𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 ☽

✯ chapter III

ELEANORA

bikes. the two wheeled vehicle being my primary mode of transport when we stay in crema. oliver took my bike as i took elio's, the rusty framework of my brother's bike looked as if it was about to fall apart, hence why my mother thought it best to endanger my welfare rather than our american guest.

"so, summer and winter? the two most beautiful times of the year, you're lucky to be able to stay somewhere as gorgeous as this" oliver tried to make small talk but every-time the soft words fell from his mouth i felt my cheeks rush red.

"winter in crema is almost as cold as winter in new york papa tells me" i returned the favour and slowed down slightly to let the blonde catch up with me.

we rode in silence after that for a while, taking in the beautiful scenery of northern italy. listening to the birds chirping in the trees and the crickets hiding in the lush grass.

   the steeple of the church was the first landmark that came into view, "wow". Oliver was stunned by the beauty of the small town, Crema really was one of the most
beautiful places in the world, i could spend all day here, basking in the sun or sat tucked away in a small cafe reading a book.

i took Oliver to my favourite cafe, il dolce posto, the sweet place. covered in ivy and plants, the small building would go completely unnoticed down one of the small alleyways from the town square. the sweet scent of vanilla made Oliver's nose scrunch up when we walked in but to me it was the best smell in the world.

"benvenuto a casa, Eleonora!" Rosemary, the cafe owner was a small stumpy looking woman that wouldn't take any crap off of nobody but the short italian woman had a heart of gold, "you bring a guest" she shook oliver's hand and returned back behind the counter as we took the booth in the far corner of the building.

"how'd you find this place?" he asked as he grazed over the menu, "it's well hidden"

"when you come to crema as much as i do the popular spots in the town square become repetitive. but however, if you venture farther from the centre there are so many hidden treasures" i smiled at Rosemary as she brought over my regular and many different drinks for oliver to try, "grazie"

he looked amused as he looked at me all over, "I like the way you speak"

"what, with my mouth?" i hummed sarcastically and took a sip from chocolate mocha.

"no, as if you're writing a book"

"maybe i am"

"am what?"

"writing a book"

"about?"

"you"

before i realised what i said the words had already escaped my mouth, i'm not writing a book. what a stupid thing to say, i cursed myself over and over again for what felt like an eternity but in reality was only a few seconds.

"are your illustrations included in the novella?" he asked with a smirk on his face, "tell me more, just making sure, you have captured how good looking i am on paper right?" he joked.

"of course but words don't do you justice"

"hence the drawings" we said in unison and held a laugh together afterwards, he really was so beautiful when he laughed, small creases appeared under his eyes and he held his stomach as if in pain.

"thank you" he said after we sat in silence for a while, "for today, it's been fun"

"no, it's nice to spend time with someone who isn't my brother, believe me" we departed from the cafe as i blew rosemary a kiss. the square had quieted down as the sun started to set, the last of the vendors started to pack up their stalls and before i knew it, oliver had run off to catch up with a flower vendor who was cycling away and quickly brought one of the sunflowers in the trailer.

he smiled as he walked back over to me and kissed my hand, then placed the flower behind my ear and tucked it in my hair before guiding me back to our bikes.

we rode back home that night in a race, for him a race to see who get home first but for me, a race between my brother and i.

for who could claim Oliver's heart first?