Breaking Down His Walls

3 - We're not as scary as we look

The mansion towered above Amelia like something out of a storybook—grand and intimidating, with gleaming windows and an air of untouchable wealth. She stood frozen at the iron gates, her fingers gripping her bag, the enormity of it all suddenly weighing heavily on her.

The gates opened with a creak, and a man in a sharp black suit greeted her with a curt nod. "Miss Hayes, welcome. Mr. King is expecting you."

Amelia nodded, trying to steady her nerves as she followed the man up the winding driveway. The estate was stunning, with perfectly manicured gardens and luxury cars parked in a neat line. Everything screamed money—too much of it.

As they entered the mansion, her breath caught. The foyer was massive, with marble floors that gleamed under the light of chandeliers. It was like stepping into a palace.

"Amelia!"

A familiar voice broke through her daze. Vincent King, his smile warm and welcoming, strode toward her. He hadn't changed much from the family photos her father had shown her—still as charismatic as ever. He embraced her in a friendly hug.

"Look at you, all grown up!" Vincent beamed. "It's wonderful to finally have you here. Your father is so proud of you, Amelia. You're going to do great things."

"Thank you," she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper. The kindness in his words helped ease the tightness in her chest, but she still felt so out of place.

Vincent turned toward the grand staircase, where three figures stood waiting. "And these are my sons. Luca, Matteo, and Greyson."

Luca, the oldest, descended first. He walked with a natural confidence, his dark hair slicked back and his sharp suit fitting perfectly. He extended his hand with a charming smile. "Amelia, it's a pleasure. I hope you'll feel at home here."

She shook his hand, feeling her face flush under his steady gaze. "Thank you, I—I'm sure I will."

Next came Matteo, the youngest, bouncing down the stairs with a grin that could light up the room. His hair was tousled, and his energy was impossible to ignore. He stopped in front of her, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet, his enthusiasm contagious.

"Hey! So, you're Amelia! We're gonna have so much fun while you're here," Matteo said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'll show you all the best spots in town. You're gonna love it."

Amelia couldn't help but smile at his infectious enthusiasm. "You can call me Lia" she voiced in a shy tone, playing with the pink straps of her bag. Matteo was a stark contrast to Luca's composed demeanor, but there was something refreshing about him.

Finally, Greyson appeared at the top of the stairs, lingering behind his brothers. He moved slowly, his dark eyes sweeping over her without much expression. There was something guarded, almost distant, about him. Unlike Luca's warmth or Matteo's playful energy, Greyson carried an edge with him—sharp, cold, and unapproachable.

When he finally made his way down, he gave a small nod in her direction, his voice low. "Amelia."

That was it. No smile, no handshake, just her name—spoken like a formality. Amelia felt her pulse quicken, but not from excitement. Greyson's presence was unsettling in a way she couldn't explain, and yet, her gaze kept being drawn back to him.

Vincent cleared his throat, as if trying to break the tension. "Don't mind Greyson. He's not the chatty type, but he means well."

Amelia nodded, but her thoughts were still tangled. Luca's charm and Matteo's warmth had put her at ease, but Greyson's coldness left a strange feeling in her chest. She had no idea what to make of him.

As Vincent showed her to her room, Amelia couldn't help but wonder what her life in this house would be like. Living with the King family was a chance at a fresh start, but something told her this was just the beginning of a much more complicated story.

"Matteo said, flashing her a wide smile. "I'll give you the grand tour. You're gonna love it here, promise."

Before Amelia could respond, Matteo was already guiding her away from the foyer. He grabbed her baby pink backpack which looked almost comedic with his big frame. "Let me show you around! This place is huge, but don't worry—you'll get used to it."

She glanced back at Vincent, who chuckled and waved them off. Greyson, the middle brother, still lingered at the top of the stairs. He offered nothing more than a brief nod before disappearing down a hallway. A shiver ran down her spine at his cold, distant demeanor, but Matteo's voice pulled her attention back.

"So, this is the main living area," Matteo announced, his arms wide as they entered a vast room with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the garden. "We don't spend much time here, though—kinda too fancy for hanging out."

Amelia looked around, feeling small in the spacious, luxurious room. "It's... beautiful."

Matteo grinned. "Yeah, it's alright. But wait until you see the kitchen. Luca's a decent cook, but I'm better at making a mess," he joked, leading her toward another set of doors.

As they walked, Amelia couldn't help but smile at Matteo's easygoing nature. He made her feel more at ease, his lightheartedness a stark contrast to the overwhelming grandeur of the house.

"So, what do you think so far?" Matteo asked, glancing at her as they reached the kitchen, which was just as grand as the rest of the house—sleek countertops, gleaming appliances, everything spotless.

"It's... a lot," Amelia admitted, her voice soft. "I've never seen anything like this."

Matteo laughed, leaning against the counter. "Yeah, it takes some getting used to. But don't worry, you'll fit right in. We're not as scary as we look."

Amelia smiled shyly, looking down at her white tattered sneakers. "Thanks. I w-was a little nervous."

"Hey, you don't have to be. We're just people," Matteo said with a wink. "Except for Greyson. He's kind of a robot," he added with a laugh. "Don't mind him, though. He's always brooding about something."

Amelia's smile faltered slightly as she remembered Greyson's cold eyes and distant manner, but Matteo's playful tone helped lighten the mood.

"I'll show you to your room," Matteo said, leading her down another hallway. "It's got a great view of the garden. You'll love it."

They reached her room—a spacious, beautifully decorated space with a large window overlooking the estate's lush garden. Matteo pushed open the door and grinned. "Here we are! Not bad, right?"

Amelia stepped inside, taking in the soft, pale pink hues and the warmth of the afternoon sun streaming through the window. It was perfect—too perfect.

"It's... amazing," she breathed, her eyes wide as she took it all in.

"I told you, my dad mentioned you might like pink." Matteo said, leaning against the doorframe. A deep blush coated Amelia's face as she realised they had specially decorated this room for her. "If you need anything Lia, just shout. We'll be around."

Amelia nodded, her nerves slowly settling in Matteo's presence. "Thank you. For showing me around and... being so nice."

Matteo flashed her another easy smile. "Anytime, Amelia. Welcome to the King family."

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Matteo is such a cutie patootiee awww!!!!
King - power, strength and courage. It's a name that speaks of determination and a willingness to take charge and lead.
What we thinking about the story so far?! vote if your liking it !
MM <3