by Patricia Mar
About two hours later, they reached Piazza di Spagna, where the guided tour ended and she said goodbye to the group. When they had all left, she found herself alone with Giovanni.
“Daniel was right,” he said, “you’re very good at your job. If I didn’t love it already, I’d have fallen in love with this city immediately after going on one of your tours.”
“Well, it wouldn’t be because of me, it’d be because of this city,” she replied, opening up her umbrella again. “I’m done for today. I can finally go home and get some rest.”
“It almost sounds like you’re saying goodbye.”
“It doesn’t just sound like that: I am.”
“But I wanted to take you out for lunch.”
Feeling confused, Sara shook her head. She wasn’t sure if Daniel’s cousin was actually trying to flirt with her. He was amazingly handsome, and funny as well, although maybe a little too cocky, but Giovanni was exactly the type of man she wanted to steer clear of. “Thanks for the offer, but I think I’m just going to go home and crash on my sofa.”
“Come on, aren’t you curious to hear some stories about when Daniel was a teenager?”
She hadn’t been expecting that, and she had to admit that the man was cunning – but not cunning enough to fool her.
On the other hand, there was nothing wrong with going to lunch with him, and it would probably help her to know Daniel better. She wouldn’t mind getting to know more about their family either. In particular, she was still convinced that something must have happened between the two cousins, as Daniel’s reaction to Giovanni’s behaviour had been too violent, and his explanation hadn’t satisfied her curiosity.
“Okay, okay – I’ll let you have my company for lunch, but it must be a quick one, ok? I really need to go get some rest as soon as possible.”
“Am I really competing with a sofa? I thought I was better than that.”
“Sorry to disappoint, but you’d better accept the reality,” she said. “Anyway, if you don’t mind walking, I know a very nice place called Baccano.”
He agreed and they set off, chatting as they went. They reached via Delle Muratte, close to the Trevi Fountain, and once inside the restaurant, Sara chose a table and took a seat. “They make some amazing sandwiches here,” she said.
Giovanni sat down in front of her and looked around. The place was busy, and the many stools along the wooden counter were all full. “Do you come here a lot?”
“Yes, because the place where the tours start is nearby, so it’s handy. It’s pretty cosy too, and like I said, their sandwiches are really good. Hi, Vanessa,” she chirped cheerfully to the girl who had approached them. Vanessa was wearing a white shirt and a pair of black cigarette trousers.
Vanessa smiled back at her. “Hey, Sara. Do you know what you want?” she asked, then glanced over at Giovanni, blushing slightly when she saw his face. Sara knew that Vanessa was very sweet and shy even though her job forced her to interact with dozens of people every day. They’d chatted more than once, and she knew what a sweet girl Vanessa was. That’s why she was slightly worried that Giovanni would say something that might embarrass her.
“I’ll have a Royal Burger, medium coke with no ice and fries, thanks. What about you, Giovanni?”
He studied the menu very carefully and then indicated something to the girl. “I’ll take this one,” he said, leaning over towards Vanessa. Sara noticed that Vanessa was blushing even more and smiled. She was sure that Giovanni had noticed too, but pretended not to. Sara appreciated his discretion. “And I’ll have a beer and fries too, thanks.”
“Great. I’ll be right back with your drinks,” said Vanessa and went away, but not before surreptitiously checking out Giovanni one last time.
“She fancies me, as usual. What a tough life I lead.”
Sara immediately regretted having thought he was behaving nicely moments before. “I can only imagine how hard it must be for you.”
Giovanni raised an eyebrow and shrugged. “I’m used to it. God was pretty generous with me.”
Sara burst out laughing. “Right, especially when it came to giving you humility.”
Giovanni laughed too.
“So, did you want to talk to me about Daniel?”
“Not really,” he said, happy to have got her attention.
“Great, so it was just another lie, like the one you told my agency this morning.”
“No, not exactly. We can talk about Daniel if you really want to, but I’d rather talk about me. And I’m also curious to get to know the woman who managed to win my cousin’s heart. Daniel isn’t an easy catch.”
Sara became serious. “Can I be frank?”
“I wouldn’t expect you to be anything else.”
“I have the feeling that you think it’s fun to annoy Daniel and that you’re trying to do it right now. You know that I’m going to tell him that we had lunch together…”
Giovanni smiled with satisfaction. “Am I really that transparent?”
“As transparent as glass.”
“Well, there’s always been a kind of rivalry between us… but of the good kind. We’re both pretty strong willed – and we’re both good looking guys, it would be silly to deny it.”
“Right, silly,” she replied, raising her eyes in exasperation.
“I don’t know how to explain it… Let’s say that I used to practice by stealing his girlfriends, and he used to do the same with mine. They were never serious relationships, anyway, so we thought it was okay to have some fun. Or at least, it was fun for me.”
Sara tilted her head. “Did you really think that it was funny to steal his girlfriends?”
“You’re making it sound worse than it was. I never forced anyone to do anything… and none of those girls were Daniel’s soulmate, otherwise I would never have gone near them. I think I just liked the idea of being able to reach Daniel Gant’s level,” he said thoughtfully, tapping his lips with his index finger.
