S pluper 12 A New Day
12
Chapter A New Day
Sunlight strand through the curtains, protly tapping isabelle from the depths of sleep. She liked against the brightness, trying to shake off the remnants of the pervious tight’s whatwind. The memory Matte shellin her mind his plotul loghter, the way he moved through the crowd with effortless charm, and the way he’d looked at her.
Hallum, Hike a somme from a ve
Aushe pistol hevselt ig, a nerise of anticipation flattered at her stomach But before she could fully gather her thoughts, a knock interrupted bet neverie Glancing at the door, she s kondy steing it open to find Sienna standing there, her expression as stole as ever. She held a tray with a steaming cup of coffee and some toast.
“good morning. Miss Tabelle,” Sienna said, her tone formal and devoid of warmth. “I thought you might want something to eat.”
“Thank you,” Isabelle replied, taking the bay bom her. “opskick.”
Sistepped back, allowing Isabelle to sit at the small table by the window, belle took a sip of the coffee, rrishing the rich fler as it hit her tongue. Since hang in the air. thick and uncomfortable, as 3mna stood at the door, her eyes scanning the mom the shewn judging is tidiness
“everything light? tabelle asked, breaking the silence. “You sent focused”
“‘s new job to ensure everything is in order,” Stemma replied, her voice clipped. “If you need anything, just let me know.”
“ok“Babelle hesitated, unsure how to contine. The truth was, she didn’t know much about Sienna. The woman wuss elficient, no doubt, but they hadn’t crossed that lin from employer and employee to something more personal
As babelle chewed on a piece of toast, she replayed the events of last night in her mind Matteo was unlike anyone she had ever met so charismatic yet comples. She was still trying to get what it all meast, and the weight of that realization sat heavy in her chest
Siena remained at the door, her presence both a comfort and a barrier belle decided to test the waters a bit. “What do you think of Matteo?” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Sennaalsed an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the question “Hels..the young mater. You should be cautions in your judgments.”
“Cautious belle echoed, a small town crossing her face. “He seems nice enough.”
Helps pressed together in a thinne. “Nice is subjective. He is not be the others just remember your place, Miss Kabelle.
Tubelle nodded, feeling a mix of frustration and infriene Sienna wasn’t exactly the easiest person to converse with, but isabelle could see that she had her own opinions about
and the world they were how petol.
The conversation dwindled into silence again, and soon after, Sima left the room to attend to her duties. Habelle finishedher breakfast alene, staring out the wondes and lost in thought. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant was happening, but what semained elusive
Moments later, there was another knock on the door, and Isabelle nimed to see Alberto standing there with a serious expression. Hested reside and approached her, holding outseek black phone.
“This is for you,” he said, his tone businesslike. “The young master asked that deliver it to you.”
Tubelle took the phone, pusled “Why not just ask for my number?”
Alberto’s lips qurked slightly. “The young master doesn’t operate the way most people do, Miss Isabelle. This is more direct line
She rasedan brow, still not fully understanding “what do you mean?
“Just that he prefers to handle things on his own terms,” Aberto explained. “He’ll be contacting you thesugh this device. Consider it a special arrangement.”
Isabellett back her initialuesponse, her cesty piqued further “Alright then. I’ll wait for his call”
Alberto nodded, his expression neutral as he turned to love. “Remember to keep the phone with you at all times.”
Once he was gone, best the phone down on the table, misture of cement and uncertainty swirling with her, What did Mars want from her now?
Just as she began to overthink it, the phone buzzed against the table, starting her. She grabbed it quickly and saw a message from Matteo: Come outside. I went to show you something
Her heart raced at the nation. Without a second thought, she grabbed her cor and headed out, lewing the confines of the room behind bes. The hallway felt different now, l daunting and more familie she made her way to the entrance.
Asleek black car was waiting outside, the driver standing at attention. He nodded as she approached, opening the door for her. She slipped inside, the interior plush and luxurious The driver set off without a word, and tabelled out at the passing city, a mix of anticipation and nerves coursing through her.
When they finally stopped, she stepped out and found Matteo leaning casually against a bench in a quiet park. He looked relaxed, the playful spark in his eyes evident as he caught
sight of her.
“You made it,” he said, a grin spreading across se
“Helim,” she replied, trying to keep her voice steady despite their stomach. “What’s so special about this place?”
Manes geared around, his expression softening. “This is where I come to think, away from everything It’s peaceful, don’t you think?”
Isabel looked around, taking in the tall trees, the small pond reflecting the blue sky, and the soft rustle of leaves. It was indeed tranquil, a stark contrast to the bustling chaos of themightbere
“It’s beautiful,” she admitted, deling a little more ease in this space. “I didn’t expect this.”
He shrugged, his tone light. Most people don’t. They see me as just the young master, but there’s more to me than that.”
Tabelle met his pace, feeling a strange connection at that moment. “What is there to you, the
He took a step closer, his expression shifting from playful to serious wat to show you want you to see that I’m more than just the image everyone has of me
“Okay,” she said slowly, still unsure how to move this new territory. I’m listening”
Hesitated it searching for the right words, and she could see the wall be kept up “mused to sharing much about mort,” he admitted, his voice dropping slightly.“‘s complicated.”
“Complicated how?” she pressed gently, wanting to draw him out but also aware of the delicate between erosity and intrusion.
He looked away for a moment, his expression thoughtful “Let’s just say that the lead isn’t something most people would understand. Some expectations and responsibilities cense with being who Tam”
babelle nodded, rying to digest his words “I can see that. Dat you can trust me, Matteo. I’m not the them.”
Thnớn, ” be said, looking back at her, his eyes searching for hers “ut that doesn’t come easy for me.”
“Fair enough,” she replied, teeling a pang of disappointment mixed with understanding. It made sense; he was trying to protect himself, “I respect that.”
They both fell silent, the weight of unspoken thoughts hanging between them. It fell wlnerable and raw, yet strangely Intimate, Isabelle wanted to know more about him, the real him, but it was clear that he wasn’t ready to open up completely.
After a few moments, Mattes broke the silence, his demeanor shitting back to that playful charm she had first encountered. “How about we walk? I’ll show you some of my lave spots here.”
“Lead the way,” she said, relieved to shift the mood away from the heavier topics.
As they strolled through the park, Matteo pointed out various trees and pathways, sharing anecdotes that made her laugh. His sense of humor shone through, and it was impossible not to enjoy his company, even if some of his walls remained firmly in place
By the time they returned to the bench, Isabelle telt a bit lighter, even if she still had questions lingering in her mind. “You really do have a knack for making this place come alive,” she admitted, feeling more comfortable in her own skin.
“Maybe it’s just about seeing things from a different perspective,” he replied, a smile playing on his lips. “Life’s too short to take everything seriously.”
“True,“she mused, reflecting on her own life and the burdens she often carried. “Maybe I could learn a thing or two from you.”
He chuckled softly, a glimmer of appreciation in his gaze. “Well, I’m happy to share my perspective anytime. Just don’t expect too much.”
“Deal,” she said, feeling the warmth of their exchange. “I’ll take what I can get.”
As they sat in the fading sunlight, Isabelle realized that while Matteo still held back, the moments they shared were meaningful. There was potential for something deeper, and she was willing to wait for him to open up in his own time.
It was a beginning —-a small step toward unraveling the complexities that lay ahead. Isabelle knew she would definitely have a lot to write about
