The Gentleman's Club

Chapter Eight: Forever Young

Heaven can wait, we're only watching the skies

Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst

Are you gonna drop the bomb or not?

--Forever Young, Alphaville

s

When the jet had landed and we were finally officially on Italian soil, I could feel that a change was coming. It was a good change, the kind of change I'd been wanting in my life but had never really gotten to have.

There was already a car waiting for us with a different driver. I, like always, had a grip on Giovanni's elbow despite his obvious dislike for it.

Once our things were loaded into the car, and the three of us were inside, the car pulled away and before I knew it, we were on the streets of Florence.

My eyes took in everything, missing nothing. The soft sunlight cast light on the buildings. A few shops were set up, ready to start their day. I saw some people walking about here and there, but so far it wasn't too busy. Most of the town was asleep.

"Do you like it?" Stefan spoke up.

I looked over at him to see him smiling at me. I noticed that he must have changed his shirt. I idly wondered where the lipstick smudge came from, but quickly dismissed the thought. It wasn't any of my business anyway.

"It's beautiful," I responded in awe, nodding. "All of the lights in Manhattan don't even compare."

Stefan looked pleased with my response.

"Maybe one day, you can come back," he was saying. "Take personal days and such."

I nodded, though I really didn't believe it. I would be paid a handsome fee for working with Giovanni, but I doubted I'd be able to come back. My money would be spent on my bills and keeping my mother in a rehabilitation center.

Stefan informed me we would be staying at the DeLuca villa. He boasted proudly about the villa he'd grown up in as a boy. About how everyone in Italy knew the DeLuca villa was the most beautiful villa in all of Italy.

I smiled and listened to Stefan as he spoke. He sounded and looked a lot like a young boy as he talked about the villa, it was obvious he loved the place.

And as we pulled up to the villa, it was easy to see why.

There, nestled in a thicket of trees, surrounded by red and pink poppies, stood a beautiful castle-like building made of white marble. It was smooth and the cobblestone steps that led to the great front door were still neat and well kept despite Stefan saying it had been in their family for more than fifty years. Off to the right of the blindingly beautiful villa, I could see a pool. Its crystal, surreally blue water, glistening radiantly under the rays of sunlight.

To put it mildly, I was in complete awe of this building.

As I stood there, staring at the building as the staff pulled our luggage out of the car, Stefan chuckled at my expression.

"I take it you like it?"

I nodded vigorously. "I love it," I breathed. "It's so beautiful."

I snapped out of my trance when Giovanni got out of the car. I went to his side immediately, slipping my arm through his. He sighed, but didn't seem to annoyed with me.

"You have a beautiful villa," I said quietly, afraid if I talked to loud the villa would prove it was too good to be true and shatter into a million pieces.

Giovanni's lips twitched as if he wanted very much to smile, but held himself back.

"I'm glad you like it. I know my grandfather is more pleased than I am. This villa is his pride and joy."