She stayed motionless, staring at him. She could have sworn she'd seen him looking down at her lips. And though she knew it would be wrong, a part of her wasn't sure if she wanted him to stop or not. Guilt was slowly making its way to her red cheeks. She wished he'd avert his eyes but she remained still as if it was really up to him. There it was again, that special light in his eyes. Only this time warmth wasn't the only feeling dancing in them.

Tony studied her expression a moment, biting pensively the inside of his cheek. He finally leaned back against his seat. " 'Its late, we'd better get goin' " he said softly. Angela said nothing and looked down. She heard him discreetly clear his throat as he turned the ignition on. The van roared to life.

" Okay. Here we are " said Tony, pulling over against the curb. He leaned against the steering wheel to glance through Angela's window. He could see a Jaguar parked in the driveway behind the house, half buried under the snow. " Nice... house you got here " " Thanks " said Angela shyly. She was glad he had broken the silence first. He had been quiet and a little distant all the way to Fairfield. " And thank you so much for driving me home. That's really nice of you " " Anytime " he finally smiled. They said nothing for a moment.

" Well... I guess this is it " Angela concluded. He shrugged and tilted his head on one side as if to say 'I guess so'. But by the way he was looking at her Angela had the feeling that he was waiting for her to say something more.
" So... you're going home " she said.
" Mmm... yes, that's the plan " he tried to suppress a yawn.
" Don't you want to rest a little before ?
- I guess I could take a short nap in the van but I'd probably oversleep and I really have to be home this mornin'. Besides, I'd probably wake up frozen stiff.
- Yes. I suppose you're right. Well. I don't want to make you late. Here " she unwrapped herself from the blanket and handed it to him.
" Thanks. Oh wait " Tony quickly got out of the van, came around to her side and opened the door. He helped her out.
" Well. Goodbye " she extended her hand to him. Tony shook it. " Bye " They looked at each other, his hand still in hers until Angela finally decided to leave.

She had almost reached the backdoor when she suddenly turned around and looked in direction of the van. Tony was still standing by the passenger door, under the snow. He impassively watched her walking back to him, like he knew she would. She had to take giant's steps to make her way through the snow. She looks funny taking those huge, awkward steps, he thought. But so beautiful. He met her halfway. " Yes ? " he smiled at her.

" Tony... I can't... Why don't you take a few minutes ? " she said gesturing towards her house.
" Oh no, no, no. That's... nice of you but I'll be just fine.
- How about a cup of coffee ?
- No, no, thanks.
- Are you sure ?
- I'm fine. Honest " Tony bent down his head but couldn't suppress a smile.
" What ? " Angela asked suspiciously.
Tony looked up at her with a mischievous smile on his face " You don't wanna say goodbye to me ? "
" And what makes you think that ? "
" I'm wrong ? " asked Tony, pretending to be hurt.
" I am perfectly fine with saying goodbye to you " said Angela, a little offended.
" Okay, okay. Maybe I'm the one who doesn't want to say goodbye " Tony's face was serious now. Not knowing what to say she blushed. He looked at her for a moment in silence. Time seemed to have come to an abrupt halt. When he realized how uncomfortable she was, he decided to move on.

" Well. It's really startin' to snow hard. I'd better go if I don't wanna be stuck here. It was really nice meetin' you Angela. " He shook her hand for the second time.
" Yes... Same here. Be careful on the roads.
- I will " he assured her.

Tony reluctantly walked back to his van until he heard her calling his name. He turned around. " Goodnight " she said softly. He smiled back at her " Goodnight, Angela "

An hour after the van had disappeared under the snow, Angela was lazily lying on the couch, dozing in front of a roaring fire. As tired as she was, she couldn't sleep. She was replaying in her mind the several conversations she had shared with this handsome stranger during the evening. Everything sounded so surreal now. Like a dream — a beautiful one. And now that she was finally back home, she felt even more lonely than when she had received Michael's call.

She was still lost in her melancholic reverie when a terrible noise made her jump from the couch. It came from outside. She prayed it was just the neighbor's cat. Angela took the poker from the fireplace and went into the kitchen, her heart pounding. When she reached the backdoor she silently turned the key in the lock. Grasping the poker with both hands, Angela kicked the door with her foot, ready to fight anything that might be hiding behind it.

She took a careful look outside. The dustbin had fallen but everything was quiet and there was nobody in sight. Angela was about to sigh with relief when she saw something dark moving on the ground. It was covered with snow. Somebody was lying there in the driveway, his body half buried in the snow. He got up laboriously, oblivious to the fact that Angela was standing on the steps with a poker in hands. " Oy " he looked down at his damp clothes. He tried to shake the snow from his pants and sat up the dustbin. " Mannaggia alla miseria... "