— Yes, after all this, I won't give up on my dreams. You convinced me!
I pondered over what I had told Diana. She was right in many aspects, including experiencing my dream, something I've been fighting for a while. There was just one small issue: Dante.
Yes, dear reader, I'm terrified of getting hurt again. I may not appear brave, but we all fear the decisions we make. I might be mistaken; maybe he truly redeemed himself and didn't want to cause me any trouble, but how can I trust that? Back then, he had his reasons, and I understand them now, but the Kyra of the past didn't, and she suffered a lot for it. Many will say I should forget the past and seize the opportunity, others will say I'm being foolish and that I have a good man within my reach, and the closest ones will freak out when I tell them I'll accept the offer. In that case, I'll plug my ears and not follow anyone's advice; I'll only follow my heart.
I took a deep breath and looked at the stars from my balcony. There was a gentle breeze that meant something good was coming. I sat there listening to music on my headphones (melodic rock) and smiled at everything that had happened in the past few days, which surprised me. Isn't life unpredictable?
I forgot to mention, Diana left as soon as it started to get dark. Dominic came to pick her up and scolded her for being so drunk.
********************************
— Dominic, relax... Just like you enjoy meeting up with the guys, we also have our "Girls' Night." There's nothing wrong with that.
— Looking at it that way, you're right, but I won't let her sleep here. — He said, glaring at me with raised eyebrows.
— Honey! Areee yooou alreadyyyy here? — Diana asked, slurring her words as a drunk person would.
Dominic stared at her sprawled on the couch. As their eyes met, Diana broke into a big smile, looking at him upside down.
— Lovvve, whyyy are youuu upside down? — She asked, furrowing her brow.
— Di, I'm not upside down, but I think you've had too much to drink.
— Yesss, I agree with you. I'm totally wasted, but I'm happyyy. — Diana said, sitting on the couch.
— Why are you happy? — Dominic wanted to know.
— Shhh, Di, don't say anything. — I said.
— Kyrrrra, I looove you, but I can't keep anything from him. If I don't say it now, I'll spill it later.
I slapped my forehead in disapproval, but there was no escaping this.
— Kyra, goooo work with Dante! Yaaay. — Diana stood up from the couch and started dancing.
— Seriously, Kyra? Finally, I've known Dante for so many years, and you two are suffering over something as trivial as Diana and I did.
— It's not quite the same, Dominic; our time has passed. I'm not on Dante's level.
— You're mistaken; I spent these years with him and I know how much he loves you.
— I wish I could believe that too, but right now, I can't.
— Kyra, you have to open your mind first, so that your heart can trust in love again.
— I'll try; Diana convinced me not to give up on my dream, and that's already a big step.
— Yes, I agree with you, but I'm not quite understanding one thing.
— Go on.
— Why is it only Diana who's drunk and you're all composed?
— I stopped drinking, took a shower, and had some coffee. If you had come an hour ago, you'd have seen me in the same state. — I said, laughing.
— Don't tell me they replaced S and C with X when singing?
— Of course, they did, it wouldn't be fun otherwise.
Imagining the scene, Dominic started laughing uncontrollably. Once he recovered, he looked at the couch and saw Diana snoring.
— She goes from 100 to 0 in minutes. She had so much energy just a while ago. Well, I'll take her, Kyra. Can you give me a hand?
— Sure. — I said, helping him get Diana into the car (after going down the elevator, through the building's lobby, and finally reaching the car).
— Thanks for taking care of her. Oh, you accepted our invitation, right?
— Yes, and I believe the idea of Dante and I being a couple was yours, right?
Dominic just smiled and didn't answer. Well, he didn't need to, as his smile gave him away.
— Good night, Kyra. Take care.
— Good night, Dominic!
********************************
(Still on the balcony) I thought about how well they got along (Dominic and Diana); Dante and I never reached that stage in our relationship. In fact, because he was older and more experienced, I was afraid of getting too close. I never considered what we had as a relationship. Now, I wish it had been, something genuinely true that I could remember, like the strong attraction, the kisses, the contact... There were even a few kisses, some parties, some coffee, but it never went beyond that.
"Kyra, get real! You're longing for a romance from novels, and that's not easy to find."
I leaned on the table and took the last sip of wine.
— Oh, how that jerk was still handsome! — It sounded like a confession.
Well, now I just have to wait for them to get in touch because I'm sure Dominic will spill the beans.
I got up because it was starting to get cold, and if I didn't leave there, I'd wake up with a fever tomorrow. I put on my pajamas and went to sleep.
The next morning, I woke up to my phone ringing. I searched the whole bed for my phone, still half asleep, and only when I found it did I realize it wasn't the alarm but a phone call.
— Hello?
— Hi, Kyra, this is Trish from Vadema Publishing, how are you?
— Hello, Trish. Everything's fine, how about you?
— Did I wake you up?
I looked at the clock and widened my eyes; it was still 7:30 in the morning.
— Yes, you're up early, aren't you? — I asked, laughing.
— I'm sorry; I don't like to waste time. Our work hours haven't even started yet, and I couldn't wait until I got to the office to call you. I apologize for that.
— That's okay, but what's so urgent?
— No beating around the bush; I'll get straight to the point. I want you as a writer, and I won't accept a no for an answer. Just tell me your conditions.
— Hold on, Trish; I haven't even woken up yet.
— That's even better; I won't let you think too much.
— I'll put you on speakerphone and make some coffee.
— Even better, do you want to go get coffee with me?
— Wow, that's sudden.
— I know a really good café.
— Okay, okay, message me the address, and I'll let you know when I'm on my way in a bit.
— I'm already on my way there.
— Okay, see you soon.
