The January cold crept between the streets of Vicenza, enveloping the city in a mantle of mist and sparkling lights. The shop windows reflected in the puddles, creating a mosaic of colors dancing in the evening darkness. Inside a crowded disco club, the pulsating rhythm of electronic music mixed with the smiles and laughter of youth in search of entertainment.
Anna, a rebellious dishwasher, juggled between dirty plates and empty glasses, softly singing the words of a De André song. Her colorful hair and the tattoos adorning her arms told stories of freedom and dreams. A philosophy student, she found refuge in her university, but her daily life was a constant contrast between art and toil. Working at the disco club allowed her to get by, but her heart longed for something more.
That evening, as the music grew more intense, the spotlights illuminated the faces of the dancers. Among them was Matteo, a successful young goldsmith, just out of the Vicenzaoro fair. His elegant clothes and charming smile made him look like a prince in a world of mere mortals. But at that moment, he was just a drunken boy, surrounded by friends and the frenzy of the party.
His alcohol-clouded eyes casually fell on Anna. He saw her, focused on washing the dishes, her face serious and concentrated. There was something in her expression that struck him, an innocence mixed with a strength that made his heart race. He made his way through the crowd like a castaway seeking solid ground until he reached her.
"Hey, you!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling but determined. Anna looked up, surprised and a bit amused. "Are you... are you the most charming dishwasher in Vicenza?"
Anna didn’t know whether to laugh or run away, but Matteo, in a moment of madness, pulled out an extraordinary ring from his sample case. The yellow gold sparkled under the lights of the disco, while the diamonds seemed to dance like stars in the night sky. "Look at this," he said, kneeling, the yearning of a proposal that felt surreal. "I can't and don't want to live without you by my side..."
The world around them stopped. The music faded away, and in the noise of the party, there was only the beating of their hearts. Anna, struck by the boldness and sweetness of that gesture, felt a wave of emotions wash over her. An unexpected love, a crossing of destinies, was about to begin.
