The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

After speaking with his father, Leonardo took care of some business calls before returning to the room. Sofia was still peacefully asleep, her innocence radiating from her face. A small glimmer of joy found its way into Leonardo’s heart as he observed her serenity.

Careful not to disturb her slumber, he slid under the covers and drew her closer to him, his arm encircling her delicate frame. With Sofia nestled against him, he felt a sense of solace he hadn’t experienced in a long time. The comfort of her presence lulled him back into a deep sleep.

Upon awakening once more, Leonardo discovered that Sofia was no longer in bed beside him. His eyebrows knitted together, and he propped himself up on his elbows, scanning the room for any sign of her. Yet, she was nowhere to be found.

Concern prickled at his skin as he rose from the bed, his feet carrying him toward the bathroom.

“Sofia? Are you there?” he called out, his voice filled with a tinge of worry. There was no response. He turned the doorknob and discovered that the bathroom was empty.

His heart began to race, and a surge of panic coursed through him. Where could she have gone? Leonardo swiftly retrieved his phone, his fingers hovering over the dial pad, ready to call for assistance. However, his eyes caught sight of the slightly ajar balcony door.

Moving with urgency, Leonardo approached the balcony and spotted Sofia standing there, her delicate figure leaning against the railing. She appeared lost in her thoughts, a serene smile gracing her lips. Leonardo couldn’t help but feel captivated by her beauty in that moment, a sense of relief washing over him.

Leonardo couldn’t help but indulge in admiring Sofia’s beauty, his gaze lingering on her delicate features. He chastised himself for his possessive stares, reminding himself that she was his wife and he needed to control his desires and not behave like love sick. However, the allure of her presence was irresistible, and he yearned to soak in every detail of her pretty face without interruption. It seemed that no matter how much he looked at her, it would never be enough.

Drawing nearer to her, Leonardo leaned against the railing, his body close to Sofia’s. With gentle care, he reached out to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear, causing her to turn towards him.

“Good morning, baby girl,” he greeted her with a warm smile, his eyes filled with affection.

“Good morning, Mr…” Sofia began, but Leonardo raised an eyebrow challengingly, silently urging her to address him by his name.

“I… mean Leonardo,” she whispered shyly, her words taking his breath away. The way her voice caressed his name sent shivers down his spine.

Curiosity piqued, Leonardo inquired, “What are you doing here? I was searching for you in the room. Why did you wake up so early?”

A smile graced Sofia’s lips as she met his gaze. “I’m accustomed to waking up early in the morning,” she explained.

His brow furrowed slightly at her response. While he understood the discipline instilled in children from respected families, he had expected most girls from affluent backgrounds to be pampered princesses. Sofia, however, defied those expectations. In that moment, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration for her individuality. He, too, had been raised in a strict and disciplined environment, but now he relished the freedom to sleep as late as he desired.

“You don’t need to wake up so early, Sofia. We’re on vacation,” Leonardo reassured Sofia, gently caressing her cheeks with his fingers. Sofia leaned into his touch, finding comfort in his presence.

“If you want, we can go back to bed,” he offered.

“I can’t sleep now; it’s already late morning, almost afternoon. And aren’t we supposed to leave today?” Sofia asked, her big round blue eyes fixed on Leonardo.

“No, baby girl. I extended our plans for an extra day. My dad called this morning and said we have to attend a fundraising Gala in the evening,” he explained, and Sofia raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“A Gala? But I don’t have anything to wear for such an event. I just packed some clothes when you asked me to pack my bags. I had no idea where we were going or what kind of clothes to bring,” she said, feeling a sense of panic creeping in.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve already asked Mark to arrange for a designer and a makeup artist to help you get ready for the evening,” he assured her.

“You’ve already planned everything?” Sofia exclaimed, her bright blue eyes fixed on Leonardo.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

He took her hand and placed it gently on his chest, a gesture of comfort and reassurance.

“I’m hungry. What would you like me to order for breakfast?” Leonardo asked, looking down at Sofia. Her expression held a hint of something he couldn’t quite decipher. Concerned, he furrowed his eyebrows, trying to read her face. She looked hesitant.

“What’s wrong, Sofia? Please, tell me. You don’t need to hide anything from me,” he urged, his voice filled with genuine worry.

She shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m fine with anything. You can order whatever you like.”

There was a certain difference about her, unlike the girls from wealthy families who often threw tantrums. She carried an innocence and politeness that Leonardo had never encountered before. That’s why he had bestowed upon her the name Angel- his angel.