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Gianna’s POV
“So,” she continued as if she hadn’t just told me that I wasn’t good enough for her brother. Her tone was casual but her eyes anything but. “What made you fall for Matteo?”
It was a simple enough question, but there was an edge to it I couldn’t ignore. I set my mug down carefully, meeting her gaze.
“Well, he’s kind, thoughtful, and funny,” I said. “He has this way of making you feel like you’re the only person in the room, you know? Like you matter.”
Emilia’s lips twitched, but it wasn’t a smile. “Matteo does have a way of making people feel special,” she said, her tone almost too neutral.
I couldn’t tell if it was a compliment or a warning. “He’s also incredibly driven,” I added, trying to steer the conversation toward safer ground. “I admire that about him.”
She tilted her head slightly, as if weighing my words. “Driven can sometimes mean impulsive,” she said. “Matteo’s always had big ideas, but he doesn’t always think them through. He needs someone who can keep him grounded.”
“I agree,” I said, nodding. “And I try to be that for him.”
Her gaze sharpened, and I felt like I’d just stepped onto thin ice. “Do you think you can handle that responsibility? Being the one to balance him out?”
I hesitated for a moment, not because I doubted myself, but because I wasn’t sure how to phrase it in a way that wouldn’t seem defensive. “I do,” I said finally. “Matteo and I have a good partnership. We balance each other out.”
Emilia leaned back in her chair, her expression unreadable. “That’s a lot easier to say than to do.”
I took a deep breath, reminding myself to stay calm. “I understand your concerns, Emilia. I really do. But I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think Matteo and I had a future together.”
She studied me for a moment, her silence more unsettling than any words she could have spoken. Finally, she said, “It’s just… unexpected.”
“What is?” I asked cautiously.
“You,” she said simply. “When Matteo talked about you, I imagined someone… different.”
I frowned, unsure whether to be offended or curious. “Different how?”
“You’re my age,” she said, her tone measured. “I thought he’d go for someone younger, someone more carefree.”
I bristled slightly at her words but kept my composure. “Matteo and I connect on a deeper level than just age,” I said. “We understand each other.”
Emilia nodded slowly, but there was a flicker of doubt in her eyes. “I’m not saying you’re not a good person, Gianna,” she said, her voice softening just a fraction. “I just don’t want Matteo to get hurt.”
“I don’t want that either,” I said earnestly. “I care about him more than I can put into words. I want what’s best for him.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly, and I could see the gears turning in her mind. “What happens when things get hard?” she asked. “When life throws something at you that you’re not ready for? Matteo’s life isn’t exactly easy. Are you ready for that?”
Her words hit a nerve, but I forced myself to remain calm. “I know Matteo’s life comes with challenges,” I said. “I’m not naive about that. But I’m willing to face those challenges with him. That’s what you do when you love someone.”
For a moment, Emilia said nothing. She simply watched me, as if trying to decide whether or not she believed me. The silence stretched between us and I could feel the tension building like a storm cloud.
Finally, she sighed. “I just want to make sure he’s with someone who will lift him up, not hold him back.”
Her words stung more than I wanted to admit. “I would never hold Matteo back,” I said firmly. “I support him in everything he does.”
Emilia’s gaze softened, but only slightly. “I hope that’s true,” she said. “Because Matteo deserves the best.”
I instantly got what she meant, and it hurt more than I’d have liked it to. She wasn’t sure if I was the best for him. I swallowed hard, trying not to let the sting of her doubt show.
“I understand where you’re coming from, Emilia,” I said finally. “And I respect how much you care about Matteo. But I hope you’ll give me a chance to prove that I’m here for the right reasons.”
Emilia’s expression didn’t change, but there was a slight shift in her posture, as if she were at least willing to consider my words.
Just then, Matteo entered the room, looking pleased as his eyes darted between us.
“You two seem deep in conversation,” he said, sliding back into his seat next to me.
“Just getting to know each other,” Emilia said smoothly, her tone unreadable.
Matteo grinned, his usual optimism lighting up his features. “Good! I knew you’d get along.”
I forced a smile, trying to shove down the lump in my throat. When we finished our coffee and wrapped up our time together, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Emilia was still holding something back. There was no way I could relax, not yet. I had no idea what she was still haboring in her mind about me, whether I still wasn’t the best for her brother. And while I understood her concern, it was really frustrating.
“Excuse me, I have to check on Francesca. She promised to behave but I’m sure she’s getting restless now,” she said abruptly, getting up from the couch and shooting Matteo a smile before walking out of the living room.
Matteo reached for my hand, squeezing it gently after she had gone. “That went well, didn’t it?” he asked, his eyes bright with optimism.
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded, though my heart wasn’t entirely sure. “It went as well as it could, I think.”
Matteo frowned slightly, glancing at me. “What do you mean?”
“Emilia’s… protective,” I said carefully. “I think she just needs time to warm up to the idea of us.”
Matteo smiled, looking very confident of himself. “She’ll come around,” he said. “Once she sees how happy you make me, she’ll understand.”
I wanted to tell him I doubted that, but I chose to remain quiet instead, and forced a smile.