Clichéd gifts

As Nina finished getting ready to leave, she noticed the expression on her Rich's face. She knew he wouldn't go back to the arguments about how long she wanted to be away from him, because they'd already taken care of that, and they wouldn't pursue the same issue. Yet she felt the disappointment in her lost gaze, her sad, droopy lips looking like a puppy that had fallen out of a moving truck… she couldn't give in.

Before leaving, Nina explained that it was his tenth day of travel and he needed to rest more, sleep late, walk whenever he wanted, no strings attached. And she needed to be free. He agreed with everything she said.

For a Taurus who is the sign best known for being jealous and possessive, it wasn't pleasant to hear that. Although many say that horoscope is just superstition. “Why didn't she consider the possibility of doing all these things with him”? - He thought as he got ready to leave. Taurino likes everything that is theirs very close to their reach. While Aries is pure freedom of mind!

She also explained that the fact that he couldn't give her a normal stay while she was on vacation in Italy was not her fault. She wanted to be able to go with him to the movies, theatre, dance “shows” and walk around the city on a scooter, bicycle or on foot, but she was afraid that something would happen and everything would go wrong.

A simple walk he took on the streets was stamped on all social networks, posted and replicated by thousands of fan pages, and some publications had huge repercussions. And Nina despite being an impulsive Aryan, knew that if anything went wrong, it would be her life to be exposed and turned upside down in the media.

She never approached him thinking she would live a Cinderella tale, she was already convinced that it was just a "summer romance", in the case of winter, that she would try to enjoy as much as possible without letting herself be dazzled. Aryans are stubborn! But what Nina didn't know was that Taureans were even more stubborn. Super inflexible! When a Taurus was convinced of a goal, it was very difficult to change his mind.

Like the whole world, Nina had already heard of him as an artist, she wasn't a regular fan, she didn't follow his career, but she had watched some movies he had made, after all, who hadn't?

Women of all nationalities were devoted to him. Less Nina. Not because she was special, or because there was something wrong with her, not that he didn't make an impact every time someone looked at his face, but just that she hadn't stopped to follow the life of any movie star with such fervor. None at all. But one thing she knew, that all these artists had their lives exposed, torn apart, thrown around like dice, back and forth in the world of controversy.

Nina returns to the spa carrying some shopping bags. She showed him the photos she'd taken, always commenting that he would have hated the ride, recounting the details of the open markets, the lines they'd faced like mere mortals, replicating Kara and Lyon's lines, but to David's ears it sounded like the perfect ride. It saddened him, but she didn't realize it. She thought he had it all and could do it all. As if he were an unattainable God, she treated him as if he had no feelings, insecurities or any kind of weakness.

It's time for dinner at the spa restaurant. David courted her, the two talked a lot about many different subjects, about their views on politics, money, aliens, to subjects about cooking, animals and marriage.

He laughed most of the time listening to the extraordinary philosophies she had to tell. After a lot of wine and sangria, Nina took advantage of David leaving the table to go to the bathroom, and withdrew a box wrapped in blinding blue paper from her purse. She hid the box under the table in her legs and started to look at him differently when he came back and sat down in his seat. The exact second he looked at her, he soon realized there was something in the air.

- What are you doing?

- Me? Nothing! she said with a look and a smile that gave everything away.

"You're not going to talk, are you?" So I'll have to make you…” he joked holding one of her hands while she held out her other hand with the box wrapped in gift paper saying:

'For all the gifts I've never given to any man...'

“Wow! - He said surprised receiving the box. - A gift? For me?

— Yes. A little souvenir, as we say in Brazil.

"But it's not even my birthday!" he exclaimed.

"Oh come on, open it up!" Stop it, Rich.

David eyed the box very carefully. I was very curious and intrigued.

“Don't worry, it's not an engagement ring, I'm not asking you to marry me. You can get that frown off your forehead. Nina said, then laughed.

David opened the box, and inside it was a black leather bracelet intertwined with a compass at the end, forming a keyhole, white gold with gold gold and silver, with a magnet effect. A ring in the same style as the bracelet, and a leather necklace with a round pendant. The three objects in the kit had the same characteristics. They were Viking amulets containing runic scriptures and symbols. They were custom jewelry made for him. David got a shock when he saw them, he really liked the three of them. He used them immediately.

“Thank you so much, Nina. I really liked it a lot.

"I had it made for you." Something reminiscent of Norway. The place where I intend to live the rest of my days. Do you know what these Viking-era charms are?

Nina started to explain the story behind those symbols and David was in awe.

“I don't have anything for you. - He said.

“It's not an exchange, Rich. And speaking of trade, you can trade, of course. They are guaranteed jewelry.

'Of course I won't. You shouldn't have—” Nina cut him off before he could talk about money and ruin the moment.

"Then I'll be able to buy you a present too."

"To reciprocate?"

