“Where are you coming from?”
Matteo’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and commanding. He stood at the top of the staircase, arms crossed, his dark eyes trained on me with an intensity that made my stomach twist.
Damn.
His broad shoulders were rigid, his posture tense, and his chest heaved slightly, as though he had been paying before catching me in the act.
My heart thundered in my chest, and for a moment, I couldn’t think.
I still held the note from Isabella in mynhanf, my fingers trembling as I squeezed it tightly in my palm so he wouldn’t see.
Isabella had always been the trickster between the both of us. The best liar. She could get out of any situation.
“I… I couldn’t sleep,” I stammered, my voice quieter than I intended. “I was having nightmares, so I went outside to get some fresh air.”
Matteo’s expression didn’t change. He watched me as he descended the stairs slowly, each step deliberate. I could feel the doubt in his gaze as if he were trying to find the lie in my flimsy excuse.
“Nightmares?” His voice was softer now, yet it held a note of scepticism. “And you thought it was a good idea to wander around the garden in the middle of the night without telling me? Without telling anyone?”
Yes.
I swallowed, forcing myself to meet his eyes, knowing fully well that I had to sell this lie, even if every inch of me wanted to tell him everything that had happened the past few days.
But I couldn’t.
Not yet.
“People you think you can trust may not be what they seem.”
“It helps sometimes,” I lied again, trying to sound convinving. “I had them when I was younger, and mom always took me outside. It helps…. calms me down.”
Another lie using my mother’s name. Now I had to help her.
Matteo studied me in silence, his eyes dark and unreadable. For a moment, I thought he was going to press further, ask for more answers until he caught me. Instead, he let out a soft sigh, his eyes softening ever so slightly.
He was standing so close to me now. A simple brush of his fingers on my wrists sent a wave of warmth through me.
“You shouldn’t walk those gardens alone at night,” He continued, his tone gentler. “The men outside called me. Said a trespasser was seen, but he wasn’t caught. I don’t like the thought of you out there alone…”
His words trailed off, but the flicker of vulnerability in his eyes, the concern he held for me, was hard to hide.
My chest constricted at the pang of guilt I felt. Despite everything, Matteo did care for me in his own way.
“People you think you can trust may not be what they seem.”
Jason’s words kept on echoing in my mind. I hope he wasn’t caught.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, stepping towards him and wrapping my arms around him. “I didn’t want to wake you. I’ll… I’ll let you know next time.”
Matteo nodded, though the tension in his posture hadn’t fully dissolved. His hands found my cheek, and he cupped them, his thumb brushing against the top of my lips.
“Don’t hesitate next time. I have more stories to tell.” He said, his voice a low murmur.
Every laugh I shared with Matteo was genuine, even now, with my heart racing. I nodded in agreement.
He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead, and for a moment, I closed my eyes, letting myself feel the warmth of his touch. Every thought of Isabella pushed to the side.
When Matteo finally pulled away, I took a deep breath to steady myself. “Let’s go back to bed.” I whispered, suddenly feeling very tired.
My eyes felt heavy.
Matteo nodded again, taking my hand in his as he led me back up the stairs. Even in my almost asleep state, my mind raced a bit about what I would do when Jason came back with another letter from my sister.
When she finally discloses her secret location.
What would I do then?
At this point, I was sure of only one thing.
My growing love for Matteo.
**
Matteo wasn’t in bed when I woke up, but Caterina was right by my side the moment I headed down the stairs and into the study.
I sat on the plush couch close to the window this time, listening and going over the details of the upcoming party with Caterina.
She was methodical as always, her sharp eyes scanning the lists of guests, food, and decorations with precision of someone who had done this a thousand times.
“Everything’s coming together nicely,” Caterina said with a nod of approval. “Though we still need to decide on the floral arrangements.”
I nodded absentmindedly, my thoughts still stuck on the note from Isabella and the mysterious man from last night. I hadn’t slept well after Matteo had finally fallen back asleep, my mind replaying every word from the letter.
“Don’t trust anyone.”
“Valentina?” Caterina’s voice broke through my thoughts, and I blinked, realizing she was waiting for my input.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, offering her a sheepish smile. “I was just… thinking. The arrangements…. um, maybe we should go with something simple. White lilies?”
Caterina raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment on my distraction. “White lilies it is, then,” she said, jotting it down in her notebook. “I’ll make the necessary calls.”
Before I could respond, the door to the study burst open, and in strode Sophia, Matteo’s half sister.
I had only seen her once before, and in the pictures Caterina provided, but one doesn’t forget a face like that.
Pale face. Blue eyes. Dark hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall.
Today, she was dressed in a bright red coat, her hair perfectly styled in loose waves, and an impish grin spread across her face.
“Valentina!!” She exclaimed, walking straight over to me and pulling me into a tight hug. “I was hoping to catch you before you got too busy. We’re going shopping today. I won’t take no for an answer.”
Caterina cleared her throat, looking between us with mild disapproval, but Sophia didn’t seem to care. She had already latched onto my arm, practically dragging me out of my seat.
“Sophia, I… ” I started, glancing over at Caterina, who seemed entirely unimpressed by the disruption. “I’m supposed to help Caterina with the party planning.”
“That can wait!” Sophia declared, flipping her hair back dramatically. “You’ve been cooped up in this stuffy mansion for too long. You need some fresh air, some retail therapy! Come on, it’ll be fun!”
I shot a helpless look at Caterina, who merely waved me off. “Go with her,” she said, though her tone suggested she thought this was a waste of time. “We can finish later.”
Before I could protest any further, Sophia was already pulling me toward the door, her excitement palpable. “Trust me, Valentina,” she said, her eyes sparkling mischievously. “A day out with me is exactly what you need.”
A day with someone I hardly knew.
A day with someone Matteo would not want me around.
Yet, I allowed her drag me towards the waiting car, wondering if this unexpected outing was just a distraction.
Or if it would lead me to more answers.