Page 2 of Bella Rosa
I’m not sure how that makes any sense, but he seems so confident that I can't bring myself to question him. He pushes his sleeve up enough to look down at a watch that looks like it has been worn for years.
"It looks like it's time for me to move on." He reaches over and places his wrinkled hand on mine. "Let me be the first to welcome you to the Eden Valley. A place of new beginnings. Thank you for sitting with me today."
He then reaches over to grab his cane, and with a tip of his hat he starts off in the opposite direction of the train station that’s across the street.
That was such an odd encounter, but I somehow already know I'll never be able to forget it. Or him for that matter. I didn't even get his real name. That's okay. He'll always be Gus to me.
It’s then I realize I have been sitting here for far too long. If I don't leave now I'll miss my train. I fire off a text to my mother letting her know I'm about to board my train before I stand and adjust my crossbody bag.
I somehow manage to gather my mountain of belongings without causing any major catastrophes. I take one last rushed bite of my pastry and get moving. My feet are already killing me from my booties that were also a mistake in this weather, and I can barely hold my head up from exhaustion. Hopefully I can make it to the train platform without any major issues.
Matteo
Damn, this food is horrible. Cold pasta with lukewarm sauce? Not my cup of tea. I don't care if it's free. No one should be allowed to serve this shit to anyone. I guess I should just be thankful Luca is letting me sit in the employee lounge while I wait for my train.
"Earth to Matteo," Luca says while snapping his fingers in my face. I must have forgotten to act like I was paying attention.
"Sorry man. What were you saying?" I'm pretty sure he was talking about the new girl he's been seeing.
"Can't you catch a later train tonight? Mia wants you to come on a double date with us. We are planning on going to see that new movie after we grab some dinner. I think you'd hit it off with her friend Emilia."
I would rather eat gelato with soy sauce on it than go on this double date. "Nah man. I've got to get back to help at the restaurant tonight. Besides, you know I don't have time to date. I barely have time to sleep. I've got enough going on. Plus, I'm going to talk to my dad again about opening that new restaurant I've been telling you about. That'll take up even more of my time. I've got to stay focused if I want to keep expanding the business."
Plus I don't want to. He doesn't have to know that though. I've met Mia once. She was way too bubbly and energetic for me. I'm sure her friend wouldn't be any different. She needs to learn that sometimes people don't want to talk the entire time they're at dinner.
"Alright. Maybe next time. Have you made any progress getting your dad to agree to the new restaurant and your marketing plan?"
"Not really. He doesn't know why we need to expand and he doesn't understand social media. You know how he is. Never wanting to move forward with anything." Story of my life. I could never get him to agree to anything out of his comfort zone when I was growing up.
An annoying clicking sound I hear from the hallway drags me out of my childhood memories long enough to realize what time it is. Shit. I'll miss my train if I don't leave now. I gather my leather briefcase from the chair beside me, and start heading for the door. There's that clicking sound again. "Better head out or I'll miss my train."
"Well just know the invite still stands. I can't wait for us to take Mia and Emilia out together. It'll be a blast."
I doubt it.
2
Tall Dark and Dreamy
Rosalie
I'mnotlost.Definitelynot lost and most definitely not running late. Just... uh... can't seem to find my train platform. That's all.
It must be around here somewhere. Surely train stations can't possibly be this different from those in New York.
Maybe I shouldn't have listened to the lady at the information desk who told me about this short cut.
I just need to find one of those light up boards with a map on it. Maybe then I can figure out where platform twenty-three is located in the absolutely huge train station that was very deceptive from outside.
I'm pretty sure I just passed the employee break room .
I somehow can hear muffled voices in the break room over the loud clicking of my booties' short but practical heels that are even warmer now that I've been running around this train station for twenty minutes.
Maybe I should go in there and see if anyone can help me out real quick.
I circle back around to find the door with the break room sign on it.
Now I just need to figure out how to get the door open when my arms are full. I needed my camera bag for my assignment, but I wasn’t going to leave home for three weeks without my faithful pillow I’ve had since I was two. My train ticket and sunglasses are also causing problems.
