Page 20 of Matteo

We pause, both turned away, like neither of us is quite ready to walk off. For a second it feels like I should say something more, ask for her number, or do something to keep this moment from ending.

But then Rio’s words from last night cut back in like a knife, slicing through the cosiness of what we just shared while being trapped.

Word is the old man’s been asking questions he shouldn’t be asking. Something about the tech glitches we’ve been having. Thought that was your domain, dude?

It is my fucking domain. And then I feel it again, the pressure that returns instantly. The easy feeling I had with Elizabeth slides away as stress pours back into my body, like cement, leaving me rigid and stuck.

Whatever this was between us vanishes. The special moment, the quiet connection, it's gone.

I don’t look at her again. I just turn away, fists curling as I walk off, the frustration already building under my skin.

***

ELIZABETH

I watch Matteo go, and feel profoundly confused.

From the second I stepped into this elevator it felt like we were meant to meet. This guy, this stranger who now feels like anything but a stranger, was holding my hand just a few moments ago, and it felt perfect. Like the most natural thing in the world, him comforting me. His eyes filled with tenderness and, amidst the sound of the elevator whirring and being trapped, the world outside faded into the background. I didn't feel anxious anymore. He calmed me down with the way he stroked my wrist, turning my insides light and giddy.

It’s the last thing I expected because I barely know him and I don’t trust many people, let alone strangers. I even opened up to him about my childhood, and that’s something I never do.

But he was different.

He had this assuredness about him. It’s something I’m working on. I’m brilliant at what I do, that’s why I’m here today, but I still don’t have the absolute confidence, the solid belief that things are going to be okay, because for me, things weren’t okay. Not for a long time.

Now I have a chance to finally put my life on a better footing.

When he told me that he looks for the positive in everything, my stomach flipped. His words were profound, and I love his world view.

But I'm also curious because his tattoos hint at a story of pain, and I wish we’d had more time to talk. I wish he’d give me something.

Anything.

He’s a closed book and now I've lost the opportunity to dig deeper.

My pulse is still pounding, my heart is racing, and I feel out of sorts.

None of these feelings are to do with the presentation I’m now late for. I feel a twinge of regret that we didn’t exchange numbers or anything, but I know his name, and I know where he works, and if I get this job we might run into each other again.

There was something between us. Something nebulous, and invisible but definitely there. Something as solid and as steady as the beating of my heart.

I glance at my watch, discover that I’m now almost half an hour late. And I’m on the wrong floor, but I quickly head towards the washroom here. First impressions count and I’m not feeling as put together as I need to be.

I check myself in the mirror. Flushed cheeks and shiny eyes stare back at me. I smooth my hair down, and catch the lighter dyed ends. I should have done a better job of dying my hair. I take out my nose ring, something I should have done before I left this morning.

He noticed these things.

Matteo.

I like his name. Interesting and different, just like him.

I shake my head, trying to snap my thoughts away from him. I have to focus. This is important. My future’s counting on this. I’m about to make what could be one of the most important presentations of my new career. Not wanting to risk taking the elevator again, I quickly climb the stairs and head towards the reception desk. It’s the same receptionist I met the last time when I came for the first and second interviews. This is the final one. Talk about putting me through my paces.

You can do this, I tell myself.

Of all the projects I’ve had, of all the clients I’ve needed to impress ever since I set up my own cybersecurity company, this is the one I want the most.

“Hi there.” I flash a smile at the receptionist. “I’m here to see Paul Knight again. Sorry I’m late, but there was a problem with the elevator.”