Alchemy of Madness

Chapter Tweleve (Anna) ~2

The city cloaked in darkness as the first light of dawn timidly began to break through. The air was crisp and cool, carrying a sense of solitude that only early morning could provide.

After packing some delicious food and coffee, we took Alberto's jeep and head the road. The hum of the engine seemed louder in the quite road, a steady rhythm that matched the beating of my heart. I looked at Alberto, a soft smile laid on his face, one hand on the wheel and the other holding mine.

I looked back at my laptop, sighing. "Stop overthinking, it won't go anywhere." he said, raising my hand, leaving a soft kiss over my knuckles.

"I know," I shifted my body facing him completely, grabbing into his forearm. His smile went a bit wider. "Thank you for taking me, I truly needed a break." I moved, leaving a small kiss on his neck and getting a hum of approval from him. "So tell me, why this two days trip is critical?"

"Remember when I told you about my career shift journey?" I nodded. "Switching from law to culinary was rough. I hated my life back in DC, being an attorney runs in my family and being chef also runs in the family. Imagine growing up loving both. But after years being stuck in the office, I missed being creative and free."

"I can't imagine how boring it is."

"It was exciting at first, but after the first couple of years, it became really dull." The sky above gradually lightened, shadows cast by the trees and buildings along the roadside. He looked calm, his eyes focus on the road, didn't move his arm as I traced over the dark hair of his arm. "My grandfather is a legendary chef, along with three of my uncles and two of my cousins. To my family it was pretty much an expected move from me, but at that time I didn't truly know what to do. I was just miserable and confused."

"It's good that you have your family's support in this. I was expected a whole other story, especially from you father."

"I was shocked that he had the same dream, wanted to be an artist but he is just that good of a lawyer that he couldn't leave that life."

My mind traced to the other night when Alberto told me his story in details. He came from a large mix family. His father is Portuguese and his mother Italian American who both met in high school. His grandfather from his dad side is famous chef who owned restaurants across Europe, when his father was in middle school, they moved to America where the grandfather opened his first restaurant in DC. Alberto was the closest one to him, he taught him how to cook and enrolled him in private culinary school when he was young.

His mother side are all lawyers. When he told me his mother family name, I recognized them immediately, along with his father, they are royalty in the field. "Three years ago, I refused to be partner in the firm, it was the hardest decision I have ever made. I refused working with my family, I went to a different firm and started from the beginning, so reaching this point took me years."

"It's hard taking such life changing decision." I said.

"It was at that time, but looking back, it was the right timing." We went into a tunnel, leaving behind the bright sunlight and open sky. I always hated tunnels. Never knew the reason behind it, but... my brain always passes on a fear to my heart each time. I told Alberto one night about that ridicules fear of mine. It was on our very first date, his hand moved holding on my thigh. "It's a bit long, sorry."

I couldn't help but steal a quick kiss, I never thought he would remember such silly thing. "I'm fine, you're here. Keep talking, I love your voice."

He chuckled, and continued, "I moved back here eight years ago, re-opened the family house and studied from scratch. I think it was after two years, I was a bit hesitant to open the first bistro, unexpectedly, I met an old friend from my old culinary school, the one I attended when I was a teen. He was very excited by the idea and gave me the address of a wine house where it has the best wine ever."

The car moves smoothly out of the dark tunnel, I breathed. I has been years since I felt this safe and calm. The last time was with Damian. "I went to the wine house and it is just a magical place. I left there with a clear mind and determined heart. I am taking you there, it will definitely help you with your book." I nodded, resting my head over his shoulder. "I want you to open your heart to this trip, it will change your life." I hummed in agreement, as he drive in silence the rest of the road.