Tangled in the Mafia’s Web

Episode Forty-three

Leandro's eyes traveled over the meticulously arranged table, his lips forming a barely perceptible smile. The candles flickered, casting a warm glow on the room, creating an intimate ambiance. He couldn't help but be captivated by Ginevra's effort and attention to detail.

"You've put in quite an effort, Ginevra," Leandro remarked, his voice filled with admiration as his eyes darted over to her. "This is exquisite."

Ginevra blushed at his words, feeling a mix of pride and nervousness. "Thank you," she replied, her voice laced with sincerity. "I wanted to create something special and not the scrambled meal like the last time."

A brief ghost smile tugs on Leandro's lips, his eyes never leaving her. "And special it is," he murmured, his voice husky with genuine appreciation.

And as Ginevra's hazel eyes darted to his, Leandro silently held it in his. Leandro's gaze held a mixture of desire and restraint, while Ginevra's eyes shimmered with a blend of curiosity and a hint of vulnerability, and somehow he was drawn to her lips which were nicely smeared with a friendly shade of pink, almost looking like they were her bare lips.

But then, his voice broke the silence, his tone gentle yet filled with authority. "Shall I pour you a glass of wine?" he offered, picking up the bottles before him.

Ginevra nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I would love that," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Leandro expertly poured the ruby liquid into a wine glass. He handed it to Ginevra, their fingers brushing briefly, sending a jolt of electricity through her, and she couldn't deny the fact that she wanted him.

While Ginevra took a sip, Leandro's eyes never wavered from her face. The taste of the wine lingered on her lips as she watched him closely. He reached for a plate, elegantly serving himself a portion of the pasta with the zesty sauce she had prepared.

Leandro savored the flavors, a look of satisfaction crossing his face. His gaze shifted to Ginevra, watching her with a mixture of admiration and intensity. "You have truly outdone yourself," he complimented, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.

Ginevra's cheeks flushed with delight at his praise. She took a bite of her own pasta, relishing the combination of flavors.

Leandro leaned back in his chair, his gaze locking with Ginevra's, calm, yet his eyes filled with a mix of secret and intensity, something she may want to hear, but still she was scared of what it may be.

He took a sip of his wine, savoring the taste as his mind danced with hidden thoughts. A soft chuckle escaped his lips, catching Ginevra's attention, the mild sound filling the room and mingling with the flickering candlelight.

Ginevra raised an eyebrow and tilted her head inquisitively. "What's so amusing?" she asked, her voice tinged with a playful challenge.

Leandro's smirk grew, the corners of his lips curling with mischief. "Oh, it's nothing," he replied cryptically, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

Ginevra leaned forward, placing her cutlery on the table, her gaze fixed on him. "Come on now, there must be a reason behind that laugh, Mr. Vinci." she insisted, her tone laced with curiosity.

But then, something shifted in Leandro’s gaze as he held hers, his eyes revealing a hint of vulnerability beneath his composed exterior. "To many, I am Vinci," he began, his voice low and velvety, "but to you, I'm Leandro. Do not call me Vinvi again. Okay?"

His voice came ever so gently—dominant. There was something intimate in the way he spoke it as if he was unraveling a secret connection between them. And Ginevra found herself suddenly held in a desire that goes against her duty, such that a part of her wanted to tell Leandro her actual name, perhaps to hear the way they would come off his lips, or maybe it was just the guilt of her secrets.

She nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Alright...Leandro."

It wasn't the first time she would call him by the name, but this time, it seems to sound right in her mouth. Like, it was always meant for her to say it without having the fear of him.

Leandro couldn't tear his eyes away from Ginevra's captivating face as the name poured out of her lips. His gaze seemed to delve deep into the very core of her being. Leaning back in his chair, he savored a sip of his wine before finally responding to her question.

"I just find the way you were focused amusing," he admitted, a hint of amusement in his voice. “It's beautiful to watch."

Though his words carried a neutral tone, Ginevra felt an entirely different undercurrent. If Leandro continued in this manner, she feared she might lose control and succumb to the irresistible pull he exerted on her.

However, just as the tension between them reached its zenith, the doorbell broke the spell. Leandro raised an eyebrow at the sudden bell, but an unspoken relief passed Ginevra. It was a welcome interruption, momentarily dispersing the building tension in her heart.

“I'll go check the door," she whispered, rising from her seat. Leandro's gaze followed her as she gracefully retreated from the table and made her way towards the entrance. His eyes lingered on her figure before reluctantly returning to the table.

Ginevra swung open the door to find a young delivery man standing there, clutching a bag of wines.

"Good evening," he greeted, offering her the package.

