by C. M. Carpi
Back to the busy streets of Verona, I stopped by Casa di Julieta and I was delighted by the high amount of messages left on the walls. They were from all kinds, all languages and all sorts of ink colors. A girls was writing on the wall, searching for a little spot among other people who also squeezed to write. She was crying and closing her eyes for time to time as if she were praying.
Other tourists took pictures of the Juliet statue while holding her right breast, which according to the tradition brings good luck. Thousands of padlocks were tied on the grids behind the statue, and colorful ribbons danced discreetly when the gentle breeze passed through.
How long have they been here? Had any of these people who left a message found true love? Were they together and happily ever after? Or was it a thankful symbol for the love they had already found?
I sat on the small stair and watched while some women went up to the balcony where Romeo and Juliet swore they love. Suddenly I realized my eyes were closed and I was doing a silent prayer.
I wasn’t asking to find my charming prince, was I? Of course I was. I always hoped I’d find the kind of love that would make me sigh. And while I was closing my padlock, I thought about the man I met last night. He messed with me, not only because he was truly handsome with that half-smile, but because of the sweet sensation his touch caused on me.
Was he still around? I nodded while I walked back to the street without looking back. I entered a little café in Piazza delle Erbe, asked for a Nutella croissant, which was divine, and a coffee. That had become a habit since I had arrived in Italy.
“Waiting for someone?” – A deep and even seductive voice brought me back from my thoughts. I looked up and there he was again. Oh Juliet. You are really fast!
I blocked the sun with my hands to look. He was incredibly handsome today, wearing black jeans, a linen shirt with bended sleeves and a white all-star. His black hair was wet and all messy, as if he had just combed it with his hand after a shower. It had a perfect contrast with his skin.
“Yes, the charming prince.”
Oh, my God! Had I really said that aloud? He smiled and my bones turned to ashes in seconds, like yesterday, when he held my hand. Before I could say anything he sat beside me.
“Would you mind if I stay here until he comes?” – He asked while waving at the waiter. I opened my mouth to say yes, of course I mind. I mean, I barely know him. Who does he think he is? But when he took his aviator sunglasses and looked deep inside my eyes, I realized I couldn’t say no. I had to look away for a moment.
His eyes were so light blue that I almost thought he wouldn’t be able to keep them open for so long with all that sunlight. His long and dark eyelashes and his thick eyebrow made his look more imposing. It seemed those eyes were smiling at me. But what caught my attention was his perfectly delineate mouth. He was an outrage to other man. He was perfect.
“Daniel Marshal. Nice to meet you.” – He reached for my hand over the table.
“Elena Collins” – I answered while reaching his hand and feeling that electricity again. What was it?
“Traveling alone, Elena?” – The way he said my name made me warm inside. I wondered if my face showed it.
“Yes. Almost three months now.” – I answered after cleaning my throat. What is happening to me?
“And where are you from?” – He crossed his leg over his knee and put one of his hands on the table. Eyes fixed on mine.
“North Carolina.”
“What city?”
Beaufort. Do you know it?
“No.”
“It would be awkward if you said yes.” – He laughed. – Where are you from Daniel?”
“New York. Have you ever been there?”
“No”.
Although my family owned some properties in New York, I only knew Florida. It was the only time my father went on a trip while on vacation and he took me to Disney. I was ten. My mother hated the trip saying that Europe was much better. She made a point on having a trip with my father every year only the two of them. He hated that, mainly because he had to leave me. But after all he always had to give in.
“You should go there. Everybody should spend some time in New York.” – His long fingers drumming on the table.
“I’ll put that in my list.”
“Where have you been so far?”
“Russia, Germany, Netherlands, England, Ireland and now Italy.”
“Beautiful places.” – He never looked away. His blue eyes were fixed on mine. – “Did you like what you see?”
“Yes, a lot”.
“Is Verona your first city in Italy?” – He seemed quite interested.
“No, I arrived from Rome yesterday.”
“And where are you going after?”
“I’m not sure, but I think I’ll go to Paris. It’s a beautiful city. Have you ever been there?”
“Yes, Paris is truly beautiful. But I think that during the winter it gets even better – A half smile appeared on his face while he spoke. – You should go in December.”
I nodded agreeing with what he said. I was impressed with the depth in his look. There was something magnetic in him; it made me unable to look away.
“And you? Are you traveling by yourself?”
Yes, a work trip.”
“You don’t look like you are working.” – I said with a naughty smile which he returned. – “What do you do?”
“My family owns an international trade company and we are broadening our businesses.
The waiter returned with my coffee and my croissant and asked if he´d like to order now. He ordered in a perfectly pronounced Italian.
“Where did you learn Italian so well?” -- I was curious.
“I lived in here some years ago.” – And fast changing the subject he asked – “Is your family in North Carolina?”
“Only my grandmother.” – I answered looking away, playing with the napkin on the table. I could feel he was still staring me.
