Love or lust? || 365 days

~25~

(Cordelia's POV)

I ended the call after getting myself a flight home. I placed my luggage on top of my bed and opened it.

Luckily I haven't even got a chance to empty it all yet so now I don't have to use time to get everything back in.

I walked around the room picking up my clothes, shoes and everything else and put them back in my luggage and I placed all my small important stuff in my brown handbag.

I was folding my clothes when a knock was heard from my door. I didn't say anything but the door opened revealing Matteo.

"I was planning to go and have lunch in the town. I heard that there's this pasta restaurant that makes amazing pasta. Want to come with me?" He stopped talking when he saw me packing all my things.

"What are you doing? Where are you going?" He asked.

"Home." I answered shortly without stopping my packing. "I have a plane leaving in an hour."

"What happened?" Matteo asked, concerned. He sat on the bed next to my bag and looked at me.

I didn't say anything, I just continued folding my clothes. But I think he was able to connect all the dots when he saw my expression, smudged mascara and already dried up tear streaks on my cheeks.

"I'm gonna kill him." Matteo stood up.

I grabbed his wrist before he could go anywhere.

"Don't. He made up his mind." I whispered. "I won't try. Not anymore. I have already tried too hard."

"He's a manipulative bastard." Matteo growled angrily.

"You know it wouldn't change anything even if you shot his leg while shouting at him."

"As your brother my job is to protect you Cordelia. Even from a person who we had grown up with."

I sighed in defeat. "If you want to say something to him, at least wait for me to leave first. I don't want to be here then."

"Deal. Do you give me permission to punch him?" Matteo smirked, making a small laugh slip through my lips.

"I'm pretty sure you will punch him if I give you permission or not."

"True." He shrugged playfully but then got serious again. "Are you going to be okay?"

I sighed. "At some point maybe. But all I want to do right now is to get away. I can't stay."

He nodded. "I'm sad you are leaving but I understand you have to. Do anything that helps."

"Please tell Laura I'm sorry for Massimo. Sorry that she had to become part of this life in the first place."

Matteo nodded. "I will. If she wants to leave and go back home to you, what do I say?"

I was silent for a while thinking. "If that happens, get her a flight and tell her that I will pick her up from the airport when her plane lands."

Matteo nodded. I closed my suitcase and placed the last few things in my handbag before standing up from the bed and turning to look at my brother.

He gave me a sad smile and opened his arms. I hugged him and he wrapped his arms around me tightly. Few tears ran down my cheeks again.

"Everything is going to be okay sis." He whispered.

I hummed and nodded against his chest.

Although I didn't want to, I pulled out of the hug. "I need to go." I explained and grabbed my bag and luggage.

"Do you need help with your bags?" Matteo asked but I shook my head.

"Thank you but no. I'll see you when you come home."

"See you then. Text me when you have landed and gotten home."

I nodded and left the room and walked outside where I had called a taxi. If one of Massimo's men would have driven me to the airport, my leaving wouldn't stay a secret as long so this was the best option.

(Matteo's POV)

"I'm gonna fucking kill that bastard." I muttered between gritted teeth and left 'Lia's room to find him.