After a few days of seeing Luca only twice, and barely exchanging more than a handful of words each time, I decided I couldn't take it anymore. I needed to do something—anything—to fill the quiet that seemed to suffocate me in this massive, empty house. So, when Monica came by to clean up, I asked her if she could give me a proper tour of the estate. I didn’t want to wander around aimlessly again and get lost for the hundredth time. She agreed with a kind smile, and I felt a small flicker of excitement for the first time in days.
After having pasta for lunch—again—I skipped down the stairs, feeling a little lighter. The repetitive meals had become something of a comfort. At least it was something I knew how to make.
I really need to start broadening my cooking horizon. Maybe macaroni and
