Ties of Blood (Book One)

Chapter 13 ~ Gianna

Gianna Rostova

I woke up in my room, I didn't remember walking in here. Last I knew, I was in the car with Matteo after cutting our evening short with a mental breakdown and eventually fell asleep-

I look around, my shoes were placed where they were supposed to be, there was no way Matteo carried me into the house.

We had gotten closer over dinner, or maybe it was just in my head and last night never happened. I then looked down at myself, I was in the same dress I wore yesterday, which meant Matteo probably had carried me inside.

My face heat up at the idea, his arms around me in an embrace, him even in my room.

I got up and went into my bathroom where I had a shower, brushed my teeth and changed into a pair of shorts and a fitted t-shirt then packed my hair into a high ponytail.

It checked the time, 10AM. It was pretty late for me waking but I gave myself a break given the circumstances of last night.

I opened the door to my room and was greeted with a warm smile from, Angie, she was one of the maids in the house who didn't hate my guts for some unknown reason.

"Good morning, Mrs Moretti." She smiled.

Although we weren't on first name basis yet I still had a sliver of hope.

"Good morning, Angie." I smile back.

She lead me into the dining room and surprisingly Matteo was there too, he hadn't eaten breakfast with me since I got here.

I took a seat across from him on the long table with loads of my favorite foods, pancakes, eggs and bacon Matteo was in a suit today, who quietly ate his breakfast.

"Hello." I say, settling down into my seat.

"Good morning" he gruffly back, his eyes were locked on the table in front of him, I figured he was slightly preoccupied so I dished myself a pancake and placed it gently on my plate and drizzled Nutella on it.

I cut into the pancake and took a small bite, the nutty goodness settled into my mouth and look up at him, "Thank you."

His gaze leaves the table for a brief moment before returning "For what?"

"Well, you put me in bed last night, remember?" I say, a small smile playing on my face, he was being surprisingly sweet since last night, maybe all we needed was a talk. "And taking me to dinner." I add on. 

I felt a bit guilty that I had ruined the night for both of us, we both had to go home early, I would have embarrassed him if I was a crying, snotty mess at the table. 

"You're welcome." He says after a small pause of silence with slight hesitation in his voice.

"Would you like to go out again?" I ask, it was out of the blue, I know. But last night was the first time he had opened up about anything to do if I could get another chance to get to know him better, without having a mental breakdown I'd take it without thinking.

He tensed slightly, I could practically see the thoughts going in and out his head. I started to regret asking, I probably went too far. Matteo was very private and I felt that opening up even more was a lot to ask from a guy like him.

"When?" He said suddenly, although his eyes were still very expressionless, I was starting to go used to it. I still couldn't quite tell his emotions through his facial expressions but at least he was talking.