Chapter 50
Chapter Fifty
Aria sat in her favorite coffee shop Casa de Campo. People watching while she drank her coffee, she couldn’t believe how quickly six weeks had passed.
Her novel was progressing beautifully, and she wanted to see how far she could take it. Natalia assured her that she had everything under control, and they only needed Aria for a few video calls.
Adding in the storyline where her female protagonist met a man she had known in school made the story move in another direction.
Describing how it felt to dance again and be held in his arms made her heart long to see Alex.
He brought all those things to life for her, something she didn’t think she could ever experience again.
Through the pages of her novel, she recognized the strength she had not given herself credit for the last few years. She had weathered a storm that should have taken her under, but it had built a resilience in her that she never thought possible.
The trip to Madrid was more than just a check off her bucket list. Even though visiting Santo was amazing, it wasn’t about that either. Being on her own for hours a day and writing, she felt like some of those missing pieces of her life were being put back together.
Several hours later, her heart raced as she felt the momentum building. She was nearing the end of her last chapter and knew exactly how she would end the book.
Like her and Alex, the protagonists had been separated, but her fierce female character had made up her mind to get the man she loved back.
Aria could picture the bottles in her collection at home, the ones that Alex asked her about.
She thought about the story she had told him of the young girl who put a note in a bottle and prayed her long-lost love would find it.
The inspiration fueled her as her fingers flew over her laptop. A beautiful, haunting song played through her headphones, fueling her words.
The lovers came together after the pain of separation, the excitement and anticipation building at their reunion. And as the last words were spoken, tears flowed down her face as they pledged their love for one another.
Pulling her hands away from her laptop, Aria felt two emotions flood her mind.
The first was pure pride in herself for seeing this dream come true, followed closely by a second one.
Hope.
Hope that one day, she and Alex could find each other and navigate how to marry their lives together.
Aria wiped the tears that now stained her face. Her fingers trembled as she typed the last two words.
‘The End’.
She took a stuttering breath and her eyes closed as she let the weight of this accomplishment settle over her. She had done what she believed to be impossible.
Choosing herself over others had shifted something powerful in her. Aria knew she had done the right thing when she walked away from her life, even for a brief time. It was important for her to discover who she was on her own.
And she had. There was so much more to discover, but this was an important step toward her new life, one that she could now share with Alex. He had been an unexpected gift to her.
Opening her eyes and sitting up straight, she realized what the title should be. She had been struggling with a few ideas, but this was it.
‘Unexpected Love’.
It was perfect.
She typed the words and then closed her laptop.
Could she now fight for her own unexpected love?
Am I too late?
When Santo arrived home that evening, Aria was sitting on the sofa with a satisfied look on her face. Sliding his messenger bag over his head, he sat it down on the counter.
“Hey, what’s up?”
Aria stood up, walking to the kitchen counter and leaning on it.
“It’s time to go home.”
His eyebrows shot up and a smile split his face in two.
“You finished it?”
Nodding quickly, she answered, “Yeah, it’s done. It’s time for me to get it to Natalia and start the process.”
He picked her up and swung her around, her hair flying as she screamed excitedly.
Santo put her down and said, “When do you leave?”
“Got a flight out tomorrow morning. I need to find Alex.”
“Sis, I’m so happy for you. No matter what happens with him, pursue this dream to the end.”
“I’ll never let that happen again, I promise. My dreams are too important.”
“Yeah, they are.”
“Let’s go out and celebrate before you pack.”
“Already done,” she said with a chuckle.
“A little anxious to get back, huh?”
“Anxious to get my guy back, yeah.”
Early the next morning, she and Santo took off for the airport, promising to see each other again soon.
When they got to the arrivals drop off, Santo asked, “Sure you don’t want me to come in with you?”
“Nah, I’m good. You’re going to miss me, huh?”
“I'm just glad to not have to fix my hair twice every morning,” Santo teased.
Laughing and hugging him, Aria said, “Come home soon, Santo. We miss you so much. And thank you again for letting me have my grand adventure.”
“I’ll always be here for you, Aria,” he said when they said their final goodbye.
The flight back was so different from the one that brought her to Madrid. Aria had grown so much in that short time, but she knew there was so much more to learn. Her heart beat faster at the thought of finally being able to allow Alex in and share that journey, if he could ever forgive her.
When her plane touched down in Naples, she sent a text to Corinna. She hurried off the plane, thanking the attendants, getting through customs quickly as she headed to the baggage claim area.
Aria called Corinna after she grabbed her suitcase, letting her know where she would be standing outside.
Seeing Corinna pulling up, she waved wildly, excited to see her friend.
Corrina quickly pulled over and jumped out of the car, nearly knocking Aria down with a hug.
“I missed you!” Corinna said excitedly. “You look amazing. Just promise me you’re not moving to Spain, though.”
“Missed you too. And no. You know Positano is home.”
They got her suitcase into the trunk and took off to the exit.
“I know we talked a lot while you were there, but I can’t wait to hear every little detail,” Corinna said, navigating the busy streets.
“It was amazing, Corinna. The people, the city, the architecture. I loved spending time with Santo. But the best part was the writing.”
“How is it going?”
“Well, I wanted to tell you in person. I finished it!”
“What? Aria! That is amazing. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks hon, but keep your eyes on the road,” Aria teased her when she swerved slightly at the news.
“And I want to talk to Alex. I want to see if maybe we can try again.”
Corinna’s smile dropped and she sighed.
“Aria, I talked to Adrian the other day, and he told me Alex took the assignment in Argentina the day you left. When you said you were coming home today, I thought I’d wait to tell you in person,” she said solemnly.
Aria knew she couldn’t be upset. This was what she told him to do.
“Is he coming back to Positano when he's done?” Aria asked, holding her breath.
“I don't think so, babe. Adrian said Alex told him he had nothing to stay here for. He’ll visit with Leonardo and Sofia again around the holidays most likely.”
Aria turned to look out the passenger window. What had she done?
He’s gone and he’s not coming back.
Shaking her head, Aria said, trying to seem braver than she felt, “Well, I’m happy for him. I’m sure he’s where he’s supposed to be.”
Corinna took one hand from the steering wheel and squeezed Aria’s.
“Don’t give up yet. Maybe he will change his mind. If he sees you, he will want to get back together.”
“Maybe,” Aria said softly.
The rest of the ride, Aria was quiet. Her friend knew her well enough not to push. When Corinna pulled into Aria’s neighborhood, she said, “Hey, I’ve got a late meeting to get to, but I can come over afterward if you’re still awake.”
Corinna got out of the car and popped her trunk when she parked in front of Aria’s house.
“No, you take care of work. I’ll see you this weekend. Thanks for coming to get me. I missed you so much,” Aria said as they hugged, pulling away and rolling her suitcase to the front porch.
“We can spend the whole weekend in our pajamas again.”
Laughing, Aria answered, “It’s a date.”
Aria was too upset to eat more than a bowl of cereal for dinner. Putting her bowl in the sink, she went to the bathroom for a shower, hoping for sleep to help ease her aching heart.
When sleep eluded her, she walked around the living room aimlessly. Before she could make herself stop, she dialed Alex’s number.
“The caller you have reached is not available.”
Maybe I can call Sofia in the morning. But she’s likely upset with me for hurting her brother.
Just then, her eyes landed on one of her decorative bottles. She picked up her favorite one, turning it over and over in the lamplight.
An idea was born, and even though she knew it was insane to think it could work, she couldn’t let it go. She dug around in her desk drawers until she found some parchment paper. Sitting down at the desk, she started to write.