A Gaze to Remember

Chapter 6 - Reflections Under the Stars

FRIDAY 16 AUGUST 2024

Today was another beautiful day for Reid and Vivienne, not just because they were in Rome, one of the most enchanting cities in the world, but because they were together. It wasn't the charm of the ancient streets or the magic in the air that made the day special—it was the simple fact that they had found each other. Two souls, wandering in the heart of Rome, had connected in an instant. From the very first glance, when their eyes met, they both felt it—the beginning of something new, something that would change them forever. It wasn't necessarily romantic, but it was undeniable and profound, the start of a bond that would leave a lasting mark on their lives.

They were sitting on a bench somewhere in the middle of Rome, the late afternoon sun casting a golden hue over the city. Vivienne was slowly enjoying her ice cream, savoring each bite, while Reid had already finished his. Without warning, Reid suddenly burst into laughter, causing Vivienne to look at him with confusion.

"You have ice cream all over your face," he said, still laughing.

"Oh," Vivienne muttered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She could only imagine how ridiculous she must look, and the thought made her want to shrink away. She quickly moved to wipe her mouth, but before she could, Reid gently caught her hand.

"No, let me," he said softly.

He reached out and wiped the ice cream from her face, his thumb brushing across her lips with surprising tenderness. Then, with a playful smile, he brought his thumb to his mouth and licked off the rest of the ice cream. The gesture was simple, yet it felt intimate in a way that left Vivienne momentarily speechless.

She sat there, trying to keep her composure, not wanting to reveal just how much this small act had affected her. It was another quiet moment between them, charged with an unspoken connection that seemed to grow stronger every day. As she looked at him, she couldn't help but wonder what else might happen, what other moments they would share before their time in Rome came to an end.

Later that evening, they found themselves back at their usual spot in the park, the place that had become their little sanctuary in the heart of Rome. Reid had a bottle of white wine in his hand, as usual. He drank most of it, while Vivienne only took small sips, savoring the moment more than the wine itself.

They lay side by side on the soft grass, Vivienne's head resting comfortably on Reid's arm. The night had settled in, and the sky above was a canvas of stars, each one twinkling brightly against the dark backdrop. Both of them were gazing up, lost in the beauty of the night, the kind of night that makes everything else fade away.

Vivienne felt a surge of emotions she couldn't quite put into words. Being around Reid was like discovering a part of herself she never knew existed. In just a few days, he had awakened something in her—a sense of importance, of being seen and valued in a way she had never experienced before. Every look, every word, every shared moment felt like it was building towards something monumental, even if neither of them fully understood what that was yet.

As they lay there under the stars, both were silently aware that something had shifted in their lives. They couldn't explain it, but they could feel it. Their connection, forged in these simple, beautiful moments, was going to leave a lasting impact. Vivienne knew that even if they eventually went their separate ways, she would carry this time with her forever. And in this quiet, starry night, she couldn't help but feel that Reid would too.

"Viv..." Reid's voice was soft, almost a whisper.

"Yes?" she responded, turning her head slightly toward him.

"What's something you really want to experience while you're still young?" he asked, his tone sincere and curious.

Vivienne thought for a moment, a smile slowly spreading across her face. There was one thing she had always dreamed about, something she had seen in countless movies and read about in her favorite books. It was the most romantic gesture she could imagine. "A kiss in the rain," she replied quietly, her smile shy.

Reid chuckled, a warm sound that made her heart skip a beat. "That's such a you answer," he said, still laughing softly. "But I like it."

"I like it too," she said, her voice gentle, her smile softening.

"Maybe someday," he murmured, his eyes drifting back up to the stars.

"Maybe someday," she echoed, turning her gaze to the sky as well. The stars seemed to twinkle a little brighter in that moment, as if they too were part of this quiet, shared dream.

This was probably one of their most intense moments together, though neither could quite explain why. They weren't doing anything they hadn't done before—just talking, sharing quiet thoughts under the stars. But something about this moment felt different, more profound. It was as if the connection between them deepened in ways words couldn't capture, making the night and everything about it extra special.

"It's time for me to head back," Vivienne said softly.

"Already?" Reid asked, pouting like a child. His expression was so adorable that it made her laugh.

"Yeah, it's late, Reid," she replied, still smiling.

He rolled his eyes playfully. "Okay, fine. I'll walk you," he said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

She shook her head gently. "No, it's okay, I'll walk by myself."

"Are you sure?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

Vivienne nodded, reassuring him. Reid gave her a quick hug, warm but brief. They exchanged goodbyes, and she walked away, already feeling the ache of leaving him behind, even if only for the night.

Reid watched her walk away, feeling an unexpected weight settle in his chest. Something about seeing her leave didn't sit right with him. He wanted her there, beside him, all the time. But what did that really mean? If someone had asked him about his feelings, he wouldn't know what to say. He enjoyed her company, liked the way they laughed and talked about anything and everything. But was it love? He wasn't sure.

He had been with plenty of girls before, but none of those connections felt like this. Those relationships were always about the physical connection, fleeting and shallow. But with Vivienne, it was different. They connected on so many levels—intellectually, emotionally, maybe even spiritually. It was deeper, more intense, more meaningful. He wasn't used to that.

Maybe this was what a real friendship felt like, something he hadn't truly experienced before with a woman. Perhaps Vivienne was becoming his best friend, someone who saw him in a way no one else ever had. The thought comforted him, even as he watched her disappear into the night. But it also confused him. Because if this was just friendship, why did it feel like so much more?