221

221
Gianna’s POV
The day had arrived, and I couldn’t decide if I was more nervous or excited. Matteo had been buzzing for days and practically glowing with anticipation about me meeting his sister. I wanted to match his energy, but there was a small part of me that worried about Emilia’s approval. I’d heard enough about her to know she was fiercely protective of Matteo, and while I admired that, it also felt like I was walking into an interrogation.
I smoothed my blouse for the fifth time as I glanced around the room. Alaric’s mansion had an elegance to it that still managed to make me feel a little out of place. The lavish decor and high ceilings were impressive, but still I couldn’t help but feel out of place here. I occasionally caught the glimpse of some men walking around with huge guns.
Matteo told me that Alaric had insisted that the meeting would take place here, where things could be more relaxed and private. Of course, relaxed wasn’t exactly how I felt, especially with Emilia’s name never leaving my head.
“Are you okay?” Matteo asked, his voice soft and soothing my nerves. I took in a deep breath and released it slowly, willing myself to he calm. He sat beside me on one of the plush couches, his hand resting lightly on mine.
I looked at him and forced a smile. “Just a little nervous. I mean, you’ve been saying she’ll like me, but… what if she doesn’t?”
Matteo grinned, his eyes glinting with a mix of confidence and affection like he was so sure this will all turn out well. “She will. Emilia’s tough, but if you’re good for me, she’ll see it.”
Before I could respond, the door opened, and Emilia walked in. My stomach flipped.
She was tall and graceful, and has sharp eyes that looked like they never missed anything. She had an air of control about her that instantly made me feel intimidated. I felt the instinctive urge to stand, but Matteo had already gotten up and crossed the room to greet her.
“Emi!” he said, smiling widely, his voice warm and affectionate. It was clear that his relationship with her was deep and familial. She gave him a quick hug before turning her attention to me.
“Gianna,” she said, her gaze flicking to me. Her eyes were kind of sharp and scrutinizing, and for a moment, I felt like I was under a microscope.
I stood, extending a hand. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Emilia.”
Her handshake was firm but not unfriendly, her expression neutral. “Likewise,” she said. Her voice was smooth but it lacked warmth.
We sat down, and Matteo immediately launched into a conversation about how excited he was for us to meet. I chimed in here and there, but Emilia’s guarded demeanor made it hard to relax. Her tone wasn’t exactly cold, but there was something about the way she kept her distance that set me on edge. She wasn’t openly hostile, but she wasn’t exactly welcoming either.
“So, Gianna,” Emilia said after Matteo finally paused to take a breath, her gaze fixed on me. “Tell me about yourself.”
I smiled, trying to keep things light. I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything I said was being analyzed. “Well, I run a finance company. Always keeping track of numbers and shit, which is nice. But it’s also a lot of pressure sometimes.”
Emilia’s eyes never left me. “Interesting,” she said, her tone flat. “And how did you and Matteo meet?”
“At work,” I said, glancing at Matteo and letting my smile soften as I spoke. “I’m his boss. I’m sure he’s told you that much. I never thought he merited the work, but he proved to me that he did. And also charmed me while doing that, and well, here we are.”
“That’s… nice,” Emilia said, her response so neutral it was almost hard to read. She didn’t seem impressed, but she didn’t seem entirely dismissive either.
I swallowed and shifted slightly in my seat, trying to keep the conversation going. “What about you, though? I’ve heard a lot about you from Matteo.”
Emilia raised an eyebrow, not quite a smile, but more like a challenge. “Has he told you that I’m his older sister?”
I nodded, a little thrown off by the sudden shift. “Yes, he mentioned that. You’re a few years older, right?”
She gave a slight nod, her eyes flickering briefly to Matteo. “I’m 26. I think Matteo told you I’m protective.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle, though it came out a little nervous. “He did mention that.”
Emilia’s lips quirked upward, but it wasn’t quite a smile. “Good. Because I am.”
The conversation felt like walking on eggshells, and I could see Matteo trying to navigate it without stepping into too many landmines. Every time I tried to engage, Emilia’s responses were measured, careful. She didn’t seem entirely interested in what I had to say, and that made the whole thing feel like a test I wasn’t sure I was passing.
After a few more minutes of uncomfortable small talk, Emilia leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. “So, Gianna, how old are you?”
I hesitated for just a moment, the sudden directness catching me off guard. I forced myself to stay calm. “I’m 26.”
Her eyebrows lifted, just a fraction. “Oh. Same age as me.”
I smiled awkwardly. “Really? I didn’t realize we were the same age.”
She tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing as though she was sizing me up. “That’s… unexpected.”
“Is it?” I asked, unsure if I was reading too much into her tone. “I guess I get that a lot.”
Emilia didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she took a slow sip of her coffee, her gaze fixed on me the entire time. “I assumed you were younger,” she said, almost as an afterthought.
“Ah, well, it’s the youthful glow,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “I get carded for everything.”
Matteo let out a small laugh, and I could see the tension in his shoulders ease a bit. Emilia, however, didn’t crack a smile. Her expression remained as unreadable as ever.
“That’s… good, I guess,” she said, her words measured.
I wasn’t sure how to respond, but before I could say anything else, Emilia spoke again. “So, what are your intentions with my brother?”
I blinked, thrown off by the bluntness. The question hung in the air like an accusation, and I could feel my chest tighten. I glanced at Matteo, hoping for some kind of rescue, but he wasn’t looking at me. His gaze was fixed on Emilia, his hands clutched tightly around his coffee cup.
“I… I care about him, Emilia. I really do,” I said carefully, my voice steady but my heart pounding. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think we had something real.”
Emilia regarded me for a long moment, her gaze hard. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out. Whether you’re really good for him.”
I swallowed, the burnt of her words settling over me. “I understand your concern. Matteo means a lot to me, and I wouldn’t hurt him.”
She seemed to study me for a moment longer before she nodded, barely moving at all. “We’ll see.”
The words stung more than I expected, but I forced myself to remain calm. There was no easy way out of this. I couldn’t change Emilia’s mind in one meeting, but I’d have to prove myself-slowly, and with patience.
Just then, Matteo excused himself, murmuring something about a phone call. Emilia’s gaze followed him untIl he disappeared through the door, and then she turned back to me, her expression unreadable.
I tried to break the silence. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I really hope we can get along. I care about your brother more than you might think.”
Emilia tilted her head, her eyes still sharp. “It’s not about what I think, Gianna. It’s about whether you’re enough for him.”