Desserts & Dramas

Chapter 8

 Obviously, Gabriel was not happy at all. Again. Two dates with the same woman and both times he ended up with a wet shirt.

All week he had been nervous about the annual exams that were scheduled for that morning. He had just left the medical clinic and needed to relieve some of the tension. He decided to stop for coffee at that friendly newsstand, so busy and cheerful, before stopping by the office to review some reports. He had recently moved to the area, to a larger apartment closer to work, and was still exploring the best places around it.

He ordered an espresso to cut through all that anxiety going on in his mind, but realized that he wasn't up for something that strong. He went back to the counter to put some cream in his cup. He had already taken a step away from the counter when he felt a warm liquid on his abdomen. When he looked down, he saw the same reddish brown hair, but very bright green eyes staring at him in pure terror.

"You again."

Sofia wondered if his tone suggested a statement or a question, but nodded to confirm. Something was preventing her tongue from working, she could not answer.

"I see that we have met in similar circumstances. Is it a habit of yours to approach people in this way?"

Gabriel's ironic tone woke Sofia from her numbness and her face quickly turned from paper white to bright red.

"I can assure you that it was not my intention to spill another drink on you." It sounded firm, totally the opposite of what she felt inside.

"Well, apology accepted then."

"I didn't apologize."

"Don't you think you should?" The corner of Gabriel's mouth lifted in a slight smile.

"I should, but since it wasn't intentional, you don't have to be so rude either."

"I'm sure I lost my finesse between the iced wine and the scalding coffee. I will try harder the next time you drop something on me. I hope you find a drink with a temperature not so extreme, please."

Sofia was outraged and didn't know how to respond to such sarcasm. She was never at a loss for words. The best thing was to save what was left of her dignity and get out of there as soon as possible.

"I am sorry for both episodes and I will certainly try not to repeat them. Have a nice day.

Sofia didn't give Gabriel a chance to answer and left for her shop. The sooner she got to the bakery and focused on her work, the sooner she would forget that terrible encounter with that terrible man. However, Gabriel was tall, and with his long legs, he was fast. He shouted and reached out to take her arm.

"Wait."

Sofia turned to him without saying a word.

"I accept your apology, and I am sorry for my reaction." Gabriel was being unfair to her and taking out his tension on someone innocent. He put his best smile on his face, the one that would win any woman over. However, it apparently was not working with Sofia. He tried again.

"Well, you look a little familiar."

"I was at the engagement dinner last night, on the other side of the wine glass, in case you don't remember."

"I'm not talking about this," he checked Sofia's gaze and took more care with his words, "unintentional meeting."

Sofia could not believe that he was still joking about the whole situation. She turned again to leave.

"What I mean is that you remind me of someone I know."

"Really? And who would that be? One of your ex-girlfriends?" Sofia scoffed.

"No, I don't think so, you're not exactly my type," explained Gabriel.

"Thanks for the information. See you later. " Gabriel didn't like to forget things, or people, and was making an enormous effort to assimilate this girl to someone else.

"There!" he exclaimed, "You have the same eyes as Alice. Are you related to the bride?"

"Sister." Sofia clarified. Gabriel was unable to hide his surprise.

"Oh."

"What was that "oh"? " Sofia did not like the tone he used, it sounded very much like displeasure.

"We shall see a lot of each other then," he added ironically, "to our mutual happiness."

"And you are?" Sofia waited.

"Gabriel Lanvini, one of the groom's best friends and likely best man at your disposal" He bowed gallantly and took her hand. "Pleased to meet you."

"Unpleased, you mean." Sofia pointed.

"I was trying to be polite. Unlike some people," Gabriel scolded her. He was making a Herculean effort to be nice to the girl, even more so now that he knew she would be part of Tomas's family, but she was not making it easy for him. "You see, I think the best thing to do is to keep our distance. That way the whole marriage will be more tolerable for both of us. Don't you agree?"

Sofia had no way to deny that he was right, but she didn't want to admit it either.

"And also drier" Gabriel could not resist adding with a smile. He was exasperating, and Sofia gave up trying to be civil to him. This time she left without looking back, and he did not follow her.