Chapter 284: Conflicted emotions
"Yes, sir," she responded, attempting to cloak her nerves in a nervous laugh as she collected the last of her belongings. Unfortunately, a slight tremor in her hands, barely noticeable to anyone else, betrayed her emotions. And, as she suspected, Matteo’s keen perception didn’t let it slip past him.
"Are you feeling unwell?" His touch enveloped her hand, his warm palms cradling hers against his cheek as he closed his eyes in a fleeting gesture. It was a tender and unexpected move that elicited a soft flutter in Stella’s chest.
"No," she managed to answer, gently withdrawing her hand from his grasp and focusing on organizing her bags. She couldn’t afford to waver now, not when a plan was beginning to take shape in her mind.
"Just tired, I’d like to go back home as soon as possible." She replied with a slightly higher tone, a silent effort to ease the tension between them that was fast becoming palpable.
She knew that her gesture had caused him to think, and that was not good because of what she had resolved to do. It would not help if he picked up on something not being right.
"Alright, I’m also heading out for the day. Let me give you a ride," his request was not as one would think. It was a finalized thought. She could not deny the offer. She looked at him with solemn eyes, regarding him for a few seconds, before she gave her reply.
"Okay."
The journey to Stella’s home remained cloaked in an unusual silence, particularly on Matteo’s end. He had made a few attempts at initiating conversation since the ride had begun, yet each of his efforts had been met with a distracted response from Stella.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t engage in dialogue. Her mind was just preoccupied with strategizing how to shield Matteo from the incriminating content that had been brought upon her.