I can’t risk trusting in love again.
Picking up his phone, he dialed a familiar number.
“Anthony, hey, how are you?”
“Good, Alex. What’s wrong?”
“Call the South American committee. Tell them I'll do the project.”
“Buddy, they will be thrilled to hear this, but I’m confused. Are you sure? I thought...”
“Yeah, I thought so too. Please just make the call.”
“If that’s what you want. I’m sorry, man. I’ll book your flight now. Remember, it’s for two months.”
“I know. Thanks, Anthony. And I can leave tonight.”
He hung up and took a deep breath before placing a call to his father and Sofia. Luckily, he caught them together in their father’s office.
Sofia put him on speaker when she answered.
“Hey. What’s going on? You sound terrible.”
“I decided to take that project in Argentina after all. I thought I would pass it up, but I think it's a good idea to take it. I’ve been waiting for it a long time and it’s an important one,” Alex said as he threw clothes into his duffel bag.
“Son, I’m surprised. You made it sound like you were staying. Something happened with Aria?” Leonardo asked.
“Things with Aria are complicated. I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but I need to give her the space she needs. I don’t think she’s in love with me, not like I am.”
Sofia answered. “Alex, she loves you. I’m sure of it. Give her whatever she needs, but don’t give up.”
“I’ll come by in a bit for a quick hug. Anthony is working on getting me a flight out this evening. And I’ll let you know where I’ll be after the project is over.”
“Alright, son. We will be here when you pass by. Love you,” Leonardo said as they hung up.
Packing his camera bag and backpack, Alex paused to look at the photograph of her.
“Goodbye, Aria.”
After stopping at Aura to see his family, Alex called Enzo and Adrian. He was on his way to the parking garage near the airport in Naples and explained to them on a merged call what had transpired.
“Adrian, sorry I didn’t have time to see you before you left, but maybe I’ll meet you in Portugal after this project ends.”
“Sounds great, man. I don’t know what to say about Aria. But we all saw how much you two cared for one another. Maybe it was just too much so soon. Don’t give up.”
“Yeah, you guys just reconnected after what, like twelve years? Then to fall so suddenly. It’s a lot for both of you,” Enzo added.
Alex drove the car with one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding up his head on the door.
“Corinna said the same thing, that Aria needs time. But I thought we were on the same page, ready to see what could be.”
“Go to Argentina and see this project through as planned. Take some time off with Adrian then come back. A lot can happen in a few months,” Enzo offered.
“I don’t know. I don’t think I can risk that again. She doesn’t love me. I asked her if she did, and she said she couldn’t say the words. You two know more than anyone how hard it was for me to trust again. And it wasn’t even a choice with her. I just did. No thought to what it could do to my own heart,” Alex answered, rubbing his forehead.
“We know, man. It was a leap but like I said, give her time,” Enzo said.
“I gave her everything, but it wasn’t enough. Listen, guys, thanks for understanding, for listening. I’ll be in touch.”