Why did he look at me like that? It seemed he could read my mind. And why did I feel so comfortable around him if I only knew him for a few minutes?”
“Do you know the Verona Arena?” – He asked placing his cup on the saucer.
I nodded while chewing the last piece of croissant.
“Let’s go then.” – He stood up and left some Euros on the table. – “The sight is amazing.”
There weren’t many tourists when we arrived, so we didn’t get in line. The Arena was almost empty and the only noise we could hear was the workmen hammers demounting a huge wooden structure that seemed to be part of a stage. We sat on the last step in Arena and stood in silence for a long time before he started to talk.
“Do you know how this arena was built?” – I nodded and he continued. – “The lore says that the Devil fell in love with a girl from Verona. He was a very handsome and attractive man and she soon fell in love with him too. The family believed there was something wrong with the young man, but she didn’t listen to them. One day, she saw his feet and they weren’t human. The young girl decided to talk to a priest and he advised her to ask the man to build an enormous arena for her in one night. If the arena were finished before the cockcrow, she would marry him. If not he would have to leave.” – I couldn’t hold my laughter and he stopped talking.” – “Are you laughing Elena?” -- He was so serious that I could feel my face burning. –– “No… it’s just that… no, I’m not” – I answered trying to restrain myself and he smiled before resuming it again.
-- That night the Devil and his helpers started to raise the arena quickly. They were working hard to finish it before the rooster crowed announcing a new day. She was terrified when she saw that they could finish the building. Then, to stop them from finishing the arena, she threw water on the rooster and made him crow before the dawn. “
> “That’s why there is a part missing?” – I asked pointing out where there were no stones filling the structure.
“Exactly.” – He answered;
“Where did you hear this story?” I asked intrigued.
“My grandmother used to tell us this story when we were children.”
“Why didn’t they ever talk about I on Discovery? – I asked trying not to laugh. He shrugged smiling and I couldn’t resist to that smile anymore.
We spent the whole afternoon talking. We mainly talked about my trip, the places I had visited and the ones I still wanted to go to. He told me he visited all Europe long and that besides Italian he also spoke French and Spanish because of his work. He had already been to Africa where he worked as a volunteer in an orphanage. He also went to Mexico and Peru during the sabbatical year he spent traveling before going to college and he said it was the best experience he had in life.
“There’s nothing better than traveling.” – I agreed. This trip was the best experience in my life so far.
He also loved to cook. Besides being absurdly gorgeous, he also knew how to cook! Good job Juliet! And then suddenly I realized it was already night. The light poles were turning on and a romantic atmosphere made the whole city special. “Wow! The sight is really astonishing!” I was bewitched.
“Yes, it is.” – He was looking at the street when he answered. For a few seconds I could see a wave of emotions passing through his face, but his eyes met mine and that smile emerging on his lips gave me chills. – “Are you hungry?”
I nodded. I had eaten just that croissant today.
“ There is a great restaurant by the next street. It’s very famous and the food is exquisite. The best pasta you´ll ever eat in your life. I worked as a waiter there when I lived here.”
You lived here? In Verona?” – I couldn’t disguise my surprise.
“Three months.”
“I can´t imagine you as a waiter?”
“I was an excellent waiter” – He answered elbowing me softly.
When we arrived at the street that led to the restaurant he held my arm to guide me.
“This way.” – He said while pulling me but he didn’t let me go when we arrived.
His warm hand on my skin was comforting and inviting at the same time. I can’t remember feeling like that before, not even with Adam. We were in a relationship since high school and although I really liked him, I had never experienced this sensation before.
I had just met this man and he provoked me like that! Sometimes during that day I felt like he had always been part of my life.
Could that be possible?
The restaurant was pretty rustic and simple, but very cozy. There was a big wooden carved sign at the entrance reading Trattoria Giulietta. The wooden tables had checkered tablecloths in green and white and others in red and white typically Italian. There were bottles of wine hanging in the ceiling and vintage pictures of Italian cities spread all over the walls.
A tall and very elegant woman with well-cut shoulder length white hair came from behind the counter.
“Daniel, darling!” — She said while giving him an affectionate hug. — “I thought I would never see you again.”
“I missed you, Julianna.” — Daniel hugged her back for a few seconds until she noticed me.
“And who is this beautiful girl?” — She asked while hugging me.
“This is Elena, a friend.” – He answered looking at me.
“A friend?” — She blinked and bent towards me in a kind of conspiracy. — “That’s how it begins, isn’t it?” — I looked at Daniel and noticed he was smiling. — “What about Matt and Anna?” — Suddenly she looked at him again and it looked like the blood in his face had disappeared. He was tensing his jaw and frowning. Julianna covered her mouth and closed her eyes for a moment, before facing Daniel. It seemed that she was apologizing, but she didn’t say anything. She stood silent for seconds before she started talking again.
