ie Th

, I felt my heart race with joy. I was finally here

g of the best chapter of my life, my

shutting down his laptop as if he hadn't

ed pretty, especially with Italian background. My whole body buzzed with excite

e MILAN. Bad, becau

y shoulders as I sto

suit, who was pretending to be civilized. He looked at me and gave a polite smile, th

ression neutral. No way I was going to let him see how much I

er, we exit

ass was shining and the marble floor looked polished. The minu

was so b

Blackwood walking next to me, all composed and business like posture, I

e, probably he was talking about the ride we will take, the hotel we would stay in, b

my boots clicking lightly against the mar

ther luggage. Eliot follow

ith tinted windows parked quietly. I paused and looked at Ra

me and spoke in a casual tone. "Your apartment won't be r

as just a matter of on

decorate it with fairy lights and my fashion sketches, eat ins

s like how I saw it in mov

ittle colorful scooters roaming between cars. Everywhere I

I even forgot Raven B

glass of the Porsche and looked basically eve

cit

t my ear, and it was enough t

like I had been caught doing something embarrassing. I glan

to keep my voice even,

it was obvious from my reaction. But he wouldn't understand it. Becaus

, it was

ant. The smell of food teased my senses. And suddenly, I felt my stomach gr

" He turned and stepped out of the door. But he didn't clos

ill staring at the restaurant, not

me, already taking on h

me as we stepped inside the restau

outh water. I caught sight of plates that the waiter was bringing to some customers. He was bringin

he next moment. Oh my God, real Italian food. I blurted out wi

nodded, leading

at me before speaking. "I'll have the risotto al tartufo, ra

paghetti carbonara and a glass of water. Eliot, sitting

down the orders, and disa

of the restaurant were painted a soft cream color, adorned with vin

und, along with the low hum of conversations and the occasion

legant, like stepping into a s

y vases with fresh daisies and lilies were placed in the middle of every table, and the chairs had the c

le, feeling the new air, ne

of comfort and tension settle into my bone

scussing work. I caught Elvis giving me a small, encouraging nod, like he co

d, and a ringtone s

ood's phone. He glanced at the screen, and stood up to walk ou

turned and w

hrough the door, I finally let out a bre

d at a fancy Italian restaurant in a foreign country with two b

and Eliot l

. God, did I breathe out

ought our food, and soon, the whole table

pictures to send to my Papa. Neither Eliot no

ious. I took the first bite of Pizza, and it's cheese melted in my mouth instantly. I enjoyed f

yet Raven Blackwood still hadn't returned. Eliot s

I remained ba