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Dancing To Happiness

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<<Thank you. I dance since I was a baby... If I wasn’t good I would be worried a little>> I answer with an ironic and perhaps slightly hateful tone: as far as he makes me happy about the fact that, unconsciously, with that sentence he helped me overcame the initial frost or paralysis in which I had fallen. I don’t want him to realize how much he affects me.

Mentally I thank my parents who invite him to visit the rest of the house and soon I take advantage of this to take the reins of my self control back and to metabolise what happened. I turn off the stereo, wipe the sweat from my forehead and head for the hall to reach the stairs and go to take a shower. I don’t know if I’d like to freshen up for the sweat in the gym or if I need a cold shower to recover from the hot flush that has possessed me when I have had the vision of that beautiful man.

Also Matthias is in the hall to retrieve his luggages.

<<Can I give you a hand?>> I ask him putting shyness aside.

<<No, thanks>> he answers smiling at me

I almost melt again looking at his face. I smile too and climb the stairs taking the steps two by two to avoid further contacts with his eyes. What the hell is happening to me? I feel like an idiot. Not even in adolescence a thing like that has ever happened to me.

I meet my mother near my bedroom and ask her: <<Why did you decide to rent the guest room too? It’s the first time it happens. Usually when we are fully booked you have never rented this room...>>

<<Matthias is the nephew of a dear old friend of mine, so he is a very special person for us. He is here in Turin for work and, having not other rooms available, your father and I have decided to host him in this room.>>

While we are speaking he comes to us and my mother helps him to settle down in his room.

<<Isabel, get some towels for Matthias, please.>>

<<Yes, I’ll be right there.>> I take what I was asked and while they’re still in the room I hear my mother who’s talking with Matthias.

<<I’m sorry that this room has not a bathroom as the others. Unfortunately the space didn’t allow us to build one and so to avoid making a too small room we decided not to put it. Usually this is the room we use for friends who stay no more than a few days. You can use the bathroom that is next to Isabel’s bedroom and you’ll have to share it.>>

I can’t believe my ears! She’s allowing him to use my bathroom, invading in this manner my privacy and my cosiness. Good heavens! Only the thought of having to share something with him gives me anxiety. I begin to hate my mother at this moment, I can’t even hold back a grimace of displeasure towards her. Luckily it was noticed only by her. Then, arming myself with a shy smile I address Matthias: <>

I come in my room and lie down on the bed a few minutes, breathing deeply to succeed in focusing myself on the many news of this day.

A freshen up was really what I needed. I relaxed and now I’m ready to deal with the evening with the awareness of having to meet the depth and the blue of Matthias’ eyes again. I go into the living room to join the others who luckily are already there introducing themselves to the newcomer.

I look at my friends’ face and I realise that Greek God Matthias not only makes a strange effect on me. His beauty is bewitching. The only difference is that they can communicate with him without stumbling over their words and without being ridiculous as I did!

<<Well met, Isabel! Your mother has been very kind to make me go around the house and to introduce me to the other boys and girls. I saw the terrace and I wanted to congratulate you. She said that you take care of it and, particularly, of the roses.>>

I nod and thank him. My heart beats wildly because he continues staring at me... It’s really embarrassing. I can’t help blushing.

The phone ring brings me back to reality.

<<Isabel is for you!>> my father yells from the hallway.

<<Hello! This is Isabel>> I answer nonchalantly.

<<Hey! I’ve been calling and calling on the mobile phone...>> Max reproaches me.

<<Forgive me, I must have left it carelessly in the gym.>>

<>

<> I lie.

<<See you later then and, please, don’t be late as usual!>>

While I talk on the phone, I notice the presence of Matthias who doesn’t hesitate to listen and I see his eyes suddenly become sad. I look away from him and concentrate on the conversation. <<See you later at 9 p.m.!>>

Lately Max and I don’t spend much time together. Once we saw every night and we spoke on the phone at least a dozen times a day. Little by little we realized that maybe it would be better to meet less. The wait has its charm.

I hang up the phone and come back in the living room: <<Sorry guys and girls! You know how Max is. If he doesn’t hear from me a thousand times a day he goes out of his mind!>>

<<Don’t worry, Isabel!>> Rebecca exclaims.

<<We were asking Matthias if he would like to go out with us. In this way we will show him this wonderful city and maybe we could also go to some clubs>> Alex says.

<<Of course! I’d love it!>> Matthias answers enthusiastically.

<<What do you say? Will you bear our company?>> I ask him with a shy glance.

He nods without saying a words, continuing to stare at me. I have to overcame this feeling of embarrassment. Now I make him many questions. Maybe, becoming acquainted with him, this fear of meeting his eyes will end. Strength and courage!

I reset everything and with calmness ask him: <<Where do you come from?>>

<> he answers looking at me as if before him there was another person.

In fact I’ve sent away the awkward teenager who had taken possession of my mind. I don’t know how I’m succeeding in it but I’m coming back to me. It’s about time!