“Is Isabella here?” — He asked, changing the subject.
“Of course I am.” — A gorgeous tall blonde woman came from the restaurant front door and greeted us.
“How are you, Daniel?” — She embraced him while asking. Her eyes were blue and she had a perfect smile, just like Julianna. Her flowered red dress was very simple, and although its length came to the knees, it displayed a completely perfect body.
“Hi, love.”
Love? Did he really say that? Are they together or something? Have they ever been? Of course they have! Otherwise why would he call her “love”? Why am I so interested?
“I’m great.”“How about you and Camilla?”
“Camilla is fifteen already, can you believe it? We’re getting old, Daniel.”
“I guess so.”
“She would love to see you again, but she is on vacation in the USA with her father.”
“When you see her, give her a kiss for me.” — She agreed looking at me and Daniel followed her look.
“Elena, this is Isabella, Julianna’s daughter.” — He finally introduced us.
“Nice to meet you.” — I reached her hand but she suddenly embraced me.
“I’m very pleased, Elena” — Then she looked at Daniel and continued — “She’s gorgeous, Daniel.”
Am I Gorgeous? I don’t know if I’m that gorgeous. But when I looked at Daniel I noticed he agreed with her without looking away. Did he think I’m gorgeous too?
“I’m very happy to see you again” — Julianna touched Daniel’s shoulder. – “Please, choose a table while the restaurant is empty. I’ll prepare you the best dish of the day and then we can talk more.” — Then she left and gave instructions to a waiter.
“Make yourselves at home.” — Isabella followed her mother.
“Thanks” — Daniel answered while touching my arm again and taking me to the table outside the restaurant. A waiter brought us some wine, water and bruschettas. The wine was delicious, but I had to take it easy. I didn’t eat anything during the whole day and a single glass would knock me out.
I was trying to control myself but I was already too curious to keep my mouth shut. I wanted to know if he and Isabella were together or something like that. I could ask, just for curiosity, it would be ok if he didn’t want to tell me.
“Have you and Isabella… have you…” — I started muttering.
“Dated?”
I nodded while drinking a little more.
“No, we were just together for some time while I was here, nothing serious.” — He recklessly answered and shrugged.
“Three months and it’s nothing serious?” — I couldn’t disguise my surprise.
“We were young and she already had a daughter. It was all too complicated.”
“Were you in love with her?” — Was I asking those things because of the wine? — “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.” — I’d better stop drinking, I thought while putting the glass on the table and discreetly pushing it away from me. He looked at me with a half-smile and suddenly I was totally embarrassed and that wasn’t a common feeling for me.
“It’s ok.” — He looked at the table and started playing with the silverware before looking at me again. — “No, I wasn’t in love with her. Actually, I’ve never been in love with anyone.” — He was very serious and still staring at me.
“Never?” — I asked lowering my voice.
“Never.”
“Do you want to know what I think?”
“What do you think, Elena?” — He bent over the table, still smiling.
“I think you’ve never met anyone worthy.” — Now I was the one staring. He screwed his eyes a little embarrassed for my answer, but he soon pulled himself together.
“Do you have plans for tomorrow?” — He asked, changing the subject. It s
eemed like a habit.
“No plans. That’s the plan.” — I held my glass again and sipped some more wine.
“So you are not familiar with Venice?” — He stared once more.
“Not yet.”
“We can go there tomorrow. If you want to, of course.” — He added when he noticed the confusion in my face.
“We’ve just met. I can’t go to Venice with you.” — I shouldn’t do that!Go on a trip with someone I’ve just met. Or should I?
“You are dining with someone you’ve just met.”
I opened my mouth as to say something but that raspy voice started screaming inside my head again.
Listen to your heart, Elena!
“What if you are a psychopath who assaults innocent girls traveling by themselves?” — He was smiling but he suddenly bent over the table raising his pointing finger and started.
“First, I’m not a psycho.” — He answered blinking at me. — “Second, you don’t look like a defenseless lady. And third, I really want you to come with me.”
I didn’t see that coming. He was smiling, showing his perfect white teeth. Why did he want me to go with him? Before I could answer, he added:
“I know it sounds strange because we’ve just met, but I liked you, Elena.” — Once more I felt that chill all over my body when he said my name. I didn’t know what do to. I liked him a lot, in an unusual way.
Listen to your heart.
All I could hear was my grandma telling me to be careful with psychos. They never seem to be what they really are. They’re handsome and attractive, take care.
This was the last thing she said before I boarded the plane to Russia.
And as if he could read my thoughts, he continued.
“We’re going by train.” — He was laughing at me. — “And we´ll be walking crowded streets among the tourists the entire day.”
“I know, I just…” — I was twisting the napkin on the table, obviously nervous. I looked at him and I was stunned by his looks. He was anxiously waiting for my answer. — “I think I shouldn’t” – I said quietly, not sure if that was really what I meant.