Fifty Shades Hollow

Her Milan

Making my way into the courtyard of the building that Anastasia's staying in. As soon as I spot her sitting in the small balcony, she spots me, giving me this huge wave.

Walking up a couple of flights of the stairs... No elevator, which is a pain the ass. I see she's already unlatched the door to the apartment. Locking it behind me, she's all smiles and looking so fucking cute and slightly messy. She's bare footed, wearing black biker shorts and an oversized University of Vermont tshirt. And what shocks me is her mass of dark long, wavy hair that she somehow hid yesterday under the cap.

"Mornin' Chris. How was your first in this fine Italian city?"

"I checked in the my room and did next to nothing."

Chuckling at the fact that neither of us did anything last night. "Well, let's make this a full and better day." looking around while she's talking to me

"I was very surprised Mary dropped off some eggs, fruit and bread because I arrived late and the markets were closed. And this flat is really stocked up with everything from spices, to pots... speaking of stocked up would you like a coffee or tea? Please, take a gander around while I cook the eggs. Scrambled okay?"

Feeling a bit sheepish "Coffee, please. Thank you. Scrambled's great."

She smiles while working her way around the little kitchen. I roam the space and am impressed. The pictures of the apartment don't do it justice. It's small, but the use of space is maximized and smart. Grinning the size of the bathroom is that of a postage stamp, but well situated. Having me think about to my years at Harvard. I lived just off campus alone since I couldn't bear to be around people at night and it was twice the size of this. Shaking my head of the bad memories. That that apartment felt more like a tomb than livable. I hated that one bedroom apartment.

Before I know it, which is a nice break from my darker thoughts, Ana hands me a cappuccino with a small biscuit. Breakfast was eggs scrambled, lightly toasted bread and a banana, orange, nut fruit mix. It was quite simple but it was the best breakfast. It felt so real and homey.

"So... Anastasia. Tell me about you."

Anastasia is not one for many words. Again I feel she's guarded. Eating in silence. She doesn't have much to say....

Staying silent for a few moments. "Not much to say about me. I'm a student. At the moment, traveler, that is before I restart school. I'm working toward my Masters."

Letting it alone, the new me is refusing to obsess and pick over her bones.

It's noon and the sun is beating down on me and my hip is killing me. I'm lagging, trying to keep up with Anastasia. I'm no fool, she's been taking it easy on me.

"I'm feeling hungry Chris, how about some lunch?" Her words are spoken not a moment too soon.

Keeping up the bravado and stiff upper lip "Sure Anastasia, whatever you'd like."

I watch as Ana leads me off to a alley, looking rather lost. We go forward only to have her go backtrack going away. I feels like she has no fucking clue to what's doing much less for a place to eat then I hear "I fucking found it" snapping a pic with her camera.

I'm kinda pissed. Have been on some sort of scavenger hunt with her grabbing me by my tail and dragging me along. Cause I'm fucking beat. Then I see her face. She's all smiles, so fucking lovely and bright. Nothing is deceptive. It's genuine. Grabbing my bicep

"I can't believe I found it."

Leading me into the bistro. Ana starts with her Italian. Shit she impresses me. We take a seat in the back. It looks rather private and as I sit I'm hit with a cool breeze while she disappears. It's air conditioned. Ana returns quickly talking into an ipad.