Chapter Eight

My alarm clock is blaring next to me, alerting me to the fact that it is already 7 a.m. I groggily open my eyes, meeting the blackness of my room, a sliver of light peeking in through the gap in the white curtains. I slide my hands out from under the heavy sheets, blindly seeking for the alarm clock on my right. Finally finding it, I swipe my finger across the screen of my phone, turning off the cacophony and giving me some quiet. Staring up at the ceiling, I bring my blanket closer to my body, snuggling into it. I sigh knowing I'd have to get up soon.

I shuffle out of bed, my foot contacting the warm smooth soft carpet of the room, remembering I need to get Matteo ready. I sift through my outfits in my walk-in closet before deciding on a floor-length flowy flowery dress and a little cream cardigan to cover up my arms. Pairing it with just a pair of converse trainers. I've never much liked high heels, or pretty flats. Trainers are always most comfortable anyway, and it's not like anyone would see what I have on my feet, the dress is long enough to cover it.

Moving into the bathroom, I do my business before brushing my teeth and washing my face. Applying a light coating of concealer beneath my eyes and mascara to look more awake. I wore my hair down to my waist in delicate waves, running my fingers through it to add volume. Looking at my watch, I notice that it has just passed 7:30 a.m. Walking over to my door, I open it and glance down the corridor to see if anyone else is awake, but no one is. As I make my way down the corridors, I get closer to Matteo's room. I haven't seen it yet, so this will come as a surprise. 

I quietly tap on his door to see if he's awake. But I don't hear anything. I gently open the door, trying to be as quiet as possible. The walls are painted grey, while the carpet is cream. I notice his little frame snuggled beneath his bed's covers. His dark blue covers clung to him tightly. I walk closer to him, smiling, kneeling on the floor so my face is level with his.

I gently caress his cheek with my palm, pushing the black strands of hair out of his face, his breaths coming in and out slowly. I don't want to wake him up, but I know I have too.

"Matteo?" I whisper, trying to get him to wake up gently. 

"Matteo. It's time to wake up." This time, I whisper a little louder, caressing his cheek to help him wake up. Matteo whimpers, his little body wriggling against the sheets.

"Five more minutes dad. Please." He sighs, pressing his head further into the pillow. Do I sound like a male?

"But then you'll miss your breakfast with yours truly." I chuckle again, moving his hair out of his face, hoping he'll open his eyes.

Matteo's eyes suddenly open and he looks at me with wide, silver eyes. He quickly launches out of his bed, wrapping his tiny arms around my neck and wedges his head between the crook of my neck and shoulder. I chuckle patting his back, as his hands come down to my back gathering the material of my cardigan and dress in his fist. 

"How about we get you changed yeah?" I ask, he doesn't reply just clings to me tighter, his nose tickling the soft skin of my neck. Standing up I wrap my arms around his waist, the other going under his but to make sure he doesn't fall. Matteo seems to know what I'm doing as he wraps his legs around my waist, both of us making our way over to his wardrobe. 

I shuffle Matteo onto my hip and open the enormous walk-in wardrobe in Matteo's room with my other arm. The arrangement is same, with the only difference being the size and style of clothing. Walking deeper into the closet, I select some clothing that were already out and neatly folded on a dresser. I pick them up and return to the bathroom, where I attempt to lower Matteo to the floor.

"Do you want me to help or can you do it yourself?" I ask kneeling down to his height with the clothes in my lap. 

"No, I can do it myself. I'm a man" Matteo stated this before ushering me out of the bathroom, his little form disappearing behind the bathroom door. I stand there staring at the door, stunned by what Matteo just said before giggling, trying not to let Matteo hear.

Looking around his room again, I move up to his bed, straightening the sheets out to get rid of the creases, while he's changing. When I turn around, I notice a small picture next to his bed. When I pick it up, I discover it has a picture of Alessandro, Matteo, and an unknown woman on it. They all appear to be content. Alessandro, too. He had Matteo in his arms and his other arm is wrapped around the woman's shoulders, keeping her close.When I hear the bathroom door open behind me, my fingers trace over the photo before returning it to its original location.

