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Matteo’s POV
Sitting in the quiet of my apartment, I ran a hand through my hair for the hundredth time, my frustration mounting. Gianna wasn’t responding to my calls or texts, and it was taking everything I had not to show up at her door. But I knew better. Pushing her wouldn’t help.
She needed space. And I needed to give her that. To respect her decision. Not push her away further.
I stared at my phone screen, the last message I’d sent her still sitting there, unread: Gianna, please talk to me. I’m sorry about everything. I miss you.
It felt hollow and inadequate. Words that couldn’t capture what I was really feeling. I tossed the phone onto the coffee table, leaning back into the couch.
Her silence was unbearable, and my mind was racing. Gianna was everything to me-her laugh, her fire, the way she made me feel like I could conquer the world. And now, because of some stupid dinner and Emilia’s judgment, I was on the verge of losing her.
I couldn’t let that happen.
But what could I do?
I closed my eyes, trying to think. Showing up unannounced would only make her retreat further. Calling and texting clearly weren’t working. Maybe I just needed to step back, give her the time she needed to sort through everything.
That thought was like swallowing glass.
Giving her space felt like doing nothing, and doing nothing was the last thing I wanted. But as much as it hurt, I knew it was the right move.
For now.
Still, I couldn’t just sit here, waiting for her to come around. I needed to do something, to show her how much she meant to me.
The idea struck me like lightening. It felt very stupid as I thought about it but I could give it a try and see if it would work.
A letter.
I hadn’t written anything by hand since…I couldn’t even remember when. But this wasn’t something I could text. Gianna deserved more than that.
Standing, I walked over to the desk in the corner of my living room, pulling open the drawer where I kept a stash of random supplies. A pen, some paper. Simple, but it would do.
I sat down, the blank page staring up at me like a challenge.
Where do I even start?
I picked up the pen and hesitated. My feelings we’re almost too intense to put into words. Once again I felt like I was stupid to even consider this. What would I even write in it?
I sighed. But then, thinking of Gianna, the way she smiled, the way her eyes lit up when she was excited, the warmth of her hand in mine…
The words started to come to me little by little, and I began to write, barely even giving a second thought to what I was writing.
Gianna,
I don’t even know where to begin, but I guess I’ll start with the most important thing: I love you.
I know I’ve said it before, but I don’t think I’ve ever said it in a way that truly captures what I feel for you. You’ve changed my life in ways I never expected. You’ve shown me what it means to be vulnerable, to trust, to hope for something better. And now that I’ve had that with you, I can’t imagine my life without you in it.
I know things haven’t been easy lately. Dinner with Emilia…it didn’t go the way I wanted. I should’ve done more to make you feel supported, to stand by you. I hate that you felt judged or unwelcome because of my sister’s attitude. That’s not fair to you, and I’ll never forgive myself for letting you feel that way.
But Gianna, I need you to know this: you’re the one for me. Not Emilia, not anyone else, can change how I feel about you. You’re smart, strong, kind, and you challenge me in ways no one ever has. I’ve never met anyone like you, and I know I never will again.
I understand why you need space, and I respect that. But please don’t doubt for a second how much I care about you or how far I’m willing to go to make this work. You’re it for me, Gianna. You’re my future.
Take all the time you need. I’ll be here when you’re ready. And if you’ll let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to you that you made the right choice by loving me.
I love you, okay? Please let me be sure you’re okay.
Yours, always,
Matteo
The pen hovered over the page as I reread the letter. It wasn’t perfect, but it was honest. And that was all I could give her right now. My truth, laid bare.
I folded the paper carefully and slipped it into an envelope, addressing it with her name in neat, block letters. For the first time in days, I felt a small spark of hope.
Getting up, I grabbed my jacket and car keys. Delivering this in person would defeat the purpose of giving her space, so I’d leave it in her mailbox. That way, she could read it on her terms, when she was ready.
I drove to her place quietly, the city lights blurring past as I focused on the road. My heart pounded as I pulled up to her condo. The envelope felt heavier in my hands than it should, and I thought that this was the stupidest thing I could ever do, but I was here anyways. I had to go through with it.
I slipped out of the car, my breath fogging in the colt night air. Her mailbox was just a few steps away, but it was crazy how it felt like miles as I walked up to it.
Finally, I reached it and slid the envelope inside.
It was done.
I walked back to my car, wondering what she would think when she read it. Would it change anything? Would she see how much she meant to me?
I guessed I’d just have to wait and see.