With Broken Hearts
*Elizabeth*
The days after the wedding turned into a huge lump of tasks and meetings. Work. University. Della with her problems. Nick. I was already confused; my head was spinning.
— Dam, can you make another? — this was already the fourth cup of green tea in an hour and a half. I was sketching for the new show, Dam was preparing drinks for us, and Adele was sitting on her phone, with her legs thrown over the back of the couch, singing something to herself. She was receiving messages. Again and again. At some point, I couldn't take it anymore:
— Adele!
— Don’t even think about lecturing me on behavior. It's my birthday, — she reminded me with a frown.
— Don’t be silly! Someone is trying to congratulate you! Stop ignoring him, it’s inhuman, — to be honest, I didn’t care whether she replied or not, the main thing was that her phone stopped making those sounds.
— Hello… — Damiano quietly began. I didn’t pay him any attention.
— I'm ignoring him, and that's my decision, — Adele got up from the couch and took a glass of water.
— But you don’t understand that your decisions affect not just you, — I hissed in response.
— Well, sorry for ruining your relationship with the beautiful prince, — my friend snorted. I felt as if I had been struck by lightning, but I leaned back in my chair and softened my voice:
— I would talk to him if I were you; otherwise, he’ll end up feeling guilty too.
— You know perfectly well why I don’t want to see him! You know perfectly well why I push him away! So do me a favor and don’t pretend to be Mother Teresa! — she shoved the glass onto the table and left the room.
— Why can’t we just stay friends then? — I raised my eyebrows after her.
Dam decided to answer for her:
— Because she still likes him, — there was a hint of mockery in the boy's voice.
As long as I’ve known Adele, she has never been a fan of parties.
Her motto: "Fewer parties — fewer problems." So Dam, Sara, and I decided to take her to a restaurant in the city center.
I tried not to laugh, because while we were driving, the taxi driver, not understanding anything, was glancing at Della, who had her eyes covered, and nervously biting his lip.
We led the birthday girl out of the car onto the street and took her to the entrance. The wind flapped the silk scarf covering the girl’s eyes, and my friend stepped uncertainly on the cobblestones, probably afraid of tripping and falling. By the restaurant, we were greeted by Nick; he winked at me and opened the door. I knew — the guy understood that he had caused me to smile. My heart began to beat faster. Now it was my turn to walk unsteadily, afraid of stumbling and falling.
— Ella, hold me! Whatever you're doing instead of watching me so I don’t slice half my face open on these steps, stop! I muttered something nonsensical in response and we went inside. It was much warmer here than outside, and the temperature change made me shiver.
— Surprise! — they took off Adele's blindfold.
— Holy Merlin! You’re all here! — she stood with her mouth open, not even hiding her shock.
We started hugging the girl. Nick slipped to the side to signal the waiter, and he turned on the lights. The curtains at the windows opened, revealing a view of the Milan Cathedral. There was a large table filled with food, and golden and white balloons were hanging everywhere. Della gasped again and a smile appeared on my friend’s face.
— You shouldn’t have… — she began.
— Of course not, — Nick interrupted her, — but we did it anyway, — the guy pushed the nearest chair, inviting Adele to sit.
The evening was wonderful: we drank, laughed, gave gifts, and shared stories from our lives. Sara's gift was the largest, due to its gigantic box. Adele had to get up to see what was inside.
— Are you kidding?! — she almost screamed.
— No, — Sara smiled and continued recording her reaction on her phone. Everyone was curious about what it was, and finally, Adele pulled out a shiny black record player. She had dreamed of it so much that I suddenly regretted not thinking of giving it to her first. Next was Dam’s gift. — You shouldn’t have done this, — Della laughed and pulled out a cookbook the size of my head.
— Sometimes you need to learn, — Damiano retorted, pointing to what was next to the book. — And this is for you to relax after heavy attempts to make lasagna.
— I know how to make lasagna! It’s just the only thing I can do, — my friend protested, but accepted the spa certificate.
I extended my package:
— My gift isn’t as practical, but you’ll like it.
— Ella, where did you find this?! — Adele opened the box with a construction set. She had talked to me about this castle since she was about twelve and, it seems, had not stopped wanting it for a second. The huge "Hogwarts" wouldn’t fit anywhere, and so the girl had stopped asking for it on holidays, but now, I think, the time had come for it. Soon I looked in amazement as Della opened a small box with the renowned brand name from Nick. Inside was a wristwatch. A golden watch with an aging effect. I knew that Della had had one on her wish list, but I didn’t understand how Nick knew about it. To my surprise, a Hermès box with a scarf inside was also in the gift bag.
When we had eaten enough, blew out all the candles on the cake, talked until we were numb, and spilled out onto the street to head home, I approached Nick.
— The watch, — I simply said, — How?
— He asked not to say it was from him.
I stretched out on the bed, trying to remember what I had done yesterday. I probably should’ve lain down some more, but I didn’t plan on enjoying Saturday morning. In an hour, I was already storming through textbooks and the internet, trying to figure out what would be needed for the exam that was to take place on Monday since the first semester was coming to an end. By lunchtime, sipping cream soup and listening to some audio on history, I heard Della's call.