Turning back, I notice Matteo's shirt is buttoned incorrectly, with one side higher than the other. I stroll over to where he's standing, chuckling, before unbuttoning and buttoning it again, ruffling the hair on top of his head.

"Do you want to brush your teeth now or after we've eaten?" I ask waiting for his response. 

"After, or my food will taste weird." Matteo said sticking his tongue out. 

"All right, let's head down stairs and get something to eat." Standing up, I say. Matteo grabs my hand in his and leads me down the corridors and stairs to the kitchen. I'm still struggling to remember my way around here because it's so big, but it's starting to click now. Making our way around the corner I fail to notice Alessandro sitting at the counter, sipping what appears to be black coffee. Why is he down here? I mean, he does live here. Stupid Ilaria. Matteo turns to look at me, perplexed as to why I've come to a halt. I take a few steps closer as Matteo lets go of my hand and runs up to embrace his father's leg since he's sitting up on a high counter.

"Morning daddy!" He shouts excitedly, Alessandro picking up Matteo so he's sitting on his lap. 

"Oh good morning Matteo. Ilaria. Would you like some breakfast honey?" Maia said turning towards me with a smile, her body holding an apron tightly around her, a spatula in her hand. 

"T-that would be wonderful, thank you." I say my day going down the drain when I hear my stutter come back out. I walk over to the counter opposite Matteo and Alessandro. I can feel his gaze on me, but I won't look up. Maia lays a dish of pancakes and fruit in front of me, along with a tiny pot of chocolate sauce and syrup. 

"G-good m-morning." I speak quietly to Alessandro, who looks up at me before returning his gaze to the papers in front of him while sipping his coffee. I've barely been here a day, and all I've seen him do is work. Does he ever stop? Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Matteo sitting in his own chair, near to where Alessandro is seated. I've never seen a child shovel food into his mouth so quickly. I frown at Alessandro before turning to my food and dipping a couple of strawberries in the chocolate. The juicy taste of te strawberies hitting my tongue, making me moan in satisfaction. Alessandro's shuffling comes to a halt as he looks at me with a dark expression that causes my cheeks to flush.

"Ignoring people is impolite, Dad." Matteo replied, glaring at his father, his pancakes vanished from his plate. I watch Alessandro look at Matteo before taking a long breath and looking back at me with an unhappy expression, as if he'd rather do anything but talk to me.

"Good morning. Ilaria." He gritted out, I give him a small nod as he turns back to look at the papers in front of him. 

"Dad will you be having dinner with us later?" Matteo asks with chocolate sauce all round his mouth. I take a napkin reaching over to wipe it from his face, both of us chuckling. 

"I'll try filgio. I know I have a lot of work to do, but I promise I'll try to eat with you whenever possible. Maybe when I get everything figured out, we can spend more time together. More than we are already doing." To express his regret, Alessandro ruffled his hair. Matteo simply shakes his head in understanding, wrapping his arms around his father. Alessandro kisses him on the forehead while holding him close to his chest.

I turn around in confusion as a long ringing noise fills the entire home. 

"I'll get it son, don't worry." Maia said walking towards where I know is the front door. 

After eating the last of my fruit and pancakes, I check the area around my mouth to make sure there is nothing there. I then take up Matteo's and my plates and head to the sink to wash them.

"Alessandro! Baby!" A high pitched feminine voice screeches as I hear the clicking of heels making it's way into the kitchen. 

Turning around, I notice a tall blonde woman enter the room. Her beautiful waves cascading over her shoulders and down her back. Her gorgeous form was clinging to a tight red dress, with some gold heels. She rushes up to Alessandro and pulls him into a strong kiss, her arms wrapping around his form. 

Who is this?