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But even in the midst of it all, the thoughts of Sophia plagued my mind.
I replayed every moment we had spent together, trying to decipher any hidden clues or signs of deception.
It was a maddening process, leaving me feeling more confused and conflicted.
With my mind and heart in turmoil, I knew I couldn't let this confusion and conflict consume me any longer.
I had to take action, face the truth head-on, and confront the demons that haunted my thoughts.
As I sat in my father's study, the room filled with memories of his wisdom, I remembered his words, "Best to nip things in the bud."
He had always preached the importance of dealing with issues before they spiraled out of control. And that's exactly what I needed to do now.
I picked up my phone, my fingers hovering over the screen for a moment before I dialed Sophia's number. It rang once, twice, and then her voicemail picked up.
I hesitated momentarily, unsure what to say, but then I took a deep breath and decided.
If she didn’t want to come to me, then I could only go to her. Since I couldn’t find a way to detect her true purpose, there was only one thing I could do.
I followed the saying: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Here I was, standing at Sophia's doorstep. After discussing with Leo and Antonio, we devised a plan, which was why I was here.
Though I knew I was here for business, a part of me looked forward to seeing her again after so many days.
I also wondered how she would react to seeing me again.
When she opened the door and saw me standing there, surprise flashed across her face before it was replaced by a nervous smile. "Matteo, what are you doing here?"
I was struck with two different emotions. Happiness on seeing her again and suspicious at seeing how wary she seemed.
I tried to appear casual, even though my heart was pounding. "I just wanted to check on you, make sure you're okay. It’s been so long since I’ve heard from you."
She nodded, her eyes darting around as if searching for an escape route. "Oh, um, yeah, I'm fine. Just been busy with work and stuff."
I raised an eyebrow, noting her evasive answer. "You seem to have been avoiding me lately. You don’t answer my texts or pick up my calls. Is there a reason for that? Did I do something to offend you?"
My eyes narrowed slightly as I observed her.
She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. "I... I've just been busy, that's all. It's not personal."
I wanted to believe her, but my instincts told me there was more to the story. "Is something bothering you? You can talk to me, you know."
Sophia bit her lip, seemingly torn between opening up and keeping her distance. "Em-mm…It's just that I've been dealing with some personal stuff."
I gently touched her arm, hoping to offer some comfort. "You don't have to go through it alone. I'm here for you if you want to talk."
She gave me a small, appreciative smile, but her unease remained evident. "Thank you, Matteo. I appreciate it."
As we stood there in awkward silence, she suddenly asked, "How did you know where I live?"
I quickly thought of a believable answer. "Oh, I asked around. I wanted to surprise you, but I guess I surprised myself more."
Her smile seemed forced, and I could see the wariness in her eyes. "Well, it's certainly a surprise."
I tried to keep the conversation light, not wanting to push her too much. "I hope it's a good surprise. Maybe we could grab a coffee or something sometime?"
She seemed taken aback by the invitation, and I could sense her hesitancy. "I... I'm not sure, Matteo. I've been really busy and don't know if I have the time."
