His fingers moved daftly on the chessboard, capturing his opponent's pieces very swiftly.
"Checkmate." Giovanni declared, confidently.
Salomé's eyes met Giovanni's for a split second, a spark of admiration flickering in their depths.
Dominic's eyes widened in surprise, realizing what had just happened. He slumped back in his chair, a good-natured groan escaping his lips.
"You're good." Dominic admitted.
Marco closed in on their table, a charismatic smile on his face.
"Of course, he is!" He said, with a hint of pride. "Learnt from the very best."
"Ha! Is that puff I see in your shoulders?" Dominic teased, a playful frown on his face.
"Age hasn't claimed your eyesight yet...that's good." Marco laughed, clapping his friend on the back.
"Indeed, indeed." Dominic chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.
"Bright morning, Mr Rossi." Salomé stood up and curtsied.
"Child, this isn't an office. You can call me Uncle. And quit being so formal."
Salomé giggled. "Of course, uncle Marco."
"Good, good. Now permit me to steal your dad for a moment. You kids get something to eat." Marco instructed before turning to Dominic.
"Come on, amigo." Both men walked away, deep in conversation.
Salomé looked intently at Giovanni, whose focus was anywhere but at her. "Well played," she praised.
Giovanni's turned, his eyes held hers for a moment, then, he looked away, his expression returning to its usual mask of calm.
"I always thought my dad was a pro at chess. You're quite the strategist, aren't you?" She said, amused at how much the boy was trying to keep his calm facade.
Salomé leaned forward, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "I think you might be the first person I've ever seen who can give my dad a run for his money. He's usually unbeatable."
Giovanni's expression became rigid, at how close she was getting. He could feel his heart rate accelerating. "I've had my fair share of practice," he said, trying very hard not to stutter.
A sudden flash of memory seized Giovanni's mind, transporting him back to a long forgotten moment from his childhood.
Behind the slide, in the innocence of childhood, he had shared his first kiss with a bright-eyed six-year-old girl...the same girl who now stared at him like her eyes were determined to see through his soul.
Blood flooded his cheeks as the memories came rushing back. Giovanni's eyes locked onto Salomé's, his gaze burning with a mix of emotions.
Without a word, he stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. Salomé's eyes widened in surprise as he hurried away.
Salomé stared after him, her mouth agape, wondering what had just happened. One moment they were chatting, more like she was chatting, and the next, he was gone.
She slowly got up from her seat, her eyes scanning the empty space where Giovanni had just been. She walked over to the chair he had hastily abandoned, her hand reaching out to touch the backrest.
"What just happened?" she whispered to herself.
*
Marco leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together as he gazed out the window. "This is going to be a new change for Salomé," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of concern.
Dominic nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful. "I know that. But I think change is exactly what she needs at this point of her life." He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing. "There's been too much drama these past few years."
Marco's eyes met Dominic's, and they shared a knowing glance. "Divorce, remarriage...it's been a lot for her to handle," Marco said, his voice softening.
The two men sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Marco spoke up, his voice laced with trepidation. "You have to tell her."
Dominic rubbed his temples, looking frazzled. "What am I even going to say to her?"
Marco's expression turned sly. "What if you don't say anything?"
Dominic's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Marco chuckled. "There's one more person involved in this, remember?"
"You don't mean..."