My fabulous Roaring Twenties - Valentino & I

By Anna Piccolini

After having faked his own death, Rudolph Valentino returns to Anna.

Having forsaken fame and fortune, he has assumed a new identity in order to live freely with the woman he loves, unfettered by time and space.

A country house, a child in the works... It all seems so perfect.

But how did Rudolph take Anna back in time? What is the mystery behind their love story?

It begins again, veiled in mystery and a pinch of joy...

Life or death, fantasy or reality.

The actor takes on the role of the common man.

Lost in time, Rudolph Valentino and Anna plunge into adventure with an agility worthy of the best acrobats.

The common denominator is, as always, love.

Anna and Rudolph, whether they are in the roaring twenties, the present or the future, continue their adventure beyond time and space, clutching onto that wanderlust that characterizes them.

A new and exciting chapter of the duo’s adventure, guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page.

Don’t be fooled. You know how it is: nothing is as it seems.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Youcanprint
• Release date: Feb 5, 2018
• ISBN: 9788827806401

Book preview

Anna

August 16 2016, 10:30

Fiorella: Excuse me, when were these books published?

Bookshop owner: 1920.

Fiorella: Can I take a peek?

Bookshop owner: You’re in for a surprise. One of them’s a real doozy. The title’s Valentino & I (Timeless Love).

Fiorella: That’s the title of a book my friend was writing. Where is it?

Bookshop owner: I doubt that ma’am. It’s from 1926.

Fiorella: Please, just show me.

Bookshop owner: Here you go. Just know that it’s not exactly cheap.

Fiorella: Nevermind! Impossible. It really is Anna’s book. How can she have written this in 1926? I must take it to her family. It could contain some vital clues on what happened to her. This is too much. And to think I found it by pure chance today in Genoa’s De Ferrari square.

Bookshop owner: Consider the price I put on it a gift, as the original’s pretty steep. That’ll be 120 euros please.

Fiorella: Well! My pockets aren’t that deep.

Bookshop owner: It’s from 1926 and shows no wear.

Fiorella: Fine, say no more. I’ll take it.

I can’t wait to read, no, devour it, and figure out what’s with this weird time paradox.

Bookshop owner: We’re getting another from the same author next week.

Fiorella: I’ll leave you my number.

Bookshop owner: Fine by me.

September 23 1926, 15:10

Rudolph, tell me how all this is possible. I still can’t work out how I ended up in 1926. Back in 2015 I was at home, lost in my worries. I was sad and alone, in love with a man I couldn’t spend quality time with, as his occasional visits were marked by long absences. One day, I woke up with you by my side, and I noticed that the room was different. I felt that it wasn’t just the house that changed, but the century itself. I’d gone back to 1926!

How many adventures we’ve had. There were some hiccups along the way, but we’ve had so much fun.

Then the day came I feared I’d never see you again.

I was in pieces. My greatest love could have died in surgery.

The days went by, and the only thing keeping me going was the tiny life I carried in my womb, a life I love immensely, because it is a part of you. I knew that I would see you in it. I would have rediscovered your eyes, the scent of your skin, your laughter and... I turned on the recording device you gave me, which projected not only your voice, but your image too. You seemed so real! It all felt real, and I could almost touch you.

The emotion got to me. I felt I was going crazy. I needed to see you.

I feared that Rudolph Valentino’s tragic end had happened after all.

When I heard your voice break through the suffocating silence in my soul, I felt I’d been reborn. I missed everything about you, my love. Now I look into your eyes and think...

You’re an asshole, Rudolph. You get me knocked up and leave me for a week. What is this thing of yours anyway? It projects a life-like image of you! It’s even recorded hours of you, but how is it possible!

It’s all too convoluted, like some Agatha Christie novel.

Rudolph: You mean the author of Poirot a Style Court?

The same.

Rudolph: Dear, how I’ve missed your weird moods. You interrupt your romantic musings with sudden bouts of anger, though I admit you have a point here. Sorry for interrupting. Keep going.

