When In Rome Novels & Stories

Rome. He hadn’t been here in ages. He had stirred up too much dust by smashing the marble, and the sediment hung thickly in the daylight, making it hard to tell. He took a deep breath, braced himself, and headed outside. He was right: it was Rome. He looked out, saw the Italian Cypress trees, and knew he could be nowhere else. He realized that he stood at the top of the Roman forum, its green grass, its hills and valleys and crumbling monuments stretched out before him in a gentle slope. It brought back memories. He had killed many people here, back when it was in use, and he had nearly been killed here once himself. He smiled at the thought of it. It was his kind of place.

“Come now, Ricci. We all know you have ears in places most don’t.” His gaze shifted between us, calculating. “And what if I don’t answer?” Leonardo smirked, leaning forward slightly. “Then you lose your place at this table.” Silence. A decision hung in the air. Ricci exhaled, fingers grazing the stem of his glass. “The movements started with Rome. Quiet discussions. Unofficial warnings.” Rome. I met Leonardo’s gaze, the realization unspoken but understood. Rome had always been neutral. Until now.

"It's the safest possible version of a meeting." Lorenzo looked at the window. At the street below. "Two minutes," he said. "You have two minutes and then I'm at the window." "Three," she said. "Two," he said. She didn't argue. She went downstairs. The street was cold. December in Rome had a quality distinct from Sicily ... colder, more considered, the cold of a city that had decided winter was a condition to be navigated rather than endured. People moved with the specific purposeful speed of those who had somewhere to be and intended to be there.

Delicia said with a sweet smile directed at me. "Unlike you, I am picky with what I eat. However, there's a saying: when in Rome, act like the Romans. If you understand, you'll know it's rude to be too forward," I retorted. "Last I checked, this isn't the Roman Empire, dog. We are on Greek land," Delicia gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth before narrowing her eyes at me. "I guess you are too dumb to understand that." I heard Raphael sigh, and I sensed his frustration, although his feelings were challenging to discern from his voice alone.

I needed to know that I would be okay in a strange environment, and I could hold my own against anything. Adrian set the tablet down, leaning forward as his eyes caught mine, and he said, "You'll love Rome, babe. It's chaotic and beautiful, just like you." He grinned, and I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks warmed. “How many times have you been?” I asked.

This is a sign, babes! M: 'I must be blind, smh, 'cause I don't see a single sign. E: 'You know the saying, when in Rome....' M: 'Do as the Romans do?' E: 'Is that the saying? I thought it was like whatever happens in Rome, stays in Rome. M: 'You're an idiot! I listened closely and heard that the shower tap had turned off. He was probably getting dressed, so I decided to get off the bed and grab my outfit for today since my makeup and skincare bag were already in the bathroom.

‘’Look after him while I’m gone. Rome felt like stepping into a storybook.Only louder, brighter, and somehow more alive than I had ever imagined. I recalled the pictures of Rome I had seen growing up, and how it had always been my dream to visit this city one day. I was living that dream now and it felt so much of that dream.

I muttered. “I don’t get it.” “What do you know about Rome?” “Uh, it wasn’t built in a day?” “Nice try,” I said. “It was founded by Romulus after he killed his twin brother, Remus.” “So?” “Apart from the association with Alpha Calvin’s establishment, which may give customers a false impression they’re connected somehow, it also implies ‘Remus’ is kinda the poor relation.” “You mean this guy’s trading on the Alpha’s success?” “Yep,” I said.

A quick G****e search later, the word Rome glowed on my screen. Our destination. And just like that, the butterflies came back.

They would talk and laugh, enjoying each other's company and forgetting about the responsibilities waiting for them back home. Caleb had planned out an itinerary of activities for their week-long stay. They visited the famous Colosseum, Vatican City, and the Trevi Fountain. They also indulged in Italian cuisine, enjoying pizza, pasta, gelato, and wine. They strolled through the streets of Rome, taking in the history, culture, and architecture of the city.