Chương 4: 3

Chapter 3: Feelings in the Shadows

Weeks turned into a continuous cycle of races and nights at Toretto's place. Marco had managed to integrate himself into Dominic's group, earning the respect of the racers and establishing his position in the environment. However, there was a constant presence at the shop that he couldn't ignore: Mia Toretto, Dominic's sister.

Mia was the heart of the place. Her laugh and warmth transformed the atmosphere, and Marco found himself more and more drawn into her orbit. What started as a simple observation became a fascination, and soon, Marco discovered that his thoughts revolved around Mia more than he could bear. The attraction he felt for her was unsettling, a feeling he had never experienced so intensely.

One quiet afternoon, when the place was still empty, Marco was at the bar, helping Mia with some orders. She was organizing the bottles and cleaning the bar while he prepared some drink mixes for the night.

"How's everything going?" Mia asked, looking at Marco with a smile.

"It's going fine," Marco handed her a bottle of liquor. "Everything quiet around here?"

"Yeah, pretty much." Mia took the bottle and began arranging it on the shelf. "But it's always good to have an extra hand for the busy nights. Sometimes, Dominic can be a bit intense with the races and forgets that he needs to rest too."

Marco chuckled softly.

"I guess we all have our obsessions." He leaned forward a bit. "Have you always been involved in the racing business?"

Mia paused for a moment and looked at him, with a glint in her eyes that reflected a mix of nostalgia and pride.

"Yes, since I was little. My father and brother used to work on cars, and when they started racing, I got involved to be close to them. It's a lifestyle that, for better or worse, is a part of me."

Marco watched her closely, noticing the passion in her voice. He liked hearing her speak so sincerely.

"You must have a lot of interesting stories from those times," Marco commented.

"Definitely." Mia smiled. "Like the time when Dominic raced in a charity event and won with the car my father built. It was a very special moment for all of us."

As they talked, Marco felt a whirlwind of emotions that he couldn't explain. Mia's closeness and the way she talked about her family awakened feelings in him that he hadn't experienced before. He knew he had to keep his emotions under control, but the connection he felt with her was undeniable.

On another occasion, when the place was crowded after a race, Marco was in a corner, watching. Several men were openly flirting with Mia, trying to catch her attention. Although the men's intentions were not bad, Marco felt a wave of jealousy that surprised him. Frustration grew as Mia laughed and talked animatedly with them.

"Are you alright?" Letty asked, noticing the tension on Marco's face.

"Yeah, just… I'm a bit tired." Marco tried to calm down. "I think I need some fresh air."

Letty looked at him skeptically but didn't insist. Marco went outside, walking to the alley behind the shop. The night was calm, and the fresh air helped him relax, although he couldn't help but feel the irritation lingering in his mind.

Mia came out shortly after, looking for Marco. When she found him, she approached with a concerned expression.

"Are you okay? I saw you looked a bit tense inside." Mia stood beside him, looking ahead.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just…" Marco sighed, not knowing how to express what he was feeling. "It's hard sometimes, keeping everything under control."

Mia looked at him with understanding and then sat on one of the crates in the alley, inviting him to do the same. Marco sat beside her, feeling relieved to be so close to her, without the pressures of the shop.

"You don't have to hide your feelings from me," Mia said softly. "We all have tough days, and sometimes, talking about it can help."

Marco looked at her, surprised by her empathy. There was something in the way Mia spoke that made him feel understood, something he wasn't used to experiencing.

"It's harder for me than I thought." Marco ran a hand through his hair. "I'm not used to these feelings, and sometimes, I don't know how to handle them."

Mia nodded, giving him a comforting smile.

"It's natural to feel that way. Changes are hard, and learning to deal with feelings can be even more complicated. But you're not alone in this. Sometimes, the best way to deal with feelings is to face them and be honest with yourself."

Mia's advice resonated with Marco, and for the first time, he felt less alone. Although his feelings were complicated and confusing, he was starting to accept that he couldn't repress them all the time. Mia's closeness offered him a kind of support he hadn't anticipated, and he began to wonder if there could be a place for him in her life beyond his mission.

As time went on, Marco found himself seeking more moments with Mia, enjoying their conversations and her company. Sometimes, he felt jealous when other men gave her attention, but he tried to keep his emotions under control, remembering that he had to focus on his mission.

One day, while they were at the shop after a race, Mia and Marco were talking at the bar, sharing stories about their lives. Mia was talking about a recent trip and the challenges she had faced.

"I never thought life could be so unpredictable," Mia said, smiling. "But I think that's what makes it interesting."

Marco smiled, feeling a tug in his chest. The way Mia saw life was inspiring, and her perspective offered him a new way of thinking.

"You're right. Sometimes, the unexpected is what teaches us the most about ourselves."

Mia looked at him, her expression soft and understanding.

"I'm glad to hear that. Sometimes, talking to someone who understands can make things a little easier to handle."

Marco looked at her, feeling a growing bond between them. The conversation and connection they shared were deeper than he had anticipated. As time went on, he realized that his feelings for Mia were stronger and more complicated than he had imagined.

——

The mission was still underway, and Marco was determined to complete it, but he was also beginning to accept that his feelings for Mia were a significant part of his experience. The connection he felt with her challenged everything he had learned about control and distance, and as he navigated his feelings and the mission, he knew his life was changing in ways he couldn't predict.

——-

The romance is beginning

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