Five Girls - Chapter 49: Matteo the Possessive

Campus Courtyard - Morning

Matteo had been dating Naila for a few weeks now. And he was... intense.

He walked her to class every day. He waited for her after every class. And he texted her constantly.

Naila didn't mind at first. It was nice to be cared for.

But then it got... too much.

"Good morning, my queen!" Matteo said, appearing beside her with a bouquet of flowers.

Naila blinked. "It's 8 AM."

"The perfect time for flowers!"

"I haven't even had coffee yet."

"Here!" He handed her a cup. "I got you coffee! With extra sugar!"

Naila took it. "Thanks..."

"And I made you breakfast! A traditional Italian omelet!"

"You cooked at 7 AM?"

"I woke up at 5 to prepare!"

Naila stared at him. "That's... a lot."

"Nothing is too much for you, my love!"

***

Chima noticed first. "Naila, is Matteo following you?"

Naila turned around. Matteo was standing 20 feet away, watching her.

"He's just... walking."

"He's been following you for an hour."

"He's walking in the same direction."

"THE SAME DIRECTION FOR AN HOUR?"

Naila shrugged. "He's dedicated."

"Dedicated is one word. Another word is 'stalkerish.'"

"He's not a stalker. He's just... attentive."

"Attentive is also one word. Another word is 'possessive.'"

***

Later that day, Matteo approached Chima.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPik6EGvmZM

"I have questions!"

"What kind of questions?"

Matteo pulled out a notebook. "Who are her male friends? Who does she talk to? Who looks at her?"

Chima's eyes widened. "Matteo... that's a little intense."

"I am Italian! We are passionate!"

"Passionate is one word. Another word is 'crazy.'"

Matteo ignored her. "Who is the boy in her chemistry class? He smiled at her!"

"That's... I don't know. Probably just being friendly."

"FRIENDLY?! He looked at her with desire!"

"He smiled, Matteo. That's all."

Matteo clutched his chest. "I must protect her!"

"From what?"

"From everyone!"

Chima shook her head. "Matteo, you need to calm down."

"I CANNOT CALM DOWN! I LOVE HER!"

***

Campus Cafe - Evening

Naila was sitting with her friends when Matteo walked in. He looked upset.

"Naila! I need to talk to you!"

Naila looked up. "What's wrong?"

"I saw you talking to a boy today!"

"A boy?"

"Yes! A tall boy! With glasses!"

"That's my study partner, Matteo."

"STUDY PARTNER?! But he was leaning too close!"

"He was showing me notes."

"NOTES?!" Matteo's voice cracked. "He was showing you more than notes! He was showing you... feelings!"

Naila blinked. "What?"

"I SAW IT! IN HIS EYES!"

"Matteo, you're overreacting."

"I'm not overreacting! I'm PROTECTING our love!"

"Our love is fine! You don't need to protect it!"

"But what if someone tries to steal you away?!"

"No one's trying to steal me away!"

"How do you know?!"

"Because I'm not that interesting!"

"YOU ARE THE MOST INTERESTING PERSON IN THE WORLD!"

Naila stared at him. "Matteo... you need to relax."

"I CAN'T RELAX! I LOVE YOU TOO MUCH!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypuIEucE82

Chima stepped in. "Okay, Matteo. We need to talk."

Matteo looked at her. "About what?"

"About your possessiveness."

"I'm not possessive! I'm devoted!"

"There's a difference."

"Is there?"

"Yes! Devoted is healthy. And possessive is not."

Matteo looked confused. "But I just want to protect her!"

"From what?"

"From... everyone!"

"Everyone doesn't want to hurt her, Matteo. Most people just want to exist."

"But what if someone has bad intentions?!"

"Then you trust Naila to handle it."

Matteo was silent. Then he said, "What if I can't?"

"Then you learn."

Fatimah nodded. "Matteo, you need to give Naila space. She's not going to leave you just because someone looks at her."

"But I love her so much!"

"Love doesn't mean controlling."

"But—"

"No buts. You need to trust her."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FN0JoDqn9

Matteo sat down heavily. Then he looked at Naila.

"Am I really too much?"

Naila hesitated. Then she nodded.

"Yes. A little."

Matteo's face fell. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. But you need to back off a little."

"I just... I care so much. I've never felt this way about anyone."

"I know. But that doesn't mean you need to watch my every move."

Matteo was quiet. Then he nodded.

"Okay. I'll try."

"Thank you."

"But I'm still going to walk you to class."

"That's fine."

"And bring you flowers."

"That's also fine."

"And I'm going to—"

"Matteo. One thing at a time."

Matteo smiled. "Okay. One thing at a time."

***

Campus Park - Evening

Naila and Matteo were walking together. He was holding her hand, but he wasn't squeezing too tight.

"I'm sorry," he said again.

"It's okay. I forgive you."

"You are so kind."

"I know."

"I love you."

"I know that too."

Matteo laughed. "You are the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"That's sweet."

"I mean it."

Naila squeezed his hand. "I know you do."

***

Campus - Night

Naila walked home with her friends. Chima was still laughing about the whole thing.

"I can't believe you dated him."

"He's not possessive anymore."

"He's still a little possessive."

"He's working on it."

Fatimah nodded. "That's all we can ask."

Wony smiled. "He loves you. That's clear."

"Too clear sometimes."

"But he loves you."

Naila smiled. "Yeah. He does."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybqoGhG9oN

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