Chapter 14: Whispers in the Dark
(First-person POV: Alessia)
The quiet of the night was a lie, as it often was in this house. It didn't bring peace—it cloaked chaos, secrets lurking in the shadows.
Matteo's abrupt departure from the garden earlier had left me unsettled. He'd walked away, his shoulders tense, his jaw set in that stoic, brooding way of his. Whatever plagued his thoughts, he wasn't ready to share it. And, as usual, I was left trying to piece together fragments of his world.
Back in my room, I tried to distract myself, but the mansion itself seemed restless. The servants moved quietly, their footsteps echoing faintly through the halls. Every so often, I caught the low murmur of voices, but no one came near my wing of the house. Not even Nico, who was usually Matteo's shadow.
The atmosphere shifted just as I was settling into my uneasy solitude. A faint knock at my door startled me.
"Yes?" I called out, my voice more hesitant than I intended.
The door opened, and one of the housemaids stepped in, her hands folded neatly in front of her. "Signora Alessia, there's a guest here to see Mr. Matteo. He thought you might like to join him in welcoming her."
A guest? Matteo had never once invited me to greet any of his visitors. I stood slowly, smoothing the fabric of my dress.
"Who is it?" I asked.
The maid hesitated, her gaze flickering to the floor. "Her name is Isabella, signora."
The name sent an unfamiliar pang through me, though I couldn't place why. Still, I nodded and followed her out of the room.
As I descended the grand staircase, I heard the sound of laughter—light and melodic. It came from the sitting room, where Matteo often entertained his associates. My steps slowed as I neared the doorway, a strange sense of unease settling in my chest.
Peering inside, I saw her.
She stood near the window, a glass of red wine in her hand, her dark curls cascading over her shoulders. She wore a fitted black dress that clung to her figure in a way that seemed effortless, her posture confident and elegant.
Matteo stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable. But there was a familiarity between them that made my stomach twist.
"Ah, Alessia," Matteo said, his gaze shifting to me as I entered. His voice was steady, but there was something guarded in his tone. "Come, meet Isabella."
Isabella turned, her hazel eyes landing on me with an intensity that made me feel as though she were sizing me up. Then she smiled—a warm, disarming smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"So this is Alessia," she said, her voice smooth and honeyed. "I've heard so much about you."
The words were polite, but they felt loaded.
"And you are?" I asked, keeping my voice steady as I stepped further into the room.
"An old friend of Matteo's," she said, her smile widening. "We go way back."
The way she said it sent a prickle of irritation down my spine. She spoke as though she knew Matteo in ways I never could.
"Isabella's family used to work closely with mine," Matteo explained, his tone clipped. "She's here to discuss a… mutual interest."
His vagueness only added to my growing unease.
"Well, it's lovely to meet you," I said, forcing a polite smile.
Isabella's gaze lingered on me for a moment before she turned back to Matteo. "You didn't tell me your wife was so charming," she said lightly.
Matteo didn't respond, his attention fixed on the glass in his hand.
"I was just about to ask Matteo for a tour of the mansion," Isabella continued, looking at him expectantly. "It's been so long since I was here. But perhaps you could show me around, Alessia?"
The request caught me off guard, but I nodded. "Of course."
As I led her through the house, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was watching me too closely, her gaze sharp despite her friendly demeanor.
"This place hasn't changed much," she remarked as we walked. "Matteo always did like to keep things the same. Except for you, of course. You're a change."
I stopped in my tracks and turned to face her. "What do you mean by that?"
She tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "Just that Matteo isn't the type to let anyone in. You must be… special."
There was something in her tone that made it clear she didn't mean it as a compliment.
"Matteo and I have an understanding," I said carefully, unwilling to rise to her bait.
"Hmm," she mused, her gaze drifting to a painting on the wall. "I'm sure you do."
By the time we returned to the sitting room, my nerves were frayed. Matteo was standing by the fireplace, his posture tense. He looked up as we entered, his gaze immediately locking onto Isabella.
"I think it's time we discussed the matter at hand," he said, his voice firm.
Isabella's playful demeanor faded, replaced by a more serious expression. "Of course."
She turned to me, her smile returning. "It was lovely to meet you, Alessia. I hope we'll have more chances to talk."
Before I could respond, Matteo gestured for Nico to escort me out of the room.
"Alessia," Matteo said, his tone leaving no room for argument, "I'll join you later."
I wanted to protest, but something in his eyes stopped me. Reluctantly, I followed Nico out into the hallway.
"Who is she, really?" I asked Nico as soon as we were out of earshot.
Nico glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "Someone Matteo owes a debt to," he said simply. "And someone who's not to be underestimated."
His words sent a chill down my spine.
Back in my room, I tried to focus on anything but the unease that Isabella had stirred in me. But sleep didn't come easily. My thoughts kept circling back to the way she looked at Matteo, the way he seemed guarded in her presence.
It wasn't until the early hours of the morning that I finally drifted off, only to be jolted awake by the sound of voices outside my door.
I slipped out of bed and pressed my ear to the door, catching fragments of a conversation.
"…can't trust her," a low voice said.
"She's dangerous," another replied.
I opened the door a crack, just in time to see Matteo and Nico disappearing down the hall, their faces grim.
Something told me that Isabella's arrival wasn't just a visit.
It was the beginning of something much darker.