Chapter nine

I couldn't help but gasp in surprise at the spread before us. Cayo had outdone himself, and the food looked incredible. But it was him who really caught my attention. He looked adorable in the chef hat, his eyes sparkling with pride as he presented his culinary masterpiece.

"Wow, Cayo, this looks amazing!" Celestia exclaimed, clapping her hands together in excitement.

Cayo beamed with pride, his eyes locking onto mine for a moment. I felt my heart skip a beat as I smiled back at him, my mind still reeling from our nighttime adventure.

As we sat down to eat, I couldn't help but steal glances at Cayo. He was quietly eating and sometimes our eyes lock, but I knew that there was something more between us now. Something special.

After breakfast, we spent the morning lounging around the house, enjoying each other's company. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that Cayo and I had shared something magical last night, something that had brought us closer together.

As the day wore on, I found myself wondering if he felt the same way about me. Did he feel the same spark that I did? I couldn't wait to find out.

Later that afternoon, our instructor, Signor Rossi asked us to get ready for a horse ride when the suns heat has coolen.

I was excited about the horse ride, but I was anxious as well, I had never really been on a horseback before, what if I fall.

Around 5pm in the evening, we all got ready to go for the horse ride but as we left the house, I forgot something, my camera, how else am I supposed to capture the memories then.

I rushed back in to get the camera, and by the time I arrived, everyone has mounted their horses, and there was no more lead line walker.

How am I supposed to ride now. I walked up to Signor Rossi and he said those were the only people around for the time, I have to manage on my own, excuse me what does that mean.

" Mr Signor, if you don't mind, Luna can ride with me, am skilled enough to have someone with me on the horse" cayo said, and I could help smile, he is such a life saver.

" Sure, that's not a problem, as long as you two are comfortable" Signor said.

Cayo got down from his horse and held my waist as he helped be climb the horse back. I was scared, but with his presence, with him holding securely onto me from the back, protecting me like a precious piece of diamond, my heart melted.

As we rode, cayo pointed out to different types of flowers and trees, sharing stories about their significance in Tuscan culture. I tried to listen, but his magnetic voice made my eyes close to their melody, his calming lavender scent was lulling me and I couldn't help greedily inching closer to him.

" Focus Luna, you said you wanted to take pictures, but you are distracted by something else" he reminded me.

'You are asking me to focus but you are the one diverting my focus'. I thought to my self.

At one point, we stopped at a beautiful meadow, filled with wildflowers of every color. Signor Rossi announced that we would be taking a break and encouraged us to pick some flowers to bring back with us.

Cayo jumped down from the horse and helped me dismount, his hands around my waist sending shivers down my spine. " Let's go pick some flowers together," he said, smiling, and his smile then was brighter than the brightest sun.

As we wandered through the meadow, cayo picked a very beautiful red tulips, and started picking other colors of flowers as well. I tried picking flowers as well, but the thorn pricked me and cayo asked me to stay away from the flowers.

I just looked at him at awe, after picking out the flowers, he carefully removed the thorns from them and found a strong to tie them together.

He then picked up fresh banana leaves and made something like a corn from the leaves and tied them with another string before putting the flowers he made into it, and that's when I realized, it's a bouquet of flowers.

He came towards me and handed me the bouquet, " this is for you" he said handing it over to me.

I involuntarily reached out and collected the flowers before smelling on their scent, they were so beautiful.

It was made up of, 3 white phoenix, 3 soft pink roses, 6 spring lavender, 3 sunflowers, 3 red tulips, Baby's breath filler flower, 3 purple lisianthus, green eucalyptus filler flowers.

I heard flowers are meant to express something and they have hidden messages with them, but I never took the time to understand that, and now, I really wished I knew the meaning of it now.

The break was over and we soon got back onto our horse.

As we rode through the rolling hills, cayos warmth and presence made me feel safe and protected. He pointed out the scenic views, his breath whispering against my ear, sending shivers down my spine, I took pictures on my cameras for memories sake.

As we rode, the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the Tuscan countryside. Cayo pointed out a particular beautiful view, and I turned to smile at him, my heart racing with excitement.

This was the most beautiful scene apart from last nights night view, so I couldn't miss capturing the beauty of the moment.

I was still holding on to the flower bouquet, because as of now, I believe it's the most beautiful and priceless thing I have in my possession.

As we approached the village, Signor Rossi announced that we would br stopping at a local vineyard for a wine tasting.

As we walked through the vineyard, cayo stayed by my side, explaining the different types of wine and grapes. We even had taste of some and it was amazing, no words could explain the sweetness of the wine, God!.

I listened, captivated by his knowledge and enthusiasm. At one point, we stopped at a beautiful spot overlooking the vineyard, and cayo turned to me with a smile.

" I'm glad we are getting to share beautiful memories and experience together, Luna" he said, his eyes sparkling with warmth.

I smiled back, feeling a connection with him that I couldn't ignore. " Me too, cayo," I replied, my heart racing with excitement.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we made our way back to the village on foot, arm in arm, the stars Begin to twinkle above us. I knew my experience now and memories am making with cayo, I would never forget in my life, till my very last breath.