ᴛʀᴀɴꜱʟᴀᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ ᴛᴇᴀᴍ: ꜱᴏᴠɪᴇᴇᴇ

The journey from Toledo to Consuegra was only a 40-minute drive. The background of the famous battle between Don Quixote and the windmills was Consuegra. Apart from the windmills on the hill, the small town had little else to offer in terms of attractions, but the view from the hill overlooking the town and the windmills was stunning.

The windmills, with their white columns and pointed, cone-shaped roofs, were enormous. Watching the massive wings move effortlessly in the wind, he couldn’t help but think that even Don Quixote might have mistaken their size and movement for giants.

“Shall we have some coffee before heading to Seville?”

“Sounds good.”

They entered a cafe in the town, ordered espressos and Americanos with added ice, and took a seat. Luciano excused himself to use the restroom.

As Anna gazed out the cafe’s window at the bright sunlight streaming in, she observed the cafe’s interior. The murmur of voices from the few customers in the cafe was all in Spanish. They appeared to be local villagers.

While absentmindedly watching a machine across the counter squeezing fresh orange juice, she wondered if they used oranges directly to make and serve fresh juice. However, her attention was suddenly drawn to a tall man who approached her.

The man, who towered over her like a giant, had cloudy, indistinct eyes and spoke incomprehensible Spanish while looking at Anna. Confused by his odd behavior, Anna sat still, her gaze shifting between the man and the juicer. The man suddenly spat on his palm and extended his hand toward Anna as if he wanted to shake hands.

What is this?

His strange actions baffled her. Although she couldn’t understand his incomprehensible and teasing remarks, his spitting in his palm and offering a handshake seemed to suggest something lewd or offensive.

Before she could react, Luciano approached them and confronted the man with intense anger, speaking in a language that resembled Spanish but was incomprehensible to Anna. His tone, expression, and gestures conveyed his fury.

The man’s actions seemed to have insulted her sexually, as he made suggestive comments and spat in his palm. It appeared to imply a request to sell her body, though it was only a guess.

Anna was too shocked by the sudden turn of events to react, and Luciano had already taken charge of the situation, leaving her with no opportunity to voice her displeasure.

Luciano turned to her, concern evident in his eyes, and asked, “Anna, are you okay? Did that guy touch you or anything?”

He grasped Anna’s arms and inspected her up and down. Although it had only been a moment since he had gone to the restroom, Luciano was still seething with anger.

“I’m fine. Nothing happened.”

Relieved, he let out a deep sigh.

“I didn’t mean to leave you alone.”

“No, I knew Luciano would be back soon. I’m fine.”

Anna realized once again that no one had ever tried to protect her from threats. In fact, her younger brother had slapped her because of money, and her parents couldn’t protect her in that situation.

Until now, there had been no one like Luciano, someone willing to protect her willingly. The sharp pain of this realization pierced her heart like a knife. At the same time, Luciano, who held her tightly and comforted her, made her heart swell with joy.

After being embraced by him, Anna realized that she was trembling. The unexpected threat in an unfamiliar place and environment had been terrifying. Anna began to cry in his arms. His voice, soothing her and reassuring her that everything was fine and safe, was so affectionate that it brought tears to her eyes.

Now, she couldn’t help but wonder who would protect her like this if she was back in Korea. It was her own country, but she didn’t want to return to the loneliness of that place, so she cried tears of relief and pain.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?”

“Because my tears delayed us.”

“Ah, that’s not what I meant when I said sorry.”

“Then?”

“You should say ‘thank you.’ Thank you for waiting.”

“I love you, Luciano.”

Instead of saying thank you, Anna expressed her love for him. In response, he eagerly kissed her. It was a sweet, tearful kiss that tasted like love.

***

After a long journey that took five hours from Consuegra, the windmill village, they finally arrived in Seville. It had taken longer due to breaks at rest stops for meals and rest.

