Sugar, Spice & Secrets

21

The first rays of dawn painting the room in a delicate tapestry of soft hues seeped through the curtains, casting a gentle illumination in the room. The subtle rustle of leaves outside danced with the early morning breeze, creating a symphony that served as a serene backdrop to the waking world.

As I stirred from the depths of slumber, the realization of the day's early start flooded my consciousness — the market awaited. Gently untangling myself from the embrace of the duvet, I tiptoed across the room, careful not to disturb the peaceful air that lingered. The guest room, where Gabriele had spent the night, stood silent, its stillness a testament that he was still asleep.

The soft creak of the door hinges barely echoed as I stepped into the hallway, making my way towards the kitchen to grab a glass of water. As I gulped down the water, the realization that I had a guest in the house lingered in my thoughts. Not just any guest, Gabriele.

Staring out the window and enjoying my water, my mind was still in the hazy transition between sleep and wakefulness, nursing the glass of water in my hands. As I took another sip, the gentle creak of a door signalled Gabriele's presence, and I turned to see him making his way towards me. My eyes couldn't help but trail down his form, taking in the sight of him clad in nothing but sweatpants – a borrowed pair from my father's wardrobe. Shirtless.

Shirtless?

His chest, sculpted and adorned with intricate tattoos that sprawled across his left arm and reached into the expanse of his chest, stole my attention. Caught in a subtle trance, I found myself shamelessly gawking, captivated by the play of light and shadows on his toned physique, drawing my attention like a moth to a flame.

Unable to resist, my gaze dared to trail even further, lingering on the line that disappeared beneath the waistband of his sweatpants. A subtle flush of warmth crept up my cheeks as I realized the audacity of my unintentionally intentional exploration.

The spell was broken as Gabriele greeted me with a casual "Morning." Startled by the unexpected interruption, I took a sip of water, only to cough and sputter as the liquid went down the wrong way.

"Morn—" I coughed again, clearing my throat as I attempted to regain composure. "Morning," I finally managed to respond, my voice betraying my embarrassment.

His casual confidence seemed to only grow as he leaned effortlessly against the doorway, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Water not agreeing with you this morning?"

I chuckled nervously, attempting to divert my gaze from his shirtless form as I nodded in acknowledgement. "Apparently not. It had other plans. Did I disturb your sleep?"

"Not at all. I'm a light sleeper, used to it." His eyes, still heavy with the remnants of sleep, finally met my wandering ones.

"Sorry if I woke you up early," I apologized, feeling a twinge of guilt for potentially disrupting his rest.

He waved off my concern with a reassuring smile. "No need to apologize."

A subtle raspiness lingered in his voice as he continued, his gaze shifting towards the clock on the wall. "Speaking of which," he inquired, crossing his arms across his chest. Oh God! He definitely knew what he was doing. "Why are you up by this time? It's not even yet five."

I cleared my throat, turning around to drop my cup in the sink. "Early bird catches the worm, or in my case, the freshest ingredients at the market. There's a bus to the town where the market is, and it leaves early."

"The market?" He repeated.

I turned around to face him, a half-smile playing on my lips. "Yes, the market. It's a ritual of sorts. It's the best way to ensure we get the freshest produce for the bakery."