by J. G. Sumner
He read the newspaper from cover to cover without finding any new information. It was as if they had vanished. In a way, he supposed they had. How could something like this not be newsworthy? How could a prominent Italian family, well-known in the olive oil industry, get blown to pieces without the least bit of information in the papers? There wasn’t even a smidgen on the shortage of oil that would be created when the factory closed. There was only one explanation—the cartel was covering it up.
As he got up to refill his coffee, he watched as Katherine made her way toward the dining room. Showtime, Romeo. Tony smiled and winked at her. Her cheeks flushed slightly. She was a beautiful woman, but she too was guarded. She was running from something.
“Good morning, Katherine. How did you sleep?”
“Well, thank you. I see you’re up bright and early this morning.” She smiled innocently, driving a stake through his heart. Damn! What he could do to her. He managed to contain his composure despite the less than savory thoughts going on in his mind.
“Yes, I have some business to take care of while I’m here in town. How about you? Where are you off to today?”
She hesitated before answering. “I’m going to explore some of the museums. I wanted to go see the David.”
Tony could tell Katherine had reconstructed the wall that he began to break down the night before. She wasn’t nearly as receptive to conversation as she had been after a couple glasses of wine. He just had to get her to relax and trust him. “Good choice. It’s quite an impressive statue. The intricate detail carved into David is amazing, especially when you consider that during that time period, the quality of tools was limited.”
Her face lit up like a kid in a candy shop. “Now you’ve even made me more excited about seeing it!”
Bingo, he had her right where he wanted her. “You should also check out the Uffizi Museum. It has an amazing display of paintings from the Renaissance period. But make sure you give yourself several hours. You can lose all sense of time while in there.”
“Thank you for the advice. I got the Firenze pass and hope to avoid the long lines.”
“I’m impressed, Katherine! It seems as though you have this tourist thing down. Would you care to join me for breakfast before you head out?”
“Sure, that would be nice. How does this work? Do I help myself or do they come to serve me here?”
“It’s a buffet, so you can help yourself. I recommend some of the pastries. They are delicious.”
“Thank you, I’ll be right back.” She put down her belongings on the chair at their table and then proceeded to peruse the food.
Tony eyed her backpack in search of anything that could help his efforts. Unfortunately, it was sealed tightly. He needed to accompany her to the museums, but didn’t want to push himself on her just yet. There was still time to nurture this friendship. He wasn’t quite sure what the plan was, but Katherine would definitely be a part of it. He wasn’t about to let her escape his sight.
Chapter Five
Katherine’s uneasiness regarding Tony quickly subsided. She’d had a lovely time with him at dinner, and enjoyed the brief conversation at breakfast. Maybe he was just a nice guy. She wasn’t familiar with the Italian culture, so maybe all Italian men were genuinely outgoing and good people.
The incident with Mike made her wonder if she could trust people. She had pushed away all her friends and became reclusive in the past few weeks. She was beginning to think maybe she could trust people and that Mike was just a dirtbag. How had she spent five years with him and never really have known the man? Better late than never, I guess.
Katherine decided to go to the Uffizi Gallery first because it was known for its large crowds and long lines. She was able to get in right when it opened and got to enjoy the museum without too many people. The self-guided tour she listened to while walking through the halls was excellent. It allowed her to move at her own pace, and try to understand the meaning and symbolism behind each painting. The amount of information flooding her mind became overwhelming after awhile. She figured if she were an art history major, she would have died and gone to heaven.
When she finally got her fill of the Uffizi, she decided to stop and get some lunch. Her stomach growled and her head spun from all the newfound knowledge. She exited the museum and marveled at the statues and crowds who gathered in the Piazza. It was almost like being in an amusement park. People were swarming everywhere trying to get in the next line for their favorite museum.
Katherine pushed through the crowds and crossed the square. She stopped at a small sidewalk cafe next to the Duomo. Katherine had read not to eat at the restaurants next to big attractions because they cost more and their food usually wasn’t as good. But that didn’t matter now; she was tired, hungry, and needed to sit.
There was a great view of the Piazza and the Duomo from her table. The Duomo was huge—about the size of a city block. The walls were white and pink, and accented with gold everywhere. The building was certainly an impressive feat of engineering, especially considering when it was built.
She shifted her attention to the tourists. People from around the world with different backgrounds, languages, and upbringings had flocked to the city, to get a glimpse of the rich history. Being here really made the world seem like a small place.
The waiter stepped in front of her with a Diet Coke in hand. She grabbed it eagerly and took a sip, allowing the tiny bubbles to invade her mouth. She was just about to peruse the menu when she did a double-take and saw Tony walking across the piazza past the Duomo. He didn’t look very happy; his head was down, his jaw clenched. She hesitated for a second before calling out to him.
She jumped from her seat, drink in one hand and the other waving in the air. “Tony!” She waved some more. “Tony!”
He turned and looked in her direction. The intensity on his face disappeared and a smile formed as his eyes lit up like the Great Emerald City.
“Katherine, what an unexpected surprise. How are you?”
