A life in the shadows

52

Matteo hung out with his brothers for a few more hours.
"By the way, the originals are having a party tonight. A ball." Damon scowled.
"Really?"
"Yeah, you going?"
"Doubtful. But maybe. Depends on Siobhan."
"Right. Because of Esther."
"Are you going?"
"Elena wants to go, which means she'll probably end up doing something stupid."
"Besides her track record with dances? Not so great." Stefan added.
"Right so bodyguards. That's what you are now?"
"Looks like it."
"I'm going to go call my fiancée. See if we're sitting this out." Matteo left the room. He got out his phone and called her.
"Hey." She picked up. "I was just about to call you."
"The ball?"
"Rebekah's forcing me, so you're coming."
"Sure."
"But my brothers want to talk to you, so get to the Grill, and try not to die? Please?" She informed him.
"I'll do my best." He replied and hung up. He walked back into the living room.
"Who's up for a few rounds at the Grill?" Matteo asked.
"Why?"
"I have to meet the rest of the original family, like actually meet them, and I need you two as backup."
"Sorry, you're on your own." Stefan declined.
"Sorry, no can do. Bad enough we gotta see them later."
"Traitors." Matteo narrowed his eyes before going out. "If I end up dead tonight, you'll have only yourselves to blame."
"Bye!" Stefan smirked.

"So, Matteo Salvatore?" Finn started.
"The one and only." He greeted.
"You're the man my little sister claims to love?"
"I'm sure it's more than just a claim."
"Tell me, why do you think you're good enough for my sister?"
"I don't think I am. Honestly, I don't think anyone ever could be, but she thinks I'm good enough for her, and that's what counts the most."
"How long have you known Silvia?"
"Since eighteen sixty four."
"Right. And what do you think of us Mikaelsons?" Kol smirked.
"What?" Matteo frowned in confusion.
"What do you think of my siblings and my mother?"
"Are you sure you want me to answer that?"
"Honest man."
"How many people have you killed?"
"None." He shrugged. Finn raised his brow.
"You didn't kill anyone? You expect me to believe a vampire has never killed a single human being."
"Yeah, in fact I know a bunch of vampires who've never killed."
"Boring." Kol fake yawned.
"Yes I can see how never murdering can drive one to boredom. God forbid, you pick up a hobby." Finn laughed at his brother's expense.
"How did you meet my sister?"
"A mutual friend was helping the both of us with our transitions. Also when I turned, that was when Siobhan woke up from your mother's curse."
"Do you love my sister?" Kol leaned in, staring Matteo in the eyes.
"I'm on vervain, so you can't actually compel me, but I do love her. She's the best thing to walk in my life." Matteo looked at the time. "And I'd like to sit here and tell just how deep my love for your sister is, but your mother's ball is in a few hours and I have to get dressed."
"Then I guess we'll see you later."

Matteo headed back to the boarding house. Not that he had a suit there. He'd texted Olly to bring it for him, knowing the Mikaelson brothers had probably followed him and were probably keeping an eye on him.
"Thanks, Olly. I owe you one."
"Not a problem." Olly shrugged. "So what's with the monkey suit, anyhow? You hate it."
"Hate is a bit strong of a word. I don't like to always wear suits and such, but I come across a lot of functions. For example Siobhan's family is throwing a ball."
"Oh yes, I heard. Jessamine and I are coming."
"So why did you ask me about the suit if you already knew why I needed it?"
"Just making sure. For all I know, you might be taking Siobhan out someplace super fancy." Olly shrugged.
"Did you bring a monkey suit of your own?" Matteo grinned.
"Of course I did." Olly said, before walking up the stairs to his room carrying both outfits. Matteo followed him. "So you and Siobhan went off grid for a week."
"Just a few missions."
"A few? You got thirty in a week. That's, like, more than four a day. I mean, you guys are good, I'll give you that, but that had to be a new personal best."
"They weren't all so hard. Had one witch with a hit out on her. That one took all night." Matteo started getting dressed. "So you end up calling that girl from the bar? Amanda?"
"Oh yes. She was real nice, you know."
"Too much information. I don't want to know."
"Fine." Olly rolled his eyes. "Okay, how do I look?"
"You don't look too shabby." Matteo smiled as he fixed his own tie before moving to help Olly with his.
"Thanks!" Olly replied, sarcastically.
"Come on, let's go." Matteo and Olly headed down the stairs and saw the younger Salvatores also dressed up.
"So you are coming?" Stefan asked.
"Yes. Siobhan's there with Rebekah already. So I should be there right now." Matteo said. He and Olly got into his car. "You boys coming?"
"God no. It's too early." Damon frowned. "See you there."
"Bye, Damon." Matteo rolled up his window and drove to the mansion.