Chapter 1
Massimo – The First Smile
There are days that start off badly, and it only takes a small detail to make everything fall apart. Gina’s message—my ex-wife’s—arrived just like that: unexpected, unsettling.
I still remember the first time I saw her. It was at a medical conference, she was working as an interpreter. I was just starting out in my career as a heart surgeon—still shy, still awkward. Medicine had been my only companion for years. For me, it wasn’t just a job, it was a mission, a dream I shared with my family who lived on the outskirts of Milan. As a child, I wasn’t bright or athletic. I studied while the others played soccer, and that was enough to make me feel invisible.
Relationships? Rare. Opportunities? None. Until that day. She was there—beautiful, with her blond hair elegantly tied back, a smile that stood out in the crowd. She smiled at me. And that was enough to shake me to the core. I felt like a teenage boy facing something too beautiful to be true. Women like her don’t look at men like me, I thought. Some nurses at the hospital had tried to approach me, but I was always looking for something more. Something real.
The next day, I saw her again in the cafeteria. She was alone, just like me. After a quick glance around, she came closer and asked with a smile, “Can I sit here?”
I was petrified. Then, with my usual stiffness, I replied, “Please.”
It was obvious how awkward I was. She sat down, ate in silence, eyes fixed on her plate. But something inside me softened. I started talking to her. I asked her questions, and she answered with patience and kindness. Her name was Gina. Just four letters, and my heart was already racing.
She lived in Bologna, taught in a private school, and occasionally worked as an interpreter at conferences.“I hate these events, but the pay’s good… and the venue is amazing. I’ve got a bike ride planned for this afternoon.”
Sports and I have never gotten along. She, on the other hand, seemed to embody everything I wasn’t: energetic, dynamic, free. I stayed silent. I wanted to ask if I could join her, but I didn’t. I thought, “What could a woman like her possibly see in someone like me?”
That afternoon, I tried to study, but I couldn’t focus. So I went out—and saw her. Gina was walking back alone, pushing her bike beside her, her face lit up with that dazzling smile. I walked up to her.
“Hi, how was your run?”
I said “run.” Idiot. But she didn’t seem to notice the mistake.And before I could stop myself, I heard myself say:“Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”
I was more surprised than she was. She looked at me, puzzled, then smiled.“On one condition: pizza and beer. And no cutlery. How do you eat your pizza?”
I wanted to say “with my hands,” but I tried to seem proper:“With a knife and fork.”
She laughed. “Wrong answer. But I’ll accept anyway. We’ll eat it with our hands.”
That smile melted me. I didn’t kiss her, not yet. I held out my hand. She hesitated, then shook it. And I swore to myself I’d make it up to her at dinner.
At exactly seven, I was outside her hotel. She looked stunning, even in simplicity. We talked for hours. She told me about her family, her travels, her dreams.“I’d love to work in an embassy, live in another country. And you?”
I had already fulfilled my dream: I was working with one of the best doctors in Milan, I had a solid career. But for the first time, I wondered if that was really all I wanted.
At the end of the evening, she walked me to her hotel. And gave me a light kiss on the lips. She left me there, heart pounding wildly.
The next day was the last day of the conference. I asked her to go for a walk.“I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re everything I’m not. And maybe that’s exactly what makes me want to see you again. After the conference… do you think we could meet up again?”
She looked at me and said:“Let’s see how tonight goes.”
I got ready with care. I chose a simple, elegant suit—no tie. She showed up in a light, colorful dress, and looked like she brought spring with her.
At the end of the evening, after a glass of wine too many, I kissed her. At first it was a timid kiss. Then something exploded. And it was the first time in my life I’d ever desired someone with every fiber of my being.
We spent the night together. And it was unforgettable.
The next day we said goodbye with a simple hug. No promises. Just one last look—and a smile.
But once I was back in Milan, nothing felt the same. Work felt empty. I couldn’t focus. So I got in my car and called her.“Gina, I know this sounds crazy… but I’m coming to Bologna. I need to talk to you.”
She sent me the address. I arrived in front of a big country house. She was there, waiting outside the gate. She got in the car. Looked at me in silence.
“Gina, this might sound ridiculous… but do you believe in love at first sight? I didn’t even know what it was. But ever since you smiled at me, something’s changed. I… I’ve fallen in love with you.”
