Matteo

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 13.

The rest of the car ride went by in silence, neither Matteo nor Aria liked doing the small talk. In fact it was quite pleasant if you may ask Aria. She loved road trips but because of her father's work she barely went on any. So she was enjoying the thirty minutes drive, watching the crowded city rushing back to work or home after their lunch breaks or whatever they were doing in the morning. 

Matteo loved to think while driving, it was one of the reasons why he drove his own car and not let any driver take him. He wanted his peaceful moment after been in violence and dark for so long. But there were rare occasions when he preferred to be in the back seat of his car and just relax. So like a pro driver who drove around the downtown in housh hours he maneuvered his car smoothly through the lunch traffic as he drove in peaceful silence. For some reason he was content that even Aria liked quite rides and didn't force small talk.

Matteo parked his car at the back entrance of the restaurant that his mother had picked for them. It was one of his favorite place to eat and he personally knew the owner - Antonio. Matteo helped save his daughter sofia's life from one of the sex trafficking cartel many years back. But until this date Antonio is thankful to him and loyal too. He always said that if it wasn't for Matteo he would have lost his one and only daughter. Antonio respected Matteo and cared for him as a friend, though there was huge age differences in then. Antonio was nearly the same age as Matteo's father but they both acted as good friends.

Antonio had one of the best italian restaurant in the downtown. It was famous for its amazing fusion cuisines and friendly staff making it one of the busiest restaurant in that area. And to show his appreciation to Matteo, Antonio always had one table specially booked for Matteo all the time. It was Antonio's way of thanking Matteo for his good deed for which he didn't even take a single penny.

Matteo killed the engine as he parked in his reserved spot. "You own this place or something?" Aria's curious gaze moved around the area and the reserved name plate that read - 'Matteo Cortiano' right next to the back entrance. 

Not ready to share what his relationship was to Antonio, Matteo kept quite as he pushed open the door and then confidently walked over to her side, pulled open her car door for her and offered her his hand like a true gentlemen. 

Aria still in daze and confusion when the car door pulled open and a muscular hand came in her vision. He was driving Aria crazy with his polite manners one second and the next he was rude as the villain in her romantic movies. Aria kept her gaze fixed at his outstretched palm and then up at him, his eyes were fixed on her. There was no emotions or expression on his face - plain up straight poker face. God he was too much to handle she thought as she slowly placed her hand on his. 

The moment she placed her hand Matteo felt a jolt of electricity pass through them and he quickly curled his fingers around her soft delicate hand possessively. He then helped her out and instantly circled his hands around her back. He had no idea what it was but for the first time in his life he felt the need to protect someone other than his mother and sister. 

"Boss the area is all clean." A deep masculine voice spoke from behind them causing Aria to jump up in air with surprise. She hasn't heard anyone approaching them nor she was expecting anyone to be here in the back. But it seemed like she was wrong. She turned quickly at the sound, her hand resting over her beating heart as she glanced up at the source of the sound.

A man twice the size of Matte and a bit more taller than him stood right next to them, making her wonder how a huge man like him can walk around without making any noise. He looked like a beast with his scary look and built. She had see a lot of scary mens in this field, it wasn't like she wasn't aware what her father or Matteo were. But the man behind them was one that gave her chills all the way down to her spine. Instantly she Aria tighten her hold on Matteo and tired to hid behind him as if he could protect her from anything. Her mind and body was silently telling her that Matteo won't let anything happen to her.