In the heart of a modern city, two rival families hold the power. Valentina, a fiercely loyal daughter, and Matteo, a cunning and determined son, find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous feud. But when their paths unexpectedly intertwine, th...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I woke up promptly to my alarm at 9:00 am, realizing any hope of sleeping in was lost. I threw off the covers and made my way to the bathroom. Turning on the faucet, I began washing my face with warm water.
After disrobing, I stepped into the shower. I grabbed my towel, hung it beside the shower, and stepped in. Starting with shampooing my hair and conditioning it twice, I then proceeded with my body wash, thoroughly scrubbing.
Once finished, I turned off the shower and wrapped myself in the towel. Beginning my skincare routine, I removed the towel from my head and fetched the blow dryer. After blow-drying my hair and leaving it down, I used a straightener to ensure it was perfectly smooth, free of any waves.
Next, I headed to my closet to select an outfit suitable for lunch. Opting for a black tight dress with a corset top, I struggled into it, though I felt confident in how it accentuated my figure.
Moving on to makeup, I started with my eyebrows and progressed to my eyes. Using a light pink shade from my eyeshadow palette, I applied mascara to make my eyes stand out.
After completing my full face, I applied lip gloss and checked the time on my phone—it was now 11:30 am, with our departure scheduled for 12:15. I sprayed on my most luxurious YSL perfume and slipped into black heels.
Choosing a matching black purse, I placed my keys, phone, and lip gloss inside. Before leaving, I took a photo of my outfit and posted it on Instagram.
"VALENTINA, WE HAVE TO LEAVE!" my dad's voice echoed from downstairs. I descended the stairs to find my mother waiting. "Qué llevas puesto?" she asked, looking at me disapprovingly.
"A dress," I replied confidently.
(Que llevas puesto - what are you wearing)
"Come on, everyone into the car," my dad urged, hurrying us along. Despite having a private driver, my dad insisted on driving himself.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, I followed my parents until we reached the table where the Petrova family was seated, and that's when I saw Matteo.
He's well-built, with sharp eyes of almost grey hue. His appearance is quite attractive, but I refused to let myself get distracted by a handsome face.
Matteo was dressed in a white dress shirt, black pants, and wore a silver chain around his neck. I positioned myself next to my father, and Matteo and his parents stood to greet us.
They exchanged handshakes, and when it was my turn, I shook hands with Matteo's parents but ignored Matteo's outstretched hand.
My mother shot me a glare, but I remained resolute. As we all sat down, the waiter approached, asking, "What can I get you folks started with?"
Everyone began ordering, and when it was my turn, I simply stated, "I'm not hungry," earning another disapproving look from my mother.
"Valentina, pide algo de comer, no seas grosera," my mother scolded. "I'm not hungry," I reiterated, glaring at her. Matteo shot me a look and grinned.
(Obtener algo de comer no seas grosera - get something to eat don't be rude)
"So, Valentina, how old are you?" Matteo's mother inquired.
"Seventeen," I replied curtly. Then, for the first time, I heard Matteo speak; his voice was deep. "Do you have a boyfriend?" he asked, looking directly at me.
My mom burst into laughter. "Why is that any of your business?" I retorted, my tone laced with sass.
"Valentina! Don't be rude," my mother scolded me again. "I'm not!" I challenged.
"Valentina, do not start an argument with your mother right now," my father intervened sternly. "She's the one who fucking started it," I retorted. "Valentina, ten algo de respeto!" my father shouted at me.
(Valentina, ten algo de respeto - Valentina have some respect)
"She's really a handful, huh," Matteo's father remarked. Before I could reply, my father nudged me.
Ignoring the remark, I pulled out my phone while they discussed business. I checked my Instagram to see the comments on my post. Hmm, Logan had commented: "Go get 'em, cupcake," with a red heart emoji.
I smiled and blushed at my phone. Matteo glanced at me. "Deja tu teléfono ahora mismo," my mother shouted. Here we go again.
(Deja tu teléfono ahora mismo - put down your phone right now)
"God, I can't do anything, can I?" I said, my voice breaking. "VALENTINA!" my father snapped, clearly annoyed.
"I'll excuse myself," I said, getting up and rushing to the women's bathroom, taking a deep breath to calm myself down.
As I walked out, I bumped into someone. My face collided with their chest. I looked up, and to my surprise, it was Matteo. "Did you come in here to cry?" he asked.
"It's going to take a lot more than that to make me cry," I replied, my voice tinged with annoyance. "Can you please move?" I added, trying to push past him.
He gently pushed me backward, and I stumbled. "Do you need something?" I asked, irritation evident in my voice.
"Who's this?" he asked, taking out his phone and showing me an Instagram profile.
"What?" I replied, confused.
I stepped closer and looked at his phone—it was Logan's profile.
"So, is he your boyfriend?" he pressed.
"I fail to see how that's any of your business," I retorted.
"Someone's a bit touchy," he smirked. "See you later, cupcake," he added, walking away. How does he know Logan calls me cupcake? How does he know who Logan is?
I made my way back to the table, where my mother looked furious.
"Matteo ha già una cotta per la ragazza che vedo," Matteo's father commented in Italian. "Nessun padre," Matteo replied. I wonder what they're saying.
(Matteo ha già una cotta per la ragazza che vedo - Matteo already has a crush on the girl I see)
(Nessun padre - no father)
"papá, podemos irnos ahora?" I asked impatiently. "Aún no," he replied. Ugh, when am I gonna get out of here? Then it hits me, I'm gonna text Logan to come pick me up. So that's exactly what I do.
(papá, podemos irnos ahora - dad can we leave now)
(Aun no - not yet)
He responded instantly, saying he's on his way.Bless his soul. After enduring a few more minutes of listening to their tedious mafia talk, I received a text from Logan saying he's arrived.
"Sabrina está aquí para recogerme," I lie to my parents.
(Sabrina está aquí para recogerme - Sabrina is here to pick me up)
"Who said Sabrina could come pick you up?" my mother questioned. "It's fine, let her go," my father intervened.
I grabbed my purse and left. "It was nice meeting you all," I said as I exited. Another lie. Damn, I'm just on a roll.
AUTHORS NOTEEE
Let me know how you guys are liking itt make sure to comment!! How are we feeling about Matteo so far??! Please follow my TikTok @heartss4bookss for more updates and content!!
