- Are you alright? - asked the voice in a worried tone.
- I think so. You. Here?
- I was right behind you when the turbulence started, I got out of balance and ended up pushing you. Are you sure you're okay? Didn't you get hurt? - he said analyzing me.
- ARE EVERYONE OKAY? COULD YOU OPEN THE DOOR, PLEASE? - a voice shouted from outside.
The bathroom door had closed and apparently got stuck with the impact.
- It seems to be stuck. - Enzo said while trying to open the door.
Shit! I was locked in the bathroom of an airplane with a guy. A freaking hot guy, by the way. And a hellish headache because of the fall. Not even in my hottest dreams, would something like this have happened. The hit must have made me delirious.
- Okay sir, I apologize for the inconvenience, we have already arranged the repair. I ask you to remain calm. Everything is under control. We have a first aid kit in the haberdashery in case you need anything. I'm here behind the door to guide you. - said the smooth voice of the flight attendant on the other side of the door.
- Okay thank you! Let me see that. - Enzo replied to the lady right before turning to me.
- Well, I don't think it was anything serious. Here, put this on your head. - he said when he handed me a towel after wetting it in the sink.
- I'm fine, just with a little headache. Thanks.
- We have a strange way of meeting, don't we? - he said smiling.
I smiled ashamedly but I couldn't say anything.
- Since we're going to spend some time here ... - he said with an intense glare.
My heart started beating really fast.
- HI THERE, WE ARE ALREADY WORKING TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. - Interrupted the voice on the other side.
Enzo looked at the door with a slightly irritated expression.
- We are fine thanks. So ... what are you going to do in Italy? I heard you rehearsing a speech. - he remained very curious.
He had no laser vision, but he definitely had a very sharp hearing, as it was the second time he made it clear that he had paid attention to what I have said.
- I'm kinda curious. - he said maybe noticing my surprised expression.
- Yes, I am going to give a speech at an Architecture Congress in Florence. - I replied trying to look as professional as possible.
- Hmm, at the Florence International Institute? - he continued to interrogate me.
Seriously, now I was getting worried.
- Yeees, but how do you know that? - I said quite intrigued.
- It's just because I'll be there too. That email I was typing furiously as you said, was to finish some important details. - His tone of voice was a mixture of irony and amusement.
It was kind of scary to think that this man had really paid attention to what I said since the bag incident.
- But you, such a young girl, are already speaking at such an important conference. You must be really talented. - he continued to show a strange curiosity about me.
He was making me very embarrassed and he thought I was very young which I couldn't blame him for because he was not the only one, eleven out of ten people said that I looked much younger than I really was. But the curious way he looked at me, was a little irritating.
- I apologize for the inconvenience. - Said the flying attendant as soon as the bathroom door was opened.
I thanked God when we were finally able to get out of there, I felt claustrophobic. Which was strange, because I didn't used to feel that way and the bathroom wasn't even that small. It was because of him.
There was a doctor in the plane who examined me and said it was nothing serious. He gave me some pain killers for my headache and I fell asleep.
'I was trying to walk towards Enzo, but it was in vain. I was irritated and the more I tried to run, the less I moved. I could only look at him from a distance and little by little his features were fading. His greenish eyes, pale skin and dark hair were diminishing until his face fit into something the size of a frame.'
This was certainly one of the strangest dreams I have ever had.
I woke up with the plane landing, I couldn't believe I had slept that much. When we finally disembarked, Enzo accompanied me around the airport, then I saw a man in a suit holding a sign written Barbieri. I remember being told that someone would be waiting for me, but I figured my name would be written on the sign. Enzo was on his cellphone, very focused, sending a message.
- So, do you need a ride? - I asked, drawing his attention.
- No Marina, Raoul is already waiting for me.
Wait, did he just call me Marina? And who the hell was Raoul?
- Signori Vincenzo, come stai?
- Ciao Raoul! Quanto tempo! Sto bene e tu?
- Molto bene, signor. Grazie.
I particularly thought Italian one of the most beautiful languages. Enzo said a few more things to Raoul that I couldn't quite understand, and then the man went to my cart and started to remove my bags.
- One moment. Scusami... these are my bags. - I said trying to stop Raoul.
- Mi dispiace, signorina. I'm Raoul, Mr. Barbieri's driver. Please, allow me to help you with your bags. - the man said in a very polite way.
I was still a bit confused and I could swear that the hit in my head during the bathroom incident had been stronger than I had imagined.
- Come on Nina, get in the car. - Enzo said holding the door for me to enter.
- I thought this car was for me, there must be some mistake. Is Barbieri a common surname here? - I asked, still confused.
He insisted on smiling angelically as I became increasingly confused and embarrassed. And that was really annoying.
- There is no mistake. Raul will take us. You must be confused because of the jetlag and the hit on the head. We are going to the same congress, remember? Get in the car please, I can't wait to get to the hotel and take a shower.
Wait, I was just realizing that Raul had called Enzo by Vincenzo. He was Vincenzo Barbieri. Which means that this whole time I was with the guy who refused to approve my project, Mr. Barbieri's son and I had no idea? I knew it was very likely that we would meet at the congress but nobody told me that we would take the same flight. How did I not notice? Of course! Enzo was usually short for some Italian names, so short for Vincenzo. I've always been so stupid.
But the point here is that even though I didn't know who he was, he knew perfectly who I was. That's why he called me Marina. I just needed to understand what the hell he wanted with that. Why so much mystery and make me feel so silly? That was the reason for all of those silly smiles. He had fun at my expense for hours. I was pissed! He will have to explain himself and only then will I be able to hit him again with my suitcase. But on purpose this time.
- You are very quiet Nina. Are you feeling bad? - His tone of voice was curious and sarcastic at the same time.
Ah, but he had no idea.
- Long trip, my head hurts a little and as if that were not enough I just realized that I was made a fool during this whole time. I have never felt so stupid in my life, Signor Vincenzo Barbieri. - I said, unable to control my anger.
I must have been shouted at this point, because when I looked at Enzo he was looking at me with an expression of astonishment.
- I did not understand. - His voice was still calm and slightly mocked.
- It seems that Enzo and Vincenzo are two completely different people, right? I will enumerate for you to understand correctly. First you were unsympathetic, it's okay that I dropped a little suitcase on you but with that arrogant way you looked at me, it was impossible to apologize. Second, because of you, I hit my head and was stuck half an hour in that matchbox-sized bathroom. And last but not least, that little talk of yours about taking the opportunity to get to know each other, since you perfectly knew who I was. Oh, and an extra, you made me look crazy in front of Raoul. - I could see Raoul's eyes widen in the rearview mirror, he seemed quite confused by the airport situation, but he was too polite to intrude.