Matteo's Untouched Property (#2 UP Series)

Chapter Three

Vincent slips his hand into mine while we make our way towards the apartment building. After initially meeting Matthew we had decided that Wednesday would be the best day to start Vincent's torturing. I had stayed up the other night printing work booklets and other assignments he could work on.

I was a little nervous, but more excited than anything. It wasn't like I didn't have any confidence in my teaching skills but Matthew's presence is going to me a little more jumpy than normal. I hadn't seen him since Monday when we meet in the hallway and classroom.

I found myself itching to see him again.

My curiosity was making me more bold and I really wanted to learn more about him, other than the fact that he's from Italy. Vincent had called him Matteo, perhaps that was his original name and had to change it to fit in more.

I feel Vincent tug on my hand. I glance down at his dark curls.

"Hmm?"

"Matthew is not a mean man, he is worried about me" My eyes widen, was I that obvious? Matthew was not exactly "mean" but he was definitely intimidating.

"I know! Of course he isn't, he seems very nice." I say, trying to be genuine as I can, and hope Vincent buys it.

Vincent gives me a giant grin.

"Good."

Making it to room 302, Vincent pushes open the door, and I'm a little concerned since the door is unlocked but I don't comment on it.

Vincent lets us both in and shuts the door behind us.

The apartment is quite bare, other than a small dining table, a couch, a small T.V, there isn't anything else. Vincent paddles towards the dining table and pulls out a chair and sits down, looking at me expectantly.

I slip off my flats and hesitantly walk in. To be in Matthew's home seems intimate for some reason, I try to shake off the feeling as I take a seat next to Vincent and start pulling out today's lesson. Matthew doesn't seem to be home, so I let out a breath and relax.

I place a multiplication table, some examples of long division, a few pages of some basic stories, and some writing worksheets.

"Can you tell me what looks familiar?"

He looks down at the papers laid out in front of him, he points to the multiplication table, the writing worksheets, and the reading examples.

"I remember these."

"Awesome! Okay, let's start with some math since it's probably been awhile since you've done some."

"Okay."

For the next hour we review his times table and I let him do a few practice questions. Remarkably he's quite good, not even getting one question wrong as I correct his work.

"Wow! Vincent you are doing reall-"

Vincent's stomach lets loose a vicious growl that makes me chuckle.

"Snack break?"

"Yes please." He giggles and pulls my hand towards the kitchen. Although I'm not exactly comfortable with being in his kitchen, I'm not going to let him starve.

I stand dumbly in the middle of the kitchen and look at Vincent.

"What do you usually eat?"

"Sandwiches, burgers, and Matthew makes fries sometimes."

I walk towards the fridge and open it up, finding a loaf of bread, cheese, and some sliced up turkey, along with some basic condiments.

"Do you like turkey?" I throw behind my shoulder.