138

138
Gianna’s POV
The sound of Matteo’s laugh lingered in the air, softer now that the rain had eased up. I wasn’t sure how we’d gone from an awkward check-in mix-up to this-sitting cross-legged on the carpet in a hotel room, laughing over a game of cards like old friends. It felt…unusual. Disarming.
I leaned back against the couch, watching as Matteo shuffled the deck with a confidence that bordered on cocky. The guy had been full of surprises this entire trip. He wasn’t just quick on his feet in meetings; he was adaptable in ways I hadn’t expected. That resourcefulness, paired with his natural charisma, made him someone you couldn’t easily ignore. Not that I’d admit that out loud.
“Ready for another round?” he asked, arching an eyebrow.
“You’ve won the last three. I’m starting to think you rigged this game.”
He gasped, clutching his chest like I’d just accused him of a mortal sin. “Rigged? Me? Gianna, you wound me.”
“Don’t be so dramatic.”
“I’m Italian. Drama is in my blood.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the small smile that tugged at the corners of my mouth. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”
“And yet,” he said, his grin widening, “here you are, playing cards with me. Almost like you’re enjoying yourself.”
I shook my head, reaching for the deck. “Let’s just get this over with.”
He handed me the cards, still smiling like he’d won some unspoken battle. I started dealing, but my thoughts drifted as the rhythm of the game settled in.
As much as I hated to admit it, Matteo had grown on me over the past few days. When I first agreed to let him join me on this trip, I’d expected him to be little more than a liability-a tagalong who’d slow me down or require constant guidance. But he’d proven me wrong at nearly every turn.
During today’s meeting, he’d handled a client’s last-minute request with a calm assurance that caught me off guard. He’d stepped in without hesitation, smoothing over a potential disaster like it was nothing. It was impressive, to say the least.
But what really surprised me wasn’t his competence-it was his ability to lighten the mood, even when things got tense. He had this way of making people feel at ease, of finding humor in situations that would’ve had me grinding my teeth.
“Your move,” Matteo said, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I looked at my cards, frowning as I tried to focus. He was watching me, his expression a mix of curiosity and amusement.
“Something on your mind?” he asked.
“Just strategizing,” I said, laying down a card.
“Uh-huh.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “You’ve been zoning out a lot tonight. Don’t tell me you’re losing your edge.”
“Don’t push your luck,” I warned, but there was no real heat in my tone.
The game continued, our banter filling the space between plays. For someone so much younger, Matteo had an uncanny ability to read people. It was both unnerving and…refreshing.
“So,” he said after a while, “what made you choose this career?”
I glanced up, caught off guard by the question. “What do you mean?”
“You’re obviously good at what you do,” he said, shrugging. “But it seems like a tough field to break into. I was just curious-what made you go for it?”
I hesitated, unsure how much I wanted to share. But something about his tone-the genuine curiosity in his voice-made it hard to dismiss the question outright.
“My father,” I said finally. “He’s the reason I got into this line of work.”
Matteo’s expression shifted, his usual playfulness giving way to something quieter, more serious. “Was he in the same field?”
“Not exactly,” I said. “Apart from the fact that it’s a family business, he taught me the value of hard work. He built his business from the ground up, and I guess I wanted to follow in his footsteps, in my own way.”
“That’s impressive,” Matteo said. “It explains a lot, actually.”
“Like what?”
“Like why you’re so driven. You’ve got that fire in you-the kind that doesn’t come from just wanting a paycheck.”
I laughed softly, shaking my head. “You make me sound like a workaholic.”
“Aren’t you?” he teased, his grin returning.
“Maybe a little,” I admitted, smirking despite myself. “But it’s not just about the work. It’s about making something of myself. Proving that I can handle the pressure, no matter what.”
Matteo nodded, his gaze steady. “Well, for what it’s worth, I think you’re doing a damn good job of it.”
The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard. For a moment, I wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Thanks,” I said finally, looking down at my cards.
“Alright,” he said, “I think that’s enough humiliation for one night. You actually managed to beat me in the last round, so I’ll call it even.”
“How generous of you,” I said dryly.
He laughed, and the sound was warm and easy, like the storm outside had washed away some of the tension between us.
“You know,” he said, his tone turning thoughtful, “I get why people look up to you. You’ve got this…presence about you. Like you’re always in control, even when things get crazy.”
I raised an eyebrow. “That’s quite the compliment coming from you.”
“It’s not a compliment,” he said, his grin playful. “It’s an observation.”
“Uh-huh,” I said, trying to hide the smile tugging at my lips.
As the evening wound down, I found myself studying Matteo more closely. He was different than I’d expected-more thoughtful, more grounded. There was a depth to him that I hadn’t noticed before, hidden beneath the charm and easygoing demeanor.
It was unsettling, in a way. I wasn’t used to letting people get this close, especially not someone like Matteo. He was my subordinate, after all. There were lines that couldn’t be crossed, no matter how disarming his smile was or how genuine his words felt.
But for the first time, I found myself wondering if those lines were as clear as I’d always believed.
“You’re quiet all of a sudden,” Matteo said, interrupting my thoughts. “Should I be worried?”
“No,” I said quickly. “Just tired, I guess.”
He nodded, his expression softening. “Fair enough. It’s been a long day.”