Soft light falls on Vico’s face. And his skin takes on the shade of smoky quartz, and his hair shines and looks even blacker. The jacket fits him like a glove. The jeans hug his toned legs. What girl wouldn’t fall in love with this young, promising man? But my heart is already taken.


    “Order whatever you want,” he says, “I’m paying because I have a proposition for you. You can refuse, of course, but I think you’ll agree.”


    “How can you be so sure?” I ask, leafing through the menu.


    The waitress comes up to us. She sees Vico and freezes, staring at his face.


    “Have you chosen yet?” he asks me.


    “Caprese and cannoli, please.”


    The waitress notices me and winces. It makes sense, she’s clearly prettier. Vico doesn’t pay attention to her.


    “And I’ll have osso bucco, panna cotta and coffee. And two glasses of semi-dry white wine, please.”


    Vico keeps looking at me. I’m silent, I feel awkward. Yes, he’s very handsome, but I already have someone I love, even if we’ll never be together.


    “You can’t hide your emotions,” he finally says, “I like that about you. Unrequited love is probably sad. I don’t know this feeling. I look at my mom and dad. They are perfect, but I don’t quite understand what they feel. I am as cold on the inside as I am on the outside.”


    He speaks directly, without any embarrassment.


    “Emmm.”


    “Buon appetito!” says the waitress, continuing to glance at Vico.


    “Grazie!” we answered in unison.


    She is disappointed, but still hopes for something.


    “Well, let’s do it, for our deal or something,” says Vico.


    “You still haven’t told me what kind of offer you have for me.”


    “Will you be my girlfriend?”


    “What, I’m sorry?!” To say that I’m shocked is to say nothing.


    “Yes, everything I said before is true,” he continues, “but I’m not offering this for real. Do you want to be my fake girlfriend? I know I’m straightforward, but that way I won’t be pestered by girls. You’ve finished your studies anyway, and now you have basically nothing to do. Have you ever thought about creating your own website and painting to order? They’ve heard of you in Rome, your style is not perfect, but it’s unique, and people will buy your work. Also, start social networks. I have a friend who will help you with the management first. Getting a job in a prestigious gallery here won’t be so easy, you have no experience. Plus, it’s working with people, and you’re quite shy.”


    Yes, it’s all factual. What kind of insightful guy is that?


    “I’ll help you buy everything for your home studio, if you decide to do so. And in your free time, you’ll go with me to all sorts of meetings so that I can refuse girls like her.” Viko points towards the waitress.


    “Besides, I think your chosen one is a rather complicated guy, since you ran away so far.”


    “How did you find out?!” I was surprised.


    “I just watched your conversation, behavior and made the appropriate conclusion. It wasn’t difficult. For my part, I will try to behave as a partner should, decently. And of course, I won’t take you to my bed. Don’t even hope. I’m just curious about playing in relationships. I’m done.”


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    He eats with an unperturbed look. The waitress came closer, probably wanting to ask for his number. I’m poking my salad with my fork. It’s good that I ordered a little food, I’m not in the mood for a hearty dinner now.


    “I’ll think about it, okay?” I say quietly, “I’m sorry I can’t give you an answer so quickly.”


    “Two days,” he says, “will two days be enough for you?”


    “I think so.”


    “Okay, Cristina. Let’s have a drink.”


    The waitress brings the bill. When we are about to leave, Vico gets up first.


    “Should I help you put on your jacket?”


    This is my finest hour!


    “Excuse me, signor, you... And this girl…”


    The waitress decided not to miss the moment. Vico ignores her, and when I button my jacket, he leans towards me and playfully touches my lips for a second.


    “We are dating, otherwise we wouldn’t have come here together. So don’t get your hopes up. Anything else?” He looks at the discouraged girl with an icy gaze.


    “N-no. Have a nice d-day…”


    We walk away a bit, and for the first time I see Vico laughing:


    “Did you see her face?!”


