Chapter 3. The Longing That Hurts

Theo

It was past eleven at night when Juliano finally arrived. I was in the kitchen, pondering everything Bianca had told me earlier that day, and ended up baking a cake and making hot chocolate, but it all felt tasteless when I realized I was alone. So, sipping another cup of coffee, I saw him enter the room and startle at my presence.

"Hey," he whispered awkwardly and uneasy.

"I made some cake, do you want some?" I got up and walked towards the counter where the cake and hot chocolate were. His silence bothered me at first, but soon I heard him sigh and drag the chair, finally sitting down.

I finished arranging a slice of cake on a plate and got his favorite mug to serve the hot chocolate, making sure to add two marshmallows to the drink. I turned and placed everything in front of him, then sat down and poured more coffee into my cup.

Juliano stared at the snack in silence, his face showing fatigue and his posture tense. His eyes bega