Joost And me

The golden hour

In the limousine I talked to the taxi driver about everything.
What the economy is like in Italy, about the best date spots and most importantly, how he knew it was me who should actually go with him instead of taking the bus.

"Mister Klein told me you would take the bus, he said that's just you.." So he texted me a picture from you in case you wouldn't see me standing in the hall with your name on my card."
He said with vigorous hand gestures as he looked through the rear view mirror.

"Oh so that's why, I really thought that was funny back there." I joked

"So you like him?" He said as he looked at me intently through the mirror.

"Who?"

"Mister Klein of course!"
"Yes, I think so" I started to fiddle with my clothes and looked down.

"Why you think so? Are you not sure about it?"
"No i am not sure about it, i am more a bit confused." I didn't dare look at the taxi driver anymore, so I looked out the window at the beautiful landscape filled with palm trees and bushes of flowers.

"Well, does your heart race when you see him?"
"Uhm yes.."

"Do your cheeks feel warm and red when he talks to you and he says something nice?"
"Almost every time." My cheeks turned red again and I put my hand on my cheek with a shy smile.

"Well let me tell you something principessa, that is love.. Amore as how we call it, relax a bit and let it overwhelm you."

I nodded and the conversation fell a bit silent.

But I loved every moment of being in the limo, I looked out and when the driver opened the window I swore I could even smell citrus fruits.

I said that and he laughed.
"Just wait until you taste the limoncello we make."
He laughed out loud and turned on the radio, he started singing along to something that is probably or had been a summer hit here.

I even got to play with the controls and slowly watched the screen rise and fall between the driver and me.

Everything felt like a dream and I still couldn't believe that all of this is reality, the best challenge I have ever taken on without even knowing that I was going to take it on.

"Here it is signora, your hotel The Grand Palace."

We pulled into the driveway for taxi drivers and other vehicles, like a limousine or yes... taxis.

I wanted to open my door but the driver was ahead of me, he held the door open for me and reached out his hand so I could take his hand.
"Thank you." I said cheerfully and friendly, when I got out of the limo.

I fixed my clothes as the man pulled my suitcase from the trunk, his soft brown eyes confirming that the ride was now over.

"Here you go, your suitcase."

"Thank you sir, also thank you for this experience"
I squeezed my hands together to express my gratitude.

"It is no problem mia figlia*, always happy to bring happiness to another."

I pulled up the handle of my suitcase and I smiled at the man, he stood there for a moment with the door in his hand and said:

"And don't forget! Let it overwhelm you!"

I giggled and waved him goodbye triumphantly as he drove away.

I walked to the reception and when I said my name I quickly received my card, the reception employee walked with me to my room.

"Here you go miss, room number 205 for you," She opened the door and walked in. "So this is the Deluxe Suite room with a view over the city."

My eyes first fell on the bed, beautifully made and very large, the green cushions behind the pillows were beautiful. Just like it had satin pillowcases on it.

"And here we have the mini bar, 2 water is free and the rest will be put on the tap." She had the door of the mini fridge in her hands and pointed to the water in it.

"Uh well thank you" I said shyly

"No problem miss, if you want anything you can call the reception and breakfast is from 8 in the morning until 12." She walked towards the door and then said: "Have a nice stay!"

"Thank you!" I replied politely and closed the room door behind her.

The hotel room was separated by two walls, in the first room was the bed with a large television hanging on the wall opposite.
I walked further to the second large room, there was a small bench with smaller decorative cushions, the same color as those on the bed.

And indeed the beautiful view over the city, I saw the cars driving and people walking when I looked down. And further on I could see church steeples, conquering their way to the top of the sky.

I turned around and saw the shower...
I stood there in shock and took a deep breath, this wasn't just any shower.
This was a shower that was in the middle of the room so that you could see each other showering, at least if you were not already showering together.

Did Joost plan this or does he not know about this either? Since he is now in another hotel, which is closer to his set to shoot a new video clip.
I know he's coming here tonight and biting my lip because of the tension, I hesitantly looked for my phone.

"Omg I have to tell him this." I thought.

I picked up my phone and opened Instagram, he had already sent me a message:

Hey Mara, have you arrived yet?
If so, I want you to walk to the wardrobe, there is something special for you in it.
Wear this and come to this address at 8:00 PM:
Piazza della Trinita dei Monti, 6, 00187
Roma RM, Italy

I threw my phone back next to my bag and looked hopefully at the wardrobe.
I almost skipped over there and when I opened the wardrobe there was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen.

A long dress with beautiful long and detailed pleats. In the color emerald green.
That was the color I couldn't remember for the pillows on the bed and sofa... Emerald green.