by C. M. Carpi
“Ok then.” — He said leaning back. I think I could see a little disappointment in his eyes.
No? I’ve just said no?
Julianna brought our dishes, gnocchi Bolognese.
“This is our specialty. Hope you enjoy it. ”
“I’m sure I will.” — I answered reaching for the fork. The smell was delicious and I was starving.
“Buon appetite, kids!” — Julianna said and left.
Of course that was the best pasta I’ve ever had.
“I can’t eat anymore.” — I said when the waiter put two slices of chocolate pie on the table.
“You won´t resist.” — Daniel said while putting a slice on his mouth.
He was right. The pie was divine.
We spent the rest of the night speaking with Julianna and Isabella. They were very kind and liked Daniel a lot. They told me several stories about the time he was a waiter there and, for what they told me, he wasn’t that good. I realized that there was a real friendshipbetween Daniel and Isabella. We said goodbye with long hugs and they made us promise we would come back for a visit.
The streets were full of tourists enjoying the romantic warm evening of Verona. We sat on the stairway at Palazzo Barbieri before going back to the hotel. It was latemidnight and the receptionist was taking a nap. He startled when Daniel ringed the bell on purpose.
As soon as we got to my bedroom door I stepped forward and tiptoed to kiss his cheek. I don’t know why I did that, for a moment it seemed like it was the right thing to do. Besides I might never see him again. He closed his eyes and I noticed he was holding his breath while he held me around the waist. I felt my heartbeat strong because we were so close. That’s when I realized I needed to go to Venice or anywhere he asked me to.
“Can you meet me for breakfast around nine?” — He looked at me with his forehead frowned. Suddenly I felt like a teenager, holding my hands in front of my body and looking down. — “I have nothing better to do tomorrow and once you said you are not a psycho…” — I looked up and I saw he was trying to control his laughter. — “I’ll go to Venicewith you.”
“Great!” — He seemed… happy. Really? — “Take a small bag, we can spend the night there.” — I stared at him thinking about what to say. I think my face said everything. He continued. — “Venice nights are beautiful you have to consider this.” — I just nodded. — “And we can sleep in separate rooms. If you make a point of doing it, no problem.” — And now he was laughing. I opened my mouth to say something, but I completely lost it. — “Good night, Elena.”
“Good night, Daniel. And thanks for the dinner!” — He just smiled and nodded.
“See you tomorrow.” — He said before turning his back. Now I was the one staring.
When I decided to travel I had no intention of meeting anyone. I just wanted to visit new places, new people and enjoy every moment. I didn’t mean to fall in love, but I was beginning to consider it was a possibility.
Daniel
I went down to the hotel’s restaurant before nine in the morning and she wasn’t there. I had a generous cup of black coffee. I hadn’t slept well last nights. Damn nightmares, and, of course, her. I couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t stop thinking about her. Every time I’d close my eyes, her picture would appear before me, laughing with her good humor, those big and expressive green eyes that made me lose control.
I can’t recall any other woman who has made me lose sleep. The only time I thought I was in love I was sixteen and her name was Christina. She had just moved to school and her appearance was breathtaking. Her long black hair and her eyes would call all eyes on her all the time, not mentioning her body. She knew the effect she caused on men, but she didn’t look at me and I was used to it. Girls at school didn’t really beg to go out with me.
Then I persisted. Sent her flowers, called, became her friend until I got what I wanted to. It was worthy, of course, but in the end I realized I wasn’t in love, I just needed to prove myself I could be with the woman I wanted. You’re a scoundrel, that’s what she told me with tears in her eyes, but I didn’t really care, I had moved on. Today I think she was right, although I didn’t change my behavior since then. According to Sophie, my sister, I was a heartbreaking dog.
I sat next to the small window overlooking the street and watched the tourists come and go. It was early but the streets were already crowded. I was still trying to figure why I invited her to go to Venice with me. I knew exactly what I wanted from her, but this? Traveling? It was completely different, and after all, I’m supposed to be in Milan, not here.
My thoughts were soon interrupted by a noise coming from the restaurant door following a woman’s scream. I got upto see what had happened. I couldn’t believe. Elena was sitting on the floor with the waiter whose tray she took down.
She was laughing. Her laughter was amazing, and that made the waiter and the people who stared laugh as well. I went in her direction and reached her on the waist to help her up. She wanted to help the waiter collect things from the floor, but he politely refused.
“You always make an entrance like that?” — I asked while we went in the restaurant, remembering how we’ve met.
“My grandma used to say I’m unforgettable.” — She answered, and I was starting to think the same. I also realized I was still holding her waist and it seemed perfectly normal.
“Good morning.” — She looked smiling at me and I felt something collapsing inside my stomach.
“Good morning, Elena”
She was wearing a white short dress that showed her shapely legs and brown high-top sneakers. I wondered for a moment how those legs would look like in high heels. Her hair has put up in a messy braid beside her neck and she was incredibly sexy. And beautiful.
