Chapter 13
The single voice had so much power that it shifted the air. Not only me but Matteo's entire body stiffened too.
It was clear he didn’t expect this guest. Or maybe he did... just not like this.
He released my hand so suddenly that I stumbled forward, almost losing my balance. Without a word, he turned around and walked out of the kitchen at lightning speed.
The silence that he left behind him felt louder than any scream.
I panted heavily for air as if I had just run a marathon. My legs trembled. I had to grip the edge of the marble island for support to stand still. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths to calm down the storm inside me but nothing worked.
All these years, I have been trying to forget that day, to remind myself that my Matteo could never do something so cheap but the pain in my heart never let me heal.
My past had just knocked on the door… and Matteo opened it.
My heart started beating in my ears when I once again heard her fake sugar-coated voice calling out to him.
My brain was screaming to stay inside the kitchen, finish the dinner like he told me to and retire to my room as soon as possible but my stupid body didn't listen.
My feet started moving to the exit of the kitchen as if they had their own brain. I stopped behind the wall, as I didn't want to get caught and from this position, I could see everything clearly.
I heard the voice of my heart shattering in my chest when I saw that woman wrapped around Matteo.
She had one arm around his neck while the other rested loosely on his bicep. Her cheek pressed against his chest as if it belonged there.
Matteo stood there with one of his hands in his pocket.
He should have pushed her away.
But he didn't.
Is this the definition of an ideal fictional man about whom I used to dream?
"I miss you so much, Matteo," he sniffed and pulled back to look into his eyes. "I waited for you, staying up so many nights, thinking how you might be."
Matteo's Adam's apple bobbed but he didn't say a word. Every word she said and every move she made felt so scripted and fake.
"It must be hard for you," she cried. "I tried everything in my control to get you out of that hell. I miss you so much, my love."
And she hugged him again.
My heart clenched when she referred to Matteo as 'her love'.
Before I could move back, Matteo's eyes met mine.
A small smirk appeared on his lips.
Slowly, he pulled his hand out of his pant's pocket and placed it on her back.
This was when it felt as if the air had been knocked out of my lungs.
And the worst part?
I had to keep my expression stoic. I knew what Matteo was trying to do. I don't want to make him believe that any of this is affecting me in any way.
I inhaled sharply, took a small step back, and immediately turned around to go back to work.
Gripping the edge of the aisle tightly, I breathed heavily. Suddenly, the hall burst with the sounds of Matteo's parents, telling him how much they missed him and complaining that he didn't allow them to meet him early, the moment he got out of jail.
From their conversation, I concluded that Matteo didn't invite her. She came with his parents.
I tried my best to forget everything that happened a few minutes ago and busied myself with the work while Matteo's family laughed and chatted outside.
I didn't realise how much time had passed. I became attentive when I heard footsteps approaching me.
"Serve the dinner," Matteo ordered me.
I didn't look his way. I just kept my gaze low.
“And behave,” he added with cold authority before leaving and joining his family at the dining table.
I inhaled a deep breath to steady myself and walked out with the trolley full of food. I set the table, trying my best not to tremble as I placed the plates. Every muscle in my body was stiff. My eyes refused to lift from the table. I didn’t want to see him sitting beside her. I didn’t want to see how easily she blended with his family as if she belonged there.
"Smells amazing!" Matteo’s mother beamed as I placed the serving bowl in front of her. “You cooked all this?” she asked, looking up and acknowledging my presence.
I nodded my head. My mouth was too dry to speak, and my throat felt too tight to form any words.
Her eyes narrowed slightly at me as she peered at me more closely.
“And who are you, dear? I haven’t seen you around before.”
The spoon in my hand paused for half a second.
Before I could answer, a voice behind me said coolly, “She’s the maid.”
Every bone in my body froze. I turned slowly to meet Matteo’s cold, expressionless eyes.
His words felt like a slap.
The maid.
That was what I had been reduced to.
Was this why he did all this? To humiliate me!
I dropped my gaze and stepped back.
"Oh! "She is too beautiful to be a maid," she mumbled under her breath.
"I’ve never seen her before,” Matteo's father said.
I could feel his intense gaze on me. I tried to keep my face hidden behind my hair, as I didn't want to create any drama here.
"Is she new?" He asked Kayden.
Kayden shrugged and diverted the question to Matteo.
“Yes. Hired her for my… personal needs.” Matteo replied casually.
The room went quiet for a moment, and something inside me broke. My fingers curled tightly around my apron to stop them from shaking. Violet, on the other hand, stiffened. Her smile faltered just a little, but she quickly composed herself.
“Well, at least you’ve moved on from that… girl,” she said with a wave of her hand like she couldn’t be bothered to recall my name. “What was her name again?”
“Doesn’t matter,” his father replied gruffly. “She nearly ruined our son. If it were not for Violet and her father, it would have been almost impossible to bring out Matteo."
Matteo rolled his eyes. No one noticed it, but I did.
“Alright, enough family drama for one evening,” Kayden said lightly while raising his hands. “I’m starving. Can we please eat before Matteo’s ‘personal maid’ starts reconsidering her life choices?”
Everyone laughed, but not me. I can't even breathe in this place. They were talking about me without knowing that I was present right there.
Every word they said hurt me a lot. All of them started having the meal, appreciating the taste, but it didn't heal the wound they had just given to me with their words.
Violet took a morsel and brought it near Matteo's lips. His eyes flicked to me before he opened his mouth.
"You won’t need anyone for any of your needs, Matteo." Violet said, "We will get married soon."