After only six hours of sleep, I opened my eyes feeling unexpectedly rested. I jumped into the shower, feeling the pleasure of the hot water on my back. I slipped into my jeans that I paired with a striped t-shirt and a light sweater. I applied only some mascara to my eyes, the eyes Cristian had complimented the night before.
I couldn’t stop singing silly songs. I felt cheerful and beautiful.
I had set the breakfast table with cups, fresh fruit, toast, butter and marmalade. I put the coffee pot on the burner. Thank god that week I had stopped at the grocery store, so my refrigerator wasn’t the usual empty, desolate place.
Precisely at ten the two guys rang my bell.
“Welcome, darlings! Sorry for the mess,” I added, to feel like a true Milanese.
“Good morning, Coco,” Claudio said kissing my forehead, “Actually, for the first time your apartment doesn’t look like a battle field!”
“Very kind!” I laughed. “Did you bring the treasure?”
“Pastries, just out of the oven!” Cristian handed me a warm paper bag fragrant with a sweet smell.
“Don’t worry, Coco, everything is low calorie!” Claudio winked at me.
“Coffee is ready. Please, sit down.”
“We met Mrs Leoncini downstairs. She’s quite an eccentric person,” Claudio said.
“She’s an intense woman.” I could say this since now I felt I knew her much better…
“She went out with a beautiful flower in her hair, but she forgot to put a skirt on over her slip.” Claudio bit into his first pastry and his moustache and beard became all white with powdered sugar.
“You look pretty odd yourself right now!” Cristian said, while Claudio tried to understand what was wrong with him. “You remind me of someone… ah, Santa Claus!”
“Please, pleeease, Santa, bring me lots of gifts this year. I’ve been such a good girl!” I couldn’t stop laughing.
Claudio stood up and looked at himself in the mirror, “you’re both too funny for this early in the morning…”
I handed him a napkin, trying hard to stay serious.
“Well, I can’t judge anybody. I’m so absent-minded too… A couple of days ago I started the washer without soap. So, at the end of the cycle, I had to start over, but I forgot to put the soap again!”
“You’re working too hard, Coco. You should have more fun.” Claudio said, while he cleaned sugar off of his face.
At this point it was like a mantra that everybody repeated to me, you must have more fun.
“I hope you’re not thinking of organizing another blind date for me!”
“No, no! I won’t be the one to put my best friend into the arms of some squalid dude. Promise.”
“Good, because I’m perfectly fine. I decided that I will go out again only when I meet the right person.”
I felt Cristian’s gaze and blushed. I was relieved that Claudio was too busy with his second pastry to notice my embarrassment.
“Remember, it can’t rain all the time,” he used one of his movie quotes.
“However, I’m also working too much.” Cristian said, pouring another cup of coffee for himself. I was happy he liked it. I’ve always been very good at making espresso.
“But you have a great job… That’s not fair!” I told him, while finishing my almond pastry.
“It’s true, I’m lucky. I do what I love and I feel privileged. Yet, it’s also hard: we have rehearsals, lots of travel, sometimes we are in a different city every night in impersonal hotel rooms.”
“Sure, but don’t forget your audience, the applause, the gratification…” I continued.
“Are you telling me that nobody applauds you, when you do your job well?” Claudio seemed especially positive this morning. Being with his friend was good for him.
“Of course! Every time I pick up the right wedding dress everyone bursts into applause and they throw bouquets of flowers at me!”
“Be careful not to catch one, otherwise you’ll have to organize your own wedding!”
We kept laughing and drinking coffee. The sky was grey and the sun had hidden behind the clouds. A gust of wind blew through the open window. I went to close it. Cristian took this chance to stand up and bring the cups to the sink. This was such a nice gesture that I smiled sweetly at him.
“Don’t worry. I can do it later.” I said.
“No worries, it’s a pleasure!” His smile was so endearing. He wasn’t only handsome; he was a gentleman too. Did this guy have any faults?
Claudio also began to help, bringing plates and the coffee pot to the kitchen counter. Then, as if he had suddenly remembered, he said, “Sorry guys, but I really must go. Late this afternoon my movie club will show El Topo. It’s the first film of the Jodorowsky series, and I need to help with it. Coco, if you are free tonight, stop by.”
“Thank you, but I think I’ll stay home and go to bed early.”
“Ok! I run. Cristian, you can stay. You have my house key…”
“Yes, I think I’ll stay a little bit longer.” He looked at me with his deep, dark eyes, and I looked down.
As soon as Claudio left, there was an embarrassing silence between us. I was putting plates and cups into the dishwasher, while Cristian looked at my books on the shelves. Then he came close to me and asked: “Would you like to take a walk? I’m free until four, and I want to see a place in Milan where I used to go years ago.”
