In the darkness of the house, Mario waited. He didn't even know what he was waiting for, or how long he would have to wait. But he waited. Occasionally he looked out the window, waiting to see the car's headlights return.
Where were they? What were they doing? Time slipped by slowly amid a thousand thoughts and images that Mario could no longer stop. Seeing them at dinner, hands brushing. Seeing them leave the restaurant. Mario felt a mix of emotions - guilt, pain, love, and tenderness swirling together.
It was one-twenty by now. In the last few minutes, Mario had remained almost glued to the window hoping to see her arrive. Few cars had passed, but none was the boy's car. Each time Mario felt something tighten in his throat, and part of him was relieved when he saw them drive away. What if she didn't return? He shook his head to chase away the thought. For a moment he was distracted and didn't notice two small white headlights that grew larger as they approached.
When the light almost illuminated the villa, he suddenly hid and peeked from behind the curtain. The car slowly entered the driveway and stopped in front of the entrance. Lara still sitting with her bag resting on her legs. They stayed there in that position for a while talking, their bodies distant. Mario was no longer breathing, terrified of being discovered and focused on every smallest detail he could glimpse.
-- I really had a good time. I needed this, -- he heard Lara say.
-- Me too, -- replied the young man.
-- Now maybe I should go -- Lara had meanwhile put the keys in the door and had started turning the lock.
-- Would you like to have a drink together? -- he asked.
Mario heard her laugh as the front door slowly opened. Mario moved to peek through the small gap in the study door. Lara was still outside, leaning against the doorframe, her blonde hair falling down her back. Mario gently pushed the study door to see a bit more. Wrapped as he was in total darkness, no one could see him. This way he could perfectly see the front door, the stairs, part of the living room and the first section of the open kitchen they had behind the couch. He breathed slowly, with difficulty.