“No. So that you too can take something special with you that reminds you of me.

“Even for all the richness of the Arab shakes, I won't forget you one day, not one day…” Nina hummed to him the phrase from the song “Not a day” by Djavan.

He looked at her as if she were a being from another world...

— It's a phrase from a Brazilian song that I like a lot, it's not a declaration of love, relax! “David was delighted by this version of Nina that night. She didn't let her guard down, but he could feel her affection for him in her eyes.

"Do you want to give me a present today, David?"

- Anything...

"Be careful with those words!" - the two laughed - I want you to take me in a dangerous place.

- Now?

- Yes.

David closed the account at the restaurant, asked someone locally to take his things up to his room, and left, dragging Nina through the spa. She was so turned on she could feel her blood bubbling in her veins.

They looked like two kids going up to it. They entered the spa's private pool, the lights were off, there was no one. He turned on only the lights in the water and devoured themselves at the edge of the pool, then fled to the yoga mat, and continued on to the massage room. He kept her phrases running through his mind: “Live life”! "Do not regret".

He undressed her, laid her on the gurney, and covered her with all those aromatic oils there. She felt every touch of his firm hands move over her. He asked her if she was enjoying it every time his fingers invaded her, and in an effortful attempt to speak she said yes, she was enjoying it a lot. He did it on purpose, just to see her with no control over her emotions.

So he dumped as much oil as he could on that synthetic sofa, and the two of them owned each other for a few more hours. It was dawn when they returned to their rooms all smeared from head to toe, took a hot, long, and fun bath together, and slept after making love again. The narrow thickness of Nina's vaginal walls was making him addicted to entering her. Just thinking about the sensation made him feel like he was inside her again.

They slept in each other's arms. They woke up hugging each other. When they opened their eyes, the two already wanted to resume sex where they left off or if they woke up in the middle of the night, they would copulate again and go back to sleep. They didn't know how to stop anymore, they were like animals mating... Between many ardent sighs under the sheets, after a lot of affection in bed and a lot of spontaneous laughter, the two finally decided to get up.

Nina wanted to walk into the surrounding stores and David was frustrated that he couldn't keep up with her.

“I know it's boring, David. I feel very sorry for you in these situations, because you live in a prison, in a way.

He made a face of annoyance that she was getting ready to go out without him once more.

“David… I'm in Italy, yeah I— ok— read… of course I want to buy makeup, shoes, bags and clothes. It's Monday. At least the ones I can afford, right, I actually like open markets better, like in Spain. Thing of the poor guy, you'll never understand! Even if you weren't rich and famous, you're European, you'll never know the pleasure of buying in quantity... Nina always talked nonstop when she was nervous and without solid arguments...

— In fact, I can go wherever I want. You don't see my Instagram? I post videos and photos walking my dog on the street, I attend regular events and many other things.

— No, I haven't seen your social networks. I even understand that no one has recognized you. Who's going to go around looking at a guy on the street and thinking he's David Nichols? Like this out of nowhere? Duh… I didn't connect you to the character myself when I saw you, despite you being tall, robust, broad, big… “Uffa meg”! As we say in Norway... But the point is, who can assure me they won't recognize you today? And what can happen? My life and my friends' lives will turn to hell.

'It's not like that, Nina...

"You know it's like that, yes..."

David looked at her with a squinting smile...

Nina was already ready to leave when she looked at David in the armchair in the bedroom, not sure if he was really upset or if he was being charming. It was still 10 o'clock in the morning.

“David. Oh, be serious! Which man likes to spend the day walking from store to store with a woman? None! Not even Madame's bodyguards. These things we watch in movies are all cliché... men don't like to be standing and looking at every accessory, every minute thing that women try and most of the time don't like, so after trying a thousand other things, go back to the first store … Besides, I'm going to meet my friends.

"And are you going to be gone all day again?"

"I don't know how long I'll be gone." I'm going to look at jewelry, underwear, a dress or two, perfume by Swarovski, and I have to find my favorite perfume from Carolina Herrera's VIP rose, a few things. Maybe stop for street food…” David curled his lip as Nina babbled on.

"Don't be locked in here waiting for me!" Make your plans… I don't want to be chewing gum on you.

David looked at her and held out his hand. Nina went to him and sat on his huge lap. Those serene eyes looking at her, that sweet boy's smile, that patient and sweet voice, at the same time shy and very beautiful. He was maddening for any woman! But Nina held her ground and strong. He took her in his hands, kissed her on the shoulder, on her cheek, and then on her forehead.

“You don't need to be as insecure as I am. Like it was being a burden, like it was bothering me. You are here because I want you to be here. Nina turned to him and immediately corrected him:

“No. I'm here because we both want to.

“Yes. So stop justifying yourself. Stop finding things.

"Believe me, I try!"

