What’s He Like? Where Did He Fall In Love With You?

12th October 1999

GIOVANNI CALLED AGAIN. Yes, he’s called again! He did as he said he would. And he said he would be waiting for me, with Alessandro, at four o’clock in the agency. Susana told me this morning, and I was jumping up and down I was so happy.

‘What’s up, sweetheart? You sound as if you’d heard wedding bells!’

Obviously, I had to control myself to some extent with her, otherwise she might have got suspicious. I had no intention of giving Giovanni my phone number on his second visit. First, because I wanted to get to know him a bit better. And second, because I didn’t want to risk problems at the brothel. They keep a close watch on me, and I’m afraid of the owners.

This time, Alessandro decided to spend an hour with Mae. He obviously liked her second time around. When I went into the living room I saw Giovanni on his own, waiting for me. I was late again. But his smile when I came into the room told me his desire to see me was stronger than his impatience.

This time we had to use the small bedroom, as Alessandro had taken the suite. We weren’t as comfortable as we might have been, but we didn’t care. We made love more passionately than I could have believed possible in a place like this. We indulged in all kinds of games, and when his time was up, Susana had to knock on the door to remind us the session was over.

‘Give me your phone number,’ Giovanni said all of a sudden.

‘No, I’m sorry, I can’t,’ I replied, without explanation.

‘Why not? Don’t you want to see me again? You could travel with me sometimes. I’d pay you the same, if that’s what’s worrying you.’

‘Of course I want to see you again. But not outside the apartment.’

I pointed up at the ceiling, to try to get him to understand our conversation was being recorded.

‘What’s wrong?’

He didn’t seem to get it, and took hold of my hands as though begging me to tell him what was going on.

I searched in my bag for a biro and a piece of paper, and wrote on it: ‘They’ve put microphones in the room.’

He took the pen from me and wrote: ‘Give me your phone number, per piacere.’

I didn’t give it him. I was dying to, but for some reason I chose not to. Giovanni was sad when he left, but promised he’d be back on 25th November to spend a whole night with me, outside the apartment. That’s a long way off, and I didn’t know how I was going to be able to bear his absence. This second meeting with Giovanni made a great impression on me, and I’m sure it’s going to affect my work in the brothel. I’m completely torn, because I think he could be the great love of my life, but I don’t know what he feels. He liked me a lot, but probably nothing more than that. I could hardly imagine he had fallen head over heels in love with me.