Episode 6

The morning sun beat directly into his eyes, and the constant hum of planes deeply bothered his ears. Six months had passed since he last gazed upon Italian skies. Adrien gripped the handle of his suitcase tightly and slipped his sunglasses over his eyes. His dark hair had grown a bit and tickled his ears. He inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with the slightly comforting humidity.

"Shall we go?" Cedric, behind him, placed a hand on his back and gestured with his chin to get into the Uber they had called earlier.

"We're going to my grandfather's house; he'll be very happy to see you,"

Adrien said as he fastened his seatbelt. Cedric nodded and put the address in the GPS for directions.

"Get some sleep; you're bound to have jet lag from the time difference. I'll wake you when we get there."

"Alright." Adrien, as he used to do in his adolescence, rested his head on his friend's shoulder and let himself be enveloped by the arms of Morpheus.

He had returned to the country where he lived, once again under the same sky, the same sun, and breathing the same air as the person he loved. Somehow, it was a comfort to his resigned heart.

Despite having resigned himself to the possibility of being loved by Carlo, it still hurt when he thought about it carefully. Fortunately, during that half-year abroad, Cedric had always accompanied him and didn't let him drown too much in the intense thoughts of loss. Although he used to get entangled in internal suffering during the nights, Cedric was always there, lending him his shoulder to lean on and release his sorrows.

However, he knew the process would be much more painful. After years of denial, of convincing himself that Carlo couldn't leave him, Adrien had clung to his own lies and illusions. At that moment, he wasn't sure what stage he was at, had he overcome the anger already? Maybe... he even broke the glassware in his Miami apartment two days ago.

At that time, he had drunk too much, his eyes were moist as he looked at the photographs he had had printed at sixteen inches. It was a torturous image, but it helped him not to keep clinging to Carlo Mancini. Even so, the process of freeing himself from that unrequited love was revealed as a path full of thorns that Adrien was destined to travel sooner or later.

Having gone through those two stages, was he depressed? He didn't know for sure because he still refused to let go, but he was convinced to do so. The internal struggle remained latent, like a shadow clinging to his heart, but Adrien was determined to face it.

"We've arrived, Adrien." Cedric's gentle tap on his shoulder woke him up. He looked to his left and saw his grandfather's beautiful house. The entrance was adorned with a majestic olive tree, with huge branches and a comforting shade. Adrien couldn't help but smile when he saw it; he was finally home, where childhood memories and family ties embraced him with love.

Upon entering, the aroma of Italian food filled his nostrils, awakening memories of happy times. His grandfather had taken the day off and was surely in the kitchen. Despite his advanced age, the man enjoyed cooking, and Adrien, though he hadn't inherited that talent, had inherited a love for good food.

They left their luggage in the hall and headed straight for the kitchen. Grandfather was with his back turned, humming an old romantic song. Adrien approached him from behind and gently touched his shoulder. Upon turning, the old man's smile widened even more.

"Adrien, Cedric, it's so good to have you home." Although Grandfather was aware of how reluctant Adrien could be to show affection in public, he hugged him tightly. To his surprise, his grandson not only didn't avoid the hug, but also returned it. Maybe his stay abroad and his reunion with Cedric had changed some things in that half-year.

On the other hand, Cedric knew that this hug was necessary for Adrien's inner comfort. Grandpa was the only family he had and the only refuge in the midst of any storm, an anchor of love and understanding in a sea of uncertainty. Cedric would do everything possible to protect that bond, knowing that his friend needed support more than ever. However, he also knew that he had to be careful, avoiding crossing boundaries that could hurt Adrien in his emotional vulnerability.

As the tempting aroma of Italian delicacies filled the kitchen, Adrien felt transported back to his childhood, when he spent hours in that same place, watching his grandfather prepare traditional dishes with mastery and passion. It was comforting to be back in that familiar environment, surrounded by love and care.

Grandpa's hug had been a balm for Adrien's soul, a reminder that despite the challenges and emotional storms, there would always be a safe haven in the bosom of his family. Cedric, observing the interaction between Adrien and his grandfather, felt a deep relief seeing his friend find a moment of peace and connection.

As they enjoyed an exquisite dinner prepared by Grandfather, the conversation flowed naturally between laughter and shared anecdotes. Adrien felt comforted by the presence of his grandfather, whose wisdom and warmth filled the room.

After dinner, as Grandfather retired to rest, Adrien and Cedric remained in the kitchen, immersed in a comfortable silence. Cedric looked at his friend with concern, knowing that there was still a long way to go in his healing process.

"How are you feeling, Adrien?" Cedric asked tenderly, breaking the silence that had fallen between them.

Adrien sighed, searching for the right words to express the complexity of his emotions. He felt overwhelmed by a mixture of sadness, resignation and a spark of hope.

"It's strange being back here, Cedric. Everything is so familiar and yet so different. I feel like I'm at a turning point in my life, like I'm at a crossroads and I don't know which way to turn."

Cedric nodded understandingly, placing a comforting hand on Adrien's shoulder.

"I'm here for you, buddy. No matter how long it takes, we'll be together on this journey. And remember, there's always light at the end of the tunnel, even in the darkest of times."

Adrien nodded, feeling a flicker of hope illuminating his heart. He knew that the road to healing would be difficult, but with the support of his friend and the love of his family, he was ready to face any challenge that came his way.

Ready to give up on Carlo Mancini.

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