    “It was epic,” I answer cheerfully.


    The snow is crunching under my feet. There’s not much of it, but it reminds me of my native Scotland. We stop at the house where I rent a small apartment.


    “Won’t you invite me? I’m just kidding!”


    “Go already, Gabriella, she probably misses her elder brother,” I smile.


    “Yes, she’s a very sweet child,” he says seriously, “give me your phone, please.”


    “Why?”


    “And how will you contact me if anything happens?”


    He enters the number and marks himself as that handsome guy.


    “You have a big ego,” I tell him.


    “Are you trying to say that I’m not handsome? Then you’ll be lying. And lying is not nice. Besides, it’s not real. Right?”


    “Perhaps you’re right,” I agree, “then I’ll go, bye.”


    He waves his hand at me and goes, adjusting his thick black hair with his hand. Any girl would probably faint from such a proposal from such a handsome man, but it seems that I am terminally ill. I go upstairs, undress, fall on the bed and look at the ceiling. It was too unexpected. He is certainly a strange guy, this Vico. John is secretive, and this one is straightforward as an ox. Although, perhaps, it is for the best. The doorbell rings.


    “Who again?”


    I open the door. No one. There is a piece of paper on the floor. I look around, but there is no sign of an outsider. I pick up the sheet and close the door. Again. Who could it be? I am going to throw it away, but I turn it over, and ... There is the letter T in red pencil.


    “What the hell?”


    Maybe this is a mistake? Although last time it was a personalized parcel. The snickers are in the same box, I completely forgot about them. I decide to watch what happens next. And yet, I feel uneasy. What if all this is really for me? I will probably give my consent to Vico. But I will write about it tomorrow. And now I am tired and want to sleep.


    ***


    A week later, Viko has a meeting with his friends, and he invites me to it. Dress code is green.


    “Well, it’s not that hard,” I tell him.


    And it’s true. I’ve outgrown some of my clothes, but I need to check and realter it a little, although my height hasn’t changed much since I was sixteen. I take a green, body-hugging, floor-length dress with black birds on it. It looks impressive. But I don’t have any shoes. I have some money left, I need to stop at a boutique on the way.


    That handsome guy:


    “Come out, I’m waiting for you downstairs.”


    “Give me two minutes, please,” I answered.


    I quickly examine myself in the mirror. I have light makeup on my eyes. I don’t know how to do anything else. I hope this will work. Trying not to get tangled in my dress, I go downstairs.


    “Hm, what’s that on your feet? Did you bring a change of shoes?”


    “No,” I answer sheepishly, “we need to stop at the nearest boutique. I’ll buy some for myself.”


    “Okay, it doesn’t matter, get in. And we’ll stop at a beauty salon. Let them fix it.”


    “Is this your car?”


    “I got it from my father. My parents want to give it to me when I finish my studies. But that’s not soon. So sometimes I take advantage of the opportunity when he’s not busy at the university and can lend it to me.”


    “I see,” I answer.


    “Get in already.”


    He opens the door for me. A gentleman, no doubt.


    In the boutique, I find myself a pair of pumps with a small, thin heel. This is not my style, but I’ll get used to it. In the salon, they help me make my eyes darker and draw small arrows. This contrasts with the beige lipstick on my lips. My hair is styled in a simple but beautiful hairstyle. And we head off further. Viko turns on some indie playlist. We are silent and enjoy the sounds and voices of the singers. Half an hour later, I noticed that we had already left the city.


    “Where are we going?” I ask.


    “Oh, I didn’t tell you, sorry. My friends have a villa nearby. They are from wealthy families, so they often organize all sorts of events. And yes, this is an overnight stay. I didn’t even tell you, damn it. And there is no time to go back. Okay, it doesn’t matter, we’ll think of something. I took a change of clothes with me. Your face turned crimson. Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you. And I have decent friends. Just relax.”


    And he smiles encouragingly.