Hi, guys!
I'm relying a lot on google translate for most of the Italian phrases here so please don't judge. If there's anything to correct, just comment it. Thanks and enjoy!
*****
The sun was bright yet the weather felt cold as I stepped out of the car I had rented for the following month. It was my first time to spend my annual isolation here in Tuscany since my usual destinations would either be in France or somewhere else in Italy. America would never be my first choice since there would always be a hundred percent chance that someone would spot me and my location would be on the internet in minutes. I've never actually tried it but based on the number of times I've gone to New York City and had a group of people follow me around, the answer was a definite no.
The house was my first investment ever since I began acting seven years ago. I've withheld spending large amounts of money since I wanted to build my own house that I could go to in the countryside. Every inch of this house has held a part of me since I was closely involved with the designing process. The house was already built when I purchased it so the only things that I could design were the interior and the landscaping around it. I made sure to dedicate rooms where I could spend my entire day without getting bored since social media wouldn't be an option. For the past year, I've been flying here from time to time to check the progress, giving me time to get to know the people within the village as well.
I was only about fifteen minutes away from the village proper so a short bike ride was enough for the trip. Around me, only two other houses were visible and the next ones would be about an hour away. The three houses were originally owned by one person who lived in Rome. He'd rent out the houses to tourists who were planning to stay for more than a week and decided to put up one for sale. As soon as I saw it, I immediately asked my manager to make an offer and after a month of negotiations, the house was finally mine.
Only three people were aware of my location– my parents and my manager, Olivia. She's only been working with me for the past three years since my mom and I used to handle all of my job offers and auditions. It was when I had my big break and won the highest award for actors in Hollywood that it became overwhelming to handle it on our own. It wasn't just about scheduling and organizing my events, but also looking for new movies that I could audition for as well as going through the offers that were given to me.
All of my social media apps were deleted on my phone, leaving only iMessage as the way for me to communicate. I unloaded my things from the boot of the car and headed for the front door. The house was clear of any dust or unwanted dirt since I had hired a caretaker to check in every few weeks. Heading straight to the bedroom, I had a change of clothes to get rid of the flight's icky feeling.
I changed into a pair of light blue jeans, a plain white shirt, and white sneakers. To combat the cold, I grabbed my red puffer jacket and headed out of the house again. Despite having a caretaker, I still like to do things on my own so I needed to stock up on supplies for the weekend.
The village was filled with people since it was currently a Saturday. I smiled to myself as no one approached me for a photo or an autograph. During my first visit here, there were a few that asked for it but none followed. I remember standing by the sidewalk for ten straight minutes, enjoying the mundane life. It was when a young woman, just a few years older than me, spoke up.
"Everything okay?" she asked. Her English was flawless but you could still sense an accent behind it.
I nodded my head and smiled brightly at her. "More than okay, actually."
"I take it this is your first time here." She smiled back, brushing back a few strands of her chestnut hair. "Didn't you star in that romance movie?"
Normally, her question would've made me feel awkward since it was already a warning flag for me to leave the area. As soon as people hear those words, heads would turn and cameras would be clicking. But here? No one even bat an eye.
"Yes." I replied and hesitated before asking a question. "I'm sorry if this sounds a bit stuck-up, but I'm just glad no one is mobbing me right now."
"That won't happen." She chuckled and beckoned for me to follow her. "People here aren't fond of big crowds and all that. As long as you're not doing anything harmful, you're welcome to stay."
Aurora was the first person I met and we've kept contact ever since my first visit here. Whenever I'd drop by to check on the house, I'd pass by her coffee house for a cup of whatever drink she decides to make. Her cafe doesn't have a menu on display since she decides what people get based on their personality or what kind of vibe they were giving off. It sounds weird but it has never failed a customer's expectations.
When I spotted the two-story house that was painted in a dark shade of yellow. The closed windows on the second floor told me that Aurora was down at her cafe since she wouldn't keep any windows open to her house while she wasn't there.
"Buon pomeriggio." [Good afternoon.] I greeted as I went through the doors. I only knew a few Italian words that I would need to use to get by which is why Aurora and I would mostly talk in English.
Aurora's head snapped up from her place on the counter and she let out a squeal. Quickly removing her apron, she ran towards me and gave me a tight hug. She pulled away after a few seconds and slapped my arm, making me step back and run a hand over the spot.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I could've picked you up at the airport." She scolded, eyes turning into slits. I was born an only child but with Aurora around, it always felt like I had an older sister.
"I didn't want to bother you. Besides, you can spend time with me for the next month."
A look of realization crossed over her face before the glare disappeared and a smile replaced it. I've told her about my annual isolation except for when it actually happens.
"Should I post a photo of you on Twitter right now?" She teased, taking out her phone and snapping a picture of me. I rolled my eyes and took a seat on one of the stools placed in front of the counter. Aurora went back to her place behind it and wore her apron once again.
"Introducing you to Navi was a big mistake."
Aurora rolled her eyes at me and began creating a drink. It looked like a regular latte but confusion clouded me when she took out a pack of blueberries from the refrigerator. "We're planning a trip during the summer. Are you coming with?"
