Chapter 11 Clichéd gifts

11. Clichéd gifts

Before he left, Nina explained to him that it was his tenth day of the trip and he needed to rest more, to sleep late, to walk when he wanted, without commitment. And she needed to be free. For a Taurus that is the sign best known for being jealous and possessive, this was not at all pleasant to hear. Although many say that horoscopes are just superstitions. "Why didn't she consider doing all these things together with him? - he thought as he got ready to leave. Taurus likes everything that is theirs just within reach. While Aries is pure freedom of spirit!

She also explained that the fact that he could not 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, theater, dance "shows" and to walk around the city on scooters, bicycles, or on foot, but she was afraid that something would happen and everything would go wrong. A simple walk he took in the streets was printed all over the social networks, posted and replicated by thousands of fan pages, and some publications had a huge repercussion. And Nina, despite being an impulsive Aryan, knew that if something went wrong, it would be her life being exposed and turned upside down in the media. She never approached him thinking that she would live a Cinderella's tale, she was already convinced that it was just a "summer romance", in this case, winter, that she would try to enjoy as much as possible without being dazzled. Arians are stubborn! But what Nina didn't know was that Taureans were even more stubborn. Super inflexible! Once a Taurus was convinced of a goal, it was very difficult to change his mind.

Like the whole world, Nina had heard of him as an artist, she was not a fan, she didn't follow his career, but she had watched some movies he had made, after all, who hadn't? When Nina met him on the dating apps, he was an ordinary person, Richard, just Richard, she liked that faceless personality and if she hadn't deleted the page, maybe they would have enjoyed chatting on the app and maybe even met in person. If only she wasn't so fearful and suspicious!

Women of all nationalities were devoted to him. Except for Nina. Not because she was special or that there was anything 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 artist with such fervor. None at all. But of one thing she knew, that all these artists had their lives exposed, torn apart, tossed like dice back and forth in the world of controversy.

On opening day at the nightclub where they met, she had no way to connect the person on the app to the David Nichols character, because he had no pictures on the site, not even when she saw him standing in front of her did she recognize him as a superstar. But he recognized her out of thousands of people in that place. He saw her pictures on the app for days and recognized her by watching her dance in the crowd. - What I am getting at is that even if there was no app at all, fate or not, the two of them would find a way to meet.

Nina returns to the spa bringing with her some shopping bags. She shows him the pictures she took, always commenting that he would have hated the ride, telling him the details of the free markets, the lines they faced as mere mortals, replicating the lines of Kara and Lyon. To what to David's ears sounded like the perfect ride. It made him sad, but she didn't understand. She thought he had it all and could do it all. As if he was an unattainable God, she treated him as if he had no feelings, insecurities, or any kind of weakness.

Dinner time came at the spa restaurant. David courted her, and the two of them talked a lot about many different subjects, about their views on politics, money, "aliens", cooking, animals, and marriage. He laughed most of the time listening to the extraordinary philosophies she had to tell. After much wine and sangria, Nina took advantage of David's leaving the table to go to the bathroom and withdrew a small box wrapped in blinding blue paper from her purse. She hid the box under the table on her legs and began to look at him differently when he returned and sat down in his seat. The very second he looked at her he immediately realized that there was something in the air.

- What are you up to?

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

- You won't talk, will you? Then I'll have to make you. - he joked, holding out one of her hands as she held out her other hand with the gift-wrapped box, saying:

- For all the gifts I never gave to any man...

- Wow! - He said in surprise receiving the box. - A gift? For me?

- Yes. A "lembrancinha", as we say in Brazil.

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

- Oh come on, open up! Cut the crap, Rich.

David looked at the box very carefully. He was very curious and intrigued.

- Don't worry, it's not an engagement ring, I'm not asking you to marry me. You can wipe that wrinkle off your forehead. - Nina said, laughing.

David opened the box and inside it was a black leather bracelet intertwined with a compass on the end forming a white gold lock with gold and silver with a magnet effect. A ring in the same style as the bracelet and a leather necklace with a round pendant. All three objects in the kit had the same characteristics. They were Viking amulets containing rune scriptures and symbols. They were personalized jewelry made for him. David got shocked when he saw them, he really liked the three gifts. He wore them immediately.

- Thank you very much, Nina. I really like it very much.

- I had them made for you. Something that reminds me of Norway. The place where I intend to live the rest of my days. Do you know what these Viking-era amulets are?

Nina began to explain the history behind these symbols and David was amazed.

