Feeling apologetic, I offered to treat him to dinner.
At the restaurant, he introduced himself as Alexander Garnett, dressed in sleek black silk, his manners refined.
Afterward, he walked me to my apartment building.
The advanced course in Italy was intense. Between language studies and dance training, I kept busy.
In all that busyness, I realized I hadn’t thought about Lucas once.
I saw him again on Christmas Day.
New Year wasn’t far after Christmas.
1/3
Chapter 6
Mom video called me, and Lucas appeared on screen.
Mom said, “Lucas came to visit us in your place.”
I greeted him through the screen but said nothing more.
Lucas stared at me for several seconds before asking softly, “Are you doing well?”
+25 BOHUS
I paused for two seconds, thought about my experiences this past year, and nodded with a smile.
“Very well.”
After hanging up, I was putting my groceries in the fridge when there was a knock at the door.
Alexander stood there with bags of shopping, his shoulder slightly damp from the snow outside.
He let out a warm breath, smiling brightly, “It’s Christmas How about we celebrate together?”
I stepped aside to let him in.
He moved comfortably into the kitchen, setting down his bags and getting himself water. If there was one unexpected thing about my year in Italy, it was Alexander.
After that first meeting by my building, we kept running into each other at the dance studio.
It turned out he lived nearby.`
We often had meals together, walked home together. He taught me Italian, and I treated him to dinner.
Gradually, we grew close.
Alexander confessed his feelings to me.
It wasn’t at some fancy place like Sunset Restaurant, but a cozy little café.
A singer performed romantic German songs while waiters approached with balloons and cake. Alexander knelt with a necklace as people around us cheered their congratulations.
His love was passionate and unabashed. His words “I like you, I want to marry you” brought tears to my eyes.
I took the balloon and ate the cake, but didn’t accept the necklace.
Alexander was confused and kept asking why for over a month.
I calmly told him about my ten years with Lucas.
Finally, I said, “You’ve built your life here in Italy, but I’m returning home next year.”
2/3
+25 BONUS
Chapter 6
“I won’t stay for you, and you won’t give up everything here for me. Let’s just be friends since this can’t go anywhere.”
After that, Alexander seemed to accept my words. He stopped pursuing me but remained friendly, often coming over to cook, saying eating alone was too lonely.
In the end, I didn’t tell Alexander when I was flying home.
But to my surprise, I found him on the same plane.
Chapter 7
