Matteo

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 7.

When the dinner with the Masello's family was over, Robert asked Matteo to join him in his study for a drink.They discussed about everything except the elephant in the room. Knowing his father too well Matteo too didn't bring up the Masello's. After observing his father for over several years, he knew one thing about him too well. If Robert didn't want to talk about something, he won't no matter whatever happens.

At first Matteo found this habit of Robert annoying but later when he became the capo he realised the lesser he discussed about his future plans with anyone, the safer he was. So over the period he too adapted the habit.

Almost an hour later and a couple of whiskeys down Matteo left his father's study. As he stepped out their butler greeted him and informed him that his mother was waiting for him outside in the gazebo, she said she had something important to talk to him so make sure to stop by before he left.

Matteo signed knowing exactly what his mother wanted to talk about and then asked Alfred to get a hot cup of chocolate milk for his mother and a strong cup of black coffee for him. He wasn't that but to sober up before.

He then grabbed the throw over wool blanket from the living rooms couch and headed in the direction of the gazebo.

"Maa, it's cold out her you should have waited inside for me." Matteo said as he draped the blanket over his mother's shoulder.

Rose didn't say anything, just smiled warmly at his son. She stretched out her hand for him to hold, silently telling him to sit closer to her. He leaned down placing a soft kiss on her forehead, which was icy cold and sat next to her.

"It's not that cold Matteo." She said as she snuggled the blanket close to her.

Matteo just smiled at her knowing it was a lost cause to argue with his mother over this. Ever since Matteo was young, he had seen his mother spending most of the winter evenings out in the gazebo. First it was just sitting and relaxing but later she found her love for gardening. And after that every spring she would spend days after days filling the gazebo with beautiful flowers. Making it even more prettier than the last time.

"Sir," Alfred said from their side as he stepped in the gazebo and placed a tray in front of them and then excused himself.

Matteo grabbed the hot cup chocolate milk and carefully handed it to his mother. Then he took his cup of black coffee before resting his back on the soft couch that his mother was sitting at.

"So how was she?" She asked the moment Alfred was out of earshot. Matteo knew this question was coming, but he had no idea what to say.

Last night when Matteo read all about Aria Masello's, he instantly knew what to expect. But after meeting her today, he had no idea what to say.

After a minute of silence Rose squeezed her sons strong hand."Matteo?" She looked at him.

"She ... ah, she was nice Maa. I don't know what else do you want me to say." He said as he shrugs his shoulder and took a sip of his hot coffee."I just meet her and she seemed......"He paused thoughtfully for a minute trying to find a nice word but ended up using nice.".... nice."

"That's nice twice," Rose said with a pleasant smile on her face.

"Maa we just meet don't go around thinking something that isn't there." Matteo said trying to stop his mothers trains of thought.

"I am not," She said as she sipped her chocolate milk and glanced cautiously at her son from above the rim of the cup. Matteo huffed out a laugh knowing his mother too well.

"What? I am serious. I am just happy you guys like each other. It is important for a strong marriage that the husband loves his wife and the wife loves her husband."

At the mention of the word 'Love' Matteo's eyebrow pinched together. "Maa don't you think been in love is a bit too early?? We just meet today for the first time; I barely even know her."

At that she smiled up at him "That's why I am going to invite her to go shopping with me tomorrow and maybe... just maybe you can come by and chat with her, get to know her more. See what she likes and what she doesn't??"

"Maaa..." he sighed loudly as he roughly rubbed his hand over his face, knowing he fell right in to his mother's trap. "You don't have to do all this. Plus you out of all the people know exactly why I am marrying her."