Tell Me You Like It [R19]

Chapter 3.2: An Unexpected Proposal

Cover

 ᴛʀᴀɴꜱʟᴀᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ ᴛᴇᴀᴍ: ᴅɪᴠɪɴᴇ

“Travel with me for the rest of the time.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t mean anything weird by it.”

He raised his hands up as if surrendering and acting harmless. His mouth was also gently curled up.

“I’ll lend you the insufficient travel expenses. If you go back to Korea, you’ll have to handle your lost items. Why don’t you hang out with me these two weeks instead? Traveling alone is boring, so you should be my companion.”

Anna felt that there was something strange. Why did Luciano say he was traveling alone? Didn’t she see him with his friends before…?

“Are you traveling alone?”

“Yes.”

“Didn’t you go on this trip with friends?”

“I first met Fabio and Marco at the hostel. We hung out because we’re all Italian, but they have a different route planned. Fabio and Marco are here on pilgrimage to Santiago, so they’ll be leaving tomorrow.”

The pilgrimage to Santiago meant Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, where the remains of Saint Jacob–one of the twelve apostles–was buried. There were many walking paths to Santiago, one of which was the Camino Frances.

“Oh… I thought Fabio and Marco were your friends.”

“Those two are friends that went on the Camino together. We’re in the same room so we hung out for a while today.”

Luciano drank up the half beer he had left. He winked at Anna’s empty glass.

“I’m going to have another drink. What about you?”

“Me too.”

The staff brought two more beers over and Luciano proposed a toast. Whilst puzzled, Anna bumped her glass against Luciano’s, ringing cheerfully.

Anna’s heart was pounding after hearing Luciano’s suggestion to be his travel companion. No, perhaps her heart was pounding long before that.

Throughout the conversation, Luciano’s blue eyes didn’t leave her. As they sat close enough to smell each other’s scent, her body was reflexively tense.

“Wouldn’t you be sad to go back as soon as you got to Madrid?”

“That’s true.”

“The place you were originally going to go was where I was going anyways, so let’s go together.”

She looked askance at him.

However, even if she stared into his blue eyes, Anna saw no darkness in it. His sea-blue eyes were clear and transparent.

She was grateful that he would go to the police station with her and buy beer for her, but she could take it as a favor or sympathy. However, this offer was a bit excessive.

“Why are you suggesting this? What will you do if I go back to Korea and disappear without paying you back?”

“You wouldn’t do that, Anna.”

“How long have we known each other for? How could you be so sure?”

“I don’t think someone who found someone else’s passport would lie.”

“Oh… Did you see that earlier?”

“Yes, I happened to be walking into the hostel.”

“I see.”

Anna stared at the white foam floating on her beer in agony for a moment. Luciano’s suggestion was really tempting, so much so that she didn’t want to say no. However, was it fine to spend two weeks with someone you met for the first time? Furthermore, they were going to lend her money at no cost… It was natural to be suspicious.

“Don’t think too much. Regardless of your answer, I’ll be renting a car and going around, and I was a little worried I’d be sleepy driving alone, so I thought it’d be nice to have someone to talk to.”

Luciano’s face, which had a Duchenne’s smile, looked nothing insidious. It was instead strangely fascinating and distracting, a smile that caught people’s eyes and kept them looking.

“It’s sad to go back to Korea like this, right, Anna?”

“That’s right. It’s very unfortunate.”

Anna nodded. She didn’t even want to imagine going back to Korea like this. Though two weeks was a short time, going back as soon as she got here… was really harsh.

“Don’t think of it too complexly. I’m not binding you to an agreement. If it’s not fun to travel with me, then we can go separately. I’ll lend you the money. If Anna doesn’t like it, well, I’ll stop here then.”

Luciano didn’t push it after saying so. He simply stared at her, drinking his beer.

There was no pressure from him, all that was left was her own choice.

Accept Luciano’s offer or go back?

Anna, who managed to forget her sadness at this unexpected offer, began to calmly ponder Luciano’s suggestion.

He didn’t look like a man who would harm a woman. No, in a sense, he didn’t look like the type to hurt a woman’s heart. He also didn’t seem like the type to intentionally do something bad. 

