(Day 88/122 of the experiment)
Emotional online performances came much easier to me. Perhaps it's due to the simpler organization. After all, I delegated all the technical details to a specialist and simply enjoyed the process myself. Plus, I was at home, in a familiar atmosphere, so I felt more relaxed. I don't know why, but in the morning I was full of energy and the desire to do something.
I opened a mobile app for finding love and was shocked – over 100 messages! At first, I tried to read them and respond, and then I realized one thing – most men are looking for girls for one night, just for fun. And those who are genuinely searching for a partner for a serious relationship are almost nonexistent here. So, I closed the app and decided to delete it tonight. By the way, in the evening I’m going on a date with Igor – a guy from this very app.
The day flew by very quickly – first the gym, then stretching. A quick coffee with Lilia to catch up on the latest news and at least see each other for a short time. Then the drive home, shower, makeup, choosing an outfit, and endless thoughts – “What if he is my fate?”, “What if he doesn’t like me?”, “What to say, what to talk about?” and all in that vein.
Burning with impatience and curiosity, I entered CANTUCCINI. Clearly, it wasn't me who chose the place. To avoid seeming strange, I immediately agreed to meet here. Scanning the room quickly, I saw just one table with a man sitting alone. Yes, that's definitely Igor. On the table lay a single rose in cellophane. Oh no.
Guys, remember, yellow tulips are not harbingers of separation; they’re just flowers. But a single rose in cellophane will lead to the collapse of a relationship much faster. And it’s not because girls are spoiled, no. It’s just that if you can’t afford to buy at least three flowers, it’s better not to give us any at all. Or buy a bouquet of wildflowers from a grandmother – it doesn't cost much, but we’ll appreciate it, and you’ll do a good deed.
-Hi, kitty! – maybe, it’s not Igor? A hope settled in my heart that I was wrong.
-Hi! Are you Igor? – I asked, hoping for a negative answer.
-Yes, sweetheart. This is for you.
-Thank you, a very beautiful rose.
-I know. I have already ordered us tea and one cake for two. I think it’s a wonderful idea to get closer to each other.
-Thank you, but I’ll order a separate portion for myself.
-Okay.
What the hell is this? Maybe I’m just wrong, but ordering without asking the girl what she wants is terrible. This point can be added to the rose in cellophane.
When the waiter approached, I already knew what I was going to order.
-I’ll have a piece of honey cake, please.
-Sure, of course.
-Count the cake on a separate bill. – Igor said in a rather commanding tone. Oh, not a man, but a miracle. In the bad sense of the word.
-Understood. – the waiter said, just as stunned as I was.
-Wait a minute, please. Let's put everything on one bill; I’ll pay.
When Dmytro (that was the waiter’s name) left, an awkward pause hung over our table.
-You see, there’s no problem with money. It’s just that I only have dollars and euros – I recently returned from Europe. And I only exchange currency at one place, which is already closed today. You pay, and I’ll return the money to you at our next meeting, okay?
-I understand everything, don’t worry.
All evening I boredly stared at my phone, hoping that someone would call me and I could make up something like “I have a cat at home who is scared, so I have to run.” But the evening ramped up.
-Cinderella, if you’re paying, can I order some food too? Because I tell you – just got off the plane – didn’t even manage to grab a bite.
-Order, of course. – my patience was gradually wearing thin, but I was curious about how the evening would end, so I played along with Igor.
-Boy! Boy, come here! – my opponent decided to call the waiter.
-Igor, don’t you think this is too much? – I could no longer keep silent.
-Yes, I’m listening to you. – Dmytro turned out to be a very tolerant and calm guy.
-I want a steak and the biggest glass of beer.
-And the bill, please. – this circus was getting on my nerves completely.
-Sweetheart, I haven't even eaten yet. Do you want to order something for yourself?
-I’ll order myself a proper man who respects others. Enjoy your meal; I’m leaving.
-What? You’re such a goat! – Igor raised his voice, and this concert could be heard throughout the hall – I knew from the start that you weren’t needed by anyone, but I didn’t guess why. Now I understand – you pretend to be perfect! Idiot!
