A/N: (The video attached to this chapter is Mozart music just to give you a sense of what they're listening to. I wrote this entire chapter whilst listening to Mozart - don't judge!)
OK, so this is probably my favourite one shot that I have written so far - mainly because I have been to St Mark's Square and I loved it so much. All of the architecture is so inspiring and it's my favourite place in Italy! Also, I cannot speak Italian so, me being me, I used Google Translate. Therefore, the Italian in this is probably wrong...but please just go with it. Anyways, happy reading :)
Stepping off of the boat onto the decking and studying the beautiful buildings around me felt like a dream. I had always wanted to visit Venice and now I was there, among the charming language and stunning views. Fanning myself with my map, I stalked forward towards the small stalls situated a few metres before me.
My eyes beamed at the exquisite, colourful paintings lined up along the ground in front of a stall. The colours were bright and mixed together wonderfully, creating graceful patterns and landscapes.
I noticed the stall keeper looking over at me, "sono bellissimi!" I mentioned.
"Sì, sono." He replied and smiled. "Potrebbe essere il tuo."
"No, no, grazie." I walked away very quickly, proud of my Italian, but keen to leave before he tried to sell the painting to me for a very questionable price.
Whilst making my escape, I ran into a street seller. "Ciao, guarda questo." He commanded me to 'watch this' and I tried to leave by waving him off but he grabbed my arm to stop me.
"Guarda questo, signora!" He directed. He was clearly trying to sell me something or other but I wasn't interested. I was trying to get away but his grip tightened around my wrist.
I told him to let go of me but all he was interested in was my money. I continued attempting to get away but I couldn't.
All of a sudden, I felt my arm being freed as another hand grabbed it, pulling it away from the street seller. "Lasciate andare lei!" The man who had just appeared shouted at him, telling him to 'let go of her'.
The mysterious man pulled me down the street a little, away from the seller's into a quiet corner, before he turned around, revealing his facial features to me. He had very dark, short hair and bright, prominent blue eyes, his ears stuck out in a cute way and he wore a purple t-shirt with some shorts.
"Tutto OK?" I could see the concern flash in his eyes and I nodded. "Mi dispiace per lui."
He spoke in Italian yet I couldn't help but notice his Irish accent that went with it. "I'm English, are you?"
"Oh, I didn't realise," he laughed and as he did his face lit up, his eyes scrunching up in the cutest way. His toothy smile became exposed and his pearly white teeth glinted in the sunlight. "So, you're a tourist too?" He pointed at my map.
"Yeah, I got here yesterday night so this is my first day. How long have you been here?" I stared at him, infatuated with his looks.
"Two months. I've been living here to get away from stuff." His face went dull for a second.
I took in his pale skin and furrowed my brows, "you're as pale as a ghost. How can you have been here for two months?"
"Thanks," he smirked, clearly being sarcastic, "I don't know, bit weird really but I can't help it."
"Sorry," I giggled with him, "have you met many people in your time here?"
His head fell and he scratched the back of his neck, "no, I'm not great at meeting new people. Most of them don't get my humour."
"People don't get mine either, it's too dark for some." I shrugged and he began beaming.
"So, how long are you here for?" He questioned.
"Three weeks and then back home."
"Oh, OK. Did you come here with your boyfriend? Husband?"
I raised an eyebrow, "no, if I were to be so lucky." I laughed and his smile grew bigger. "I've come alone, too."
"Then I think you need a tour guide." He gave me a knowing smirk. "And I would be happy to take on the role."
I pushed my map onto his chest so he would take it, "go on then, show me around, Mr Tour Guide."
"Call me Colin," he added.
Later, Colin wasn't telling me where we were going and when we finally arrived he told me to close my eyes. I gave up to his incessant pleads to trust him and let him place his hands over my eyelids.
"I give you..." he removed his hands and I was almost blinded by the bright sun, "Piazza San Marco!"
I gasped at the beauty of it and instantly moved forward. Colin followed me to the middle of St Mark's Square and I gawked in awe at the alluring architecture. I stared at the Romanesque palace to the left of me and when Colin noticed he told me it's name: "St Mark's Basilica, built in Roman times - you can see because of the Roman carvings around the central doorway and the four horses situated above."
I found it really hot that he knew all of this stuff. He was like me - he had a thirst for knowledge and would show it off whenever he could. He also seemed to be in his element while giving me all of this information.
"This is..." I could hardly find the words, "amazing!"
He took my hand, "well, we're not done yet."
I could feel the hairs on my arm sticking up, shivers travelling down my spine and butterflies in my stomach. He led me to a café located to the west of St Mark's Square, we sat down and ordered drinks and then suddenly a band began playing Mozart on a small stage in front of us. The music was magnificent.
"So, did you ever imagine you would be drinking champagne in St Mark's Square in Venice in front of a band with a handsome man like me?" Colin asked with a charming smile.
"If I were to be so lucky." I placed my hand on top of his and grinned, turning back to the band to watch the rest of the performance.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed, let me know what you think in the comment section!
