Aurora’s POV
I’d woken up feeling weak and nauseous the same way I felt yesterday, but it could be attributed to Ginevra’s threats. If I didn’t feel anything for Matteo, I would have walked away easily and put everything behind me. But that was what my uncle wanted and I couldn’t give it to him nor Ginevra.
Since I could stay at home and be lazy all day, I decided to go to the kitchen and help. Sofia’s wedding was in two days and thankfully, she was done with the fitting of her dress and everything was on point
They gave me hope that my love for Matteo could win whenever I looked at the both of them.
I took a quick shower and tossed on a tank top dress while rushing to the kitchen. Fortunately, Giselle was already making some potato pancakes so I pulled an apron over my head and helped with whisking the already cracked eggs till they formed a homogenous look.
Giselle glanced at me, her eyes questioning. “Do I have anything on my face?”
“No, you don’t. You just look pale. Is anything the matter?” She asked worriedly.
“No, I’m fine and healthy as a horse.” I replied firmly and she shrugged then took out the last pancake and transferred it into a drainer.
I decided to change the subject since I wasn’t comfortable with her questions anymore. “How’s the wedding plan going?”
Her face beamed as expected. Who wouldn’t be happy that her daughter is getting married to the man she loved? People like my uncle.. I thought.
“Everything is going smoothly. Sincerely, I can’t even believe that my daughter will be leaving my sight and I won’t be able to talk to her as frequently as I want. It’s exciting and saddening at the same time,” She expressed, her eyes turning misty.
“Don’t be sad about it, auntie.” I said and she glanced at me in surprise.
I’d never referred to her as my aunt before because I was trying to be careful, but I saw no need to hide it when I felt like calling her that.
“We really have to tell Sofia about our relationship before the wedding.” She suggested and I nodded in agreement, but we couldn’t tell anyone else or they would trace my root and things would get really complicated.
I sighed with my heart pounding when I imagined how Matteo would feel about everything.
“Sure, we will tell her. But no one else has to know,” I replied nervously as she placed her hand on my shoulder with a knowing look.
“Why don’t you tell Matteo the truth? He might be angry initially but he will forgive you because he loves you very much.” She advised and I dropped the plate on the counter, trying to process everything.
I couldn’t do it yet, not when everything was still a mess.
“I don’t think he loves me as you might think, besides, it isn’t the right time, yet.” I countered.
“Right time? What are you ladies talking about?” Matteo recited, his presence behind me inciting some tingling feelings within me.
I hastily wiped off the tears before turning around to face him. He was all dressed up for work, his black shirt accentuating his biceps and muscles that flexed with each move. His black pants fit perfectly on his thighs.
My eyes darted to his slick hair which was styled in a comb-over as usual and my fingers itched to make a mess out of it.
“We were talking about the egg preparation. Giselle was arguing with me about frying the eggs right now but with my knowledge as I cook, I refused.” I explained and accompanied it with a dry chuckle.
Giselle laughed too and focused on the pancakes while Matteo stared at me with his usual look of adoration.
“Did you sleep well?”
“I did, and you?”
He gave the same reply and smiled. His smile was alluring and genuine. I’d never seen a man who looked so handsome just by a mere smile, but Matteo could pull it off with every other thing too.
He led me out of the kitchen, then produced a card from his pocket.
“I have good news for you.” He announced and I furrowed my brows, wondering what the news could be about.
“Spill, please. You’re heightening my suspense,” I urged and he laughed then flashed the card at me.
I didn’t understand what it was at first, then I saw Gloria Fernandez written boldly on it. I palmed my forehead, remembering that I was supposed to give her a reply since I won the competition.
“I hope this isn’t a joke. How did you get to speak with her?” I cried, snatching the card from him as he carried me out of the kitchen in a bridal style.
“What about the eggs?” I protested happily.
“She can take care of it.” He retorted as he raced to his room with me in his arms.
It was a funny sight to behold as I never imagined the Capo of the Outfit being that playful. Each day, he showed me new sides of him that I never knew existed.
I twisted the door knob when we got to his room then he dropped me on his bed.
“I could collapse right now. Tell me all about it,” I pleaded and he sat beside me.
“You mentioned that she wanted to employ you and even though I was a bit sceptical because of the previous attack, I realised that you were no longer the bubbly and happy bird that I used to know. So I thought of what I could do to keep the glow on your face permanent, then I remembered that you loved cooking and you also wanted to make a career out of it.” He explained but my heart was overwhelmed with how caring he was.
I pulled him closer without warning and plunged my lips into his. My hands roamed over his chest and our tongues swirled around each other.
My hands went around his neck as my heart swelled with joy and excitement. Though I couldn’t be excited permanently without telling him my truth, being in a different environment would help keep my mind away from my problems and I’d do what my heart yearned for.
He broke the kiss, his eyes longing for something more intense.
“We’ll surely continue this but you have to allow me to finish.”
“Please do.”
“You’ll be employed by her once you’re done with a six months culinary session that she will be holding from next week. I thought that it would be best if you had professional knowledge so that you can compete with anyone who might look down on you. It’s not like I’ll allow anyone to humiliate you, anyways.” He concluded and tears began to pour out from my eyes.
He wiped the tears as I sniffed. “No one has ever done this for me, Matteo. Thank you very much,” I said.
“You don’t have to cry about it. You are very important to me and what matters is your happiness.” He expressed and I was almost forced to spill everything but I couldn’t since I didn’t want to spoil our good moment.
I smiled brightly, “Maybe I can give you a proper thank you,” I said and tugged at his shirt.
“I’m ever ready for you.” He mumbled and began to work on my dress.
Suddenly, my stomach rumbled and I felt bile rise up to my throat. I swallowed, trying to stop myself from throwing up but it wasn’t possible as the bile burst out from my mouth onto the bed and some on Matteo’s pants.