Ch. 4
I slept the sleep of the dead, it felt like. But the bright light entering my shut eyes, and the feeling of the cool early morning breeze hit my skin, and my eyes fluttered open once more. Who gets up this early? What time is it? I asked myself. I looked around the room briefly, but did not spot any sort of clock. I did spot, however, some movement near one of the windows. It was Ezio.
"Good morning, Alessandra. I trust you had a good night's sleep?" A small smile crept on his face.
"Yes. I feel much better this morning." I rubbed my eyes sleepily.
"I am glad to hear it." Ezio walked over to my bed, and took my right hand and kissed it softly. The feeling of burning cheeks returned, just like last night.
"You're quite the gentleman, Ezio. I'm really surprised you're here with me right now, instead of..." I paused for a moment, trying to be careful with my words.
"Instead of what?" He inquired.
"Ah... well, you're just so good looking, I bet all the other women would just die to even spend a minute with you." This made Ezio initially start chuckling, but ended up in full fledged laughter.
"The women here, they are like fine wines, yes. You, you are like a wine from a hidden vineyard. Delicious and mysterious. Dare I say, a little like me. I mean, the mysterious side. I'm not sure if I could be labeled as 'delicious', really." I bit my lip when he said that, not wanting to burst out with a rather obscene (or what could be seen as obscene then) comment.
"You're way too sweet, Ezio." I chuckled and gave him a big smile. My attention was soon diverted from the handsome Italian, to a knock at the front door.
"Oh, that must be the tailor. I will show her to you, and we shall soon be experiencing the wonders of Venice! I will tell her to make you the most gorgeous dress that she can, it is only fitting for a woman of your beauty." He gently kissed my hand again, and went to answer the door. When he left, I burst out in a small giggle, feeling genuinely happy for what seemed to be the first time. Why didn't I feel like this with Issac? I wondered.
In the midst of my thoughts, I heard a bright, cheery voice. "Hello, miss! I am here to take your measurements, and then, I shall make you a very fine dress! Come, come, out of bed, you sleepy girl, and remove your nightgown so I can make accurate measurements!" The tailor seemed to dance about the room, putting cloth and thread and measuring tape all over the room.
"Please, call me Alessandra," I said, as I slowly wiggled my way out of the bed, and started removing my jammies. "I really appreciate this. I bet you make very beautiful clothes!" I folded my pants, and my shirt, and put them on the bed, and moved toward the tailor.
"It was no trouble at all, miss Alessandra. The pleasure is all mine. Mister Auditore is a very nice young man. And from such nobility of the Firenze's..."
I stood there and listened to the old tailor speak of Ezio. I forgot, he comes from a noble family, I recalled. When the tailor asked me to move, I did so, and tried to think of a good question for her, to determine Ezio's personality.
"So, does Ezi...I mean, Mister Auditore, do this often? I mean, pay for new dresses for women?" The tailor marked off a few notches on her measuring tape and continued, but shook her head. "No, he does not. He is a very decent and well mannered young man, very bold and adventurous though. While he does flirt with the young ladies, he does not go out of his way to spend an extravagant amount on any one or thing, just for a lost woman with a missing dress. No offense to you, dear." I shook my head. "None taken...So, this is sort of unexpected for Ezio?" I arched an eyebrow. The old woman nodded. "It seems that he shows some fancy toward you, miss Alessandra. You are blessed, indeed. Having a noble man such as he, to show interest in you." She nodded to herself, and finally finished measuring all the areas needed; bust, waist, hips, height.
"I am done measuring now. However, we are not quite done. I have brought some cloth I would like to compare, to see what would look best on you. Stand still." The tailor rummaged about the room grabbing all her swatches of cloth. In what felt like hours, we had spent discussing cloth, color and type of dress. I felt the familiar pang of hunger hit me and I nearly fell.
"Oh, miss Alessandra! Are you all right? Do you need me to get Mister Ezio?" She rushed toward me, worried.
"No, no, I'm fine...I just need some food. I haven't eaten...in... I forgot how long it's been." I sat back down on the bed. "I think we've discussed enough for now... do you have an idea of what kind would look best for me? I don't mean to rush or anything."
The woman smiled and nodded. "Yes, I believe I have. It will compliment your features magnificently! I will take my things and leave for now, and I will return when I am nearly finished, to make sure it fits just right, which should be in a day or two. So please be patient with me."
"I will, thank you very much, ma'am." As she left, I put my jammies back on. I did not want Ezio to see me in my underwear. How scandalous, considering the era I'm apparently in, I silently mouthed to myself.
I finished 'dressing', to the extent that I could, and looked out the closest window. The sun was shining brightly on men and women in the streets. They were talking and laughing, mostly going about their business. So, am I really stuck here? How did I end up here? The biggest thought in my head, however, was the thought of Ezio. Why is he attracted to me? I'm not that great looking.
"You know, when you look out the window like that, you look like you could be a damsel in a painting." I nearly jumped, and then I realized Ezio had snuck into the room while I was looking out the window.
"Oh God, Ezio! You nearly scared the pants off me! I didn't even hear you!" I playfully smacked his shoulder, and stuck my tongue out at him. As I tried to retract my hand after the smack, he quickly grabbed my wrist, and spun me around, so that he was right behind me. A slight giggle escaped my lips. I could feel him so close to me, his head was so near my neck. I bit my lip, as he gently sniffed at my neck and gave it a soft kiss. I could feel the burning rise to my cheeks again, and then...Urgle gurgle....
"Oh, no," I said, and covered my face with my palm.
"Alessandra, when was the last time you ate?" He lowered my arm, and turned me to look at him.
"I couldn't really tell you. But I am very hungry." He frowned at me.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier? I will go out and get some bread and some meat. Please don't leave the house. Not yet, at least." He gave me a small hug, and a quick peck on my forehead, and hurried out of the room.