Whispers beneath the Garden's embrace

Catherine responded firmly, her voice laced with a hint of defiance, "What do you mean? of course not. My world doesn't revolve around you, Luis. This is just the way I usually dress at home." She paused, her words trailing off before confessing with a tinge of embarrassment, "I was upstairs feeling a bit bored, and then I spotted your Maine Coon. And..."

Before she could finish her sentence, her stomach let out an unmistakable growl, betraying her little white lie. Catherine bit her lower lip, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Luis, with an amused twinkle in his eyes, responded, "Ah, so you came downstairs out of boredom? I thought someone might be hungry."

Catherine found herself momentarily at a loss for words, and her stomach chimed in again, adding to her mortification. She wished she could just melt into the floor, but her hunger pangs were persistent.

A low chuckle escaped from Luis's lips as he ambled toward the front door, gracefully opening it for Max.

"Max, come on, buddy. Time for some outdoor adventures."

Catherine watched in fascination as the large and gentle cat eagerly sauntered into the yard, his fluffy tail held high.

"Come follow me. Dinner is ready, sweetie."

Luis said, his hand suddenly resting reassuringly on her back. He gently guided her towards the dining room, his demeanor unusually warm and caring this evening, leaving Catherine increasingly puzzled.

Questions lingered in her mind: "What exactly does he want from me again? He's acting weirdly sweet and caring just like he used to back then."

*****

Catherine's olfactory senses hadn't deceived her; the tantalizing aromas she had perceived were indeed real. Luis Sanchez had orchestrated a culinary masterpiece for their evening together. Croquetas and a delicate omelette danced on her palate as the opening act, paving the way for the paella, a symphony of beef and vegetables, to take center stage. As if that weren't enough, sweet churros awaited as the perfect denouement, accompanied by a velvety pool of chocolate sauce.

Catherine's appetite had led her to savor every bite, and with each morsel, a rush of memories, both poignant and blissful, washed over her. Luis had cooked for her during their time together, and revisiting his culinary creations resurrected a flood of emotions, a mosaic of moments that had defined their past.

Across the table, Luis watched with amusement as Catherine reveled in his cooking, her reluctance vanishing like mist under the morning sun. Sipping his red sangria, he had thoughtfully prepared only a lemon juice for her. Catherine couldn't help but wonder at his subtle consideration.

"Perhaps he doesn't want me to get drunk," she mused quietly, her heart still very wary of Luis's motives.

Despite her initial reservations, Catherine surrendered to the pleasures of the meal, indulging until her satisfied stomach begged for mercy. Only then did she remember the importance of maintaining her composure in Luis's presence. Her fingers found the napkin he had thoughtfully placed by her side, and she gently wiped away the traces of chocolate that clung to her lips. The churros had been a delightful treat, a taste she hadn't experienced in quite some time, and she had relished every moment.

Finally, summoning her courage, Catherine resolved to offer Luis the praise he deserved. A hint of shyness colored her words, but her sincerity shone through.

"Your cooking, umm... it's truly amazing, Luis," she began, her words hesitating yet genuine. After a pause, she continued, "I really like it."

Luis, taken aback by her earnest compliments, momentarily wrestled with mixed emotions. For a fleeting moment, he almost regretted the pills he had surreptitiously added to her meal. Guilt threatened to pierce his facade, but he recovered swiftly.

"Is that so?" he replied, a touch of mystery veiling his response. "I had almost given up hope of ever receiving compliments from you again in this lifetime."

Catherine's lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile, concealing the complexities that churned beneath the surface. And then, Luis suggested something which left Catherine both puzzled and intrigued.

"Do you want to walk with me in the garden and chat a bit? "

*****

Catherine roamed through Luis's well-tended garden, each step revealing a new facet of his meticulous nature. She admired the precisely trimmed hedges, the orderly flowerbeds, and the inviting paths that beckoned her forward. The garden felt like a hidden sanctuary, enveloped by high fences and dense shrubbery that offered both privacy and security.

As Catherine explored, Luis surprised her with an unexpected question, causing her to pause. "Have you entered any new relationships since our breakup?" The question hung in the air, forming an unspoken connection between them.

The inquiry caught her off guard. Why would he be curious about her love matter now? Catherine glanced at the sky, which had grown slightly overcast. With a calm demeanor that masked her inner turmoil, she replied, "I've only been focusing on myself and haven't got time for any romance....what about you? " Her question held a subtle invitation, hinting at vulnerability.

A curious sensation rippled through Luis, a mixture of relief and something more, something unspoken. Her age, only 19 then, radiated an undeniable allure. She had been so young when they first crossed paths. But she was since then a gorgeous young woman. He realized that it wouldn't have taken much time for her to captivate someone new.

Any man would have coveted her as his own. And yet, here they stood, not much time having passed since their parting, Catherine now at 20—a year that had witnessed subtle transformations.

In the span of that year, Luis sensed she had found herself, her identity no longer tethered to him. She had achieved admission to a medical school, speaking with a newfound honesty that had always lingered within her but had now blossomed fully. She had matured in a way that was undeniable, leaving Luis intrigued, even enticed by the woman she had become.

He pondered whether to reveal his own experiences, to lay bare the complexities that lingered beneath the surface.

"Would it trouble you to hear that I've indulged in numerous flings, even sharing intimate moments with a few women since our breakup?" Luis's question carried with it an undeniable tension, his words tinged with curiosity and perhaps a hint of vulnerability.