Chapter 53
Chapter Fifty-Three
Hearing his phone ringing in his backpack, Alex answered when he saw Enzo’s name.
“Hey, man. I was going to call you tonight with the good news,” he said as he walked away from the UNICEF representatives to take the call.
The loud hum of conversation lessened as he walked out of the meeting tent.
“Yeah, I wasn’t sure the call would go through. What’s the good news?”
Alex could hear the tightness in his voice.
“The last well was built sooner than planned, so we’re in Buenos Aires and have cell service. Something wrong?”
His friend exhaled deeply.
“Aria’s back. I just saw her and Corinna at Luca's.”
“Aria’s back,” Alex repeated, his pulse quickening at the thought.
“Yeah, says she just got home a few days ago. She looks great. I think Spain was good for her. Sorry, that didn’t come out right.”
“No. I'm glad she's doing well. So, she must have gone to see her brother in Madrid then. And she’s just getting back now? Wow, that was a long trip,” Alex said walking toward a grove of trees. “Did she ask about me?”
“No, but Corinna did. I told them that you were still in South America. But Aria was interested to hear about you. That was clear.”
“It’s fine. She, uh, she seems to know what she wants. And I only want what will make her happy,” Alex answered as he closed his eyes.
“Are you coming back to Positano then? Maybe the time away’s been good for both of you. You never know what can happen.”
“I don't know what I'm going to do, brother. Anthony has a few more offers he’s waiting for me to decide on. But we’ll talk when I know for sure. Thanks for calling,” Alex assured his friend.
When he ended the call, he let his body slide down a massive weeping fig tree nearby, its shade a welcome reprieve from the heat.
She’s back. And doing great. I should leave her alone. She finally went on that adventure, and she obviously doesn't need me.
Heading back inside the large work tent, he sat at the table that doubled as a workstation. He sent emails to the project committee about the timeline for his photos to be ready. He’d spent all those lonely nights editing, so there wasn’t much left to do.
Alex was tempted to reach out to Aria, but what was left to say?
He needed to decide where he was going next. Leaning back in the fold-up chair, he opened the latest email from his agent. There were projects in India and Nigeria. He rubbed his jaw as he contemplated his next move.
I could just visit Adrian in Portugal.
Pulling up his favorite airline site, his finger hovered over the purchase button for a flight to Mumbai, India.
Just then, a strong gust of wind caused the flap at the front of the tent to open, bringing with it the subtle fragrance of something floral.
Alex had been at the compound for two days and hadn’t seen any gardens nearby. He bent down to pick up the papers that had scattered on the ground and when he sat back up, the floral scent became stronger.
Fly back home, my albatross. I’m waiting for you.
Something strong was drawing him home. To Positano. To Aria.
“I really am losing it.”
Shaking his head, he turned back to his laptop. He switched tabs back to the flight to Mumbai. Decision made, Alex clicked the link to purchase his ticket, his hand trembling.
Eighteen hours later, Alex pulled up to his house, grateful he had once again put his car in storage near the Naples airport so he could retrieve it without letting anyone know he was back.
Not until he was ready, anyway.
Once out of his car, the scent from his new garden assaulted him. The day he left for Argentina almost two months before, he called Enzo’s client and made plans to have the garden built, then arranged for a groundskeeper to care for it.
Despite the pain he was in and the belief that Aria didn’t love him, planting that garden was like sowing a seed for the life he dreamed of having with her. It was a wish and a prayer.
He had paid an exorbitant price to have mature orange trees planted, but as he passed by them, he realized that might have been a mistake.
They were in full bloom, their blossoms beckoning him closer. But the memory of her fragrance forced him to keep walking toward the house.
Questioning his sanity for doing this to himself, he entered quickly, laying his keys and sunglasses on the counter.
He poured himself a drink and sat on the sofa, looking at the photographs on the walls. With a sigh, he scanned the room, the fatigue of another long travel day catching up with him. The pictures told a story of a man who loved adventure and the thrill of meeting new people, facing new challenges.
As his eyes settled on the gallery wall that housed a dozen black and white photos of his time in Africa, he frowned as he remembered how lonely he felt during that trip when faced with the joy and love of the families he had met.
He was sure it was there that he realized something was missing from his life.
Instinctively, his eyes flicked to the small, framed photo on his coffee table. The one he had said goodbye to months before.
Just looking at her hazel eyes as they crinkled in laughter made his heart ache.
I want to put down roots, to find my mate. I’m tired of roaming the world alone. And I want those things with Aria. I found what I was looking for right here at home.
Putting the glass down, he raked his hand through his hair and decided he was too tired to eat. After a hot shower, he slipped into his pajamas, fatigue pulling him into a deep sleep.
The sun peeking through his sheer curtains made Alex squint. The smell of jasmine floated in from the bedroom window he’d left ajar. He sighed contentedly as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he suddenly wanted to be near the sea. He had missed the smells, the sounds while he was away. Pushing himself up to stand and stretch, he threw on a long-sleeved shirt, not bothering with shoes as he headed out of his room.
