The builders of Italy

Chapter fourteen

chapter fourteen

 "Is the sit taken? a masculine voice asks forcing me to look up from my food. I look up to see a man probably in his 30's. He's sporting a goatee. His cheeks are slightly pudgy. His stomach is a little protruded but despite that he isn't too chubby. looks like he is working on his weight and it seems to be paying off. But who cares? what does he want with me?

"Sorry? who are you?" I question. I can't just let any stranger sit with me. Who knows if he is a kidnapper besides I am too young for him. I am just 21 and he is like thirty four.

"It's Arturo. Christian friend. I was supposed to be here earlier but got held up with something" he puts out his hand for an handshake at the same time pointing with his other hand at Christian. 

"Oh...Arthur...nice to meet you" I say gripping his hand. He proceeds to peck my hand gentlemanly. 

"I don't mind you joining me" I say and he takes a seat picking up the menu on the table. I guess he is a foodie just like me.

"When Christian called me to tag along, I wasn't expecting that you were the angel Alexa was going to bring " He compliments and I smile and No I didn't blush.

"Thank you"

we stare at each other for some seconds because it was suddenly awkward.

"Look to be honest I have never done this blind date of a thing before so .." I try to explain

"It's okay. me neither. " he confesses.

I smile.

"we can start by getting to know each other" he suggests

"Cool"

"¿Estás listo para hacer un pedido?" the waiter asks him

"Si. dos hamburguesas. Coca-Cola y unas papas fritas" the waiter walks away with the orders and Arturo turns his attention back to me.

"so erhmm...... how is it possible that you speak English?" I ask.

"is it weird for me to speak english? many people speak English here"

" not that it is weird, just that Christian doesn't speak english but you do" I say and watch him as he munch on my fries.

"I once went to an international bilingüe school" 

"ohhh.... that's nice,"

"Are you in Spain for the first time? on a vacation?"he asks.

"I am not really here for the first time, according to the stories I have heard my mum father lived here his whole life and I actually came here a lot when I was a kid though I don't really remember" I explain.

"That explains the name Rosalina" he says and collects his food from the waiter.

"But you came all the way from the States to Spain .why?" he asks.

"Do I have to have a reason for deciding to change not just country but continent?" I ask rhetorically while my gaze stays fixated on him.

"Technically no but..."

"no buts or ifs. it's my decision" I finalize the discussion, hinting at him not to push the topic. He gets the hint and changed the topic.

We talked for almost half an hour. we are now eating a sundae. Lexy and Christian joined us about five minutes ago after numerous skating sessions. I actually enjoyed Arturo's company. who would have thought he was going to be lovely? I thought all Arturo were assholes, I guess I was wrong. it's just Stockholm Arturo's that's a dickhead. 

"Christian used to be my junior in high school" Arturo answers Lexy question on how he met Christian.

"but we didn't click then. He was three years my senior but we later met at the tech company we presently work at eight years ago. Ever since then we've been tight buddies despite the age difference" Christian narrates.

"we are not really far apart in age. I am thirty three and you are thirty, that's just three years" Arturo says. I guess I was a bit close about his age ..I guessed thirty four and he is thirty three. same thing.

We are about to leave. everywhere is dark already.

"it was nice meeting you Rosa"

"same here" I say. I notice he is about to bring out his phone probably to ask for my number after noticing I wasn't going to invite him back home, so I quickly turn and enter Christian car. I am not Lexy that invites a guy back home on the night of the first date besides it might have been fun hanging out with him, but he is totally not my type. The door opens and Alexa enters.

"I gave him your phone number" she announces as she fasten her seatbelt.

"Are you kidding me? who asked you too?"

"You can't just leave him hanging, he is totally swooned by you" she says

"I don't care and he is definitely not my type"

"How so?"

"He is thirty three and I am twenty one, that's a huge age gap and he isn't the total definition of muscle and brains" I defend myself.

"really?" she says and burst out in laughter but stifle it as soon as Christian enters.

"que fue tan gracioso? ¿Yo me perdí algo?"

"hogar. por favor" I mutter which I am sure he heard . 

As soon as we get home, I got down from Christian car and enter the house immediately, Lexy and Christian walking behind me. I do not want to know whatever is going to go down between them today so I go to the fridge and grab a water bottle and head to my room.