A Chance Encounter

Chapter 7

"What do you need me to do?"

"You know what you have to do. Get close, get to the laptop, and get the information"

"…"

"Are you listening?! We have a job to do. Have you no respect for the family?"

"What! Of course I do"

"Then get it done."

"Of course. Addio."

"Addio"


Feliciano smiled warmly as he walked towards the table, carrying two plates of steaming pasta, and placed them down on the table in front of the waiting customers.

"Buon appetito! Can I get you anything else?" he asked cheerily, as the customers shook their heads and thanked him. He hummed a quiet song as he left the table and started to walk back to the counter, ready to get the next lot of food waiting to be served. He had been home for over a week now and had quickly started working in the family run business. He enjoyed working in the café alongside his family. The café was always busy and he found that even though there wasn't much opportunity to relax, he thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with all the different people, flirting with the pretty girls that came in, giggling at his charms and taking in all the glorious scents of the food being cooked in the kitchens. It was something he always missed, when he was on his travels, he tried not to think of home much when he was away. In fact the only time he could remember he had even mentioned it was when he had met up with Ludwig in Paris. He let his mind flit to the tall blond for a moment as he walked; he couldn't help but wonder what he was doing. Probably in a meeting knowing Ludwig, he was always so busy with his work. He travelled a lot, much like Feliciano, and he knew that the stoic German was currently in Italy as business, Feliciano wondered if he ever got lonely being away from home so much. Lost in his thoughts, he barely noticed Lovino passing next to him, napkins in one hand and carrying a tray of drinks with the other, and almost walked straight into him.

"Watch it idiota!" Lovino yelled as he steadied the tray in his hand, glaring at Feliciano. He rubbed the back of his head and grinned nervously, staring at his brothers annoyed scowl.

"S-Sorry, Fratello" He stuttered reaching out and taking the napkins from Lovino and followed him to the table and handed out the napkins to the customers when they had reached it. Lovino placed a well-rehearsed smile upon his face as he handed the drinks out to the customers. He glanced around the café, noticing that Romulus was seated in the far corner, deep in conversation with a blonde man that sat with him. He had been at the table for some time, and the Italian couldn't help but he curious, however he had told Lovino that he was not to be disturbed when he was discussing business with his 'friend' earlier that day. Romulus caught his eye and nodded towards him; Lovino turned his gaze back to the table before him.

"We will bring your food straight over for you" he said as he tapped Feliciano's arm, motioning him to follow. They both walked to the kitchens and picked up awaiting the meals; taking two plates each and served them to the customers. Lovino walked back behind the counter and picked up two cups, placing them on the side as he made coffees for himself and Feliciano, being sure to add extra sugar for him. He looked up to see his brother, cleaning an empty table and wiping it down with a cloth.

"Come on, idiota." Lovino called over, as he carried the drinks, walking towards the front of the café, to go to the outside seating area. Feliciano smiled and followed him outside, taking a seat next to him and picked up the coffee, taking a small sip savouring the sweet taste and smiling gratefully.

It was another beautiful day, and the streets were busy with chattering people, enjoying the sunshine. Feliciano watched as two young children ran past, kicking a football between them giggling as they played. He couldn't help but smile as he remembered when he and his brother were younger; they would spend hours playing in the very same street passing away the time until they were called inside for their dinner.

Feliciano looked back toward his brother, watching as he pulled a cigarette out of a small silver tin and put it in his mouth, lighting it. He shook his head at him and took another sip of his coffee. He had started the habit back when he was in college, much to their grandfather's displeasure, even though he also smoked. His brother and grandfather always seemed to be in some sort of argument, as the boys had grown up, Lovino often accusing Romulus of favouring Feliciano over him, and he wondered if Lovino had taken up the habit to gain his attention or simply to annoy him. He let out a soft sigh and Lovino turned his brown eyes to stare at him, blowing a plume of smoke into the air, and tapping off the cigarette ash onto the stone floor.

"What?"

"I wish you would give those up, they aren't good for you Fratello"

Lovino scoffed and took another deep drag on the stick, "And I wish you would stop being so stupid and daydreaming. Were you thinking about –him-?" he asked resting his elbow on the table and picked his cup up with his other hand, taking a long drink of his black coffee. Feliciano stared at him for a moment before answering. The brothers had always been close, despite their differences and he had always spoken to Lovino about everything, more in depth and with his emotions than he did with his grandfather. He had told him a fair bit about Ludwig and his time with the man in Paris, even about the intimate kiss they had shared outside the quaint French café. Feliciano could still see his brothers face now, scrunched up in disbelief that his own brother had kissed a 'potato-bastard'.

