Chapter 3 The Night I Touched a Secret

The hallway was quiet. The whole villa seemed to be asleep.

Verena stood in front of Matt's door, her heart pounding. Slowly, she pushed the door open just a crack and peeked inside.

He was there-lying on the sofa.

Wearing a soft white shirt and long, silky pants, Matt looked peaceful, almost too perfect under the dim golden light of the chandelier. Two bottles of wine rested half-finished on the low table beside him.

She took one silent step inside. Then another.

Her feet made no sound against the smooth marble floor. She walked slowly, carefully, drawn by a strange pull she couldn't explain. Curiosity? Longing? Maybe both.

Standing beside him now, Verena stared at his sleeping face. His features were sharp, but gentle. Those soft, fluttering lashes. The shape of his lips. The way his chest rose and fell with calm breaths.

Without thinking, she reached out.

She touched the tip of his nose. Then traced his eyebrow softly, like she was trying to memorize the shape. Her palm hovered over his cheek, and gently-barely touching-she placed it on his face. Her cheeks turned red from the warmth. From the closeness.

Then, his eyes opened.

"Verena?" His voice was soft but laced with surprise. "What are you doing? Why are you here? Isn't it your bedtime?"

Caught, Verena stepped back slightly, her expression turning disappointed. Her voice trembled.

"Don't you... want to see me too?" she asked, turning away from him.

Matt sighed deeply and sat up slowly. "I always check on you before I sleep. Isn't that enough?"

She glanced back shyly, biting her lip.

"But... you haven't read me a bedtime story since that day... since I got my first period..."

Matt looked at her tenderly. He reached out and gently patted her head, letting his fingers trail from the top of her hair down to her back.

"Is that really the only reason you snuck in here?" he asked quietly.

Her face turned even redder, and as she moved slightly, her cheek brushed against his hand. The touch sent her heart racing.

She stood up quickly, eyes looking anywhere but at him.

"I... I remember what I did to you... in the nurse's room. I kissed you. I'm sorry, Matt."

Before she could finish, Matt spoke, his tone calm.

"It's okay," he said. "I didn't mind. But, Verena... I don't feel the same way you do."

Her eyes welled with tears, one falling silently down her cheek.

"You were my savior... my first love," she whispered brokenly.

Then, without another word, Verena turned and ran out of his room-leaving behind the warmth, the tension, and the confusion that her young heart had yet to understand.