Mafia Lord's Mute Sweetheart

Chapter 93: Chapter 93 Cute battle

After watching her for a few moments, he spoke in his usual calm voice.

"Do you need anything else?" he asked. "A pen? Another journal... or something else?"

Daisy looked up at him in slight surprise. She hadn’t expected him to stay, let alone ask if she needed anything more. His green eyes were fixed on her, patiently.

Her fingers tightened around the pastel orange notebook he had chosen.

She glanced back at the shelves, thoughtfully looking over the colorful pens, sticky notes, bookmarks, and tiny decorative stickers before smiling softly and shaking her head.

Then she quickly typed on her phone.

Just a pen.

She showed him the screen.

Alessio gave a small nod.

Without another word, he walked toward the display of premium pens while Daisy quietly followed behind him. His steps were slow and elegant, giving her time to keep up with his long stride.

He scanned the rack for a moment before picking up a sleek black pen with elegant silver details. Testing its weight in his hand, he uncapped it and scribbled a few words on the sample paper beside the counter. The ink flowed smoothly, effortlessly.

"It writes smoothly," he said simply, holding it out to her.

Daisy accepted it carefully.

She tried writing a few words herself, her eyes brightening almost instantly as the ink glided effortlessly across the page. Her handwriting was delicate, precise, beautiful.

She looked up at him with a warm smile and gave a small nod.

She liked it.

For some reason, seeing that tiny smile made the corners of Alessio’s lips relax ever so slightly, though he didn’t seem to notice it himself. His tall frame seemed to tower over her, yet he felt approachable, gentle.

Daisy followed Alessio to the counter, the pastel orange notebook tucked carefully against her chest while the pen rested in her hand. She looked small beside him, delicate, her head barely reaching his shoulder.

The elderly shopkeeper smiled warmly. "That will be—"

Before he could finish, Alessio had already taken out his wallet.

"I’ll pay."

He calmly pulled out his card and held it toward the shopkeeper.

Daisy’s eyes widened.

No!

She immediately shook her head, her soft hair swaying with the movement. A few strands fell across her cheek, and she tucked them behind her ear without thinking.

Looking up at him with wide, determined eyes, she quickly waved both hands.

No.

Her expression was so serious that it almost made her look adorable. Her brows were furrowed, her lips pressed together, and her cheeks had turned a soft pink.

She pointed at herself before taking out her own bank card.

I’m paying.

Just as the shopkeeper was about to accept hers...

Alessio effortlessly intercepted it.

With one smooth movement, he plucked the card from between her fingers. His hand was large, his fingers long and strong, making her card look tiny in his grip.

Daisy froze.

"...!"

She stared at her empty hand before slowly looking up at him. Her dark eyes were wide, like two pools of deep chocolate.

He was already holding her card.

Without changing his expression, he slipped it into his other hand while still holding his own card.

However, Daisy snatched his card and shook her head gently.

And now...

She had his card.

And...

He had hers.

The two stood there, silently staring at each other.

The shopkeeper blinked.

He had absolutely no idea what was happening anymore.

Daisy frowned adorably, her cheeks puffing into a tiny pout. The expression made her look impossibly cute, like a child who had just been denied dessert.

Give it back.

She stretched out her hand.

Alessio simply raised his arm a little higher. His height advantage was significant, and he knew it. The corner of his mouth twitched.

"..."

She looked at his raised hand...

...then at his face.

He was far too tall. His broad shoulders seemed to block out the light, and his green eyes looked down at her with quiet amusement.

Determination filled her eyes.

Standing on her tiptoes, she reached higher.

Still nothing.

She stretched even further, her fingertips barely brushing his sleeve. The tips of her fingers grazed the fabric of his turtleneck, soft and warm.

Alessio watched her without moving, though the corners of his lips threatened to lift. Her determination was endearing, adorable.

She was... unexpectedly cute.

Refusing to give up, Daisy took one more tiny step forward and reached as high as she possibly could.

The next second...

She lost her balance.

Her forehead gently bumped against his firm chest.

"Oof..."

Her eyes widened in embarrassment. She could feel the solid wall of his muscles beneath the soft fabric, the warmth of his body seeping through the fabric. He was solid, like a mountain.

A faint warmth spread across her cheeks, turning them a delicate shade of pink.

She immediately tried to step back.

Instinctively, Alessio placed a steady hand around her upper arm to stop her from stumbling. His palm was large, his fingers wrapping around her arm with surprising gentleness.

For a brief second...

They were impossibly close.

He could smell the faint, fresh fragrance lingering in her hair. It was soft, floral, like jasmine and honey.

She could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath his shirt. It was strong, calm, steady.

Neither of them spoke.

The tiny stationery shop suddenly felt strangely quiet. The soft music seemed to fade into the background.

The shopkeeper stood behind the counter with eyes so wide they looked ready to fall out.

Young people these days...

Taking full advantage of Daisy’s distracted state, Alessio calmly extended his own card toward the frozen shopkeeper.

"Please."

The old man blinked twice before hurriedly accepting the card.

"O-Of course!"

Only when the payment machine beeped did Daisy realize what had happened.

Her eyes became round.

She looked at the receipt...

Then at Alessio...

Then at her own bank card, which he casually handed back to her with the calm expression of someone who had won a completely one-sided battle.

Daisy clutched her card, pouting slightly.

She had lost.

Seeing that tiny, defeated pout made Alessio feel a strange warmth in his chest. Something unfamiliar, something he didn’t want to name. His lips curved, just slightly.

He picked up the small bag containing her notebook and pen.

"Let’s go," he said quietly.

Daisy nodded, still holding her card, still slightly pink.

As they walked out of the shop, she couldn’t help but glance at him from the corner of her eye.