The Italian Read online T.L. Swan

Categories Genre: Angst, Romance Tags Authors: T.L. Swan Advertisement1

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My breath quivers on the inhale as I try to control my breathing.

Lorenzo pulls me into an embrace and holds me while tears of rage run down my cheeks.

My entire life has been a lie.

6

Olivia

Sorrento. What a magical place.

I smile as the sea breeze whips my hair, and I gaze over at the breathtaking view.

The cliff face is covered with beautifully colored old buildings, and at the bottom, a deep shade of turquoise blue, is the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Perched high up above, I’m standing on the balcony of my room at the iconic Grand Hotel Capodimonte.

The room has a timeless feel, like something you would see in an old Hollywood movie. There’s Terrazzo tiled floors, luxurious bedding and furniture, and big white windows that swing open so that you can gaze over at the priceless view.

Wow, Natalie really got this booking right. This is a lot better than the hotels I’ve been staying at. I should have got her to organize my entire trip. She got this for a steal too.

Natalie and I grew up in Sydney together. She lives in London now. I miss her desperately, even though we speak nearly every day on Facebook. Her flight arrives here in Sorrento this afternoon. This is our much-anticipated two-week holiday together. She couldn’t come for the entire time, but we swung it so she could meet me here for the remaining leg of my trip.

I take a seat on the balcony and smile to myself.

I can’t believe the weekend I just had.

I pick up my phone and scroll through the photos of Rico and I together when we were sightseeing in Rome.

I look so happy. My hair is tussled, I have no makeup on, and I look flushed. Enrico is laughing in every image. I run my finger over his face. What a beautiful specimen he is. It’s been a long time since I’ve been happy… really happy.

I’m twenty-seven, and I guess I’d kind of given up on men. Lately, I get more enjoyment out of a tub of chocolate ice cream. I was preparing myself to buy an apartment on my own—getting a cat and some potted plants. Work and the gym would probably be my only social life. I was easing myself into the next phase of my life, alone.

I wasn’t unhappy. I was just… existing.

As if sensing my despair, Natalie talked me into taking this trip and meeting her here.

I’m so glad I did.

Now, my hunger for adventure has been reignited. I want to travel and go to exotic places. I want to get that dream job I had given up on, and damn it, I want my very own dream man.

I’m a good girl. I deserve a good man.

What if he’s in Italy?

That’s drastic, even for a good man. Even for the best man.

Could I really give up my Australian home to live here?

I have my job that I love, and I don’t want to give that up. I worked too damn hard to get it. But then, I did always want to work with a fashion designer in some shape or form.

Apart from my job, I don’t really have anything holding me there. My social life is non-existent, my best friend lives on the other side of the world, and my parents are both dating imbeciles.

Ferrara’s marry for life.

Enrico’s words come back to me along with my goofy smile. Why do I smile like this every time I think of him?

I’m not going to get excited about it. We only spent three days together… but what an amazing three days they were.

In actual fact, these two weeks away from him is the worst possible timing ever. If only I could have spent the time with him instead.

Stop it, don’t get ahead of yourself. It was just one weekend.

I stand and take some photos of the beautiful view, and I send one to Enrico with the text:

Arrived safely.

Wish you were here.

Olivia.

I smile as I imagine him reading it. He’s probably at work now and won’t get it till later. I’m going to go for a swim in that beautiful pool down there.

I change into my bathers and grab my sunhat. I leave my room, looking for adventure.

Life is good. Really good.

“To us.” Natalie clicks her glass with mine as she beams happiness across the table.

“To us.” I giggle. “Can you believe we’re here?”

“No.” She grabs my hand. “It’s so good to see you, Liv. I miss you.”

“I know. Me, too.”

We’re on the large balcony of our hotel having dinner. After Nat’s flight, we thought we would take it easy tonight. The tables are lit with candles, and the cliff is alive with twinkling lights from the buildings. The sound of the ocean is loud as it crashes against the cliff face.

“So?” I cut into my chicken. “Tell me everything. How’s London?”


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