***
Suspiciously, I gaze at the zip line that stretches over the entire length of the canyon. "Are you serious?" I ask.
"Sure," Vico replies, shrugging so casually as if it's the most natural thing in the world to race twenty yards above the groundat who-knows-how-many miles per hour between rugged rocks. "It's perfectly safe. And a lot of fun."
I observe the teenagers daring to try the devilish contraption, only protected by orange helmets, as they cheer with joy. They truly seem to be experiencing something they won't forget easily. "I'll note it on the checklist and we'll take some pictures." That should be enough. Unfortunately.
"But how do you expect to promote the zip line to your guests if you don't even know what it feels like yourself?" He raises his eyebrows, urging me on.
Since we left the estate in the morning, I've been trying to keep enough distance between us. It's not easy at all, even though Vico seems reserved today as well. He constantly crosses his arms and steps back, even when our paths don't come anywhere near each other.
"Look, now it's a child's turn," he points with his finger upward. Indeed, I see a girl about ten years old enthusiastically strapping into the safety harness. "Would they allow the kids to do it if it was really dangerous?"
"Probably not," I admit, kneading my fingers.
You're different from them, Hanna, don't forget that, my mother's voice grumbles inside me.
He claps his hands enthusiastically. "Great, then let's do it."
Once again, I look up at the zip line. The girl pushes off from the platform, spreading her arms jubilantly as she descends.
"You can't get hurt, no matter how clumsy you might be otherwise," I hear Vico say. Not for the first time, it's as if he knows what's going on in my head.
Why is he so insistent on doing something adventurous today? He has tried several times before, but I always managed to convince him otherwise. Could he be craving an adrenaline rush?
Maybe it would be kind of nice…
That's not for you. Better safe than sorry, you know that, Mother interferes again.
"We could also go straight to the restaurant; after all, we need to test it too," I say reluctantly. The sooner we get through everything, the sooner I won't have to deal with what his presence does to me. The tingling in my stomach when he smiles and the warmth in my chest when he looks at me.
Suddenly, he takes a step closer to me. "Come on. It'll be unforgettable. I promise."
He's too close for comfort.
Life is meant to be enjoyed, whispers my own inner voice, as if trying to counterbalance my mother's voice.
I nod hesitantly. "Okay."
Before I can change my mind, I walk to the small wooden cabin next to the starting platform. We receive a safety briefing, helmets, and harnesses, and then join the line of people waiting for their turn. Until it's our turn, we barely speak to each other. Vico is frantically tapping on his phone, and I try to distract myself by observing the surroundings. I didn't know there was a canyon in Tuscany. The rocks are as rugged as those back home, though not nearly as high. A turquoise river winds through the valley below us. Even the vegetation here is different from the rest of Tuscany. There are real forests, and I even spot some fir trees.
"Prego, Signora," the young man with hiking pants and a carabiner in his hand calls me over, but I remain rooted to the spot.
Nervousness wells up inside me. Is it really safe? The ground seems miles away, and I'd have to jump from the platform into nothingness.
If the hook comes loose, you'll plummet into the river. Or worse, you'll land on the sharp-edged rocks of the canyon.
As my mother rages in my head, Vico steps beside me. With a penetrating gaze, he nods at me. "We'll jump together," he tells the employee, preparing for the jump as if he does it every day.
"Bene," the Zip line staff member smiles at me. "May I?" he asks politely.
Two women behind me clear their throats loudly.
"And nothing can happen, right?" I ask Vico again just to be sure. Just because he claimed it earlier doesn't necessarily mean it's true. And just because there's no danger to our bodies doesn't mean it's safe for my heart. Especially not when we're jumping together.
Vico nods decisively. "I guarantee it."
My palms become sweaty. The waiting crowd murmurs irritably. Everything is fine. There's nothing I should worry about. I want to give it a try. I want to enjoy it. Beads of sweat form on my forehead, yet I allow the man to secure me. Afterward, Vico stands behind me, and the employee connects our harnesses together.
