107 Chapter 43 - Gabriella (2)

My mother's gentle smile—the one she only offers to her children—forms on her lips and she wraps her arms around Mariano who stiffens for a moment before he slowly returns the hug—albeit awkwardly.

"You've grown quite well. That's good," she says in a soft voice—the one she uses for her children when she tells us we've done a good job, her hand stroking his back.

I'm so stunned to see what's in front of me that I couldn't even talk. And what else do I see? Mariano's eyes redden as if it's stinging and then he squeezes his eyes shut. What is happening here?

When they break apart, my eyes bounce between the two. They've dropped their hands to their sides. My mother still keeps the smile on her face as he survey's Mariano's features.

"This is a great party," he compliments.

"Indeed it is." My mother nods as she looks around the venue.