“I’m a bit tired, but well, thank you.”
“How were you able to spot me out of this crowd of people?”
“I guess my sense of awareness is heightened today after studying all those paintings.” She motioned across the Piazza. “I was doing a little people-watching when I came across a familiar face. Would you like to join me for lunch?”
“Unfortunately, I can’t right now. I have some business. How about we meet for dinner?” Tony asked as he rested his hand on her shoulder.
When Tony said no to lunch, it felt like the wind got knocked out of her. Of course it was absurd; she hardly knew this man. The fact a complete stranger was being so nice should have been enough. But it wasn’t. She liked his company and was starved for someone to share her experiences with.
“Katherine? What do you think? Would you like to have dinner?”
She looked up from the Coke in her hand. “Ah, sure. What time were you thinking?”
“How about seven?”
She studied her watch and saw it was only two o’clock. She had plenty of time to visit another museum and freshen up before dinner.
“I presume, since you’re here, you’ll be visiting one of these sites?”
“Actually, I just finished the Uffizi. You were right, it’s lovely.”
Tony looked back toward the grand building. “It’s a remarkable museum. There’s so much history, and amazing works of art.”
“Yes, it was a bit overwhelming, but I agree with you, there’s nothing quite like it.”
Tony turned his attention back to Katherine. “So, where are you going next?”
“I’m off to the Academia.” She was getting antsy just thinking about it.
“Ahh, that’s right. You wanted to see the David.”
“Yes, I can’t wait. I’m not sure if I am more excited about visiting Florence for the food or the visit to the Academia.”
“It certainly is a toss-up. They are both fabulous. What do you think of
the Duomo?” Tony motioned to the elaborate building behind him.
“Oh my gosh. It’s amazing! I’ve never seen anything like it. The building is so big and beautiful. I can only imagine what it looks like inside.”
“I’m sure you have buildings in New York that are equally as impressive. What about the Empire State Building?”
“The Empire State Building is certainly great, but it’s nothing like the Duomo. The Duomo is so ornate, and has so much detail to the walls. How they were able to build something that magnificent in the thirteenth century is beyond me.”
“Just wait until you get inside. It is even more impressive with the green marble and paintings throughout. The inside of the dome is also spectacular. It has a beautiful fresco of the Last Judgment. It is quite impressive that anyone could have their head back and arm up to paint for so many hours.”
“I will definitely have to check it out tomorrow.” She smiled as she stared at the amazing feat of engineering standing before her.
“So, dinner…I know a great little restaurant not too far from the Academia. Would you care to join me there or would you rather meet at the hotel?”
The emerald green of Tony’s eyes caught the light and began to sparkle. “Hmmm. I don’t know. Maybe I should take a rain check.” She couldn’t look at Tony as she second-guessed her decision. Clearly she’d got caught up in the romance of the city. What was she thinking? She’d only left Mike a short while ago. Now was not the time to make friends with any of the male species.
“Katherine, you’re having second thoughts, aren’t you?” Tony placed a hand on her shoulder.
She stood motionless.
“I won’t hurt you. I just thought it would be fun to talk about your travels and perhaps give suggestions on what to see next. If you’re not interested, I completely understand.”
Was she overreacting? What could the harm be? Tony was a nice guy. Perhaps he was lonely too. “No. You’re right. It’s fine. How about we meet at the hotel? It would give me a chance to freshen up.” She forced a smile across her face but uneasiness still overwhelmed her.
“Good, then we can walk to the restaurant together. How about we meet in the lobby?” Tony tilted his head to meet her eyes.
“Okay.” The waiter circled back eager to take Katherine’s order.
He passed by, capturing Tony’s attention. “Have you ordered your lunch yet?”
“No, I was just about to look at the menu when I saw you.”
“I would stick to something simple. Try a slice of pizza or a sandwich. The food at these types of places isn’t great.”
“Thank you. I’ll heed your advice.”
“Enjoy your lunch. I have a few things to get done before we head out to dinner.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you this evening.” She smiled and waved.
Tony left the restaurant and headed up Via Cavour, one of the main streets running through the town. As he walked, the tension returned to his shoulders and his stride became longer and purposeful. It seemed strange; just another thing to harbor her uneasiness. She shifted her thoughts to the dinner plans. Her stomach was doing flip-flops and the appetite she had only moments before was suddenly gone. Oh…what have I done? Maybe I made a mistake. I don’t even know this man. What am I thinking? Calm down. It’s not a date. It’s just two people, who are alone, sharing a dinner. It’s okay. I can do this. It’s time to be social again. I can’t let what happened with Mike ruin me forever.
She took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves and chose a salad from the menu. Then she took out her confirmations and plotted out how she was going to fit in a visit to the Duomo. The cooking class was tomorrow from ten to three. It was just a few blocks from the Duomo, and the guidebook stated the lines were usually shorter as the evening approached. Perfect. I can stop by and tour it after the cooking school.
When the waiter placed the salad in front her, she stared at it with a lack of interest. She finished the Diet Coke and paid the bill before resuming her tour through one of the most romantic cities in the world.