- I don't have anything for you. - he said.

- It's not a trade, Rich. And speaking of trading, you can trade, of course. They are jewels with a guarantee.

- Of course, I won't do it. You shouldn't have... - Nina interrupted him before he could talk about money and ruin the moment.

- Then I will also be able to buy a gift for you.

- To reciprocate?

- No. So that you will also make something special with you that will remind you of me.

- Even for all the rich Arab shakes, I won't forget you one day, not one day. - Nina hummed softly to him the line from the Djavan song "Nem um dia".

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 enchanted 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 at all...

- Careful with those words! - they both laughed, "I want you to take me to a dangerous place.

- Now?

- Yes.

David closed the bill at the restaurant, asked someone from the place to take his things to his room, and left dragging Nina through the spa. She was so excited that you could feel her blood bubbling in her veins.

They looked like two kids about to get into mischief. They entered the private spa pool, the lights were off, no one was there. He turned on only the lights in the water and they devoured each other at the edge of the pool, then ran to the yoga mat, and proceeded to the massage room. He kept her phrases running through his mind, "Live life!" "Don't regret it." He undressed her. He laid her down on the gurney and covered her with all those aromatic oils that were there. She felt every touch of his firm hands running through her. He asked her if she was enjoying it every time his fingers invaded her, and to speak she said yes, that she was enjoying it very much. He did it on purpose, just to see her without any control of her emotions.

Then he poured as much oil as he could on that synthetic couch, and the two of them owned each other for a few more hours. It was dawn by the time they returned to their quarters all licked from head to toe, took a hot, long, fun shower together, and slept after loving each other again. The narrow thickness of Nina's vaginal walls was getting him addicted to penetrating her. Just thinking about the sensation already made him feel like he was inside her again.

They slept embracing. They woke up embracing. When they opened their eyes they both wanted to start the sex again 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, they were like animals mating. Between many ardent sighs under the covers, after much cuddling in bed and many spontaneous laughs, the two finally decided to get up. Nina wanted to walk around the stores in the surrounding area, and David was frustrated that he couldn't accompany her.

- I know it's boring, David. I feel sorry for you in these situations because you live in a prison of sorts.

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

- David... I'm in Italy, it's Italy... of course, I want to buy make-up, shoes, bags, and clothes. It's Monday. At least the ones I can afford, you know, I actually like the open market, like in Spain. It's a poor man's thing, you'll never understand! Even if you weren't rich and famous, you are European, you will never know the pleasure of buying in quantity... Nina always talked on and on when she was nervous and without solid arguments...

- Actually, I can go wherever I want. Don't you see my Instagram? I post videos and pictures walking in the street with my dog, participate in normal events, and many other things.

- No, I haven't seen your social networks. I even understand that nobody recognized you. Who is going to go around looking at a guy on the street and thinking he is David Nichols? Just like that? I myself didn't connect you to the character when I saw you, even though you are tall, robust, broad, big... "Uffa meg"! As we say in Norway... But the point is, who can guarantee that they won't recognize you today? And what can happen? My life and the lives of my friends will go to hell.

- It is not like that, Nina...

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

David looked at her with a smile squeezing his eyes.

Nina was ready to leave when she looked at David on the armchair in the bedroom, she wasn't sure if he was really upset or if he was just playing a charm. It was still 10 a.m.

- David. Oh, come on! What man likes to spend the day walking from store to store with a woman? Not one! Not even the madam's security guards. These things we see in movies are all clichés... Men don't like to be on their feet looking at every accessory, every minute thing that women try on and most of the time don't like, only to go back to the first store after trying on a thousand other things... Besides, I'm going to meet my friends.

- And you are going to spend the whole day out again?

- I don't know how long I will be out. I will look at jewelry, underwear, one or two dresses, perfume from Swarovski, and I have to find my favorite perfume from Carolina Herrera's VIP rose just a few things. Maybe stop for street food... - David twisted his lip while Nina chattered.

- If you don't want to stay here waiting for me, I understand. If you have other plans, if you want to be alone, I don't know... You don't talk... 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, a gentle boyish smile, that patient and sweet voice, at the same time thick and very beautiful. He was driving any woman crazy! But Nina stood firm. He held her in his hands, kissed her shoulder, her cheek, and then her forehead.

- You don't have to be as insecure as I am. Like you're being a burden like you're bothering me. You are here because I want you to be here. Nina turned to him and immediately corrected herself:

- No. I'm here because we both want to be here.

