168

168
Gianna’s POV
Workplace events were always a mix of formal pleasantries and carefully managed chaos. I wasn’t a fan, but as the CEO, my presence was expected-necessary even. Tonight was no different. The annual awards gala was in full swing, and the ballroom buzzed with polite laughter, the clinking of glasses, and a low hum of music.
I stood near the bar, a glass of champagne in my hand, scanning the room. My employees were mingling, laughing, and probably discussing things they thought I wouldn’t approve of. It was fine. They’d earned it anyways. If I was still working with them, I’d be doing the same.
“Enjoying yourself?”
The voice came from behind me, and I didn’t need to turn around to know it was Matteo. His voice always carried a certain calm confidence, like he belonged wherever he chose to stand. I rolled my eyes but smiled still. I was really getting comfortable with him appearing wherever I was these days.
“Is anyone ever really enjoying themselves at these things?” I replied, turning around and giving him a one over. Just like always, be was blending in while standing out. I never quite understood how he managed to pull tnY off.
He stepped closer, his suit fitting perfectly, his tie just a shade darker than his shirt. He had that usual smirk on his face, like he was born with the damn thing. I wouldn’t be surprised if I asked him and he said yes.
“You could try to have fun,” he said, leaning slightly against the bar beside me. “Might surprise you.”
“Fun,” I repeated with a small smirk. “Is that what you’re having?”
“I’m working on it,” he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. Matteo had been keeping his distance lately, which I thought I wanted-needed even. But now, with him standing so close, I felt the ache of that distance more than I cared to admit.
“Gianna,” a voice interrupted, pulling me out of my thoughts. It was one of the department heads, a tall man with an overconfident smile. “I just wanted to say, this year’s numbers are outstanding. You’ve really set the bar.”
“Thank you, Alan,” I said, mustering my professional tone. “It’s been a team effort.”
“Well, sure,” he said, his eyes flicking briefly to Matteo. “But leadership like yours makes all the difference.”
I nodded politely, already looking for an escape. Matteo must have noticed because he straightened and took a step closer, his presence grounding me.
“Excuse us, Alan,” Matteo said smoothly. “I need to borrow Gianna for a moment.”
Alan looked slightly taken aback but didn’t argue. He nodded and walked away, leaving us alone again.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, turning to Matteo. “Everyone might start looking into things they shouldn’t. And Alan is kind of the office gossip. I’m sure you’ve gathered as much when you got here.”
“I know,” he said, his lips quirking into a small smile. “But you looked like you needed rescuing. I couldn’t just leave you alone with him.”
I sighed, glancing down at my champagne. “I’m not great at this whole socializing thing.”
“You’re fine,” he said, his tone soft. “Better than fine, actually.”
There was a meaning to his words, a sincerity that made my chest tighten. I looked up at him, searching for something I couldn’t quite name.
“Come with me,” he said suddenly, holding out his hand.
“What?” I asked, startled. My eyes darted around to make sure no one was paying too much attention to us.
“Just trust me,” he said, his eyes steady on mine.
I hesitated for a moment before placing my hand in his. His grip was firm, reassuring, and he led me through the crowded room with ease. We weaved between groups of people, dodging conversations and polite nods, until we reached a side door.
“Where are we going?” I asked as he pushed it open, revealing a small balcony overlooking the city.
“Thought you could use some air,” he said, letting the door close behind us.
The noise of the gala faded, replaced by the soft hum of the city below. I walked to the railing, the cool evening breeze brushing against my skin.
“This is better,” I admitted, taking a deep breath.
“I thought you might like it,” Matteo said, leaning against the railing beside me.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The city stretched out before us, lights twinkling like stars against the dark skyline. It was peaceful, and yet, I could practically feel all the unspoken words flowing around us.
“You’ve been distant,” I said finally, breaking the silence.
Matteo glanced at me, his expression thoughtful. “I thought that’s what you wanted.”
“I didn’t say that,” I replied, though the words felt hollow.
“You didn’t have to,” he said, his tone even. “You’ve been putting up walls since the beginning, Gianna. I’m just trying to respect them.”
I looked down, my fingers curling around the cold metal of the railing. He wasn’t wrong. I’d been pushing him away, telling myself it was the right thing to do. But now, standing here with him, I wasn’t so sure.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly, the words tasting foreign on my tongue.
Matteo’s gaze softened, and he turned to face me fully. “You don’t have to apologize,” he said. “I just need to know where I stand.”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Matteo. With you. With any of this.”
“That’s okay,” he said, his voice steady. “But you don’t have to figure it out alone.”
I looked up at him, his face brightened by the soft glow of the city lights. There was no judgment in his eyes, only patience and understanding.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” I said, my voice cracking.
“You won’t,” he said simply.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I know you,” he said, stepping closer. “You’re tough, Gianna. You’re guarded. But you’re also kind, even if you don’t let people see it. And I know you’d never hurt someone intentionally.”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut, not because they were untrue, but because they were so painfully accurate.
“I don’t deserve this,” I said, shaking my head.
“Don’t,” Matteo said, his voice firm. “Don’t do that to yourself. You deserve more than you think, Gianna. You just have to let yourself believe it.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t say anything. Instead, I let the silence stretch between us, the weight of his words settling over me.
After a moment, Matteo reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. “Come on,” he said, holding it up.
“What are you doing?” I asked, frowning.
“Taking a picture,” he said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“Why?”
“Because I want to remember this moment,” he said, his smile soft. “The moment you finally let me in.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped. “You’re insufferable.”
“Maybe,” he said, snapping the picture anyway.
As he lowered the phone, his smile faded, replaced by something more serious. “You don’t have to decide anything tonight, Gianna. I’m not going anywhere. But I need you to know that I’m here. For as long as it takes.”
I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat making it difficult to speak. “Thank you,” I said finally, my voice barely audible.
Matteo nodded, his gaze steady. “Anytime.”
We stood there for a while longer, the city stretching out before us. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like it wasn’t so bad to let someone in.