Harbinger Of Glory

One of the young men who had spoken with Leo earlier eventually slipped away from the main room and into one of the quieter adjoining rooms.

He looked around briefly after entering, then shut the door.

When he turned, he found a man of similar age and stature standing far off in the room.

He stood near one of the tall windows, a drink resting loosely in his hand as he looked out towards the grounds, seemingly content to have a moment away from the noise of the gathering.

Eventually, he turned to look at the earlier prompting of the door opening.

”Alessandro,” he muttered.

”Matteo,” Alessandro said and walked further into the room before coming to a halt right beside the former.

”You were right.”

Matteo raised an eyebrow but didn’t react as Alessandro went on.

”It really was him,” Matteo said with a smile as Alessandro nodded.

”Leo Calderon.”

Matteo’s expression remained still for a moment, then he nodded slowly, prompting Alessandro to turn towards him.

”How do you know him, though? I mean, you aren’t particularly interested in football.”

”Well, just like everyone else. On the television.”

Alessandro leaned against the edge of a nearby table as Matteo stood still.

He had heard the name several times over the past few months.

The young midfielder had been making appearances for Italy, and the attention around him had grown quickly after his debut.

Even Matteo, who wasn’t particularly interested in following every detail of football, had seen the photographs and heard the conversations surrounding the player.

Alessandro folded his arms.

”He seems to be doing quite well for himself.”

Matteo gave a quiet hum.

”He does.”

There was a pause before Alessandro glanced towards him.

”But there’s something else.”

When he said that, Matteo looked over.

”What?”

Alessandro hesitated for a moment, almost as if he wasn’t sure whether it was worth mentioning, but he did anyway.

”They seem closer than I thought.”

Matteo’s expression changed slightly.

”Calderon and Vittoria.”

Alessandro shook his head as his arms unfurled, then continued.

”I don’t know what they are, but they’re definitely more than just familiar with each other.”

At that, Matteo’s grip tightened slightly around his glass.

”How was she with him?”

Alessandro nodded and gave a small, knowing smile.

”She’s quite touchy with him, aside from her laughing at everything he seems to say. I do not think he’s that funny.”

Matteo looked away, and for a moment, he said nothing.

Then he sighed.

His jaw tightened despite himself, teeth pressing together briefly before he forced his expression back into something more neutral.

”Right.”

Alessandro noticed it all but didn’t comment.

Instead, he simply nodded towards the door.

”I thought you’d want to know.”

”I appreciate it.”

With his task done, Alessandro gave him a final look before leaving.

When the door closed behind him, Matteo remained where he was, staring at the glass in his hand.

After a few seconds, he took a slow drink, set his glass aside, and settled into one of the chairs in the room.

...

Back in the main room, the conversation between Leo and Vittoria had gradually fallen quiet.

Neither seemed particularly interested in breaking or filling the silence.

Vittoria sat opposite him, resting both elbows against the table before placing her chin lightly against the backs of her hands.

She looked at him, her eyes wide and so full of life that Leo leaned forward slightly.

”You’re going to make me fall for you again.”

Vittoria rolled her eyes, though the smile on her face gave her away.

”Again?”

”Again,” Leo responded, causing Vittoria to smile.

She gave him one final look before turning away.

”The event is slowly moving ahead.”

Leo followed her gaze as she turned back towards him.

Beyond her, several men were exchanging the last of their pleasantries with Aldo, shaking his hand and saying their goodbyes before making their way towards the exit.

Leo glanced back to find Vittoria staring at him.

”Do you want to get out of here?”

Leo blinked and then nodded.

”Sure, but then where will we go?”

Vittoria didn’t answer.

Instead, she smiled, then she reached across the table, took his hand and pulled.

Leo barely had time to react before he was back on his feet.

”Vittoria.”

”Come on,” she said and was already walking.

Leo laughed under his breath as he followed, allowing her to lead him through the room.

They moved towards the side of the hall and eventually towards one of the adjoining passages, Vittoria still holding his hand as she guided him away from the gathering.

Neither of them noticed Matteo stepping out of the adjoining room at almost the exact same moment.

The latter came to a halt after his eyes settled on them, more specifically, on Vittoria’s hand wrapped around Leo’s.

He watched as she pulled him along without a second thought, the two disappearing towards the far side of the villa.

Matteo’s brow furrowed, and the irritation that had already been sitting beneath his expression returned immediately.

He stood there for a moment, watching the empty space they had left behind.

Then his jaw tightened, and slowly, he turned back towards the room.

.....

Sienna was still speaking to one of the guests near the edge of the drive when she noticed two familiar figures coming around the side of the villa.

At first, she barely paid attention, but then she recognised the figure as her daughter as well as the man being dragged along beside her.

Sienna’s conversation slowed as she watched her daughter move with far more urgency than she had shown all evening, one hand wrapped around Leo’s while the other gathered the edge of her dress enough to keep from stepping on it.

They talked to each other and barely looked where they were going.

Sienna took half a step back just as the two nearly walked straight into her.

”Oh, my God.”

Vittoria stopped so abruptly that Leo nearly walked into her instead.

Sienna stared at them for a second before letting out a quiet laugh.

”Sorry, Mama,” Vittoria said, already smiling as she started pulling Leo along again.

Sienna looked between them, still trying to process what she was seeing.

”Oh my.”

She shook her head, finally recovering herself, then raised her voice just enough for them to hear.

”You two be safe.”

Vittoria said something back, but she was already halfway across the drive, and Sienna couldn’t make out the words.

Leo turned his head briefly.

”Good night.”

Sienna lifted a hand in response, watching them disappear towards the waiting car.