Piazza Bella - Aperitivo: I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII
Piazza Bella - Antipasto: I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X
Piazza Bella - Primi: Prologue | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV
As Giovanni vanished, I wept, and tears cascaded down my cheeks. Bella, always a comforting presence, dabbed them away with tissues she thoughtfully stashed in my pocket, knowing I would need them later.
“If you need time to yourself, my apartment is empty unless Sarah has already returned there to shower.”
“I just need a moment. Could you stay here with me, Bella? I need you right now.”
“Of course, sweet sister, but remember, this is not a goodbye between you and Giovanni.”
“What is it then?”
“Arrivederci - It means until you guys meet again. It is a much better lens through which to view this moment. He promised to return, and I guarantee he will.”
“Yes, arrivederci is a much better way of seeing things.”
From the instant Giovanni departed, I felt a profound sense of loss. Provoked by powerful hormones, my emotions were tethered to him by a bond that became increasingly intense and enduring, a connection surpassing any I had felt with previous partners, even Liam.
“I’ll go upstairs for a coffee, Bella. I want to talk with Sarah about something nagging at me.”