Page 23 of The Runaway Bride and the Billionaire

It was still rather early in the day and he typically got back from work very late. I’d expected him to just drop me off and go back to work so why was he entering the elevator with me?

I assumed he simply wanted to change or grab something he forgot. I shifted to the edge of the elevator so we wouldn’t have to stand too close.

Unfortunately, Matteo had other plans.

As the elevator doors closed, he walked over and stood in front of me. He was so close that I had to look up so I could meet his eyes. Staring directly into his eyes was too intense for me so I looked down again.

“Why are you acting like this?” he asked. His voice was calm but there was a slight edge to it that told me he was angry.

Good. Now he knew how I felt.

When I didn’t answer, Matteo placed one finger under my chin and lifted my gaze to his. It was the most contact we’d had since he carried me to my room last night. I’d been asleep then, so I didn’t feel the power of his touch.

But my eyes were wide awake now and his touch ignited every part of my body.

“Why are you acting like this?” he asked again. This time when he spoke, his voice was perfectly calm. No hint of annoyance or anger. In fact, what I heard was concern.

For some reason that made me even more angry. I placed my hands on his chest and pushed him away from me. Matteo barely budged but he removed his hand from my chin. “You really have no idea why I’m upset?” I asked.

“Yes, I have no idea.”

“Well, then maybe you should ask the woman you were speaking to outside the building. You two seemed to have a lot to talk about. And a lot to laugh about too. I mean, the poor lady almost fell over you with all that laughter.”

I knew I had no right to be jealous but I couldn’t help it. Just the thought of them together made my blood boil.

“Is that what this is about?” he asked.

His question didn’t even register. It felt like a tap had burst and I could finally say the things I wanted to. “And what was that back in Nico’s office? I wasn’t expecting you to pull me into a warm embrace or anything but acting like you don’t know me? That was too much. You looked through me like I didn’t matter and that hurt. It really did.”

I was revealing too much. I wasn’t supposed to let Matteo know how much he affected me. He didn’t need to know that I felt like crying when he walked past like he didn’t know me. He didn’t need to know I was so jealous of that woman that I was tempted to confront her even though I knew it wasn’t my place to do so.

I knew I lost my place years ago. I knew that but it still bothered me. Matteo hadn’t said anything in response to my outburst and his silence was killing me.

Thankfully, the elevator doors slid open at that moment. I walked out and headed straight for my room. I’d gotten to the door when Matteo grabbed my hand and pulled me back. I stared at him with wide eyes.

I had no idea what he would do next.

Chapter 12

Matteo

Amelia’s outburst took me by surprise. And I think in many ways, she’d surprised herself too. When the elevators opened and she rushed out, I considered letting her go. As always, I told myself it would be better if things were hostile between us. That way it was less confusing.

When there was peace between us, my mind began to reminisce about the good times we had. Thoughts like that were dangerous and it was better to avoid them; better to avoid her.

I knew that but I still went after her. I grabbed her arm and pulled her to me. She had to know why I pretended not to know her. I was only trying to help. I had no intention of hurting her. I would never hurt her.

“Nico and I have been friends for years. If he knew that you and I were… close. He would have favored you over the otherapplicants. I didn’t want that because I know you’re trying to be independent. Being independent means earning things based on your own effort and not someone else’s influence. I was only trying to give you that chance. The chance your parents never gave you.”

Amelia stared at me for a long time. Soon her angry expression relaxed into one of understanding and soon after, regret. But I wasn’t done yet. The issue with Nico wasn’t the only thing she mentioned in her outburst.

“With regards to the woman you saw me speaking to, I have only one thing to say. It’s none of your business.”

“How could you—”

I interrupted her before she could finish her sentence. “How could I? You have no right to be jealous, Amelia. Not after what you did. Need I remind you that you broke up with me? You let your parents dictate who was deserving of you and I apparently didn’t make the cut. You said your parents don’t think I’m the right person for you. You said they don’t think I’m good enough. Have you forgotten all that?” I asked.

I remembered everything she said that day because her words had been playing in my head for years. They were a part of me at this point. A mental companion that did nothing but torture me.

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