"I'll have to check with Olivia. But if you have a date in mind I could already block it." By now, I knew that I'd be busy for three months from when I get back in February. I was set to shoot a movie in Budapest beginning mid-February and that would stretch on until the end of April. The following month was filled with events that Olivia had accepted on my behalf and most of them would either be in America or Paris. I'm just thankful that when it is in Paris, I'd be able to sleep in my own bed.
"We were thinking around August so that we could enjoy a bit of sun." Aurora set down a drink in front of me. The bottom of the tall glass was filled with blueberry syrup, with the next layer being cold brew, and finally a few blueberries floating on the top. "One blueberry cold brew latte for my favorite celebrity friend."
"I'm your only celebrity friend." I snickered, taking a sip of the glass. My eyebrows raised up in surprise at how the flavors mixed well together despite the weird combination.
"Not anymore." Aurora smirked, cleaning up the cups and utensils she just used. She had that look on her face that only meant she was up to no good and I was slightly afraid of what she was thinking.
"Did you suddenly meet Angelina Jolie or something?"
"I wish." She sighed, probably thinking of the actress. "But what I meant was that it looks like someone has followed your footsteps this time."
"Are you going to actually tell me what you're talking about?" I asked even though I already knew the answer.
A smile formed on Aurora's lips as she leaned on the other side of the counter. "Nope."
We chatted for a bit while I finished the drink she made me and even stayed for another hour after that. Sometimes, she'd talk while serving other customers, going around and stopping for a few seconds to pass their drinks. When the cafe was filling up with customers, I bid my goodbye to head to the small convenience store a block away. Aurora nodded her head and promised she'd stop by after closing the cafe to bring over some dinner.
I rode on my bike once again and went to the direction of the store. It only held the essentials and I would have to go to the market early in the morning tomorrow to buy some food. I left my bike at the front of the store and went in, nodding my head at the man standing behind the cashier. I grabbed a basket and made my way through the aisles. The only things I packed in my suitcase were clothes, shoes, and a few skincare products that I wouldn't be able to buy here.
I filled the basket with some toiletries as well as a few snacks and a bottle of wine that Aurora and I could open for dinner. I managed to find some gummy bears as well– the only unhealthy snack I could never properly restrain myself from– and grabbed about five packs. If my trainer could see me right now, she'd be shaking her head and putting back the gummy bears on the store shelves.
It's a good thing I'm about twelve hours away from her.
When it was clear that I had nothing else to buy, I headed straight for the cashier expecting to be able to pay right away but someone already beat me to it.
A guy was standing in front of the cashier as the man from earlier ran his items through the scanner. His back was facing me but I couldn't help but look at him. He was clearly fit, broad shoulders evident despite the white hoodie and black denim jacket he had on. My eyes went down to his shoes and I raised an eyebrow at the sight of the Air Jordans he was wearing. The edition he was wearing costs more than three thousand dollars and I know this because Navi was planning to buy a pair of her own until she saw the price.
My thoughts halted because of the sound of a phone ringing and I watched as the guy in front of me pulled out his phone and glanced at it. He mumbled something towards the cashier before answering the phone. I couldn't help but notice how his body immediately went stiff and I quickly glanced away when he turned his head in my direction. I busied myself by looking at the nearest shelf on my right which was unfortunately an entire row filled with boxes of condoms.
For fuck's sake.
I felt my cheeks warm at the sound of a chuckle a few feet away from me before he cleared his throat and turned around. He was speaking in Italian and I couldn't comprehend what the conversation was about. I knew I shouldn't be listening but with the way his voice was slightly increasing in volume, it wasn't my fault if I could hear him. It was clear that the cashier was eavesdropping as well and by the look of his wide eyes and shocked expression, he understood what the guy was saying.
His phone call went on for another five minutes with him only saying a few sentences. Damn, whoever's on the other side of that phone call was furious. Eventually, he angrily said goodbye before hanging up the phone, running a hand through his dark brown hair.
"Mi dispiace per quello, signore." [Sorry about that, sir.] he said to the cashier who finished packing his stuff before the call ended.
"Va bene." [It's okay.] The man said, waving a hand. He spoke a few more words but they were to complex for me to understand.
"Buonanotte." [Have a good night.] The guy grabbed his bags before walking out of the store. My gaze followed his retreating figure until he was no longer visible from the store window.
The man cleared his throat and I smiled sheepishly before placing my items on the conveyor belt. The roar of an engine caught both of our attentions and we watched as a black sports car drove past the store.
"Potrebbe essere famoso ma ha ancora problemi normali." The man shook his head and talked to himself as he scanned my items. He glanced at me and did a double take when recognition dawned his face. "Non sei famoso anche tu?" He asked.
"Spiacente?" [Sorry?] I asked and it was obvious by the sound of my voice that I wasn't fluent in Italian.
The man chuckled to himself before switching to English but it was obvious that he too, wasn't fluent in another language. "No listen." He said, waving his hand in front of him. "Forget I say."
I nodded my head in understanding and waited patiently as he packed my purchases. He pointed at the monitor for the final bill and I paid the exact amount, grabbing the bags and smiling as I mumbled a low 'thank you'. I placed the bags inside the small basket that was at the front of my bike and began my ride home, thinking that I left the store just in time. In half an hour, it would've been too dark to bike home.
*****
I'm not good at ending chapters oof
✧Reese✧