MATTEO’s POV
As I descended the stairs, my pace slowing as I reached the bottom, I found myself pausing to take in the scene unfolding before me.
Aria and Gia were navigating their way toward the kitchen, their footsteps echoing faintly against the floor. Yet, as they approached the doorway, Aria came to an abrupt halt, her features contorted with a palpable sense of fear.
Despite Gia’s attempts to make her move forward, Aria stood frozen, her silence speaking volumes as her eyes remained fixed ahead, seemingly lost in a distant, vacant gaze.
I heard a familiar voice call out, “Aria,” and I turned to see Carter a few steps away from us. I couldn’t help but wonder when he had gotten in here.
Aria didn’t respond, and I watched as he rushed to her side. Gia’s eyes flickered between them before she spotted me.
“She’s tired, and she needs rest”. He said to the little girl.
“I wanted to make some ointment for her”. She said, looking up at Carter, who had my wife in his arms.
“We’re good with the one, Mrs. Fletcher makes,” he replied, and I sensed she wasn’t one to back down from her claim.
“Gia, come with me,” I called out to her. She glanced at Carter and then at me, her eyes squinting as she observed my expression change as he led Aria away.
“Doesn’t that bother you?”. She asked, and I peeled my gaze away from Carter and my wife.
“Why?”. Was all I asked
“Maybe she’s right after all. You do not love her”.
“I don’t”.
“I know. Heard it was arranged as well,” she said, her curiosity evident as she wondered why.
“Yes”. I said
There was a long silence as she stared at me, waiting for me to speak, but she broke the silence first.
“How do you sleep at night?”. She asked
“What?”
“How do you sleep at night knowing you have to act like you don’t care?”
I looked at her for a few seconds and smiled warmly.
“But I really do not care”. I said, and she smiled as well as showing off perfectly structured teeth.
“Anyone looking at you right now could tell you’re lying,” she said as she leaned in closer, her voice laced with a mixture of amusement and intrigue.
With a deliberate movement, she closed the distance between us, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that seemed to dissect my every thought.
Despite the weight of her scrutiny, I maintained my composure, meeting her gaze unwaveringly as a soft chuckle escaped her lips.
“Why? I get that it is arranged, but you should have fought your way out of dad’s decision”
“I couldn’t. I just couldn’t”
“Why?”. She asked and smirked. “I see it now”
I turned my attention towards her before finally easing myself into a nearby chair.
“What do you see now, Gia?”.
“Father always said you act tough, but you’re soft as jelly on the inside”.
“That’s not true”. I murmured
“What was that?”. She said, sitting next to me
I cleared my throat. “That’s not true”. My voice, a little louder.
“But you loved her,” I snapped my neck towards her direction, caught off guard by her statement.
“Who are you talking about?”. I asked, my eyes squinting as I watched her features. Her eyes looked like they had struck gold, but she didn’t show more than that.
“Your ex-wife,” she replied, watching my face intensely, her words hanging in the air.
“Yes, I loved her”. I replied, but I kept my eyes away.
“Any man capable of love isn’t tough on the inside”. She said, smiling.
“I loved her. Loved. Not anymore”.
“Yes…I wonder how she’ll feel when she hears you say that”.
I wet my lips and held my hands from fidgeting. I was growing uncomfortable, and my mouth felt dry.
“What do you want?”.
“To know my big brother better”.
“You can’t know me in two weeks,” I said, feeling my anxiety dissipate as I spoke the truth.
“Oh yes… I’ve got two weeks to unravel the mystery man, Matteo Marino. Dad will be so proud,” she said mockingly, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
“You should go to bed, Gia,” I said, rising and hiding my shaking hands in the pockets of my pants.
“What was she like?”. She asked out of nowhere
“Who?”.
“Your ex-wife. What was so special about her that you fell for her”. She asked, and I shrugged.
“Daya was different,” I forced out, the words heavy with unresolved emotions.
“What happened to her? Divorced? She ran off or… she died?”. She asked, watching me, but I kept an even more straight face.
“No…”. I said
“No?”.
“No, I- umm…”. I ran out of words
She elegantly crossed her legs, maintaining unbroken eye contact with me throughout the motion. A subtle grin played at the corners of her lips, gradually widening as she observed my unease intensify under the weight of her unwavering stare.
“You?”. She asked.
“I can’t do this right now”. My voice was firm.
“So, she-“.
“Gia…”. Carter called out.
She turned her attention to him, but I could still see her stealing glances in my direction.
“It’s quite late, you should head to your room”. He said from where he stood.
“Oh, I lost track of time”. She smiled and walked to me, leaning in with a small smile on her face.
“Next time, try not to make the cuffs so tight. They’re hurting her,” she whispered, locking eyes with me. A glimmer of triumph shone in her gaze as the words remained trapped in my head. After telling Carter goodnight, she walked away.
“These two weeks will be one hell of a ride”. I said to Carter.
“She is trouble,” he said to me, but I just smirked and looked away, refusing to engage in the conversation.
“We have to be extra careful around her. She’s too smart. She scares even me”. he continued.
“Hmm” was all I could say as I looked at him in the eyes and smirked.
“Have a good night, Carter,” I said, then walked away, my mind already formulating a new plan.