Chapter Four: Threads of the Past
1227 Words
The air in Cinque Aria carried a golden hue as the days turned warmer. Sophie felt as if she were falling into a rhythm she hadn’t realized she needed. Mornings began with the song of birds outside her window, afternoons were filled with wandering the streets or diving into the village’s history, and evenings often ended with thoughts of Luca.
She had never been one to linger on someone this way, but there was something about him—his calm confidence, his connection to this land, the way his laughter seemed to echo long after he’d left. She didn’t even know how to categorize what she felt, but she was acutely aware of it.
Sophie stepped out of the villa with her camera, a habit she had picked up since arriving in Cinque Aria. The cobblestone streets, the vibrant colors of laundry fluttering from balconies, the laughter of children—all begged to be captured.
Today, her feet carried her back to the vineyard, where a familiar figure was waiting.
---
Luca was leaning against a wooden fence, his sleeves rolled up, exposing his tanned forearms. He looked effortlessly at ease, yet there was a focus in his eyes as he scanned the vineyard.
“Do you ever take a day off?” Sophie called out, her voice carrying on the breeze.
Luca turned, his expression softening when he saw her. “And miss all of this?” He gestured to the vines stretching across the hills. “Never.”
She walked closer, tilting her head. “Is it dedication or obsession?”
“Both, probably,” he admitted with a grin. “But I could ask you the same thing. You’ve been here almost every day. Should I be flattered?”
Sophie rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t hide her smile. “Maybe I just like the view.”
Luca’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, making her stomach flip. “The view’s not bad from here, either.”
The teasing undertone in his voice sent a flush to Sophie’s cheeks, and she quickly turned her attention to her camera.
---
The next few hours passed in a blur of sunlight and laughter. Luca showed Sophie how to tell when the grapes were ready for harvest, his voice steady as he explained the intricate process of winemaking.
“It’s all about balance,” he said, holding up a cluster of grapes. “Too soon, and the wine lacks depth. Too late, and it’s overly sweet.”
Sophie nodded, though her attention was divided. Luca’s hands were strong yet gentle as he worked, and she found herself wondering what it would feel like if he touched her the same way.
Shaking the thought away, she raised her camera. “Mind if I take a picture?”
“Of me?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course,” she said, grinning. “You’re part of the vineyard, after all.”
Luca rolled his eyes but didn’t object. He leaned casually against a row of vines, his expression thoughtful as he gazed into the distance. Sophie snapped the photo, knowing it would be one of her favorites.
---
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, they found themselves sitting under the same fig tree as before. This time, the air between them felt heavier, charged with something unspoken.
“You’re different,” Luca said suddenly, breaking the silence.
Sophie blinked. “What do you mean?”
“You don’t just see this place,” he said, gesturing to the vineyard and the hills beyond. “You feel it. Most people come here to escape, but you… it’s like you’re searching for something.”
His words hit closer to home than Sophie cared to admit. She looked down at her hands, fidgeting with the strap of her camera. “Maybe I am,” she said softly.
Luca didn’t press her, but his gaze remained steady. “Whatever it is, I hope you find it.”
The sincerity in his voice made Sophie’s throat tighten. She nodded, unable to find the words to respond.
---
That evening, Sophie decided to explore a part of the village she hadn’t yet visited. The narrow streets wound uphill, leading to a small chapel perched at the edge of a cliff.
Inside, the air was cool and still. Candles flickered on a stone altar, their flames reflecting off the stained-glass windows. Sophie wandered among the pews, her footsteps echoing in the empty space.
A soft voice broke the silence. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
Sophie turned to see an older man standing near the doorway, his hands clasped in front of him.
“Yes,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The man nodded, his eyes distant. “This chapel has seen many prayers, many tears. People come here looking for answers, for peace.”
Sophie hesitated. “Do they find it?”
The man’s smile was faint. “Sometimes. But peace often comes from within, not from above.”
His words stayed with her as she left the chapel, the stars beginning to appear in the darkening sky.
---
The following days passed in a blur of activity. Sophie spent more time at the vineyard, helping Luca and his team with small tasks. She learned to tell the difference between grape varieties, to appreciate the subtle art of pruning.
Each evening ended with them sitting under the fig tree, their conversations growing deeper. Luca shared stories of his father, his dreams for the vineyard. Sophie found herself opening up about her own life—her struggles, her fears.
One night, as they sat in companionable silence, Luca turned to her. “You know, you’re not what I expected.”
Sophie raised an eyebrow. “What did you expect?”
“Someone… different,” he said, his lips quirking into a half-smile. “Most people don’t care about this place the way you do.”
Sophie felt her chest tighten. “Maybe that’s because most people don’t see it the way you do.”
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
But then Luca looked away, his expression guarded. “It’s getting late. I should walk you back.”
Sophie didn’t argue, though she couldn’t shake the feeling that something between them had shifted.
---
As they reached the villa, Luca hesitated at the gate. “Sophie…”
She turned, her heart pounding. “Yes?”
He seemed to struggle for a moment, his gaze searching hers. But then he shook his head, his usual easy smile returning. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” she said, her voice softer than she intended.
As she watched him walk away, Sophie felt a strange mix of longing and frustration. She didn’t know what was holding him back, but she was determined to find out.
Little did she know, Luca was feeling the same turmoil.
As he returned to the vineyard, he couldn’t shake the image of Sophie—the way her laughter seemed to brighten even the darkest corners of his mind, the way she saw the world with such vivid curiosity.
But he also couldn’t ignore the shadows of his past, the weight of his responsibilities. Sophie was a light he wasn’t sure he deserved, but he couldn’t bring himself to stay away.
- Writer