Chapter Six
On the way back from the hotel after seeing Katherine in the Piazza, Tony made a reservation at a tiny family restaurant located off Via Cavour. He had been to the restaurant many times and they served exquisite food. He arranged for a private corner booth so hopefully no one from the restaurant would recognize him. Besides, everyone knew him as having a beard, and he’d shaved it the day of the accident. A clean-shaven Tony was unrecognizable.
He arrived in the lobby of the hotel just before seven and saw Katherine seated at the bar with her back facing him, enjoying a glass of red wine. He approached, smoothing back his hair from his forehead. She didn’t notice him till he was just a foot away. Katherine looked radiant in a white silk dress reaching just past her knees. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun, highlighting her strong cheekbones. She wore matching pearl earrings and necklace. She was elegant, conservative, and the epitome of timeless beauty. Damn! She’s a fucking knockout!
“You look lovely tonight. Had I known you would be early, I would have joined you sooner.” Tony took Katherine’s hand and kissed it.
Katherine’s cheek’s flushed as she quickly stood. “I finished at the Academia sooner than I thought and figured I would enjoy a glass of wine before we left. Would you like one?”
Hmmm. She’s offering to buy me a drink. Is she just being polite or is she warming up to me? “I think I’ll have to decline. By all means, finish your drink and we can go when you’re ready.” Tony signaled for the check and pulled some Euros from his pocket.
“Don’t be silly! I’ve charged it to my room. We can go whenever you’re ready.” Katherine grabbed her purse.
He placed a hand on her shoulder. “There’s no rush. Why don’t you finish your wine and tell me about your day?”
Katherine hesitated before sitting again.
“Unless, of course, you want to go.” The awkward moment left Tony unsure of what to do.
“No. I just didn’t want us to be late for our reservation. If you don’t mind, I’d love to relax a bit before we go.”
“Please, continue.” When Katherine began talking about her adventures, life and exuberance filled her expression.
“Oh, there was so much to see. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around everything. It’s unbelievable how those artists were able to make such masterpieces in that time period. I keep thinking about the tools they had and what we have now. There’s no artist out there who can rival what was created during the Renaissance. It truly is fascinating.”
“It sounds like you had a great day. What’s on your agenda tomorrow?”
“I plan on attending a cooking class and visiting the Duomo afterward. I think I need a little break from the art history lessons.”
Just the opportunity he’d been waiting for. “That sounds fun. Tell me about the cooking class.” This was working out just how Tony had hoped.
Excitement filled her voice. “I can’t remember if I told you or not. I’m a food critic. I eat out a lot and get to try all different types of food. The funny thing is that I can’t cook. I know what food is supposed to taste like, and I have an excellent palate that can taste any spice or ingredient. But if you put me in the kitchen, I’m absolutely worthless. I could burn water if you left me alone.”
Tony laughed. “I don’t think it’s possible to burn water.”
She finished her wine and set the glass on the bar. “I’m not so sure. Anyway, most of the chefs in the city know me. I’m too embarrassed to admit to them I don’t know how to cook. I’ve shied away from taking any classes there but I thought this trip would be the perfect opportunity for me to learn a little bit about Italian cooking. Who knows? Maybe I’ll become a chef in my next life.” Katherine chuckled.
“What does the class teach you?”
“From what I read, the chef is going to take us to the local market to sample what’s available during this season. We’ll the
n pick up the ingredients to make an appetizer, main course, and dessert. We’ll go back to the kitchen and prepare the foods while drinking wine and socializing with others in the class.”
“Wow! That sounds like fun. I don’t have much going on tomorrow. Maybe I should see if they have any more room.”
“Oh, you should! Although you should do it soon. They only allow a few people in the class. It might already be full.”
“What’s the name of it? I can call when we get back.”
“It’s called Florence Cooking School. It would be fun to have someone I know in the class.”
Katherine was relaxed, maybe too relaxed. The alcohol clearly went straight to her head and she was making it too easy for him. When he looked at her, her smile lit up her entire face and her eyes sparkled as blue as the sky. She was perfection—the epitome of classic beauty. His cock twitched against the seam in his pants. He wanted to kiss her—to ravage her mouth and take what could be his.
Now was not the time. He couldn’t allow himself that luxury; he had to stick with the plan. He needed Katherine to eventually get him to the States. He couldn’t let untoward feelings get in the way of that. He had already made significant progress. She had invited him to her cooking class. Game on!
“Shall we get going?” Tony stood up, urging Katherine to leave.
“I thought you would never ask.”
Tony helped her to her feet as she latched on to his extended arm. As they walked toward the restaurant, they bantered nonstop about Italy and her travels. She had definitely taken to him and appeared to be completely at ease. Alcohol definitely took a toll on her inhibitions and he tucked that tidbit of knowledge away for a rainy day.
“Well, we’ve arrived at our destination.”
“It’s beautiful,” she said. “I love all the tapestries on the walls and how the lighting illuminates them.”
“Buongiorno. Will you be dining with us this evening?” The short, stocky host greeted them with a smile and a hearty handshake.