Anna had slept during the entire journey, exhausted from the intense sex they had shared for the past few days and the incident in Consuegra. Luciano drove in silence, not even turning on the radio, taking care of Anna.

The place Luciano had reserved in Seville was a cozy home with a garden and a kitchen. He wanted to cook for Anna himself, creating a more private and intimate atmosphere than a hotel.

Anna had fallen into a deep sleep and didn’t wake up even after they arrived. Carefully, Luciano carried her from the car to the house. He gently placed her on the bed and brushed her forehead lightly. She looked unusually young and vulnerable when she was asleep, making him feel strangely protective of her.

Leaving a note saying he had gone to the supermarket and checking the house’s locks two or three times, he left the room.

He had gone to a large supermarket that stayed open late and bought groceries and bottled water. However, Anna still hadn’t woken up when he returned. Luciano organized the groceries and water in the refrigerator, waiting for her to wake up. In the kitchen, he prepared tomato ragu sauce, taking his time.

Ragu sauce could be used for pasta or, if he added rice, he could quickly make risotto. He was putting the finishing touches on the sauce when he heard footsteps. Anna, who had been sleeping in the other bedroom, had finally woken up.

“Did you sleep well?”

He put down the ladle and quickly went to Anna, pulling her into a hug. He lightly kissed her soft lips, enjoying her scent as he did. Anna had a floral fragrance that seemed to linger in the air.

“Yeah.”

She had grown accustomed to his kisses now. At first, when he kissed her lightly and tentatively, she had been stiff and unsure. But now, she knew how to respond. She wrapped her arms around his neck and accepted his deep kisses.

As he gently sucked on her plump tongue, a moan escaped from deep within her lips. He held her tightly, embracing her entire body. What had started as a simple kiss was becoming deeper and more passionate. Just then, there was a growling sound, and Luciano reluctantly pulled away from her lips.

“Are you hungry?”

“Yes. What’s that delicious smell? It seems really good.”

He had shown Anna the house when he made the reservation, so she was not unfamiliar with the place.

“It’s tomato ragu sauce. Should we make pasta or risotto for dinner?”

“I can’t wait. I’m starving. Pasta sounds faster.”

“It’s almost done.”

“Looks so delicious. Is there anything I can help with?”

“Yes.”

“What is it? I can help you with anything since I’m used to living alone.”

At that moment, his expression changed slightly. Anna had never mentioned her family, and he hadn’t either. Perhaps it was simply because they hadn’t had the time.

“Anna, your job is to change into comfortable clothes, wash your hands, and come sit in this chair.”

He meant that she should help with getting ready to eat.

Anna’s eyes widened with enthusiasm and surprise. She started to laugh.

“Oh, Luciano, you’re really funny.”

“It makes me happy if it makes you laugh.”

“Luciano, you’re good at telling random stories.”

“I’ll keep doing that if it makes you laugh. Your suitcase is in the bedroom.”

“Yes.”

She disappeared into the bedroom with her steps. He quickly turned up the heat and placed a pot of water on the stove. It was a pot to boil pasta.

After having a satisfying dinner, the two of them went out to the garden. Seville, located in the south of Spain, felt much warmer than Madrid, possibly due to its location. Even with just a thin jacket, it didn’t feel too cold.

They sat on a beach chair in the garden, gazing at the sky as if stars were pouring down. Since there was only one chair, Anna lay on top of Luciano, her body overlapping with his.

“Having only one chair has its advantages, you know?”

He whispered as he embraced Anna, who was lying on top. Anna squirmed and giggled as Luciano playfully tickled her side, making her kick and laugh. Only after the playfulness was over could they continue their conversation.

“In Seoul, it’s hard to see stars like this because it’s a big city with poor air quality.”

“Still, I think it’s a nice place.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s where Anna lives.”

“I think Rome, where Luciano lives, must be a nice place too.”

“Really? Then let’s come to Rome for our next vacation.”

