Enamored by Italians

Chapter 3 - The Kitchen Fairies

This chapter is from Diego's POV.
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Those eyes. The blue orbs that look back into mine. I was enchanted by them, magically pulled into an azure blue sea, whenever we locked eyes.
She was a magical girl, and as I saw, my friends knew that. They were just as determined as I was. Determined to win her heart and her love. The question was: who would he the one to win her over? I wanted the answer to be me. My name. I wanted to be the one who makes her laugh, who makes her smile.
"You're staring again, dude." Francesco snapped me out of the trance, flicking my forehead.
"Ow!" I yelped, hitting his chest lightly. "Fucking idiot."
"Says you." Daniel chimed in, muching on cocoa flawored cookies.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked, standing up from the couch.
"You're the idiot here, not us." Both of them said at the same time.
"Why am I an idiot?"
"It's obvious you're attracted to her."
I knew it was pointless to deny the obvious, but instinctively, I still did.
"To who?" I asked, playing dumb.
"Marie. Who else?" Daniel asked.
I sighed loudly, walking to the kitchen. I leaned against the counter, my thoughts occupied by her. She wasn't leaving my mind for a single moment. It was like she made my mind her own.
I grabbed a glass of water, drinking it all the way out. I was about to head to my room, when someone knocked on the door. To my surprise, when I opened the door, Marie was standing in there, holding a basket of ingredients.
"Hi." She said innocently, without any idea that she couldn't leave my mind.
"Uh, hey." I stammered a bit, my voice trembling, but gaining a bit of confidence after she smiled.
"The stove broke in our apartment, and I was kind of wondering... would you let me use yours?"
I felt my heart stop for a moment. Was she serious?
"Oh, of course. Come inside." I stood aside, letting her inside the messy apartment.
She stepped inside, silently inspecting the warzone she walked into.
"Don't mind the mess, it's not always like this, believe me..." I said, my voice wavering a bit.
"This place could use a maid."
I laughed awkwardly.
"Well, we aren't famous for being neat."
"I can see that. But I don't mind. Nia's like this too. She can't keep the mess away." Marie said with a smile, and I felt my heart flutter at the sight.
She walked to the kitchen, and put the basket down, while straightening her apron. She looked beautiful wearing an apron. That wasn't new though; she looked gorgeous in everything.
I was about to speak, when Daniel barged into the kitchen, and scared the hell out of me.
"Hey, Marie! What's up, girl?" He said loudly.
"Jesus, Dan! You scared the shit out of me!" I raised my voice.
"Chill out, bro! I'm just messing with you." Daniel laughed, and put his hand on Marie's back. I wished I could just beat him into pulp right there.
"I'll leave you two at it." I said quietly, and walked inside my room.
I plopped down on my bed, laying flat out. I stared at the ceiling, and my thoughts started whirling. What's going on with me? Why am I jealous? I didn't really understand what was my problem. I literally had no right to get jealous and possessive over her, but... God, the way he puts his hand on her back... and she didn't say anything, it seemed like she was enjoying his touch. That got me even more upset, because she was enjoying someone else's touch. It was like she was playing maddening games with me, making me think that she's into me, when she's actually not. I looked out my door, and saw Daniel and Riri still standing there, laughing and joking with each other. A fresh wave of jealousy washed over me. I was supposed to be with her, not my best friend. My hands should've been on her body, not his.
"Hey, Diego?" Marie talked to me from my door, while she was still holding the kitchen knife.
"Woah, easy there." I spluttered, my eyes glued to the knife. "Are you planning on using that?" I asked, pointing to her hand.
Her eyes followed my finger, and she let out a bark of laughter.
"No, dummy." She continued laughing.
"Thank God. I thought you wanted to filet my body or something."
"I'd never filet your body. Never, ever." Her gaze softened as our eyes met, and I instantly forgot how angry I was at her for being with Daniel.
"For the record, I wouldn't filet you either." I said, as I stepped closer. Her breath hitched slightly, and every doubt left my body. She wanted this too.
"Good to know." Her lips went dru from breathing heavily. She looked heaven-sent.
I stepped even closer, close enough to feel the heat of her body through my clothes. I tucked a stray strand of hair behind her rear, and in reaction to my touch, her face went red. A chuckle escaped my lips; she was definitely adorable with a blush on her cheeks.
"Can I ask you a question?" She asked innocently.
"Anytime."
"Could you teach me your Chinese pasta recipe? 'Cause the past 10 minutes I spemt in Daniel's company, he ranted about your Chinese pasta. He said it tastes like pure heaven." Riri looked at me with her sky-blue eyes, which were shining brightly with a hint of curiosity, and in that moment, I knew that she and my buddy weren't getting close for intimate purposes.
"I'd love to." I answered "Let's go to the kitchen."
She smiled, took my hand and pulled me inside the kitchen.
"So?" She sat on the countertop, wearing a blue and white sundress. "Teach me, Master."
I gulped at the undeniably beautiful sight.
"Let's grab the ingredients." I reached for my apron, before tying it tightly around my waist.