Chapter IX

I hop on on the fancy boat and rise an hand to wave at the masked man, then I head to the front of the boat and look ahead of me over the dark ripples... I feel quite light headed by everything that happened today and don't realize most of what happens around me.

When I finally realize that the boat has started moving I turn around and see that mysterious man still on the quay, he hasn't moved an inch yet

"Did I forget something? Was I rude? Oh I didn't even thank him, that must be why!"

I rush to the back of the boat and grab the handrail -What's your name?!- I shout, he rises his head looking kind of confused -Albert- he replies

-Thank you Sir Albert!- he smiles and waves with his hand as the boat I'm on drifts away...

...

The next day I get called for some tea with the ladies and young men of the area, some of them seems to want to chat with me about random gossip... People tend to believe I am the person who knows all the latest gossip, since I'm often attending parties and getting dragged away by the older men.

Well, it's their threat so why not?

I walk down the street while fixing some of the buttons on my arms when I spot Giacomo, he's currently busy flirting with a young boy in a tight waistcoat... He's showing off his flashy smile and completely hovering on the small boy who trebles and blushes at the same time, I shouldn't ruin their cheesy moment but that dude's gotta pay for abandoning me yesterday.

-Ehy you!- I yell and they both immediately turns to look at me, the young boy's dreamy eyes suddenly loose their shine and Giacomo's smile becomes very awkward as I draw closer

-You are such a... Argh I can't even find the words!- I slap him and he widens his eyes in shock -What was that for?!-

-Not only you dragged me at a party I didn't want to attend, but even left me alone! Do you have no shame Giacomo Casanova?- he laughs at my words -Never had much- he says while winking at the boy

-Anyway, allow me to introduce you two, this right here is my dear friend...- he passes an arm over my shoulders and faces the other one

-Young Master Angelo, it's a pleasures to meet you again- I push away his arm and greet the boy -Weren't you studying abroad?- I ask him

-Oh so you two already knew eachother... Nevermind- scoffs Giacomo

-Ah it's been a while indeed, I didn't recognize you at first... We both changed a lot I guess- he smiles tenderly -I just got back from London and I'm trying to find again all my old friends, I kind of lost contact with everyone. Just today they've invited me for tea but I don't know where this Lady resides, I was asking direction to this kind gentleman here...-

-Kind gentleman... Sure- I say giving a side eye to Giacomo -Well I happened to be on my way to that same event too, would you like to go together?- Angelo smiles and nods before sending a shy smile toward Giacomo -See you around then-

We start walking toward the address for the tea party -So, what were you studying in London again?- he blushes, creating a beautiful contrast with his very pale teal hair -Ah, mathematics. Actually I wasn't staying excatly in London... I started studying there at a very famous University but eventually had to move away for some troubles I had with the boys in the area-

-Really? I remember you being such a composed one when we were younger- Me and Angelo weren't excatly friends, he comes from a family of a higher status than mine since they are Viscounts. But we still got along well whenever we had a chance... He is a few years younger than me, and much more naive, so he used to follow me around at the parties and I would get scolded for leading him astray.

-Well, they started saying things about me... Things that in the United Kingdom aren't very accepted, so I had to go study far away in a smaller City. I discovered this hidden gem of a place, Durham! I really enjoyed my stay there, I had a very awesome math Professor too- he smiles -I wish I can visit again from time to time-

-I'm happy that it ended on a good note afterall- I smile to him with quite some envy in me -Did you graduate well?- he nods -Almost full grades! Now I can be of help with my father's job, we want to open a new business so I can be the one making all the calculations haha- he laughs softly -Maybe we'll even start trading with the Uk!-

-You really seems to have left your heart there uh?- I mock him -Indeed...- he blushes. Looking at him, it's clear what type of rumors they spread. He's very small and delicate, his beauty is one that can only be found in paintings and his body is even too harmonious for a man... He practically has it all. Beauty, health, money, intelligence and so on...

-But what about you?-

He catches me off guard with that question -Me? Oh well, nothing as amazing as a math degree in a foreign country or a big project coming soon... But I did open a little business of mine, with it I can help my sick mother. As you know we haven't been doing so well since my father passed away-

It's a small lie, not a big one, right? I do earn money in my own way and I get food, not always by buying it but I do manage to make us survive.

-Oh really? What's it about?- he ask with his round sapphiric eyes

-I'm kind of a consultant... I help people chosing their clothes or tell them how to act in some particular situations, for example when they want to propose or so...-

His pink mouth rounds -Oh, that sounds fun- No it doesn't! Don't lie to make me feel better... -About proposes, are you engaged yet? Since you're older than me-

I shake my head -I want to live freely, I know that marrying would help my family but that probably why I wan to avoid it as much as possible haha- I laugh out -Oh here we are! Shall we head inside?-

Thankfully we have arrived, the conversation was starting to make me look like a failure again... Not that once inside it will be much different, I didn't want Angelo to see me like thins first thing after coming back... But I guess it can't be helped, afterall I am the mad dog of the Venetian's Nobility.

-Sure, after you...-