“You’re a real asshole,” commented Sara, not caring if she sounded rude.
Giovanni looked surprised. “Maybe I am, but Daniel knew about it, and he liked trying to win them back.”
“Wow, you two are a really great pair of cousins. I guess my idea of ‘family’ is a little more traditional.”
“We were young, arrogant, narcissistic, and probably too full of ourselves, but we didn’t hurt anyone,” he said, as though trying to justify himself. He certainly didn’t look as pleased with himself as he had a couple of minutes earlier.
“Maybe some of those girls were actually perfectly nice people, and you hurt them.”
“I honestly doubt it – and you would too, if you’d met them.”
Sara became even gloomier. She started wondering if the two cousins were playing some twisted game with her, too. And why was he talking about Daniel’s previous girlfriends? She already knew that he’d had casual relationships in the past, but it wasn’t her favourite topic of conversation. She couldn’t stop thinking about it, and her head was getting heavier. “Did you invite me to have lunch with you just to make Daniel jealous?”
“No, Sara, I’m not trying to win you over, I promise. I saw you two together the other evening and I think you’re a lovely couple. I wouldn’t do anything to ruin things between you, trust me.”
She thought he sounded sincere. “You really are a strange person.”
“I guess you could say that, but I really wanted to get to know you a little better and congratulate you. Daniel and I were never really friends, but I do care about him. He’s been through a lot, and he deserves all his success,” he said, suddenly becoming serious. “It barely compensates for all that he’s lost”
“I’m sure he’d like to hear that from your lips.”
“I also think that you’re the perfect woman for him, and that you’re going to be very happy together. I am obviously expecting to be invited to your wedding.”
“Of course you’ll be on the list of guests,” she smile
d, finally feeling more relaxed. She could probably even stop worrying about him trying to hit on her. Giovanni had won back some of her respect, and in the meantime, Vanessa was back with their drinks and food, and was so hypnotised by Giovanni that she almost stumbled and dropped the tray.
Luckily Giovanni was quick enough to help her and prevent a disaster from happening. Vanessa’s hair was now hanging down over her face, covering up the blush that covered her plump cheeks.
“I’m really sorry,” she apologised. She checked that the dishes were still okay and then put them on the table without lifting her head up to look at them.
“Don’t worry, Vanessa,” said Sara in a friendly voice, “it’s fine.”
“I’m so sorry,” the girl stammered again, “I was miles away and…”
Giovanni touched her hand lightly. She turned nervously to look at him in the eyes. He smiled at her and said. “Don’t worry, I’m always tripping up.”
“It’s true,” Sara joked to break the tension, “he trips over his own ego.”
“I’m sad to have to admit that she’s right,” replied Giovanni.
Vanessa smiled, finished fixing the table, apologised one more time and then went away, trying to be as discreet as possible.
Sara and Giovanni had a pleasant lunch together, and he told her a few stories about her fiancé’s past, which Sara loved hearing. Two hours flew by in what seemed like as many minutes and by the end, they both felt as though they could relax in each other’s company.
20
The Territorial Man
Daniel had just returned to his room, on the twentieth floor of his hotel. He took his dinner jacket and bow tie off and checked the time: it was already one in the morning. The realisation made him feel suddenly tired. The day hadn’t been especially hard, but he’d had enough of parties like the one he’d had to attend at Delia Marquez’s villa, and he couldn’t stand her attitude: she was constantly and blatantly trying to hit on him. The fact that Sara was never with him made it look as though he was single, and although he did nothing to encourage them, he always ended up surrounded by women and being at the centre of attention. It was frustrating: he really wished his fiancée would accompany him to things like that. She could hold his arm, and they could dance together romantically.
Since he had met Sara, his whole life had changed and he knew it. All the things he once found funny and stimulating just didn’t seem to have the same appeal when she wasn’t around. He loved spending time with her – sharing things made every little event feel unique. He felt complete now, and he couldn’t believe he’d never realised what he had been missing before he’d met her. When he didn’t have a girlfriend, he was free to do whatever he wanted, go wherever he pleased and hang out with anyone he wished. Nobody really cared. Now, though, he only really felt free when he was with Sara.
He started unbuttoning his shirt while sitting on the bed and staring at his mobile phone. He had put it on his night table and was wondering if he should call her or not. He was dying to hear her voice, and anyway she must be getting ready for work by now, so there was no risk of him waking her up.
As he called her, his heart started pounding frantically. The effect she had on him was unbelievable – he felt like a teenager experiencing his first crush. That sensation was fantastic, and it filled him with new energy each day.
“Good morning, baby – or should I say, goodnight?” said Sara happily. Her enthusiastic voice made his sadness disappear immediately, and he couldn’t help smiling.
“Do you know that I miss you like crazy?”
“I miss you like crazy too. It was so cold last night in our bed… I got another blanket, but nothing can warm my tiny feet up like you…”
Daniel burst out laughing. “So that’s what I am to you… a hot water bottle?! Do I need to remind you that I’m capable of warming up other parts of your body quite efficiently too?”