"Oh, finally," she exclaimed, gratefully accepting the delivery. Though not like it is of any use now. After a quick inspection, she thanked the young man, who bid her farewell and departed.

Ginevra carried the package into her apartment and placed it on the kitchen counter before returning to the table.

Meeting Leandro's gaze as she settled back into her seat, she couldn't help but offer a mild smile. "I had ordered some wines earlier," she informed him.

“Then, bravo I did come with some, I might not have been patient enough to have waited,” he remarked, a twinkle in his eye.

Ginevra chuckled. “How thoughtful of you.”

And then, Leandro seized the opportunity to shift the conversation. "How was your lecture today?" he inquired, genuinely interested.

Ginevra blinked, momentarily taken aback by the sudden change in topic. "Oh, um, the usual," she stammered, trying to gather her thoughts. "Nothing extraordinary happened."

Ginevra's fingers grazed the cutlery on the table as her curiosity burned within her. Leandro had mentioned that something had come up, and she couldn't help but wonder if it was something grave. Her eyes darted fleetingly towards him, "You did say something came up, what was it? Something serious?" She asked briefly darting her eyes at him.

Leandro's gaze met hers, a glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes. He leaned back, his voice laced with a hint of nonchalance. "No, not serious," he replied, his tone casual yet tinged with intrigue. "Just a call from an old friend."

Ginevra narrowed her gaze, watching him intently as she savored a small bite of pasta. "Must be something important," she mused, her curiosity piqued.

Leandro nodded in agreement, “Yeah," He muttered but before he could delve further into the topic, his cellphone buzzed insistently in his pocket.

With a swift movement, he retrieved it, silencing the device and tucking it away once more. "Apologies for the interruption," he offered politely, a half-smile gracing his lips. Ginevra returned the smile.

“It's alright," she reassured him, her attention now fixated on the delectable array of desserts laid out before them. "You should definitely try the sorbet," she urged, her eyes glimmering with anticipation.

Leandro's gaze shifted from her to the assortment of desserts, considering her suggestion. Slowly, he reached out, delicately selecting a tempting portion onto a smaller plate. With his spoon, he scooped up a generous serving, showcasing his appreciation for the dessert's aesthetics.

Ginevra observed him intently, her eyes never leaving his face, as she eagerly awaited his verdict on the tantalizing sorbet.

Leandro's eyes met Ginevra's, and a satisfied smile tugged at the corners of his lips. With a hint of delight in his voice, he praised, "I like it.” he admitted. “It's refreshing and perfectly balanced."

His words conveyed genuine admiration for the dessert. Inspired by his praise, Ginevra's own smile widened, reflecting her pleasure in his enjoyment. "I'm thrilled you like it," she replied, her voice filled with warmth. "Please, have another scoop if you'd like."

Leandro accepted the invitation with a grateful nod, savoring the opportunity to indulge in another serving. He expertly scooped up another generous portion of the sorbet, and Ginevra just watched him.

And then, Leandro extended a few in a plate toward Ginevra, his eyes filled with a silent invitation. Ginevra's face lit up, accepting the plate with a grateful "Thank you"

A distinct notification sound chimed through the air, and Leandro brought out his phone once again, though the device he retrieved seemed different from the one before, its screen briefly capturing his attention before he carelessly dropped it onto the table.

Ginevra couldn't help but notice the shift in his demeanor. Concern etched her features as she leaned forward, her voice laced with worry. "Is everything alright?" she inquired, her gaze fixed on Leandro's slightly troubled expression.

He shook his head, trying to dismiss any concerns. "No, it's nothing," he assured her, though his eyes betrayed a hint of unease. There was something he didn't want to divulge just yet.

After a moment of silence, Leandro requested a brief respite. "Would you mind if I use your washroom?" he asked, seeking a moment of solitude to collect his thoughts.

Ginevra nodded understandingly, offering him a reassuring smile. "Of course," she pointed out, indicating the direction he should take, even though Leandro was used to the apartment.

With a grateful nod, Leandro excused himself and made his way to the washroom, leaving Ginevra alone at the table, her mind still occupied with unanswered questions.

Taking a few bites from the delectable desserts, Ginevra attempted to distract herself. However, another notification disrupted the tranquility, emanating from the phone Leandro had left behind on the table. Her curiosity piqued, but more than that she wanted to find out if it was relating to what she needed.

Cautiously she picked it up, her eyes darting toward the entrance of her bedroom, as if expecting an intruder.

With a mixture of apprehension and curiosity, she scanned through the message that had appeared on Leandro's screen, hoping to find some answers or clues and immediately she set it down when she heard the faint footsteps of Leandro retreating.