Page 37 of Finding Love in the Clouds

Fernando once again watched the apprentice, then carefully rolled and shaped the glass, his hands trembling slightly under those of the old man as he used the tongs to pinch the bottom gently. The craftsman nodded approvingly. “Excellent. Now, let’s work on the neck. Use the tongs to pinch and pull gently, creating a narrow neck.”

“I’ll let you do that part if you don’t mind. I want this vase to look good when we finish,” Fernando chuckled.

“Not to worry. We will never allow an unattractive piece to leave our floor. We have very high standards. If it is not good when we finish, we simply melt it down and try again,” the craftsman replied but shaped the neck when Fernando held up his hands, refusing to reclaim the tongs.

“For the finishing touch, we will add the scalloped details you requested to the rim,” the craftsman said, handing Fernando a short and smooth metal rod to create the delicate edges. Fernando followed the instructions, angling the rod and gently pushing it down, creating a stunning, scalloped rim that added elegance to the vase.

As the vase cooled, the craftsman beamed with pride. “You’ve done a wonderful job, Fernando. This vase is a true work of art, a blend of tradition and your personal touch. Would you like gold or silver embellishments added? We can add a gold rim and a Venetian scene to help you remember your visit if you like,” Imperio offered.

“That sounds nice. Let’s do that,” Fernando agreed.

“Head out to the store, and we will have it all ready for you soon. Thank you for your visit today; it was nice working with you,” Imperio added with a small bow before walking away with the still-cooling vase in hand.

Soon, the finished vase appeared in a well-padded box. A fine gold ring rimmed the top and base, while an elegant scene of a Victorian-era couple strolling along a Venetian canal, a gondola nearby, and elaborate curlicues filling the surrounding dead space decorated the middle.

Sophie’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “It’s beautiful, Fernando.”

“I’m glad you like it; it’s for you,” he said, pressing the open box into her hands and kissing her cheek softly.

“Oh! It will be a cherished gift forever. Honestly, though, I think I will be too nervous to display it,” Sophie whispered, eyes glistening with emotion at the gesture.

“Well, leave it in the box if that makes you feel better. You can open it anytime and remember your trip to Italy. However, if you put it on the corner of your desk, I can’t imagine it getting broken there, and that way, I can add a few flowers to it every now and then. Just my two cents,” Fernando added with a shrug. “Now, which of these do you think will look good in the office?”

Sophie’s heart was still pounding from the generous gift as she switched gears into Personal Assistant mode and talked him through her thoughts on the office decor. She never noticed that the stunning chandelier she had been eyeing earlier was missing from its prominent display overhead.

With the vase complete, office purchases made, and preparations for all the fragile items to be shipped home, they left the Murano Glass store, their hearts light and spirits high.

Fernando and Sophie found a charming outdoor café nestled on the edge of St. Mark’s Square. As they settled into their seats, the afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the historic piazza, illuminating the intricate architecture of the surrounding buildings. The soft strains of a string quartet playing Vivaldi floated through the air, mingling with the gentle clink of cutlery and the distant cooing of pigeons. A gentle breeze wafted the tempting scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods from the café, adding to the relaxed ambiance.

They opted for a light meal, knowing that the evening held a culinary experience on the island of Burano. Sophie chose a crisp arugula salad sprinkled with slivers of Parmesan and drizzled with a tangy lemon-olive oil dressing. Beside her, Fernando enjoyed a plate of bruschetta, each slice of toasted bread topped with a vibrant mix ofdiced tomatoes, fresh basil, and a hint of garlic. They sipped on chilled sparkling water, the bubbles tickling their palates, as they savored the simplicity and freshness of their lunch. Relishing the moment, they watched the hustle and bustle of tourists exploring the square, their laughter and chatter adding layers to the rich tapestry of sounds in the heart of Venice. The light meal was perfect, leaving them satisfied yet eager for the delights of dinner with their tour group later in the evening.

Chapter Thirty-Five

After their delicious lunch, Fernando guided Sophie by the hand to one of Venice’s winding canals, which were interlaced throughout the city like veins. As they neared the water, a gondolier dressed in his traditional black and white striped shirt and sporting a straw hat adorned with a red ribbon welcomed them with a broad smile. “Buongiorno, my fair lovers. Climb on board and let me, Paolo, take you for an afternoon ride fit for Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.” His rich baritone voice was heavy with a Venetian accent. Sophie’s eyes lit up at the reference to one of her favorite love stories.

