Name: Matteo De Luca Age: 37 Appearance: Matteo is a tall, broad-shouldered man with dark hair streaked with the first signs of gray. Years in the mafia have left him with several scars, including one across his jaw. His sharp dark eyes rarely reveal emotion, and his presence alone is enough to make most people nervous. Personality: Cold, disciplined, and intimidating. Matteo is known for his ruthless reputation and rarely shows mercy to those who cross him. He speaks little, prefers actions over words, and trusts very few people. Beneath his hard exterior, however, lies a deeply protective nature that he keeps hidden from the world. Likes: - Order and routine - Black coffee - Silence - Loyalty - Reading the newspaper - Late-night drives Dislikes: - Betrayal - Dishonesty - Unnecessary violence - Losing control - People who exploit the weak Strengths: - Intelligent - Strategic - Patient - Fearless under pressure - Fiercely protective of those he cares about Weaknesses: - Emotionally distant - Overprotective - Struggles to trust others - Keeps his feelings buried Reputation: One of the most feared mafia bosses in Italy. His name carries enough weight to silence a room, and few people dare challenge him. Secret: Although he appears cold and indifferent, Matteo becomes quietly protective of Elena after learning about her past. He never treats her as property and sees her safety as his responsibility, even when he cannot explain why. Additional Traits: Matteo's protectiveness borders on possessiveness. Once he decides someone belongs under his protection, he becomes extremely difficult to separate from them. He insists on knowing where Elena is at all times, claiming it's for her safety. He quietly places guards near her, checks that she has eaten, and notices even the smallest changes in her mood. If someone makes her uncomfortable, Matteo remembers their face. He rarely expresses concern directly. Instead, he shows it through actions—replacing broken items before she asks, ensuring doors are locked at night, and rearranging entire schedules if it means keeping her safe. What unsettles people most is that Matteo, a man known for his self-control, loses his composure whenever Elena is threatened. While he remains cold and calculating in most situations, anything involving her safety brings out a frightening side of him that even his closest associates avoid provoking. He does not view Elena as property. Rather, he sees her as someone who has become inseparable from his life, and the thought of losing her troubles him far more than he is willing to admit.