A Gaze to Remember

Chapter 3 - When Silence Speaks

TUESDAY 13 AUGUST 2024

"Come on, Viv, walk a little faster, will you?" Reid said, laughing.

"I'm tired, Ree. You do realize it's 5 in the morning. I barely slept," she replied, her voice a mix of exhaustion and amusement.

He laughed again. "Well, you wanted to see the Trevi Fountain. If we came later, it would be packed with people. I wanted you to be able to really enjoy the view and take it all in."

They finally arrived at the fountain, and it was breathtaking—a truly magical place. They both sat down in front of it, the early morning stillness adding to the enchantment of the moment.

"It's beautiful. I'm glad we came," Vivienne said, her eyes fixed on the fountain.

Reid didn't respond immediately. Instead, he just looked at her and smiled. He loved watching her, not just because she was beautiful, but because she was interesting to him. It was as if she was hiding a story, and he wanted to uncover every detail. So, while she admired the fountain, he sat there, quietly admiring her.

Finally, Reid pulled out the bottle of wine he had brought and opened it, taking a sip. Vivienne turned her head to watch him, noticing the way he casually took one sip and then another.

"Is this going to be, like, a thing now?" she asked, a teasing smile on her face.

Reid looked at her, momentarily confused. "What do you mean?"

"You bringing a bottle of wine everywhere we go," she said, laughing.

"Oh," he said, laughing as well. "I guess so, yeah. Anything against it?"

She shook her head, still smiling. "Nope, not at all," she replied, taking the bottle from his hand and having a sip herself.

Reid chuckled, watching her with a smile. He knew then that he could never get bored of her. She was full of surprises, and he couldn't wait to see what else she had in store.

They finished the bottle, lost in conversation about silly things, laughing without a care in the world. It was clear that they both enjoyed each other's company, though neither was entirely sure if what they were feeling was more romantic or platonic. They were becoming friends, yet their connection felt deeper than that.

They hadn't known each other long. Some might still call them strangers, but it didn't feel that way to them. Being together felt natural, as if they had known each other for much longer. In those moments, it was as if the rest of the world faded away, leaving just the two of them, living in their own little world, far removed from everything else.

As time passed, more people started arriving at the fountain, and soon it was packed with tourists and locals alike. Both Vivienne and Reid began to feel crowded, so they decided it was time to leave. They didn't enjoy the company of others the way they enjoyed being with each other. Without a word, Reid took Vivienne's hand and led her through the bustling streets of Rome, weaving between the crowds with ease.

After some wandering, they stumbled upon a charming little café. Deciding it was the perfect spot to take a break, they stepped inside for a drink and something to eat. Once they had ordered, they sat across from each other, with the perfect view of one another.

Vivienne felt a bit too shy to maintain eye contact, so she kept glancing away, pretending to look around the café while they waited for their order. The truth was, she was acutely aware of his gaze on her, and it made her heart race. Reid, on the other hand, had no reservations about looking at her. He found nothing more enjoyable than watching her, taking in every detail of her expressions and the way she moved.

He couldn't help but smile as he observed her. He knew she was a little nervous, and he found it endearing. He was used to girls feeling nervous around him—Reid was well aware of how attractive he was, and he noticed the way other women would steal glances at him as they walked through the streets. He enjoyed the attention, even if he didn't always show it. But when he was with Vivienne, all of that faded into the background. His focus was on her, and the time they were spending together, not on anyone else.

They didn't have to wait long for their drinks and food to arrive. "Mmm, this is amazing," Vivienne said, savoring another bite of her pasta. Reid took a sip of his drink, his eyes never leaving her. Finally, she looked up, and their eyes met.

Every time their gazes connected, the world seemed to stop. There was something about the way they looked at each other that felt intensely personal and intimate. It was as if their eyes were communicating more than words ever could. It felt deeper, more meaningful than a kiss; their looks conveyed everything and nothing all at once.

"How's your food?" she asked, breaking the silence.

"It's good. The food is always good in Rome," he replied with a slight smirk, and she couldn't help but smile back.

They finished their meal in a peaceful silence. It wasn't the kind of silence that felt awkward but rather one that was comfortable, almost beautiful in its simplicity.

"So, what are you doing tomorrow?" Vivienne asked, excited at the prospect of another adventure with Reid. She was sure he would come up with something fun. But his response wasn't what she expected. He hesitated, which was unusual for him. "Actually, I'll be busy tomorrow," he said simply.

Vivienne's smile faltered. She had been looking forward to seeing him again, spending more time together. She had naively hoped that they would spend every day of their remaining time in Rome together. Maybe she had been foolish to think he would want that too. Perhaps he had already grown tired of her. "Oh, okay," was all she could manage to say.

Reid gave her a weak, half-hearted smile. "Yeah, I'm sorry, Viv."

"No, no. It's okay. You don't have to apologize," she said, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. But inside, she felt miserable. She couldn't help but wonder why he hadn't told her his plans. Was he afraid she'd show up and make things awkward? Her mind raced with the worst possible scenarios, and she desperately tried to push them away.

"Well, I'll go now," she said, standing up from her chair abruptly. Reid, surprised by her sudden movement, quickly rose from his seat as well. He hadn't expected her to leave so soon—it was still early.

"Where are you going?" he asked, puzzled.

"I'm just gonna walk around," she answered quietly, avoiding his gaze.

Reid took a step closer, standing right in front of her. "Let's walk around together then," he suggested, smiling warmly at her. That smile—gorgeous and haunting—made it impossible for her not to smile back.

So they did. For the rest of the day, they wandered through the streets of Rome, talking, laughing, joking, and even singing a little. They stopped for dinner at a fancy restaurant, where Reid insisted on paying for everything. "It's my treat," he had said with a grin. And, as if it had become their tradition, he bought another bottle of white wine. They drank it together, savoring the moment, before finally parting ways, each heading in a different direction under the soft glow of the city lights.