Sugar, Spice & Secrets

31

"Julie!"

As Gabriele followed me into the kitchen, tension hung heavy in the air, palpable and thick with unease. Laura stepped forward, a protective stance taken as she attempted to block his path, her expression stern and unwavering.

"Hey, you can't be here," she stated firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. But before Laura could enforce her demand, Zoe intervened, her hand gently pulling Laura back with a subtle gesture.

"Don't," Zoe whispered, her voice a soft murmur that carried a note of reassurance. With a knowing glance, she gave Gabriele the unspoken permission to follow me, her eyes conveying a silent message of support and understanding.

Gabriele hesitated for a moment, uncertainty flickering in his eyes as he glanced between Zoe and Laura. But as he met my gaze, a silent plea for acceptance shone in his eyes, and with a nod of gratitude to Zoe, he stepped forward to follow me.

"Why are you ignoring me?" Gabriele's towering presence loomed over me, making it impossible to pretend he wasn't there. I continued to busy myself with the dough I was kneading, avoiding eye contact, hoping he would take the hint and leave.

But Gabriele was persistent. His voice broke through my silent resolve, and I could feel the weight of his gaze on me. He knew I was ignoring him, and he wasn't about to let me off the hook, especially since I'd snapped at him outside.

"Julie," he said again, this time more gently, as if attempting to break down my emotional barriers.

Silence.

"Julie–!"

I paused in my kneading and finally turned to face him. "Why are you here, Gabriele?"

He met my gaze again and his expression was a mix of confusion and hesitation. "What?"

I shook my head, a mixture of frustration and sadness coursing through me. "You know what you're doing, Gabriele. The things you said about Caleb. The doubts you planted in my mind. Did you come here to gloat about the fact that you were right?"

Gabriele's brows furrowed, and he looked genuinely puzzled. "What are you saying?"

"He cheated on me! He was cheating on me with the blonde haired woman like you said! You're right! I walked in on him... in between her legs." For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words, his gaze searching mine for understanding.

And then, as the gravity of the situation dawned on him, a look of realization crossed his features. "Is that what you think this is? That I came here to gloat?"

I tried to steady my breathing as I struggled for words. "I don't know what to believe anymore," I trailed off, unable to articulate the painful truth that hung between us like a heavy cloud. "One minute you're telling me that you like me and the next, you're riding up the elevator with another woman in your arms. Now my boyfriend... he... he is sleeping with another woman! I–"

"Julie, Ju!" As Gabriele's hands wrapped around my neck, his touch sending a shiver down my spine, I couldn't help but feel a surge of conflicting emotions coursing through me. "Breathe."

My breath caught in my throat as his gaze locked onto mine, his eyes probing and intense, as if searching for answers hidden deep within the recesses of my soul.

"Breathe," he urged, his voice a soft whisper that cut through the chaos of my racing thoughts. With a conscious effort, I forced myself to inhale deeply, the cool rush of air filling my lungs as I focused on the way his eyes tracked my every move.