Vienna's P.O.V
It has been a while since I come back to this place, ever since I left the country three years ago for Berlin. But today I am back, looking completely different from when I left, now my straight hair has been dyed black, cut to shoulder length with a soft straight bangs to match my preference for black clothings. My style is in no way gothic or emo, I would refer it more as a femme fatale style from the noir movies which I used to love watching.
At the age of thirty eight, I have never gotten married like most Italian women I know, my younger sister who is two years below me has been living happily with her husband and two daughters, while my female cousin who is my age is now married with three children and live in the states.
The irony is, I never lack male attention. Everyday I get stares from men, but I never get bothered by them, since I am someone who is fully aware of my own beauty and capability, which has fuel my confidence throughout the years.
You may be wondering now why I never settle in with anyone despite having been on plenty of dates. The reasoning is simple, it's because I still could not forget my first Love. Gavino Alberti
Sounds silly don't you think ? I am in no way a hopeless romantic, but he is special. He is the only man I can never forget in my life. He is by no means better looking, smarter or richer than the men I have been with, yet there is something about him that sparks a light on me.
The second irony is, I am going to visit his house today. How does this make any sense ?
It turns out, his current wife is my friend from college, Imelda. He git her pregnant by the age of nineteen. Both of their families are very conservative, because she was pregnant with his child, they quickly arranged their marriage. Although Gavino and I did love each other, he would choose his family's decision over our love.
But those are all in the past.
Today is the blessing day of their new house, they just bought a their first house in Turin. The timing is all too perfect, I just cut off my contract with the company in Berlin and got offered a place in Turin by a man I used to work for for a really great price, which just happens to be a few blocks away from their place. It's as if the universe is trying to set me up with them, the coincidences are just too much to bear.
I manage to find the correct address in one shot. The house is a rather comfortable one. It is not as big as the house I get offered to, but it is decent considering how long they have saved up to buy the place.
I knock in the door and it is immediately opened by a smiling Imelda. She is looking the same as the last time I remember, but she does look like she has lost a few kilos which may not be a good thing considering she is already pretty skinny before. Yet her face is as bright as ever and she invites me in.
When I walk into the house the first sight I see is Gavino. He is sitting on the living room attending to his parents. I know them because I have met them once before when we were dating.
He freezes in place when our eyes meet, it is as if he did not expect me to come, which is understandable on his side, but there is no way I am backing out from a friendly invitation. He finishes his conversation with his parents and stand up to greet me, which I assume is a facade to reduce anyone's suspicion.
"Vienna, I cannot believe you come. Goodness, you are still looking youthful. Good for you" the first thing he notices about me is my appearance, which is expected. He is not lying though, I do happen to look younger the older I get. I guess I age well.
"Gavino, It has been a while" I force a smile. He has matured indeed, now he has some light wrinkle and fine lines around his mouth and forehead, he looks like a classic Italian gentleman from The Godfather. We stare at each other awkwardly for a moment before Imelda break the ice.
