Chapter 11: Farewell

I turn to face Carlo and place a gentle hand on his face, planting a sweet kiss on his cheek "thank you for today, I really enjoyed myself, and now I have something very special to remind me of you." I whisper beside his ear, he looked a little taken back by the kiss and I could have sworn I saw a slight tinge of red flush his cheeks which made me giggle a little. Before he could say anything I skipped off and joined Marcel, showing him my vase and being showered with praises and compliments. We walk into the lobby arm in arm, I glance back at Carlo standing outside giving me the sweetest of smiles as I walk away.

That night me and Marcel sat on the sofa as I told him of my day. Marcel was very pleased I'd had a good time but said he would scold Carlo for ruining my dress and not taking me out of a proper date, still, I don't think it was a date, more of an occasion.

Morning comes and once again I am awoken by the smell of fresh coffee wafting into my bedroom, the white linen duvet messily sprawled on my bed as I stretch my arms and yawn, the bright and brilliant morning sun cascading into my room and onto my skin.

The clatter in the kitchen suggests Marcel has awoken from his bed and is preparing breakfast, the tv is on and I can hear the faint sounds of chatter, the volume raises a bit more so I can now make out the words being spoken on the tv. "I am in a very difficult position to announce that Italy are now under threat. Certain areas are more at risk than others, capitals and large town/cities are of a larger target. We have safe places set up in locations listed below. I advise people to not use planes or trains. If you are at a location of greater risk please start to make your way to the safe zones." My stretch is instantly interrupted and ruined as panic sets over. Marcel pops his head through my open doorway, giving a slightly worried look. "I think you know what our next move is" he says. I nod putting in a brave face and jump out of bed, both of us packing our belongings. We rush down the stairs and make our way to Marcels car. No words spoken between us as our thoughts cloud our heads. The streets were suddenly very quiet, a complete opposite to what the days previous were, the still of the breeze in the trees, some cries from open windows nearby, alerts going off on people phones as the mutter words in Italian and span out into different directions. "We are lucky, we've had a warning, a sign to move quickly before an attack comes" Marcel suddenly says as we put our luggage into the back of his car, me carefully placing the case in the corner of the boot.

"Marcel... what about your wife?" I ask remembering that she's in a different town. Marcel just smiles softly, "they will ensure her safety, there is a safe zone not far from where she is kept, people in wards, hospitals and other accommodations that are being looked after by organisations will be transported across."

I ask no more and trust that Marcel know best.

As we get into the car a start the engine a loud knocking come from my window, I turn and see Carlo bent over panting out of breath and covered in sweat. I open my door and grab both his arm "are you ok?! What's wrong?" I prompt panic evident in my voice. Carlo looks up at me and rest a hand on my shoulder "where will you go?" He says, his voice worried, I can see the fear in his eyes. I turn to look over at Marcel in the drivers seat. "We will be heading to Gaeta just over a 2 hour drive away, there I have a friend who will fly us across to Tunisia." Marcel voices his eyes fixed on the road ahead, "Per favore Marcel, non portarmela via, l'ho appena trovata. So che ti ricorda tua figlia e che tieni molto a lei, ma ho bisogno che stia con me. E se non la rivedessi più, cosa farei?" Carlo blurts out pleading with Marcel, tears welling in his eyes and the hand on my shoulder now gripping my upper arm tightly and shaking a little. "Carlo! Se rimane qui con te, morirà, le zone sicure sono ancora sotto tutela. La Tunisia è la nostra opzione più sicura per ora, l'Africa è un continente enorme, spostarsi da un paese all'altro in auto è la nostra unica possibilità una volta che la guerra scoppierà in tutto il mondo. Ho un'auto che mi aspetta lì, preleverò i soldi e li cambierò, il resto dei soldi lo trasferirò sul mio conto bancario internazionale, in questo modo potremo prelevare denaro in ogni grande città che attraverseremo." Marcel talks so fast i can't translate a single word, the only thing i caught was Africa? Tunisia?

Carlo looks to the ground deflated, his hand loosens its grip on my arm "I will see you again" he speaks in a hushed tone, a quivering smile planted on his face, "Non puoi venire con noi, Carlo, lo sai. Tua madre è qui e ha bisogno di te. Ti arruolerai nell'esercito e combatterai per il tuo Paese. Se non lo farai, ti rinchiuderanno e ti tacceranno come un codardo." Marcel says sternly though I can see his hands gripping the steering wheel very tightly and his eyes also look to be slightly moist.

"He will meet us at our next location Flo, there are a few things he needs to do first though" Marcel looks to me and tries to smile but fails.

At this point I wished I'd of taken up Italian language classes. I don't know if I believe Marcel or not but I put my faith in Carlos words that he will see me again.

Our time to ether was so short lived but I felt like I'd known him my whole life, whenever he leaves I feel like a part of me is missing, I crave his touch and his being close to me. I look at Carlos one last time "I will see you soon then ok?" I say as I turn my head and grab the car door.

A warm sensation sparks at my wrist that spins me around and two hands clap my face at either side, I open my eyes wide in shock as Carlos slams his lips against mine.

Shock is overpowered by lust and my body goes limp, my hands find his arms as I cling onto him melting away in his embrace, our lips and tongues dance as they entwine into each other, tears a soft steam down Carlos face, the sweet and salty savour filling me. We break apart as he leans his forehead on my "I promise" he says and gives me one last peck on the lips as he turns to leave, his footsteps heavy and his shoulders slumped. It takes all my strength to get back into the car but somehow I manage to do it.