Little Red

Chapter 2

VENICE!

“A city that beckons you to lose yourself in its labyrinthine streets, to embrace the serenity of the gondola rides gliding through tranquil waters and to marvel at its architectural wonders that stand as testament to centuries of rich history. The ethereal beauty of Venice stirs up something from deep within, an intangible connection that transcends the mere passing of time.

Venice with its mesmerizing canals and timeless charms has the ability to leave an indelible mark on those who visit and fall in love with its essence...”

These were the beautiful words from a blog I had fallen in love with a few hours ago named Italy Mamma Mia!

These words which I would easily come to agree with as we drove through the streets of Venice. Every taken picture, every filmed video, and every shared experience from people who had visited in times past correlated with the scenery around me. I immediately felt like the main character in a traditional romantic movie. One honestly wouldn't deny that there was a special romantic feel to this city and I wondered if that was the same for all of Italy. I immediately reasoned that may be the case as we witnessed the story of the world's most romantic book, 'Romeo and Juliet' by the renowned author, Shakespeare having its place setting in Italy.

Looking out the window, now seated in the grey colored porsche which came as the pick up vehicle from the airport, courtesy of the Marcinis, It became somewhat assuring knowing Venice, Italy would be a significant part of our future.

I was lost in it's beauty and as I take in the city and breathe it's delicate air, I was for a few moments shut out from those initial disturbed thoughts which had enveloped me as I took on the plane from New York with Rogan's message;

'I love you sweet pea, you would be fine, I will be there before you know it

as my single string of comfort.

Sadly, my main character moment was brought to an abrupt pause when my assigned driver changed the playing classical romantic music to an upbeat sound, one which turned out to be one of my favorite foreign songs— 'Sara peche ti amo' which coincidentally was Italian.

Even though I rather prefer the feel of the initially played classical music at that time as it aligned with my feel of the city, I couldn't help but bop my head to the tempting hype sound.

"Seems you know this one?" Asked the now appearing easy going chauffeur.

"Of course, it's one of my favorites!!" I replied slightly hoping that impressed him.

"In that case..." He says, proceeding to turn up the volume, and I still can't say how but few minutes later we were having the time of our lives, conducting a mini concert in the car, shouting and screaming every lyric word for word, his voice overpowering mine and mine overpowering his, even though my knowledge of the language was still at beginner level.

I Will get there eventually, Trust!

Still, he never seemed to mind and genuinely felt so happy he was having this moment which prompted me to ease off even more as to what lay ahead.

Maybe there wasn't a cause for worry after all!

"We've arrived," The chauffeur who I later came to know as Ricco said as we pulled up to an Enormous building, huge emphasis on *enormous*. I had noticed the houses in Venice followed a traditional pattern which fitted the gothic aesthetic of the city and it was no surprise that right before me an imposing figure loomed– one which seemed to have come out of the scene of a movie, an all white mansion, majestic and grand with the welcoming of a waterfall at its center which had it's waters flow from the mouth of a golden lion.

it's ambience oozing of the feeling of being entrapped in a whole new world, the Venetian gothic reality. Not so modern, but would leave one in awe as it did me, standing before it.

Now I know I was in awe of the beauty before me but I wouldn't fail to notice the formal welcome of the maids and helpers straightly lined up, each having a well fitted smile on their faces as though I was an esteemed personality—a royalty, *coughs Princess Diana.*

Okay Ruby, come off it! you still do get excited when you get to use coupons!

I was welcomed warmly and that I appreciated, although it made me wonder if that was because I stopped to get a few new designer dresses and a total maintenance make over.

Thanks old man, I got the discount, wink wink... even though my driver may have looked at me funny for asking for a stop by a beauty shop in a simple outfit and walking back out looking like a movie star on her way to the red carpet.

Thankfully the windows were tinted and I couldn't see that judgemental look if there was, but I questioned if this warm welcome would have been the case if I appeared in my airport fit of a brown sweatshirt and black pants? Well I was curious, but confident in how I now appeared — a mini dress which was in my forever favorite color red, pairing it up with a low heeled black shoe and a black purse which had some gold detailing around its sides.

Although I was out of my comfort zone with my hair being packed up in a slick high tight bun, I made sure to protest against changing the color from auburn to black, knowing that would have made me lose it and lose me.

About to be ushered in, I turned back to Ricco who now seemed taller and tougher standing in an all black suit by the porsche, having his hands crossed together. He smiled a brief one at me after noticing my gaze, a type which indicated a new fondness, one which made me believe I had just gotten myself a friend —my first in Venice.

****

It was undeniably nerve wracking walking into the home of the Marcinis and I fought hard to maintain my composure seeing the architectural display of wealth.

I wondered as too how a man who had come out of this luxury was able to live so averagely and so moderately, I questioned how I felt about his actions; what was the reason and intention?

Had he done this to avoid a materialistic woman?

Would I have really loved him for being him and not a man from wealth?

Would we have loved each other so well as we did or would it have been a transactional relationship?

Did his experiences from the past influence his play of pretense when I came into the picture?

Do I have the right to use this against him?

All these were my thoughts which I forced behind a smile as the chubby head maid who had introduced herself to me as Martha showed me to my room. I noticed her gait which had a strike of professionalism to it as she moved but I could immediately tell she would be a perfect mother figure to the younger maids.

Cries in imperfect mother figures!

"We are here ma'am," she finally says, ushering me in cheerfully.

"Thank you so much," I respond trying to curtail the overwhelming need to gasp at the unbelievable ambience of my newly assigned bedroom.

"You are welcome ma'am, please feel free to call my attention when you are in dire need of some assistance," she says pleasantly as a trained help would and because I wasn't used to this sort of luxury I respond to her statement with a ridiculous nervous smile.

"Oh! and one more thing ma'am," she says with a higher pitch this time around, turning back immediately as though she had skipped on some important message before taking her leave.

"Well actually, do you mind not putting on the color red for this period of time? at least until I tell you when it's right to do so. Anything affiliated with the color red shouldn't be mostly worn, and if you insist on being dressed in that way regardless, just as you appear now, I genuinely and humbly advice you don't leave this room," she instructs sternly and for a moment her sweet expressions were masked by a sudden sternness.

I stared at her in utter surprise because this was beginning to feel like a scene from a horror movie just before the havoc was unleashed.

"Ohh dear, you need not to worry, it's just a mini harmless house rule and I felt it wise to let you have this information knowing fully well you want to leave a lasting impression after your stay," She quickly added, noticing my confusion.

"Oh yeah... I mean thank you Martha I would make sure I heed to your advice," I respond doubting every single word I had just spoken

Do not wear red?! That's basically half of my wardrobe! It's almost impossible and if this was so serious Rogan would have notified me before this trip!

Right?

Hold on...he really would right?