Florence has a way of throwing unexpected stories at you, and mine started with a single comment.
👉 “If it’s so magnificent, why are you staring at it with sunglasses?”
I teased, watching a guy admire the insides of the Cathedral.
He smirked. “I stare at it almost every day.”
Not quite an answer, but enough to keep me interested.


Enter: Mr. Historian (let’s call him that)
A Texan, studying finance in Florence for a short-term program.
We got to talking ~ why we were here, what we were doing with our lives. He had been in Florence for three weeks and wouldn’t leave until May.
Meanwhile, I had exactly one night left. Classic timing.
But something about our conversation just clicked.
He asked for my Instagram, ( probably to have a background check on me ~ if I have slutty photos perhaps, lol )
Then, he asked me if should we continue our convo while walking.
I said “Okay.”
First stop: the Medicii Bridge.
Now, I don’t research much before I visit a place (I like to think of it as living in the moment), but Mr. Historian?
He had done his homework. I, of course, reaped the benefits of his knowledge. 🤭
And just like that, I made a friend.
From history to haute couture…
Somewhere between a history lesson and a cobblestone street, he asked me to come with him to a designer boutique.
🧥 “I’ve been eyeing this jacket for a while… I’d love your fashion input. You seemed to have style.”
Oh? I had barely known this man for an hour, and suddenly, I was playing personal stylist. But hey, when a guy appreciates your style, who am I to refuse?
So, I went. And let me tell you ~ the way he bought that jacket?
No hesitation. No checking the price tag. Just swipe and go. 💳
Later, I found out why.
His family? Oil and gas. His dad? Friends with Trump. His background? Southern roots.
Ah.
But here’s the thing ~ he wasn’t just some trust-fund kid floating through life. He actually had ambition. He has an online company with his brother. He did several internships with many companies to see what he likes.
And after Florence, he already have a job waiting for him in JP Morgan, planning to work in private equity & wealth management for high-profile clients.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
Catching Sunset
After walking, we decided to go to Michaelangelo Piazza to catch the sunset. He asked if I wanted pictures.


He then asked if I wanted to have dinner with him.
I said sure, why not. He then made reservations. Good thinking. The place was full when we got there.
Brains & banter
We were at Trattoria ZaZa, where conversation and wine blurred the lines of acquaintance and something more. 🍷



He wasn’t just intelligent ~ he valued intelligence.
He was impressed by my English
(which, honestly, is flattering coming from a native speaker 🤭).
He even pointed out that I use words most Americans don’t even know.
And then came the moment that sealed it.
💬 “Well, I want to be like Jordan Peterson.”
He laughed ~ not at me, but because he admired him too. Even surprised that I know Jordan.
And not only that, he had actually met him.
🤯 Excuse me??
“I’m so jealous. I could exchange lives with you.”
I told him, how lucky it was to work in banks and finance. You have connections to get loans to build businesses ~ leveraging money.
He said “Don’t worry, I will let you loan money through me if ever you want to fund businesses and such.”
I laughed. Deep inside, hoping he was serious.
Only that I am no citizen in your country. XD
He said he wanted to take a photo of me with his shades on. So I stroke a pose with his directions.


A slight detour
He treated me dinner. I treated us gelato.
As he walked me home, he glanced at me and asked,
“Are you open for a slight detour?”
There was something playful in his tone, a hint of mystery.
“Okay,” I said, curiosity getting the best of me.
He led me through the doors of a famous hotel in Florence, striding in like a regular. I followed, a little nervous ~ but I wasn’t sure why.
We stepped into the elevator, and before I knew it, we were on the highest floor.
Ohh… a rooftop.
He had planned to surprise me with a table at the Grand Hotel’s rooftop bar, but by the time we arrived, it was closing.
So, instead, we lingered outside ~ just the two of us ~ soaking in the view.
My kind of luxury.


And somehow, it all felt… romantic.
Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was the brevity of our encounter, or maybe it was just the magic of Florence.
But I could feel it ~ that little tinge of what if?
The kind that makes you wish for just a little more time.
But I said I have to go now, it was past 11, and I have to wake up at 4 am.
He walked me home that night, a little quieter than before, and I could tell… he was sad just as I was. How short our time together.
Even if I extend, I can’t.
My Schengen days are nearing to its end and I have my flights booked.
I have to leave Europe to respect the 90/180 tourist rule.
We hugged each other goodbye.
“I hope I’ll see you again somewhere”, he said.
“For sure”, I replied.
I thought about our encounter a little longer than I probably should have. Hence, writing this.
Maybe it was just a fleeting connection.
Or maybe, Florence was just the beginning of our story. ✨
Ate Mil said I should write about this.
And I am quite afraid, every time I appreciate something, it tends to go away.
but whatever, Appreciate life. Appreciate people 😉