by C. M. Carpi
We walked back to the hotel. She was quiet, but I believe it was a reflection of my silence. I couldn’t get Isabella’s words off my head. These last three years were terrible, and so was the course of my life. I don´t like the person I have become. When I met Elena, it was the first time after all this that I really wanted to change.
“Are you ok?” — She touched my arm, looking at me from the corner of her eye.
“Yes” — I lied, holding her hand.
“You are too quiet. Is there any problem?”
“No” — I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed her knuckles. — “I was just thinking.”
She looked at me for some time, like she was analyzing me. Then she looked ahead again and didn’t talk until we entered the hotel.
Lying alone in the dark room, I couldn’t stop thinking about Isabella’s words.
Maybe she was right.
No! Of course not! In love? Me?
* * *
“I don’t know what I was thinking when I let you make the reservations.”
Look at this view!” — She was dancing. I tried to keep myself serious, but with her acting like a child beside me it was impossible.
The hotel was really old, the wall stone was dirty and the second floor walls painted in terracotta were faded. The white paint of the windows was peeling, but I had to agree with her. The view, even from the sidewalk, was amazing.
“It looks old” — I teased her, but she didn’t care.
“I booked the two best rooms, with whirlpools and air conditioning.
“Wow!” — I teased her again. — “Don’t you think it’s a waste?” — She rolled her eyes. — “Let’s go before you change your mind” — I said pulling her inside.
Our rooms were on the third and last floor, and of course there was no elevator. We had to carry the luggage through the old and narrow wooden staircase that creaked with every step we took. While we went up, she didn’t stop talking for minutes. Sometimes I wondered where she would find so many topics, and that’s why it was so funny being around her. I had to hold her twice or else she would have rolled down the stairs.
Besides the whirlpool and air conditioning, there was a small room with two couches, a 42’ TV and a minibar. The wooden floor was old, but immaculately clean.
“I wouldn’t have chosen better” — I said while we dwelled on the veranda to look at Vecchio Bridge and The Arno River in front of us.
“I’ll go to my room and take a shower. I just wanted to see your face when you saw it.”— She said pointing to the landscape before closing the door.
I stood in the veranda for a long time, trying to understand what this trip had become. I couldn’t stand being around her anymore. All the time, the only thing I wanted was to kiss that pink mouth, the skin on her neck, caress her back while having her body next to mine.I’d better take a cold shower.
Elena
When we left to the streets of Florence it was a beautiful afternoon, the sun was setting in the horizon and the sky was painted in orange. We walked the River Arno banks calmly, enjoying the last hours of the day. The Vecchio Bridge was beautifully illuminated and hundreds of people were passing through, shopping and window shopping the jewelries along the bridge when a small store with a green door called my attention. I left Daniel and went to it.
I was never interested for jewelry; I had only one pearl earring my grandma gave me at my sweet sixteen. I’d rather search bijou famous stores or even making my own earrings. There were family jewels in my grandma’s safe box, but I didn’t even know how they look like. My mother worshiped them. I’m sure “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” was a quote written for her.
But that golden bracelet with heart-shaped pendants and little emeralds was really something. It was so delicate and beautiful I wasn’t capable of looking away. I didn’t realize when Daniel stepped beside me.
“Do you like jewels?”
I denied before looking at him, his eyes were fixed on me.
“Not really, but this bracelet…” — I pointed.
“Try it on, dear” — A little middle-aged woman with a gentle smile got the bracelet off the window and held my arm to put it on. I tried to say no, but she had me for my vanity. I stared at that little jewel around my wrist, fascinated with its beauty and radiance.
“Do you like it?” — Daniel asked while gently holding my wrist and making all my muscles contract. It always happened when he touched me and I believe he felt the same, but the sensation was stronger now.
“Yes, it’s really beautiful” — And only when I turned my wrist I saw the little label and its numbers, I stared my wrist to see it better and a whistle escaped from my lips.”
“What?” — He was still holding my wrist while I tried to turn the bracelet. He helped me and I gave it back to the sweet lady standing in front of me and thanked her as I started walking.
When we crossed the bridge he pulled me and asked what happened.
“Didn’t you see that label?” — He nodded and I smiled. Of course not. He didn’t even check the restaurant bills or asked the reservation prices. He must be really wealthy. — “689 Euros” — I whispered
“So?” — I widened my eyes to look at him. He definitely was very rich.
“So?” — I repeated his question and nodded, I started walking again, leaving him behind but he soon approached me.”
“If you like it you should buy it.”
“Daniel” — I called, putting my hands on my hips and stopping.
“Elena” — He stopped in front of me, smiling and putting his hands on my shoulders. I tried to stay serious, but a little smile escaped from my mouth. I had loose laughter, my father always told me that. You just had to say that I couldn’t laugh and I startled. I took a deep breath and started again.