- Yes, so stop justifying yourself. Stop finding things.

- All right, fine. I'll try.

- And one more thing. I'm coming with you. I want to walk around with you, do all the things you said you came here to do. We'll go see people, spend the day out. And don't look at me like that. All the press in Italy thinks that I have already returned to my country days ago after the premiere party for the film.

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

- David, please stay. I don't have much money, and you're probably used to going to other kinds of designer stores. And you know, we won't be together anyway, let's not give them any reason to publish my name and my friends' names linked to yours during this short stay in Rome.

- I'll ignore the part about you talking about this media issue again. As for the boutique problem, we can solve it with a phone call...

- No. Really, I don't want to go into boring stores, with boring people, fawning over you for who you are... I don't want to choose clothes that will please you more than me because you are the one paying for them. I don't want to have to tell you that horrible clothes are beautiful, just because the salesman in the boutique is inflating his own ball... I'm going to walk around, it's another world than yours. While Nina kept explaining herself, David was ready, shoes and jacket on, standing in the doorway waiting for her.

- This is exactly what I want to see in the countries I travel to. I want to experience the real culture of the natives. I will go with you to these places with no problem. To see the real Italy...it will be nice, Nina, relax!

- Oh my God! Why did you have to be so stubborn? Then let's go, whatever God wants.

Nina spoke as she put a cap on both of them. She pinned all her straight, long, blonde hair inside the cap. She looked like a man.

- Wow, what an exaggeration, huh! It's almost a disguise. All that's missing are the sunglasses. - David mocked her nervousness, while she made him put on hooded sweatshirts and actually handed him the glasses.

When Nina called her friends about the change of plans and explained how they should dress to avoid attracting attention, she didn't imagine that Kara would be wearing her most colorful and gaudy sweatshirt in her closet. Lyon as always was discreet. The four of them hooded and capped, Nina and David wearing gray, Lyon in black, and Kara in bright pink. They looked like a gang. They were attracting much more attention dressed like that walking together than if David was showing his face normally... There were always two security guards around, disguised, David didn't want Nina to freak out, but they had an escape plan.

They got in the security guards' car and went to the places where Nina wanted to go. They rode their scooters, took pictures all over the city, and went to a very famous fair, with many stalls, and many clothes of all kinds. Nina couldn't relax for a minute. All the Italian people were gathered there. They were real natives. Ordinary people going about their ordinary, everyday lives in Rome. He seemed super relaxed, looking at the clothes, looking at everything around him. He was enjoying listening to the older people speaking Italian. He was a real tourist "touristing", as she put it.

- No, this shirt can't possibly cost 10 Euros. It's a designer shirt! said David, making fun of Nina. How about I buy this shirt to wear to our dinner party tonight? he continued. Nina smiled slightly at the corner of her mouth. Her heart was racing, all she could think about was what would happen if people recognized him and started attacking him in the middle of a busy fair, what would she do?

- Here, David, it's either outlet or semi-used clothes... They are not fakes. Have you never heard of the huge fairs in Spain? Wow, what kind of world do you live in?

David asked how much the shirt cost and the old lady who was selling it at the stall informed him that only cash was accepted. Nina immediately paid the saleswoman. David was an English gentleman, he would never accept her paying anything for him during their stay together on that trip. But she didn't even think about retorting right 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 moment. So the two of them moved on.

Now and then Nina commented that she couldn't believe they were doing so many clichéd things on those days of dates. It was already Wednesday. And he always gave her a double-entendre reply, which seemed like he was agreeing with her, but meant something quite different. There are many such expressions in British English. In one of these dialogues, he turned around and asked her: - What do you want to be doing then? Parachuting? Riding in a balloon? Swimming with sharks? And she just shook her head and said yes:

- That's right!

So the four of them spent another day wandering around the city. David could not see a cozy café and immediately wanted to sit down. They rode sparkesykkel (electronic scooters), bicycles, went to the amusement park, and ate street food wherever they went. And later in the afternoon, they went to the theater and the movies. He had arranged everything the moment she had said she would really like to do these things on her vacation. Nina was loving it all! She looked like an adult who had never had a childhood. She wanted to try everything, she was happy with everything. He was more withdrawn, calmer, and not because of this would stop appreciating the moments and the places as much as she did.

- Let's do one last cliché thing to end this day? - he proposed to her.

She opened a huge smile and asked what it was.

