— You know, we've been living together for 4 years, but we postponed the wedding because we were tied up with house construction, my job, and his... It's a long story... Anyway, will you accept or not?
— Of course, I accept!
— Yay, that's awesome! I just need to tell you one thing...
— I already know what's coming... Dante will be there.
— Exactly! As your plus one.
I looked at her incredulously. Did I hear correctly? For a moment, my mind went blank.
— What did you say? — I said, unable to believe what I had heard.
— Don't kill me, Kyra, you know I adore you, but I also adore Dante.
— That's all fine, but the fact is: why did you put him as my plus one? — I said, irritated.
— There was nothing else to do; you and Dante are the only singles among everyone.
— What? — I started sweating nervously.
— Think about it, friend, it's just for one day. Actually, it's just a few hours. Think carefully, but do this for me as a wedding gift? — Diana pleaded.
— You're a pest! You'll owe me after this.
— What do you mean, friend? Isn't that normal among friends? — She said with an angelic look.
— Cut the "angelic" act because you're more of a "devil."
— Wow, you're so mean! — Diana protested.
— No, I'm not; now you owe me a favor, and I'll collect on it. I want to drink until I'm happy, and you're coming with me!
— When?
— Right now! — I said with a dangerous smile.
— Kyra, have you gone crazy? It's still early; how will I get home after this?
— Well, call your sweetheart to come pick you up. — I shrugged.
— You have an answer for everything! Poor me.
— So, are you in, or are you running away? — I asked impatiently.
— Fine, I'll call Dominic to pick me up as soon as I leave work.
— Perfect! I'll wait. — I said with a victorious smile.
Diana stepped out briefly to make the call and returned 10 minutes later with a smile on her face.
— He agreed! Kyra, I'm taking today as a "yes" from you, and now you can't escape your responsibility.
— Deal! I want to drink sweet red wine.
— I like the idea, better than cocktails. — Diana said excitedly.
— Luckily, I saved two bottles for a special occasion. — I said, getting up to fetch the bottles and glasses (yes, I love drinking wine from a glass)!
— Do you believe that these two bottles will be enough to get both of us drunk? — Diana said incredulously.
— I believe so, well, at least I'm sure I will be. — I said, laughing.
— Cut it out, I'm going to buy a couple more bottles because I don't get drunk easily. — She said, getting up and heading toward the door.
— Okay, let me know when you're back, and I'll open the door for you.
— Negative, you're coming with me! You can get ready; I'll wait.
— Alright!
I rushed to the bedroom to put on black jeans, a long-sleeved black shirt, and comfortable sneakers. I brushed my hair, went to the bathroom, and ran back to the hallway to accompany Diana to the nearest store to buy the wines.
We went to the nearest store, checked out the wines, and were back at my apartment in less than 30 minutes.
— Kyra, what are we going to eat? — Diana asked.
— How about pizza?
— I love the idea, but what flavor do you like?
— I love four-cheese, and you?
— I love it too! Let's order to go with the wines?
— Sure! You order, and I'll make popcorn for us to eat while watching movies.
— Agreed! What movie?
— Do you like romantic comedies?
— I do. Let's watch one then. I'll place the order!
Diana left to place the order, and within 15 minutes, she was back again.
— The attendant said it would take about 40 minutes for them to deliver to your address.
— No problem; for now, let's eat popcorn with wine and watch a movie, hehehe. — I said, finishing up the second batch of popcorn.
— Let's head to the couch then.
The 40 minutes flew by; the pizza arrived, we paid, and we helped ourselves to wine to accompany the pizzas. It had been a long time since I'd done something like this, getting together, eating pizza with our hands (no plates or utensils), and watching a movie with a friend. "Ahhh, how delightful!" — I thought.
— Kyra, be realistic and answer me honestly.
— Uh-oh, here comes the bomb! Couldn't you save this question for when I'm completely drunk? — I joked.
— No, I want to know because I'm already starting to feel a bit "tipsy" from the drinks.
— Go ahead, my friend; I'll see if I can handle the bomb.
— Do you still love Dante?
At first, I was shocked by her question. I couldn't deny my feelings any longer, especially because I hadn't truly forgotten him.
"I have to be honest with myself and stop denying it." — I thought.
I took a deep breath, cleared my mind, and answered:
— Yes, Di, I still love him. You know what's even more incredible? Despite all these years, I haven't been able to forget him, even though I tried dating other people again.
Diana smiled.
— I understand you, Kyra. It was the same for me, and know that I want both of you to be happy. Dante contacted me recently.
— Seriously? — I said in shock.
— Yes, he truly regretted letting you go. You see, at that time, the partners forced them to pretend to have an affair with Lola to secure some roles that were in her possession. She was threatening them, and since she had access to confidential company information, Dante was forced to retrieve them.
— Are you telling me that she forced him back into the relationship through threats? — I said, feeling a strong urge to slap that overly plastic-surgery woman.
— Yes, that's why he acted that way back then, like a true jerk.
— Yes, he made me suffer a lot. So, that's what he was trying to explain on the day he invaded my apartment. Now things make sense.
— He invaded your apartment? — She looked surprised. — He didn't tell me that.
— Yes, he said he had to explain what was going on, but I was so hurt that I didn't listen.
— Don't blame yourself, my friend; in your place, I wouldn't have either.
— Thinking about it, he even knew that I had moved from my old apartment, as he mentioned it during dinner yesterday.
— He comes here yesterday? Wait, what? You guys tell me things but leave out some details...
— Yeah, since you and Nick couldn't come yesterday to eat my lasagna, he hitched a ride with Nick and Lucy.
— And I missed this? That's a bummer! — Diana was inconsolable.
— You didn't miss much; I didn't send him away, but I wasn't very friendly either.
— Friend, are you really considering taking the job now?
— Yes, after all this, I won't give up on my dreams. You convinced me!