Serene moment

"Are you kidding me?" He said, turning slightly to me, causing our cheeks to graze each other. I quickly faced forward, "Do I look like I'm the one laughing to you? And you said so yourself… I'm shameless." His steps paused, "You need to walk, and I need to catch my breath. The shoe shop is just right over there." He pointed. But it went in through one ear and out through the other.

"You just want me to keep carrying you, right?" he nudged me. "I'm just tired of walking, okay? And you are the one who brought me here." I finally said. "So it is my fault? How are you gonna pay me for this?" He asked.

I knew he was going to hound me for this. "Take it as a charity. Do it for the love of God." I said calmly. He threw his head back laughing and continued walking. While I bit my lower lip to stop myself from joining him. It was freaking natural and contagious.

We stopped by the shop, and he bought me flip-flops. Of course, I complained about the damn choice but ended up wearing them because the rest were heels. There was no way in hell I was wearing heels now. It was a nightmare! We headed to the bar that he'd mentioned, but instead of sitting for a drink, he said we needed to be somewhere else for it.

I didn't understand what he meant, but I never questioned him either. I wanted to build trust between us. So, I followed him blindly. Only when we arrived had I understood what he meant. I was soaked with sweat and panting, but it was worth the trek.

We both stood before the gate. I smiled at him and walked toward it. An Asian couple was down the stairs, taking pictures and videos. Kissing as they posed, laughing and all. The luxury that I knew I was never going to experience. My heart squeezed tight. I swallowed and shifted my pitying gaze from them.

The sun melted over Lake Como like shimmering gold, casting light through the ancient archway of the Gate of Heaven, as they called it. Adorned with green leaves at the crown and sides of it.

I stood there taking it in, my fingers brushing the stone frames. Worn smooth by centuries of wind and whispers of the lake.

I didn't believe in the serene moment more than when I was spending money on shopping, but something about this moment made me doubt that. If only I didn't get someone killed for the sin of loving him, then it would've been us here together.

Behind me, footsteps slowed. "They say this place is where heaven touches the earth." Said Carmelo. I turned to him, my scarf fluttering with the soft breeze. "It sure feels like it," I murmured, not able to contain my joy, and smiled at him.

He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "I've been to different places around Italy, but nothing has looked like this." He uttered. The Asian couple spared us smiles before walking away. Leaving the space to us. My smile widened, but my gaze slipped past him. To the lake, to the hills that looked too good to be true. "It's special. But some of us will never know what heaven looked like, I guess." I said and climbed down a few stairs before sitting down. Watching how the calm waves hit the bottom of the stairs.

He came and sat down as well, placing the bottle between us. "Yes, we won't," he uttered, making me look at him with slightly widened eyes. He chuckled at my reaction and opened the bottle. I took note that there were no glasses with us. Were we going to share a bottle? The revelation left me speechless even if we shared a glass before.

"You first." He handed it to me. I hesitated but eventually grabbed it and took a sip before handing it back to him, only for him to mirror my actions, and we did that again and again.

I looked away from him and faced the view again. Looking at him evoked some weird emotions that I couldn't put any meaning to. I was wondering how he was a different person since we got to Varenna.

He was unlike the annoying nocnhalant bastard that I knew. Shockingly, I liked it. Maybe it was the air of Varenna and its charm of relaxing someone with its marvelous views. And then he uttered something that shook me and made me question my entire existence for a second.

"What is the need for a heaven up above when heaven can be right beside you?" His gaze held mine as he spoke.