“And one more thing…I'm going with you. I want to walk around with you, do all the things you said you came here to do. Let's go see people, spend the day outside. And don't look at me like that. All the press in Italy thinks I've been back to my country a few days ago after the film's premiere party.

Nina was very nervous. More nervous than a normal person would be. She was panting, her nerves a pile as he changed his clothes. Even menstrual cramp pain was feeling. The expression on his face was one of pure panic.

“David, please stay. I don't have a lot of money and you are probably used to frequent other types of branded stores. And you know, we're not going to be together anyway, we're not going to give them any reason to publish my name and that of my friends connected with yours during this short stay in Rome.

“I'll skip the part about you talking about this media subject again. As for the problem of the boutiques, we can solve it with a phone call...

“No. Seriously, I don't want to go into boring stores with boring people, fawning over you for being who you are…I don't want to choose clothes that will please you more than me because you're the one paying. I don't want to say that hideous clothes are beautiful, just because the boutique salesperson is blowing his own ball... I'll walk around, it's another world than yours. While Nina kept explaining herself, David was ready, shoes and jacket standing in the doorway waiting for her.

“It was exactly what I wanted to see in the countries where I travel. I want to experience the real culture of the natives. I'll go with you to these places without a problem. Getting to know the real Italy…it's going to be cool, Nina, relax!

- Oh my God! Why did you have to be so stubborn? So come on, whatever God wants.

Nina was talking as she put a cap on them both. She tucked all of her straight, long, blond hair inside her cap. He looked like a man.

— Wow, what an exaggeration, huh! It's almost a disguise. All that's missing is the sunglasses. David said mocking her nervousness as she forced him to also put on hooded sweaters, and in fact handed her the glasses.

When Nina called her friends to let them know of the change in plans and explained how they should dress to avoid attracting attention, she had no idea Kara would be wearing her most colorful and garish sweatshirt in her wardrobe. Lyon as always was discreet.

The four hooded ones wearing caps. Nina and David wearing grey, Lyon in black and Kara in bright pink. They looked like a gang. They were getting a lot more attention dressed like that walking together than if David was showing his face normally... There were always two security guards around, undercover, David didn't want Nina to freak out, but they had an escape scheme.

They got into the security car and went to where Nina wanted to go. They rode a scooter, took pictures all over the city, and went to a very famous fair, many tents, many clothes of all models. Nina couldn't relax for a single minute. All the Italian people were gathered in that place. They were true natives. Ordinary people in their common everyday lives in Rome. He looked super calm, looked at the clothes, looked at everything around him. I was enjoying hearing older people speak Italian. He was a real tourist “touristing”, as she used to say.

— No, it's not possible for this shirt to cost 10 euros. It's branded! David said making fun of Nina. "How about I buy this shirt to wear to our dinner tonight?" he continued. Nina had a slight smile at the corner of her mouth. His heart was racing, he could only think about what would happen if people recognized him and started attacking him there in the middle of a busy fair, what would she do?

“Here, David, it's either an outlet or it's semi-worn clothes… They're not fakes. Have you never heard of the huge fairs in Spain? Our! In what world do you live in?

David asked how much the shirt cost, and the elderly woman who was selling at that stall informed him that they only accepted cash. Nina immediately paid the seller. David was an English gentleman, he would never accept her paying him anything during their stay together on that trip. But she didn't even think about retorting there in the middle of that fair, she didn't want to start anything that would make her defend the equal rights of all women on the planet, right there at that time. So the two moved on.

Every now and then, Nina would comment that she couldn't believe they were doing so many things, so cliché on those date days. It was already Wednesday. And he always gave an answer with a double meaning, it seemed he was agreeing with it, but the meaning was quite different. There are many such expressions in British English. In one of these dialogues he turned and asked her: — What did you want to be doing then? Parachuting? Riding aboard a balloon? Swimming with sharks? And she just shook her head saying yes:

- That's right!

So the four spent the day wandering around the city. David couldn't see a cozy cafe that soon wanted to sit down. They rode a sparkesykkel (electronic scooter), bicycle, went to the amusement park, where they passed eating street food. And later in the afternoon, they went to the theater and the cinema.

He had arranged everything the moment she said she would love to do these things on her vacation. Nina was loving it all! She looked like an adult who never had a childhood. I wanted to taste everything, I was happy with everything. He was more withdrawn, more relaxed, and that didn't make him unappreciative of moments and places as much as she did.

"Are we going to do one last clichéd thing to end this day?" "He proposed to her."

She opened a huge smile and asked what it was.

"I'll get you a bear right there on that machine."

Nina's eyes sparkled, she knew the two of them were trying everything together these days, to escape boredom, to have something to do, and they were taking it all in fun, even though it was still the height of romance, neither of them were paying attention to this.

