Matteo's Untouched Property (#2 UP Series)

Chapter Four

Matteo POV

I toss a thank you over my shoulder as I walk out of the bakery on my block and make my way home. Vincent has been pouting all day, wanting to go see Annabelle and I don't blame him. It had only been a day and I have been restless myself.

The steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup should shut him up, he had woken up with a cold that progressively turned into a fever. I made him skip school and tucked him into bed and let the academy know I wasn't able to come in today.

Finally making it to the apartment building, I run upstairs and let myself in.

"Vince!" I yell out, locking the door behind me. I slip off my boots and make my way to his bedroom. I peek my head inside and hear Vincent's loud snoring, confirming my suspicions. I frown when a rapid attack of dry coughs rip through him, making him wake up.

I drop the chicken noodle soup on the drawer and make my way towards him. He continues to cough and I can tell they're causing him pain.

"Not feeling any better?" I ask, as I rub his back. His hair is sticking up in every direction possible, and his nose and cheeks are red.

"Uh-Uh." He shakes his head. I know he hates doctors but I had given him medicine, put him on bedrest and the fever seems to be getting worse by the hour. Fighting an internal war, I make a decision.

"Okay little man, lets go to the doctor." I start to get up and Vincent's eyes go wide. I can see his small chest pumping up and down and it bothers me I'm most likely going to have to drag him to the doctors office.

"No, non vado dal dottore!" (No, I am not going to the doctor!) He speaks in rapid Italian as he stands and crosses his arms. I can see how tired he is from the bags under his eyes and he won't be able to fight me on this.

"Vestirsi." (Get dressed.) I say softly and start to pull him out some clothes. He shakes his head and pushes my legs, towards the door. I sigh and toss the clothes onto the bed.

"NO!" He yells, making me wince. I pick him up and he starts to cry and hit at my shoulders. Damn why the fuck is the kid so afraid of the doctor?

He looks like a crazed animal and guilt washes over me. I put him down on the bed and tuck him back into bed, although he fights me I give him a glare and he immediately stops.

"I'll see what I can do, stay here." He gives me a small nod and snuggles further into the covers. I bring him a tray and set him up with his soup and leave the room.

I whip out my phone and dial in Annabelle's number, hoping to god she knows the fuck to do. The phone rings twice before Anna's sweet voice fills through the phone.

"Hello?" I had gotten her number from the school so she's probably a little worried about seeing an unknown number.

"It's Matthew." I hear a sharp intake of breath, and then her voice again.

"Oh! Hi, do you still want me to come over to tutor Vincent?"

"Actually no, he's not feeling well. Fuck, can you come over? He hates the doctor and is giving me hell over it." I stumble over my words and I try to remember when the last time I even stuttered.

"Oh crap! Yeah I can come over, school's out so I'll be there in a few. Is it a fever?"

"Yeah, he's burning up."

"Oh crap, okay I am on my way now."

I can hear rummaging around the room and I can only assume she's getting dressed or something.

"Thank you Annabelle." I say genuinely.

"Don't worry about it."

I can hear the smile in her voice. We hang up and I make my way towards the door to unlock it. Only five minutes later do I hear the doorbell.