Dusk Till Dawn

9

Freya

The clamor of activity had quieted down by breakfast, leaving just Tessa and me in the dining room. The rich smell of coffee and the fresh scent of pastries made for a comforting contrast to the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my mind.

"Morning," Tessa greeted, her voice warm and inviting.

"Morning," I replied, taking a seat at the table. My gaze drifted toward Marco's office, where he was buried in paperwork. I couldn't help but wonder if he ever took a break.

Tessa watched me carefully. "So, how are you adjusting to all of this?" She gestured vaguely at the house, the preparations, and the impending wedding. "Are you okay with everything?"

I sighed, lifting a croissant to my lips. "I don't really have a choice, do I?" I said, trying to keep my tone light but failing to hide the underlying frustration.

Tessa nodded, her expression sympathetic. "I get it. With the wedding getting closer, everyone's been swamped. It feels like things are more chaotic than ever."

As I sipped my coffee, I tried to focus on the conversation, pushing aside my worries. "Tess...with the wedding and everything, My set up with Marco is quite...peculiar....can you tell me how you and Giovanni met?"

A smile brightened Tessa's face. "Oh, that's a fun story. Giovanni and I met at a charity event. I was volunteering, and he was there as a guest. He was charming, of course, but also incredibly persistent. It took him ages to convince me to go on a date with him."

I laughed softly. "Persistent, huh? I guess that's one way to get someone's attention."

"Absolutely," Tessa agreed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "And it worked. We clicked instantly. It's been quite the ride since then."

As we continued chatting, the sound of footsteps approaching interrupted us. Niccolo strolled into the room, his presence immediately commanding attention. His playful demeanor was evident, even if his eyes held a glint of something colder.

"Good morning, ladies," Niccolo greeted, his voice smooth and casual. "Mind if I join you?"

"Of course not," Tessa said, gesturing to an empty seat. "We were just reminiscing about how Giovanni and I met."

Niccolo chuckled as he took his seat. "Ah, the infamous persistence. I remember Giovanni telling me about that. I suppose it's a trait that runs in the family."

I met Niccolo's gaze, trying to read his mood. "And how did you meet Giovanni?"

Niccolo's smile was playful but his eyes remained cool. "Oh, you know. I'm the one who's always getting into trouble. Giovanni just happened to rescue me one day. He's quite the hero, isn't he?"

I smiled back, though I couldn't quite shake the feeling that Niccolo's lighthearted tone had a layer of detachment. "I suppose so. It sounds like you two have quite the story."

Niccolo's gaze lingered on me for a moment longer than necessary before he turned his attention to his breakfast. "We do. But enough about that. How are you adjusting to all the wedding madness?"

I shrugged, not sure how much to reveal. "Just trying to go with what Marco has planned."

Niccolo chuckled again, his expression still playful but with a hint of coldness. "Well, if you need anything, you know where to find me. Or not. I'm usually busy with my own mischief."

I smiled, despite the undercurrent of unease. "Thanks, Niccolo. I'll keep that in mind."

As the conversation flowed, I tried to focus on the present, though my mind kept drifting back to Marco. His absence was a constant reminder of the distance that seemed to define our relationship. But for now, I pushed those thoughts aside and engaged with the people around me, hoping that, in time, things would start to make more sense.