162

162
Matteo’s POV
The tension between Gianna and me was suffocating as fuck. Every clipped response, every sidelong glance, every excuse to avoid being alone with me-it was like she’d built a wall overnight, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t break through. It was driving me through the edge. It was driving me through the breaking point.
I wasn’t blind. I knew why she was pulling away. Her ambition. Her fear. Whatever internal battle she was waging, it was clear I’d been labeled the enemy.
But I wasn’t about to accept that. Not when I knew what we had was real.
Most of the office had cleared out, the faint hum of printers and distant voices dwindling into silence. Gianna was still at her desk, her brow furrowed as she stared at her laptop.
I got up from my desk and walked over to her office, determined to talk to her today.
I leaned against the doorway to her office, crossing my arms. “You planning on sleeping here tonight?”
She didn’t look up. “I have a few things to finish.”
“Of course you do,” I said, stepping inside.
Her fingers paused over the keyboard, but she didn’t lift her head. “What do you need, Matteo?”
I closed the door behind me, the soft click breaking the fragile peace between us. There was no need beating around the bush. If she wanted me to go straight to the point, them I would.
“We need to talk.”
Her shoulders stiffened. “I’m busy.”
“Tough.”
That got her attention. She finally looked up, her eyes narrowing. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” I said, walking over to her desk. “You’ve been avoiding me all week, Gianna. You think I haven’t noticed? You’re not subtle.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she turned back to her screen. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Bullshit.” I called out. I wasn’t about to mince words with her. It was official now. I couldn’t take it anymore.
Her head snapped up, her glare sharp enough to cut glass. “I’m still your boss, Matteo. Forget the fact that a goddamned mafia don got you into this place. I run this shit. So watch your tone,” she snapped, her eyes narrowing.
“No,” I said, planting my hands on her desk and leaning forward. “I’m done tiptoeing around this. Around you.”
Her jaw tightened, but she didn’t respond.
“Why are you doing this?” I demanded. “What are you so afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid of anything,” she shot back, her voice icy.
“Yes, you are,” I said, softening my tone. “You’re terrified. And instead of dealing with it, you’re running away.”
She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” I stepped closer, giving her space to walk around the desk if she wanted to, but she didn’t move. “You’re scared because you feel something for me, and that doesn’t fit into your perfect little plan, does it?”
Her cheeks flushed, but she refused to look away. “This isn’t about you, Mattoe. Not everything is about you.”
“Yes, it is.”
The words hung in the hair between us like a knife. She couldn’t deny it. It was true.
“Matteo, just stop,” she said, her voice wavering. “This isn’t going to work.”
“Why not?” I asked, my frustration bleeding into my voice. “Give me one good reason.”
“Because it’s unprofessional. Because it’s complicated. Because it’s-”
“Bullshit,” I interrupted again, my patience wearing thin.
Her eyes widened, but I pressed on. I wasn’t going to back down because I was trying to protect her feelings. She needed to think about mine too.
“I’ve been patient, Gianna. I’ve tried to respect your boundaries, give you space, let you figure things out on your own. But I can’t do this anymore.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but I cut her off.
“I’m in love with you.”
The words came out harsher than I intended, but I didn’t care. They were true, and they needed to be said.
Her breath hitched, and for the first time, she looked genuinely stunned.
“You… what?” she whispered.
“You heard me,” I said, my voice steady. “I love you, Gianna. And I know you feel something for me too, no matter how much you try to deny it.”
She shook her head, as if trying to shake the words out of existence. “You don’t mean that.”
“Like hell I don’t,” I said, taking a step closer. “You’re scared, and I get it. But stop being a coward and give this a chance.”
Her eyes glistened, and for a moment, I thought she might actually let her walls down.
But then she turned away, wrapping her arms around herself.
“This… this can’t happen,” she said, her voice barely audible. “I’m older than you, Matteo.”
“With just two stupid years, Gianna! Just two. You’re twenty six. I’m twenty four! It’s just two fucking years. No one cared. No one gives a shit!” I snapped.
“I give a shit!” She snapped back, shaking her head. “Why don’t you understand, Matty…this…this can’t happen.”
“Why not?” I asked again, my voice softer now. “Tell me the real reason, Gianna. Not the excuses.”
She didn’t answer.
The silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating.
“Fine,” I said finally, stepping back. “If you’re not ready, I’ll back off. But I’m not going to wait forever.”
She turned to look at me then, her expression unreadable.
“I’ll let you come to me when you’re ready,” I said, my voice firm. “But don’t take too long, Gianna. Life’s too short for this kind of game.”
With that, I walked out of her office, leaving her standing there in stunned silence. I walked back to my desk slowly, running my hands through my hair and wondering why the hell she had her walls up so high. I sat down and ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly.
I’d said my piece.
Now, the ball was in her court.