“Shall we?”
“Yeah, sure.” Alex took her luggage and carried it to the cab that was waiting for them. He looked startled and somehow excited. It was getting on her nerves.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she questioned when it finally ticked her off.
“Am I making you uncomfortable?” he inquired from the front seat. The driver was stealing glances of her from the rear-view mirror as well.
“Yes, you are.”
“I’m sorry. I was just reminded of my little sister when I saw you,” he said, shaking his head.
Allison was surprised with his fluency. English was definitely his mother tongue with the way he spoke. He didn’t sound like he was having a hard time talking to her. “Are you sure you’re Italian?” she asked.
“Yes, why?”
“You don’t sound like one.”
Alex laughed at it. Then he grabbed some chocolates and offered to Allison. “You must be hungry.”
“That’s so sweet. Thank you, Alex.” She took a chocolate and smiled at his gesture.
Chapter 9
It didn’t take too long for Allison to feel comfortable with Alex. He was friendly, which made her feel like she had an older brother.
“So, what do you do?” Allison asked.
“I am a painter and an architect.”
“What was your sister like?” she asked when they took a right turn in an alley.
“I don’t really remember.” He smiled bitterly. “We were too young when we parted ways.”
“What happened?” She didn’t want to pry, but curiosity was eating her.
“Our parents decided to get separated.”
She felt sorry for him. But she knew she didn’t have the right to. They were in the same boat. “That’s sad,” she commented, looking out of the window.
“Nah, it’s okay. At least she gets to live comfortably with my dad,” he said, chuckling softly.
“Where are we heading?” They were in the suburbs. She thought Alex was taking her to her new apartment, which was supposedly in Venice City.
“To your apartment.”
“I was told that my apartment would be in the proper city.”
Alex laughed. “Of course you are, or else you wouldn’t go alone.”
“What do you mean?”
“Dad must have known your hidden agenda for coming here,” Alex answered, laughing out loud.
“What are you saying?” she asked, confused.
“You’ve grown so much,” Alex said, reaching out to pet her head.
“Who are you?” she asked firmly, trying to snap out of Alex’s weird manner.
