DESIDERIO

|Jasmine

Italy was more beautiful than I remembered it being. And even though I was here alone, I preferred it that way. The moment I got off the plane I felt at peace.

I planned to stay for a few weeks. Go to the beach, sightsee. Relax and eat as much pizza, pasta, and desserts as possible.

The place I booked was a small home in a town I stayed in before. The people here were kind and would often share their food with me. Inviting me to their homes for a meal or knocking on my door with a basket full of food.

I was on my way out and thought to myself, I should bring back some groceries to give my neighbor Alesia. We've shared many dinners together.

Walking to a nearby cafe, I sat with a cappuccino. I made a mental note so I would never order it after eleven.

The sun was shining brightly on my legs, as I sat on a chair outside. The smell of coffee energized my senses and murmurs of voices surrounded me. Italy was beautiful.

Where I sat, I was able to enjoy the view of potted flowers above the entrance of the cafe and the vines cascading beautifully onto the stone walls.

A moment of peace is what Italy was for me. I spent most of the day looking at the people who walked by, and a few even sat and spoke with me.

I made it to the market before it closed, picking up produce and bread. The walk back to town was scenic, so rushing anywhere never came to mind.

"Jasmine. How has your morning been?" Alesia asked.

She was in a sultry red dress, her curls free, blowing in the wind.

"It was good. I got a few things at the market for you." I handed it to her, and she thanked me. She embraced me as she normally would anytime she saw me.

"Of course. Are you going on a date?"

"No, my son is taking me to a festival. You should join." I followed her as she walked to her front door.

"I can't. But we can do something another time?"

"Yes. Dinner at 7. I left a sandwich for you."

A basket with more than just sandwiches was neatly sat on the stool I keep by my door. Flowers tucked into it as well.

Facing her to protest, "Do not deny me. It would be disgraceful." Alesia was dramatic.

"Gratzi. I will be there." She hugged me again. I gathered the basket and had lunch inside.

The afternoon quickly came and passed, inviting the sunset. Now I was getting ready for dinner with her.

She's told me to always let myself in, so I pushed the door open and locked it behind me.

"Alesia. I'm here."

"In the kitchen." She yelled.

I've never regretted having a meal with Alesia. She was a gifted cook. The aroma of a simmering sauce caught my attention as I walked further into the house. My stomach growling.

I found her preparing a side salad. I was blessed to have her as a neighbor. She was so generous.

"I can finish the salad."

She swatted my hand. "Sit down."

She was mumbling something. I could only make out something about me moving too much. I wasn't sure. I didn't speak Italian, but knew a few words to be respectful, especially to older people.

"That hurt."

"Good." A satisfied smile on her face.

I rubbed my hand over the other to soothe the sting. "How was the festival?"

"Ah..." Alesia gazed up at the ceiling like she was reminiscing about the perfect day.

"It was great. I met someone there. Very handsome."

"Did you give him your number?"

"No. I took his in case I got caught up in his charms and realized I didn't want him after the high wore off." She laughed.

She was my kind of woman.

We had dinner together and was now sitting out on her porch. She was great company. Stories of her youth were very detailed, but funny, nonetheless.

"Okay. That was a healthy amount of information Alesia." She laughed and poured more wine into my glass.

"You should go out more. Not only to the market and cafe." She made a face at me.

"The men here would be delighted to see you, maybe have you."

"I'm going to the beach tomorrow. So maybe I'll find my own Giuseppe."

A smirk on her face, "No one is like Giuseppe."

***

Tonight was the perfect temperature and I wanted to go out and enjoy Italy while I was here. Enjoy the nightlife. I rarely did that when I came here so I took Alesia's advice.

After a few recommendations from Alesia and her friends, I was now walking into a packed club.

The men here were charismatic and very attractive. You could easily fall for their sweet nothings if you let them.

I made my way to the bar for a drink. Watching the red strobe lights, cast over the faces and bodies of the people dancing.

"You look beautiful." I heard a voice beside me say. Facing the man, he paid the bartender for both our drinks.

"Thank you." He nodded, walking away with a few friends.

You could barely see the faces of the people dancing, only their silhouettes and the red lights behind them. Now and then, it would illuminate a face or two.

My body swaying to the music, I decided I wanted to dance. Although I wanted to have fun, I wasn't stupid enough to get tipsy or drunk. A man danced with me, holding my waist and pulling me into him. He controlled the movements, and I followed as his hands went down to my hips.

Grinding into him, my hands wrapped around his neck. Looking towards the bar, a man was watching me. I knew he could barely see my face, but I saw him clearly.

No one should be that handsome. That sexy. I'd let him put me on my knees if he asked. I could only imagine looking up at him.

Maybe, I was tipsy.

With that image in my head, my body moved on its own accord, grinding into the man behind me. My focus was entirely on the dark-haired man at the bar.

The lights lingered over my body, giving him a better look at me. His eyes captured mine like he was commanding my attention. He smirked, bringing a glass to his lips.

"Cazzo." The man behind me cursed into my ear.

My view was blocked by another man talking to him. He quickly faced me, and I smiled at him. He was equally as sexy, alluring even. His eyes trained on me as I moved to the music.

I've seen many attractive men here, but something was different about them.

Intriguing. I felt drawn to them.

The hands on my body felt like placeholders for theirs. I moved the man's hands over my body. Letting him touch my exposed stomach. My body heated up as the men at the bar watched my every move. My face disappeared into the darkness as the light found someone else. I could still see them though.

They exchanged words without looking away from me. The song changed, people gathered on the dance floor, and I lost sight of them. When I looked at the bar where they were, they were gone.