"Yes, I was. I bet he's in some big meeting, with loads of important people." Feliciano chuckled finishing the last of his drink and placing the cup on the table, relaxing back into his chair. From behind them Romulus was exiting the café with his companion and the boys turned to look up at him. Romulus shook hands with the man bidding him farewell, watching as he walked across the street and got into a car parked beside the curb, and drove off down the street. Romulus looked down at the boys and smiled.

"Family dinner tonight, I'm cooking! Lovino stop smoking." he said cheerily, walking over to Lovino and taking the cigarette out of his fingers. He quickly smoked the last of it and threw it on the floor, crushing it into the ground with his shoe, before walking back inside the café, not noticing when Lovino glared at him and flipped his middle finger in his direction, making Feliciano giggle quietly. They sat in silence for a moment before the sound of Lovino's mobile chimed, signalling he had received a text message. Grumbling he reached into his pocket and pulled out the mobile, tapping the screen in annoyance, before shoving it back in his pocket.

"So when are you planning seeing him?" Lovino asked watching as Feliciano simply shrugged his shoulders. He hadn't spoken to him since their last encounter in the club in Paris, and wasn't sure whether he should call him or not. He had checked his mobile several times, since his arrival, not receiving any messages or calls from the man, and he was too nervous to make the first move. He didn't want to appear too desperate or too forward.

"Boys! Get your lazy asses back in here! There are good people waiting for service!" Their grandfather called from inside. Lovino groaned loudly next to his brother. Lovino was never a people person, much preferring to work in the kitchen away from the customers, and only really smiled if there was a pretty girl wanting service. Feliciano had spent hours trying to help him practice a smile, considering he was a waiter, he couldn't always walk around with a grumpy face; Romulus was convinced he would scare away most of their customers. The got up from their table and carried their cups inside, leaving them with the other dirty cutlery waiting to be washed and retrieved their order pads from behind the counter.


Ludwig walked down the small stone street, taking in all the sights around him, glad to out in the fresh air, instead of the stifling meeting rooms he frequented. He had finished his morning meetings and had decided to take a long walk around Venice to clear his head, after dropping off his briefcase and jacket in his hotel room. He was sure to lock his briefcase and laptop in the small hotel safe in his room before he left. He was in charge of many important documents and information for INTELTEK, and was always sure to securely lock away all work items when they were not in use. He was originally only meant to stay in Italy for a week; however INTELTEK had called to inform him of their decision to extend his time there. They had arranged for him to meet with two other potential clients, both of whom had appointments dotted on different dates, spanning over the course of a month. Ludwig had initially been furious, despite agreeing to the company's request. He was meant to have a week's holiday after the last set of meetings he had attended, and had planned to visit his parents and brother in Germany. His mother had been sad to hear that he was cancelling their arrangements again, telling him he worked far too much and needed a rest. She worried far too much for him, but he guessed as a mother, she would never stop worrying over her youngest son.

For now he simply walked, to nowhere in particular, just wondering through the streets of Venice, marvelling at the beauty around him. He came to a stop by one of the many canals, watching as a Gondola propelled past, with a couple seated to the rear, holding hands and kissing. He vaguely wondered if one day, he and Feliciano would like that couple, just happy and sharing their lives together. He sighed, as he pushed away from the wall he was leaning on and walked down the street, perhaps he would finally give in a call the Italian. Noticing the café up ahead, he decided to stop for a drink, and time to think about what he should do regarding Feliciano. What would he even say?

He walked up to the café, looking the front and taking note of the name, 'Rosa Rossa'. He frowned slightly. The place seemed so familiar to him, yet he couldn't place why. He had never been there before and couldn't recall ever seeing it in any pictures. He shrugged off his thoughts and placed his confusion down to exhaustion, as he walked inside and looked for an empty table. He found one beside the window and took a seat, picking up the menu and reading what the café had to offer.


From the kitchen, Romulus watched as the new customer walked in, a serious look upon his face. To his left he noticed Lovino had stopped what he was doing, arms filled with a pile of clean dishes waiting to be put away, as he watched the man go over to an empty table and sit down. They exchanged a glance before Romulus turned towards the busy kitchen.

"There's a customer waiting!" he called to Feliciano, who was over chatting to one of the cooks and tasting some of the sauce that was on the stove. He waved over to his grandfather and gave the spoon back to the cook, smiling.

