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...
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As soon as I walk into the house, I slam the door behind me and lean against it, exhaling a deep breath.
The quiet of home feels overwhelming compared to the whirlwind of thoughts that are spinning through my mind.
The kiss with Matteo is replaying on a loop, every detail etched into my memory. I can't stop thinking about how his lips felt against mine and the confusing mix of emotions it stirred up.
I drop my bag on the floor and make my way to the living room, sinking into the couch with a sigh. My head feels like a tangled jungle, full of unanswered questions and swirling doubts.
The kiss was intense, but what did it mean? Was it just a result of the chaos, or was there something deeper to it?
I can't sort through these feelings. The warmth of his kiss lingers, making it hard to focus on anything else.
I try to distract myself by preparing a simple dinner, but the food is tasteless, and I barely eat. My mind keeps drifting back to Matteo and the kiss.
I'm frustrated with myself for letting this affect me so deeply, but I can't help it. I need answers, but I don't even know what questions to ask.
After eating, I head to bed, hoping that sleep will bring some clarity. I toss and turn, my dreams a confusing mix of images and emotions.
The kiss replays in my mind, blending with the chaos of the previous night and making it hard to distinguish reality from my dreams.
I get up and start getting ready for the day, my phone buzzing on the nightstand. It's a text from Matteo, bluntly asking me to come over for training.
I slip into my black Lululemon shorts and a tight white top, tying my hair into a high ponytail. After a quick glance in the mirror, I grab my things and head out.
The drive to Matteo's house is quick, but my nerves are frayed. When I arrive, I knock on the door, feeling a mix of anticipation and leftover frustration from yesterday. Matteo opens it, his expression unreadable.
"Morning," he says, barely masking the disinterest in his voice.
I nod at him, still angry about yesterday, but I try to push it aside.
He leads me to the training room, where the air feels cooler, and the smell of leather and sweat is oddly reassuring.
"Today, we're working on something different," Matteo says, his tone clipped and commanding. "I'll teach you some new moves. If you can keep up."
He demonstrates with a practiced ease, his movements smooth and almost effortless. I watch, feeling a pang of frustration. There's no way I can replicate that.
"I can't do that," I blurt out, frustration seeping into my voice.
"Of course you can't," Matteo replies coolly. "You haven't even tried. Let's start with a basic wrist lock escape and a takedown."
"A basic what?" I ask, struggling to keep up. It sounds like nonsense to me.
He holds out his wrist, his expression cold. "Grab my wrist like someone's trying to hold you. Good. Now, twist your wrist towards the thumb—the weak spot. Use your other hand to reinforce the twist."
I follow his instructions, twisting my wrist awkwardly. It feels clumsy, and his lack of encouragement doesn't help.
"Now, pull your wrist towards you and step back with your opposite foot," Matteo continues, his voice unyielding. "Create some space. Push against my shoulder and sweep your leg behind mine."
The steps sound simple, but executing them is overwhelming. I try, but my movements are hesitant and awkward. Matteo's patience is wearing thin.
"Again," he snaps. "And try to actually pay attention this time."
I grit my teeth and attempt the move again, but my frustration bubbles over. "You know, it's really hard to focus when you're so impatient and dismissive. Maybe if you weren't so cold, I could actually learn something."
Matteo's eyes narrow. "I'm being tough because I know you can handle it. If you can't take a bit of criticism, maybe you shouldn't be here."
I shake my head, feeling my anger rise. "Maybe I wouldn't be so frustrated if you were a bit more supportive. You're making this harder than it needs to be."
There's a flicker of something in Matteo's eyes—perhaps frustration or acknowledgment—but he quickly masks it, slipping back into his cold demeanor. He steps back and prepares to resist my next attempt. I take a deep breath, trying to focus despite the tension between us.
I execute the move: twist the wrist, step back, push the shoulder, sweep the leg. To my surprise, Matteo stumbles and falls to the mat with a heavy thud.
"See? I knew you could do it," Matteo says, his voice now tinged with begrudging approval. He gets up, his expression still guarded, but there's a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
I'm still fuming, but I allow myself a small, triumphant smile. "Yeah, well, maybe if you were a bit nicer, I wouldn't have had to fight so hard just to prove myself."
Matteo's face remains impassive. "We're done for today. If you want to train, be here on time next time."
He walks away, leaving me to gather my things. As I leave the training room, I can't shake the feeling that the Matteo from yesterday—the one who was more open and less guarded—seems to have vanished. His mask is back in place, and I'm left wondering if the brief glimpse of warmth was just an anomaly.
AUTHORS NOTEEE Valentina and Matteo's relationship is rocky right now let's hope they get it back on track soon!! Please follow my TikTok @heartss4bookss for more updates and content!!
