She curled her arms around him as he carried her. She liked it when he carried her, his arms secure around her. Olive felt safe whenever he carried her. It wasn’t her asking to be carried out of being lazy, either. Especially this time, she thought as she yawned. She really just needed sleep; that was it.

When he placed her in the bed, he took of his clothes and she was still in hers. For once, she didn’t rush to take them off, she simply snuggled against him as he gathered her in his arms. “I don’t know why I feel so tired,” she murmured, not knowing if she just repeated herself or not.

Her form relaxed and she was asleep before he could even answer that. That was a first too, for they usually spent the wee morning hours in passion if they were awake. But her body told her to sleep. She didn’t even have a chance to tell him that she loved him either, that was something she always did before she faded away. Poor, unsuspecting Olive.

And like that, she was asleep... she was right on how tired she was, otherwise they would have been at each other. Gilberto sighed, frustrated... this was not normal.

The servants were asleep, and he didn't dare to bother any of them. So he just took off his pants and took care on his own...

After that, he coldn't go back to sleep, worried about Olivia. He said than it was likely nothing, but he knew it wasn't the case... so he brewed another tea and sat on the bedroom with a book, except than he couldn't focus on that either. So he kept watch on Olivia, until his eyes grew heavy...

She began to toss and turn around the point he would have fallen asleep, whimpering loudly until sitting up with a yell. She clutched at her chest for a moment before rolling off the bed and running toward the ballroom, where frantic fingers soon plied note after note, measure after measure, and then she closed her eyes as if relieved once it was over.

She didn't see if Gil awakened, her thoughts were scattered into a billion pieces yet hyperfocused on the crumpled score. She knew he would come find her. She wanted him with her but couldn't tear away from the composition.

He was startled awake by her scream - he was about to ask her if everything was alright, but she went away. He followed her... to the ballroom, where she began to compose. He didn't interrupt her; he allowed her to vent her creativity.

He understood - many times, he was jolted awake by a song, poem or idea that needed to be written down. But this was different. Gilberto found freedom and a purpose in music, while for Olivia it waa opressive and hurtful... he decided to just support her.

He returned to the room, looked in one of the shelves, and came back once he found what he was looking for: a leatherbound book. When he was once again in the ballroom, he just sat beside her on the bench - not saying anything, just trying to reassure her with his presence.

She closed her eyes for a few moments when she felt Gil sit beside her. A sigh was let out and she moved her hands up to the keys. They still shook, but she drew strength from him again and played her song. Her fingers were gentle on the keys for the first part, and worked into a crescendo, her face twisting in some sort of agony, or so it looked. Her head tilted back a little and she increased the tempo until her fingers flew.

The song was emotional, starting off as if in a peaceful place where everything was lovely and soft, then suspense as the song took on a darker tone and then worked up to something that spoke of terror and a fight to stay alive, only to end with the slower, softer notes.

She had never played so honestly, at least not in front of people. Her fingers remained over the keys as she stared for as long as she could stand it. She turned to look at Gil then, her eyes squinting as if she saw him for the first time since his arrival in the ballroom. Her mouth moved to his, and she kissed deeply.

It didn't take him long to figure she was not a novice in the piano... in other circumstances, he would have invited her to play on one of his plays or concerts. The way she transmitted emotions through her fingers to the keys of the piano was not something everyone could do...

Once again, he found himself falling in love.

When she was done, she kissed him for comfort. He returned the kiss gladly, and then put the book on her hands.

He offered her a smile, "This is a blank sheet book I bought recently. I always keep one besides my bed in case I have an idea in the middle of the night. I think you will appreciate it...", he offered her a kind smile.

He handed her a book and she looked down at it, curling her fingers around the edge of the front cover to open it and look at the blank page in her face. She didn’t know what to say… Her heart swelled with love for him and knew that her fate with two men was sealed. She loved Gilberto for being such a bastard, yet still being her hero. She loved him because he always came to her bed to sleep after making rounds with others, and held her in his arms.

She loved Paolo too, but her heart was more confused about that love because she knew it wasn’t right. With Gil, she could openly say it, with Paolo, she could not. But she loved them both regardless of whatever would be thrown at her in the future. She set the book down and moved to gently cradle Gil’s face and whispered, “I have never had a more thoughtful gift outside of you showing me your world.” But the book was more special than that to her.

She leaned in and pressed her lips to his again.

Gilberto was someone with love to give to everyone. But while he could have sex with almost anyone, he only loved certain people... Olivia being one of them.

He knew she would appreciate the book - why wouldn't she? Many years ago, an special girl gave him the very same gift. Up until that time, he had never been happier... that especial girl, his first lover.

When the kiss ended, he came again and kissed her again, then smiled, "Would you like to play some more? Or would you prefer me to carry you to bed, amore?"

She shook her head when he asked about the bed. “Too far.” She stood and took his hand, leading him to one of the chairs that lined the perimeter of the room. She pulled off her night rail and moved to free his length, Then she sat and took him into her, her back pressing against his chest.

She gave a sigh and murmured, “I love you.”

Her head fell back onto his shoulder and she continued, “I fell asleep before we could do this, didn’t I?”

He allowed himself to be taken to the chair, and to be undressed, and he took her hips as she made him enter. He sighed with pleasure; one hand on her hip, another caressing her swollen breast.

He kissed her neck and whispered, "I love you too...", then let out a joyful gasp. He didn't mind, "Yes... I had to take care of myself..."

As he kissed her neck, he couldn't help but catch her scent - as always, roses, sweat, and something else that he loved...