UNHOLY DESIRE

DEIRDRE POV

When Matteo arrived a little while later, his eyes were bloodshot, and I saw the angry lines that marred his face.

He looked as though he would pummel whoever approached him talking shit. Earlier, he didn’t look this angry. I wondered if it was Vittorio that had gotten him mad.

Yet, I knew Vittorio wouldn’t want to be in the same room as Matteo. Even though I hadn’t seen both engaged in a physical fight, I was sure Vittorio knew Matteo was a formidable man.

Likewise, Vittorio’s expression was the opposite of his. Despite the grimace that adorned his handsome face, he didn’t look as angry as Matteo.

Matteo stepped towards my bed and glanced down at me briefly before looking at Doctor Feris, who strode into the room.

“Is she ready to be discharged?” He asked Doctor Feris.

“I recommend she stays longer because…” Doctor Feris frowned, then he shook his head. “Never mind.”

“You recommend what?” Matteo grunted.

“It’s nothing,” Doctor Feris said. “And what’s the rush? You can all stay as long as you desire here. No one is sending you off.”

“My wife, my rules,” Matteo let out before turning to me.

“What’s going on?” I asked him, searching his face. But his expression gave nothing away.

Only anger. I didn’t find any of the answers I was hoping for.

“Change of plan,” Matteo replied in a gruff voice.

Turning to Vittorio, he said, “Make sure the boat is available when it’s needed.”

“Aye, aye, captain,” Vittorio saluted and did a mock bow before bestowing me with a grin. Then he turned on his heel as Matteo glared at him.

“Are we escaping from here?” I asked him as he helped me out of bed.

My legs touched the concrete floor, and I stayed that way for a brief second to steady myself before slipping into the fuzzy slippers Matteo had provided.

“Can you walk?” He asked, and I nodded.

“I can,” I said, then stumbled slightly.

“You can’t,” Matteo said, “You’re weak.”

His last statement was almost in a snarl, as if he didn’t like weak people. I wanted to retort that it was due to my being ill. But then, Matteo hoisted me, striding out of the infirmary, leaving no room for discussion.

As he carried me towards the next room, I caught a glimpse of my surroundings. Lots of children in ripped, dirty clothes ran around with laughter ringing in the air; the adults moved around chattering while some reprimanded the running children.

Also, I noticed some of the adults had goods. They were laid down a few distance from the infirmary.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

I couldn’t help but wonder how they had come to enjoy staying here. I believed some of the people here it wasn’t their natural abode, but then, circumstances had made them stay back.

When Matteo arrived at another room, which wasn’t the condo, he let me down.

The room was somewhat smaller than the space that had been provided at the condo, yet it had the same cozy feeling.

Colourful wallpapers adorned the walls, and I noticed it was only a window present.

Likewise, a couch and only a bed were situated in the middle of the room, which I didn’t mind.

Beside the bed were some handmade crafts on the nightstand, and I walked towards it to pick up a canoe.

Lifting it to my eye level, I turned to Matteo as he spoke.

“Do not get attached to anything on here. We are leaving as soon as we can.” He said, loosening the tie around his neck.

I set the canoe down and cautiously took a step towards him. As I didn’t stumble, I resumed with a normal stride and gripped the tie he was fumbling with.

“Let me,” I murmured.

Matteo raised a brow, looking down at me, “You should be resting. You are unwell.”

“Someone who’s ill won’t be here speaking to you in this manner. Would she? Besides, it’s only a tie, and it’s not as if I am engaging in something else.” I said.

“Something else?” Matteo asked.

I nodded, then flushed as the image of Matteo’s shirtless body surfaced in my mind. No, I didn’t want to think about his shirtless body. But my mind was peculiar and did things I didn’t want to do most of the time.

“That’s not the point. The point is that you aren’t in the right state of mind, and to risk strangling yourself, it’s best I get it done.”

I loosened the tie, then let my hands stay on his chest longer than it should. Feeling the steady beating of his heart, I gazed at him to see him staring at me as well.

“Deirdre,” Matteo murmured, then he shook his head, wincing. “You’re ill, and you should stay away from me for time being.”

“Why?” I asked him, licking my lower lip, and then I bit on it slowly.

Matteo let out a soft growl; he gripped my chin before releasing my lip that was still caught between my teeth.

“I might lose control and quit biting your lips. Are you trying to seduce me on purpose?”

“W-what?” I sputtered, flushing. Even if it was done out of habit, I still did it to get his attention.

Matteo sighed, his calloused thumb caressing my cheek. “We are leaving here as soon as we can.”

He reminded me even as I asked him no questions. He had changed from the flirty Matteo to a serious one. His gaze moved around the room before they stayed on mine.

“We are staying only a night here; you might as well enjoy it and make yourself feel comfortable.” Matteo stepped away from me and moved towards the door.

He halted, took one last look at me, and stepped out of the room without saying anything.

Sighing, I walked back to the bed and sat on it. It was hard, unlike the bed from the Condo. But then again, I was grateful. At least they were hospitable enough to provide a space to rest in.

Wounding Matteo’s tie around my finger, I wondered what was up with him.

He was even more broody than ever. And whatever had made him furious wasn’t enough to be shared with me.

He only mentioned leaving and nothing else. Perhaps asking Vittorio would be a better option. As far as I could tell, Vittorio was more open to me than Matteo was.

And he’d definitely tell me all that was going on. I only hoped it was good news that would be involved in leaving and not rotting on the island.