Mafia Lord's Mute Sweetheart

Chapter 122: Chapter 122 What does your little brother like?

After walking through several stores, Daisy suddenly turned toward Alessio.

She raised both hands, her movements careful and deliberate so he could follow along easily.

What does your little brother like?

She gestured slowly, emphasizing each word.

Alessio frowned. "...Hm?"

She repeated it, her hands moving with patient clarity.

Your... little... brother... likes... what?

Several people brushed past them, some bumping shoulders as they hurried by. Children ran between shoppers, their laughter echoing through the crowded street. Conversations buzzed from every direction and music from nearby stores filled the air with overlapping melodies.

Daisy paused halfway through her gestures as another group walked between them, separating them for a brief moment. She sighed softly, lowering her hands.

There wasn’t enough space to move her hands properly. The crowd pressed in from all sides, making it impossible to communicate clearly.

Alessio’s brows knitted together.

A trace of irritation flashed across his handsome face. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

He had always hated crowded places. Too much noise and people. Too distracting. The constant movement, the overlapping sounds, the way strangers invaded his personal space.

Without saying a word, he lightly took her wrist and guided her away from the crowd. His grip was gentle but firm, his fingers warm against her skin.

Daisy looked at him in surprise as he led her down a quieter passage between two boutiques. The noise faded slightly, replaced by a more peaceful atmosphere.

It was peaceful there, with only a few people passing by. The walls were lined with old brick, and potted plants hung from hooks, adding a touch of green to the narrow space.

He stopped near a wall.

Then, almost instinctively, he placed one hand against the wall beside her, giving her enough space while naturally shielding her from the people walking past. His body formed a barrier between her and the crowd, his broad shoulders blocking most of the bustling street behind him.

The sudden closeness made Daisy blink. She looked up at him with wide eyes, her breath catching slightly.

His tall frame loomed over her, and she could smell the faint scent of his cologne, something woodsy and clean. She could see the sharp line of his jaw, the way his dark lashes framed his green eyes.

"...Now." His deep voice broke the silence, low and smooth. "You can gesture again. So I can actually understand."

Daisy blinked once. Then twice.

She couldn’t help finding him unexpectedly... cute. The way he had led her away, the way he had created space for her, the way he was standing so close.

She nodded obediently.

Once again, she slowly gestured,

What... does... your... little... brother... like?

This time Alessio understood immediately.

But a mischievous thought unexpectedly crossed his mind.

He looked at her with a completely straight face. "...I still don’t understand."

Daisy stared at him.

Really?

She repeated it, even slower this time. Her hands moved with exaggerated clarity, her fingers shaping each word with painstaking care.

Alessio remained expressionless. "...No. I still don’t get it."

Daisy puffed her cheeks ever so slightly. A tiny frown appeared between her brows and her eyes narrowed with a hint of suspicion.

He’s doing this on purpose...

She could almost feel it.

Alessio watched her adorable expression, secretly enjoying every second of it. The way her cheeks puffed, the way her brow furrowed, the way she looked at him with that mixture of annoyance and amusement.

She looked unbelievably cute when she became mildly annoyed.

After thinking for a moment, Daisy reached for his hand.

Alessio’s heart skipped.

She gently unfolded his large palm. His hand completely enveloped hers. His fingers were long, rough, and calloused from years of training, the skin textured with old scars and hardened by use.

Compared to him, her own hand looked impossibly small and delicate. Her fingers were slender, her skin soft and smooth.

She didn’t seem to notice.

Using her index finger, she slowly began writing against his palm.

W... h... a... t...

Every gentle stroke sent an unfamiliar sensation through him. Her fingertip traced softly across his skin, warm and light and ticklish.

His entire attention focused on that single point of contact. The world around them faded, the noise of the street becoming distant background.

His heartbeat became strangely loud.

She continued writing patiently, her finger moving in slow, deliberate strokes.

When she finished, he had understood every word.

Perfectly.

But... "...I still don’t understand." He lied without changing his expression.

Daisy slowly lifted her head.

She narrowed her eyes.

Then she puffed her lips ever so slightly, her cheeks puffing out like a small, adorable fish.

She looked both annoyed and unbelievably adorable.

Alessio almost smiled.

Suddenly, an idea flashed through Daisy’s mind. Her eyes brightened.

She pointed toward her lips.

Then she slowly mouthed each word without making a sound.

Alessio froze.

His mind instantly went somewhere completely different.

His heartbeat slammed against his chest.

...What? Is she... No... Is she asking me... to kiss her?

His usually calm thoughts completely short-circuited.

He stared at her pink lips. They moved slowly, carefully shaping each silent word for him to read.

Soft... Full... Rose-colored.

For one dangerous second, he found himself wondering what they would feel like.

...They look edible.

The thought arrived before he could stop it.

His breathing almost hitched.

Get a grip, Alessio. What are you thinking?

Meanwhile, Daisy looked at him in complete confusion.

Why was he just standing there? Why was he staring at her like that?

She pointed at her mouth again, exaggerating the shape of each word even more clearly.

This time, Alessio forced himself to drag his eyes away from her lips and actually watch the movements.

"Oh..." He cleared his throat, his voice slightly hoarse. "I understand now."

His ears felt suspiciously warm.

Daisy smiled with relief, completely unaware of the ridiculous misunderstanding that had just taken place inside his head.

Alessio quietly looked away for a brief moment, trying to regain his composure.

She’s going to be the death of me...