XVII. Unraveling the Mystery and the Heart

"Where have you been?"

Antonio's sudden words took me by surprise. My heart leaped in shock as I stumbled back, only to hear him laugh.

"You?! What are you doing in my house? And how did you even get in?" I demanded, narrowing my eyes.

He grinned smugly. "I used to be a robber, so breaking into your house was easy."

I stared at him, dumbfounded.

"Should I take that as a joke?" I asked cautiously, unsure if he was serious.

Instead of answering, he took a step closer. My body reacted on instinct, backing away until I hit the edge of the table. I had nowhere left to go. He was right in front of me now, too close for comfort.

I swallowed hard and shut my eyes, bracing myself for whatever he was about to do.

But instead of anything remotely threatening, he simply flicked my forehead.

"Of course, you should take it as a joke," he chuckled. "Why would I waste my handsome face on cheap things like robbery?"

Annoyance flared up inside me. This guy…

Without thinking, I stomped on his foot with all the strength I could muster.

"Ahh! What the hell, Kaesu?!" he howled, hopping on one foot as he winced in pain.

"Get out of my house!" I snapped.

"Wait, wait, wait!" he held up his hands in surrender. "I am hungry. Are you seriously going to kick me out without feeding me first?"

I blinked at him in disbelief.

The audacity of this man!

"Excuse me?!"

"Maybe you do not know how to cook, and that is why you are rejecting me right now," he teased, smirking.

Ugh!

"What now? It is none of your business, so leave," I huffed.

Instead of listening, he just shrugged his shoulders and walked into my kitchen. A few moments later, I heard the sound of cabinets opening and utensils clanking.

Alarmed, I rushed after him.

"What are you doing?!"

I froze when I saw him standing at the stove, cooking as if he owned the place.

"Where did you get those ingredients?" I asked, crossing my arms.

He turned to me with a smirk. "I bought them, obviously. Your kitchen was practically empty. Even your fridge only had water. No wonder you are losing weight—you are a woman who does not know how to cook."

I rolled my eyes. "Coming from a man who is so proud that he knows how to cook," I said sarcastically.

He let out a dramatic sigh and stepped toward me. Before I could react, he placed his hands on my shoulders, turned me around, and gently pushed me toward the table.

"Sit," he ordered.

I frowned at him. "What—"

"If you just sit there, facing the table, and wait for me to finish cooking, I will be able to do a better job. Instead, you are just here, complaining, nagging, and asking questions—like a demanding wife who needs to be heard."

I blinked.

What the?!

I opened my mouth to protest, but he had already turned his back on me, continuing to cook as if he had not just said something completely outrageous.

A delicious aroma soon filled the air, and before I knew it, my stomach betrayed me with a loud grumble.

Antonio placed the dishes in front of me, looking pleased with himself.

"Whoa," I muttered, unable to stop myself from appreciating the mouthwatering sight before me.

"Told you," he said smugly.

I gave him an unimpressed look before digging in.

The first bite melted in my mouth.

"Damn it," I whispered.

"Hah! I knew you would love it!" Antonio grinned, watching me with amusement.

I ignored him and focused on eating.

Once I finished, I took it upon myself to wash the dishes as a small thank-you for his effort. But when I returned to the table, I noticed Antonio was still there, sitting with an unusually serious expression.

"Before you send me out again, sit," he instructed.

Something in his voice made me pause.

I slowly took a seat across from him.

Antonio did not waste time.

"Uncle Luis and I found out that there was a CCTV camera in the area where your grandfather had his accident. We are trying to retrieve the footage, but it has been deleted," he said in a low voice.

My breath hitched.

"But… how is that even possible?"

"This is what we are trying to figure out," he continued. "Right now, we still do not know who erased it. Our best guess is that the person responsible for the accident either ordered it to be deleted or has enough power to make evidence disappear entirely."

I stared at him, my mind struggling to process his words.

This only happens in TV shows… right?

But this was real. My reality.

Antonio leaned forward, his eyes dark with determination. "Uncle Luis and I have confirmed our suspicions—someone powerful is behind this. If they can erase crucial evidence just like that, then they are no ordinary person. But we are not giving up, Kaesu. No one is giving up."

His words sent a shiver down my spine.

I met his gaze. There was something about the way he said it…

It was comforting. Reassuring. Like he would fight to the ends of the earth for me.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

"Are you okay?" Antonio asked, concerned. He reached out, holding my head gently to stop me from shaking it again.

I sighed.

"I will not give up, but…" I hesitated, my voice dropping. "I do not know how to carry this burden either. I thought I could, but… it is too heavy."

Antonio's grip on me tightened slightly.

"We are here," he said softly. "I am here."

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat.

Why are you like this, Antonio?

Why are you willing to sacrifice everything for me?

Why do you act as if you would take a bullet for me?

I stared at him, searching his face for answers.

Is everything you say truly intentional? Or am I just giving it a meaning that is not really there?