Matteo

Luca had always known there was something unusual about Matteo. The expensive suits, the late-night calls, the way people seemed to move out of his way when they walked the streets of Naples together. But Luca, ever trusting, ever soft-hearted, simply thought his husband was in “business.” Never once had Luca thought his husband. After all, Matteo had always been kind, patient, and loved him fiercely. Their life together was beautiful — weekend trips to the coast, lazy mornings tangled in white linen sheets, kisses that tasted like espresso and honey. Luca baked pastries in a tiny sunlit kitchen, and Matteo would come home and devour them like they were manna from heaven. One evening, as Luca dusted sugar over a batch of cannoli, the door slammed open. Three men barged in, suits dark as the sky before a storm. They barely spared Luca a glance before dropping to one knee before Matteo, who had just entered, his face hard and unreadable. Your Luca! You are sweet and kind to everyone and everything and love nature.