I hadn’t even opened my mouth when Tristan grabbed Igor by the collar of his shirt.
-Apologize to this woman, or I can’t guarantee my actions!!! – Tristan gritted his teeth, still holding Igor by the collar.
-What’s wrong with you, man? We’re on a date. This is my girl; we’re just playing a role here. You understand?
-Cinderella, is that true? – Tristan looked me straight in the eyes.
-No, no way! It’s my first time seeing him. We met in the app for finding a soulmate.
-Apologize, you fool.
-Get lost, all of you! – Igor slapped Tristan and ran out of the restaurant.
Yes, this was definitely one of the most unusual dates of my life. I suddenly felt so sad and hurt. A person who saw me for the first time said such painful words. I couldn't hold it in and started crying.
-Cinderella, why are you crying? Come to me.
Tristan hugged me by the shoulders and led me away from the crowded hall. And I cried and couldn’t stop. Could it really be true – everything that Igor said about me? Am I really that bad?
-Cinderella, please don’t cry. I’ll find him, and he will apologize to you, I promise. – said the man of my dreams while gently stroking my hair.
-Tristan, but he spoke the truth! Even you – you wrote me such words, yet didn’t even call when you returned from London.
-I wrote to you every day. When I left for the airport, when I landed in New York, when I arrived in the big city. I messaged you, but you didn’t respond.
-Why are you lying? I have not a single message from you on Instagram.
-I saw that your profile was just bursting with comments, so I decided to write on WhatsApp.
-But there’s not a single message there either.
-Cinderella, how is that possible?
And Tristan pulled out his phone, opened the messenger, and I read more than 10 messages to me. How he misses me, how he’s waiting for our meeting, that he bought me a gift in London, that he would wait for me every evening at CANTUCCINI. But why don’t I have a single message?
When I went into the phone settings, I saw that there was one number in the blocked contacts list – Tristan’s. That’s why I didn’t receive any calls or messages from him at all. They exist nominally in the phone’s memory, but I didn’t get any notifications about them.
(Day 89/122 of the experiment)
After I finally saw and read all the messages from Tristan, I felt happy. I won’t be able to love another man because my heart is occupied by Tristan. I will compare any other man to him – to how he behaves, what he wears, what he says.
Yesterday slowly flowed into today. We sat on a small sofa in Tristan’s office (the entrance to which was skillfully hidden in the corner of the CANTUCCINI hall) and talked and talked and talked. Then we ate pizza and talked and laughed again. The topics for conversation didn’t run out even when the last waiter left CANTUCCINI, and the guard came for the night shift.
But it wasn’t just about the conversations, of course. We also embraced a lot and enjoyed each other. A beloved man even has a special scent. This aroma can’t be confused with anything else – it’s the scent of love, comfort, and home. When I am near Tristan, I feel – I am home.
At five in the morning, when the sun had already risen and the city began to wake up, we felt tired. And at the most responsible moment – when Tristan was driving me home, I fell asleep. Don’t think this was a planned act, like in all romantic melodramas. I really fell asleep! Exhausted from the fireworks of emotions and almost a day without sleep, I dozed off in the comfortable seat.
When I opened my eyes, I didn’t understand where I was and what was happening. A beautiful room with a huge bed. I’m in the dress I wore yesterday. On the nightstand lies a note.
Cinderella, good morning! Wake up and come out – I fell asleep on the couch, and now I’m starting to prepare breakfast. Kisses.
Your T.
Rubbing my eyes and stretching deliciously, I got out of the bedroom. A designer with good taste must have worked on this apartment – I like everything!
Tristan baked croissants, brewed coffee, and set the table while I took a shower and changed into a bathrobe. It seems like I’m still dreaming – I’m at home with the man of my dreams, who is right now cooking us breakfast!
We spent the rest of the day in bed – watching a series and basking in each other's warmth. Then I asked Tristan to take me home – Richard had been alone for who knows how many hours.
But things didn’t go as planned – I didn’t manage to feed Richard. At least not at home in Pidhaytsi. Tristan proposed that I move in with him – because he was waiting for my return as much as I was. So Richard, I, and the essentials headed to the beautiful apartment in the very center of the big city.