Only you, just you

At your service, Madam

Important encounters are planned by the souls long before the bodies see each other. Paulo Coelho

"We would have found the place eventually!" Poppy complained as they jumped into a taxi.

They had finally made it to Rome, speeding by the Coliseum and all the tourists gawking up at it. Rey's spirits lifted as the city came into view and she couldn't wait another minute to find the woman 'Anna'.

The taxi driver announced their arrival at Gucci on the Via dei Condotti. They had to push their way through the crowds that were there it see the famous Spanish Steps and the Trei Fountain and welcomed the cool air conditioning that greeted them.

It was a bit intimidating to walk into such a expensive and luxurious boutique.
A well off couple glided passed them, the woman smugly holding a newly purchased purse. Rey was no one to be jealous of rich people but Poppy sniffed at the extravagant life style of these people.

They hurried over to a woman at the counter. She looked up expectantly and smiled serenely.

"Can I help you?" She asked in broken English.

"Oh thank goodness you speak English!" Poppy blurted, she hated the language barrier. It was hard enough to ask for directions or where the ladies wash room was.

Rey stepped forward and spoke quickly. "Hi, Um, we're looking for a woman named Anna that works here. Is she here?"

"I am Anna." The woman declared. Rey resisted the urge to leap into the woman's arms and hug her. Finally, the search was over. At least for this woman.

"Oh Anna, it's so nice to meet you." Rey smiled brightly. " We've come all the way from Venice to find you."

Anna looked surprised that these two women even knew her name. " I need to ask you something important." Rey continued breathlessly. She could hardly contain her excitement.
"We are looking for Poe Dameron. Do you know where we might find him?"

Anna's face suddenly turned dark and stormy. She began swearing and sputtering in rapid Italian, shocking Rey into silence.

"What is she so mad about?" Poppy took a few steps back, putting a safe distance between herself and the angry woman.

Rey caught the word 'Pig' and assumed she was yelling about Poe. Oh dear. This can't be good news.

They might walk away empty handed she feared. All this way for nothing. This can't be another dead end.

Just then a well dressed man stepped out from behind a curtain. Apparently coming to see what his employee was ranting and raving about.
He quickly calmed Anna down, whispering in her ear something Rey could not hear, then turned to Rey.

"Can I be of assistance?"

"You can!" Both Rey and Poppy spoke at once. Anna had become tight lipped and crossed her arms in front of herself, a signal that she was through with this conversation. There would no no more help from her.

"We were looking for a man named Poe Dameron and we were told she knew him but when we said his name she got upset."

"Si, yes . I'll ask her."

Anna fussed and fumed and then left in a huff. The manager turned back to them and grinned like he knew better than to say word for word what Anna said. So he chose the tactful approach.

"She had a date with him nine o'clock tonight at La Pergola ristorante but her plans have unavoidably changed."

"Oh thank you, thank you so much!" Rey was more grateful than she could say. She smiled appreciatively at the handsome gentleman, and didn't feel a bit sorry that Anna's date with her soulmate was canceled. The stars were aligned for her and him.

No one else.

The manager bowed at them graciously. " My name is Giovani at your service, madam. You just arrived in Rome? Si? Are you looking for a place to stay?"

Rey had began to walk away but Poppy stoped her when she heard him offer to help them find a hotel in this larger than life city.

"Ah, Si, yes, we are actually." Poppy blushed when Giovani came around the counter and took her hand in his and kissed it gallantly.

" I know of a wonderful place. It's just a few steps away from here. A lovely pensione . You will love it."

They walked a short distance to the hotel and Rey went to check in, leaving Poppy with Giovani in the courtyard.

The scent of roses and ferns that clung to the walls, filled Poppy's nose. Giovani had good taste , that was certain.

A cool breeze lifted Poppy's hair away from her face and Giovani thought she looked enchanting. He never had trouble seducing beautiful woman and here was his chance at an American.
He did notice the wedding ring on her left hand , but that was no deterrent to his interest in her.

"I hope you will enjoy your time here." Giovani drawled. " Poppy, it greaves me to say I must leave tomorrow. It is unavoidable, but when I get back I'd like to take you on a tour of the fountains. Their bellisima, beautiful."

"Oh, Um..." Poppy was flattered and felt a flush come over her face as he bent over her hand and kissed it for the second time.
She only known this guy for a few minutes and he was already flirting with her. This was totally crazy!

"Yeah, sure." She was also slightly panicking. She was a married woman and wasn't used to handsome and worldly men kissing her hand and looking at her as if she were desirable.

"Until then." He said, then backed away. Keeping his gaze on her until he reached the bend in the road.

"Oh my gosh." Poppy whispered to herself. "Wow."

She skipped behind Rey up to their room and promptly face planted on the bed. Time for a well deserved Italian nap.

Rey also thought a nap was a good idea. She wanted to be awake and refreshed for tonight, but she woke up to a tummy full of butterflies.

Why could she not shake her anxiety? No time to analyze her feelings, she had to get ready!

She showered and got dressed in her alluring red dress. She loved this dress. It made her feel powerful and seductive.

She didn't get much of an opportunity to be seductive. Being a school teacher at a parochial school didn't give her many opportunities.

She looked at herself in a vanity mirror and applied some red lipstick. She tried to keep her hands from shaking but it was difficult. Why was she so nervous?

"Rey," Poppy had some last minute advice for her worried friend, " whatever happens, you'll be okay."

She smiled back at her sister in law, grateful that she was here and helping her through this.