The Courage of Italy

~1~

The day couldn't have been more beautiful as she got off the plane. Sun shining brightly as birds sang and people mingled in the airport. The temperature a wee bit warmer than Ireland but cozier. In truth, she couldn't believe she was back here so soon.

She earned her last vacation here after years of working the pub and inn. Listening to that bastard spew his nasty everywhere, giving her his boss-eyes and barely giving her a lint for pay. Escaped the cold rainy days to the warm summer days as she tried to learn more of the country and maybe pinpoint her dreams of the country. Chloe nearly knocked over people as she made a beeline towards the exit, knowing the car would be there like he said.

Ah yes, him. He was the other reason of wanting to come back to the country. Literally running into the man as she toured the Vatican City. He was a typical Italian yet the more she spoke to him, the more intrigued she was with him. Listening to him as he showed her around the vast place, pulling her away as it grew crowded and taking her to the river's edge, speaking of the depth of the city he knew so well. From his sweet voice and charm, to his darling amber eyes and happy smile, she was smitten with the man she just met and couldn't stay away.

And from what she gathered during that time, he was the same. He wanted to lavish her in the best ways he could. Wined and dined, strolls of the city and playing on the beaches, even just listening to her talk about anything and everything. There wasn't a moment he wasn't smiling at her, making her feel good about herself.

As the doors opened, she saw the Fiat waiting for her as the chauffeur held out the keys.

"Huh?" that was shocking, "Um... che...che... oh! Che cosa?"

The man smiled and handed her the keys, "Qui si va signora."

Chloe stood there dumbfounded as the keys laid in her hand. She knew there'd be a car waiting for her, not the fact that he would hand her the keys and walk away. Shaking her head, she placed her bags in the vehicle and started the little thing up. The red, grey, and cream interior shined like new as she looked over the dash, seeing the mounted GPS with her destination. She couldn't help herself as she squealed in excitement as she drove out of the airport, following the device's orders.

The road went with the land as she saw the groves go by, homes of ages old standing tall and strong on its original spot, families out together as they enjoyed the day that it was. She could almost smell the exotic scents of the Mediterranean as she continued her way, wondering what else she would have before her. As she turned on the final street it commanded to her, Chloe found herself agape at the home.

Only a few yards away from the monastery stood the aged stone home. Vines decorated the post of the terrace as stone steps both ascended and descended the home. The garden she witnessed stretched as far as she could see, holding what would be varieties of vegetables and fruits as the sweet trees around the place gave off the natural Italian life. To say she was amazed was a lie, she was at a loss for words over the place.

Placing the car in park, Chloe got out to admire it even more as she spun around in amazement.

"Hey!" she heard someone yell.

Looking up to the terrace, she saw a young man leaning over the rail as he looked down at her, "Tu chi sei?"

"Oh, um..." curse her and not refreshing her Italian, "Mi chiamo Chloe."

She prayed she got that right, should've asked him to help her better than flirting with him like she did, "Sto cercando Feliciano."

"Not native, are you?" he asked as he smiled at her, another man coming up behind him.