When Dante meets Shakespeare

The Baron and the stars

"Professor Harrison, what's wrong?" Charlie stood up from his chair as Alexis was staring at the wall in front of her. She snapped back to reality and faced the little boy. "Oh sorry Charlie, I was just thinking. Are we ready for Boccaccio's Decameron?" She answered smiling.
The lesson went on in between laughs and jokes as the subject was a bit funny for the kids. When the bell rang, Lilly reached Alexis at her desk "Professor Harrison, I think you need something to cheer you up." And she handed Alexis a little book. "Oh thank you Lilly! What's this?" Alexis said curious. "It's Italo Calvino's "The Baron in the Trees". I liked this book very much, because it is about freedom and happiness. I think you need it now." Lilly said smiling. Alexis sighed and smiled widely. "Oh God! I read this book when I was a little girl like you and almost forgot it. Thank you very much sweetie!" She said stroking her blonde hair. Lilly left the classroom smiling. Alexis stood there thinking about what just happened. She remembered her best friend Lilly reading that book when they had their school break. "It's amazing, Aly! You really should read it!" Lilly convinced Alexis and she really liked it. It was a book about friendship, also. After Lilly's death, Alexis always thought of her dear friend like the old Baron that goes up in the sky on a hot balloon, never coming back. She decided it was how Lilly should have been remembered. A free young girl.

"Hey Aly, ready for tonight?" A deep voice woke her up. She didn't realize she was crying silently. "Hey are you alright?" Benedict was concerned. He moved towards Alexis and put an arm around her shoulders. Alexis suddenly felt a warm feeling and calmed immediately. "Oh don't worry Ben. Just remembering the past. I'm ok." She said, not moving a muscle. She was secretly enjoying the moment. "You sure? Alright then. Ready for tonight?" He said smiling softly. "Of course I am. Don't know what to expect, though." Alexis said raising a brow. "You'll see..." He said winking. "Are you coming for lunch?" "Sorry but I'm going home. I have some stuff to do before going out with a really boring professor tonight..." Alexis said laughing. "You know I have the same thing tonight? I really can't stand that girl I have to go out with..." He replied. They both laughed before leaving together.

"Let's recap everything Ben." Matthew said chewing. "So, you will be at her flat at 8. Then?" "Then I'll bring her to that little bar on the river to have a glass of wine and then we'll go to the restaurant." Benedict said playing with his salad. "And that's all? Ben you have to do something more!" Matthew was a really stubborn man. He always wanted everything perfect, most of all for a date. "Matt, I won't give you any detail. I have something planned, don't worry." Benedict said smiling. Matthew widened his eyes "Aha! I knew it! That's my mate! What the hell have you planned?" "Nothing special. I think she likes little and simple things. Hope she'll enjoy." Benedict replied, a bit worried. "Everything is gonna be great Ben. Don't worry. And if it doesn't work, then it'll be my turn to try!" Matthew said. "Don't even think that! If it doesn't work I'll tell her not to go for you!" Benedict replied punching Matthew's arm. He was really nervous, but tried to do his best to hide it to his best friend. He didn't want to appear like a childish man who can't arrange a date. Thoughts were running through his head, but Benedict tried to send them away. "it will be a lovely night out with a lovely girl, no matter if she likes me or not." He said to himself as he stepped into the car to go home.