“It’s not because I liked it that I’ll pay this absurd amount for it.”
He stayed silent and watched me for long, his hands going down my shoulders and holding my hands.
“Do you know what I was thinking?”
“What?”
“You didn’t tell me when your birthday is.”
“It’s…” — And then I realized what he was doing. I shook my finger. — “I know what you’re trying to do” — I started walking again and he followed me.
“I just want to know.”
“So you’ll have to find out.”
We went to Piazza Duomo and sat by a little cafe. The night was warm and many tourists walked the streets while children happily played games. Couples sat in the front of the cathedral, talking and sharing gelattos. I was completely distracted taking some pictures until a waiter brought Daniel’s order.
“What is this?”
“This will make you forget about croissants” — He pointed to the plate in front of us.
“I seriously doubt it.” — He rolled his eyes, but I had to agree that a waffle with Nutella and ice-cream was divine.
We walked to the Piazza Santo Spirito, bohemian hold of the city of Florence and I was fascinated by what we found there. It was a calm and cozy place, with a church, a fountain in the center of the Piazza and restaurants with tables spread all over the sidewalks. There was no crowd or tourists there, but there was music, people dancing and talking, sitting around the fountain. I couldn’t understand why, but that place was magic.
We stayed there until dawn and left because Daniel insisted.
“Tomorrow we’ll explore the city. Wake up early” — He kissed my face tenderly.
“Now it’s early” — I showed him my cell phone. — “3a.m” — He smiled and went to his room.
“See you tomorrow, Elena” — He said without turning back.
“See you” — I answered in a whisper as he walked away.
I
couldn’t sleep, I was too excited and thinking too much. Damn! I can’t stop thinking about him. I got my cellphone in the bedside table and after checking the time, I sent Jess a message.
I really need to speak with you.
Call me as soon as you can.
PLEASE!
Xoxo
It didn’t take ten seconds before my cell phone rang. Jess was the most anxious person I’ve ever met, and after a message from me, she would stop anything she was doing to call me.
“What happened?” — The anxiety in her voice made me laugh.
“Hi Jess, I...”
“Why are you calling me at this time? It’s already dawn in Italy, isn’t it?”
“Half past three, I guess. But I needed…”
“Are you ok?”
“Yes, I...”
“You know how much I worry about you.”
“Nothing happened, it’s just…”
“I know!” — She screamed in the cell phone and scared me. — “It’s that Verona guy, isn’t it?” — I opened my mouth to start talking, but she interrupted me again. Sometimes it’s very difficult to talk to her. — “You have to tell me what happened!
“I’m trying!” — I almost screamed and after exhaling, she stayed silent. — “He tried to kiss me in Venice and I didn’t let him do it.” — I was embarrassed.
“What? Why?”
“I only knew him for two days.”
“And? It was only a kiss.”
“I never kissed anyone besides Adam, I think I got scared”
She started laughing.
“Don’t laugh!”
“Oh, Elena. Sometimes you’re so innocent that I believe you’re still a virgin.”
“Jess!”
“Sorry. Go on.”
“Now I don’t know what’s happening. Sometimes I have the feeling he will kiss me again and he feels something else, and sometimes he gets back. I don’t know what to think.”
“You need to find out how he really feels about you. Maybe he just wants some sex, but both of us know that Elena Collins is not that kind of girl and he should know this too.”
“What kind?”
“That lies down with a guy she barely knows, although that would be great.”
“I didn’t even kiss him and you talk about sex?”
“Elena, where are you now?”
“Florence”
“Florence?”
“Yes.”
“He took you to Venice, Lago di Garda and now Florence, the most charming and romantic places in Italy. He wouldn’t do it if there wasn’t something else between you too. And after you rejected him, if it was only for the sex he’d already left you.”
“I don’t think he would.”
“He’s a man, Elena, he definitely would. You need to find what he’s up to.”
“And how do I do that?”
Baby, come back to bed!
“Oh God, Jess. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’m sorry...”
“No problem, but now I’ve got to go. Take care, ok? Love ya. Bye.”
“Wait...”
But she had already hanged up.
Find what he’s up to? I can barely find what I’m up to!
Daniel
She was standing at my bedroom door. When she saw me on the hallway, she put her hands in her hips and looked at me with her head tilted. I hid the little black velvet box in my pocket and smiled at her, but she didn’t reply it.
“You tell me to wake up at dawn so we can explore the city and you’re still looking like that?” — She pointed to my running outfit.
“Good morning, Elena” — I walked through her.
“You have ten minutes, ok?” — She tried to look angry, but when I spoke, she gave me a charming smile that made her even more beautiful.
“Yes, ma’am” — I greeted her and entered my room.
It was hot when we left the hotel that morning. After a quick walk we entered the Degli Uffizi gallery. She surprised me with various comments about authors and their works.