“I hate you. Now I can’t stop imagining the two of us naked together rolling around in bed.”
“You don’t hate me, you love me.”
“I love you and I hate you. My feelings swing to and fro like a metronome.”
“I am being honest when I say I really miss you. These parties are so boring without you… I should be the one who hates you.”
“Yeah, I’m sure it must be a real pain having everybody looking at you while you’re served champagne and greeted by beautiful actresses…”
“Are you jealous?”
“Of course I am, but I’ve learned how to hide it. I don’t want you to think that I’m some stalker ready to follow you everywhere you go,” she laughed, trying hard to hide her anxiety. “I’m a grown up now.”
“If you were following me, I’d run around the block, sneak up on you from behind, put my arms around you and…”
“Timeout! This phone call is about to get dirty, and I need to go to work soon. I’ve only just finished getting dressed, don’t make me feel like I need another cold shower, please.”
“Well, I’ll be back in three days, so you’d better prepare yourself.”
“Did I already tell you that I hate you?” sighed Sara languidly.
“Yes, and I hope you never stop hating me like this.”
“Anyway, tell me about your evening with Delia Marquez… The woman with the longest legs on earth and an insured backside like Jennifer Lopez… How did it go?”
“I see you’ve been doing your research.”
“Yes,” she coughed, and Daniel had to struggle hard to hide his laughter.
“How did it go…? Well, I actually was the centre of attention, and I was served champagne and had everybody’s eyes on me all the time.”
“Argh! I wish I could put my hands on you now!”
“I would love that… And I’d even have a couple of suggestions about where to put them!”
Sara laughed. “And how did it go with the producer?”
“He’s constantly trying to seduce me, and Marc is no help at all – he’s on his side.”
“So you’re still not sure what you want to do?” asked Sara.
“Yes. I mean, it all looks perfect. They would pay me a ton of money and I would even have a whole villa at my disposal. Everybody is very nice to me and the audition went very well, but…”
“But what?”
“Something about it seems odd. I can’t tell if it’s just that I’m scared or whether it’s really my instinct trying to tell me to back off. I sound stupid, I know.”
“Maybe you’re just afraid because deep down you know that this job would change your life completely,” she said. Daniel knew that she was afraid too, but was trying not to bring that up because she didn’t want to influence his decision. He had learned how to interpret even her silence, and it was something that made him love her even more.
“I’m going to make a decision, but not now and certainly not here. I want to talk about it with you and I want us to decide everything together.”
“But… buy your decision shouldn’t have anything to do with me…” she replied, feeling baffled.
“Actually, it has everything to do with you: you’re not just some temporary presence in my life – you’re my partner, my lover, my best friend and soon you’re going to be my wife, even though in my heart you already are. I want to take this decision with you because you’re the most important person in my life, and the one I am going to share the rest of my days with. This is the only way I have of proving to you how much I love you.”
“Damn you…” whispered Sara in a trembling voice.
“Come on, don’t cry.”
“Oh, I’m just peeling some onions.”
Daniel smiled tenderly.
“Just peeling some onions and thinking that I must be the luckiest woman on the planet.”
“Thanks…”
“Let me finish: I am the luckiest woman on the planet because I’ve never met a man with a bigger heart than you… You are an amazing person, you make me so happy. And n
ow I’m just plain crying, and I hate you again because of it.”
“You only need to hold on for another three days, and then I’ll be there to hold you tight.”
“Well, you better get ready to do it plenty, and that’s a fact. Damn it, it’s late, I need to go. Oh, by the way, I almost forgot…”
“What?”
“Giovanni turned up on one of my tours, just like he threatened to. Your cousin certainly has got a nerve.”
Daniel frowned. “Oh, he’s got a hell of a nerve…” he muttered in a low voice, before adding in a more normal tone, “How nice of him!”
“Don’t be suspicious…”
“I’m not, I just think my cousin behaves inappropriately sometimes.”
“Yes, he sometimes does.”
“Well, anyway, did he bother you too much? Did he at least let you do your job?”
“He was very well mannered, to be honest. He kept his mouth shut the whole time – well, until we went to lunch, at least. Then he couldn’t stop talking and telling me stories about you…”
Daniel stood up and started scratching his chin anxiously. “So you two had lunch together?”
“Yes. He insisted, and as I had no food at home and I couldn’t miss the occasion of getting to know more about your teenage years and your relationship with your cousin, which sounds a little adversarial, to put it mildly, I agreed.”
“You could have asked me,” he said, sounding a little annoyed.
“I did, actually, but you were evasive. Anyway he’s your cousin, which means that soon he’s going to be part of my family too.”
“Hmm.”
“He behaved impeccably, and he was fully dressed at all times,” said Sara, laughing at her own joke. And that only unnerved Daniel even more.
“Funny, very funny.”
“It is, isn’t it?”
“So what did he tell you?”
“What is this, an interrogation?”
“No, but I’m curious. Do you mind?”
“He told me about the rivalry between you, and about your habit of sharing girlfriends…”
“That’s not quite accurate,” Daniel pointed out. “He liked to steal my girlfriends.” And it was clear from the sound of his voice that he was about to get really angry.