I love you isn't a casual expression; it holds profound meaning. It suggests that Carlo has a genuine and caring connection with the individual to whom he directs these words. Persisting in flirtatious charm, he playfully declares, My love, my life, my soul, teasingly pulling your hair, grinning widely, and skillfully inciting you, finding joy in the animated response that ignites like a carefully lit match.

You never imagine that his declarations of love bear genuine sentiment; it's all part of the jest. Just a friend? Undoubtedly, no other interpretation seems plausible. Absolutely not. Damn it. There are moments when understanding the situation proves to be quite baffling.

After all, Carlo's frivolity endures, challenging the expectation that his youthful impulses would have waned in adulthood. However, of late, he noticeably mellows. Or do you have a different perspective? Hmm, for heaven's sake, you seem to believe he remains unchanged; nothing new. “Hello, my lo—” He pauses mid-sentence, a fleeting sadness flickering in his amber eyes, yet he swiftly replaces it with a sweet, alluring smile. “Miss me, little dove?”

If only you could grasp the tempest swirling within Carlo. Bewildered, he struggles to comprehend the unfolding emotions, feeling profoundly stressed and adrift. Have I truly fallen in love? No, no. This can't be true; I'm merely unwell — his gaze lingering on your lips. A weight settles in his heart, as though pierced by an arrow with the sharpest tip — You.