I got ready at my own pace, put on some loose jeans, a black hoodie, and sneakers, combed my hair, brushed my teeth, and applied light makeup (foundation, black mascara, and a light pink lipstick). I called a taxi, smiling when I told the driver the address—it was the old café where I worked during college.
An hour later, I arrived at the café as planned... My heart was racing because I was expecting to meet Dante.
In the end, when I walked in, I saw the silhouette I had always admired sitting there waiting for me, and there was no sign of Trish. I approached without being noticed; he seemed lost in thought, looking through the window at the sidewalk.
— Just as I imagined! Ms. Trish? — I asked, smiling.
He looked at me surprised. It seemed like he wasn't expecting me... Nooo! Hold on... This must have been orchestrated by none other than my chief editor.
— Kyra? — His gaze was puzzled.
— Well, I'm not sure if I was supposed to meet you, but Trish called me this morning wanting to have coffee.
— We share the same alibi.
— I figured, Dante. Very much like her to do something like this. — I was happy to see him. — Have you had your coffee yet?
— Not yet. I was expecting a bomb from Trish, so I waited for her to unload on me, and then I was going to have a slice of pie to cheer up.
— The mighty Dante accepting defeat so easily? What happened to the old Dante?
— I've changed a bit, actually. I'm not as confident anymore when it comes to relationships.
— I never thought I'd hear you say that.
— Yeah... When you only do things wrong, lose what was valuable, you don't feel like doing anything anymore.
— Cut it out! If you keep feeling defeated like that, I won't work with you anymore.
Dante widened his eyes.
— Did you say work with me? Did I hear correctly? — He furrowed his brow.
— Yes, I came just to finalize a contract on my terms.
— I'm going to kill Trish!
— Why? — I said, not understanding.
— She told me to come because there was an unexpected issue at the company and that I should take care of a contract she was trying to close. But she didn't tell me it was with you.
— And why were you feeling so down? I noticed when I arrived.
— This place holds a lot of memories for me, and coming here with someone else was killing me inside.
— Well, you're here with me now. When will you start feeling better? — I completely ignored his indirect statement, knowing exactly what he meant.
Dante looked at me deeply, sending shivers down my spine. It was as if he could read my soul. He realized I was embarrassed by the situation and smiled.
Oh, how beautiful his smile is, and for the first time, it seemed genuinely happy to see me.
— I know, I know... You're thrilled to see me. — I said, jokingly.
— Very much so. You have no idea! Especially after the news you gave me that you're not giving up on your dream and that I'm going to be a part of it.
When he said that, my heart was almost pounding out of my chest, my throat was dry, and the urge to throw myself into his arms wildly was strong. Even after all these years, he was still handsome and charming.
— I see you haven't lost your charm. You look better than when I walked in. Seriously, I prefer this to you looking defeated. Defeat doesn't suit you, but charm certainly does. — I winked at him.
— So, you still find me charming? Interesting. I thought you hated me...
— I don't hate you, and even if I did, it's a fact that you're charming and handsome. Time has treated you well; even your lines of expression are attractive. I hope I'll age as gracefully as you. — I masked the compliment as I thought I was being too forward.
— Kyra, you know you're going down a slippery slope; don't give me false hope. — He said, raising an eyebrow, leaning over the table, and looking intently at me.
— Dante, stop teasing me, and let's order something to eat because I'm starving. — I changed the subject.
— All right, what would you like?
— I want a slice of the five-milk cake and a coffee with milk, and you?
— Since it's a celebration, I'll have the same as you. — He seemed happier.
I didn't even need to call her over to place the order because Anne saw me and came to our table to hug me.
— Hello, my dear friend! It's been so long. — She said.
— Sorry, this past year has been really busy, and I couldn't find time to come. Now that I'm living closer to the city center, I'll definitely visit more often.
— I see you're still dating Dante.
— I wish, Anne, but I have to win her back. — Dante said, smiling.
— I'm rooting for you two! — Anne said.
— Anne! Are you still encouraging this? — I retorted.
— He's the only one who made you shine, my friend.
Dante looked at me with a half-smile, one eyebrow raised, his thumb resting on his chin.
— Can we place the order? — I said, skirting the situation.
— What would you like?
— Two slices of the five-milk cake and two coffees.
— I'll be right back with your order.
— Thank you so much, Anne.
Anne left to fetch our orders, and I saw the opportunity to discuss the contract with Dante.
— Well, I wanted to see if I could include working from home in my contract and occasionally come to the company to discuss the plot with you all. What do you think?
— We can arrange that, no problem... The only thing is, you'll have to meet delivery deadlines.
— I understand, I agree.
— Do you have any other conditions you'd like to add to the contract?
— In the contract, I believe not, but I have a favor to ask you.
— Go ahead, I'm all ears. — He leaned over the table, resting his chin on his hands.
The scene was truly mesmerizing. I blinked twice to snap out of it.
— Could you pick me up to go to Diana and Dominic's wedding?
— Did they set a date?
— Yes, you'll be my date.
Dante widened his eyes.
— How do you know all of this and I don't?
— Diana spent the day with me yesterday and informed me about it. Since I had no way to escape, I decided to just accept it.
— Was it that bad to go with me?
— For my wounded ego, yes.
— I can see that something's changed in you.
— Yes, let's say Diana told me the reason you tried to tell me years ago, and I didn't listen.
— How did she find out about that? Ahhh Dominic... Let's just say I was drunk and spilled everything to him.
— Thank them for me. It was Diana who convinced me to change my mind.
— I have two great friends! — Dante celebrated.
— Don't get too excited; I haven't decided if I forgive you yet.
— I know you have, otherwise, you wouldn't be asking favors from me. — He said, laughing.
— Conceited!
— Ahh, how I missed all of this, being myself. I missed you.