Chapter 4 Dreaming Awake

• Cassandra Reid
• I stare at him for a very long time. The raven hair, the prominent chin and... the blue eyes; The same ones that I saw in the depths of the sea... It's him, the charming prince of my dreams. But... how is it possible? I'm sure I've never seen this man in my life. If I had, I would surely remember him.
• Oh my gosh, he is really hot!
• And the statement that he has made... The same words that I heard this morning. It's like reliving my dream, but in a much better way. He is here! I can't believe it. Am I going crazy?
• "What have you just said?", I'm so stunned that I have suddenly forgotten the language and speak in English.
• "How is my son, doctor?". He ignores my question, which brings me back to my five senses.
• So I push my silly thoughts away and take a deep breath before answering, this time in Italian. “The operation was easy. The patient presented an uncomplicated acute appendicitis. It's quite common in children of his age...", I continue explaining the procedure and current state of Federico Di Lauro. I know there are more family members in the room listening to my words, however, I can only pay attention to the Italian in front of me. I've fallen into a kind of hypnosis. "We will have him at least forty-eight hours in observation", I conclude. "Then we will reassess him to send him home."
• "Can we see my grandson?" A very pretty lady intervenes. Her resemblance to the Italian is evident.
• "In a few minutes, Nurse Falco will take you to the patient's room", I answer. "You can be calm".
• I return to focus my eyes on the prince of my dreams and as I look at him, a whole movie plays in my head.
• I remember his appearance when I thought I would drown in the sea, his strong arms supporting my tiny body, our synchronized breaths, the warmth of his skin, the husky manly voice that shakes me inside and finally, his kisses... I can still feel the warmth of his lips on mine.
• I remember my excitement, desire, expectation...
• 'I want more'
• I look from his blue spheres to his palatable lips and I must fight with all my strength to avoid blushing.
• It's weird and impossible, but I feel like I've known him before, long before.
• I close my eyes and breathe to continue:
• "As I have told the little girl, the recovery is fast and he will be able to return to his normal activities in a few weeks.
• "Thank you very much for everything, doctor" says the same woman from before.
• "There's not need of that", I reply in a friendly and professional tone. "I'm just doing my job".
• "Anyway, my mother is right", my father's patient intercedes. His voice is so fiery that he manages to stoke the heat in my cheeks. God! To speak that way should be a crime. "You have our undying gratitude, Doctor..."
• "Reid", I complete.
• "Nice to meet you, Dr. Reid". He takes my hand without warning and then wraps it with his in what looks like a cordial greeting. " My name is Adriano Di Lauro.
• "Nice to meet you too", I answer automatically, captivated by his lopsided smile. This man could conquer the world with a simple gesture or a simple look.
• "Tell me, Dr. Reid", he uses a lower tone to the point that I can barely hear him, "do you believe in fate?"
• "I beg your pardon?". I feel more and more mesmerized and mesmerized. "I'm afraid I don't understand, sir".
• "Don't worry, you will..."
• We continue staring at each other with our hands still clasped until I feel a tug on my robe, for which I am forced to lower my head to find the cutest little face I have ever seen.
• She looks so pretty with her black hair, her little blue eyes full of a special shine and the dress of the same color adorned with lace and some glitter that doesn't seem real.
• It is strange, but at times I seem to be seeing a mature young woman and at others a baby of just over two years old. It is as if there is a fine line in what she appears to be and what she really is. However, the strangest thing of all is the magnetic current that drives me towards her. I want to hold her in my arms, hug her and... protect her even though I don't know from what or who.
• 'But what is happening to me?'
• I've definitely gone crazy.
• Leah is right; So many days without sleeping have ended up robbing me of my sanity. I am very sick.
• "My name is Stella", the girl's sweet voice manages to pull me out of my daydreams, "but you can call me Ella, like daddy does. Do you want to be my mom?"
• "Stella!". I hear her grandmother's loud howl as the rest gasp loudly in surprise, myself included. "You can't ask the doctor that."
• "Why not, granny?", The little girl asks with a frown.