I’ve got nothing else to add, unless by request. Now give me that explanation you promised!

Rudolph: The future.

I know everything’s warped, but... What did you just say? The future... You’re out of your mind!

Rudolph: That is what I said.

I’ve been thinking about the best way to explain everything without further confusing you. I simply couldn’t find a simple way of explaining these journeys through time.

So my future is your past?

Rudolph: No, I was born on March 6 1895!

Listen, I was shown the future during one of my days of pining for the good old times. Before I go further, could you come a little closer? I want to hold you tight. I’ve missed you so much. I want everything about you.

I now understand the nostalgia you felt when you couldn’t see me, and the absolute faith you had in our love, which made you sure we’d pull through. I acted appallingly to you back then. I like to touch you and watch your movements. Your smile and charm brightened up my days.

I pictured the day you’d finally see my face and be shocked at how long I was prepared to wait. I loved the insistence with which you confronted me, as I knew that your only desire was to see me. Granted, you sometimes hurt me to get a reaction, but you always waited, trusting that the moment would come.

I on the other hand dreamt of holding you, of feeling your body on mine. How many obstacles did we have to go through to stay together? You’re the one I treasure most. Nothing exists other than you. My life was complete before I saw you, then I understood that it was all an illusion. I was missing my better half. I will never let circumstance keep me away from you anymore. You’re the only reason I live now.

I want to feel the warmth of your body too, and forget all the worries I’ve been through.

But as I feel these emotions sweep over me, I keep thinking about what you said. You mentioned the future. Maybe you’re right when you say I need to relax, but I can’t get it out of my head.

Believe me, Rudolph, when I say that what you said makes me really curious, but also scared for what you could reveal.

Let me rest my head on your shoulder. They give off a warmth which does away with all my fears.

I shouldn’t have raised my eyes. Whenever they meet yours, my heart stops. They make me smile with joy and my cheeks blush with embarrassment. I don’t know how it’s possible, but even now I am so self-conscious.

Stop staring at me, or I’ll lose my mind!

I want to cry out to the world about how happy I am. Thank God I’ve found love again.

I’m going to close my eyes now and savor these feelings. My mind ploughs through this storm and comes back drunk with joy.

I don’t understand what’s distracting me now. Maybe it’s my crazed hormones.

How I’d love to be like the others. I wish my thoughts wouldn’t rush so quickly, like some constantly late train. I need to slow down. My life needs to take the track of peace and quiet.

It’s no use. Curiosity’s got the better of me and I want answers.

Everything needs to be explained, every gesture needs to have something behind it.

Please, help me change. I want to live like it’s my last day on Earth. Help me to let go. I don’t want to become what I was before. I want to be the woman of your dreams.

Rudolph: I dream of you, and desire you. I like you as you are, spontaneous and cheerful.

I like that too, but it can’t be the default of my existence. I wish I could be at peace, to have my mind float in nothingness, ignoring the cries of what needs to be done or examined.

Peace! I want total peace.

There is no madness in this period, or at least nothing involving my own time. Please, teach me all of this, listen to my pleas and help me find tranquility. Dammit, I can’t, I just can’t! What must I do to stop mulling over the word future?

You insist that my mind is too open. Don’t remind me of how different I am.

I think I’m going crazy now!

Thank you for the beautiful things you’ve told me, but you can’t just disappear for a month then come back spouting a bunch of nonsense. Do you see now why I look on edge!

I think that rage you know so well is going to overcome me. What year are we talking about anyway?

Rudolph: 2210.

2210, of course! Now why didn’t I think of that? Duh. So you’re not a ghost after all. You took me from 2015 to 1926 and used the future to place the last piece in this puzzle.

You’re insane! Totally insane!

Do you think I’m some kind of plaything? You think you can toy with me?

Don’t give me that look. I’ve just told you that I feel helpless before those deep eyes of yours.

Stop it!

You won’t make me bend this time.

Stroking my face won’t douse the flames of my rage.