<<Wow, I love Rome! It’s wonderful, but I couldn’t live there. It’s too chaotic and packed with tourists. Maybe one day you will guide us in your city. I’ve never finished visiting all Rome.>>

<<Sure! When you want, Isabel, I’ll be at your disposal.>> he says without concealing a sly smile.

<<I’ll remember it when I want to escape Turin and my thousand commitments.>>

“And maybe when you will stop getting embarrassed when you look at him.” My subconscious intervenes.

Between a chat and the other the time flew. My mother invites us to take a seat at the table. Somehow she saved me again.

At dinner Matthias is much involved and not at all in trouble. This thing makes me hope in a unexpectedly natural way for his rapid integration into the group and makes me wish, again, to win quite so rapidly the embarrassment that his presence causes me. I get lost when I observe him. He has something mysterious. When he is absent-minded the light in his eyes changes. What is he worried about? Handsome and mysterious... I have to stop looking at him like that. Sooner or later someone will notice it and that’s not good. I give a glance at the clock on the wall and I realize that it’s really late. It’s already 8 p.m and Max will be here in an hour. I say goodbye to everybody and get up to go in my bedroom. When I’m next to the staircase, I realized that Matthias has followed me.

<<Will you bear us?>> I challenge him ironically while we climb the stairs together.

<> he exclaims smiling at me.

<>

<<I’m not at all tired. I think I will arrange some things in my bedroom and then I’ll dedicate myself to read a book. I’m sorry for invading your space... You know, for the bathroom...>>

<<Don’t worry, I can tolerate it>> I say smiling at him.

Matthias is in his bedroom and throw himself on the bed thinking amused about Isabel’s exuberance and awkwardness. He is bewildered too by the many emotions of the day’s events. He feels attracted to that girl. He thinks back on the moment he saw her whirl. He would have stayed hours watching her while she danced. Since he met her piercing hazel eyes he could no longer look away from her. He is aware of her embarrassment. He feels attracted not only to her appearance but also to her vulnerability that she wants to hide by irony and self-confidence. He found her irresistible when she joined them in the living room wearing that cream dress that left her long toned legs uncovered. Isabel: a particularly beautiful face, framed by long brown hair with russet shades, big amber brown eyes, well designed full lips that contrast with the spontaneous and innocent expression. She has a toned body, a round and well-shaped bottom, generous breasts, narrow waist and curves in all the right places... Evidently, the sport has helped her to ensure that her body was modelled in the right places. Certainly she does not go unnoticed, everything about her is perfection and sensuality... Overwhelmed by Isabel’s thought he forgets for a while his problems and the real reason that has led him to move to Turin for some time.

At the very thought that there’s only a wall to separate me from Matthias, it gives me goosebumps. Stop thinking of him! I have to recover and get a move on. I decide to wear a black dress that highlights my curves without being vulgar, black court shoes, a trace of make-up on my eyes and a bit of lip gloss, a few drops of J’adore, a last brush to my hair that I will let loose and, finally, I’m ready.

The mobile phone starts ringing and, as expected, it’s Max who calls to advice me of his delay. He never succeeds in being on time!

<<What happened to you this time?>> I ask him snorting.

<<Forgive me, Isabel. I had a hitch, so unfortunately we can not go out together tonight.>>

The reaction is an immediate retort <<And do you tell me it only now? Fifteen minutes before “zero hour”? Nice, we are back to the usual routine!>>

<<You’re right to be angry, but my mother wasn’t feeling too well and she needs me, I’m sorry. I swear that tomorrow morning I will pick you up very early and first of all I’ll take you for a breakfast at the bar and then I’ll take you to the university.>>

<<Okay, I forgive you this time too but for revenge tomorrow I won’t give weight to my shape and, since you will pay for me, I’ll eat whatever will pass under my nose. Don’t stand me up again! Now go to your mother and say goodbye for me!>> I say softening my resentment.

I understand that this time it’s for a good cause, but it’s seriously hard to bear that he is constantly no-show.

I leave my room, slamming the door involuntarily. I shouldn’t but I’m still very angry. It’s the third time in the last ten days that he stands me up. I’m so furious not to realize that my “gentleness” in slamming the door made Matthias leave his room. His eyes are on me and scrutinize me from head to toe. Why is he staring at me thus?

Breaking the silence I say to him: <<Forgive me for the noise. But my better half has an innate and unbelievable predisposition to make me mad...>> he continues staring at me embarrassingly, practically he is devouring me with his eyes.

I’m sure red-faced. Finally he decides to tell me something.

<<No, do not worry about me. Tell me what happened to you, instead.>>

<<Max stood me up again! And to say that I got cute for him.>>

<<He will have no idea what he’s missing; you are beautiful!>>

And after this statement I blush even more.

<<Do you know what? Nothing goes to waste! If that’s all right, I’ll go out with you tonight.>> Matthias proposes.

<<Of course, I’ll guide you around the streets of Turin!>> I answer enthusiastically, worried about the strange emotions I feel and about having to be alone with him.

