The day couldn't have been more beautiful as she got off the plane. Sun shining brightly as birds sang and people mingled in the airport. The temperature a wee bit warmer than Ireland but cozier. In truth, she couldn't believe she was back here so soon.
She earned her last vacation here after years of working the pub and inn. Listening to that bastard spew his nasty everywhere, giving her his boss-eyes and barely giving her a lint for pay. Escaped the cold rainy days to the warm summer days as she tried to learn more of the country and maybe pinpoint her dreams of the country. Chloe nearly knocked over people as she made a beeline towards the exit, knowing the car would be there like he said.
Ah yes, him. He was the other reason of wanting to come back to the country. Literally running into the man as she toured the Vatican City. He was a typical Italian yet the more she spoke to him, the more intrigued she was with him. Listening to him as he showed her around the vast place, pulling her away as it grew crowded and taking her to the river's edge, speaking of the depth of the city he knew so well. From his sweet voice and charm, to his darling amber eyes and happy smile, she was smitten with the man she just met and couldn't stay away.
And from what she gathered during that time, he was the same. He wanted to lavish her in the best ways he could. Wined and dined, strolls of the city and playing on the beaches, even just listening to her talk about anything and everything. There wasn't a moment he wasn't smiling at her, making her feel good about herself.
As the doors opened, she saw the Fiat waiting for her as the chauffeur held out the keys.
"Huh?" that was shocking, "Um... che...che... oh! Che cosa?"
The man smiled and handed her the keys, "Qui si va signora."
Chloe stood there dumbfounded as the keys laid in her hand. She knew there'd be a car waiting for her, not the fact that he would hand her the keys and walk away. Shaking her head, she placed her bags in the vehicle and started the little thing up. The red, grey, and cream interior shined like new as she looked over the dash, seeing the mounted GPS with her destination. She couldn't help herself as she squealed in excitement as she drove out of the airport, following the device's orders.
The road went with the land as she saw the groves go by, homes of ages old standing tall and strong on its original spot, families out together as they enjoyed the day that it was. She could almost smell the exotic scents of the Mediterranean as she continued her way, wondering what else she would have before her. As she turned on the final street it commanded to her, Chloe found herself agape at the home.
Only a few yards away from the monastery stood the aged stone home. Vines decorated the post of the terrace as stone steps both ascended and descended the home. The garden she witnessed stretched as far as she could see, holding what would be varieties of vegetables and fruits as the sweet trees around the place gave off the natural Italian life. To say she was amazed was a lie, she was at a loss for words over the place.
Placing the car in park, Chloe got out to admire it even more as she spun around in amazement.
"Hey!" she heard someone yell.
Looking up to the terrace, she saw a young man leaning over the rail as he looked down at her, "Tu chi sei?"
"Oh, um..." curse her and not refreshing her Italian, "Mi chiamo Chloe."
She prayed she got that right, should've asked him to help her better than flirting with him like she did, "Sto cercando Feliciano."
"Not native, are you?" he asked as he smiled at her, another man coming up behind him.
"Diego!" the man yelled, pulling him away from the side, "No flirting with anybody. You get in enough trouble little brother."
"I was asking the pretty girl who she was."
"Ragazza?" the man leaned over, "What's a girl like you have business here for?"
Well, he was a bit rougher than she thought, "I'm looking for-"
"Chloe!"
Chloe turned to find Feliciano flying down the stairs towards her, the bright, happy grin she missed so much plastered on his face as he scooped her up into a tight hug.
"Feli!" she hugged back, "It's good to see you again."
"No kidding. It's felt like forever since I saw you, even though we were just talking on the computer not long ago." he bubbled out, "Come on, I'll get your bags, come in. Come in!"
He was twice as excited as before as he dodged to the car and grabbed her things, she couldn't help but smile at him as he ushered her into the large home. Yet again, Chloe found herself lost for words as she entered it. The kitchen itself took most of the space as it reached to the angled ceiling. The living area was just beside it as both boys came over to them.
"So, this is the pretty girl you've been talking about Feli." the one wrapped his arms around her, "Nice to finally meet her. Good catch too, she's really pretty."
"Nice to meet you too." she smiled at him.
"Diego, why don't you be a flirt elsewhere?" the other said to him.
"Jealous Lovi?"
"Not even, stupid bastardo."
Chloe looked at the three of them, noticing the tight resemblance of them, "Triplets?"
"Triplets? Hell, no ragazza!" Lovi yelled, "Not even."
"Don't mind him, he's always like this." Diego pointed out, "He's like a crotchety old man."
"Shut it!"
"Come on guys, let's not make a bad impression on her already." Feli tried to calm Lovi and get Diego from picking on him, "Sorry Chloe, we are normally calmer than this. He's a bit upset that our friends are coming over later to talk about business."
"That stupid Spanish bastard won't leave me alone and Marques just plays on his guitar all day, they won't talk, it's useless." Lovi walked off as Diego tailed behind him.
She heard Feli give a defeated sigh, "Well, I tried at least."
"An A for effort in my book." she smiled at him, "Now then. I know I just walked through the door and I know you well enough so far after the five months of nonstop chatter we've mustered up. I'm in dire need of your cooking."
"Oh, of course!" he jumped in delight as he made his way over to the kitchen shelf.
Sure enough, he pulled a plate out and set it on the table, the smile bright on his face as he pulled the chair for her.
"You really know how to charm a woman don't you?"
"Chloe, I'm Italian. It's in my blood."
She laughed as she sat down, smelling the delicious meal, "Fettuccine al pomodoro?"
"Sì."
She couldn't stop herself from digging into the dish, tasting the seasons as the tomato burst in her mouth. Yes, she could eat like this forever.
"You like it?"
"Feli, when have I ever not ate your cooking?"
"True." he smiled, "Dessert after?"
"Trying to make me fatter than I already am?"
"Chloe." Oops, she knew that whine, the same one that she gained when she said she was overweight for her swimsuit. "You're not fat."
"Sorry." she sighed, "What is it for tonight anyway?"
"Panna cotta."
"Which berries?" she asked nearly jumping at the fact.
"Mixed." he smiled.
"You're too good to me."
He chuckled as he placed another plate before her and a glass of wine. Oh, how she missed this spoiling. The sweet dessert exploded with creamy flavor as the wine gave it a refreshing twist, this was the life. As she enjoyed the meal, her mind floated back to the last day she saw him and his words to her as well. It was now or never to see if he was serious that day.
"Feli?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you remember the last day we were together, when you dropped me off at the airport? Do you remember what I told you about in the car?"
"Sì?"
"Well, did you keep your word?"
"About?"
Well, here it goes, "Will you help me understand the women in my dreams?"