Aurelia went to her room and pulled together an outfit: a simple sundress with a pair of white sneakers. Once she was ready, she returned to find Hades by the door, holding her bags.
He motioned toward her small bathroom. "Mind if I freshen up?"
"Be my guest," she said, gesturing him toward it.
By the time he re-emerged, looking as pristine and effortless as always, Aurelia had grabbed her small purse. They stepped outside, where his sleek black lambo awaited them. Hades placed the bags in the back before opening the passenger door for her.
"Still the gentleman," she teased as she slid into the seat.
He smirked and shut the door behind her before climbing into the driver's seat. They drove in comfortable silence for a while, but then, Hades extended a hand toward the dashboard which caused a swirling golden portal to appear ahead of them.
Aurelia gasped, gripping the edge of her seat. "Hades, what—"
"Relax," he said, guiding the car into the portal.
The moment they emerged on the other side, the warm, sunlit countryside stretched out before them. Rows of vineyards and ancient cobblestone streets surrounded them, with the scent of blooming flowers and freshly baked bread.
Aurelia's jaw dropped as she looked out the window. "We're in Italy?"
Hades gave her a sly grin. "Surprise."
They spent the day exploring the wonders of the Italian countryside and cityscapes. Their first stop was a charming café in Florence, where they enjoyed espresso and tiramisu while sitting on a terrace overlooking the bustling piazza. Aurelia couldn't help but marvel at the artistry of the ancient architecture, her awe was evident as she pointed out every intricate detail to Hades.
Afterward, they wandered the winding streets, popping into small artisan shops and street markets. Hades surprised her by purchasing a delicate bracelet made of tiny silver leaves, fastening it around her wrist himself.
"Consider it a souvenir," he said casually, but she could see his face turn a light shade of red.
Later, they visited the Uffizi Gallery, where Aurelia's eyes lit up at the sight of Renaissance masterpieces. She was particularly captivated by Botticelli's The Birth of Venus.
"She's beautiful," Aurelia murmured, her gaze fixed on the painting.
"Indeed! But not as beautiful as you," Hades whispered.
Her cheeks flushed, but she pretended not to hear him, focusing instead on the art in front of her.
As the day stretched on, they found themselves in a little village where a street festival was taking place. The square was alive with music, laughter, and the aroma of delicious food.
They danced to the sound of a lively Italian band, Aurelia's laughter ringing out as Hades surprisingly dropped his usual stoic demeanor and spun her around effortlessly.
An elderly woman, who had been watching them from a nearby bench, smiled and approached them as they stopped to catch their breath.
"You two are such a beautiful couple," she said.
Aurelia stammered, her blush deepening as she waved her hands in protest. "Oh, no, we're not—"
Hades, however, simply smiled and responded with a pure Italian accent, "Thank you, signora. That's very kind of you."
But the old woman waved her hand dismissively, her wrinkled face lighting up with a knowing smile. "Nonsense. The way you look at each other, it is clear. You are destined for one another. It's written in the stars."
The woman patted Aurelia's hand gently. "Cherish each other," she said before walking away, leaving Aurelia speechless and Hades amused.
Aurelia opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Hades chuckled softly, placing a light hand on her lower back. "Grazie," he called out, before gently steering Aurelia away.
Once they were out of earshot, Aurelia turned to him trying to look annoyed, her face still flushed. "Why didn't you correct her?"
He smirked, the corner of his mouth lifting in a way that made him look infuriatingly charming. "Why would I? She wasn't wrong."
Her heart skipped a beat, but she chose to roll her eyes instead. "You're impossible."
"And yet, you haven't run away screaming," he teased.
As night fell, they wandered along the Arno River, the reflection of golden streetlights dancing on the water. The soft hum of the city at night created an intimate atmosphere as they stopped at a small vendor selling gelato.
Hades insisted on paying, handing Aurelia a cup of pistachio gelato before getting a dark chocolate one for himself. They sat on a bench by the riverbank, the cool evening air wrapping around them.
"You know," Aurelia began, "this has been one of the best days I've ever had."
"I'm glad." Hades said thoughtfully.
After their stroll by the Arno River, Hades led Aurelia back to the car. They drove through the quiet streets of Florence, the city lights casting a golden glow over everything. It wasn't long before they stopped in front of an elegant, luxurious hotel.
Aurelia stared in awe as Hades opened the car door for her. "This is… wow," she muttered, taking in the grandeur of the building.
Hades smiled as he helped her out of the car. "I thought we could use a comfortable place to stay after such a long day."
As they stepped inside, the lavish lobby was breathtaking. Marble floors gleamed under crystal chandeliers, and the scent of fresh flowers filled the air. A friendly concierge greeted them with a polite bow, but Hades waved him off, already holding the keys to their rooms.
"You already paid for this?" Aurelia asked.
"Of course," he replied, handing her one of the keys. "I arranged everything before we left."
Aurelia hesitated, glancing down at the keycard in her hand. "You didn't have to go through all this trouble. My apartment is—" She stopped herself, remembering the awkwardness of the previous night because of her little apartment. Her cheeks flushed as she quickly added, "Well, it's fine for me."
Hades tilted his head, before saying "Your apartment is lovely, Aurelia. This isn't about that. After everything we did today, I thought it'd be nice to have a proper rest. That's all."
She nodded, but the guilt still gnawed at her. "Is this because of last night? You know, with the whole… sleeping arrangement thing?"
His lips broke into a small smile, amused by how flustered she was. "Not at all. But if it helps, you don't have to worry about me taking the couch again."
Aurelia couldn't help but laugh at that. "Okay, okay."
They rode the elevator to their floor in silence. When the doors opened, Hades gestured to the two adjacent rooms at the end of the hall. "Your room is on the left," he said, handing her bags to her. "If you need anything, I'll be next door."
As he turned to enter his room, Aurelia paused, gripping the keycard tightly. "Hades," she called softly.
He stopped and looked back at her, one eyebrow raised.
"Thank you," she said again, her voice almost a whisper. "For another lovely day. For everything. It really was the best day I've had in… well, ever."
"You're welcome, Aurelia. Sleep well."
With that, he disappeared into his room, leaving her standing in the hallway with a warm, fluttering feeling in her chest. She entered her room, and the sight took her breath away. The bed was massive, draped in crisp white linens, with plush pillows piled high. A balcony overlooked the sparkling cityscape, and a welcome note with her name lay neatly on the desk.
Aurelia set her things down, her mind still reeling from the day's events. For the first time in a long while, she felt seen, cared for and maybe even a little cherished.
As she slipped into bed that night, the image of his smile and the memory of the old woman's words echoed in her mind. "You are destined for each other."
Destined? she thought, shaking her head. No, that's impossible. Isn't it?
Sleep claimed her before she could dwell on the thought any longer.