Somewhere only we know

Chapter 20 :D

Raoule pressed the key to the ignition.

VROOM. VROOM.

“Oh no,” he muttered.

“What?! What's the matter?” James demanded.

“The ignition won't start.”

James banged his fist on the hood of the car. Then he put his head down.

“There's no more gas?”

“No there is. The car just won't start.”

“Well... now what?”

“We have to push.”

James exhaled. “PUSH? All the way to the Forum?”

“No,” Raoule explained. “It's too far. The hotel's closer.”

James and Valentino were silent and were staring at each other. Then Valentino sighed and said,

“Okay. We'll push. Ladies, you can just sit in the car and we'll just...”

“-NO!” Sarah said, “I wanna help.”

“Sarah, they offered to push,” Michaelle coaxed. “Let them do what they gotta do.”

James gave her a warning look.

And so.. the guys pushed all the way up the street to the hotel, about a mile or so away.

And the girls just sat in the car, sleeping :)

…..................................................................<3

“Wake up.”

Sarah awoke to light flooding the room. Was it... morning? She couldn't tell. For all she knew, it could be the afternoon. James stood over her. He looked down at her, somewhat compassionately.

“James,” she mumbled.

Sarah tumbled out of bed and looked out the window. It was evening.

“Did we sleep the whole day?” she asked.

James nodded ruefully.

“Oh gosh.” She dashed into the bathroom.

“What's the hurry,” he said miserably. “We don't even know where to start.”

Sarah plopped down onto the couch. There was a knock at the door.

It was Valentino, who wore a short sleeve polo and jeans.

Michaelle followed him inside in slim plum skinny jeans and a chiffon silk white top.

“We're not ready?” she asked with her eyes raised.

“Ready?” James was astounded. “For what?”

“I made a reservation for 5 at the Dea della Nuotatori,” Valentino said smiling.

“That's 'Goddess of Swimmers' to you,” Michaelle tottered forward on her beige Stilettos.

James looked surprise. He stood straight and sighed. “Guys... Valentino.. you didn't have to..”

“Come ON, James,” Sarah said persuasively. She batted her lashes at him and smiled.

“You know what...why not?” he said, caving in.

“I'll grab your tie from the laundry?” she suggested. James nodded.

“Alright,” Valentino clapped his hands together. “Let's... alright.”

…............................................................................................................<3

The restaurant overlooked the Piazza near the Trevi Fountain.

It was a handsome thing, perched on a rooftop, and it had a classy little edge to it.

“Now,” James sighed, as they entered through the glass doors. “Why would they call it 'Goddess of Swimmers'?”

“Michael Phelps ate here and LOVED the food so much, he decided to sponsor Subway, because it reminded him of this place.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Umm.... mi scusi?” Valentino called over the lady in charge of accommodation. “Valentino Nutella?”

She nodded at him. “Un momento.”

Then she led them to a table near a window. They had a beautiful view of the city. It was already sunset and the sky burst into colors of pale purple and light periwinkle and dull peach.

There were a lot of pearls and shells decorating the restaurant.

“Grazie,” Valentino said.

There were men laughing from another table, and Sarah could tell they were laughing at her and James.

“What's with them?” she whispered to Valentino.

The men were jeering now.

“Bianchetti!” they whistled.

“What's that mean?” James asked Valentino intently, hardening his jaw.

Valentino cleared his throat and smiled, showing his irresistible dimples.

“It means... whitebait.”

Sarah and James looked at each other and laughed.

The dinner progressed into the night and when the meal came, it smelled divine.

They offered to pitch in, but Valentino and Raoule insisted that they'll take care of it all.

Michaelle stared absent-mindedly out the window and into the night. She kept dismissing beeps from her phone. She gazed upon the Trevi Fountain and fake-smiled and laughed once in a while. Then in the middle of the desserts, she excused herself to go to the bathroom.

.........................................................................................................

Michaelle turned to see if her friends were still looking at her. Then she sighed in relief when she realized they were distracted.

She walked down the steps and out into the plaza.

It was all dark and there were barely any people left walking the streets.

Michaelle and looked up at the sky and smiled. There they were, Cancer, Scorpio, and Peices. The water constellations shined above her head.

She took a deep breath and walked over to the Trevi Fountain.