Orange Blossom

Chapter 17

The next morning, I decided that I should take a chance. After meeting Daniel, I want to open up to him more. It's like all of a sudden I can trust someone, a stranger. It might sound gullible, but you have to meet a stranger before becoming good friends. I already see Daniel as a good friend even if I only met him yesterday! Maybe, I should show him my father's picture and ask if he recognizes him. It wouldn't hurt to ask, would it?

Not putting anymore thought into it, I went inside my luggage and took the picture of him and my mom out of the little compartment.

I took another good look at it, admiring the way he smiled at her, seeing his green eyes reflect from my Mom's dark brown eyes. It was clear to see the love in their eyes. I wonder what he'd look like right now?

I grabbed my bag with long straps, putting it inside then throwing it on my side.

It was 9 o'clock in the morning. Maybe he'd wait a little while for me in case? So I made my way out of the hotel, along with the GPS on my phone and headed for Roberto's.

Once I reached Roberto's, it was once again packed, but no Daniel in sight.
Maybe he left early? I suggested in my mind. So I decided to just ask him tomorrow.

I decided that I should wait another day by my fifth yawn this morning. Yesterday did take all of my energy out of me, so I headed back to the hotel. As I walked, I pulled out the picture of my young parents and admired it as I was walking, looking up every few moments so I wouldn't bump into anyone.

"Ciao, bellezza! Ti prego, prendi questo!" the florist called out as I past.

I wasn't sure what he said, but him stuffing a red rose in my face meant he wanted to either give or sell it to me.

"Uhm...I'm sorry, I have no money," I said kindly, trying to walk away.

He grabbed one of my hands, kissed it.

"For you," he said trying to pronounce English correctly.

"Grazie!" I said to him, remembering little Italian words that I went over once I woke up, taking the flower from his hand.

As I took it, I accidentally dropped the picture on the floor.

Before I could retrieve it, he picked it up for me and took a glance at it. Then his glance turned into wide eyes, looking from the picture to me then back to the picture again.

"Dio mio...," he stuttered out taking a handkerchief from his apron pocket, damping himself on the forehead.

"Uhm, thank you again," I said taking the picture from his hand and putting it back into my purse.

He continues to stare at me, then swallowed hard afterward, not saying a word as I walked away.

It was at least 5 minutes ago since I encountered the florist and I swear no one has really acknowledged me being here until now.

Every shop filled with people, drivers, and bikers I passed stared at me like I had committed a murder. It was to the point where I was getting too uncomfortable by their stares. Making bite my lip in thought. Did the florist say anything? Why was everyone staring was I becoming paranoid?

"Can I help you?" I asked rudely to a young woman who was holding her baby.

She backed up in fright from my outburst, then started to walk away.

They were starting to annoy me so I pushed their feelings aside and crossed the street, 15 minutes away from the hotel.

"There has to be a shortcut," I said to myself. Instead of taking a left turn, I went straight.

I jogged toward the narrow passage ways between buildings, trying to hurry to the hotel. Once I was out of sight from the streets, I stopped real quick to catch my breath, tired from the heat.

Suddenly, I noticed there were footsteps walking from behind me, my breathing not as loud to cover it up.

Before I could turn around completely a heavy sack was thrown over my head. I tried elbowing the person from behind me, but the person blocked it. He then pulled my arms behind my back, while kicking the back of my legs, making me kneel on the ground.

"Nap time," a masculine sinister voice said to me.

Before I could scream, everything turned black.