My lover, Bill, and I are successful and very busy people who often forget how important it is to get down to the basics and just love each other emotionally and physically. But in late August of last year my lover did something I never expected. He created a magical weekend that most women only dream about.
He had been in Europe on Military business for over two weeks when he called to tell me that he would have to stay there a little longer. I tried not to be upset, knowing that he had no other choice, but when we hung up he knew I was not pleased. The next day, while at the office, my lover’s assistant delivered a bouquet of wild flowers and sealed manila envelope. In the envelope was an airline ticket to Italy where we would spend a long weekend together.
I called him at his hotel and warned him that if this was going to be a weekend of me sitting in a hotel room in Rome while he was in meetings, he could forget it, but he assured me that it would be wonderful.
Arriving in Italy, I was highly impressed by the Rolls my lover had waiting for me. The driver helped me in. “Sir Bill eagerly awaits your arrival, my lady,” he said in a thick Italian accent.
As we left Rome, I started to ask the driver questions about our destination, but he would reveal nothing. My curiosity was killing me as we climbed high hills into a heavily wooded area. The trip was long and I eventually grew tired and fell asleep.
I awoke to the sound of the driver calling me: “Signora! Andiamo! We have arrived.” I blinked a few times, trying to shake off the sleepiness and see where I was. There in front of me was the most magnificent building I’d ever seen, a giant medieval castle. I was in awe, feeling so tiny beneath its shadow, and I turned around to watch the iron gates close behind us.
One of the several people waiting outside the castle stepped forward and kissed me once on each cheek. Her name was Rose and she welcomed me, assuring me that Sir Bill would be back later. In the meantime, she would show me to my room where I could freshen up and change before dinner. I think I was still in shock as I walked through the large doors into the castle. The floors were oak parquet and the ceilings were high. As we walked through the rooms, I wondered where it would end. Was this castle being rented out as a hotel? Did we have one room?