“Yes.”

Anna’s words held more weight now than what Luciano had considered lip service. Anna wanted to go to Rome, to be with Luciano. She felt that any place where he was would be a good place.

“I live with my family in Rome.”

He lived in a mansion where his family lived, a bustling place full of family members. He would move out when he got married, but as a single man, there was no need for him to live separately right now.

“Then if we go to Rome, I won’t be able to sleep at Luciano’s house.”

“Why? You can come to our house anytime you want. There are plenty of rooms where you can sleep.”

“But won’t your family feel uncomfortable?”

“It doesn’t matter. If you’re uncomfortable, you can stay at a hotel. Anna, you said you live alone. Your family lives somewhere other than Seoul, right?”

Suddenly, her words got stuck in her throat.

Talking about her family in front of such a harmonious person as Luciano felt pitiful. She didn’t want sympathy. She would rather…

“They died in an accident.”

In a way, it wasn’t entirely wrong to think of it as them having died. If it hadn’t been for that accident that shattered her eardrums, Anna might not have considered them dead in her heart.

“Oh… Anna. I’m sorry. I must have asked a thoughtless question.”

“It’s okay. I’m really fine now. I’m not affected by it anymore.”

She said numbly, feeling a twinge in her chest.

“Rather than that, Luciano, tomorrow let’s visit the cathedral and the Alcazar next to it, okay? And in the evening, we can go see a flamenco show.”

She tried to quickly dispel her bitter thoughts. Anna was in Seville, Spain, with Luciano, not in Korea. When she focused on reality, the painful sensations would quickly disappear.

“Sure. Is there anything else you want to do?”

“Well, I was wondering if we could buy tickets to a football match.”

“You want to see a La Liga game? Do you like football?”

LaLiga referred to the top division of professional football in Spain.

“Not really crazy about football, but I thought since we’re here, maybe we could go if the schedule matches.”

“Alright, I’ll look into it.”

The two of them got up from the bench. Luciano picked up Anna as he had done so far. At first, she would scream when he lifted her, but this time, she burst into laughter.

“I can walk, you know.”

“I know. But don’t lose energy with those things, and save your energy for when you’re with me.”

“What, really.”

“That’s why I like it even more.”

His self-assured words were true, leaving Anna without words due to embarrassment. She hadn’t known that she would discover another side of herself on this trip. She had lived a modest life, believing that she had no interest in men, but she simply hadn’t had the opportunity to develop an interest.

She suddenly realized that life was quite ironic. If she had traveled to Spain as originally planned last year, she might not have met Luciano. Her travel had been postponed, and that had allowed her to meet him.

As Anna entered the house, still in Luciano’s embrace, she said, “Actually, I was supposed to come to Spain last year, but something came up, so I came this year.”

“Really? Still, we would have met.”

“Did Luciano plan to come to Spain last year too?”

“No, but for some reason, I feel like we would have met one way or another. I’m sure I would have had to go to Korea for some reason. Meeting you feels like fate.”

He spoke romantically as he sat her down on the long couch in the living room. He crouched in front of Anna, meeting her eye level, and kissed her gently.

“Do you think we met by fate?”

“You traveled for over ten hours to meet me. If this isn’t fate, then what is?”

He lightly brushed his lips against hers several times.

“No matter how I think about it, I think I got it wrong, Anna.”

“What do you think you got wrong?”

“I said you’re lucky, but I think the one who’s lucky is me because I met you.”

His eyes, as blue as starlight, sparkled beautifully, like a bird with its feathers shining. They were the eyes of a man who had fallen head over heels for the woman in front of him.

Luciano always looked at her with such eyes. That’s why Anna thought Luciano’s eyes were always so beautifully radiant.

So Anna didn’t know how deep his feelings were; how much he was in love with her. She felt a corner of her heart filled with anxiety, as she might not be able to see these eyes anymore when she returned.