Someone to Love Read Free

me.”
    I nearly spat my coffee out. “No, I’m sorry, let me get this straight, man of many resources. Women ask for you because you entertain them with your stupid jokes,” I said, amused, and pinched his arm. “When will you grow up?”
    Antonio turned towards me with a broad smile. “I love it when you get annoyed.”
    Vittorio tried to conceal a laugh with a cough. “It’s good to see two young people teasing each other. Ah, blessed youth.”
    â€œFortunately, we’re just colleagues, I would be crazy to date someone like him.”
    Antonio received my words defiantly. “If you put it like that who would want to date you?” A sneer curled his lip. He wanted to win.
    â€œEasy guys. I came here for an important announcement,” Vittorio began, sipping from his cup. “We have a new associate at the Central. He’s called Diego, he comes from Gallipoli and I must admit that I haven’t had a colleague like him for years.”
    â€œVittorio, never a woman?” asked Antonio.
    â€œStop it! Why is it so hard for you to be serious?” I glared at him at once.
    Vittorio cleared his throat. “No women for the moment, maybe it’s better that way. How could you concentrate, otherwise?” He shook his head. “He is a very reserved man and apparently rather detached, but a person with extraordinary determination. He seems born for this job.”
    â€œHe may be as good as it gets, but he remains a stranger. I am used to having you by my side, and we had established a certain rapport,” I added.
    â€œI understand that very well and that’s why I’m here. I want Diego to help you as much as possible; I’m sure that you’ll get onto the same wavelength. I’m never wrong about these things. I’m going to retire and I need to know that someone will take my place.”
    I was puzzled. I nodded slowly, although I wanted to beg him not to abandon us. “Agreed. Then I’ll meet him soon.”
    I tried to hold my displeasure at the news. I knew that, sooner or later, this moment would come, but didn’t think it would be so soon. Over time, we had established a unique bond with Vittorio and his colleagues, and I wasn’t ready to give it up.
    Vittorio seemed sorry for my change of mood and hugged me tightly. “Look, I’m not leaving you alone. You’ll just have to get used to a new commander, who is a bit grumpy and always in a bad mood,” he concluded, amused.
    Exactly. I sighed, “Grumpy as well? That’s good…” I looked up at the sky.
    Vittorio freed me from his embrace and glanced at the clock. “I hope you won’t bear a grudge for life. I must go now. See you soon and good luck,” he said, heading for the exit. “Mia, one last thing. Do you know that you’re also next door neighbours? I discovered it by chance reading his application. If you need to, you can just take a couple of steps out of your front door and knock on his.”
    The news left me speechless and with an ominous feeling. I felt antipathy before even meeting him. Not only was he replacing a good colleague, but he also had the cheek to move in next door to me. I felt vulnerable. I took a deep breath to regain my rationality.
    Antonio gave me a pat on the back. “Now, that’s lucky,” he said, before walking away and leaving me on my own.
    *
    Two hours later I was driving. While travelling at a constant speed, I turned on the radio. I raised the volume when I realized that they were playing hits from the eighties.
    For a while I admired the countryside brightened by the clear sky of early spring and nature awakening after a long hibernation. Then I left the landscape of flowers and fields behind, replacing it with the city. Shops, traffic and concrete were mirrored in my eyes. I lowered the window a little to let some air in, and as I approached, my heart awoke suddenly. I