Page 208 of Falling for the Wife

In my world, not many had leisure time to watch shows or movies. Most were preoccupied with thrill-seeking activities. Be it about making money, driving fast cars, racing powerboats, or acquiring the hottest commodity in the entertainment and modeling industry. Nothing was done mundane; it was expeditious and full of adventure.

“I find it a bore to idly sit for a couple of hours while watching something. I like to be behind the wheel, take control of the situation, and steer towards the direction I see fit.”

“Translation: you’re a control freak.” She beamed at me with an arched brow. “What do you mean ‘idly’? That’s the whole point. You’resupposedto be watching the film. Some people find it as some sort of relaxation. I believe you should try it sometime. You sound like you desperately need it.”

“I’d love for you to show me how to relax,” I drawled smoothly. It was difficult not to latch on to the idea. Shehadsuggested it, after all. I didn’t see why I couldn’t accomplish both desires in one night. It would make the perfect setting.

“Ha.” She shook her head as she bit her bottom lip before looking down, pondering and watching our feet stride next each other. “This night has barely begun, and you’re already asking me for date? What if you find me repulsive at the end of this tour? What then? I believe it’s best if I keep my answer until then, don’t you think?”

“Whatever suits you, cara.” I hid a smile.

She didn’t outright reject the idea, so that was a good sign. Besides, she had a point. Not on my part, but hers. She might find herself not too keen to see me again after tonight. The latter sentiment should never even have crossed her mind. I had never before done any wooing in my life, and I meant to do such feat now. She wasn’t going to escape me. By the time we parted ways, she would crave me just as much as I desired her. Guaranteed.

As we kept on our destination, I filled her in when she questioned me about the cobblestones and how significant the pathway was to Rome’s history. “They were made out of volcanic rock from the hills just outside the city.” We loved every aspect of this city, but I had to admit that these roads, historic as they were, weren’t so kind to our cars.

She seemed to be enthralled by such little information, which I found rather endearing. From time to time, she would glance at me with that whimsical smile of hers, and I couldn’t help bestowing on her the same magnetic one. The undeniable chemistry was intoxicating, provoking. So much so that I had to halt and sort myself out. I badly wanted to pull her against me and kiss her until she was breathless. But considering I had given her my word of being a courteous date for tonight, I had to resort to fanciful thinking.

It wasn’t long until we finally reached the piazza. Kim, of course, instantly went to peruse the steps.

“Whoa. How many steps are these? A hundred?” she exclaimed as she admired the famed site.

“One hundred thirty-five to be exact.”

“Since we’re already here, do you mind taking a picture of me?” she asked, pulling out a thin, pocket-sized camera. She then pushed the shiny silver button to bring it to life. “There. Here you go!” she said before leaving me with it. Taking the stairs two at a time, she stopped about a quarter up before making a demure pose. “I’m ready!” Her voice echoed below, making me shake my head a little.

This woman is a character, all right,I thought as I glanced about at the dozen young tourists taking pictures around the area.

I expected her to simply do a pose and be done with it. Instead, she did about six. She didn’t opt for the sultry sexy ones, either, but chose to do silly ones. She was having the time of her life, and I couldn’t help laughing at her larger than life personality. Once she was done with her photos, we then strolled across the center of the plaza where a fountain, one of two thousand in the city, was situated in its glorious splendor.

“This is the Fontana della Barcaccia,” I softly informed her as I took in the boat shaped fountain, brightly lit and inspiring. “Sculpted by the father and son, the great Bernini himself. You’ve heard of him surely? His masterpieces are littered all over the city.”

“I like how you guys talk here. It’s like you sing the words or something. It’s crazy really, but that’s the closest thing I could compare it to.” Her face froze, as if she had caught herself saying something dreadful. “Fuck, I hope you didn’t find that as an insult. It wasn’t meant to be one. This is beautiful, though. I love being able to see it at night. I’m sure it’s still amazing during daytime, but there’s something about fountains and nighttime that gives off that magical vibe.” She was being lyrical about it, quite impassioned.

“I like knowing you appreciate such simple, beautiful tokens in life.” It was something I took for granted, but upon hearing her adulation, it remedied it quickly.

From Piazza di Spagna, we trekked to Fontana di Trevi, one of the most sought out spots for tourists. And even though it was in the early hours of the morning, time, it seemed, didn’t affect much with these folks.

“Oh, my God! I’ve been dying to do this, like in that movie!” Kimberly gleefully exclaimed as she pulled out her camera. “I don’t have any coins with me! Do you have change for five euros?” she rapidly asked before handing me a bill.

Confused, I stared at it a while before gazing back at her strangely.Mannaggia tua!Did she honestly think I would let her get away with this?

“Keep the money,per favore. I don’t carry change, either, but let me see what I can do. Stay here. Don’t go anywhere, okay?”

“Okay.”

Leaving her to take pictures of the fountain, I found a flower vendor sitting on the stone benches. Handing him a hundred euro since it was the smallest bill I carried, I asked him if I could buy some coins from him. The old man seemed confused as he stared at me as if it were the strangest request he had heard in his life. He pointed out that he was selling roses in case that had escaped my notice. To appease the situation, I purchased a rose, took nine coins from the change he gave me, and told him to keep the rest before retracing my way back to where Kimberly was.

“I only needed three coins,” she gasped as I handed them to her. “Three coins, three wishes guaranteeing I’ll return in the near future to the eternal city.”

“And with nine, maybe you won’t need to return; you’ll stay here for good.”

She laughed off my teasing comment as she did her wishes. All nine of them.

Seeing my beloved city through her eyes made me feel genuinely happy somehow.

“What’s next on the list?” she asked after declaring she was ready to leave.

“There’s a gelateria nearby. Would you care for some?”