Letters To Rome

2

     "Ladies and gentlemen, ITA Airlines welcomes you to Italy, Rome. The local time is 15:50. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened and keep the aisles clear until we are parked at the gate"...
     Thats it. The best feeling ever. The feeling of a well deserved vacation in Italy.
     I grabbed my luggage and headed to security. All I could see were hot men. Everywhere I looked. But, this was not my focus at all for the trip. I had broken up recently with my ex boyfriend Lucas, and I decided to focus on self improvement, I didn't have time for hot Italian boys.

...

     We were staying at a very nice Airbnb, with a view a couple miles away from the Coliseum. Our kitchen was a charm, with antique pottery and metal detailing that matched the ceramic sea blue tiles on the walls, the rooms were filled with rococo arquitecture, and you could smell the flowers that were hanging from the windows. I ran down the hall to open the bathroom, and saw a gold bathtub that was placed right in the middle of the room, with cream tiles that ran down to the flooring. This was breathtaking, this was my dream home.
     Ever since I was a kid, I had a dream of moving into a cozy house in Rome and live as a painter or a photographer. And who knows, marry a gorgeous Italian man that treats me like a princess..?
     We decided to order pizza after unpacking. We were hungry and I was tired, so I ran out into the night to find a place to buy a malboro. It was dark already, and it felt kind of chilly. I sat down on the street curb and realized I left my light back at the house.
"Fuck.. wheres my light?" I mumbled with a cigarette in my mouth and change in my left hand. Looking for my light, patting my pockets for a chance I'd miraculously have it, I realized I had actually left it at home.
"Shit..." I shook my head while looking up at random strangers passing by, guessing which one looked like they smoked.
"Yo!" I waved down at an old lady, walking my opposite way. "Do you have a light?" I yelled, pointing at my cigarette. She looked back and ignored me. I looked around for a while, asking random people. After a few minutes, I gave up and decided to head back. I wiped down my shorts and got up.
"Do you need a light?" Said a handsome raspy voice coming from above me. I looked straight ahead to see a tall shadow standing behind me, and all I could smell was Dior Sauvage.
"Sorry?" Where did he come from? Who was he and why was he talking to me?
"The cigarette in your mouth, aren't you going to light it?"
"Oh." I laughed shyly. "Yes, yes I am. I forgot my light though".
"Here." He reached in his pockets and lit my cigarette while looking me in the eye.
I felt my cheeks burn up. He was gorgeous.
His deep blue eyes glowed together with the lighters' flames. His dark blonde hair was grown out, and the dim lights of the city made his dark blonde streaks stand out.
"Thanks." I mumbled, not taking my eyes off of his.
He grinned and sat next to me. I broke eye contact, but from the corner of my eye, I could see he was still looking at me. We went quiet for a second, which felt more like hours. All I could hear was the sound of our lips blowing clouds of Malboro smoke. I then heard him chuckle.
"You from here?"
"No. Not yet. I'm from boring Boston"
"And what's a beautiful woman like you doing in Rome?"
     "It's my birthday present, I've always wanted to see Rome."
     "Happy birthday." He said while he inhaled hid smoke. "How old?"
     "21. I'm finally legal in the states!" I laughed while tapping my cigarette.
     "In Italy, we dont have that type of bullshit" he chortled while inhaling again. "Where are you staying?"
     "Kind of... around the block? I'm not sure, it's my first day here".
     He took one more hit of his cigarette and put it out on the concrete curb, then he glanced at me with these dead blue eyes, and smiled again. What is it with this guy and smiling??
     "I'm sorry, I didn't get your name".
     There was a small pause. "Laura".
     "Beautiful." He extended his hand and said, "Lorenzo", and we exchanged handshakes.
     "Well, I have to go, my sister's waiting for me outside. It was nice meeting you, Laura." He uttered as he grabbed my hand and kissed it. I felt like a princess. He was a prince.
     He walked away as I looked at him in awe. He took all my words with that simple hand kiss. I was sure he was the most handsome man I've ever seen. His piercing blue eyes, his fragrant smell of masculinity mixed with cigarettes, a crooked smile and beautiful dark blonde hair. Maybe I really should move to Italy.

     Then I realized, I'll never see him again... and I then lost myself to my thoughts. Still standing up, I saw him looking back at me, but I couldn't move. Why am I not running out there and asking for his number?? Is it better like this? If I just forget the possibility of all the memories I could make with this mysterious Lorenzo? Am I scared I'll end up falling for a man that lives thousands of miles away from me?
     After I couldn't see him anymore, I stood there for a moment, threw my cigarette away and turned back to head home.