Chapter 12

ISABELLA’S POV.

I don't know how I summoned the confidence to speak up to Matteo.

“Answer me!”

“Did she sell me off to you?”

I bombarded him with a lot of questions and instead of giving me a reply he in turn just kept mute with his eyes locked with mine.

When he eventually spoke, he was still insisting that I hand over the file to him.

“Matteo, I am not going to do anything you ask of me until you answer my question.”

“What is all this?”

“Why is it a big deal for you to just tell me the freaking truth?”

“What are you hiding? What are you scared of?”

“It would be best for you and me if you reduce your voice.”

I moved closer to him and said, “As I said before, I'm not going to do anything you ask of me until you tell me the truth.”

“That’s all you owe me. I mean, I have been obeying all your commands ever since I got here. You asked me to come to dinner with you and I did.”

“I could go on and on but all you have to do now is tell me the freaking truth. You only owe me the truth, Matteo.”

“I always knew you had it in you.” I didn't allow him to complete his statement and I said.

“Have what in me?”

“You see, that right there.”

“Who’s there?” I heard a guard ask.

His voice was loud and stern.

“We need to leave right now.”

“We must not be seen here.” He spoke.

“What are you scared of? If we are seen here it's nothing. I am with you. Right?”

I had a reasonable excuse.

“See, I don't expect you to understand anything.”

“Just come.” He ordered before he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to follow him.

I resisted immediately.

“What part of I am not going to do anything you ask of me until you tell me the truth?” I challenged him.

“Just give the file and let’s go now.”

I still refused.

He pulled me by my waist and held on to me.

“I know I've been lying to you but believe me when I say we have to leave now. Just give me the file.”

Even though I didn't want to believe him, I couldn’t hide the fact that he looked and sounded genuine.

I handed the file over to him and he blew out the candle.

“Why did you do that? How are we supposed to see now?”

“Shhh… just follow me.”

I did as I was told.

“Be careful, there's a huge tapestry leaning on the wall here, just go behind it carefully. I will lead you so just be careful.” He whispered in my ear.

The air smelt of dust and secrets.

When we were away from the guards, Matteo turned on his bright flashlight.

“Don’t you think we might still get busted? That flashlight is going to attract attention from the searching guards to us.”

“That should be the least of your worries.” He said.

“Okay, if you say so.”

I began to use my eyes to scan the entire room.

This room was even larger and it contained my files.

The wall had portraits of the Matteo lineage hanging up on it.

There was no way I was going to just stand there waiting for the coast to be clear so I would head back to my room.

I began to walk around. Maybe I will find answers to my questions.

My gaze caught a file. It was labeled “Nora Romano—1987.”

Matteo’s mother.

I didn't even realize that Matteo stood behind me.

“I have been trying to forget about her.” He said.

“Or, you've been hiding her?” I asked him.

“Why would I? I miss her every single day.” He sounds emotional now.

I dropped the file because it was none of my business and I didn't want to open closed wounds or healing wounds.

I searched further and I noticed how Matteo tried to stop me from opening a particular drawer.

Of course, I was stubborn. I wanted to see what was in there.

When I finally got my way, I was that it was another file about Carla, my aunt.

In this one, there was a picture of her and Matteo together. She had a wide smile plastered on her cheeks in the picture.

I was curious to know what made her smile.

I turned and asked Matteo, “Just tell me the truth.”

I pleaded with him.

“Fine. Since you want to know so bad.”

“Carla used to work for my family but she betrayed us.”

I was surprised, I never could have thought she would have worked with the Romanos because she had always despised them. At least, that was what she made me believe.

“So what do I have to do with all of this?”

I thought out loud.

She could have just ended it all while she worked here.

Why did she have to wait and send me on this deadly mission?

Why did she have to pretend that she didn't know anything around here?

I was losing my mind again.

“She betrayed your family?”

“What did she do?” I ask.

“It is a really long story.”

“But in summary, she sold information about a child connected to Nora.” He added.

“The light is from here. The intruders are in here.”

I heard the guards say.

“You see, I told you this bright flashlight would get us busted.”

Matteo turned off the light and pulled me out.

“This hallway would lead you to your room. At least you should remember how you sneaked out. I've to find my way back to my own room.”

He didn't listen to me and before I knew it, he left.

He just left me there all alone.

As I hurried back to my room, I had one thought in mind.

“Which mysterious child was Matteo talking about?”