I would have gone to the moon with this guy, so I enthusiastically accepted.
“I’ll put a pair of shoes on, and I’m ready!”
“Hey! Comfortable shoes… we will have to walk a little bit.”
I put my Converse on. Then I took a tweed jacket, a hat and my key. I looked at the sky, even greyer, but I wanted to be optimistic, it can’t rain all the time, I thought.
Cristian knew Milan’s subway system really well. He must have spent long periods here, since he went around as if it were his home. We took the yellow line, then changed at Stazione Centrale and took the green line. We got out at Cimiano, started to walk in Viale Palmanova and then we turned onto a side street. I had no idea where he was leading me, but trustingly I kept following. I liked being with Cristian. While we were walking, he told me about the show he was touring, about the other actors and his relationship with them.
We turned into another small street, went down a few steps and found ourselves in front of a little stream in a park. It was a pedestrian area with a nearby bike path. Several people were jogging, couples were kissing on the benches, and other people sat on the lawn reading or eating.
“Where are we?” I asked, curious about this green space in the city that I’d never seen before.
“We are on one of Milan’s canals, Naviglio of Martesana, the smallest one. You’ve never been here?”
“No, I didn’t know it.” I was discovering hidden parts of Milan thanks to a guy who came from the other side of the world!
It had been a mild fall and the trees still had their leaves. Small houses along the canal had lush gardens and the stream was still full of ducks and funny otters. I also could hear the frogs’ persistent concert.
“It’s beautiful here.” I said, looking around and still surprised.
“Yes, it’s a magical place. And you would never know we are only a few steps from Via Padova, one of the most populated and dangerous areas in the city.”
“It’s true! How do you know it?” I was impressed by Cristian’s knowledge of Milan.
“Years ago I had a girlfriend who lived in this area.”
I felt a little jealous of that lucky Milanese girl…
“I’ve never been to South America. What’s it like?”
“Bolivia is wonderful, but very poor.”
“Is your family living there?”
“Yes. My family is originally from Spain and they used to be very wealthy, until about a century ago. They also owned slaves.”
“Slaves?” I asked, perplexed.
“Yes, unfortunately the abolition of slavery is recent in my country. Crazy, right? It’s also for this reason that I do a certain type of theatre. I’m doing this to somehow redeem my ancestors, to let people know our history, so that nobody will ever forget. Sometimes I think art may succeed where politics fails.”
Smiling, I nodded. A bicycle passed us at high speed, ringing its bell. Cristian grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him, out of its path. His movement was so fast that all of a sudden we were very close to each other, on the edge of the canal. I smelled his scent again and my heart started beating fast. Slowly he let my arm go, but we remained close. He brushed away my hair and caressed me on the cheek. I hoped he would kiss me, but he moved away and, looking into my eyes, said: “You are beautiful, Rebecca.”
I thought of all the compliments I was receiving recently, more than I had ever received in all my life, but they seemed so useless!
He continued to talk with his deep and sensual accent. “I would love to spend more time with you and get to know you. I would like to learn how you live, what you do, what you like and what you don’t…”
“I would like to know you better too!”
“But unfortunately we don’t have much time. I will be leaving in two weeks, and I don’t know when I’ll be back again. I can’t promise you anything. You’re so beautiful, elegant, funny and sweet. Your eyes seem to tell many stories. You should have a man at your side, a man who is able to read your mind, who knows your heart, your fragilities…”
I decided to stop him… I was deeply touched. This stranger, that destiny on a random evening had put into my life by chance, had understood me! He knew what I was looking for.
I pulled him closer to me and tightly embraced him. Then I lifted my face to his, closed my eyes and he kissed me. It was a long, passionate kiss. When he put his hands on my hips and sweetly drew me even closer, I lost myself in the moment.
We began to feel the first rain drops, but we didn’t move. We let the rain fall. Then Cristian took my face into his hands and I opened my eyes. His smile was splendid. “Maybe we should find shelter…”
We started to run in the rain, laughing, looking for any sort of cover. Completely drenched, we found a structure shaped like a castle in a children’s playground. Cristian, smiling like a kid himself said, “Please, Princess, you first.” We crawled inside and continued to kiss, while lightning and thunder were lacerating the sky.
In the early afternoon we parted. He went to the theatre for rehearsals and I went back home. I lay down on my sofa and began to dream about what had just happened, until my phone rang.
“Hi Coco, what’s up?” It was Emma. Knowing her, I was sure she had just got out of bed.
“Hi! I am on the sofa and I’m falling in love.”
“Whaaaat?”
I told her what had happened and she, without even letting me finish my story, exclaimed: “It’s fantastic! How is he? When I will get to meet him? And when is he leaving?”
“Well, I prefer not to think about it. We only have two weeks, and I have decided to enjoy every moment without thinking of tomorrow.”