"Just coming!" he replied picking up his pad from the countertop and walking out of the kitchen area, to the café floor. He quickly looked around before spotting the customer seated beside the windows overlooking the canal. He walked over, placing his cheery smile on as he greeted the man engrossed in the menu.

"Ciao! Are you ready to order?" he asked, watching the man place the menu back upon the table top and look up at him. A look of shock washed over the man's face as his hazel eyes met the piercing blue ones of the man before him.

"F-Feliciano?" he stuttered, "What are you doing here? I thought you were in France?" he asked clearly shocked to see him stood beside the table. Feliciano wasn't sure how to respond, caught off guard from seeing the German sat at the table.

"W-well I uh—my brother called me and said that my grandfather needed my help. The café has been so busy, so I came back for a little while" he answered fidgeting with the pen in his hand. He was curious as to why, of all the café's in Venice Ludwig had managed to find him in his. Ludwig nodded and sat back in his chair.

"I'm sorry for all the questions. I was just surprised to see you Feliciano. I'm sorry I haven't called…I was actually just thinking about it. About you…" he said, stopping himself midsentence. He kept looking into Feliciano's eyes; unable to stop the memories of their kiss from flooding back, and blushed slightly. He quickly adverting his eyes back to the menu on the table, hoping that the Italian hadn't seen.

"How about I get you a drink and I'll see if Fratello can cover for me for a little while?" he offered, gently brushing his fingers against Ludwig's hand, giving him a warm smile. Ludwig nodded a small smile gracing his features.


It was already well into the evening and Ludwig had drunk a fair amount of beer. After their chat in the 'Rosa Rossa', they had decided to go out for the evening. Feliciano had laughed when Ludwig explained how he had simply found the café by chance. He hadn't even realised that the reason he had seemed to recognise the place, was because the Italian had told him all about it, even down the finest detail about the appearance, when they had met in the café in Paris.

Feliciano had insisted on showing him around and after hours of sightseeing and walking, they had found themselves in a small bar in one of the many side-streets of Venice. Ludwig watched as Feliciano took a swig from the wine bottle in his hand, the glass discarded on the table a while ago.

"No I am telling you! White flags are perfectly good way of getting out a fight!" He laughed, draining the last of the wine from the bottle and learning against Ludwig. He put his arm around the smaller man, chuckling when the brunette cuddled into him. He finished his beer and placed the glass on the table.

"Perhaps I should get you home, hm?" He asked. Feliciano had been sure to look after him before when he had been intoxicated, so it went without saying that he would do the same for the man. He looked down at Feliciano shaking his head rapidly, amused by how cute he was when he was drunk.

"No! Voglio passare più a lungo con voi!" he said with a pout, unaware for a moment that he had slipped into the Italian language. He giggled before speaking again, staring up at Ludwig with huge eyes and moving closer to nuzzle his cheek, "But I want to say with you longer Luddy~" he whispered. Ludwig felt a blush rise on his cheeks, yet held him close. "Can I get another bottle of wine signore?" Feliciano suddenly called to the barman. The barman put up his hand to acknowledge him, and brought over an open bottle to the table, which Ludwig quickly paid him for.

He had to admit he was reluctant to end the night here. He felt as if his heart was in conflict with his better judgement. He felt that familiar want and desire rising in him as he stroked Feliciano's hair, noticing how after he had drank a little more wine, he stroked Ludwig's leg affectionately, gazing up at him with those hazel orbs.

Sensing his slight reluctance, Feliciano stood, picking up the bottle with one hand and leant forward to Ludwig, placing his other hand on his cheek. He pressed their foreheads together, not once breaking their gaze.

"How about we finish this bottle somewhere else?" he whispered seductively, brushing his lips over Ludwig's. Ludwig felt a shiver of desire go down his spine as he leaned up to catch Feliciano's lips with his own, kissing him hungrily. He didn't normally do cave into his passions like this, but what harm would it do? He broke the kiss and stood, putting an arm around Feliciano and pulled his body close to his own, running his hand over the brunettes back.

"My hotel isn't far.." he said grabbing him and pulling Feliciano into another heated kiss.


"Follow them. Make sure everything is going to plan"

"Of course, you don't pay me to simply look pretty"

"Do what I tell you or you won't get paid at all"

"OK, ok. I'll call you later"


A/N To be continued…~~ :)

Translations:

Addio: Goodbye

Buon appetito!: Enjoy your meal!

Idiota: Idiot

Fratello: Brother

No! Voglio passare più a lungo con voi!: No! I want to spend more time with you!

Signore: sir