Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
When Alex got up the next day, he stretched his tight back, realizing he was much more tired than he thought. His internal clock had him waking up early, not long after sunrise. He took his phone off its charger on his bedside table and saw that the cafe would be open in about an hour.
Padding out toward the kitchen, he looked around, seeing some of the details he missed the night before because of fatigue.
Running his hand along the rough lines of the rustic mantle in the living room, Alex knew his decision to use reclaimed pine was the right one.
In the morning light, the brightly colored blue tiles in the kitchen were the highlight of the room, making it almost seem like you were underwater.
He laughed when he remembered the dozens of choices he was given when he asked the painter for off-white walls.
His slate grey sofa was so comfortable he could easily see himself falling asleep there often, and the high-backed wing chair matched well.
There were more items to buy but the essentials were in place for now.
He was more comfortable with a minimalistic life anyway, but he would soon find what he needed.
The house may not be filled yet, but it still felt like home.
Home.
Because his career kept him traveling, he loved the idea of having his own place of respite and putting down roots. All that was missing was someone with whom to share it.
Luckily, Adrian's exhibit wasn't until 8:00pm and Sofia would be busy, so he had time to relax and recharge. He brewed a cup of espresso on the fancy coffee maker Sofia had talked him into buying. Taking a sip, he had to admit that it was very good.
Taking his coffee with him out to the stretch of sand by the water near his house, he sat down and took in its beauty. Having a house like this near the light blue waters of the Mediterranean was a dream come true.
The smell of the salty air and the sounds of fishermen nearby cleaning their nets from their early morning catch made him sigh contentedly.
Checking his watch, he didn’t realize how long he had been sitting there.
Slowing down after the heavy schedule he was used to was a welcome break, but he still wanted to stop by the cafe.
He wasn’t sure whether to go in now during the late breakfast crowd or wait until later, closer to the afternoon like the day before.
After hesitating for another moment, Alex decided to leave then, hoping the possible lull in business would mean success in speaking to the lady he still assumed was the owner. He knew it might be a waste of time, but he couldn’t seem to convince himself otherwise.
“Okay, I’ll go in, look around, and see what happens.” He sounded like a football coach giving out orders to his team.
Taking one last look at the blue skies and even bluer water, Alex stood up and took a deep breath.
Yeah, I would love to share this with someone special one day.
Walking inside, he set the lemon-printed cup in the sink. He made a mental note to thank Sofia for the set of them she left as a housewarming gift. He took another minute to look around his kitchen.
He loved the open concept which allowed him to see into his living room from the kitchen. He could imagine dinner with the guys or his dad and Sofia, and the thought made him happy.
Walking along the narrow hallway to his bedroom, Alex went into his closet to get dressed. He chose a white linen shirt and khaki shorts, pulling his long hair into a half ponytail to keep at least some of it out of his eyes.
Locking the front door and heading to the car, Alex walked down the long pathway that led to the short driveway. Thinking how great it would be to start a garden, he sent a quick reminder to himself for later.
After he arrived in town, he pulled his car into a parking spot near Susanna’s. Alex jogged to the cafe but slowed down as he approached the door, careful not to repeat the previous day’s mishap. Although, if he ran into Aria again that way, it would be fine by him.
Inside, conversations were loud and joyful as the patrons ate and shared their meals at the tables. Alex smirked at the obvious tourists trying to order the correct dishes from the menu.
He waited until the line at the counter slowed down, grateful to see the same older woman from the day before. She was flanked by a gruff-looking man he assumed was her husband by their demeanor.
“Buongiorno,” the cheerful woman cooed as Alex made his way up to the counter. “What can I get for you today,” she asked with a sly expression.
Feeling hopeful that she remembered him, he answered, “Buongiorno. Ah, I’ll have a few plain cornettos, please. I will take them with me, though.”
Alex went to ask her his questions, but she tapped his hand and told him she would bring his order to him soon. Not wanting to argue, he nodded and headed to a bench by the wide windows, out of the way of the busy counter area.
A few minutes later, the woman walked up to him and with a curious expression, placing the white bag in his hands.
