Cassandra Reid's POV

Romeo chatters around me as we make the rounds, but I pay him no attention. I just nod automatically to everything he says and drink my coffee. Today is Friday, my last day here and apparently it is also my last day as a doctor. Since no health center wants to risk becoming target of Gibson Reid's wrath, I will have to explore other areas.

It doesn't bother me to change the white coat for a waitress apron, however, it makes me very angry. It has been many years of sacrifice to throw them overboard just because my family has archaic thoughts from last century.

"I don't like your attitude Cassandra Reid", my partner says. "We agreed you'd enjoy this day as much or more than the first".

"From tomorrow on I'll be part of the unemployed wide world Romeo".

"And? You can not regret today for what will happen tomorrow. Take it one day at a time Cassie. Today's is to celebrate. They will surely give you a huge prize for being the best of your team"

"All I need is a contract..."

"Or a check with lots of zeros", he cuts me off to complete the sentence.

"You have more problems than me", I comment at the same time that I shook my head disapprovingly, "and I'm not referring to the economic field". I clarify in case he doesn't get the hint.

His occurrences have no limits.

"That's how you met me and that's why you adore me", he gives me a panty-lowering smile that only makes me roll my eyes. He will never give up his ridiculous intentions to seduce me. I know he just plays with me, but sometimes he annoys me. Especially if my mood is not the best, like today for example.

"I've never said such an outrage," I point out, arching my eyebrows.

"Come on! We both know one day you'll admit that I'm your man, then you will swear eternal love to me in front of God and we will get married.

"Sure!", I let out an exclamation full of sarcasm. "Our wedding will be in the Roman Colosseum and our honeymoon in Venice".

"As soon as you give me the 'yes', I'll take you wherever you want, beautiful", he plays along.

"Did I forget the part where we have a soccer team as children?", I add in the same tone.

"I think it's great. That way I'll have someone to play with on Sundays”. He smiles like the cheeky man he is and internally I prepare for his next words. "Also, the creation process will be a lot of fun".

"Pervert", I mutter between a snort.

"Sensual woman". He takes the audacity to kiss my shoulder and wink at me mischievously. He is lucky I'm used to his attitude.

"We better start our round before I kick your ass on my last day of work".

'You can do with my ass what you want, Cassandra Reid.

"Be careful what you wish for Romeo Alfieri. You can end up disappointed”, I warned before entering the first room. As it is Graduation Ceremony's Day for my class, the doctor has delegated his tasks to us as a promotional gift while he prepares his little speech.

Upon entering, I see the most beautiful child I have ever seen in my life.

"How is my favorite patient?", I ask as I greet the father with a simple nod.

Despite keeping my disturbed thoughts at bay and having rested more than usual for the past few days, I continue seeing him in my dreams. No matter how hard I try, the Italian doesn't get out of my head, nor does his seductive voice.

I had never witnessed such a situation.

And worst of all, I've already found out where I could have known him from. Two days ago I had no idea I was dealing with the richest and most powerful man in Florence; the Steel Man. Leah was who told me when we were talking about my strange dreams.

"Boring", the little half-sulky man replies with his arms crossed.

"Aren't we on a mood today?", I ask in a jovial tone. I have been able to notice Federico Di Lauro has a certain rebellious behavior. He is only seven years old and he sometimes seems like a precocious teenager. I would like to know why both he and his sister behave so differently from children his age.

"I want chocolate!", he protests.

"Fede..."

"Give me my chocolates, dad".

"You know you can't eat chocolate right now", I interject. "It'll only be for a few days, Fede".

The little boy fixes his blue eyes like his father's on me about to cry. I've always been told I have a gift with children and I'm beginning to believe it's true, as I haven't met the first one to resist my charms, no matter how spoiled they are.

"If you don't give me chocolate, I'm not going to love you anymore". He forms a huge while he tender pout with his lips.

"Have you heard that Dr. Alfieri?", I ask, mimicking the patient's gesture. "I think it was my heart's breaking sound".

"I've heard it Dr. Reid", Romeo says.

My colleague is amused at the same time that the Italian of my dreams is staring at me.

He will wear me out from looking at me that much. There are so many explicit thoughts in his gaze and none of them seem decent to me. I'm just shocked to imagine it.

