12. Violeta
And another asshole bites the dust.
The Swiss Alps were one of the most beautiful places I had ever been to. Switzerland was green, gorgeous, and life seemed to move slower here. I woke up early so I could hike up a mountain and enjoy the sunrise.
It was the most gorgeous sunrise I had ever experienced.
The stillness in the morning as the sun brought light to land felt like my life. I had only been in Europe, but I felt the subtle shift happening. My life was feeling like my own again, but more than that, I truly felt alive for the first time.
Lorenzo felt like a distant memory, one that felt like a dream.
If I had married him, my life would not have been my own.
I don’t know why I had thought it was a good idea to marry him with this pressure to do what I thought I had to do.
I couldn’t even blame my parents solely for thinking getting married was the next step in life I had to check off.
My parents’ approval wasn’t worth that and I should have known better.
Nothing was ever good enough for my parents.
I took a few pictures, sending one to Mario. My finger hovered over the Rendezvous app, wondering if I should send a picture to Levi. Before I lost my nerve I sent him a selfie with the sunrise in the back.
XOXO22: Isn’t it gorgeous?
It was early and I didn’t expect a response back, but I got one immediately.
C++98: Yeah, stunning. The sunrise is pretty too.
My cheeks heated from his compliment.
XOXO22: Such a charmer so early in the morning. Why are you up?
C++98: I haven’t slept yet. I have a bug in this program and I can’t figure it out.
XOXO22: Levi! Go to sleep. You need to rest that brain and I’m sure when you wake up you’ll find it.
C++98: I know, but I’m so close to finding it.
XOXO22: The code is blurring together by now. Go to sleep and it will be so much easier to find.
C++98: You’re right. Thanks for the lovely picture.
C++98: Where are you going next?
XOXO22: Italy. I’m thinking Milan maybe Lake Como, but it’s expensive to stay there.
Levi didn’t respond right away—he probably fell asleep.
I set my phone down to enjoy the rest of the sunrise.
I took out a pastry and drank from my thermos of tea.
The cool night faded away as the sun warmed the air.
I took a moment to take a few deep breaths, closed my eyes, and enjoyed the stillness, the quiet of being all alone.
It was one of the best mornings I had had while in Europe, and I made myself a promise, I needed to do this more often, enjoy the small things.
My phone buzzed and I saw a message from Levi.
C++98: Staying in Lake Como is expensive, but let me see what I can do. Let me know when you decide to leave for Italy. Good night.
XOXO22: I know you probably don’t need it, but I can look at the code if you like. Just as a second pair of eyes.
C++98: Thanks Vi, I might take you up on that offer.
XOXO22: Good night
C++98: Night, Beautiful.
I couldn’t help the blush that Levi had the tendency to bring out of me.
He was refreshing and I was glad he messaged me even though it made me miss him.
Just talking to him was fun. I hated to admit that I even missed grumpy Matteo, but maybe it was just the sex I missed because they sure knew what they were doing.
It was hard not to compare every man to them.
Ottoman423 aka Otto was my date for tonight. He was sweet, kind, thoughtful and reminded me of Levi. We hit it off right away as we walked to the restaurant he picked and he had even made a reservation. The menu was simple, but his company was even better.
“I can’t believe you know that many languages,” he said, laying down his fork and knife on his plate.
“I love learning new languages. I find it fascinating,” I said, cutting into my sausage. “Being in Europe has been nice. I get to practice almost every day. I think I’ll have to practice my German more.”
“I could help with that while you’re here,” he said, taking a drink of his beer. “I happen to be a great teacher.”
“Good to know,” I said, debating if I wanted to get kinky. “What other languages do you know?”
“English and German are my main languages, but I know a little Italian and French,” he said, leaning close. “Andiamo a casa tua e puoi insegnarmi l’italiano.”
Let’s go to your place and you can teach me Italian.
I smirked. “I’m sure I could teach you a few words.”
“All the good words.” He leaned in closer. “Maybe words like good girl.”
My cheeks grew hot. “That could be arranged,” I said, a little breathy.
“I don’t think I know the word for harder either,” he said, grabbing my hand and kissing the palm. “Or you feel so good around my—”
“Otto!”
A screeching yell startled us and a petite woman came barreling towards. She started speaking in German so quickly I was only picking up a few words here and there, but if I was correct, she was his wife.
Fuck my life…
Otto started speaking, but she was yelling and she was too quick in her words to let him get anything in. The bits and pieces he was saying was that I was a coworker. I laughed, he was dumb if the coworker route was going to work. I opened my phone to his Rendezvous profile and showed her my phone.
She looked at it, glaring at me like it was my fault, but this was all on him. He had no ring on and I was trusting he was single. Otto glared at me like I was a traitor, but then what did I expect, men think they do nothing wrong.
“Es tut mir so leid.” I said sorry in German.
His wife slapped him upside the head, yelling even louder as he tried to explain again. She was not letting him get a word in, slapping him once more before leaving the restaurant. Everyone was looking at us and just as I was about to get up to leave, this asshole leaves first chasing his wife.
“Hey!” I yelled as he left.
This asshole left me with the bill along with the humiliation and embarrassment.
“Nothing to see here,” I said, picking up my glass of beer.
“I’m sorry, I should have said something,” my server said, picking up his plate. “I’ve seen him with his wife before.”
I grimaced. “Not your fault, but I will take another beer to drown out that awful turn of events.”
“Of course, dessert too? On the house,” he said, looking sorry for me.
“Sure, why not,” I said, drinking the last of my beer.
“Raspberry cake or Apple strudel?” he asked, taking my plate.
“Oh, that’s a tough one. I’ll let you choose,” I said. “I’ll have a glass of wine with dessert, too. Maybe something red?”
“Ok, I’ll be back,” he smiled.
I sat there for a few minutes and the customers kept looking at me. It was only slightly better when the server dropped off my glass of wine and both desserts. Damn him, but thank god cause I wanted both. After I ate both, I waved him down for the bill, hating that I got stuck with it.
“Here you go,” the server hands me the bill which I don’t even look at as he takes my card.
“Thanks,” I smiled.
His gaze lingered for a moment before he turned around. Was he checking me out?
I finished my glass of wine as he brought back my bill.
“Sorry about your shitty date,” he said softly. “You didn’t deserve that.”
“Thanks, I didn’t deserve the humiliation,” I said, grabbing the pen from him to sign.
“If you’re still up for some fun later, I get off in two hours,” he said, leaving a piece of paper that had his name and number.
I raised my brow at his forwardness.
“I don’t know, Milo,” I said, looking at the piece of paper. “I think I might have had enough fun for the night.”
“Offer doesn’t expire. I’m off tomorrow too,” he said, winking, grabbing my plates and wine glass.
I blushed again, almost tempted to say see you later, but I didn’t know if I really wanted to.
“Thanks, if I stay I’ll let you know,” I said, standing and grabbing my purse.
“Goodnight, Beautiful. I hope I hear from you,” he said, walking away.
I smiled as I walked out of the restaurant that had been feeling suffocating. The night was gorgeous and while I loved Switzerland, it was time to move on. Maybe this whole app was a waste of my time, except I had managed to find Levi and Matteo, how could I be mad at that?