Coco Chanel Saved My Life (20 page)

Without a word, we watched her stagger back to her table, then Claudio, looking at the beer list, asked, “so, is she your ferocious boss?”

“Yes, she's a monster, don't you think?” I was really shocked to see her like that.

“I don't think she was sober. I hope she's not like this at the office too.”

“Not exactly, but she's a real pain in the ass anyway!”

“Well, we should toast her craziness…”

We ordered our beers and chatted for the rest of the evening. From time to time, I checked my phone to see if Emma had answered my texts. But this time too, she had not…

*

The next day I arrived at the office early and in a very good mood. I was dying to see what kind of state Valentina would be in that day. My co-workers weren't there yet, so I decided to get a coffee.

While I was heading over to the break lounge, I saw someone kicking the coffee vending machine.

“Is everything ok?”

Etienne turned, looked at me, and then smiled. “I put money in, but the machine didn't give my coffee…” He seemed apologetic.

“I know. Sometimes it happens. This machine not only makes undrinkable coffee, but it also has its own character, and at times doesn't work at all! But what are you doing here so early? I thought bosses have the luxury of arriving much later…”

“I just got back last night from New York and I couldn't sleep because of jetlag. And you? I didn't think you were a morning person.”

My constantly being early had finally scored points with a boss.

“I went to bed early last night and I woke up this morning the minute the sun came up! But I need a coffee now. What can we do?” I couldn't start the day without my second dose of caffeine.

“I have an idea!” He looked at his phone and checked the address book. “Good morning. This is Etienne. May I order two breakfasts for delivery? Two cappuccinos and two almond pastries. Yes, please, send everything to the agency, conference room, on the second floor. Thank you!”

How could he know I love cappuccino and almond pastries?

“Do they deliver breakfast to you?”

“I'm a good client of the café. They know me…” He gave a smile and my head started to spin.

“How did you know almond croissant is one of my favourite things?” This man was really resourceful and attentive.

“I saw you having one on your break. You bit into it with such enthusiasm that some cream was dripping on your chin. You were funny trying to clean it with your tongue.”

Oh, yes. Unfortunately, I remembered it well. I had also spilled some cream on my precious Moschino skirt that I had to send to the dry-cleaner. My usual bad performance!

“But let's go. Our breakfast is waiting for us in the conference room.”

“I'm not sure I can. Soon everybody will be arriving at the office.”

“We won't tell anyone. It will be our secret.”

A secret breakfast with Etienne in the conference room. Not a bad way to start the week.

We went to the big room, and a few minutes later a young guy with a dark jacket arrived. He placed an elegant tray on the table.

“Thank you, Sandro,”

“You're welcome, Mr Etienne. I will stop by later to pick up the tray.” He left and we were alone.

I watched him put two packets of sugar in his cappuccino. “You like it bitter, I see…” I joked.

“Sweet is a necessity, especially in the morning.” And he flashed one of his irresistible smiles.

“Where did you learn Italian?” I bit into my croissant, trying to be very careful not to spill anything.

“I studied for a year in Rome. I have beautiful memories of that time.” His stared at me with his piercing blue eyes and for a moment I felt lost. “Your eyes are intense…” he continued.

I felt a chill through my body, but I tried to lighten the conversation. “Hmm, I think it's because of my dark circles.”

“I like your dark circles. Very sexy.”

Another compliment and I would have fainted.

I began to hear the voices of my colleagues in the hallway. I didn't want to be seen alone with him. So, I quickly finished my cappuccino and abruptly stood up.

“I really have to go.” I said smiling. “Thank you for breakfast.”

“Wait!” Etienne came over to me. “I don't think you want to go back to the office like this…” With his finger he brushed my upper lip. “You had some cappuccino foam on your lips.”

He moved away and I remained still. I had goose bumps. I lowered my eyes and stammered, “thank you… I must go now,” and I ran out of the room.

Etienne had surprised and confused me. I went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. I needed it. My legs were shaking. What was happening to me? He just tried to wipe a bit of cappuccino off my lips, and I felt embarrassed like a little school girl. Was it possible that men always have this ability to make me feel ridiculous?

I went to my desk. All my colleagues had arrived by now. Valentina looked very tired sitting at her computer.

“Good morning!” I said her with the fakest of smiles. She seemed exhausted from the night before.

“Morning,” she replied without even looking up. “The coffee machine is broken,” she added.

“Did you have fun last night?” I wanted to provoke her. I wanted to remind her how ridiculously she had acted, even more crazily than usual!

“None of your business,” she replied briefly.

I understood that it was better to leave her alone. I turned my computer on and found an e-mail from Emma: “I'm sorry if I've been so distant these days. I'm going through a complicated time. Will I see you tomorrow at the opening?”

Emma's studio had moved to a new space and they were having a vernissage. Claudio and I were invited. For this occasion, I would finally wear my Dolce & Gabbana sheath dress, the one I bought the day I met Etienne and went shopping with him.

I really wanted to see Emma again and to find out what was going on with her. I missed our long chats. I missed her company and wanted to be sure she was fine.

The next day, a few hours before the event, I called her.

“Hello Emma, finally!” I was trying to sound cheerful and natural.

“Hi Coco, how are you?” She seemed almost surprised to hear from me.

“I'm fine, but I thought aliens had kidnapped you! I've tried to reach you for days…”

“I know. I'm sorry, but these last few days have been extremely busy.”

She was hiding something. I knew it for sure now, but I didn't want to put pressure on her.

“Don't worry. I understand. The only important thing is that you're ok. Maybe tonight we'll have a chance to talk. I wanted to tell you my most recent news.”

“Tonight will be very complicated… There will be lots of people there and I'll have to talk to everybody.”