“Did you eat?”
“No, I was waiting for you.”
“Then let’s go because I’m starving” — She said smiling while walking to the buffet. “I was wondering…” — She started to say and looked at me with a wrinkle between her eyebrows.
“What?”
“I’d like to know the Lago di Garda, Florence, Siena and other places in the way. We could rent a car. What do you think?” — She asked while serving a glass of juice.
“I think for someone that wouldn’t even like to go to Venice with me, you’re pretty excited.” — She gave a wide open smile and shrugged at the same time. — “But I think it’s a good idea” — Do I? I nodded and closed my eyes for a second. That wasn’t a good idea. One night in Venice with her was a good idea, but that?
“I don’t want to bother” — She said almost in a whisper. — “If you have other appointments and you don’t want to…
“I have to go to Milan on the 12th” — I abruptly answered. That was my lead. — “I have an important meeting.”
“Well, then I’ll have to add Milan to my schedule” — She said before biting her Nutella croissant.
“Are you going to Milan with me?” — I asked trying to hide the surprise in my tone.
“You thought I wouldn’t?” — She smiled and blinked at me.
I didn’t know what to say. Yesterday my only thought when I approached her at that cafe was taking her to bed, take off her clothes, kiss her skin and do her. That’s what I’m good in. I never thought about traveling. I don’t know why I invited her to go to Venice and now she was making plans of a tour in Italy… was I ok with that?
“Do you know those places?”
“What?”
“Do you know those places?” — She repeated in amusement.
“Yes, I do.”
“Won’t you get bored seeing everything again?”
“No, I’d love to show you the places” — Shit! Why was I saying that? What was I thinking? The truth is that I wasn’t thinking clearly after I met her. Somethi
ng had changed in the very moment she put her green eyes on me.
“I’ll grab my stuff and wait for you in the atrium.” — She got up and left graciously through the crowded restaurant.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I noticed two men turning necks to look while she was passing and I had a strange sensation, a sudden need of making them stop.
What the fuck is that?
I went back to my bedroom, got my things and, when I got downstairs, there she was, leaning on the counter and happily talking to the receptionist.
“Ready?”
“I was waiting for you.”
Daniel
It was past 1p.m. , the sky was completely blue and the sun shone brightly. A typical summer day. The streets were full of tourists and most of them were buying city maps in a newsstand out of the station. Others waited for a Vaporetto, but most of them preferred to go walking.
“Let’s do the check-in and leave our luggage in the hotel” — Since she would suggest visitingseveral cities, we brought all our luggage. I was surprised she had just one bag. For one month traveling my sister would have three at least. Elena was in this trip for three months.
“I can’t have more than I can carry.” — She said while we left the hotel in Verona.
“Have you already booked the hotel?”
“Last night, after you accepted my invitation.”
“I hope you booked separate rooms” — She was serious, but a little smile showed up when I looked again.
I’ve booked two rooms, but I admit I was tempted in booking just one and tell her there were no other rooms available. She’d refuse, but I would convince her. That’s what I’m good at. Then I’d take her to bed and everything would go back to normal, just sex. Then what? I’d just leave her and go away? I quickly changed my thoughts.
She deserved more.
“Yes, I did.”
“And where is this hotel?”
“Right there, on the other side of the Grand Canal.” — I pointed to the hotel in front of us.
“Carlton On?Seriously?” — She stopped to face me, putting her hands on her waist. — “We’ll only take a shower and sleep.” — I could suggest a lot of things to do in this hotel, but I didn’t say anything. I convinced her by telling about the view, but she didn’t let me pay for her stay.
After the check-in we left our bags in the rooms and went back to the street.
“Where are we going?” — She asked while we were crossing the hall.
“Piazza San Marco” — I said in Italian and she laughed. Then she surprised me holding my arm.
“Let’s go, then” — We started to walk.
“She seemed dazzled while we explored the streets of Venice. A little smile came to her face while she paid attention to all the details, her eyes were shining, she was talking and pointing to the monuments and old constructions, asking me things about the places we saw.
When she took her camera everything changed. She was in absolute silence. And I must say it wasn’t a usual camera. It was a professional one and she seemed like and experienced photographer, adjusting the lens and bending down to get the best shot. Completely focused on what she was doing and she continued for a moment, photographing in complete silence until we arrived in the Piazza.
“Let’s eat here?” — I asked standing in front of Café Florian.
We chose one of the tables in the long sidewalk that for years were part of the Venetian view.
“You didn’t tell me you were a photographer” — I said when she put the camera over the table. — “In fact, you didn’t tell me what you do.”
“I’m an architect” — She touched the camera with her fingertips and continued. — “But I love photography. When I hold a camera I forget everything else.”
“I noticed.”
“Sorry, Daniel. It’s such a beautiful place I couldn’t resist” — She shrugged a little embarrassed.
