Chapter 46: The Pause

Orely

Oh my goodness! What a wonderful place! I feel so at home here, just like in my own garden, except it is huge. Ah, I have to admit, he is really sweet to me, but I won't do him the favor of telling him. As I hurriedly got out of the car because of the flowers, I could not help but notice that he pouted, furrowing his brows. Moreover, he almost tried to seduce me with his playful flirting game in the car, his cheeky charm evident in every word! Always so cheeky and jealous of a bag of dulce de leche candies, how ridiculous! Unexpectedly, as I turned, our eyes met, and I immediately understood that he was looking at me long enough for him to turn away, embarrassed.

I can't understand how, with him, there is always something unpredictable, sometimes he irritates me and sometimes he relaxes me. It is crazy how he can be like a chameleon that changes colors all the time. On one hand, I appreciate him, he can be adorable when he wants to. He always tries to please me, but why? I have to admit, when I am near him, I get butterflies in my stomach. I never thought I would say this one day, but I find myself with a mafioso, who is supposed to be a dangerous guy who might want to kill me for pleasure, but on the contrary, I’m with a man who tries to take care of me, to protect me.

He is nothing like the boss of some mafia network. Why so much attention towards me? Why so much kindness? What is so special about me that makes him want to stay by my side? I am still very touched by the fact that he made a workshop identical to mine. Never in my life has someone been so attentive to me. There was Diego, but what I feel for the two of them is completely different, because they each have their own style of caring for me.

“What's on your mind, my pretty?" asks Santiago, snapping me out of my thoughts and making me jump slightly.

"Huh? What is that? Hmm,nothing. I am just fascinated by this natural canvas before my eyes."

"Yeah, stunning, isn't it? Here, it is some fresh lemonade."

I was feeling a bit thirsty, so this came just at the right time.

"Thank you. Hmm, that is very refreshing."

"Yeah, it is pleasantly cool, isn't it?” he says, and I nod.

“I never thought I would find myself in that kind of place like this with you." I began, playing with the glass of lemonade, dripping with water.

"Neither I, it is just that circumstances presented themselves and here we are. And I have to tell you, you are the first one I have ever taken onto my private property."

"No! Seriously, is all this yours?" I exclaimed.

"Oh, the face you are making! Eyes wide open like a cat in front of a cucumber! Yes, that is right, everything is mine." He mocks.

"And why do you compare me with cats?"

"Simply because cats are adorable and intelligent. Unfortunately, I can't have one because I would not have the time to take care of it, and I would not want it to be sad."

"Maybe one day you will be able to have one, but for now, tell yourself it is a bit complicated." I console him, patting his right shoulder lightly.

"You know, I love cats too, and I can't have one either because my mom is allergic to them. And if I bring one home, it is like trying to murder her! Having my mother's death on my conscience, no thank you.”

As soon as I told him this, he laughed heartily.

"Ah Orely, you are the only one who can make me laugh like that, with your way of thinking, brimming with imagination." He shares a slight smile on his lips.

It is almost six o'clock and Santiago invites me inside the lodge, to freshen up and rest a little while until dinner is ready. He warns me that Cecilia is taking care of everything with the cooks, and then they will leave.

Santiago

I set off to meet Orely in front of the country house after fetching glasses of lemonade from the kitchen. Our conversation in the open air was pleasant and she is the only one who manages to make me feel like myself, without pretending. I was very amused by the cat story. She's great, a real stress-reliever!

Tonight's menu is Italian for a change. The ritual is to whet the appetite with antipasti and colorful, chic drinks. Antipasti simply means "before the meal", in other words, the aperitif.

So I opted for the Bellini. It is an alcoholic cocktail made from peach juice, mixed with Prosecco, a must-have Italian sparkling wine, then garnished with a thin slice of peach. Serve chilled! Next, a sunny toast, made with pine nuts, a few fresh basil leaves, sun-dried tomatoes, a touch of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and the star of our taste buds, a slice of cereal bread.

The main course is tagliatelle with salmon and spinach.I stand back to watch one of the cooks preparing the ingredients. He washes the spinach leaves, then drains them. Then he chops a little garlic and cuts the salmon into small pieces. Using a measuring jug, he sets aside a little fresh cream and puts it all in the fridge to cook later. Meanwhile, he prepares the pasta dough and a green salad.

And finally the desert, a milk chocolate and mascarpone ice cream. Nothing better after a seafood dish. Another cook pours milk into a saucepan and lets it boil. Then he crushes some dark chocolate. In a large bowl, he pours the mascarpone and milk, which he whips until smooth. Then he uses an ice-cream maker to set the liquid. This will save him a lot of time as I can see him going off to help others. That's good, a real team spirit, I like it.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to eat all this and I hope Orely will like it too.