As he opened his sliding back door, he could hear the seagulls squawking overhead, and the waves lapping at the beach. The sky was blue as a sapphire. He had slept in longer than expected and the sun was high.
Alex walked barefoot to the water’s edge. Behind him at the house, the leaves of the orange trees blowing in the wind brought with them the glorious fragrance of their blooms once more.
For a moment, he let his mind drift to the dream of what he wanted with Aria. Barefoot cooking sessions and breathless kisses that led to more.
It all felt like a dream.
And yet as he sat down on the sand, turning back to the water, he could see it all clearly as if watching a movie playing before him. One that felt so real he could touch it.
As he closed his eyes, reveling in these thoughts, something touched his foot, startling him.
Shielding his eyes from the glare of the sun, Alex looked down, surprised to see a small blue bottle rolling back and forth in the sand as the waves came in and out.
He grabbed it before it was taken back out.
What in the world?
Bringing it closer and turning it between his fingers, he saw a rolled-up piece of paper inside, spinning inside with the motion.
Where have I seen a bottle like this before?
Curious, he pulled off the cork top with a pop. He wiped the sand off his hands onto his pants and worked the paper out of its confines.
After a bit of effort, he freed it. Carefully placing the bottle down behind him, he looked at the paper.
Gently unrolling it, his head tilted and his eyes squinted as he tried to read the calligraphic writing. He felt a bit uneasy reading something that might be private, but curiosity wouldn’t let him put it back in.
My albatross, you inspired me to write again
You believed in me even when I didn't
You encouraged me to share my words with the world
But I write this letter for you only
If this is true love, fly back to me. Fly back home, my albatross
I’m waiting for you
He sat there, stunned, his hands trembling.
It's not possible. Is this from Aria? When did she write it?
The memory of her bottle collection slid into his memory, causing him to jump up, looking around as if she would appear before him.
He stumbled as he spun around, looking down the beach then back at the house. His mind was racing. With a prayer on his lips, he begged God to give him another chance.
Running back to the house with the bottle in hand, he changed his clothes, grabbed his shoes, and he checked his watch. 2:00pm. She should still be at work. He raced to his car, and he sped off toward Libri Stellari.
Pulling into the parking garage, he tried unsuccessfully to look normal as he raced to the elevators. Waving at the guard in the lobby, he pushed the up button repeatedly until he heard the loud ping as the elevator arrived.
When the doors opened, he strode toward the publishing house, adrenaline coursing through him. Pulling the bottle from his pocket, he pressed it into his hand like a talisman, willing his heart to slow down.
Thinking he had sufficiently accomplished this goal, he put his hand on the doorknob and stepped inside. The receptionist wasn’t at her desk, and strangely, neither was Luna.
Not sure if he should just continue walking to Aria’s office unannounced, he stood on the spot, tilting his head in that direction.
His breath caught at the sight of her.
She was there.
It hit him how overwhelmed he was to see her again.
She had her back to the office door, but he could see that her gorgeous auburn hair had gotten a bit longer.
She wore it in natural waves he wanted to touch so badly it hurt.
Her skin was tanned, and he wondered where she had gone in Madrid to achieve that.
He wanted to know everything about her adventure.
He went to take a step closer when Gio appeared from the back corner of her office smiling and talking animatedly. Jealousy instantly flared up in him as Aria turned toward Gio, joy evident on her face.
Gio drew her into his arms for a second longer than what Alex imagined a friend would do. He physically winced as he watched Aria kiss him on the cheek.
Alex heard Natalia’s voice coming from somewhere he couldn’t see. His heart pounded against his ribs, and sweat formed on his brow. He stepped backwards until his back hit the outer office door.
Frantically grabbing for the knob, he opened the door and closed it behind him, the dim light of the hallway cloaking him in secrecy. Grateful that no one had seen him, Alex made his feet drag him back to the elevator.
Once inside, he leaned on the wall trying to order his raging thoughts.
I’m too late. She’s moved on.
Back on the street, he rubbed his forehead, hoping to ease the pain that was building between his eyes.
Walking was a challenge, but he couldn't sit down.
His nervous energy wouldn't allow it. Alex stumbled past the vendors, his eyes trained on the ground.
He had no idea how far he had walked or even where he was.
Looking up, he saw a cafe sign and realized he hadn’t eaten anything for almost twenty-four hours because of the last-minute decision to fly back to Italy.
His stomach grumbled angrily, and he knew he’d have to grab a bite, wondering if he could actually keep it down.
Grabbing hold of the door and walking inside, the sight of the familiar interior brought with it recognition.
When Susanna turned to see him, her smile warm, he mumbled, “No, no, no.”
Knowing there was no way he could eat there, he hurriedly turned back toward the door, his heart thundering in his ears.