A Gaze to Remember

Chapter 2 - Empty Bottle, Full Heart

MONDAY 12 AUGUST 2024

Vivienne paced around the small apartment she had rented for her stay in Rome. She felt a swirl of uncertainty about what to do next. Should she call him? And if so, what would she say? Would she invite him to hang out? Would that be considered a date? The questions crowded her mind.

She thought about simply discarding the paper with his number and moving on, but that seemed too easy. She had come to Rome to find adventure and perhaps discover something about herself, and maybe Reid was part of that journey. Maybe he was exactly what she needed to make this experience memorable and meaningful.

She decided to be brave, something she had never really been before. Reid had made her feel a spark of courage she didn't know she had. With a deep breath, she picked up her phone, dialed his number, and pressed the call button. Her heart raced as she waited for him to answer, each ring amplifying her anticipation.

Somewhere in Rome, Reid and Vivienne found a serene, secluded spot that resembled a small park. They settled onto the grass beside each other. Reid uncorked a bottle of white wine he had brought, took a sip, and handed it to Vivienne. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he said, gazing out at the view.

Vivienne glanced at him, then at the scene before them. "It really is," she agreed. Reid laid back on the grass, eyes fixed on the clear blue sky. Rome, he mused, was indeed magical in every way.

"So, Viv," he asked, still watching the sky, "what are you hoping to find here in Rome?"

Vivienne hesitated before answering. "Hmm, who said I'm hoping to find anything here?" She didn't want to reveal too much too soon. What if he thought she was strange? It was already unusual enough that he was here with her, talking to her. The fact that he had even answered her call felt surreal. Her thoughts raced with insecurity; perhaps Rome was where she could finally build her confidence.

"Come on, everyone is hoping to find something, Viv," Reid said, his voice gentle.

Vivienne liked the nickname he gave her. It was simple but made their interaction feel more personal. Though they were essentially strangers, there was something familiar about him.

After a moment's thought, she responded quietly, "I don't know. I think I just need to find myself. You know, figure out who I am and what I want from life."

Reid chuckled softly. "That's some real poetry right there, Viv. Didn't know we were diving deep so quickly." His laughter was light, but Vivienne felt a pang of uncertainty. Was he making fun of her? She regretted opening up.

"Lay down with me," Reid said, and she did. Their arms brushed slightly as they lay side by side. Despite the simplicity of the gesture, everything about this moment felt deeply intimate.

Vivienne finally took a sip of the white wine Reid had handed to her. It was crisp and refreshing. She passed the bottle back to him, and he took a sip as well. They lay there in silence for a few minutes. Surprisingly, the quiet wasn't uncomfortable; it was soothing and serene.

"What about you?" Vivienne asked eventually. "What are you hoping to find here?"

"An adventure," Reid replied quickly.

An adventure, Vivienne thought. Of course, he was probably used to exciting experiences, perhaps with many people. After all, look at him—he was undeniably attractive. "When are you leaving Rome?" she asked, trying to shift the focus.

Reid turned to her with a soft smile. "Whenever the adventure comes to an end."

Vivienne returned his smile and studied his face. His eyes, a captivating shade of blue, held something more than just their color. There was a unique way he looked at her—a gaze filled with an intensity and spark she couldn't quite put into words. No one had ever looked at her like that before. In that moment, she felt a deep desire for him to continue looking at her forever.

"So, what should we do next?" Vivienne asked.

"Whatever you want," Reid replied more quickly than she had anticipated.

"Maybe we could find a library and read together," she suggested.

Reid propped himself up, sitting on the grass while Vivienne remained lying down. He looked at her, slightly puzzled. "A library? You're in Rome, and you want to go read?"

He laughed, but it wasn't unkind. "Well, I love reading," she said, sitting up as well.

"There are so many fun things we could do, Viv, instead of reading. You can read when you're back home," Reid said with a smile.

The word "fun" lingered in Vivienne's mind. She wondered if his idea of fun aligned with hers. She was nervous that his version of fun might not be what she would enjoy.

"What exactly do you have in mind?" she asked, apprehensive about his response.

"To start, we'll get another bottle of wine, and then we'll see where the night takes us," he said.

"So, you don't actually have a plan?" she inquired. Vivienne always needed a plan; she liked to be organized and mentally prepared. This lack of structure was unsettling for her. But she didn't want him to leave. She was genuinely enjoying their time together, and he made her feel good about herself. With him, she felt a newfound confidence, especially when he looked at her. That look was something she would remember forever.

"We don't need a plan," Reid said, standing up and extending his hand to her. "Carpe diem, Viv. Carpe diem."

Vivienne laughed and took his hand. He helped her to her feet, and they began to walk away, their hands still connected. Together, they set off to find a store where they could buy another bottle of wine, eager to see where the night would lead them.

It was already dark when Vivienne and Reid found themselves on the Spanish Steps, a famous landmark in Rome. The area was alive with couples being affectionate, people singing, and laughter echoing through the night. The atmosphere felt almost magical, but for Vivienne and Reid, the moment was intensely personal. They sat close on the steps, their knees brushing against each other.

Reid took another sip from the bottle of wine they had bought, nearly finishing it on his own. Vivienne was cautious, not wanting to get drunk around him. It wasn't fear of losing control, but a concern about embarrassing herself. She wanted to appear cool and composed, unlike the other girls who kept glancing at Reid. His charm had heads turning on the streets, but he seemed oblivious to it all, focused solely on Vivienne.

She watched him, feeling a pang of insecurity. Despite her beauty, she struggled to see it herself, always comparing her looks to others and feeling inadequate. She doubted her own worth, thinking she wasn't pretty enough, smart enough, or interesting enough. Boys hadn't paid her much attention, aside from a few drunken kisses in high school—nothing that felt magical or significant.

And yet, here she was, sitting on the Spanish Steps next to the most handsome boy she had ever seen. Did he find her beautiful? Probably not, she thought. But for now, she pushed those worries aside and decided to embrace the moment. She focused on the evening, the laughter, the city lights, and the warmth of Reid's presence beside her.

Reid turned to Vivienne and handed her the nearly empty bottle of wine. "Here, take it. Just a sip left," he said with a chuckle and a dazzling smile that made Vivienne think he was perfect.

Vivienne hesitated, then shook her head. "No, no. It's all yours," she said, returning his smile.

Reid laughed. "Your loss," he said as he took the last sip, finishing the bottle. "I had a really good time," he added, looking at her with genuine warmth.

Vivienne turned to face him, offering a soft smile. "Me too," she replied quietly.

Reid took her hand and squeezed it gently. "I mean it, Viv. I really had an amazing time with you."

Vivienne beamed. She couldn't quite believe his words. She had always considered herself boring, yet here was Reid telling her he had enjoyed their time together. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as dull as she thought.

They spent the rest of the evening laughing, listening to music, and savoring their youth. As the night drew to a close, they reluctantly said their goodbyes and parted ways, each heading back to their own apartment.