NOT GIVING UP ON FOREVER

Chapter 40

The flight went unnoticed, but the girl's anxiety grew as she approached Milan. Having received the luggage, she took tentative steps to the exit, hoping not to make a mistake and recognize Teo among the waiting crowd.

Anna's flight was already a few hours late. She was nervous that Teo would not wait for her for so long. It was an ugly situation if he did, even though the reason did not depend on her. It angered her that a person offered to help, and she made him wait so long.

Coming to the last exit gate occupied by the greeters, Anna began to look around, trying to find Teo. It was easy to spot him. He stood leaning against a pillar and was dressed so impeccably that she almost opened her mouth—dark jeans, a leather jacket with chains, perfectly styled gel hair, and to crown it all, sunglasses and a straw in his mouth made him look like a model for some men's magazine.

Anna waved to him, and he noticed her at once.

Hmm, I hope he's not such a "bad guy" as he seems, thought the girl and walked over to Teo, introducing herself.

Teo took off his sunglasses and hugged her politely.

"How was the flight, Anna?" he asked with a smile.

What a voice he has! Her thoughts distracted.

"Fine, thanks. Sorry for keeping you waiting," she replied.

Teo took her suitcase and pointed to the exit.

"All is fine. Very tired?"

"Slightest. I slept well on the plane. Ugh, it's hot outside!"

"Yes, crazily hot today," Teo commented. "Here's my car."

In the parking lot, a couple of meters from them, Anna spotted a dusty Mercedes. A young man was sitting in the back seat.

"I have my best friend with me. I hope you don't mind?" Teo asked.

"It's okay," Anna smiled.

Teo opened the door for her. Inside the car, it was unbearably stuffy. The seat was so dusty that Anna snorted and half-jokingly pouted, refusing to sit in such dirt.

From inside the car came a chuckle.

"Your future wife is a real neat, Teo!" the lad laughed and held out his hand to Anna. "I'm Ricardo, call me Ri. Welcome to Italy!"

Anna laughed.

Ricardo seemed a witty and lovely guy. He was also dressed up to kill and kept his shades on even in a car.

"Nice to meet you, Ri. I'm Anna." And turning to Teo, who was wiping the seat for her with displeasure, she asked if he was cleaning the seat thoroughly.

"As thorough as it can only be. Everything is clean. Glittering, as your eyes." Teo grinned and threw the cloth into the salon. "Sit down, Mademoiselle!"

"Merci." Anna finally settled in, still skeptical about the cleanliness of the car. "How far is it to go?"

"Not far. My villa is in the heart of Milan," Teo answered proudly and started the engine.

All the way, Anna studied him. He was not talkative but friendly, very calm, and reserved. His appearance coincided with her ideas and expectations, but his voice, the manner of holding were unreal. He politely answered the girl's questions about the weather, music, or briefly discussed something in Italian with Ricardo, and every time he opened his mouth, Anna was in love with this voice. Deep, little husky, with a pleasant accent, he spoke every word clearly and smiled modestly. He had a piercing but friendly look in his eyes as if keeping some secret.

But the most striking detail, which was a real revelation to Anna, was his driving manner. He was like one organism with this iron body. He moved confidently, quickly, easily outrunning cars and going around the bumps, driving something resembling the levels in a racing computer game—so easily he could steer.

Teo could do it with his eyes closed. He was distracted, without losing concentration, humming the tunes, playing some castanets, gesticulating with both hands on a chastise his friend in Italian, looking at Anna.

And for the first time in life, Anna felt that she could relax in the car and not be afraid that she'd get into an accident or something would happen. This fear did not have any roots in the past, but Anna always wanted to keep control of her life, and to sit in the next seat to the driver meant trusting him with her life, not being able to control the developing events.

But now, it was so different. She felt that she could trust Teo completely, that he would bring her home, that everything would be all right.

She closed her eyes and dozed off.

But she dreamed the same thing that had haunted her for years...