Rudolph: How about that? That’s my girl. You’re even talking like a twenties dame.

I’m tired and confused. I can’t take this idiocy anymore.

That’s enough. I need to lie down.

Kiss me!

Let me hold you tightly, so you can’t escape.

I’ve missed you so much.

Rudolph: Whenever I hold you by the chin and gaze into your emerald eyes, I never stop feeling like the luckiest man in the world. They make me feel like I’m the only one who truly knows what love is.

Rudolph, your words go straight to the heart. That’s why I ask you to offer me an explanation in simple terms that won’t blow out what little of my neurons remain.

Rudolph: I see you haven’t lost your sense of humor.

I think it’s what helped me get through the time you were gone.

Rudolph: Am I still the love of your life?

You’ve always been good at making light of the most difficult situations and distracting me from the issue at hand.

Looks like you’ve done it again.

Rudolph: And yet, just a few minutes ago, you were crying and saying heart-breaking things.

Yes, because it is, and always shall be, hard to forget you.

Someone, however, has taken care of me every time you left me.

Please understand!

Rudolph: I can’t believe you’d cheat on Rodolfo Guglielmi, A.K.A. Rudolph Valentino.

And to think there are thousands of women who’d die to be in your place.

It’s only been a month since I faked my death.

Why are you staring at me like that?

No! You’ve raised your eyebrow again. You’re kidding. I should never have used that expression in the movie The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Where are you running to?

You can’t touch me. I’m pregnant.

Rudolph: You should be ashamed of yourself! You almost gave me a heart attack.

I doubt that, considering all you’ve gone through.

Rudolph: Stop!

Put me down! Where are you taking me?

Rudolph: I’ve been waiting for this for a whole month.

What, offering explanations?

Rudolph: No.

You’re not thinking about that are you?

Rudolph: No, I just want to cuddle you in bed.

Good, cause I’m really confused. Heck, my nerves are shot.

So the vitamins you gave me also come from the future?

Rudolph: Yes. Now put on these gloves and glasses.

Why?

Rudolph: You haven’t changed a bit. You can never fully trust me. I have to explain everything.

What do I need to do to get you to totally trust me?

Sorry, I guess it’s a defense mechanism.

Rudolph: Against me?

No, against everything. Even with your beard and mussed up hair, you’re so handsome.

Rudolph: You too. You’re positively radiant. Pregnancy has made you even more beautiful. I didn’t think it was possible.

How charming. I missed the way you make me feel desired.

Rudolph: That shows no one ever really tried to come on to you.

No one ever managed to steal my heart. I have eyes only for you!

Rudolph: I never imagined women from the future being so romantic.

Of course we baby boomers are!

Why are you tutting like that? This is one of those moments in which I insist on getting answers. I sense you’re about to tell me something just as shocking as when you took me to 1926.

Please, the only certainty I have left is the life that I led in my present.

Rudolph: Alright, we’ll talk about it later.

So I’m right then? There’s something else which will turn my convictions upside down?

Rudolph: Yes, but now let’s concentrate on the orchard. Has Giovanni been doing his job?

Yes, me too! You should see how good I’ve got. I’ve become quite the farmer! I don’t know why, but I recently recalled I time in 2015 in which I found myself in hospital. I chatted to a lady there, and she told me that the correct term is agriculturalist. I prefer the term I used. It just seems more evocative of being in contact with the soil.

Rudolph: You say that with such pride.

I do! It’s hard work, but I put my back into it. Believe it or not, I enjoy it.

Rudolph: I’m glad.

You know, I don’t faint anymore, but I get very tired. Alberto’s started kicking. You did say we’d name our little man after your brother, right?

Rudolph: Are you sure it’s a boy?

Yes. If not, we can use your mother’s name: Marie Berthe Gabrielle.

Rudolph: That would make me very happy. Thank you Anna.

Rudolph, I find it hard to call you by the name you’ve chosen. I can’t get used to calling you Raffaello, as nice as the name is.

Can I address you by