Chapter 20
Vico
She doesn't answer, and I don't know if I should be disappointed or relieved. Her lips twitch, and she nestles even closer to me, humming a melody. I shouldn't want her proximity, but at the same time, it feels beautiful. Her hair carries the scent of fresh herbs, and her dreamy expression makes my heart race.
It would be better if I woke her up. So we can put some distance between us. Because one thing is clear: Wherever she is in her thoughts right now, if I let her go, she'll lose her anchor.
Her hand sinks to the ground. Quickly, I grab it and take the camera from her fingers to save it from the damp soil. At that moment, her muscles tense, and her finger bones turn white.
"What are you doing?" she asks, still half-asleep, and turns in my arms to face me.
I do the same, and I shouldn't have.
We are too close to each other. With just a little sway on this uneven ground, our noses could touch. I involuntarily hold my breath.
"I…" What was the question again?
She blinks, and whenever her sea-green eyes disappear for even a fraction of a second, I already miss them.
"Tell me where you were just now," I implore again, because no matter how wrong it is, I simply have to know.
An anxious expression flits across her face, and her fingers grip her forearm. I prevent her from pinching herself by placing my hand over hers.
"There was music, right?" Yes, she was humming to herself.
She nods hesitantly, then lowers her eyelids as if embarrassed.
But she shouldn't be. It's rather charming. "What music?"
"A cello," she whispers so softly I can barely hear her. Her cheeks blush.
I should be grateful she's not looking at me. I should get up and leave. I shouldn't inquire any further. But I can't resist.
"Wow. That's…" She hears a melody that isn't there? Only through the power of her thoughts? "What else?" I ask, filled with admiration.
She presses her lips together, then her muscles suddenly relax. "The scent of oranges." She looks enchanting, almost liberated.
"You're the most fascinating person I've ever met." The words escape my mouth unfiltered. I can't help it, and even though I'm probably talking nonsense, she smiles at me.
My fingers move on their own over the back of her hand. She doesn't pull away. There's no trace of fear or defense in her expression. Instead, I see a mix of disbelief and relief in her gaze.
"You don't find it abnormal?" she whispers, almost toneless.
"Never." No one would draw such a conclusion. Clearly, she possesses a unique talent, but her question reveals that she doesn't see it that way.
Suddenly, the puzzle pieces fall into place for things I couldn't fit together before. She wanted to pretend to be the structured businesswoman when, in reality, she has a dreamy artist within her. Because someone, probably this Florian, made her believe she had to pretend.
"Anyone who says otherwise is just jealous," I quickly add.
Hanna furrows her brow as if she's pondering what I just said. "Maybe." She gestures to the camera in my hand. "We should continue."
"We should," I confirm, but my arms don't let go of her.
"Then… you'd have to…" She stammers awkwardly, and I could swear she doesn't really want to ask me what she's about to.
Her gaze lingers on my lips.
My pulse quickens. I forget to breathe.
There's not a hint of adrenaline in my body, yet I feel intoxicated.
Oh my God, what's happening here?
This has to stop. I need to get ahold of myself before it's too late!
Suddenly, she's the one who abruptly turns away from me. And with the coldness that her absence leaves behind, I realize what almost happened here.
In my mind, an image of my father appears. He holds my mother in his strong arms and smiles at her lovingly. Everything about him radiates, but the picture changes rapidly. The eyes lose their sparkle, the skin turns pale. The corners of the mouth droop, the collarbones protrude. Within seconds, nothing is left of the man he used to be.
I can't let that happen to me. Under no circumstances can I allow myself to end up the same way one day.
"Where else can we find beautiful subjects?" Hanna rummages through her backpack.
"We'll just drive around and keep our eyes open," I say hastily, exhaling heavily. I need to get away from here. If we get close to each other again, I don't know what will happen.
I quickly turn to leave, but before I can make my way, a siren sounds in the distance.
Searching, I let my gaze wander.
"There, ahead." Hanna points at the horizon where an ambulance appears, rushing past us with its flashing blue lights.
Before reaching the next hill, it slows down. With growing unease, I realize that it's turning.
"My God, it's heading for the estate!" Hanna suddenly stammers.