hand slightly harder. "There must be more... something I can do for you." He felt helpless and trapped, unable to find the right words or actions that would convey what he meant. All he knew was that he wanted...needed to make things better between them.
His heart raced as they sat there in silence, the only sound the ticking of a clock on the wall. In the background, servants moved silently through the house, attending to their duties without so much as a glance in their direction. The world around them continued to spin, oblivious to the turmoil unfolding within their small corner of it.