Anna recalled the expression and tone of the female receptionist earlier. The red-headed woman was kind, but remained strictly businesslike. However, when Luciano spoke to her, her attitude completely changed.

The receptionist answered Luciano with a different tone compared to when she spoke to Anna.

It was the same now. Women sitting at other tables kept glancing at Luciano, so much so that their gazes were stinging her. Anna had never received so much attention before and she’d never met a man like Luciano.

There was no way a man who attracted people’s attention by simply existing would show interest in herself, who was not of the same race or exceptionally pretty.

It was simply ridiculous to fly back right after coming here.

Since there was someone reaching out to help…

But could she really accept Luciano’s offer? It felt like she would be a nuisance. Wouldn’t it be very uncomfortable to travel with someone you barely knew? What if she became conscious of Luciano and didn’t know what to do?

She felt dizzy, perhaps because she was tired or because she was tense about the theft tonight. Two beers was enough for her to feel tipsy.

Anna was at a crossroads, hesitating over her decision. Meanwhile, Luciano ordered more beer and the waiter brought over two more bottles.

“One more drink?”

“Thank you.”

Anna took a glass full of golden liquid and drank it down. Luciano’s blue eyes darkened as he watched Anna drink beer like water.

“By the way, didn’t Luciano make any reservations?”

“I didn’t since I like to move freely too. That’s why I’m going to rent a car.”

“I see.”

“I purposefully didn’t make any reservations. If there’s a place I like, then I’d like to stay for a few extra days and spend time leisurely.”

Anna was surprised by Luciano’s answer. It was like he was looking inside her, speaking her thoughts. Even though their language, culture, and living environment was different, the way they traveled was the same.

No matter how hard she thought about it, there was only one real choice in the end. It was necessary to be wary of candy given by strangers in a foreign land, and no matter how sweet or enticing it looked, you have to refuse.

Borrowing money from a stranger… was impossible.

Having made up her mind, Anna answered Luciano.

“How can I send the money after I go back to Korea?”

Anna was surprised by the words that came out of her mouth, running contrary to the decision in her head. It was a mistake. It was an obvious mistake and she had to correct it, but her lips didn’t want to follow the orders given by her brain. 

She didn’t want to go back now. She didn’t want to go back without seeing anything. Saying those words aloud felt good, really good.

With her suitcase and money lost, Anna had nothing else to lose. If she went back early, she would lose the opportunity to travel, and it felt silly to miss the chance to spend time with someone like Luciano.

Luciano grinned at her question. 

Strangely, her heart trembled at the sight of that smile. Like something invisible was flipping in her chest, Anna raised her hand and gently pressed against her stomach. 

Was she drunk on three glasses of beer? Her drinking capacity wasn’t bad, but now it felt like she had downed a whole casket of soju. 

Did she feel this carefree because she had lost everything else?

The time spent with someone this attractive would definitely be an unforgettable memory after she returned to Korea. She didn’t have the ability to see the future, but the moment she saw Luciano’s picturesque smile, she was sure the next two weeks would be fun.

“I’ll give you my account number. It’ll be easy if you use PayPal.”

PayPal was famous for its transfer services. It was a name Anna had heard of but never used before.

Now, Anna’s earlier sad face was blooming brightly like a rose. Luciano was distracted by the noticeable change.

What he wanted to see was this face. He wanted to see Anna shining with joy, not with sadness. A corner of his heart was filled with inexplicable pride.

She looked prettier when she smiled than when she cried. I hope she continues to smile like this.

“It’s pretty.”

He said something from his heart aloud without realizing it, unable to endure hiding it.

“What?”

Her eyes which had been curved into crescents widened at the sudden compliment. The change was unbelievably cute.

“Anna’s much prettier when she smiles than when she cries.”

“Oh… thank you.”

She stuttered as her face turned red.

From the first time he saw Anna, there was something about her that caught his attention.

There were no blemishes on the clear skin that glowed like silk. Pure and transparent eyes that shone when she smiled, eyes bending into crescent moons floating in the night sky. Her black eyes that revealed all her emotions were like high-quality black pearls.

