His Villain

59

One week later....

Venezio stepped inside his grand mansion, weary from a long and hectic day. The weight of his responsibilities and the demands of his business ventures had taken their toll on him. But as he closed the door behind him, the strains of exhaustion began to fade away, replaced by a sense of warmth and tranquility that enveloped the house, from some good days.

As he made his way through the lavishly decorated hallways, his ears caught the distant sound of laughter and playful giggles. Curiosity sparked within him, drawing him closer to the source of the delightful commotion. The sound grew louder as he approached the spacious living room, where he found a heartwarming sight.

There, amidst the elegant furnishings and soft lighting, his wife, sat on the floor with their son, Inizio. They were engrossed in a game of building blocks, Celia's eyes sparkling with joy as she cheered Inizio on. Her usual poise and grace were softened by the love and affection she showered upon their child.

Venezio's presence did not go unnoticed as he stood in the doorway, observing the scene before him. Celia's eyes met his, and a genuine smile spread across her face, illuminating her features. She rose gracefully from the floor, the skirts of her dress flowing around her, and walked towards him.

"Welcome home, gorgeous," she greeted him, her voice warm and sincere. "It's been quite a day, hasn't it?"

Venezio was taken aback by her sweet welcome and concern. But nonetheless he nodded, unable to tear his gaze away from the radiant woman before him. "What did he do, today?" He asked.

Celia's eyes softened, her love for their child shining through. "Inizio and I had a wonderful time together. We played building blocks, some drawings, progression in swimming classes, and even baked. He insisted on helping, of course."

Venezio's curiosity piqued. "Did he enjoy the experience?"

Celia chuckled softly. "Immensely. He was so proud of the cookies he made. In fact, he wanted me to offer you some when you returned."

A smile tugged at the corners of Venezio's lips. "I would love to have some cookies, then." Venezio played his part well, not wanting to dampen the thrill that lit up Celia's eyes.

Celia nodded. Together, they walked towards the kitchen as Inizio, already aware of their arrival, darted ahead, excitedly rummaging through the cookie jar to retrieve the treats he had made.

As they settled around the kitchen table, Inizio eagerly placed a plate of cookies before his father, his eyes shining with anticipation.

As Venezio took that first delicious bite of the homemade cookie, the sweet aroma and flavors filled his senses, and he couldn't help but be impressed by his young son's culinary skills. It was a simple pleasure, but one that resonated deeply within him.

"How's the cookies, daddy?" Inizio asked, his hope glinting in those same obsidian orbs.

Venezio paused, savoring the taste before answering. "Incredible," he said with genuine delight. "These are the best cookies I've ever had, my boy."

Inizio beamed with pride, his face lighting up like a radiant sunflower. He leaned in, pressing a sticky, chocolatey kiss onto his father's cheek in return, which elicited laughter from Venezio.

Celia watched the father-son interaction with a soft, contented smile, her heart swelling with love for her family. The bond between Venezio and Inizio was a beautiful thing to witness, no matter the grudges she holds against him.

Venezio could see that Celia had something on her mind, a conversation she needed to have with him. Realizing that it was time for them to have some private moments to themselves, Venezio gently set Inizio down and said, "Inizio, my little chef, I think Mama and I need to have a conversation. Would you mind giving us a bit of space?"