“I think it’s a wise decision. Last night your destiny gave you a beautiful Bolivian actor; my destiny is giving me a terrible hangover today! I had too much to drink last night.”
We both laughed like little girls.
“Emma, there is something about this guy that it’s so appealing. It’s not only the physical attraction, there is something deeper…”
“Will you make love to him?”
“Oh yes! At least, I really hope so.”
“Coco, you know I’m always straightforward with you, especially about feelings. Don’t fall in love with this guy. You won’t be able to go through another loss. I’m sure about this.”
“Don’t worry, Emma. This time I’m prepared, and have no expectations. I know it will end soon. I just want to live these two weeks like a dream.”
“Do you know what Claudio would say? That you’re living your The Bridges of Madison County fantasy.”
“I love that film. But Cristian is much more beautiful than Clint Eastwood!”
“Seriously? I definitely need to meet this man. You know that you can’t have a relationship without my approval!” She laughed. “When will you see him again?”
“He promised to call me tonight after the show.”
“You have a really good excuse for staying up late…”
“Absolutely!”
We said goodbye and I promised to call her on Monday to give all the details of a night that promised to be unforgettable.
I was so excited about this new encounter and the beautiful day I had spent, that I didn’t realize that for almost twenty-four hours I had not thought of Niccolò for one minute!
It’s curious how the brain works: suddenly it replaces a face, a name, feelings and even a smell. For weeks it has caused you to obsess about repetitive thoughts, always the same, against your will. You find yourself thinking and dreaming about things that make you suffer deeply and you can’t stop doing it. Yet, all of a sudden, something changes. An encounter, a song, a film, or a sunny day can derail your train of thought. You begin to fantasize about different things, you have new ideas, and slowly you start to remove your old thoughts, leaving room for new things to happen.
Living is an interesting experience. At times you feel that all is lost, that happiness will never come back, and that your balance and your serenity have been destroyed forever by lost loves and failures. Then this feeling changes and beautiful new things come. We only need to be open minded enough to recognize and embrace them.
I made a fruit salad for myself (I had skipped lunch – too much kissing!) and then I lay down on my bed to rest for a little while. But I fell into a deep sleep, relaxed and happy.
The phone ringing awoke me up. When I opened my eyes it was already dark. I looked at my cell phone display and my heart started racing… Cristian had finished his show, and had called me.
“Hey Cris, how are you?” I tried to be as natural as possible.
“Hi Rebecca, did I disturb you?” he asked with his irresistible voice.
“Not at all! I was doing a few things around the house, nothing important…” I continued my performance.
“I thought of you all afternoon. I want to see you, right away. I can’t wait. Can we meet for a glass of wine near your place?”
“Sure!” I didn’t pretend to resist very long.
“In about half an hour I should be there. Do you want to meet at Moma?”
“Perfect. I will see you there.”
“I’m on my way”
The passion that Cristian seemed to put into everything puzzled me. I felt desired, wanted. I was the object of someone’s desire, someone I felt crazy about.
I had half an hour to transform myself into a knockout! I quickly got out of bed and started to explore my closet. I wanted something sexy. At last I opted for a pair of tight pants, a striped black and white t-shirt with a tiny black sweater and ballet flats with a camellia on the toe. It was a sexy look, but not too elegant, casual enough for a glass of wine in the neighbourhood. But underneath I had on very special underwear that I had bought a while ago and never had the occasion to wear. This was the moment to have it pay for itself! I put on some lip-gloss, brushed my hair, and I was ready.
I knew how the evening would end. The tension and attraction between us was too powerful; we would make love, and nothing could spoil my very special night. Everything seemed to be on my side.
I put on a few drop of Chanel No 5, grabbed my trench coat and handbag, and closed the door behind me.
*
I found Cristian outside the bar holding a glass of wine.
“Have you been waiting long?” I kissed him lightly on the lips.
“All my life!” He warmly and passionately embraced me. I know his words may sound a little corny, but maybe because of his actor’s voice, my legs began shaking.
I ordered a glass of wine too and lost myself to my feelings.
Cristian told me how his show had gone that evening; at times he interrupted himself to lightly kiss me on the neck.
“I like your scent…” I thanked Chanel for creating No 5. That night I felt like Marilyn Monroe, who wore just two drops of it before going to sleep, naked of course…
We finished our drinks and headed towards my apartment. Every two steps he stopped to kiss and touch me. It took almost one hour to travel the very short distance between Moma and my building. In front of my door we still were embracing and kissing like kids. It was hard to find my key… Cristian whispered, “let’s make this night last as an eternity.”
I took his hand and led him to my bedroom. We slowly undressed, helping each other with kisses and caresses, then we abandoned ourselves to our night without end.