"Yes." Lorenzo's face darkened. "I was so happy at the time, I didn't think twice. Just bought flowers and rushed over."
"But the call I received," my voice began to tremble, "was her inviting me for tea, saying she had a surprise for me..."
Lorenzo's fists clenched tight, veins bulging.
"So..." he gritted his teeth, "she deceived both of us. Made me think you were asking to meet, and made you think I arranged the meeting..."
"Then had Kholod show up at just the right moment." I finished his thought, a chill running down my spine. "Making him think we were..."
"Having a secret affair," Lorenzo growled. "It was all Isabella's trap!"
We stared at each other in silence, feeling only bone-deep cold.
"She was lying to us from the very beginning," I murmured. "From the very beginning..."
"Tara, I'm sorry." Lorenzo was full of guilt. "If I could have stayed calm then, confirmed with you first..."
"It's not your fault."
"Why would she do this?" Lorenzo was bewildered. "Weren't you childhood friends who grew up together?"
"I don't understand either. Maybe jealousy? Maybe ambition? I don't know."
We fell silent for a long time.
"Forget it, let's not talk about that." Lorenzo finally broke the silence. "That's all in the past. Tara, you're safe now. I'll protect you both."
"Thank you, Lorenzo."
"Stop thanking me all the time." He smiled slightly. "We're friends, aren't we?"
"Yes, friends."
He turned to leave, then looked back at the door.
"Tara, get some good rest. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
Days flowed by quietly. Every morning, I carried Leo to the shop to tend to business. At noon, Lorenzo would bring lunch, and in the evening, he'd help me close the shop before we went shopping together. Sometimes we'd share dinner, and afterward he'd play with Leo until night fell deep before saying goodbye.
This simple, warm routine almost made me forget that completely different life I'd once lived.
That day, Lorenzo finally finished fixing the roof. He climbed down the ladder, sweat beading on his forehead. "This should last a long time."
"You worked so hard." I handed him a towel. "Stay for dinner?"
"I'm actually hungry." He wiped his sweat, readily agreeing.
I prepared dinner in the kitchen while sounds of him playing with Leo came from the living room.
"Leo, come on, give me the blocks."
"Ya ya..." Leo clutched the blocks and wouldn't let go.
"Little rascal." Lorenzo laughed. "How about I trade you? This ball for your blocks?"
"Ya!" Seeing the ball, Leo immediately released the blocks and grabbed for the ball.