“Can I see it?” — I pointed to the camera. She looked at me with half-closed eyes, opened her mouth as to say something, but just closed it in opposition and pushed the camera on the table.
Her pictures were amazing, all of them. The images of the Vatican were flawless, especially the one she took from the top of theSan Peter Basilica. The Vatican view from there was perfect, but her pictures seemed to capture the soul of the place. What called my attention the most was the daily pictures, common people in the middle of beautiful places.
An old couple holding hands walked through the Roman Forum, a little girl sitting beside the Fontana di Trevi sharing her ice cream with a dog, the palace of Westminster backlit by the shy sunshine in a cloudy dawn. A little boy running with arms wide open in front of the Winter Palace, a lost tourist holding a map in a German street in front of Brandenburg gate in a breathtaking afternoon. And for my surprise, a picture of mine, walking across the Basilica San Marcos while doves were flying around.
“Elena, those pictures are amazing!”
“Really?” — She frowned.
“You need to make an exhibition. Never thought about that possibility?”
She nodded while taking the camera off my hands, looking at all her pictures again with sharp eyes, examining each of them. A waiter came asking if we were ready to order, but she seemed to be really entertained to notice.
“Can I order for you?”
“Please” — She said without looking.
As soon as the waiter left she started to talk again, putting the camera on the table.
“You really liked my pictures?”
“A lot, actually” — She was looking at the table, folding and unfolding the napkin. She seemed not to believe her work was really good. — “Have you ever showed anyone your photos?”
“No, you were the first” — She looked into my eyes while speaking and a chill ran all over my spine. I was glad to hear that but I couldn’t understand why. She looked at the Piazza and stayed like this for some moments until she could speak again. — “I never thought about it as a profession. I love being an architect, but I fell in love with photography when I was eight and my grandma gave me a camera. I started to portrait everything, school parties, excursions, people taking walks on the beach, the sunset. I love to photograph the sunset. My parents laughing and dancing around the house… — “She nodded like she was remembering something and a smile showed up in her lips, but she seemed sad.
“Are you ok?” — I gently touched her hand but she didn’t answer. — “Yesterday you told me you have a grandma in North Carolina” — She nodded easily — “What about your parents? ”
She looked at me slowly, like she was evaluating me before saying anything. Her hand still played with the napkin.
“My parents died when I was a child. I was raised by my grandmother” — She said almost in a whisper, eyes fixed on the table.
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too” — I really regretted coming to this subject.
Fortunately, the waiter came with our orders and, while we ate, we remained silent, just the orchestra and conversations from other tables filled the silence between us. After we finished eating, she was the first to talk.
“Do you have siblings?”
“Two. Owen, the older, and Sophie, the younger.”
“What do they do?”
“My brother works with me in our family company and my sister is a fashion designer.”
“How about your parents?” — She closed her eyes for a moment. — “Daniel, I’m sorry. I have this habit of asking a lot of questions. My grandma has always said I should be a journalist.”
“No problem at all” — I was amused. — “My father is a lawyer but he never practiced law. He started the company before marrying my mother and he still works on it until today. My mother is a doctor, gy
necologist.
“My father was a doctor as well, cardiologist, but he became specialized in everything, since he was the only doctor in town.”
“Are you an only child?”
“Yes”
The afternoon continued smoothly while we were at the Café, just watching people and talking about anything. Before we left, she called the waiter and asked for a Nutella croissant and two coffees.
“I’m not even hungry, but this” — She pointed to the croissant. — “It’s divine!”
“Aren’t you going to put sugar in your coffee?”
“No, I prefer it bitter. So I can really taste it.”
“Too bitter!” — I said putting a second teaspoon of sugar inside my cup.
“You get used to it” — She took a sip before attacking the croissant.
“Want a bite?” — She asked after eating half of it and I denied with a gesture, then she bit it again. An amount of chocolate messed her face and, while she cleaned her lips slowly, I felt all the muscles of my body contracting. I couldn’t look away. How I wished I could do it! Kiss and lick the corner of her lips slowly.
I closed my eyes and nodded, trying to undo this picture. I needed more time with her. I needed to control myself. But, why?
I suddenly got up, leaving the money on the table.
“Let’s go” — I reached her hand and she looked at me a little scared but shedidn’t say anything. She ate the last bit of croissant and held my hand.
“May I ask where we are going?” — She asked while we crossed the crowded Piazza.
San Giorgio Maggiore Island. You can take awesome pictures there.
And so she did.
We went back to Piazza San Marcos at nightfall and what was a beautiful place before, became just perfect. A small band played tango in the middle of the Piazza and some couples danced graciously in front of the Ducal Palace Museum.
“You were right” — She said stopping in the middle of the Piazza with her hands on the waist, spinning around to see the place. — “Venetian nights are astonishing!” — I just nodded, fixedly looking at her.