ABSOLUTE INSANITY: A forbidden bond-Chapter 115: insecure

Chapter 115: insecure
Chapter 115
KATYA’S POV
The door clicked shut behind me, and only then did I let out the breath I’d been holding. My palms were still clammy from standing in that office with those two guests, especially the girl with the perfect hair and perfect everything.
She looked like she belonged in Romeo’s world. Meanwhile, I was just... me. The assistant who kept cleaning supplies in the corner of his office like some kind of maid squirrel.
I exhaled again, trying to shake off the weird tightness in my chest. Send Mr. Antonio, he’d said.
Right. Assigned task. Easy.
My foot slapped softly against the hallway floor as I walked, counting each step like it would calm me down.
It didn’t. I could still see that girl in my head — the way she smiled confidently, like she already knew she was wanted.
Like she walked through life assuming she fit wherever she went. Where wasn’t I like that? She’s a girl sad as me but why did she look so much better than me.
For a stupid half-second, I wondered if Romeo liked girls like that.
Ugh. Stop.
I reached the elevator and pressed the button. The doors slid open immediately, like they’d been waiting for me.
Unlike certain people who took their sweet time calling lifts when I really needed them. Inside, I leaned back against the cool metal wall and closed my eyes.
It was ridiculous how fast my heart had been beating when the devil’s attention had flicked to me.
The elevator chimed, and I stepped out into the hallway leading to Mr Antonio office on the second floor, same as nonna’s.
Mr. Antonio was exactly where he always was sitting against us chair, one hand still in a sling while the other is with a mug.
He straightened when he saw me, forcing a scowl to his face. I don’t know what I did to mr Antonio but he had been giving me the cold shoulder since I regained my Sense and Romeo was in coma.
" Katya," he greeted with a bored tone. The Mr Antonio who had saved me from miss red was no where to be found but I forced a smile to my face.
"Good morning, Mr Salvatore needs you at his office." I simply, wasting no time and walking out of his office to find nonna as it seems I don’t have anything else doing till he finishes his meeting.
Mr. Antonio didn’t respond—not even a grunt—as I turned to leave. What the hell did I do to deserve his harshness or was his nice attitude a facade.
A one time thing? The door clicked shut behind me, and I stood there for a second in the hallway, letting the silence settle.
I hated that his coldness stung. I wasn’t asking him to be my best friend. Just... not look at me like I was a mosquito he couldn’t swat because his hand was in a sling.
Whatever. He was going upstairs now. My job was done.
I shook out my hands, feeling that restless itch under my skin again, the same one I always got after seeing Romeo, or thinking about Romeo, or breathing in the same air as Romeo.
Ugh. Pathetic.
I turned down the hallway toward Nonna’s room. Her wing was the other side so I had to walk a little bit down.
I knocked softly as I reached her door before pushing it open. Nonna was just waking up.
Her eyes blinked open slowly, warm and gentle even through the leftover sleepiness. The sunlight from the window cut across her blanket like a soft ribbon, making her look peaceful and safe.
Something in me loosened instantly. "Good morning my beautiful star," she murmured, voice still hoarse with sleep.
A small, tired laugh escaped me, how could she be this joyous? "Nonna, I’m not a star."
"You are to me," she said, trying to sit up.
I hurried forward. "Wait, wait—don’t move too fast." I adjusted her pillow the way she liked, fluffing the sides and tucking the corner under her shoulder.
She relaxed with a satisfied sigh, letting the moment settle. "Tesoro... what are you doing here so early?" Nonna’s gaze drifted over my face, soft but searching.
"You’ve barely been visiting since you became Romeo’s assistant. Did something happen?" She Slowly asked as her fingers brushed over the blanket.
Of course she noticed. She always did. Nonna could sense a mood shift from three hallways away but I shook my head quickly. "No, nothing happened."
Her brows lifted like she didn’t believe me."Hm." That was the problem with Nonna—she didn’t accuse, she didn’t push... she just hm’d in a way that made my soul feel exposed.
I forced a small smile and walked to her wardrobe, pretending to look for a shawl. "Mr. Salvatore is in a meeting. I’m free till he’s done. That’s all."
"And you came to me?" she asked, both surprised and pleased. Even with her calm voice, I could hear the faint thread of worry. "You’re sure nothing is wrong, tesoro?"
"Nonna," I said gently, turning back to her, "I promise. Everything is fine."
Not technically a lie. Nothing was wrong-wrong. Just... brain chaos, insecurity, judgmental bald men, and a girl who looked like she woke up in an Italian perfume commercial.
Nonna hummed again, still not convinced, but she accepted my answer the way she always did. Quietly and respectfully.
She extended her hand, and I stepped forward to take it. "Sit with me," she said. "I don’t see you enough these days."
A soft sting hit my chest. "I’m sorry. I just.....Mr. Salvatore keeps me busy."
"Ah," she said knowingly, but without judgment. "He would." I sat beside her wheelchair, resting my arm on the cushion near her hand.
The quiet was comforting. Calming, even. Nonna’s fingers brushed over mine. "You look tired, tesoro."
"I’m okay," I said, even though my head was still replaying the image of that perfectly confident girl and the way Mr. Antonio looked at me like I was a complication.
Nonna tilted her head. "Did he..." she didn’t say Romeo’s name, but I knew exactly who she meant "do something, again?"
I shook my head too fast. I don’t want her worrying about how her grandson is so horrible.
Come on, the old lady just literally woke up
. "No. Nothing worth mentioning."
"Hm," she said again, that thoughtful, dangerous sound of hers. "You always say that."
"Because it’s true," I insisted. "If something serious happens, you’ll know. I promise."
Nonna didn’t argue. She just sighed softly and patted my hand with her warm, wrinkled fingers. "Very well. Then stay with me for a while."
"I will," I whispered.