Aria and Alessandro walked beside each other on the sidewalk. He walked with his hands in pockets, so nonchalant in his way. His tie was hanging out of the pocket. He looked a little ruffled but he was still beyond attractive and elegant. Aria might have looked a little bit more put-together but she naturally looked more scruffy. The previous awkwardness started to dissipate and Alessandro's presence felt more natural.
"Tell me something that not many people know about you." Alessandro asked to spark conversation. He was much more chatty this morning.
"Hmmm…" Aria tried her hardest to remember something. "I have won Jenga championship about ten years ago." She answered honestly.
"Oh, wow. I didn't know that was a thing!"
"It is!" Aria chuckled. "I won the regional championship so it was big deal."
"Impressive." Alessandro nodded in approval, truly amused with what Aria shared about herself.
"Your turn." She declared. "Tell me something that not many people know about you."
"I have a pet lizard called Pascal." Alessandro replied honestly.
"What kind of a lizard?"
"It's a chameleon."
"And the name choice?"
"Slightly nerdy choice plus…" Alessandro hesitated. "It might have been inspired by a Disney movie."
"I love Tangled! It used to be my favourite as a teen!" Aria became animated as she spoke.
"Don't tell anyone about it!" Alessandro said half-jokingly.
"What is your favourite Disney movie?"
"The Emperor's New Groove."
"Good choice!" Aria nodded in approval. "Mine is treasure planet."
"Nice." It was Alessandro's turn to nod. They've stopped near the cafe where Aria tiptoed and planted a soft kiss on Alessandro's lips. "I'll see you tonight, Aria. I'll make sure I'll charge my phone as soon as I'm in my office so if you need anything, drop me a message."
"Thank you, Alessandro. I'll see you later." Aria smiled, feeling butterflies in her stomach. She felt oddly positive about seeing Alessandro again.
"Another fact about me… My friends call me Alex." Alessandro shared with her.
"Would you like me to call you Alex?" Aria checked as she was worried that she might be over-stepping. They weren't friends after all. Not yet. Probably never.
"Only if you want to. You can come up with a nickname for me yourself." Alessandro placed his hand on her cheek and kissed her again. Maybe we are friends considering that we've slept together?
"I'll think about it." She bid him a goodbye and he walked away, turning around a few times to wave at her.
Alessandro walked into his company's building with a bounce in his step not realising that he was whistling. He felt like he could sing. His entire body felt like he could fly among the clouds. It was hard to believe that he was in the same place as weeks ago. Now, the office felt warmer and lighter and almost dreamy. Alessandro never felt this way before. He felt enormous joy in being alive.
The morning was still early and the air was refreshing. The office was almost empty, aside of the few members of security and one or two businessmen who were morning birds.
Alessandro grinned as he noticed his friend walk towards him. He waited for Josè to catch up to him. He wanted to tell him everything - every little blissful moment he shared with Aria. But also it felt precious and part of him wanted to keep Aria a secret.
"You are in a good mood." Josè noticed and furrowed his brows. That was the warmest welcome Alessandro was going to get at this time. "What happened? I haven't heard you whistle in weeks."
"Nothing." Alessandro tried to act cool but he couldn't stop his lips curving upwards.
"Alex!" His friend had a realisation. "She messaged you!" Alessandro nodded. "And? Did she ask to see you? What happened?!" Josè already heard a lot about Alessandro's previous encounters with Aria and Alessandro shared many of his worries. It wasn't a surprise that Josè put two and two together so quickly.
"Technically not but I think that she did want to see me." Alessandro admitted remembering the big smile on Aria's face this morning.
"Is that why you're wearing your yesterday's suit?"
"I didn't have time to go get changed. Is it noticeable?" Alessandro looked down with a critical eye.
"You reek of alcohol."
"I'll get changed in my office. I am pretty sure I have a spare set of clothes there."
"Is that why you vanished from the party yesterday?"
"Yes. I wasn't going to make her wait."
"And? How was it? Did you work out anything new about her? What did she say?"
"I worked out that next time I will need more condoms." Alessandro said smugly, his face and ears turning light shade of red. He wasn't used to this kind of conversations with his friend but also, he wanted to share that with someone.
"Oh, you dog!" His friend exclaimed, tapping his back.
"Shush!" Alessandro reminded him and his friend shook his head in disbelief.
"When are you going to see her again?"
"Tonight."
"Nice." Josè nodded. "No bad inkling yet?"
"Nope. We spoke quite a bit this morning. She's hilarious. And she's a good person." He reflected. "The more I know about her the more I… " Alessandro paused as a realisation downed on him. "I love her." He admitted his very strong feelings. There were no other words that could express what he felt and how strongly he felt about Aria.
"You love her?" Josè asked with scepticism. "You barely know her!"
"Everything she said and did so far is perfect. She is perfect. The very vision I had at the beginning is becoming true and she over-shoot it."
"Okay, but I would advise come caution." Josè looked concerned as they walked together into the elevator.
"Long gone." Alessandro admitted. "I never felt this way with anyone. She makes me feel ecstatic." Alessandro paused and looked over at Josè with surprising stoicism. "I think she's the one, Josè."
"Okay." Josè nodded. "Let's see how it unfolds. Don't go around proposing to her yet." Josè was trying to be the voice of reason that Alessandro definitely needed.
"No." Alessandro laughed. "Not yet. I'll wait two or three months." He said half-seriously. Josè looked concerned before bursting into laughter.
"It's a bit weird that the first girl you slept with is the love of your life, mate. Maybe you're just ecstatic about getting laid? Maybe you should try more fish in the sea before you commit?"
"I thought it was purely physical at first. But last night… and this morning. I've realised that I want to wake up next to her every day for the rest of my life. Her laugh makes my insides turn upside down - in a good way! And I want to learn more about her. She's so interesting."
"Chill, bro." Josè shook his head. "And don't tell her yet. You're going to scare her away. You are coming way too strong."
"I agree with you on that one." Alessandro nodded. "Do not worry. I am going to give it some time. What I've just shared is just between you and me."
"Of course, your secret is safe. And,I am glad that you found someone that you're so into. I just worry about you and your naivety." Josè sighed before the door of the elevator reopened on the top floor.
"I'm not stupid though." Alessandro was a little defensive. "I have been careful with everyone forever now. If my instincts are so strong then maybe I should trust them?"
"Maybe." Josè shrugged.
"Aria's birthday is coming up in a few weeks. I was wondering if you have some gift ideas."
"Ehhh… considering the fact that you just started seeing each other, I would go for something sentimental but not too expensive. Maybe flowers and chocolates? Scented candles? A mug?"
"Hmmm… I'll think about it." Alessandro decided, disliking every suggestion Josè proposed. None of them felt special enough for Aria. He was more than ready to give her the most expensive gifts. He needed more time to work out what she liked to pick something perfect for her.
He walked into his office that overlooked Cabot Square, rapidly changing into a fresh suit in the adjacent closet as Josè grumbled about the boring meetings ahead.
It felt surreal to be in the office and doing mundane tasks after the night with Aria. That experience felt world-changing and it was hard to pretend that nothing changed when the rest of the world continued as usual.
Josè watched Alessandro from the side throughout the meetings, watching how Alessandro seemed to be distracted more, holding a smile on his face. Alessandro perfect perfect image of stoicism was slowly changing and it was a matter of time before everyone else was going to notice too.