The morning sunlight woke Alessandro up suddenly. He looked around in confusion but his body relaxed as soon as he found that Aria was still asleep with her head resting on his arm. He freed himself checking the time. It was much later than over the last few days. He tried to recall any mention of Aria opening the cafe again but he didn't. He didn't want to wake her up unnecessarily so he sneaked back to the living room and unlocked her phone. A photo of Aria with another woman popped up on the background with the cafe in the background. Alessandro smiled at a picture before he checked her alarm and the calendar. Aria did set an alarm within an hour and her calendar showed a 9:00am start. Aria was certainly organised and it made it easy for him to work out that she was having a later morning for once.
Part of Alessandro felt like he crossed a boundary of her privacy, but then, she was his girlfriend - he thought - they shouldn't have secrets between themselves and he would be equally happy for Aria to do the same and check his phone.
He checked the cupboards and a fridge in order to make Aria some breakfast, quickly realising that her flat was almost completely barren. He didn't give up on his plan, dressing himself up in his yesterday's suit and going to the small corner shop to grab the essentials. Knowing that it won't take more than a few moments, he locked the door and left the note on the table in case Aria did wake up.
Upon his return, he found Aria sound asleep which made him smile. She looked so peaceful and angelic in her slumber.
Alessandro was as quiet as he could when preparing them breakfast.
Aria opened her eyes and confusedly looked around trying to work out how she got into her bed. She couldn't recall anything from the night before from the moment she sat down on the sofa waiting for Alessandro to have his shower.
She sat up in panic, not finding Alessandro next to her.
"Good morning, Gorgeous." Alessandro walked in with a tray in his hand.
"Alessio?" Aria looked at him with surprise.
"I've made some breakfast. Nothing fancy, I'm afraid." He passed her a tray carefully.
"Oh, thank you. That is so kind of you…. How did you get the ingredients?"
"I popped to the shop downstairs."
"You did?" Aria widened her eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm not really sure what happened. I think I've passed out last night."
"Don't apologise, Aria. You must've been exhausted. I'm sure the sleep was good for you." Alessandro sat on the edge of the bed. "You fell asleep while I had the shower. I moved you here to make sure that you're comfortable. Nothing else happened."
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" Aria blushed in embarrassment. "I didn't even feel it when you moved me."
"It's okay. I woke up this morning, panicked that it was late but I think you're starting later today, right?"
"Yes. I start at 9:00." Aria nodded.
"I checked your phone to see if you had an alarm set. Once fairly sure that you do not need to be up yet, I went to make you breakfast. Which then brings the question of, what do you even live off?"
"Food in the cafe. I'm barely in here so I rarely buy much."
"I've noticed. I popped downstairs to grab a few bits. I've got some juice too. I'm sure you have a much better coffee in the cafe so decided to not take the risk."
"That is so nice of you." Aria blushed in deep red, not used to anyone taking care of her. Alessandro walked out and came back with his own plate, sitting beside Aria on the bed.
"How's your day looking?"
"Same as always." Aria answered truthfully. "Yours?"
"The best day ever." Alessandro smiled knowing that the morning he was sharing with Aria was the best morning he ever had even if the rest of the day looked rather unenthusiastic. "What time do you finish tonight?"
"I am closing the cafe and then I am seeing Jess. We have some plans tonight."
"Anything interesting?"
"A sleepover. Probably some take away and crappy movie." Aria smiled. It was a long time since she spend time with Jess outside of the cafe.
"That sounds nice but I must admit that I am a little upset."
"Why?"
"I hoped to see you tonight. Unfortunately, I am out of town for the rest of the week because someone planned a business trip so…" he let out a sigh. "So I need to go and be the responsible person."
"Oh." Aria felt a little sad knowing that she won't be seeing Alessandro for a while. "When are you back?"
"Saturday. I have something else taking up my Saturday evening but I can cancel it if you're free." Alessandro suggested eagerly.
"Unfortunately, I am busy on Saturday." Aria have recently agreed to work an event with Sophie.
"I need to see you on Sunday, then. It is a non negotiable."
"Sunday it is, Alessio." Aria nodded.
The breakfast made by Alessandro was the most delicious thing she ever ate, even in its simplicity. It was an act of kindness that she didn't expect. Alessandro ushered her to refresh herself and get dressed while he washed up. Alessandro kissed her once Aria was all ready to head out. His kiss was perfect.
"Thank you, Alessio." Aria said quietly feeling guilty that she fell asleep.
"No problem." Alessandro was beaming as he reached out his hand and laced his fingers with Aria's as they walked. "About Sunday, is there anything particular you'd like to do?"
"As you are probably expecting, I am working that day." Aria replied with a tired sigh. "I might be able to finish a bit earlier though as it should be Jess's turn to close up."
"Would you like to go out to dinner?"
"Possibly. Do you have somewhere particular in mind?"
"Pavillon des Fleurs?" Alessandro suggested. "Or is that too much faff?"
"I am okay with that." Aria nodded in agreement. She hasn't been to a fine dining restaurant in a long time and she wasn't the most ecstatic with the choice. But Alessandro's gentle squeeze on her hand was reassuring and her anxieties vanished. She was ready to agree to anything. She was ready to follow him anywhere.
"What time do you think you might finish on Sunday?"
"Between 19:00 and 20:00."
"I'll try to make a reservation for 21:00. Is that okay?"
"Sounds good."
They stopped in front of the cafe and Alessandro leaned over kissing Aria's forehead, tip of her nose, and then her lips.
"I'll miss you, Aria." He said heavily, still holding Aria's hand.
"Would you like a coffee or second breakfasts?"
"I would love it but my first meeting is in about 10 minutes and it takes about 15 minutes for me to get to the office."
"Oh no! You are running late?! Why didn't you say so?"
"It's okay. They can wait. But probably not for that much longer." Alessandro kissed Aria more deeply, his warm tongue gently caressed her mouth. "Until Sunday, my gorgeous."
"Until Sunday." Aria agreed with a pang in her chest. She looked longingly as Alessandro's hurried away. He turned around twice waving with almost a childish level of excitement.