The Vacation

Chapter Five

"...Yes...Of course, Mr. Cararra...Yes, that can be done...Yes, thank you for sending him to pick us up, it was much appreciated..." I heard my father's voice as I walked out into the kitchen. He must be on the phone with his boss.

Alessio saw me first and waved me over to where they were standing. "Ciao. Hi.Your dad and I were talking about good restaurants around here for you two to go to dinner tonight because I figured neither of you wanted to cook today, after the long plane ride and all. Right, miele?--" he grinned-- "Mr. Cararra just called him right before you walked out. It might sound like he has to go in, judging from the one side of the conversation I'm hearing. You may have to cook yourself dinner after all." He used his hands while he talked. Gestures, and whatnot. Oh, wonderful. A hand talker. Something like realization followed by mortification dawned on his face. He turned to me, face red, and said, "It seems I forgot to ask your name, bella. Pardon my rudeness!" He honestly looked offended by himself.

I couldn't help but laugh a little, saying, "Don't worry about it. If that's the only thing you're ashamed of, you've led a pretty boring life. No offense or anything. My name's Jessie, by the way. I prefer Jess though. My dad calls me Jay, as in the first letter of my name, but I don't let anybody else call me that. I'll let you call me either Jess or Jessie." I held my hand out to shake as a joke since I had just introduced myself, but he grabbed my hand and again kissed my knuckles! Just when I thought he might not be so bad after all, he had to go and invade my personal space again!

"What?" He said suddenly, a cheeky grin and a little blush on his face.

"...Hmm?" I muttered distractedly.

"Why were you staring at me like that?"

I was staring? Oh God! "Um...well it's just...you're so different than the boys in America. None of them kiss people's hands in greeting. Nor do they have manners. And you've called me funny words twice now. T-tezz-tezzurow. Or something. Me-elle. And bella. Why?"

Alessio blushed. "Well my parents raised me as a gentleman. I went to a boarding school for all of my childhood that ingrained being a true gentleman into my brain. Hence why I kiss your knuckles. It's kind of a greeting. Like how in France, when people greet each other, they kiss on both cheeks. I was taught that as well, but either greeting is acceptable to my parents, so I chose to mostly do the one that makes me the least uncomfortable, ha-ha. Most people you meet here won't have near as good of manners as me, except for my brothers. They're way more chivalrous than I. And tesoro, spelled t-e-s-o-r-o, roughly means darling. Miele means honey or hun. Bella means beautiful. If it's too much, I can stop. But that's just my personality, ha-ha."

He paused to give me a chance to respond, which I only shook my head and smiled slightly. I could tell he was about to speak again, but my dad walked back over to us.

"Sorry, Jay, Alessio. Something came up with my work. I wasn't supposed to have to come in until day after tomorrow, but something has come up and I need to go into the office. Jay, can you manage finding a restaurant by yourself? I'll get an intern to bring my dinner to me in the office. I have a long night of work ahead if we want to explore London together tomorrow." He looked guilty. Seriously? Drop a bomb like this and have the nerve to look guilty? This trip wasn't supposed to be all about work. I mean, yeah, some of it was, obviously, that's why we came here, but I wanted to spend time with my dad, too.

"It's okay, Da--"

"Mr. Adams, I could show Jess around tonight. That way she wouldn't have to dine in an unfamiliar city by herself. Beautiful girls like her shouldn't walk around a city by themselves, especially this city. It could be dangerous." Alessio stepped in before I could say anything. "That okay, miele?" He turned to me. When I didn't respond, he winked.

My dad positively lit up. "Oh, that's a wonderful idea! Isn't it Jay? Oh, thank you so much, Alessio! Jay, be good to Ali and don't let him pay the bill. I gave you a credit card for a reason!" He scampered off absolutely radiating joy and started to put a charcoal suit jacket and a honey colored tie over his white shirt.

Wait. If I remembered right, my dad was terrible at picking out clothes. Especially ones that matched. And I knew that I didn't pick out that outfit. The only other person that could've was...Alessio? Weird.

"Alright, then, Alessio. Shall we?" I said less than enthusiastically as we walked out the door.

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Hey, readers! Thanks for reading! I really appreciate it! Don't worry, Jess isn't a complete jerk all the time. I'm hoping she just comes off as extremely jet lagged and tired, but if not be sure to tell me through a comment.

Don't forget to vote/comment/share!

~hannah~