Aria watched Alessandro try the tea through the compostable straw with an equal intensity of someone in deep hypnosis staring at the object of focus.
"This is an amazing tea." Alessandro nodded enthusiastically in approval. "Hmmm… delicious." Faint crow's feet around his eyes showed when he smiled and that evoke a feeling of warmth deep inside as if ice was melting.
"The curry is delicious. Where did you get it from?" Aria asked after tasting the dinner that Alessandro brought.
"Spice Village. It's in one of the off-streets. One of my favourite places too."
"Oh, that's why I recognised it. Yep, love that place. The owner, Amir, is very nice too."
"Yes, he is." Alessandro nodded in agreement. "You obviously have some knowledge of Greek Gods. Is that your interest?" He changed the topic while picking at the food with pure delight. Aria wondered if he always was so happy and cheerful. He seemed like a positive person - so lighthearted, easily pleased, always smiling.
"It was my hyper-fixation after I've read a book inspired by the Greek mythology. A few years before that I was interested in Roman mythology, and more recently Norse mythology." Aria explained. "I was lucky to travel to Greece and Italy and view the remnants of their history over the years. Scandinavian countries are still on my bucket list."
"What book was it?" Alsssandro asked at which Aria blushed in embarrassment.
"It was a romance book with a focus on Thanatos finding love in a woman who wished to die. She turned out to be Macaria, Hades' daughter." Aria gave an overview trying not to dwell on the type of book it truly was.
"What's the title?"
"Well…" Aria put a strand of her behind her ear, blushing in crimson red. She hoped that Alessandro wouldn't dwell on it. "The Kiss of Death. It's by an indie author so… I am not going to recommend it as it is definitely not everyone's cup of tea. It was a good distraction from reality though. Do not take it as a reflection of my character!"
"Not at all." Alessandro watched Aria with interest. "There are a few books on my shelf that I wouldn't be caught reading in public."
Their conversation steered away from the topic of the fated book and continued throughout the meal, touching on the topics of the recent movies and series they watched, current hot news, and anything. Once they finished the dinner, Alessandro walked with Aria back to her apartment, their conversation still flowing naturally. It was so different to what Aria expected. HE was different to what she expected.
"Would you mind if I refreshed myself?" Alessandro asked carefully.
"Of course not! I have put aside the toothbrush you used and I'll get you a clean towel." Aria went straight into her host mode, passing the towel to Alessandro. "Unfortunately, I have no clean clothes for you to change into."
"I doubt I'll need the clothes." Alessandro winked with that devilish glitter in his eyes that Aria found so amusing. It felt equally natural for him but also alien.
"And this is why I insist that YOU are responsible for me straying off my path of innocence!" Aria teased him. Alessandro hid in the bathroom while Aria sat down on the sofa with the TV on planning on refreshing herself after Alessandro was done.
Alessandro came out less than ten minutes later only to find that Aria fell asleep. She was laid curled up on a sofa with the news programme playing in the background. Alessandro flinched when his name was mentioned.
'Alessandro D'Angelo, the director of DA Finance, has announced that the company is going to be overtaking Fatom after the recent bankruptcy announcement from the Fatom's CEO. The move will save nearly a thousand jobs and all the contracts will be merged into the DA Finance group.' The presenter spoke. Alessandro turned the tv off with a frown on his face. He disliked the publicity he was getting but he knew that it was going to benefit the company. He didn't feel like he should be in the spotlight. He wasn't special or deserving enough to be looked up at.
Alessandro looked at Aria's face in the warm light from the side lamp. Her long eyelashes casted the shadow on her soft and round cheeks. Her lips were plump and inviting. Alessandro carefully picked Aria up and carried her to her bed. She was so tired that she didn't even budge when he laid her and pulled a duvet over her.
Alessandro had to quickly think on his feet to work out what was the right thing to do. He put his boxers on and laid beside her, gently pulling her into the hug. Her body moulded around his.
Aria smelled sweetly of coconut and vanilla which was her shower gel, and coffee and pastry from work, and her natural smell which had fruity undertones.
Alessandro's inhaled the complex scents with interest and pleasure. He planted soft kisses on her face as he held her.
The evening was nothing more than reassuring of his feelings. Aria was funny, smart, interesting, and she made his heart flutter. And he thought with true excitement about their future. For him it was obvious that their relationship was heading for a serious commitment and eventually marriage. Aria said that she wanted to be 'seeing him' and they've slept together. Aria was his girlfriend and partner. Alessandro fell asleep beside her feeling pure glee. Aria provided him with comfort and she became his safe person. He felt like he could be himself around her and she didn't judge him, or at least not negatively.