I blinked, realizing that I was trapped in my thoughts again. “Yes! It’s been so long since I’ve had one. That would be amazing.”
He turned towards the espresso machine in the corner of the kitchen, while I stared out the window. I was going to be out there soon. The sun was shining, dipping in and out of fluffy white clouds. There was a slight breeze entering through the open window and I breathed in the fresh air, enjoying the scent of dew along the grass. The humidity had all but disappeared, and I figured it must have rained the night before. Not that I would know for sure—I had no access to a window down in my cell.
He began by taking out the coffee from the cupboard above him and began to place it in the portafilter, making sure that the measurement was perfect. He held it above the coffee can and scraped off a little from the top. Of course, he would be intense about his espresso. I wondered if he was being so particular about every detail in order to make sure that I liked it. It was a strange way to try to impress someone.
He grabbed a white espresso cup from a holder next to the coffeemaker and turned the machine on. It was loud as it started and I could hear the water being pumped into it as it whirred, causing the entire gray marble countertop to vibrate.
“You make a lot of espressos?”
He leaned back against the countertop and crossed his arms. “Not really. Mainly for myself.”
“Are you always so precise?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Oh, do you think I’m trying to impress you or something?”
“I don’t know. Do you think I would suggest such a thing?”
Marcello pushed himself from the countertop and approached me. I had to look up at him to make eye contact. He brought his hand to my shoulder, and I enjoyed how warm his touch was. The plaid material scrunched between his fingers as he lowered his lips to mine. It was a quick, light kiss that I wanted to last longer.
“Maybe I am. We’ll see once you try it.”
He messed my hair and turned back towards the coffeemaker, which was nearly finished.
“Do you take sugar in your coffee?” he asked, his back still towards me as he reached for the sugar tin next to the espresso cup holder.
“Yeah. Just one teaspoon.”
He used the scoop in the sugar tin and took the small cup from the machine. He grabbed the cup and held it out to me. I could smell it from where I stood, and it made my mouth water. Neither the grunts nor Marcello, ever thought of bringing me coffee in the morning. It had been months since I’d had any caffeine, and I was excited to have it again. Like a drug, my body was craving it.
I took the small mug from his hand and inhaled deeply, enjoying the scent of strong coffee. It reminded me of home, and those mornings when Alessandra, Lucia and I would sit around and enjoy our coffees out on the patio. It held with it memories of times that were now gone, and would never return.
I sipped it slowly, savoring the bitter taste, which became sweeter the more I drank. It was hot against my tongue and burned it’s way down my throat.
“You’ve finished already?”
I lifted my eyes and lowered the small espresso mug. “I should have drunk it slower, but I couldn’t help myself. It had been so long.”
“I didn’t even know you liked coffee that much,” he said and sighed. “I’ll be sure to have coffee sent down every morning for you. I wish you’d told me sooner.”
It was strange. Did he not realize that I was his prisoner? He sounded like he was my boyfriend, but it was nothing like that. I was in a cell in his basement. It was too normal, and he’d said it too casually.
“Let’s go outside. I really want to see that pond now.”
“I’ll go get you some shoes.”
I shook my head. “I don’t need shoes. I want to walk around barefoot.”
“Seriously?”
I didn’t know how to answer him. I didn’t want to come across as being rude, but he was being ridiculous. Did he not consider the fact that I’d been locked in a cell for the past few months? I hadn’t been in sunlight in so long, I’d almost forgotten how it felt.
“Well, I haven’t been outside in a while,” I said, watching his expression carefully, just to make sure I didn’t come across as overly rude. “So I want to walk outside without shoes. Feel the grass under my feet. That kind of thing.”
He shrugged. “All right. It’s a little weird, but that’s fine. There’s actually something I want to show you out there.”
“Is it the pond?”
“How did you know?”