Yet, since that night in the ER, we haven't even exchanged more than three sentences. That's why I don't understand his attitude. It's like he's evaluating me... but for what?

"Is your heart broken?". The boy changes his expression from sadness to astonishment with impressive rapidity. "Does your tummy hurt like me too?"

"A little bit", I shrug before moving closer to him to examine him.

"Will doctors also draw your blood and leave you with the mark of Zorro like me?"

"Maybe"  I declare. "Or maybe there may be another magical solution".

"Which one?", he asks intrigued.

"A kiss."

"A kiss?"

"That's right, but not just any kiss". I surround him with my jokes to distract him while I feel his wound. "But the child's kiss. Did you know children's kisses are magical?"

"Really?", His handsome face takes on a colorful expression like Christmas lights.

"Yes". I conclude the medical examination. "Especially if they are of handsome children".

"And am I handsome?". Now he looks excited and anxious.

There's nothing more beautiful than kid's illusion. I say it and I repeat it: I love my job.

"Very handsome", I emphasize.

“Then, I can heal your heart."

"Only if you really want it".I approach him knowing the answer.

"I do", he declares before giving me a resounding kiss on the cheek. I could melt right now. "Does it hurts now?"

"Well...". I pretend to meditate for a few seconds. "Jesus! It doesn't hurt anymore. You've done magic!"

"I have cured you!", He exclaims with a laugh, and then turns to his father. "Dad, I want to be a doctor."

"Whatever you say, Fede."

"Well, future wizard doctor", I interject, "I think it's time for you to go home."

"Yeeees!", the boy applauds happily.

"In half an hour you can go to reception to sign medical discharge", I add, turning to the father before leaving.

"Cassie?". I stop halfway when I hear the little boy's voice.

"Yes darling?"

"Will I never see you again?"

A sinking feeling settles in my stomach at the sight of his face. I don't know what's happening to me. I have always felt empathy towards infants, but Di Lauro children awaken strange and new emotions in me.

"Of course we'll see each other again!", I reply as I walk over to him to tickle him lightly." Florence is not that big, Federico".

"And can I come to see you even if my stomach doesn't hurt?"

"You can come to see me whenever you want, Fede". I kiss his forehead and then left.

"That was weird", my partner comments as he walks beside me to the next cubicle.

"What's weird?"   I ask narrowing my eyes.

“I've seen how you treat your patients and how they adore you from the first moment they see you”, he explains, “but what happens with this boy and his sister is... different. It looks like there's a special connection between you. Is rare.

And there it goes again: the most requested word in recent days.

"Trust me Romeo". I rub my nose with my fingers, "weird doesn't even describe it."

We finish rounds of visits in an hour and I have to run to the locker room at full speed to change my clothes. If I don't hurry up, I'll be late for my own graduation.

"Is Leah Falco late for a party?", I scoff seeing my friend running to change herself with same haste as me. "Today will not be a good day".

"I don't know if it'll be good, but certainly it's a busy one". Her speed to get rid of the uniform and put on the pastel dress is impressive. "By the way, I just saw your Italian."

"He is not my Italian", I say, rolling my eyes. Ever since I told her about strange events two days ago, she hasn't stopped bothering me about it.

"You have dreamed of him without even having met him, that man is for you, Cassandra Reid."

I stop in front of the mirror to fix my hair and touch up my makeup. Nothing elaborate, however, it suits me. The truth is that with my golden blonde hair and green eyes I don't need much to look pretty.

"He is one of the richest men in Italy and the most powerful in Florence", I state something she already knows, but she seems to forget. "What would someone like him want from an unemployed Pediatrician like me?"

"Many things, my friend", she answers before heading towards the hospital's Main Auditorium. There the staff has prepared everything to celebrate the ceremony. 'Many things. Haven't you read the newspapers or checked social media? He has seduced half world of women and his taste is very diverse."

I don't understand the reason, but a feeling of annoyance suddenly invades me.

"Besides, dreams are signs of destiny".

"I think you're reading a lot of romance novels lately Leah.", I mock of her.

"Mock of me all you want, but I'm sure you'll end up being that Italian's Bride, Cassandra Reid".