A Dance with Destiny

Chapter 13

Mattheo walked beside Diana, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips as they made their way down the bustling street. The air felt lighter, almost electric, as though the simple act of walking together had turned into something more, something real. He hadn't expected the connection between them to feel so... effortless.

Every time she stole a kiss, every time she laughed or smiled in that way that made her eyes sparkle, it pulled him in deeper. He was used to being the one in control, to being the one who led. But with Diana, it was different. He liked how unpredictable she was, how she didn't fit the mold of the girls who usually surrounded him, the ones who were always looking for something from him. She seemed to genuinely see him—Mattheo Riddle, the person—not just the Slytherin king or the guy everyone wanted to be.

As they walked, he caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye—her smile, the way she played with her hair, the way her voice seemed to float around them like a melody he couldn't quite get out of his head. His thoughts were starting to drift, something he hadn't allowed himself to do in ages.

"Are you always this bold?" he asked his voice teasing but with a hint of genuine curiosity. He had to admit, he found it fascinating. Diana was fearless in a way that none of his usual crowd were. She didn't care about status or reputation. She didn't seem to care what anyone thought about her, and that was something Mattheo found refreshing. She wonders what is life without taking a few risk.

Diana shot him a playful glance, a smirk on her lips. "Only when the mood strikes," she said with a shrug, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "What's the point of playing it safe all the time? Life's too short for that, don't you think?"

Mattheo chuckled, his chest warming at her words. She was unlike anyone he had ever met. There was no pretension, no façade—just a girl who didn't mind taking risks and embracing the unknown. It was strangely alluring.

"I've never met anyone like you," he admitted, his voice softer now, as they reached a quieter part of the street. "You don't care about the game, about all the stuff people expect from me. And honestly? It's... refreshing."

Diana's smile softened, and she looked up at him, her eyes meeting his with an intensity that made his heart skip a beat. For a brief moment, they stood there, just looking at each other, the world around them fading into the background.

"I don't care about any of that," she said quietly. "I just care about the real you—the one I see when no one else is watching. I'm not here for your reputation or your status, Mattheo. I'm here for you."

His breath caught in his throat, her words settling deep within him. It was rare to hear anyone speak like that, especially someone from a family as well-known as the Greengrass. But there was something about Diana, the way she held herself and the way she saw him, that made it impossible to ignore.

He reached out without thinking, gently taking her hand in his. It felt natural like it was always meant to be that way. He squeezed it softly, the contact grounding him in a way that was foreign but welcome.

"I'm not used to this," he admitted, his voice low. "But with you, I don't want to run from it."

Diana gave him a soft smile, her thumb brushing over the back of his hand as she held his gaze. "We don't have to rush into anything," she said gently. "I just want to see where this goes. No expectations. No games."

Mattheo's heart swelled with something he couldn't quite name. It wasn't often that he felt this kind of vulnerability, this sense of openness with another person. It was something he hadn't been able to experience with anyone before, and yet here he was, standing next to Diana, feeling like he could be himself without fear of judgment.

As they continued walking down the street, a comfortable silence settled between them, the kind that only two people who truly understood each other could share. Mattheo's thoughts were a little less clouded now, a little more clear. Maybe Diana was right. Maybe it didn't have to be complicated. Maybe the future didn't need to be filled with uncertainty and confusion.

For the first time in a long while, Mattheo felt like he was exactly where he needed to be.

"So," he said after a while, his voice playful as he looked over at her, "when are you going to steal another kiss?"

Diana laughed, the sound light and full of warmth. "Oh, don't worry," she said, her eyes gleaming with that same playful spark. "You'll know when it happens."

Mattheo grinned, the excitement of the moment bubbling up inside him. It didn't matter where this went or how it would unfold. For now, all that mattered was the way she made him feel—alive, seen, and like maybe, just maybe, he could let down his guard for once.

As they walked together, the city humming around them, Mattheo knew one thing for sure: this was only the beginning. And he wasn't about to let it slip away.