Coco Chanel Saved My Life (15 page)

“To be honest Valentina, I had an unforeseen difficulty on Saturday evening, so I didn't spend much time with your friend. Actually, please tell him I apologize again…”

I cut it short, trying to reach my desk as soon as possible. I felt embarrassed.

“Wait! Are you telling me nothing happened? That
you
blew a man off?” She looked disappointed and irritated. “I thought you had had sex. For once you didn't have your usual unbearable and inconsolable little virgin's face this morning!”

Maybe she was a witch with magic powers and extrasensory perception! How could she know that I actually
had
had sex?

“It was just a very relaxing weekend.” I said, heading to my desk.

She followed me, and after a few seconds she added: “Do you want me to set you up with someone else? Sometimes it happens that the first date didn't work… Don't feel ashamed. It's not your fault if you're clumsy and not especially attractive.”

I wanted to strangle her, but this morning I felt too happy to commit murder!

“Thank you! Maybe later… At the moment I feel fine. And now I should get to work. I'm still struggling with flower arrangements and napkin selection… Our client is still undecided about colours.”

I had steered the conversation in the right direction. There was only one thing that interested Valentina more than other people's sex lives, and it was work.

“Perfect! Get down to work.”

“Ah, Valentina… another thing. A request.” I said, a little scared.

“Ok, let's hear it…”

“I need a couple of vacation days. I have an emergency and I must take care of it. Do you think this would be a problem?”

Cristian will be leaving soon and I wanted to have a little more time with him. The boat will stay sufficiently afloat, even without me rowing for a couple of days!

“It
is
a problem! I already planned our work for this week… I could make an exception to the rules and try to find two days for next week. But remember, this is a personal favour. An exception!”

“Yes, I understand, thank you!” I was so happy that her threats didn't scare me.

I smiled and sat down at my desk. I had to hold on for eight hours, then I will see my knight! He had his show in the afternoon on Monday, and had promised to take me out for dinner. I couldn't wait!

Everything was happening so fast, and I was still struggling to believe it was true.

The sad part was having to count the days that remained… We didn't have much time to live our fairy tale. At some point our
wizard
would break the spell and everything would end. This curse was cruel, but at the same time it made our encounter even more romantic.

I started to work, but I couldn't stop thinking of Cristian. My mind continuously went back to the night before, to our passionate words and sensual caresses.

In the afternoon while I was having my last coffee for the day, I received a text from Cristian.

“Thank you for the fantastic night. Don't make any commitments for tonight. You're mine.”

Oh, my poor heart, racing again… I had to finish my work and run to the subway in the rain that didn't want to stop. I wanted to get home as soon as possible to get ready. I had to wash my hair and put on something warm. I was freezing.

As soon as I got home, I tried to call on Claudio to say hello and update him on the events, but he wasn't home. I entered my apartment, turned on the light and there on the table, in a pot where I used to keep my umbrellas, was a huge bunch of red roses! There was a note: ‘A rose for every day you want to give me. C.' I was crying.

I smelled the beautiful flowers and turned on my computer. I could see Emma was on Skype, so I called her. I told her my news. She was very happy for me, but sounded a little down. I knew things were not going very well with the guy she dated, and felt almost guilty about my happiness.

“You seem down, Emma. Something wrong?”

“Um, nothing serious, these are just heavy days…”

“Is everything ok with Matteo?”

“Not really. We are taking a break. We've decided not to see each other for a while.”

She hadn't told me anything. Perhaps I had been so self-absorbed and selfish that she didn't have a chance to talk about herself.

“If you feel talking, I'm here.” Emma generally didn't say much about herself, but I wanted her to know she could always count on me. I really loved her and wanted her happiness. She deserved it.

“There isn't much to say. You know how these things go. The first weeks always seem perfect, then after a few months you begin to realize that things are not going the way you had hoped. Matteo and I have been seeing each other for five months now, but I don't feel for him what I would like to feel. There was no spark. I decided that maybe we should think about our relationship for a little bit.”

Emma had always been a decisive person. If things didn't go the way she wanted, she ended them; if something didn't work out, she stopped it, without agonizing and doubting herself. This was something I had always envied about her since we were kids in Venice.

“Please, Emma, if you need me, call. Even at night…”

“Thanks Coco. Enjoy your adventure. I'm fine, don't worry about me. But don't forget, you promised to introduce your Prince Charming to me!”

“No, I didn't forget! I want to organize a little dinner party and I'll cook for everybody.”

“Are you sure? Last time you were supposed to cook, we had to order pizzas!”

“Don't be cruel! I just put a little too much salt in the water for the pasta…” I've always been a disastrous cook.

“Just to be sure, I will bring the telephone number of my favourite Vietnamese take-out that evening.”

“Great friend you are!”

I felt sad for Emma, but I was sure she would tell me more at the right moment. That's what we need friends for, to be there to listen in times of need, but also to be able to wait.

Cristian called me a few minutes after my conversation with Emma. He had just finished the afternoon show and – as promised – wanted to take me out for dinner.

“Do you like Mexican food?”

“I adore it!” I answered enthusiastically.

“Good! In this case prepare yourself for the best Mexican restaurant in Milan.”

“I look forward to it… and I can't wait to kiss you!”

I only had one hour to get ready. I wanted to wear something that would leave him breathless! I chose a pale pink sheath dress with a lace insert around the neckline and my black T-strap shoes with very high heels.

When I had finished blow drying my hair and was working on my make-up, I heard Claudio entering his apartment. I wanted to update him about what was going on with me… It was thanks to him that I had met Cristian. All dressed up, I went out in the hallway and knocked on his door.

“Here you are, my goddess!” he said, as soon as he saw me.

“Thanks! I needed a compliment to be sure I chose the right outfit…” I smiled.

