Page 27 of The Runaway Bride and the Billionaire

Nora even went as far as hugging me. I’d been so stunned by it that I simply remained still as she wrapped her arms around me. I never imagined a day would come when the woman would willingly touch me with the tip of her finger let alone hug me.

It was strange to see the way she smiled at me and held my arm like we were old friends. I felt tempted to reveal who I was just to see the look on her face but I held myself back, mostly for Amelia’s sake. Her mother would be incredibly embarrassed if Idid that and while I would love to pay Nora Pierson back, I had no desire to hurt Amelia.

“So, mom… ” Amelia began. I could tell from the way she fidgeted with her fingers that she was uncomfortable, but she forged on anyway. “What hotel will you be staying in? I’m sure Eddie would be more than happy to drive you there. And I’d gladly go with you to help you get settled in.”

“Actually, I was thinking I could just stay here.”

My eyes widened slightly at that but I chose not to say anything. Amelia spoke instead. “Here?”

“Yes. I’ve missed you so much and I would love to stay here with you. That is if Matteo has no issue with it of course,” Nora said as she turned to look at me.

I considered asking her to leave. After all, the woman wouldn’t have given me so much as a glass of water five years ago. Why should I allow her in my home when she never allowed me in her daughter’s life?

I had so many reasons to kick her out. If for nothing else, it would be an incredibly enjoyable experience to dump her and her suitcase by the side of the street. It was the least she deserved. Despite all that, I said, “No, I don’t have an issue with it. I’ll have the guest bedroom set up for you.”

“Wonderful!” Nora exclaimed. She left my side and walked over to her daughter. “Be a doll and grab my suitcase, my dear. I left it in the elevator.”

Amelia went to get her mother’s suitcase while I showed Nora to the guest room. Once she was settled, I left so I could speak with Agnes. I wanted her to make dinner for three and serve it in the dining room.

While Agnes cooked, Amelia helped Nora unpack. I spent that time in the study thinking about how the next few days will be. I had forgotten to ask Nora how many days she planned to stay here.

The thought of her being here for weeks or even a month horrified me. I could only tolerate the woman in very small doses. It was difficult to keep my cool around her because her presence brought back everything that happened between Amelia and me five years ago.

A few hours later, Nora, Amelia, and I sat down to eat dinner. Mere months ago, this room was a place I barely entered. I typically ate dinner in my study so I could do a bit of work while I ate. For breakfast, I drank coffee at the kitchen counter and I always had lunch in my office.

The dining room was hardly ever used but here I was having dinner with two people. A lot could change in a few months.

I sat at the end of the table while Amelia and her mother sat on either side. At first, we were mostly silent but then Nora decided she wanted to use this opportunity to get to know me.

“So, Matteo, where did you grow up?” she asked as she twirled the wine in her glass.

I shared a look with Amelia before I answered. “California.”

“Wow, that means we were all in the same place and we didn’t even know it. Where did you go to school?”

“I have an architecture degree from California State University,” I said.

Even at the mention of her daughter’s alma mater, Nora still didn’t pick up on the fact that we’d met before. I could tell from her line of questioning that she had absolutely no idea who I was. I chose not to say anything. It was interesting to watch her make the effort to get to know me. There was a time when she wanted nothing to do with me and now, she wanted to know everything there was about me.

Nora said nothing about the fact that Amelia and I went to the same university. It was where we met but Nora didn’t seem to pick up on that. It was as if she couldn’t possibly imagine that Iwas the same man she’d rejected five years ago. Her brain simply couldn’t reconcile the two men being the same person.

“Your parents must be incredibly proud of all you have achieved,” she said as she smiled at me.

“I hope so.” I noticed the strange face she gave me, so I added, “I lost my parents when I was young. I was raised by my grandmother.”

“Well then, she must be an incredible woman if she raised a man like you. You’re hard-working and devoted to your work. I heard about how far you’ve brought your company and in such a short period of time too. Your achievements are no doubt impressive.”

It made me uncomfortable to hear all her praise but I didn’t show it. Instead, I returned her smile and said, “Thank you.”

“No need. Honestly, I should be thanking you for letting my daughter stay here with you. You have a very kind heart, Matteo.” She paused and took a swig of her drink. “I’ve always wanted my daughter to marry someone with a kind heart.”

I heard Amelia choke on her water. She hadn’t said anything throughout dinner but her mother’s insinuation that I was the kind of man she wanted as a son-in-law was impossible to ignore. How was it possible that Nora was pushing for a relationship that she had once worked hard to destroy?

Was this the irony of life or was the universe playing some kind of cruel joke on all of us, Nora included?

Amelia and I shared a look, but we didn’t say anything. We both knew that revealing the truth to her mother would not end well. We remained silent as Nora continued to ramble on. The three glasses of wine she’d consumed were making her more loose-lipped than I assumed she normally would be.

“Yes, that’s the truth. Kindness is one of the major traits I’ve always looked out for when it comes to choosing a husband for my daughter.”

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