Nadia's POV

My head hurts a lot less than I thought it would. Especially seeing as I don't remember a majority of last night.

Waking up in Mateo's bed has become a norm for me. It's comforting having someone to be with almost every day.

Just as I thought about him he walked out in a towel. The water droplets were still on his torso and hair. God, he looked so good right now.

"You have a little drool right there," Mateo chuckles wiping the corner of his lip jokingly.

I groaned and got up from bed. I needed to shower before I could deal with him.

I walked past Mateo but I was caught and turned into his chest. I shrieked and Mateo chuckled into my neck.

"What no good morning kiss? I thought I'd get one after the goodnight kiss last night," oh please don't let him be telling the truth.

"I- I'm sorry if I was being an idiot. I don't even remember much of last night," I spoke with whatever brain cells I have left.

"Oh, you did a lot last night. I must say, I love hearing how desperate you are you me when you're drunk. Sadly, I don't take advantage of drunk girls" my blood rushed down my face and I wanted the earth to swallow me whole.

"I'm just kidding Matthews, go take a shower. You smell like vodka and perfume," he let me go and I rushed into the bathroom with shaky legs.

I found my stockings, bra, dress and heels in the laundry basket but I don't remember getting undressed. Mateo must have changed me. And wiped my face down because I don't see any signs of makeup when I stared into the mirrors before me.

I opened the shower and let it steam up as I removed Mateo's shirt along with my underwear. I stepped into the shower and looked at the rack where the shower gels were. My shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and facial products were sat next to his shower products. I stared in confusion as I picked up the products to wash my body and face. I ended my shower and stepped out, I wrapped myself in a towel after drying off and brushing my teeth before walking out to find Mateo.

He was in the kitchen pouring cereal into a bowl.

"So when were you going to tell me that you moved me into your house?" I asked standing in the kitchen doorway. He moved his eyes to me and moved back to his bowl of cereal. Pouring his milk.

"Well, you were here all the time anyway. I thought I might kickstart a little bit of it," He replied nonchalantly eating his cereal.

I wanted to throw something at this man's face. He can't possibly think that it's alright to just move me in without asking me.

I sighed and rubbed my temple before looking back at him.

"You can't just move someone into your house without asking them first. Especially not me," I sighed and turned to go back to his room. 

Without a doubt, my body lotions and clothes were in his closet. I groaned and got dressed either way. I decided to start packing up my clothes into the overnight bag I found and halfway through Mateo enters the closet.

"My mom called, they're in town and want us to go over for brunch. Do you want to go?" Mateo asked casually changing into a grey turtleneck and black jeans.

"I'm only going because I like your mom," I stated and changed into a pair of jeans and a sweater with my boots from last night.

I quickly applied some powder and pink lipgloss and threw on a pair of earrings and my mom's necklace.

We left his penthouse in silence and I stared out the window on the ride to his parents' house. I was caught between a rock and a hard place right now.

I really wanted to get back to my own space but I don't want to be alone. I have to admit that I enjoyed Mateo's company but I feel smothered right now.

I've only been used to having Cassandra in my space. She and occasionally Grace were the only people who I'd be with on a daily basis.

Mateo is a whole different person. He's stubborn and strong-headed. He likes things his way and insists on taking care of me no matter what.

His hand on my thigh pulled me out of my thoughts, making me jump a little.

"We're here," he spoke and looked in my eyes for something.

He withdrew his eyes and hand before he opened his door. He walked around the car and opened my door for me.

I thanked him as we walked up the driveway together. His parents' home was just as beautiful and luxurious as I expected it to be.

It was a two-storey home with an ancient architecture build. Mateo rang the doorbell and his mom opened the door.

"Oh, you made it. I'm so happy to see you, dear," she pulled me in for a hug that I happily returned it.

Julia was like my second mom at this point and it made me miss my own mom.

"Wow, she gets a hug before your own kid," Mateo mumbled behind us and we laughed.

Just then his father rounded the corner into the hallway where we were.

"Nadia's here," he opened his arms to give me a hug as well and Mateo groaned.

"Glad you're here kid, we missed you. Come on in, the food is almost ready. I hope you're hungry,"

We moved into the kitchen that was filled with aromatic smells of spices and seasonings.

The table was filled with lots of food that started making me salivate. There was mac and cheese, quesadillas, salads, hash browns and muffins.

Julia and I began setting the table for our meal while Mateo and his dad finished up the food. They soon exited the kitchen with a fresh batch of sausage rolls.

We said grace and served ourselves. I decided on a quesadilla with salad on the side along with a glass of orange juice.

"The food is delicious," I spoke after eating the first bite.

"Thank you, I made it all myself," Mr Hernandez spoke and I was in awe.

He was a great cook and I wasn't used to men cooking for guests.

"How'd you learn how to cook so well?" I asked carrying on the conversation.

"When I would visit Italy to be with Julia and her parents, I think I was like 19 or 20, her dad would have my front line in the kitchen. It isn't rare for the men to be the cooks in Italy. I found it interesting and cherished all the time I spent there. Eventually, I convinced my mom to be letting me cook meals for my family back home in Cuba. Cooking has just been something I've enjoyed since and I don't complain about it," he finished the story and Julia agreed on not complaining about him doing almost all of the cooking either.

We finished our meals and Julia and I offered to clean the dishes but the men insisted. We now sat on the living room couch, eating our muffins.

"How have you been dear? Like really," she asked and I looked down at my muffin.

"It's been hard but I'm getting better. I really don't think I would be where I am without Mateo. He's been a real support system through this time," I spoke and I thought about how good he's been to me.

If someone told me in the beginning that I'd be where I am right now with Mateo, I would have laughed in their face.

But now the mere thought of him makes my chest warm and my heart flutter.

"Can I ask you a question?" Julia asked looking over at me with a smile.

I nodded and finished my muffin while she spoke.

"Do you like Mateo?"

My eyes went wide but I soon calmed down and finished chewing before answering.

"I do. He's a good man,"

She smiled at my answer and just then the men re-entered the living room.

Mr Hernandez took a seat next to Julia and I moved to the couch next to Mateo.

"So Nadia, since Thanksgiving is coming up, I thought it would be a great idea for you to join us in Italy. If you'd like of course," Julia suggested and I nearly teared up.

I even forgot thanksgiving was in a week. I usually have Friendsgiving with Grace and Cassandra. The same with Christmas. I haven't shared it with people in a very long time.

"I- I'd love to, thank you," I replied and Julia clapped her hands excitedly.

We stayed at Mateo's parents' house the whole day and I was about to fall asleep from the amount of fullness I felt.

"I can't wait to see you in Italy. Stay well," Julia hugged me and I moved to hug Mr Hernandez before we left.

"Do you want to go back to your house?" Mateo asked me and I bit the inside of my cheek.

"Maybe tomorrow," I replied and secretly hoped tomorrow never comes.

~~~
When do y'all think they'll let their feelings be known to each other?