Jennifer, after taking a long, hot bubble bath to erase the sand, sweat and defeating thoughts of Jonathan and her marriage away; thought about making it an early evening and climbing straight into bed. However, she immediately shook that thought away and instead chose to uplift herself by going into town for dinner, even if it would be for one. She was also interested in seeing what this Mediterranean city had to offer when the sun sets and choosing a Cobalt blue dress with matching sandals, she headed out of the villa. Jennifer chose to walk, as she wasn't terribly familiar with the roads had she driven and it appeared that her choice was a wise one, as the villa was located conveniently to center of Positano.
This she thought, would work out quite well, if she chose to have a few glasses of wine – and that was one of the things she definitely intended to do! As she continued on in her walk, her stomach began to growl and growl loudly, to which she sighed, as she really didn't want to pick the first restaurant she saw, instead hoping for a variety to choose from, but her stomach had other plans. Thus, her choice was Melchio, which sat above the Mediterranean with a wonderful ambiance and what she thought, was wonderful menu – maybe her first choice was going to out splendidly! Jennifer, noticing how busy the restaurant was, sighed and approached the host to ask about a table without a reservation.
The host Alessandro, had noticed Jennifer, as soon as, she entered, thinking she was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen and even better, she was alone. Upon her approach, Alessandro greeted her, "Ciao, como potrei aiutarti?" Jennifer smiled and easily morphed into her Italian – "Si, hai un tavolo per uno?". Alessandro thought, "a table for one?" Well, this was turning out to be better than he thought, and would certainly make that table available, if it meant an opportunity to get to know her better. Alessandro responded, "In effetti, abbiamo un tavolo per una bella signora come te." Jennifer, in smiling at the compliment of her being beautiful, which she hadn't felt, since before she arrived, thanked him in english. Alessandro smiled, realizing that she may be an American, but, wonderfully fluent in Italian. He responded in English, "I'm Alessandro and I'll show you to your table. As they walked, he asked where she learned Italian, commenting at how well she spoke the language. Jennifer responded, "Thank you, my mother although French, taught me to love the languages, and I'm Jennifer, Jennifer Har…. Edwards, Jennifer Edwards". Jennifer frowned slightly at herself for blurting out the deliberate change of her name, but dammit, she didn't feel like a Hart right now. Alessandro caught the frown, but continued, "You sound like an American with your accent, but your mother is French, and you speak fluent Italian?" Jennifer laughed, "Yes, I am a melting pot of sorts." As Alessandro pulled out her chair, he whispered, "You are the most beautiful of melting pots I've had the pleasure of meeting, handing her the menus in the process!" "Your server will be right with you and if you need anything, please don't hesitate to summon me."
Jennifer smiled and thanked him in Italian and began reading the menu, more so to distract herself from Alessandro and his kindness, than to review the offerings. As luck would have it, the server arrived to take Jennifer's order, a welcome distraction from her thoughts. "I'll have the Gratinated Scampi for starters, the Fusilli pasta for my main course and a glass of your house Chardonnay." The server nodded, "Grazie, rispondero con il tuo ordine il prima possibile". "Grazie" Jennifer responded, as her thoughts returned to her the use of maiden name, but surprisingly, it didn't bother her, as she thought it would. She then promised herself, that just for tonight, she wouldn't allow the pall that hung over her marriage to rest with her tonight – She needed to be happy and smile, if not for one night, and being surrounding by people, along with this handsome stranger, was welcome distraction. Furthermore, if she were being terribly honest, Jonathan, the "love of her life", was currently someone, who had shown her anything but kindness. To that end, she felt that another man's attention, even if from a restaurant host, was absolutely harmless - the warmth and kindness he exuded towards her, was something absent in her life at the moment, and not an iota of guilt of would she have because of it. Particularly, when the person whose job it was to make her feel such things, was failing and she believed, purposefully so.
As Jonathan left Briarwood, Stephen picked up the phone to dial Jennifer and notify her of Jonathan's impending visit. However, he was stopped by Walter, "Mr. Edwards, remember that scale you spoke of? Well, it's time you remove your hands for the moment, and allow Mr. Jonathan space for his - As her husband, he will do what he is required of him!" Stephen, without a word, simply nodded and walked out of the house and to the stables – Intending on riding one of Jennifer's horses, a mare that her beloved Sweet Sue foaled. It was his way of keeping close to Jennifer, when he wasn't able, regardless of the situation, to be her father in every sense of the word.
Jonathan entering the rental car, checked his watch, noting it was 4pm Maryland time. He then contacted Jack, his pilot, asking how quickly they could be fueled up and ready for a flight to Naples, Italy. Jack informed him that he would check on it, but he didn't think clearance for take off would occur until after 10pm, and the closest airport for that schedule, would be Dulles. Jonathan accepted that and directed Jack to get the plane ready for travel to Naples and began forming perhaps the most important apology of his life, to Jennifer; along with readying himself to hear the story of Manning again, but told by his wife, Elliot's victim.
