In Between

CHAPTER 5: GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER

“Come on in,” the woman invited her. “He’s still taking a quick shower. I’m sorry I forced him. He really just reek of sweat, that’s why,” the woman explained to her, like she owed her an explanation for making her wait.

“No, it’s okay. You don’t have to explain.” Ariane gave the woman a reassuring smile.

“Thank you for understanding.” The woman crossed the distance between them. And when they were only a few inches away from each other, the woman beamed at her. “I would like to invite you to dinner; do you mind?” the woman asked in a soothing voice.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I have to decline. We’ll be having our dinner at Piazza Santo Spirito. I’m just waiting for Matteo,” she quickly refused.

Ariane had already taken advantage of Matteo’s kindness. It would be too much if she bothers his mother as well.

“I know. My son already told me. But I insist. You should come in and join us for dinner instead of eating in a restaurant. Homemade foods are tastier compared to the food served outside. And besides, you can visit the restaurant anytime you want,” the woman insisted.

Ariane bit her lower lip to restrain herself from wincing. They are indeed mother and son. They know exactly how to make someone agree to whatever they please, just like how Matteo convinced her to let him be her tour guide for the day.

Ariane refused the woman’s offer for the second time, but that didn’t stop her from insisting, and eventually, after the woman’s countless efforts to convince her, she succeeded.

The woman opened the door for her and ushered her towards the living area. She also helped her sit comfortably on the couch. And she was just silent the whole time, feeling a little bit awkward at the woman’s warm gesture.

“What would you like to drink while waiting for Matteo to come downstairs? Coffee? Juice? Wine? Tea? Water?” the woman eagerly asked.

“Ahm, water will do,” she hesitantly answered and gave the woman an awkward smile.

“Water, then. I’ll be right back.” The woman smiled at her one last time before hurrying to the dining area.

While waiting for the woman, Ariane roamed her eyes through the four corners of the house.

“Looking for someone, dear?” the woman asked from behind.

“Ahm...” Ariane cleared her throat before facing the woman, who is now approaching her with a smile while holding a glass of water in her right hand. “Do you mind if I ask where your husband is? I don’t see anyone around aside from you and your son, Matteo,” she hesitantly asked out of curiosity.

“Oh, he’s on a business trip,” the woman answered before handing her the glass of water, which she immediately accepted.

“Oh, I see...” was all she could say before taking a sip of the glass of water she was holding. And right after she had a sip, the woman immediately took the glass from her.

“We seldom spend some quality time together. He’s a very busy person,” the woman stated with a sad smile on her lips.

Ariane could feel the sadness in the woman’s voice, but she couldn’t find the right words to say so she could comfort her, so she remained silent and let the woman continue her story.

“My husband barely comes home, which is the main reason why Emanuele can’t leave this country. He wants to stick by my side like a monkey so I wouldn’t be alone,” the woman added and laughed at her own joke.

Ariane was about to comment when Matteo appeared beside his mother out of nowhere, hugging her from the side.

“I’m just worried. What if something happens to you while me and dad aren’t around?” Matteo pouted at his mom while his chin rested on the woman’s left shoulder.

“Oh, how sweet of you, my baby,” the woman commented in a playful tone to tease his son, Matteo.

“Mom,” Matteo warned his mom with his narrowed eyes.

Ariane just found herself smiling while eyeing Matteo and his mom cuddling each other before her.

“Just kidding.” The woman pinched Matteo’s cheek before turning her gaze at her. “How about you, Ariane, dear? Why are you fond of going to a strange country instead of spending some quality time with your family?” the woman asked her.

Ariane warmly smiled at the woman before answering. “I became the breadwinner of our family after a year of being employed. My dad underwent surgery and my mother took care of him while I was the one who sent my sister—Riana—to a law school. And since my youngest sister was still in her second year in med school at that time, I was also the one who supported her financially for her remaining years in med school. I spent the previous years of my life supporting them financially, and it is my only time to take a break. That’s why I’m making the most out of it before going back to work.”

Ariane saw how the facial expressions of Matteo and his mother changed—from a curious look to a face full of admiration for her and her deeds.

“Aww. I’m impressed. So selfless,” the woman remarked. “You are just like my son. He always thinks of me before anything else.”

“You are very lucky to have him,” Ariane said with sincerity.

The woman beamed at her. “Your family too. They are so lucky to have a responsible daughter.”

Ariane just smiled in return. She’s not used to hearing praise. A simple thank you and a genuine smile will do. She’s not after the praise after all. She just did what she needed to do to give her family hope and show them her love for them, to the point that she is willing to exhaust herself by overworking so she can send her siblings to school and prolong her father’s life.

“Mom, we have to go. I promised Ariane to join her for dinner,” Matteo announced, referring to their plan to dine in Piazza Santo Spirito that will now be postponed due to his mother’s request.

“Oh. I forgot to tell you. You and Ariane will be joining me for dinner.” The woman faced her and gave her a knowing look. “Right, Ariane, dear?”

“Yeah,” Ariane answered, but her eyes were on Matteo, giving him a reassuring smile to assure him that what his mother told him was true.

“But what about Piazza Santo Spirito?” Matteo asked, frowning in confusion.

“I can just go there some other time,” Ariane answered while shrugging her shoulders, trying to send Matteo the message that it’s no big deal, even though their plan for tonight is ruined.

“Wait! I have an idea!” Matteo exclaimed all of a sudden as he quickly stood up straight, making Ariane frown.

“What is it?” she asked, still frowning due to Matteo’s sudden change of mood.

“Let’s just move our dinner tomorrow. And in the morning, I’ll tour you in the places here in Florence that you haven’t visited yet... as a compensation for our postponed dinner,” Matteo suggested with full vigor—like a child negotiating with his parents to let him play outside in exchange for being a good boy.

“Compensation isn’t needed at all. I’ll be alright on my own. I’ve bothered you too much already,” Ariane refused Matteo’s offer. But Matteo isn’t Matteo if he isn’t persistent, just like his mother.

“I insist. Allow me to be your tour guide again,” Matteo insisted.

“Just accept it, dear. He won’t stop bugging you until you say yes,” Matteo’s mom intervened.

Ariane inwardly winced at the two before biting her lower lip in defeat. “It looks like I don’t have a choice.”

The woman chuckled at her answer. “Precisely. Now, let’s go to the dining area and have that dinner. Let’s continue our conversation while enjoying the meal.”

Ariane nodded in response. Seconds later, she felt the woman’s hand holding hers and guiding her towards the dining area while Matteo silently followed them. And for the first time in her life, things didn’t go according to plan. She ended up at a dining table inside someone’s residence—instead of a famous restaurant—with a variety of homemade Italian dishes and a branded wine, which costs a fortune, served in the middle of the long table.