Settling into the plush red velvet seats of the gondola, they felt the gentle sway of the boat as the gondolier gracefully pushed off from the dock. With a skillful twist of his oar, he navigated through the serene waters, the sound of the lapping waves mixing with the soft serenade of ‘That’s Amore’ as he began singing in a voice fit for any well-respected opera house. As the song wove around them, Fernando turned to Sophie with a tender look in his eyes.

“Sophie, I haven’t been completely honest with you about why I agreed to this trip,” he began, his voice gentle, fingers tenderly stroking the back of her hand. His gaze was earnest but shy, avoiding hers as he gathered his thoughts.

“How so,” Sophie asked, not worried but curious. She had known this man long enough to know he didn’t have a mean bone in his body.

“This year’s BBC gathering didn’t have one pact but two,” he added, still not meeting her eyes.

“Two?” she inquired, noticing the shyness that had come over him and wondering at it.

“Julio challenged us to meet our greatest fear. The one that was holding us back from living life to its fullest, but Anthony challenged us to find our true life partner. To actively seek her out. To put the same determination that we put toward all our other endeavors into finding her. I made a joke of it, thinking it was impossible. Then Gabriel and I had an eye-opening chat. He said I was an idiot because the woman I needed was standing right in front of me. He also said, if I didn’t hurry up and see what a wonderful woman you were, I was going to lose the best thing that ever happened to me. That you loved me was obvious to everyone but me, and I needed to pull my head out of the clouds and open my eyes,” he continued, now locking eyes with hers with an intensity that made her heart flutter.

His voice was soft yet earnest, his delicious brown eyes gleaming with adoration. “Sophie, I’m a fool. Being with you these past days, totally removed from work and all of life’s distractions, has been a revelation. You’ve unknowingly become the most important part of my life,” Fernando confessed, his voice thick with emotion. “I don’t want to pretend anymore. I see the future we can have so clearly now, and it makes sense. More than that, it feels right. I never thought I would find a woman I could trust my heart to, but I already havewithout even realizing it. I couldn’t do this without you by my side. I wouldn’t want to. You’re right; I could never replace you. Will you be my lady, truly, not just for this trip but for whatever comes next?”

Sophie’s heart pounded so hard she was sure he could hear it or at least feel it where their hands were joined. This was her dream come true, but she had never expected it to happen. Not really. Now that it was, she wasn’t sure what to say. Oh, she loved this man wholeheartedly; there was no doubt about that. But… there was so much from her past he didn’t know. Things she hadn’t trusted him with,big things. Could she say yes with those secrets still unsaid? Was that fair? Would he resent her later for roping him into a relationship without being totally honest with him first? What if she finally told him, and then he changed his mind? She would understand; it was ahugecommitment. But then, how would they continue working together if they broke up and she was still in love with him, but he couldn’t be with her? The rejection would hurt. Not to mention, she needed this job. Losing it wouldn’t just jeopardize her future but the future of her entire family. She didn’t think he would fire her straight away, but could she show her face in the office when it got out she had a relationship with the boss like a worthless gold-digger? She would be forever labeled “The girl who slept her way to the top,” even though no bedroom sports would be involved in this relationship.

“Sophie, I can almost hear the wheels turning in your head. Talk to me. I didn’t think this was going to be a hard decision. What is on your mind?” he implored.

Fernando’s gentleness was almost her undoing. A tear trailed down her cheek before she could retrieve her hand from his to stop it. Instead, he leaned in and kissed it away. That did it. The floodgates opened, and she cried.

None of this was going as Fernando had planned. He thought this would be an epically romantic gesture, and they would always remember the beginning of their love story as their uber-romantic day in Venice, but now… he could feel the sobs wracking Sophie’s body, and it tore at his heart.

He carefully reached into his pocket and took out a wad of cash, having no idea how much was in it. He handed it over to the gondolier, whispering, “Keep it moving,” and received an understanding nod in return.

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