Chapter 14
ROMEO
We had just arrived at Alberobello and although we had not even started the tour, something told me that I had made a big mistake.
It was not a good idea for me to spend so much one-to-one time with a guest. But what was I supposed to do? I could not leave Samantha alone.
I felt bad for her. She was so concerned about Edward, yet he did not care about hurting her. As a guest it was my job to keep Samantha happy. And if that meant spending a few awkward hours with her, that was what I had to do.
If my gut feeling was right, she already had disappointment coming her way. I had to make sure that she at least enjoyed this excursion so her holiday would not be completely ruined.
‘ Benvenuti !’ I said as the guests stepped off the coach. ‘This is Alberobello, an ancient town and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.’
‘Who’s UNESCO?’ one of the guests, Phillipa, asked.
‘UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. They have a list of World Heritage Sites which are special, natural or cultural places that are important to preserve for future generations.’
‘So, like, pretty old places?’ she asked.
‘More or less. In the United Kingdom, cities like Bath and landmarks like the Tower of London are World Heritage Sites. In Italy we have many places including Rome. We will also visit another special site this week, but today, we are here to see the trulli , which are limestone huts constructed around the fourteenth century. As you can see, the roofs are shaped like cones.’ I gestured towards the houses in the distance.
‘They’re so pretty,’ Samantha said as she appeared beside me.
Her fruity scent filled the air. It smelt citrusy, but was sweet at the same time. Like lemon sherbet. Or a shot of delicious limoncello.
What was I just saying to the guests? I had completely lost my train of thought.
‘So…’ I attempted to focus again. ‘Alberobello is a small but very beautiful and romantic town that I am sure you will enjoy discovering as a couple. We will meet back here in two hours which will give you plenty of time to explore the houses, shops, bars and restaurants within these beautiful buildings. Remember to take lots of photos together for your memory book.’
‘Will do!’ one of the guys, Casper, replied.
‘And as you may have noticed, unfortunately Samantha’s partner, Edward, is unwell and has not been able to join us. So that she is not on her own, I will walk with her. But if there is anything you need, please call. You all have my number, sì ?’
‘ Sì !’ everyone replied.
‘ Perfetto ! Enjoy exploring this beautiful place together. See you in two hours.’
As the guests dispersed, I turned to face Samantha.
She was wearing a pretty knee-length yellow sundress and her vibrant hair hung loosely around her toned shoulders. Her skin looked very soft.
I shook my head. I should not be looking at her shoulders. I was just here to keep her company.
‘Thanks again for being my escort. Oops!’ She laughed. ‘Bad word choice. I didn’t mean it like that . I know you’re helping me out, but I promise I’m not expecting any sexual favours in return!’
I flashed her a half smile to communicate that I understood she was joking. I was starting to realise that Samantha often spoke before she thought, so her words did not come out as she had intended.
‘My boss will be relieved to hear that,’ I said, thinking how true that was.
‘What I meant was, I hope I’m not cramping your style by making you babysit me. You’ve probably visited this place a million times before and usually just sneak off to get a pint. So, if you want to do that, I promise I won’t tell your boss.’
‘Do not worry. I already had four pints on the coach, so I am fine,’ I joked.
I was going to add that of course I would not drink whilst I was working, but then realised I did not need to. I was learning that Samantha enjoyed banter, so she would know I was not being serious.
‘Phew! You could’ve at least offered me a sip!
’ She smiled and I noticed how it lit up her whole face.
‘And I’m glad you understood my English sayings too, y’know, like cramping my style .
Your English is so good. Not as good as my Italian obviously , but y’know.
’ She burst out laughing and a warm feeling filled my chest.
I was glad that she had not let Edward’s absence stop her from smiling.
‘ Obviously !’ I laughed. ‘Your Italian is flawless.’
‘I know, right?’ She giggled. ‘But seriously, how come your English is so good?’
‘My mother is English,’ I replied.
‘No way!’ Her eyes widened. ‘Must be cool to be bilingual.’
‘You should know,’ I grinned.
‘Of course I do. I was just being polite!’ She laughed again.
‘Speaking English is helpful. Especially for this job. But growing up, we did not speak it much at home. My father preferred us to speak Italian. Mamma still tried her best to teach us, but if I am honest, when I was younger, I was not interested. It was only when I was a teenager and started to understand the benefits of travel that I began to pay more attention.’
‘Yeah, us Brits are lucky that so many people speak English around the world. But it makes us kind of lazy. Like we don’t have to bother making an effort because everyone will understand us anyway.’
‘But you have tried to make an effort,’ I added.
We had joked a lot about her language skills, but it was true. I liked how Samantha always tried to use some Italian. Even though they were small, simple words, they still mattered.
‘ Grazie ! I’d love to learn more Italian.’
‘Perhaps I can teach you,’ I said, before instantly regretting it. I was just her chaperone for a couple of hours. Teaching her Italian was not part of the deal.
‘Yeah?’ Her face lit up. ‘I’d love to learn some swear words!’
‘Wait.’ I stopped in my tracks. ‘So, you are here at a beautiful World Heritage Site at one of the most ancient and prettiest towns in Italy,’ I gestured at the trulli , ‘and instead of asking me to tell you more about the history or language related to the houses, you want me to teach you curse words?’
‘Yep!’ she replied without hesitation and I laughed.
‘ Va bene . What words would you like to learn?’
‘Whatever you want to teach me.’ She tilted her head, and wrapped a strand of hair around her finger.
‘I am sure there are many things I could teach you, so you need to be more specific…’
A jolt of electricity shot straight to my dick.
‘ Cazzo !’ I said quickly, chastising myself.
When Samantha said she wanted me to teach her, she was referring to Italian, not something sex-related. And anyway, I was sure a confident woman like her had no trouble knowing what to do in the bedroom.
‘Ooh, what does that mean?’ She grinned and I dragged my mind out of the gutter.
‘ Cazzo literally means dick, but we use it to say fuck.’
‘What like, having sex?’
My dick twitched again. What was wrong with me? I had thought about sex more in the past two minutes speaking with Samantha than I had in weeks.
‘No. Fuck as in, damn, shit, that kind of thing. To fuck in a sexual way is… anyway.’ I stopped.
Samantha bit her lip and the sight made my pulse race.
This conversation was wandering into dangerous territory and I did not like the thoughts that were now flooding my mind.
‘That is your Italian lesson for today. Come, I want to show you Trullo Sovrano. It is the only two-storey trullo in the town. It was built by a rich priest’s family and it is like a museum and it has a shop to buy souvenirs. I am sure you will like it.’
‘Okay!’
As I led Samantha further along the street, I exhaled.
That was close .
I had almost crossed a boundary, but pulled back just in time.
Now I needed to stay professional for another hour and forty-five minutes.
I would be fine.
I had to be.
My job and future depended on it.