“Do you have a hot date?”

“I'm going out for dinner with your friend Cristian.”

He was silent for a long moment and I thought I had made a mess. Hoping I hadn't hurt his feelings, I said, “This isn't something that bothers you, right? I hope not, but if it is, please tell me. I really don't want to create misunderstandings between us. You know how much I care about you and our friendship.”

“No, not at all. On the contrary, I'm happy for you… but I know Cristian is going to leave soon, and I'm afraid you may suffer all over again.”

Both my friends were afraid I might be broken hearted again and they worried about my still being vulnerable; but this time it was different. I knew it was going to end. I knew it wasn't for all my life. But this encounter was the most romantic thing that had ever happened to me and I wanted to live it.

“I'm fine, Claudio. I won't suffer. I'm learning that life is full of unforeseen events, for better or worse, and we cannot plan for the future, really. As you always say, we should take one day at a time.”

“Ok, you're right. And you couldn't do better than Cristian!”

I felt grateful and I warmly embraced him.

I went back to my apartment and waited for Cristian, who arrived half an hour late. I'd already understood that punctuality wasn't a priority for him! We called a taxi to get to the restaurant. We couldn't stop kissing each other even for the ten-minute taxi ride. He caressed my hair and I leaned on his shoulder. I felt like an adolescent on her first date.

The restaurant manager was an old friend of Cristian; they had met when they were both working in Mexico. I ordered a mojito, happily forgetting about my calories… Cristian got a beer and went to say hello to the owner and the waiters. I was discovering that he was an extrovert. This evening he was especially lively, he kept singing catchy Spanish tunes, and caressing my legs under the table.

“How was your day at the office?”

“As usual: bride dresses, flowers and confetti.”

“I think you have a fun job.”

“Yes, in a way it's fun…”

“Have you ever thought of marrying?” His question caught me by surprise. Actually, I never really thought of marrying. I had always disliked weddings, yet I didn't want to appear too cynical to my new lover.

“Honestly, I've never thought about it, perhaps because I haven't met the right person yet.”

“And if the perfect man should appear tomorrow?”

“Hmm… I think I might consider the idea.” I didn't really believe that it could happen to me, and found it strange to talk about marriage with a man I had only known for a few days and who would be leaving soon.

“Once I almost got married,” he said, while I was biting into a delicious cheese nacho.

“Really? And what happened?”

“We were very young and in love. Most of all we were naïve. She got pregnant and we decided to marry. It seemed the right thing to do for both of us. But she lost the baby and something fell apart between us. We broke up shortly after her miscarriage. But we are good friends now.”

“I'm sorry…”

“Don't be sorry.
Asi` es la vida
. Later she married a good friend of mine and they are very happy together. They have two children.”

“I don't think I'd be able to be good friends with an ex-boyfriend.”

“Are you telling me you're not in touch with any of your exes?”

“Of course not! I don't believe love can change into friendship. Or maybe one needs time, a long time, and anyway it's never happened to me.” Also – but I didn't confess this to Cristian – all I wanted to do was kick them in the ass, because each of them had hurt me.

“You're very harsh! What about us? Do you think we will remain friends?”

His question caught me unprepared. We hadn't even had time to get into a relationship, but I thought maybe I would like to keep in touch with him.

“Of course, we will remain friends!”

“Great! Let's give a toast to our friendship.” He raised his glass…

We ordered two more drinks. I was already drunk with one mojito, spicy food, and happiness. My head was spinning.

After dinner we took a walk in a nearby park to sober up… Then we sat on a bench and started kissing like kids. We desired each other very much and I couldn't wait to spend another night with him.

I was thinking that I had definitely changed my mind about couples kissing and cuddling in public spaces, when I noticed a dark car parking not far from us. A tall figure, somehow familiar, got out of the drivers side. The guy was talking and laughing on his phone. It took me a while to recognize Niccolo and for a second I felt breathless. I hid in Cristian's arms – who didn't realize anything was amiss – and waited for Niccolo to move away.

He seemed happy and relaxed. He didn't notice us. I felt an animal instinct to attack him, to tear at his elegant clothes and rip out his stupid hair. I watched him walking away, and I had a diabolical idea.

“I'm a little cold, Cristian. Do you mind if we go home now?”

“I couldn't wait for you to ask!” He laughed.

We walked towards the closest taxi stand, and as we approached Niccolo's car parked on the street, I took my keys out of my Bottega Veneta handbag (bought second hand on eBay!). When we passed the precious black Audi – in which this man I once loved had kissed me so many times – I made a long scratch down the whole side of the car's shiny surface, to leave an unforgettable memory!

I know, it was mean, but it made me feel better immediately. Revenge accomplished! Cristian was totally unaware. I took his hand and smiled at him.

“Let's hurry home. I want to spend another special night with you,” I whispered.

*

Days went fast. Too fast. We spent as much time we could together, eating, drinking, laughing and making love. I discovered that Cristian was a renaissance man. Not only was he a good actor, but he knew how to sing, cook, and even how fix my old leaking kitchen faucet.

The last week we had together, we spent the two vacation days – that the bitch Valentina had given me – in bed! We only got up to take showers or to eat something in the kitchen. It was heaven.

I had decided to organize a farewell dinner for him on the last evening he would be in Milan. I didn't forget that I had also promised to introduce him to Emma.

Claudio was in charge of the wine and Emma had to bring the dessert. I tried to make lasagna, meticulously following a recipe that my mother gave me over the phone.

Cristian and I were excited, but also a bit sad. After those incredible two weeks, we still couldn't believe we would have to part soon. It seemed impossible.

For the dinner party I wore an elegant dress and to surprise me, Cristian had abandoned his faithful jeans and bought a dark suit to wear.