A Gaze to Remember

Chapter 8 - A Week's End

SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2024

Reid was feeling pretty rough after last night. He'd definitely had more to drink than he should have, and now he was paying the price. The heat was unbearable, and the last thing he wanted to do was go out into the city.

He decided to call Vivienne, hoping she could come over to his place instead. He texted her his address and asked if she could come by. At this point, he didn't have the energy for anything else. He just wanted to relax and have someone familiar around. Vivienne was the only person he wanted to see right now, and he was looking forward to her company.

"We should watch a movie and maybe order some food later," Reid suggested as he sank into the softness of his bed, flicking on the TV and pulling up Netflix.

Vivienne, feeling at ease, climbed onto the bed and settled next to him, resting her head gently on his shoulder. Reid patted the spot beside him with a casual, inviting gesture, and she nestled in close. He glanced at her, a contented smile spreading across his face. There was something incredibly comforting about this simplicity; it felt right, especially with Vivienne beside him.

As they started the movie, they drifted into a comfortable silence, the kind where words aren't needed. The film played on, but neither of them paid much attention. The combination of the warm, cozy bed and the relaxed atmosphere soon lulled them both to sleep. Vivienne's head found a natural resting place on Reid's chest, and his arm instinctively wrapped around her. The closeness was perfectly natural, an easy fit in a way that felt deeply satisfying. Reid's smile lingered as he relaxed into the moment, finally closing his eyes and drifting back into sleep.

"That was the best nap ever," Reid said with a laugh. Vivienne chuckled in response, her eyes twinkling. "It was a nap to remember," she agreed, her tone light and content.

Reid smiled warmly at her from across the table, where she sipped her tea. "It was memorable," he said sincerely. Every moment he spent with Vivienne felt significant, and he meant every word. He wouldn't change a thing about their time together.

As he looked around, a gentle sadness washed over him. He knew that once their holiday ended, he would be heading to Vienna for a new job. In a few years, he might meet someone, fall in love, get married, and start a family. The thought of this future brought a smile to his face. But amidst these dreams, he knew he would always hold onto the summer of 2024 as the best summer of his life. The memories he made with Vivienne would forever remain a cherished part of his past.

"Do you know what day today is?" Reid asked, his tone playful.

Vivienne thought for a moment. "It's Sunday," she replied, a hint of confusion in her voice.

Reid laughed at her puzzled expression. To him, she looked adorable in her bewilderment. "It's our one-week anniversary today," he said, grinning like a child with a new toy.

Vivienne's eyes lit up with understanding, and she returned his smile. Exactly one week ago, their paths had crossed on the streets of Rome. Their first glance had set the stage for everything that followed. She fondly remembered their initial encounter and the magical feeling that had surrounded that day.

She felt grateful for Reid's presence in her life. Even if he remained just a chapter in her story, it would always be her favorite one.

"I really need to go back now," Vivienne said, hesitating at the door.

"No, stay here. Spend the night," Reid replied, his voice full of sincerity. He gave her a hopeful look, his smile wide and inviting.

Vivienne studied him for a moment, trying to gauge if he was serious. He maintained his warm smile and added, "Come on, just sleep at my place. We're friends, and friends have sleepovers, right?" He laughed and gave her a cheeky grin.

Friends. That's what they were, and the idea of a sleepover seemed strange. Vivienne didn't usually do this with male friends. But she was exhausted and didn't really have the energy to walk back to her place. Reluctantly, she decided to accept his offer. "I'll sleep on the couch," she said, hoping to keep things simple.

Reid burst into laughter, as if she had said something incredibly amusing. "You're sleeping in bed, with me, idiot," he said between chuckles. With that, he headed off to the bathroom for a shower, leaving Vivienne alone with her thoughts.

Vivienne stood there, feeling a mix of confusion and discomfort. They weren't together, not romantically, and she remembered how he'd been making out with that girl at the club. Of course, they were just friends. What else could they be? She couldn't picture herself as one of those girls, and she was sure Reid would never see her that way. In her mind, she was just his friend—his unattractive, boring friend.

Both lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling in silence. The quiet stretched between them, filled with unspoken words and hidden feelings. Vivienne wished he would bring up the things on her mind—their friendship, the girl from the club—but her insecurities kept her from speaking. She lay still, feeling the weight of her own thoughts.

Reid, on the other hand, had his own struggles. He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked while she slept, how he could spend days just watching her without ever growing bored. Yet, he hesitated. He feared that saying these things might shift their dynamic, and he wasn't sure if he was ready for that. He cherished how things were between them. In just a week, Vivienne had become his closest friend, and he was proud of their bond, even if it was fleeting.

"Goodnight, Viv," Reid said softly.

"Goodnight, Ree," Vivienne replied, her voice equally gentle.

And with that, they both drifted into a quiet, contented sleep, wrapped in the comfort of their shared silence.

Their one-week anniversary had come to an end. They had spent a whole week together, full of new experiences and unforgettable moments, but their story wasn't over yet.