His fingers moved daftly on the chessboard, capturing his opponent's pieces very swiftly.
"Checkmate." Giovanni declared, confidently.
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. 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.
Both men walked away, leaving the youngsters to themselves.
Salomé looked intently at Giovanni, whose focus was anywhere but at her. "Well played," she praised.
Giovanni turned, but remained quiet.
"I always thought my dad was a pro at chess. You're quite the strategist, aren't you?" she said.
"I guess."
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 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.
His ears turned red as the memories came rushing back. Without a word, he stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor.
Salomé stared after him, her mouth agape, as he hurried away.
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 as he gazed out the window. "This is going to be a big change for Salomé," he said, a note of concern in his voice.
Dominic nodded, his expression pensive. "I know. But change is exactly what she needs right now." He paused, searching for the right words. "These past few years have been too much."
Marco's eyes met his, a shared weight behind them. "The illness, the divorce, Julia's remarriage... it's a lot for anyone to carry."
They fell into a thoughtful silence.
Then Marco said, his voice edged with unease, "You have to tell her."
Dominic let out a sigh and rubbed his temples. "And say what, exactly?"
Marco shrugged. "What if… what if you don't?"
Dominic frowned. "What are you getting at?"
A faint smile touched Marco's lips. "Giovanni will tell her. Don't worry."