He didn’t know why, but he wanted to see her smile more, curious as to what kind of person she was… so he wanted to find out. That’s why he offered to travel together.

“Well, actually… there’s a problem.”

Face still flushed, Anna hesitated before speaking out.

“What is it? Feel free to tell me. I’ll help as much as I can.”

He encouraged her to confide in him. Whatever the problem was, he wanted to help her.

“I think I can only pay back the money after a couple months in Korea.”

In fact, she had spent all of her savings on this trip. After exchanging all of her money into euros to facilitate her travels, she didn’t have much left in her account.

“You can take your time, it’s not urgent.”

“Hm, are you sure you’re going to be alright?”

“What?”

“If you want, you can take a picture of my passport. And I’ll give you my address and phone number! And my work address.”

The corners of Luciano’s lips rose at Anna’s words. It was a relaxed smile that made others feel comfortable.

“Sure, if that’ll help Anna feel at ease.”

The money he said he’d lend was just a small sum for Luciano, but Anna didn’t know. It was normal to not think so since they were staying in the cheapest hostel in the cheapest dorm.

“Thank you.”

“I think the trip will be fun thanks to Anna. I won’t be as lonely as when I’m alone, and we can take pictures of each other.”

Their gazes met and they both laughed.

Luciano had a point. She was excited all day as she explored the museum and walked through the streets, taking photos with a selfie stick. However, there were times when she felt lonely. Perhaps that was why she was overjoyed at Luciano’s invite to go clubbing together.

“How many days did Anna reserve at the hostel?”

“Three days in total. I’m going to check out tomorrow.”

“That’s great, same for me.”

“Well, what should we do tomorrow?”

“Why don’t you check out first and head to Segovia? Jim’s in the hostel, ah… right. I don’t have any luggage.”

Anna, who was making plans to leave her suitcase in the hostel, paused. Everything was stolen earlier, but all of this had made her forget even that.

“It’s late, so why don’t we wake up later, buy what you need, and then go to Segovia for lunch? I think it’d be nice to go to Toledo right after eating some local food and looking around. If I check out, I should be able to put all of my luggage in the rental car tomorrow and move places.”

Segovia and Toledo were smaller towns near Madrid, just a day’s drive away.

“That’s a good plan.”

“Well then, shall we go to bed?”

They shared the same dorm but would sleep in their own beds. However, Anna couldn’t help the strange thoughts that came to mind. Was it because they were going to spend the next two weeks together?

Or did she drink her three glasses of beer too fast and get drunk? Anna shook her head to get rid of her strange delusions.

Luciano waved the waiter over to pay the bill and they came over.

“Do you need anything else?”

“Just the bill.”

“Yes, one moment please.”

The laugh of the male waiter was strange. After a while, he brought over a white receipt in a brown earthenware bowl the size of a palm. It was then that Luciano, who was about to put money including tips in, paused.

“What?”

There were two squares under the receipt. When Luciano picked up the receipt, what lay beneath it appeared.

The waiter who was laughing mischievously brought two condoms along with the receipt. Anna blushed when she saw it. Luciano’s words to go to bed sounded strange, but they had totally missed the point.

“I-I think you got the wrong idea!”

Anna was very embarrassed in contrast to Luciano, who looked slightly amused. She had read many reviews before coming to Spain, but never had she heard of a bar giving condoms as a service.

“Would you like to take it with you?”

“H-Huh…?”

“When will you get a condom from a bar ever again? It can be a commemorative token of your trip. You can bring it back to Korea and laugh about it with your friends and coworkers.”

Luciano burst out laughing and picked up the two condoms, placing them in Anna’s hands.

“Oh, no… I…”

She meant to say that she didn’t want it, but the words didn’t come out of her mouth properly. The condom Luciano put in her hand fell to the floor.

Laughing off her embarrassment, Luciano got up from his seat and went out wearing the coat he had hung on the chair as if nothing had happened. Anna had no choice but to hurry and follow.

The sound of the chair pushing back scratched Anna’s ears. No one said anything, but she tucked the condoms into her winter jacket pocket.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

Anna was too embarrassed to look at Luciano’s face, so she avoided looking at him. Her face burned all the way back to the hostel, and she went back the whole way without glancing at him.