“Oh, I understand…” I think my voice showed my disappointment. “Ok, we'll catch up another time.”

“Promise!”

“Are we still on with our invitations for tonight?” I asked.

“Of course! You and Claudio are already on the list. Let me know if you want to bring someone else with you. I would need to add them to the list as soon as possible.”

Unfortunately, I didn't have anybody to invite.

“Thanks. We'll be just the two of us. Actually, I hope to meet some interesting people there.”

“Are you planning to hit on some hunky architect?”

“Why not? It's time for me to get back in the game, don't you think?”

*

As soon as we got to Via Tortona, we saw a long line of people waiting to enter. We got in the queue to wait for our turn.

“Let's hope this won't take forever,” I said, buttoning my coat. It was cold and I wore high heels. I didn't want to have to stand for very long.

While we were outside we saw Emma coming out of a side door. She wore very tight black leather pants and she was trying to light a cigarette, shielding it from the wind with her hand.

“Emmaa!” Claudio called her and she smiled at us.

“Hi guys! I was waiting for you. She nodded to the bouncer to let us pass, so we avoided some of the queue.

“How are you?” I was so happy to see her. In spite of her tired face, she was in great shape. Her choice of a total black look was great on her. It enhanced her beautiful fair skin.

“I'm good, let's go inside…” she smiled, absentmindedly.

“Yes, yes, it's freezing.” I said.

The building was a huge old warehouse that had been renovated and transformed into an exhibition space. For the opening, a dance floor had been created in the centre. Black and white were the dominant colours, but the lighting had been designed in such a way that every corner had a different shade.

“It's fantastic!!” I shouted, hoping to be heard.

“Thank you, we've been working for months on this. The space will host shows, events, and important festivals. Come, I'll give you a little tour.”

While she was leading us through the side rooms where young artists had their works exhibited, we heard someone calling.

“Emma! Where have you been?

We turned and saw a young woman with curly hair, wearing an elegant black lace dress. She held two glasses of prosecco. I'd already seen her, but I couldn't remember where.

“I brought you a drink,” she said, handing a glass to Emma.

“I was giving a tour to my friends! This is Claudio, my journalist friend and Rebecca, wedding planner. Guys, this is Elena.”

“But we already met,” she said looking at me, slightly embarrassed.

Only then did I remember where I had seen her. It was that afternoon under Emma's house, when I saw them arguing.

“Of course, now I remember…” I was a little embarrassed too. “How are you?”

“Much better, now,” she smiled and shook Claudio's hand. Then she took a sip of prosecco.

I felt a little pang of jealousy for this friend of Emma's that she seemed to see more often than me.

“Coco, let's go get a drink. I need some alcohol and we are the only ones here without a glass!” Claudio said, pointing to the bar.

We also ordered two glasses of prosecco. The music was overwhelming and the dance floor was packed with people.

“Are we hot to dance?” Claudio asked, moving his feet to the rhythm of the music.

“No thanks, my heels are too high. But you go. I'll go around and try to break some hearts…”

“Great idea. Good luck!”

I began my exploration. I tried to look for Emma, but couldn't find her. There were so many people that it was hard not to get lost. I talked for a little while to two of Emma's colleagues, and then headed to the bathroom. To get there I had to walk through a long, poorly illuminated corridor. At some point I thought that I wasn't going in the right direction. When I turned round to go back, I heard a swish and saw a couple passionately kissing. I tried to be discreet and give them space, but – as always when I'm in delicate situations – I stumbled.

A familiar voice asked, “is someone there?”

Only then I recognized a pair of black leather pants and a mass of curly hair.

“You… You two…” I couldn't finish my sentence. I was shocked.

“I can explain everything.” Emma said, coming over to me.

“I still can't believe you kept all this hidden from me for so long!” I was on Emma's couch finally getting to talk to her.

“I didn't know how to tell you this… It has been so sudden, and it turned my life upside down.”

This was about two weeks after I discovered the relationship between Emma and Elena, and I was still struggling with it. The evening of the opening I had run away without giving any explanation, not even to Claudio. I acted stupidly, but I couldn't help it. I didn't know what else to do.

“What did you think I would have said or done? You are my friend, and if you're happy, I'm happy too. You should have told me something this important…”

“How could I tell you out of the blue that I had fallen in love with a woman?”

Apparently everything began one evening. Elena had gone to dinner at Emma's house. They had been seeing each other for a while, and discovered they had a lot in common. That night they had chatted until late, then started to watch a film on TV. They both sat on the couch and Elena had her head on Emma's shoulder. And then it happened. They began to kiss each other, sweetly, for a long time. However, after that night, Emma had decided to stop seeing Elena. She was shocked and upset. The day I saw them arguing was the time of their reconciliation. They had understood they couldn't live apart. Love is never the way we expect it to be. It always surprises us and complicates our lives.

“I confess, I never thought you would become a lesbian,” I said, and immediately I regretted my stupid words.

“The question is not about being straight or gay. I fell in love with Elena, that's all. I fell in love with a
person –
who happened to be a woman – and I've never felt so comfortable with someone before.”

“And now how do you feel around people? What will you do?” I was a little worried for her…

“We'll have our relationship and try to be happy.” She smiled. “Coco, I've never felt like this before and I have no intention of giving up this feeling. I don't care if other people don't understand. It's just love and it would be silly to be ashamed about love.”

“I adore you, Emma.” I stood up to hug her.

“Thank you. I wasn't sure of your reaction. I'm sorry that I kept hiding it from you.” She hugged me too, and we stayed like this for a little while.

“You know you're lucky. You got rid of the entire male gender, those idiots, once and for all!”

She laughed and poured another cup of tea.

“And what about you? Any news on the horizon?”