A Gaze to Remember

Chapter 16 - Glimmers of Truth

MONDAY 27 AUGUST 2024

Vivienne woke up on Monday feeling unusually light, a smile naturally pulling at her lips. Last night with Reid played over and over in her mind, and the more she thought about it, the more it felt special—like something shifted between them. She had never felt this close to anyone before. It wasn't just the conversations or the moments they shared; it was the quiet intimacy. The way their eyes met, the warmth of his hand brushing against hers, even the way he looked at her—it was all so intense. Different.

She had come to Rome to find herself, to break away from the routine back home and rediscover who she was. But somewhere along the way, she found something—or rather, someone—she wasn't expecting. She found Reid.

Vivienne didn't know if it was love. Could she even call it that? But there was something there, something that was more than friendship. It was the kind of connection that people only experience once in their lifetime. It wasn't something you could label easily, but it was undeniable.

Lying in bed, she thought about their time together. She knew their story might not have the happiest ending—maybe it would be tragic, maybe it would just fade—but that wasn't the point. They still had time. Time to explore whatever this was. Time to let it unfold, no matter where it would lead them.

For the first time in a while, she felt optimistic. She wasn't caught up in fear or overthinking. Instead, she was ready to let things be, to let this feeling grow, whatever it might turn into. Vivienne was sure of one thing—today was going to be a good day. And she was going to enjoy every second of it.

Vivienne enjoyed a refreshing shower and then made herself a sweet breakfast, featuring her favorite fruit—strawberries. After eating, she spent some quiet time on her balcony, savoring the stunning view of Rome. The city's charm and beauty were captivating, and she knew she would miss it dearly. London, where she lived, felt nowhere near as magical as Rome did. But she also knew that all good things eventually come to an end.

As she relaxed, she realized she hadn't heard from Reid yet. It was unusual; he typically called or messaged her, or even just showed up at her door. She chuckled to herself at the thought of Reid casually appearing out of nowhere. Determined to reach him, she picked up her phone and dialed his number. When he didn't answer, she tried again a little later, but still no luck.

Worried, she decided to check on him in person. She grabbed her keys, gave one last glance at the beautiful city, and headed out to Reid's apartment.

Vivienne stood in front of Reid's door with a smile, her excitement to see him palpable. She still cherished the memory of how he had gently kissed her cheek the night before. Knocking on the door, she waited with anticipation. When no one answered right away, she knocked again, her smile faltering as doubt crept in. Was he even home?

Finally, the door creaked open, revealing Reid in just a pair of black boxers and a white blouse that was completely unbuttoned, exposing his chest. He looked stunned to see her, as if he was caught off guard and wasn't sure how to react. "H... Hey," he stammered, not letting her inside.

"Hey, Reid. I was getting worried," Vivienne said with a hopeful smile, waiting for him to invite her in. But he didn't move, and that's when she noticed her. A beautiful blonde emerged from his bedroom, wearing nothing but a long shirt—Reid's shirt. Vivienne glanced from the blonde to Reid, her smile fading into a weak, forced expression.

"Sorry for interrupting, I didn't know," she said, her voice trembling slightly. Before Reid could respond, she turned on her heel and walked away, her pace quickening as she tried to hold back tears. She kept repeating to herself, Don't cry, don't cry.