“I didn’t realize you are an art affectionate.”
“I’m not” — She shrugged and smiled, a little embarrassed. — “But you can be surprised by the amount of information we find on the internet.” — She took a deep breath and started to talk about a Botticelli’s piece of art. I couldn’t focus on anything but her.
“I always think the last place I went to was the best one, but then you surprise me again!” — Her eyes were shining.
“I remember you told me you like to picture the sunset” — She agreed. —“Here you’ll have an incredible view” — She tiptoed and kissed my cheek.
“Thanks” — She said in a whisper and turned her back to me, going to the observatory.
“I need to ask you something” — She said after the sunset. I agreed and she continued with a timid smile. — “Why are you so sure I’m going to San Francisco with you?” — Her eyes were curious.
“Because I’m irresistible!” — I answered. She opened her mouth as to reply, but she kept quiet, suspiciously closing her eyes. —“I don’t know” — I exhaled.
“You don’t?”
I nodded and turned my eyes to the luminous city in front of us.
I wasn’t lying. I really didn’t know what was happening or what I was feeling. Truth is I couldn’t stay away. I kept telling myself it was only a sexual thing, but the more I thought about it, the more Isabella’s words made sense.
You’re in love with her!
Let her get in your heart!
“Want to know something, Daniel?”
“What?”
“You are very awkward” — She had a playful smile in her face, waking me from my daydream.
“Awkward?” — I asked in amusement. People called me a lot of things, but never awkward. She shrugged and started taking pictures again.
* * *
I woke up startled by knocks on my door. That’s strange, I never sleep that much, I though while I put on some pants and opened the door.
“Aren’t you ready yet?” — She seemed amused, I nodded and rubbed my eyes. “I’ll wait for you in my room” — She turned around, but before I could close the door she looked at me again, curious. — “Are you all right?” —Her hand gently touched my arm and I felt like pulling her inside my room in that very moment.
“I feel like I’m still sleeping” — I lied. She agreed and went to her room.
We spent the entire morning hunting truffles. She enjoyed every moment and got really confused preparing them. That was enough to cause a lot of laughter among the group.
We finished the day in Pisa that in her words had a breathtaking sunset.
“I really enjoyed the day today, Daniel.”
“Me too”
I couldn’t sleep that night. I spent hours watching the luminous city in front of me. I almost knocked at her door, but I gave up seconds later. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, but I didn’t want to hurt her. That’s exactly what was going to happen.
The sun was rising when I finally went to sleep.
Elena
We left Florence early and visited several cities in our way to Siena. It was impossible not to stop by and admire the peculiar enchantments each of them had. And the food! We tasted an endless amount of cheese and wine in every place we stopped.
“Why are you getting out of the road?” — I asked when he entered an alternative route. He didn’t answer, just smiled and turned the musicup. Behind blue eyes played in max and he sang with eyes fixed on the road. Once in a while he looked at me and made my legs wobbly. Thanks God I wasn’t standing.
“The Who, right?” — I asked almost screaming, he just smiled and
nodded. The way to Siena was incredible with this landscape. We went through small villages and old constructions, all very beautiful.
“My God!” — I couldn’t believe my eyes. As soon as he made a curve, an immense sunflower field was before us. He turned down the music and pulled over. I opened the door and not thinking twice I ran among the flowers like a child.
“Elena!” — He screamed, but I didn’t listen. I kept running and whirling with open arms, touching the sunflowers to make sure they were real.
“This place is beautiful!”
“Yes, it is.” — He said looking both sides and at me after. — “But this is private property.”
“Really?” — I couldn’t believe because gates were opened, but he confirmed. I grabbed my camera and started shooting on and on until he pulled me back to the car besides my protest.
“Daniel” — He looked carefully at me. — “Thanks for this, too.” — That half-smile he gave me made my mouth dry. I couldn’t understand why my body reacted so hard to him. Just one look or one smile and I’d lose my ground.
We watched the sun set on the road.
“Did you make a reservation here?” — I asked in surprise when we went to a narrow street downtown Siena and stopped by an old hotel, with a facade made of dirty and old stones with wooden doors. The doorframe was circled by delicate white flowers.
“Yes, why?” — He looked at me seriously with a winkle on the corner of his eyes. — “You always say five star hotels are unnecessary, this is only two” — He smiled, but looked a little uncomfortable.
“I didn’t think you pay attention to what I say” — I teased him. He didn’t answer but a sparkle passed through his eyes.
“Why would you say so?” — I shrugged and went in the hotel.
The receptionist carried our bags to the rooms he had booked on the third and last floor. The rooms were very simple and small, but cozy. It was perfect for me.
“Not so bad” — He was standing at my doorstep looking at the ceiling, the floor and me, evaluating. He tried to disguise, but it was obvious he didn’t like the place. — “I´ll come back later.”