- I'm going to win you a bear right there on that machine. Nina's eyes sparkled, she knew that the two of them were trying everything together these days to escape the boredom, to have something to do, and they were taking it all in stride, although even though it was the height of romance, neither of them were paying attention to it.

David handed her a brown bear with a red bow around its neck. Nina almost melted. - I said almost, because she pulled herself together, puffed out her chest, put her feet down, and pretended she didn't want to cry at that moment. She just received the prize, thanked me and said:

- I'll keep it forever!

As luck would have it, nothing happened. Luckily, Nina wanted to go to places where there were only "Italian kids", older people who were not giving a damn about any movie. And as for the amusement park, David had already arranged everything for the group to get on the rides without any fuss. Nothing that money couldn't fix.

They went up and down the rides of the park, and David was already leading them far away from the hustle and bustle. They didn't even notice the security guards' scheme behind that ride. In the theater and cinema, the scheme was the same as in the opera. No one saw them go in or out. These last days of Nina's vacation had been some of the best for her and her friends! Kara and Lyon had won David's heart with their spontaneity, charisma, and outgoing manner. David dropped them off at the hotel after a full day of sightseeing. They were happiness itself.

Arriving exhausted back at the hotel, Nina was afraid to go to sleep, because when she woke up it would be her last day with him. Lying in bed facing each other Nina tried to hide these thoughts. She had already accepted from the start that it was impossible to think that they would have anything more than those days. So she got up and went out onto the balcony, unable to calm her restless thoughts. He was watching her. She stood there for a while, looking at the sky, looking at the stars, and he came to her. He came up behind her, smelling her hair, hugging her from behind. She tried to free herself from his arms to get back into bed, but he held her in that position.

- What are you thinking, here alone on the balcony?

- Nothing much. Just the perfection of this day... Never mind. And she tried to leave again, he quickly turned her around and tried to kiss her, but she turned her face away. He sighed deeply:

- Please!

- No David, I don't want to. Don't ask me.

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

- Exactly. Why ruin it like that at the end of the day? If you know I don't want it, why insist?

- Just give me a reason and I promise I won't beg for anything else you won't gladly give me.

- That tone... No need to get angry. I'll say it. I've always been disgusted by kisses. Ever since I was a teenager. For me, a kiss is more than an exchange of saliva or an exchange of bacteria. It is more than horny, more than physical. I never kiss anyone. I have to love a person with all my body, soul, and heart to feel pleasure in kissing them.

- And this never happened? You have never loved anyone?

Nina was silent.

- You know your silence is annoying! You don't want to kiss me because you don't love me? "Bullshit!"

- I have never said "I love you" to any man in the world.

David went back into the bedroom angry with Nina. He thought she was making up reasons for them to fight. He just wanted her to give herself up completely. But she didn't do it on purpose. She couldn't pretend to be perfect, nice, and robotic-like to the women he was used to relating to. She was not an actress. So Nina continued for a long time on the balcony taking in the fresh air, looking at the sky and the stars. She knew that the reason they quarreled now and then was because the end of their romance was drawing near. So 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 away.

- Good night, Rich. Sleep well.

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

- Are you crying?

- No. Are you sad?

- Are you sad?

- No.

- Let's not go to sleep fighting. Come here, Nina.

David was also feeling the end of this adventure. They stood there smoothing each other 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 said to herself: "I won't cry! I swear to myself that I won't cry!" Then she lifted her head, gave a smile, looked him in the eye, and said:

- The reason I don't want to kiss you is because of fear. Fear of loving you more than I can bear myself. I don't want to love you. I don't want to submit myself to such suffering. I know it all ends tomorrow. And so far I've managed to have some kind of control. I will cry, I will suffer, but I keep in mind that it will pass.

Is- Will kissing me change all this?

- Psychologically, yes. Not kissing you is like not having given yourself completely, completely over. I know that if I kiss you I will fall in love.

- And you still aren't? - he asked, smiling.

- Shall we 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 people are cold. They don't show much affection in public. And as for Brazilian women, what the stereotypes say is that they are clingy, 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 many aspects. Nina and David were proof of this. Nina was averse to displays of affection and David missed that about her.

She lay down next to his hairy chest and lay there quietly smoothing him until she fell asleep. He too fell asleep with her touch caressing his skin. They both slept deeply, feeling and listening to each other's breathing. Then suddenly they heard several knocks on the hotel room door.

David got up still sleepy and went to open the door. He had a great fright when he saw his agents entering his quarters.