"Ok. I'll phone Matt. He MUST know something!" Alexis thought. She didn't know what to wear for the night out with Ben. She needed some help. She dialed Matthew's number. "Matt hi, it's Alexis. Am I bothering you?" "Hi Aly, tell me!" Matthew said on the other line. "Matt I need your help. Do you know where Benedict will bring me tonight?"Alexis asked all of a sudden. "Aly I really don't know. And even if I knew I wouldn't tell you." He replied smiling. "Oh c'mon Matt! I need to know! I don't know what to wear!" Alexis said almost crying. "If you want I can come there and help you. But I'm sorry I really don't know anything about tonight!" Matthew said. "Oh could you really come? Pleeeeeease!" She screamed. Matthew laughed loud "Ok Aly, see you in 20!" Finally Matthew came to Alexis' place and helped her choosing the best outfit. "Aly you look stunning!" He finally said. "Ben will be surprised." Alexis was wearing a pair of blue, skinny trousers with a white blouse on. She wore a pair of black heels that matched perfectly with her little black handbag. Matthew told her not to have too much make up on, just the necessary, so that her beautiful brown eyes could stand out perfectly. "Thank you Matt, you've been wonderful. You really think Ben will be happy with this? I'm a bit worried..." "Oh Aly, you don't really know him...you'll see." Matthew said winking at her. Matthew left Alexis' flat at 7.30 and Alexis started to be really nervous. "Ok Aly, calm down. Deep breaths. Everything will be fine." As she was walking up and down the house her phone buzzed. It was a text from her mum "Good luck with your date darlin'! Love you, mum." Alexis smiled nervously and suddenly the doorbell rang. "Oh my God he's here!" Alexis looked at her watch. 8 pm. "Ok, let's do this." She brushed her long brown hair and opened the door. Benedict was wearing grey trousers and a purple shirt with white dots. The first two buttons were undone and his hair were all curly. He had a soft smile on his face and was hanging a white flower. "Good evening Aly! This is for you." It was a little orchid. "Good evening Ben. Oh thank you, that's lovely!" She said taking the orchid and smelling it. "Ready to go?" He said. "Of course!" Alexis said smiling. She took are cream trench and closed the door. As they went into Benedict's car Alexis asked. "So, what's our schedule?" "I am not saying a word. You'll enjoy it." Benedict said focusing on the street. They reached a little car park and stepped out of the car. Benedict reach Alexis side, showing his arm "May I?" He asked "Thank you, professor." Alexis said, grabbing his arm. They had a lovely walk by the river and reached a little café where they had a glass of red wine staring at the boats floating slowly. "I love this period of the year. October always made me feel happy. The brown, the light wind, the smell of the rain..." Alexis said sipping from her glass. "Seems like you're the happiest girl on Earth right now." Benedict said. "I really am Ben. You know, I have been searching for the perfect life for a long time. And now I have this wonderful job, I met you and Matt. It all seems perfect now!" She said. "You are amazing. Just amazing." He said in a low voice. Alexis blushed and lowered her gaze, staring at her glass. "So, tell me about you. Why you haven't become an actor?" She changed the subject completely. "It was my parents' choice, actually. They didn't want me to become like that because they hated staying away from me when I was a kid. They managed to give me a normal life and let me chose what to become. At Uni I literally fell in love with English literature and...here I am!" Benedict finally said spreading his arms. "What about you? How did you manage to become such a great professor?" He asked. Alexis laughed and said "My parents let me have a gap year in Rome before going to Uni. I was an au pair there and had the chance to learn a bit of Italian. The family who hosted me was so nice they handed me some Italian books. I read them in about a month and fell in love with Italian literature. My dear friend Lilly joined me and we both graduated 5 years ago. Then I moved to London 2 years ago and started searching for a job. And then I found you!" Alexis said pointing at Benedict. He blushed and smiled widely.

They spent about half an hour at the café, then moved to a little restaurant close by. Alexis loved the place. It was little and warm, with white chairs and tables and a soft lavender smell filled the room. "Ben this place is wonderful! How do you know it?" Alexis asked. "Me and my half sister used to come here after the lessons at Uni." Benedict replied moving the chair to let Alexis sit comfortably. "You have a half sister?" She asked curiously. Benedict told her about her mother's first marriage and his childhood with his half sister. He told Alexis about how he loved and cared about her sister and Alexis listened at him carefully. She was amazed at how wonderful this man was. They had a lovely dinner and chatted a lot about their lives and projects. After a moment of silence Benedict asked "Aly, sorry if I bother you but...why where you crying today at school?" Alexis frowned. She took a deep breath and told Benedict everything about her lost friend. She missed her so much and as she talked a tear rolled down her cheek. "...And that's all. I miss her so much, Ben. Lilly was a sister to me and I lost her." Benedict moved a hand to Alexis' face and swept the tear from her cheek. "Lilly will be in your heart and everywhere you'll look. She will be here forever." Benedict said smiling softly. Alexis smiled back at him and said. "Ok, let's change the subject, please! Have you started reading Inferno?" She asked. "Oh yes! I'm in the middle of chapter 4! That's really amazing and I love Florence and Dan Brown makes it even more appealing. You were right, that book is very good!" Benedict said. "Glad you like it!" Alexis said smiling.

After dinner, they had a stroll in Hyde Parkenjoying the night breeze. They chatted a lot and finally sat on a bench totake some rest. Alexis turned to face Benedict and said "Thank you Ben, it hasbeen a lovely evening." "My pleasure Aly." Benedict said taking her hand.Alexis blushed and moved her gaze to look at the sky. The stars were shiningbright. "Look how beautiful our sky is. Those stars are wonderful." Alexissaid. "One fell down here, apparently." Benedict said. Alexis turned to facehim. His eyes were stunning as usual and were fixed on her. He was smilingwidely and moving closer to her. Alexis held her breath and smiled back at him.Benedict was inches away from her face. He took her hand again and interlockedhis fingers in hers. Alexis could feel his hot breath on her mouth. She closedher eyes and Benedict placed his lips on hers. The touch of his warm and softlips made Alexis shiver but she didn't move. She liked that sensation andgrabbed Benedict's neck with her free hand. Benedict shivered as her handtouched him and he squeezed Alexis' hand gently. As the kiss became deeperBenedict placed his other hand on Alexis' waist. Finally, they pulled away forsome air and Benedict rested his forehead on Alexis'. "Thank you, ProfessorHarrison" He whispered. "Thank you, Profess