Marina was a little hysterical when I mentioned about the party, I explained to her that she had nothing to worry about and we agreed to go out and buy her a new clothe, since she had said she hadn't brought clothes for this type of occasion. But even so, she didn't seem to relax.
We finished our coffee, got ready and went out for our shopping, but in the elevator, Marina still didn't seem to have relaxed at all and I could see that something was bothering her, she seemed to have her head away and I didn't know what to do. It was like that, all the way in the elevator and seeing her like that tortured me. But when we finally reached the ground floor, my instinct worked in my place and made me pull her close to me, to my embrace, which was where she belonged.
I could feel her shoulders relax and I was happy to have had the right attitude. Sometimes attitudes are more worthy than words, and although I didn't quite know what to say to her, I was able to hug her, and at that moment, it seemed to be better than any dialogue.
We were hugged to the car and when Raoul saw us he gave me an amused smile.
- Cosa c'è? - I asked laughing.
- Niente, signore! - he replied laughing too.
- Raoul, let 's go to Via de 'Tornabuoni.
- Right sir.
It didn't take long to arrive at our destination and as we got out of the car, Marina's cell phone started to ring. Seeing her mumbling and struggling to find her cell phone inside the small bag she carried, reminded me of the episode with the suitcase from when we met on the plane.
- I am really glad that you can't drop this bag on me while you answer that phone. - I couldn't resist and I laughed when I said that.
- No, but I can still hit you with it. - She said while hitting me with the bag and smiling.
- Hello! Hi? Hello?
- Hello Beautiful!
- Good, I am very good. Actually, I'm on the street, we went out to buy some things. I won't be able to speak to you right now. - she said looking at me.
- No, it's okay, go talk to your friend, we have time. - I told her.
- Are you sure? - she asked.
- Yes, talk to her. Raoul keeps me company. - I concluded.
She smiled and walked away towards an empty bench not far from where we were.
It would actually be an excellent opportunity to catch up the information Raoul had found about that guy. We hadn't talked yet since the episode at the congress and I was dying to know if he had found out who the son of a bitch who was with Marina that day.
- Raoul.
- Yes sir?
- So, do you have any news for me?
- Yes sir, the name of the individual is Antony Martins, he is 28 years old, is married and has no children. He is a cardiothoracic surgeon and was participating in the cardiology congress that happened in the Institute as well.
- And what the hell does he have to do with Marina? - I asked.
- Well sir, it looks like he and Miss Marina had a relationship a few years ago. - Raoul replied.
Knowing that that guy had already been with Marina, kissed her and touched her body made me nervous, now imagining whatever he did to her to make her like that, made me crazy.
- Sir? - Raoul called me, taking me out of my furious thoughts.
- And did you manage to find out what happened between them? - I asked, feeling the bitter taste of each of the words that came out of my mouth.
- No sir, I'm sorry, but whatever it was I don't think it was good for Ms. Marina. - he said.
- It certainly wasn't. - I agreed.
Anger at someone I don't even know was starting to consume me.
- If I may, sir. - Raoul told me slowly. - She seems to be very happy when she is with you and you also seem to be very well when she is with her. - He concluded.
Raoul's words were like a pop, which reminded me of how wonderful all the moments we are together are. She comforts me in some way, she is beautiful, fun, sexy and smart, she doesn't even seem real at all. And that's when I realized one more thing, thinking about her also calmed me down.
- Thank you Raoul. - I said, smiling at Raoul.
- You're welcome sir.
I looked towards where Marina was, beautiful, laughing on the phone. It seemed to be happy and I was happy to see her like that too. I started walking to a nearby ice cream shop and ordered two flavors as soon as I got there, unsure which one to choose. I walked towards her loving the fact that she was looking at me smiling, with her sexiest smile. When I got close to her, she had already turned off her cell phone.
- Chocolate or lemon? - I asked.
- Chocolate. - She said, taking the cone from my hand.
- Did I interrupt your call? - I asked.
- No, no, we were finishing already. - she answered.
- Have you been friends for a long time? - I asked, interested in knowing more about your friendships.
- Ah yes, a long time ago. We met at work. I mean, before I started the internship at Vivere, at the beginning of college I worked as an English teacher on a course for a year and it was there that I met Vanessa.
- IInteresting, five years of friendship is a really good time. - I replied.
- Actually there are six. I stopped college for a year. - she replied with a sadness background in her gaze.
I wondered why she stopped college and my brain started to wonder if it could have anything to do with that guy. The anger began to grow up inside me again, but it was not the time for that. I was here with her, eating ice cream on a stool in a square. I was with her, she was with me and this moment was ours and would be ours forever. And I was a very lucky son of a bitch for that. I put my head in place and decided it was not the time for these thoughts.
- Let's go then? - I said when I got up and held out my hand to her.
- Yes, sure! But first, wait. I want a picture of us. If it's ok for you of course. - She said smiling, without even imagining how happy I was for the simple gesture. I smiled and sat down next to her, hugging her.
- It's great I loved it! Don't forget to send me. - I said, enjoying more and more every minute I spent with her.
We walked through several stores, keeping her close to me all the time, holding her hand in mine or hugging her.
We arrived at a store where Marina finally liked an outfit, and fell in love as she said. When she went to try it and asked me if I would like to see it, I told her that I would rather wait for the surprise and see her ready for the party. The moment she was getting dressed I paid for the things she chose to take.
- Let's go? - I said when she left the dressing room.
- As soon as I pay. - she answered.
- It's right, miss. - replied the cashier girl.
- What? What do you mean? - She looked at me and the confused cashier girl.
- The Mr. already paid us, here it is. - said the girl, handing her the bag.
- Grazie. - I replied to the girl, taking Marina by the hand and leaving the store.
- Enzo, why did you do that? - she asked me.
- I wanted to give you a gift and that's it. Let's have lunch? - I was succinct, cutting the subject straight away what seems to have worked because she just smiled and nodded.
We have lunch and then walk around a few more places. We returned to the hotel in the middle of the afternoon and as we passed by the reception in the direction of the elevator, we were soon approached by one of the receptionists.
- Signori Vincenzo, buonasera. said the man, a little breathless.
- I am happy to inform you that the problem with the rooms has already been solved and luckily we have another suite available. - He concluded, with a smile on his face.
Marina and I looked at each other at the same time and nobody said anything.
Holy shit, that was all I needed, it was too good to be true. After a perfect day, that bucket of cold water came, Marina and I would no longer share the same room. Before I was happy and relaxed and now I was frustrated and nervous. Damn plumber who works fast!
- Just follow me to the reception so I can give you the key to the new room. - continued the man.
- Right. - I replied after clearing my throat.
- Are you okay, Nina? - I asked Marina that was on my side without saying anything.
- Oh yes of course. I mean, we knew they were going to get us a new room, right? - she started to chatter.
- Yes, so they did. - I replied without much emotion in my voice.
- And besides, it takes me a long time to get ready, it is better that I have a bathroom just for myself, after all. We have a party to go to today, right, we wouldn't like to be late because I spent too much time in the shower. - she continued.
- Okay sir, here's the key to the new suite, if you need help taking your bags, just let us know. - said the man.
- Okay thank you. - I replied, although I was not grateful at all.
And so we went to the elevator, towards our rooms. Separated rooms.