David handed her a brown bear with a red bow around his neck. Nina almost melted. —I said almost, because she composed herself, puffed out her chest, put her feet on the floor and pretended that she didn't want to cry right then. He just received the award, thanked him and said:

"I'll keep it forever, I promise!"

In a great luck of fate, nothing happened. Luckily, Nina wanted to go places where there were only “Golden Italians”, older people who weren't giving a damn about any movie. And as for the amusement park, David had already arranged everything for the group to climb on the rides without a tumult. Nothing that money couldn't provide.

They climbed and descended on the park rides and David was already leading them far away from the turmoil. They didn't even notice the security scheme behind that ride. In theater and cinema the scheme was the same used in opera. Nobody saw them enter or leave. These last days of Nina's vacation had been one of the best for her and her friends! Kara and Lyon had captured David's heart with their spontaneity, charisma, and outgoing way. David dropped them off at the hotel after a full day of sightseeing. They were happiness in person.

Arriving exhausted back at the hotel, Nina was afraid to sleep, because when she woke up it would be her last day with him. Lying on the bed facing each other, Nina tried to hide those thoughts. She had accepted from the beginning that it was impossible to think they would have anything more than those days. Then she got up, went to the porch, couldn't calm her disturbing thoughts. He was watching her. She stayed there for a while looking at the sky, looking at the stars and he went to her. He reached behind her, sniffing her hair, hugging her from behind. She tried to free herself from his arms to go back to bed, but he held her in that position.

"What are you thinking, here, alone on the porch?"

- Nothing more. Just in the perfection of that day... Never mind. And she tried to leave again, he turned her quickly trying to kiss her, but she turned her face away. He sighed deeply:

- Please!

'No David, I don't want to. Do not ask me.

- I do not understand. That day was perfect, wasn't it? Why spoil it like that at the end of the day?

- Exactly. Why? If you know I don't want it, why insist?

“Just give me one reason and I promise I won't beg for anything else you don't willingly give me.

"That tone... No need to get angry." I speak. I've always been disgusted by kissing. This since adolescence. For me a kiss is something more than exchanging saliva or exchanging bacteria. It's more than horny, more than physical. I never kiss anyone. I have to love a person with all my body, soul and heart so that I can enjoy kissing him.

"And that never happened?" Never loved anyone?

Nina was silent.

"You know your silence is irritating!" Don't you wanna kiss me why don't you love me? "Bullshit!"

“I never said 'I love you' to any man in the world.

David returned to the bedroom irritated with Nina. He thought she invented reasons to fight. He just wanted her to give herself completely. But she didn't do it on purpose. She didn't know how to pretend to be perfect, nice and robotic like the women he was used to relating to. She was not an actress. So Nina continued for a long time on the porch taking in the fresh air, looking at the sky and the stars. She knew that the reason for this restlessness was because the end of that romance was approaching. Then she went back to bed and he was ready for bed.

"Aren't you going to say good night?" he asked, watching her lie down and turn to her side.

“Good night, Rich. Sleep well.

He quickly leaned his body against hers, engulfing her in his hair, sighing deeply and smoothing her face, felt her tears on his fingers...

- You are crying?

- Not.

- Is sad?

- Not.

— Let's not sleep with each other. Come here, Nina.

David was also feeling the end of that adventure. They stood there smoothing themselves on the bed, not even the silence cooled that volcano fire running between them, he kissed her head, she squeezed him very tightly. She gathered all her years of meditation practice and self-control and told herself:

"I am not going to cry! I swear to myself I won't cry!"

Then she lifted her head, smiled, looked him in the eye, and said:

“The reason I don't want to kiss you is out of fear. Fear of loving you more than I can handle myself. I don't want to love you. I don't want to undergo such suffering. I know it's all over tomorrow when I board. And so far I'm managing to have a certain kind of control. I will cry, I will suffer, but I have in mind that it will pass.

"And kissing me will change all that?"

“Psychologically, yes. Not kissing him is like not having surrendered completely, hopelessly. I know if I kiss you I will fall in love.

"And you still aren't?" he asked smiling.

- Let's go to sleep? Nina said, changing the subject so she wouldn't have to answer.

He was English, and as any Google search site suggests, between blogs and documentaries and search results: English are cold. They don't show much affection in public. And as for Brazilian women, what stereotypes say is that they are attached, clingy, emotionally dependent, jealous and suspicious. Very temperamental. But these are just stereotypes.

People are unique and different from each other, period, although culture does influence in many ways. Nina and David were proof of that. Nina was averse to showing affection and David missed it about her. In their case, she looked English and he Brazilian.

She lay down next to his hairy chest, lay there silently, smoothing him until she fell asleep. He also fell asleep with her touch caressing his skin. The two of them slept soundly, feeling and hearing each other's breathing. When suddenly they heard several knocks on the hotel room door…

David got up, still sleepy, and went to open the door. He got a big fright when he saw his agents enter his rooms...