This statement made Manuel stare.
He had thought only about getting the man away from Anna, not about the most important thing, which was that if the man left angry at his words, he would then go out and talk nonsense and ruin Anna’s reputation.
Manuel had not thought about this before, but then he thought what did he care what others said, since life was his anyway, and since Anna liked her uncle, he should only worry about him.
Thinking about this, Manuel replied.
-Anna is not the kind of person who cares what people think.
-What about her parents?
Matthew stood up with his keys.
-Now do you know why I denied it? Get up and don’t mess up like that again, or next time I’ll send you straight to your father for him to teach you himself.
Manuel reluctantly followed Matthew as he got up and headed outside, still indignant in his little heart, and could only say,
-Zio, you must believe me, that man does not mean well, when I went to the store he told me he was the owner.
Hearing this, Matthew finally stopped and narrowed his eyes,
-Are you telling the truth?
-It’s true, that’s why I don’t like him. He said the noodle store was his before he married Anna, when in fact it is Anna’s heart’s work.
Matthew did not pick up Manuel’s words, but the calculation was already in his mind.
-Got it, I’ll take care of it, you stay out of it.
Once in the office, Matteo called Chiara and asked her to check on someone.
Chiara at first did not know who he was investigating, and after asking for clarification, she found out why, and then could not resist joking with Matteo.
-Is this the way you finally catch up?
At her words, Matteo gave her a cold stare.
-You can’t even ask a question? Well, then I will inquire and the results will be quick.
*
When Anna returned to the noodle store, she was depressed, and Hector spoke to her several times and she ignored or did not listen to him.
Finally, Ettore’s whole body deflated.
-Are you blaming me for not being able to afford that food?
Hearing this, Anna realized she had overreacted a bit and could only explain, -No, it has nothing to do with you, it’s just that I was a little tired when I went out, and as I told you before, you are not related to Manuel and you are not obligated to buy him food, so it’s only fair that I pay for the food.
-So you, you can go on living? That’s a lot of money for that food, you-.
-It’s okay,‖ Anna smiled faintly. I have a store and I have income every day, you don’t have to worry.
Hector secretly thought, -That’s rich, and it seems the introducer was right, Anna is a little rich.
-Why don’t you go home for the day? -Anna found it uninteresting, and seeing that it was getting late, told Hector to go home early to rest.
Hector nodded despite feeling troubled inside.
-All right, then I’ll see you tomorrow.
-All right, take care of yourself during the trip.
When he was gone, Anna collapsed again.
She suddenly regretted that she had not taken the bottle of wine with her when she had left.
It was a $3, 000 bottle of wine. She had paid for it and not taken it-she was retarded, wasn’t she?
The more she thought about it, the harder it became.
When the store closed for the night, Anna and Amelia were driving home together when they saw Matteo’s car parked not far away and he was still standing beside it, his slim figure perfectly erect and his handsome face attracting the attention of many passersby.
At the sight of him, Amelia froze, then looked at her daughter.
Today her daughter had not been well since his return, and she was thinking left and right that something might have happened.
Now, seeing that handsome man here again, she understood everything.
Seeing them, Matthew quickly approached and stopped in front of them.
-Hello again, aunt.
Amelia felt a little embarrassed, but smiled kindly at the other man.
-Yes, indeed, are you looking for my daughter?
With a slight smile on his lips, Matthew nodded,
-a little personal matter I wanted to talk to her about.
-All right then, you two talk, I’ll wait here.
-Mom! Don’t go, I have nothing to say to him.
-Anna, I told you last time, if there’s something to say openly, even if we’re strangers in the future, we have to work things out now, right? Relax, you’re my daughter and if he dares to bully you, I won’t let him get away.
Anna did not speak.
-Well, talk, boy, I’m going home first, and I hope you’ll bring my daughter back downstairs safely.
-I will, aunt,” Matteo nodded.
When Amelia left, Anna remained in her seat and closed her eyes, breathing deeply.
-I paid for the food, I made it clear, I won’t bother you again, what more do you want?
Her tone was full of impatience and weariness, and her eyes looked at him only once.
Matthew was a little exasperated, his thin lips half-closed a couple of times.
-I know, but I think there is something you should know.
Anna looked up and stared at him.
-What are you trying to say?
-Let’s talk in the car,‖ Matteo suggested, after all, there were many passers-by, casting glances from time to time, an atmosphere of conversation that Matteo did not like and, above all, he hoped Anna would be quiet.
-Talk in the car? -Anna glanced at the car behind and suddenly gave a mocking look: -It’s not nice, is it, Mr. Matteo? After all, I’m not hygienic and I’ve been working in the store all day and I’m dirty and smelly, so wouldn’t it be pollution for you if I got into your car? I think it’s better to forget.
These words were particularly hard to hear and did not please Matthew.
-Do you have to talk to me like that?
-How do you want me to talk to you? -Anna smiled and took two steps back, looking at him with a curious expression, -Did he say anything flattering to you? Perhaps those you would like to hear more?
Matthew tightened his lips, his expression serious, and his breath fell around him.
Did he not think that what had happened that night would prove so irreparable?
-That night, I…
-If you are trying to explain what happened that night, then there is no need to say anything, I know very well myself, it is not necessary for your honor!
Anna took more steps back, covering her ears as if she did not want to hear his explanation at all.
It was amusing to see the leader of the Jordan group at the mercy of a girl.