il mio primo e ultimo amore

Tuscany, Italy

The days together in Rome went by quickly.

Cha Young goes for her self-defense practice daily and Vincenzo is informed by Isabella on alternate days regarding the progress she's made. Soon, when he gets free from work early, he joins Cha Young and Isabella is dismissed, and then he becomes her instructor for the rest of the time.

They fall into a domestic routine.

Cha Young wakes up and makes breakfast for the both of them, then Vincenzo leaves soon after. If she has some errands to run, she goes out with Isabella, because they've gotten along well together, and Cha Young likes her company. Then comes the self-defense class in evening and usually Vincenzo picks her up from the gym and if not, then a driver is sent by him. On days he picks her up, he makes dinner for both of them, on Cha Young's request of eating an Italian dish. He helps her on weekends to learn to make an Italian dish in spare times when they're both home, but she's still in process and frankly, she's usually exhausted when she comes back so he's the one making supper.

If he doesn't come back, then she just makes her own meal and puts one aside for him to have when he comes home.

There are days he comes with his collar and cuffs in blood.

They don't talk about it, Cha Young doesn't ask, and he prefers to remain silent.

But if he comes a little bruised, she does asks if the blood is his or not while treating his wounds, though he's told her he'll do it on his own and then receives a heated glare from her.

The answer satisfies her and then silence engulfs them both.

Soon, they leave for Florence, Tuscany.

Vincenzo tells her that the Cassano Family holds a festival every spring in which everyone gathers and spend a week or two together. He tells her that the family has an estate on the outskirts of Tuscany with several vineyards.

The family holds a huge share in the import and export of winery of Italy. That is one of their many businesses.

Once they land, they're escorted by Luca and Marco and then are making their way to the estate.

There's a brief chat between the three of the men while Cha Young is mesmerized by the beauty of Tuscany and is glued to the windows the whole ride.

While she's lived in Italy for a long period of time, she's never had the chance to explore it.

Her father being busy with work and her with studies, mostly.

And even if she had holidays, her father didn't and those rare days he was home, they were spent in drinking heaps of makgeolli and spending quality time with each other.

Lush green landscape and hills with hues of orange sun rays captivating the sky is a sight to behold.

She admires the view along the ride.

"It's beautiful, here." She says while watching the view as the car drives by.

"Wait till you see the estate, it's more peaceful and beautiful." Vincenzo says while smiling at her being bewitched from the scenery.

And true to his words, the estate was enchanting.

They stopped by the front of the villa where the guards opened the doors for both of them.

In front of the main gate, she could see Antonella and Cassandra waiting for them.

Vincenzo soon came to her side and they walked in towards them.

"Youngina!" Antonella hugs her tight and kisses both of her cheeks.

"Come'stai?"

Vincenzo is next in line for the hug. He certainly doesn't know how he feels about him becoming the second, in line.