“Thank you so much. I, uh, I wanted to ask you something if I can.”
He could see the wide grin cross her face. Her eyes flicked up toward the front counter again where the man from earlier stood with his hands on his hips, his stern look still in place.
“Of course,” she answered as if she had been expecting the conversation.
Trying to avoid the heavy glare of the man, he turned to face her fully and said, “I was here yesterday afternoon. When I was about to leave, I ran into an old friend, well, quite literally. I caught her before she fell but then recognized her from our school days and I’d love to find her again.”
“You mean Aria,” she said with an expression that made Alex unsure whether she was happy or angry at the question.
He heard the man call for her from the front, but she waved her hand in his direction without taking her eyes off Alex.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Alex sat up in his seat and said excitedly, “Yes, yes, Aria. I was hoping you might know how I can get in touch with her.”
“She didn’t seem to know you by the way she ran away.”
Alex felt the conversation was getting away from him, so he went with the truth.
“It’s been many years since we’ve seen each other, so yes, she may not have recognized me. But we were friends back in school. She was… it’s just very important that I get a chance to speak with her again. I had to leave before I got to speak to her.”
He spoke softly, hoping to convince her that he was safe.
“Please. My name is Alex Rossi. I promise I mean her no harm. Would you help me?”
“Aria is a very special woman. She is so sweet but there’s a sadness that lives in her eyes. I don’t know why, and I would do anything to help her.”
“That is exactly the girl I remember from school. She’s unique and yes, very special and generous to a fault.”
“I can see you’re sincere, but I don’t know how to get in touch with her. But she eats here often.”
“Could I leave my information with you, please? In case she comes back in. I’m only here for a few weeks but I’d love to see her before I leave,” Alex said, already pulling out a business card. “If you have a pen, I’ll put my personal cell phone number on the back. It would mean a lot to me.”
Taking a pen from her apron pocket and handing it to him, Alex hurriedly wrote the information and gave the card and pen to her.
She looked at it and nodded before turning on her heel and heading back to the counter.
Alex thanked her, taking his white bag of pastries with him as he left.
Blowing out a loud breath once outside, Alex scratched his beard and headed to his car. He had done what he could for now, but he would make time to visit the cafe every day just in case.
He was hopeful for the first time since he ran into Aria. Sending up a silent prayer to the heavens, he drove back home.
As he wove through traffic heading home, he thought about the beautiful girl he’d fallen for in school all those years ago.
He could never fully understand how hard he had fallen for her.
Who finds their soulmate as a teen? But as true as he knew his feelings were, apparently it just wasn’t meant to be. He never really had a chance with her.
One of his favorite songs began from his playlist, so he turned the volume up and let the memories run through his mind.
The memory of the girl that he never forgot.
When Alex arrived at his house, he made a call to the contractor, confirming the last payment was taken care of before settling in to watch a football match on TV.
He couldn’t help feeling restless. After a half hour of watching the game, he abandoned it and started a load of laundry, then unpacked his bags.
He made several lists of what he needed around the house.
Wandering around, he made a mental note of where to put one of Adrian’s paintings he had spied at the gallery that he intended to purchase.
Alex spent the afternoon unpacking some of the boxes that still lay untouched from when he left for the Asia project, setting up framed photos and childhood mementos. Before long, he realized the day had been spent.
After a hearty dinner of soup and salad that Sofia had left for him in the refrigerator when he arrived the day before, he headed for the bedroom. After another satisfying hot shower, Alex walked into his closet, digging through the clothes Sofia had hung up for him from the move.
He tucked in the crisp white dress shirt and grabbed his black blazer. Dressing up always made him feel like he was in a straitjacket, but he could endure it for a few hours, especially for a friend.
After a much-needed beard trim, Alex ran his hands through his long hair, pulling his loose waves into a tight man-bun, hoping it made him look a little less unkempt for the occasion.
He was starting to embrace his new look, but for tonight, he would try for “neat and tidy”.
A quick spray of his favorite sandalwood and musk cologne and he was ready to leave.