Jennifer, having finished her meal, along with her wine, summoned the waiter, requesting another glass of wine. However, reminding herself quickly, that she needed to walk back to the Villa, wanting to keep her wits about it, changed her request to one of a glass of water with lemon. Alessandro, upon hearing the change, approached her table and asked her how her meal was, and if the wine was to her liking. Jennifer smiled and gushed about the meal, as well as the wine and thanked him again, for allowing her to dine without reservations on such a busy night. Alessandro responded, "It was my pleasure and if I may, you said the wine was up to par, yet you've ordered water." Jennifer bent her slightly to the side, "Oh no, the wine was superb, it's just that, I'm visiting, and although my villa is fairly close by, some areas are still somewhat unfamiliar – so, I need to be alert in returning home." Alessandro, shook his head in agreement, stating, "Of course and very wise of you!" "I've observed many a visitor to our little place of beauty, including this restaurant, fail to follow your wise decision and end up, shall we say, "in situazioni imbarazzanti!" Alessandro followed up with, "If you like Ms. Edwards…Oh, my apologies, is it Ms. or Mrs?" "Ms. Edwards is fine, Alessandro." "Well then Ms. Edwards, in following your wise choices, I will order you a car back to your Villa, as it is rather dark outside at the moment, and despite it being relatively safe around here, you want to remain careful." Jennifer, looked out at the Mediterranean, then to her watch and realized just how late it actually was – She thought for a second and accepted Alessandro's offer of the car service, but asked how much time she would have prior to its arrival, as she would indeed like another glass of wine, since she wasn't walking. Alessandro assured her that she had plenty of time and he'd return shortly with her wine. As promised, he returned within minutes with her wine, stating, "Ms. Edwards, I wasn't sure of what particular wine you wanted, so I took the liberty of bringing you a glass of Chardonnay, the same one you enjoyed with dinner." Smiling brightly, Jennifer responded, "Grazie Alessandro."
Slowly consuming her wine, Jennifer sat back and simply enjoyed the ambience of this lovely restaurant and it's million-dollar view of the Mediterranean, while awaiting the car service. Once finished, she noted that Alessandro hadn't returned to notify of her car service arrival. At that, she stood up to look for him or at the very least, her server for the night, and as soon as, she turned the corner towards the ladies' room, she nearly ran face to face into Alessandro, who had to grab hold of her to keep them both from losing their balance. Jennifer, red faced, apologized, stating that she was just looking for him to ask about the car service. Alessandro, had forgotten to call for one, as he had become rather busy. Admitting his error, he apologized profusely, offering to rectify it, by driving her, himself, if of course, she could just wait 15 more minutes, as he needed to complete his hosting duties.
Jennifer, appreciative of his honesty and willingness to help her out, accepted his offer.
Alessandro, escorted her to a seat at a booth near the bar and with a wink, promised to be done swiftly – within what seemed minutes of her sitting, Alessandro appeared, shaking his keys, stating, "A promise is kept" and escorted Jennifer out to his car.
While walking, Jennifer struggled with her inner voice, insisting that it was just a ride to her villa, and it was the safest way to go. "Yes, he's handsome, hell, beyond handsome, but he's simply helping a girl out and despite my current situation, I am still married!" Alessandro pointing his car out, opened the passenger door for Jennifer, placing his hand on the small of her back to assist her in getting in. A move which took her by complete surprise, shocked her system really, as only one other man had ever done that for and to her. Sighing, she sat straight up in the car, once he entered the drivers' seat, as his hand to her back was sobering. She gave him the same directions in which she traveled on foot and while doing so, she all of a sudden felt nervous – What was she doing? Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was Alessandro's kindness or maybe it was simply being able to enjoy something so simple as dinner, without her current state of affairs invading her mind and space. Alessandro noted her demeanor, wanted to reassure her that she was safe with him, "Ms. Edwards, I feel terrible in forgetting to call the car service, after I suggested one, and please understand, that I only want to take you back safely to your villa – nothing else."
Jennifer smiled, then thanked and reassured him, that she wasn't fearful of him or nervous, instead it was something completely unrelated, something in her personal life. Alessandro, was about to respond, but thought better of it, after observing Jennifer stare out the window following her comment.
They arrived at her villa fairly quickly, and she swiftly exited the car and headed for the door. As she put the key in the lock, Jennifer turned to Alessandro, "Thank you so much for making a lonely lady's evening surprisingly wonderful!" "I will certainly recommend your exquisite establishment to anyone who will listen!" As he approached, he responded, "Thank you for being such a lovely diner and an even lovelier woman." He continued, "Forgive me for saying, but I'm having a very difficult time understanding how a kind, intelligent, beyond beautiful woman such as yourself, is lonely and well… damn the person who is the cause of it." He took her hand, kissed it and said "Buonanotte, bella signora!", then left.
Entering the villa, and ensuring it was securely locked, she sighed at how the simple kindness of another, can change ones' outlook for the better, even if only momentarily. Jennifer chose to go straight to bed, instead of showering – that could wait until tomorrow. Upon changing, she noticed her phone on the nightstand and a realized that she hadn't felt compelled to call Jonathan at all, tonight! As she got comfortable in bed, sliding under the blankets, she thought, "Perhaps that's what was needed, time and distance." However, just before drifting off, she made a mental note to call him tomorrow, promising that if it devolved into another argument, she would suggest that an official decision on their impromptu separation, be made.