“We appreciate the ride,” Sabrina told the driver as she buckled up. “Do you know where you're headed? I really hope so because this is our first time here. I wouldn't even know where to start.”
“Yes, ma'am,” the driver replied, as he brought his gaze up to the rear view mirror. He looked at Sabrina. “Your travel agent, Valetta, told me where you were staying when she called this morning. I know this city like the back of my hand. I'll get you there, no problem.”
“But sir, before we go to the hotel, can you take us somewhere nice to eat?” Marco asked. He tucked his sunglasses into his pocket and put his hat in his lap.
“Of course, sir,” he said. “Where would you like to go?”
“I'm afraid I don't know the city,” Marco admitted.” Any recommendations?”
“Do you like Italian food?” the driver asked, as he pulled onto the main street that led into the heart of the city.
“I love Italian food,” Marco said, turning to face Sabrina. “How does that sound to you, Sabrina?”
She'd been too excited and overwhelmed to even think about how hungry she was. But since he'd mentioned it, she noticed a rumbling in her belly. To be honest, she couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten other than her tomato juice, which didn't really count as a meal.
“Italian sounds perfect,” she said with a smile.
“I know a great little spot,” the driver said. “I'll take you two there. It's just a few minutes away.”
The driver stepped on the gas. He zipped through the city with a controlled urgency that impressed Sabrina at every turn. The way the driver wove in and out of lanes and between cars made her think he was avoiding a hundred invisible obstacles between every block. Her gaze darted between his hand viciously jerking the stick shift and the passing scenery out the window, sights that Sabrina had only ever seen in movies.
I can't believe I'm actually in New York City, she thought.
She rolled down the window and stuck her head out, looking straight up to try to see the tops of the high rise towers. She'd of course seen pictures, but being there was completely different. When she brought her gaze back down, she noticed the crowds of people on the sidewalks, all busily moving forward, as though every one of them was about to be late for something very important.
I don't think anybody walks that fast where I'm from, she thought. I wonder where they're all going. Probably someplace fashionable and incredibly New York.
But it wasn't just the people who were looking busy. The traffic on the street was just as chaotic and everyone drove with an aggressive sense of urgency that she wasn't used to. Still, though, the intense energy excited her. She could feel it buzzing throughout everything, like electricity. She could understand now why it was called the city that never sleeps. It felt new and different. And even though she had only been there a few minutes, she was positive that she was going to have a great time over the next couple of weeks.
While she took in the city’s features, Marco made casual conversation with the driver, their accents intertwining into a musical conversation. At first, Sabrina listened in on bits and pieces, but as it didn't pertain to her, she began to tune out and just enjoy the scenery.
This is going to be the best trip ever, she thought. I wish my parents could see what I'm seeing right now.
They drove for fifteen minutes before the driver pulled the car out from the heavy traffic and pulled to an abrupt stop beside the curb. Without a word, the driver flung open his door and walked around to the right side of the car to open Marco’s door. Marco stepped out and then turned and offered his hand to Sabrina. His touch made her heart speed up for a moment.
“Thank you, Marco,” she said. “But isn't helping you my job?”
He chuckled. “We can take turns being the gentleman,” he said and shot a sideways grin back at her.
She squeezed his hand as he helped her out of the car. She couldn't believe how wonderful Marco was. She didn't feel like an employee when she was with him. Even as her boss, he still treated her more like a princess than anybody ever had.
Once Sabrina was standing, Marco released her hand and then pulled out some cash to give the driver. Meanwhile, Sabrina smiled and soaked up the experience surrounding her. There were horns honking, people talking and the sound of feet scurrying against the concrete. She drew in a breath, letting the smell of at least five different kinds of food enter her nose. She was overwhelmed, but in a good way. It made her feel alive.
“Shall we go see if we can get ourselves a table?” Marco asked, as he gestured toward the building in front of where they'd stopped.
It was a quaint little yellow building, with a small sign over the top that read Voir. On either side of it were massive high-rise towers. It looked like the kind of place that had been there forever and had refused to leave, even when the major construction came along.
Sabrina took a step before saying, “Wait, should we get our bags out of the car before we go in?”
“Oh, no. I asked the driver to wait for us while we eat,” Marco said, as he slipped on his hat and sunglasses back on to try to disguise himself. “Don’t worry. Our luggage will be safe.”
Sabrina walked into the restaurant, with Marco right behind her. She greeted the hostess and requested a table for two, preferably something near the back. They were seated at a small table in the far corner. It was the perfect spot, with enough privacy so that Marco could comfortably remove his sunglasses without having to worry about being recognized.
While the waitress ran through the lunch specials, Sabrina’s eyes wandered about the restaurant's breathtaking interior. Colorful modern art was hung on every wall, and standing randomly throughout the restaurant were welded metal sculptures of different animals. She raised her eyes, admiring the details of the ceiling. Everything was painted white, reflecting the shine from the lights on the wall and illuminating the restaurant under one glow.
“This place is incredible,” Sabrina said. “The outside of this building doesn't do the inside any justice at all.”
The waitress chuckled. “I hear that a lot. It's kind of surprising for people when they walk inside. The owner has talked about remodeling the exterior, but somehow he always gets talked out of it.”