<<Would you like to go for a walk in the city centre and then to a pub for a drink?>>

<<I’d like it! Just give me a few minutes to get changed and I’ll be right with you.>> he replies amused to have noticed my eyes on his sweatpants, winking at me. I blush, realizing that I was devouring him with my eyes too. Good heavens! This man would be really sexy even wearing a garbage bag.

In the meantime I went down in the kitchen to drink a glass of cold water to recover and to dampen my ardour although perhaps I should swallow something alcoholic which could make me more uninhibited.

I head towards the hallway and in the meantime I notice that Matthias is walking down the stairs to join me. He wore jeans, a black cotton T-shirt with v-neck and a leather jacket. He is to die for!

He takes my hand and asks me if I’m ready to take him around. I nod and, breathing deeply, I start talking non-stop: <<I’ll take you by car to Piazza Vittorio Veneto that is one of the largest square in Europe and from there we will walk down the main streets of the city centre: Via Po, Piazza Castello, Via Roma and then we will get back from Via Lagrange to end up again in Via Po. Finally we will conclude our tour having a drink at Murazzi’s.>>

<<Perfect, I trust you!>> he exclaims, amused by my sudden gift of the gab.

We reach my car, a black Alfa Romeo Mito.

Put aside shyness and broken the ice, I start feeling at ease. So, to speed things up and to know him better, I bombard him with questions about his home town and his private life. When I put my mind I’m really pushy.

<<Sorry if I trouble you, but I wonder what the hell you are doing here in Turin, living in a beautiful city like Rome.>>

<> he answers.

Despite my court shoes are very tall, I managed to walk a lot and to follow the predetermined itinerary.

Going towards Murazzi’s I point out Gran Madre Church and Mount of the Capuchins.

<<Did you know that Turin is a magic city? Next time I’ll take you in Piazza Statuto. In ancient times it was the gates of the city, considered inauspicious, and out of this there were crucifixions. Because of its historical precedents it is believed that the square hides something evil, even it’s assumed that under the central flowerbed there’s the door to hell. Turin is the vertex of the triangle of black magic with London and San Francisco and also of white magic with Prague and Lyon. The exact point of the vertex of black magic is a small obelisk built in 1808 on a geodetic point according to trigonometric calculations and it’s placed in a flowerbed of the small garden.>>

<<Really?>>

I nod. Then I point at the three statues of Gran Madre Church and I explain him what they represent.

<<The statue in the centre represents Victor Emmanuel I, the right one is the allegory of religion with a tiara at its feet, while, the left one represents the allegory of faith, a woman holding a chalice. It is believed that the statue looks to the place where the Holy Grail is hidden. Instead one of the esoteric legend says that it is not its look that indicates where the Grail is buried but its index finger. For this reason unknown persons destroyed it.>>

<<Interesting.>>

<<Maybe as soon as we will have some free time, I’ll take you for a tour, making you visit the mysterious, subterranean and esoteric Turin.>>

<<I’d like it very much.>>

<>

<> he says looking into my eyes.

<> I say, pretending not to understand. Because I think he was not referring to the city... I’m the usual presumptuous.

While we are in the pub and continue to drink, Matthias lists the places that he would like to visit. Then he tells me something about his family. He has two sisters and he loves them much.

<<I moved here for work issues. I’m a financial consultant. My aunt told me that she knows people who need me and I need to have more clients and to gain experience, so I decided to move! Knowing your parents, she helped me to find an accommodation. She asked them the possibility to host me in your boarding house. Unfortunately there’s not much space in her house to host me.>>

<<I have never met your aunt. My mother told me she is one of her long-time friend that I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet. According to what she says, your aunt doesn’t live in this city. I’d be curious to meet her, she may reveal something that my mother did when she was young. Who knows, it may come in handy when she will be breathing down on my neck!>> I remark with a smirk.

<<Someday if you would like it I’ll take you there. She lives in Susa Valley since she got married.>>

<<Thank you, I’d like it very much.>>

I’d like to ask him also if he is engaged but I don’t think it’s appropriate. He may think that I have “other” interests in him.

We talk still a lot continuing to swallow beer which makes me more confident and less shy. We laugh and have fine throughout the evening. Without realizing it the time flew.

<<It’s very late!>> I exclaim, watching the time. <<It’s almost three in the morning and in a few hours I have to go to the university.>>

<<You’re right, the time passed quickly. I didn’t think it was so late!>>

<<Yes... It’s time to go to sleep>> I say very sorry to have to interrupt the pleasant chat.

<<Thank you very much for the nice evening...>> I say pausing to take courage and tell him that I had already seen him.

<<You know, this morning while I was going to university I met you; you were standing at a traffic light with a road map in your hands. I could not help but notice you and I have been fascinated by your look. I thought you were English or Irish... you are particularly interesting!>> I exclaim and then I try to repair <<Forgive me, I shouldn’t drink so much, I lose control and I don’t think to what I say...>> I blush and avoid looking at him.

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