Falling For You

Chapter 10: A Taste of Home

Once we stepped out of the car, the front door swung open, and a woman in her mid-forties greeted us with a warm smile. “Mateo! Mijo!” she exclaimed, pulling him into a tight embrace. I watched, a little stunned, as he hugged her back, calling her “Mama.” In that moment, I realized that this was his mother.

Mateo turned to me, his expression a mix of pride and mischief. “This is my girlfriend, Bianca,” he said, his voice casual. I felt my heart skip a beat as I processed what he had just said. Girlfriend? We were only pretending! But the excitement that lit up his mother’s face made my cheeks flush.

“Bianca! It’s so nice to finally meet you!” Isabella said, her enthusiasm infectious. “Come in, come in! I’ve already prepared dinner, and your papa will be home shortly!”

As we stepped inside, the aroma of something delicious wafted through the air, but a thought nagged at me. What would Mateo’s father think of me? I remembered the rumors that had circulated at school about his dad being a criminal. The mere mention of his father’s arrival made me feel uneasy.

Noticing my sudden shift in demeanor, Mateo placed a reassuring hand on my back. “It’s fine,” he said softly. “My dad is okay. Don’t believe everything you hear.”

Just then, the main door opened again, and a man who looked to be in his mid-forties entered. He wore a crisp police uniform, and my heart raced. Mateo greeted him with a confident “Papa!” The man’s presence was commanding, and I couldn't help but feel nervous.

Mateo glanced at me, and I could see a hint of reassurance in his smile. “It’s all just a rumor,” he whispered, leaning closer. I couldn’t help but admire the way he seemed at ease, even with the weight of the gossip hanging over us.

As his father approached, I caught sight of the badge on his uniform and felt my anxiety ease a little. “Hey, Dad!” Mateo said, his voice brightening. “This is Bianca.”

“Nice to meet you, Bianca,” Mateo’s father said, his tone warm but authoritative. “I hope Mateo’s been behaving himself.” He shot Mateo a teasing look.

“Always, Papa,” Mateo replied with a playful roll of his eyes, clearly enjoying the banter.

I watched the interaction between them, trying to gauge the dynamics. Mateo continued, explaining the rumor that had been circulating. “It started when I visited Dad for lunch at the police station. Erik, you know, the guy from school? He was brought in for a fight, and when he saw me, he freaked out. He thought I’d tell everyone he was arrested, so he started that rumor first.”

Mateo’s father chuckled, shaking his head. “Kids these days. You’ve got to watch your back with rumors.”

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. The rumors were just that—rumors. Mateo continued, “I already sorted it out with Erik, and he apologized.”

“Good to hear,” his father replied, a hint of pride in his voice. “And Mateo, you know I’m just trying to be protective. I don’t want you getting mixed up with the wrong crowd.”

Mateo scoffed, casting a sideways glance at his father. “Sure, Papa, but it’s not like I’m hanging out with bad boys.”

As if on cue, Isabella laughed heartily at their playful banter. “See, even your father knows you’re not a troublemaker, Mateo.”

The atmosphere in the room was light, filled with warmth and laughter. I couldn’t help but smile, feeling grateful for the opportunity to share a bit of my world with them.

“Why don’t we set the table while we wait for dinner?” Isabella suggested, leading me toward the dining room. Mateo followed closely behind, and I felt a sense of belonging wash over me.