• I watch the Italian caress his chin thoughtfully with his gaze fixed on me while I am stunned contemplating the scene. Something tells me this family is quite complex.
• My skin burns in front of his eyes and a strange sensation settles in my stomach, yearning to be released. Is he examining me?
• "Because..."
• "You have a very nice name, Ella", I decided to intervene. I crouch down again until I am level with the girl before running my fingers over her chin. I don't know why, but every time I see her, a spontaneous smile spreads across my face. "I'm Cassandra, but you can call me Cassie."
• "Wooooow!", she extends the exclamation at the same time she smiles. Adorable dimples form on her cheeks, making her look even more adorable. "Your name is also very beautiful. I like her, daddy. Won't you be my new mommy?"
• "Ella...", her grandmother reprimands her. Instead the father keeps watching me in silence. His attitude already exceeds the strange, but with that face and that body I wouldn't be able to forbid him anything.
• 'And I thought Dean was handsome!'
• "What do you think if we start being friends?", I propose. "Do you like the idea?"
• "Friends?". She imitates her father's gesture while she stroked his chin, as if he were pondering the idea.This is all so strange... "I've never had one."
• "Well, then I'll have the privilege of being the first. Only if you accept, of course", I clarify extending my hand. "What do you say?"
• "Can you read stories?"
• "Oh, I love reading", I answer ecstatically.
• "Do you like video games and movies?"
• "I like movies and I have never played video games, but you can teach me. Isn't that cool?"
• "A looooot", she laughs enthusiastically. If I am guided by her words and attitudes, I can deduce that she has grown up without a mother figure. It must be difficult to grow without one. Although my relationship with my mother has always been difficult, she was present in my first steps and my first falls. Besides, I know that she in the strange way of her loves me. "Can you make cake?", she continues with the little interrogation.
• The scene is a bit funny and I don't hesitate to play along. This is one of the reasons why I love working with children.
• I approach the little girl slowly and stealthily, as if I am going to tell her a secret. "And I make some chocolate chip cookies to lick your fingers”, I whisper in her ear and then pulled away and returned to my previous position. "What do you say?". I extend her arm toward the little girl. "Friends?"
• "Best friends!”. She intertwines her tiny little hand with mine. "I like her, daddy."
• "I think we have made it clear, Ella", finally the Italian speakes a word again. "Thanks for everything, Dr. Reid."
• "You're welcome". I give him a professional smile. "As soon as you can see Federico, my colleague will let you know. Goodbye, Ella."
• "See you soon, Cassie", the girl says goodbye, showing her dimples once more.
• I turn on my feet and walk away from the weird family, or maybe the weird one is me. I can't find an explanation for what just happened. It is impossible! How could I have dreamed of a man I don't even know? It may just be my subconscious playing with my brain. The man is so handsome that I have idealized him as the man of my dreams.
• Reality begins to mix with fantasy and my head becomes a mess.
• "Cassie!". My best friend's scream brings me out of my ramblings. "This is the fifth time I've called you. Are you daydreaming?"
• Unable to avoid it, a loud laugh escapes my lips. I have no doubts, I am very ill.
• "Oh, Leah”. I wipe away the tears I've shed from laughing so much. If she answered you, you wouldn't believe me.
• "Huh?". My friend watches me like I was about to be transferred to the psych floor. My appearance right now shouldn't be very eloquent. "You're bad, Cassie. Really badly. You need to sleep."
• "You're right".I agree between sighs, "but I have to work. I only have two days left, Leah. Two days and the countdown will be over."
• "You're not thinking of going back to San Francisco, are you?".
• "My father has closed me all the doors..., but don't worry". I stop her protests ahead of time. "First I rather dedicate myself to begging in a park in Florence than losing my freedom."
• "I don't want you to come back", she declares, "but at some point you'll have to deal with your past, Cassie. You need to put an end to it so that everyone can continue.
• "I know, Leah". I sigh regretfully. I will never regret the decision I made two years ago, however, there are things that I regret. The way it all happened, the people I hurt, "but it won't be today."
• I place a kiss on her cheek before going back to work with a question on her head:
• Does coincidences exist?