𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞

ɪᴛᴀʟʏ

As we continued to drive, I admired the lights all around me. It was undeniably beautiful in Italy. It was a bummer that I didn't have the time on my hands to explore it further.

Today is far more important to me than Enrico probably realizes.

I returned my gaze to him, taking my eyes off the lights. He was driving with one hand on the wheel while the other was resting on the arm rest.

While driving, he appeared to be both handsome and at ease. Not wanting him to feel my eyes on him, I moved my gaze back to my window, admiring the lights once more.

After a few more minutes of driving, we arrived at a massive building. It appeared to be old, but it was polished and new. When I read the sign, I knew we were at a museum.

I smiled when I realized I could cross this off my to-do list.

I must've been in my thoughts for too long that Enrico was able to turn off the car, exit, and open my door for me. I thanked him with a smile for his kind gesture. In exchange, he gave me a half-smile.

He grabbed my hand before I could dash into the museum. I felt warmed by his hand, which was both soft yet rough. As we both walked towards the museum, I shrugged off the feeling.

As soon as we entered the museum, I inhaled the scent of wood and amber. The fragrance of paper lingered in the air as well; it was an old yet appropriate scent for a museum.

People gazed at us as we walked around. Despite the fact that this was a popular museum, we were dressed too casually. But it didn't bother me because I wasn't by myself.

Enrico took me around the museum and told me about each sculpture and painting, as well as the history behind them. I had no idea he was this intelligent.

He just seemed genuinely passionate about knowing his history.

This was another quality that stood out to me.

We resumed our trek, but I came to a halt when I noticed something beautiful in front of me.

It was undoubtedly a lovely young lady in her late teenage years. As she laid down in a river, she stared up at the sky.

Her long dress floated to the top of the water, surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers. Flowers appeared to have fallen into the river with her.

I couldn't see her face very well, but she appeared to be sorrowful.

Enrico approached me as I was studying the picture. As he bent down so that his mouth was to my ear, his breath on my neck made me shudder.

"Ophelia was the Hamlet's lover, and this painting was named after her. What do you see?" He asked me.

I took in a big breath and exhaled slowly. "She appears to be sad or distressed. The plants in her immediate vicinity convey a story."

"She was mourning the death of her late father, who had been murdered by her lover. As a result, she was devastated by her lover's betrayal of trust as well as her father's death. After lying in a river, she drowned. As you mentioned, the plants in her environment play a role in this painting. Each flower represents something unique about her." He explained as he gently rubbed my arm.

"The violets around her neck symbolize purity and youth, as she was at the time. The daisies represent her trust, as she did with her lover before he betrayed her. Her death is symbolized by the poppy." When Enrico was done speaking, he took a step back and stood next to me.

I inhaled deeply and considered all that he had said. I couldn't imagine what she was going through at the time.

"It's fascinating how a painting can convey and display such emotions. The art and detail is incredible. I couldn't image myself in her situation." I muttered.