Sugar, Spice & Secrets

33

I leaned forward, my curiosity piqued as I listened intently to Gabriele's recounting of his family dynamics. We were still seated at the kitchen table, the remnants of our meal scattered before us as we delved into deeper conversation.

Gabriele nodded in response to my question, his expression growing somber as he spoke. "Yeah, it's just me, my older—Letizia and younger sister—Martini whom you've met," he confirmed, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. "But our relationship... it's complicated."

I frowned, sensing the weight of unresolved tension lingering in the air. "Complicated how?" I prodded gently, careful not to pry too much but genuinely interested in understanding his past.

Gabriele sighed, running a hand over his head as he struggled to find the right words. "We've never really seen eye to eye. Letizia and I, I mean," he admitted, his gaze distant as he recounted the tumultuous history between him and his sister. "We're like oil and water, always clashing over everything."

"That must be tough," I murmured sympathetically.

Gabriele nodded, a wistful smile flickering across his lips. "Yeah, but I've learned to accept it for what it is."

"I'm sorry," I offered softly, my words filled with genuine empathy as I squeezed his arm gently. "I can't imagine how difficult that must be for you."

Gabriele met my gaze, a hint of gratitude shining in his eyes even though he raised his brow in a playful manner. "You're an only child, so you must feel lucky everyday."

"Oh please," I rolled my eyes. "It's suffocating having to be the sole receiver of my parents' endearment."

Gabriele chuckled, the sound warm and melodic as he leaned back in his chair, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "I suppose the grass is always greener on the other side," he remarked, his tone light despite the underlying seriousness of our conversation. "But hey, at least you don't have to deal with sibling rivalry."

I couldn't help but laugh at his comment, the tension easing from my shoulders as we shared a moment of lighthearted banter. "True," I conceded with a smile. "But tell me, what does this sister of yours do to scare the big bad Gabriele?"

"You think I'm big and bad?" I glanced at him over my shoulder to see him crossing his arms across his chest.

"Well, aren't you?" I teased, turning to face him fully, a playful twinkle in my eyes as I teased, "You certainly have a way of making people think twice before crossing you."

Gabriele's lips curled into a smirk, a hint of mischief glinting in his gaze. "I'll take that as a compliment," he replied, his voice low and husky as he leaned forward slightly, shortening the distance between us.

"So, about your sister, Letizia," I prompted, eager to hear more about the enigmatic figure who seemed to hold a significant place in Gabriele's life.

Gabriele's expression softened, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features before he shrugged casually. "She's... complicated," he admitted, his tone tinged with a hint of regret. "We've had our differences over the years, but at the end of the day, she's family."

"I see you don't want to talk about her," I chuckled awkwardly, getting out of the seat and walking towards the refrigerator.

"It's not–"

"Don't do that," I interjected. "You don't want to talk about her and that's fine. We can talk about something else," Still keeping my back to him, I opened the refrigerator and pulled out my tub of ice cream.

I tried racking my head for whatever he could've talked about with Avery but the harder I thought, the more jealousy seemed to rise to my throat.

"What kind of ice cream do you like?" I asked, now taking a seat opposite him, instead of the seat that was beside him.