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“You won’t believe it.,” she went on. “But I have to prepare you for the news you’re about to hear!”
“What the hell happened?”
“You’re gonna drop dead! I promise you!”
“Tell me!” Eva was begging.
“Hang on. Let us take a walk instead. It is like a tree minute walk, if we cut through the square. Otherwise we will be driving for hours in this traffic. Cuz you’ve got to know the roads…,” that remark and a look of disapproval were addressed to Sasha.
“Knock it off! Sasha’s got nothing to do with the traffic situation. And my car doesn’t have wings!” Eva cut her friend short. She did not
appreciate her friend’s openly expressing her irrespective attitude towards her driver. She sensed the fury of the driver and avoided looking at him.
“You know, you’re right,” she added peacefully. “I am down. Let us take a walk in the fresh air.”
“You mean freshly polluted?”
“It was your idea! Though, I did want to take a walk today. The weather’s fantastic. Let us get out.”
“Look at the rich girl, deciding to take a walk without bodyguards’ entourage – amongst us, commoners. I think, today it is going to snow. I was sure you would say NO…”
Sometimes Elly sounded so dumb.
“Was it supposed to be funny, or what?” she gave her friend a screw loose sign.
“Sorry, boo. I must be under the weather from lack of sleep… and that news.,”
Elly got out of the car. Eva followed her friend, having asked Sasha to wait for them at the restaurant. Just as Elly was about to reveal her mysterious news, her phone rang.
“Gosh… what now?”
“Who is it?”
“Rosa,” Elly sad, look of despair on her face.
“What is up, na?
Eva was walking beside her friend, smiling and listening to the conversation Elly was having with her funny, sweet granny. She loved listening to them talk, their conversations resembled some comedy sketches. Her grandmother would make a great topic for a stand-up comedy, getting her and herself famous altogether. The sun had reached its peak and Eve was hot. She took off her light white leather coat, and was now in a t-shirt. The upcoming summer had been predicted hot. The bright sunlight made everything around them saturated with colored, filling the world with positive vibes. It felt like something magical was about to happen. Have you ever felt like that?
Eva found herself wondering whether a miracle will be happening soon; Perhaps, a fridge will magically pop up in her car and she will finally be able to enjoy her rose champagne on the way to clubs, late Friday nights; Or perhaps something entirely different will happen. She will meet her real – flesh and blood – boyfriend. A young, fit, and handsome guy with piercing blue eyes and big heart… Lost to her imagination, she felt so good as if she had real wings. She felt like she was floating through the green boulevard, smiling to everyone on her way. She saw people smiling back; Although one lady seemed to have freaked out and rushed away which made Eva laugh. She was now contemplating on what kind of news would force Elly to leave her house with no makeup on. Is she finally getting married to one of those idiots she hangs out with? Or maybe she found a sugar daddy among their fathers. While she was consumed in her thoughts, they had reached the restaurant and were now inside. All that time Elly was on the phone with her granny, and seemed to be arguing with her passionately, as if trying to prove something. Eva was convinced she was right about her friend’s marriage soon to take place. “They’re probably arguing about the wedding dress…,” Eva thought to herself.
“Good morning…,” the waiter greeted them. The hostess was nowhere to be seen.
“Morning. By the window, please,” Elly said in an arrogant manner.
“Where would you rather dine?”
“Here, on the first floor, right?” Elly asked Eva, completely ignoring the waiter.
“Is there anything on the patio?” Eva wondered looking at the waiter and smiling.
“I’ll see what I can do. Follow me,” happily replied the waiter, never once having lost the 17th century young man character, the number one rule at this fancy place.
Elly rolled her eyes with disapproval as they followed their waiter. She was ranting on and on about how she would have preferred the first floor and about her conversation with Rosa. Eva kept nodding, but was really consumed by her own thoughts. They picked a table on the patio and ordered cold water.
“And two glasses of wine!”
“Elly, what wine? It’s not even noon!” Eva suddenly felt embarrassed in front of their waiter. “I mean… I wanted to get us some rose bubbles, but you didn’t give me a chance.”
“Ruinart?” the waiter asked
“Perfect. I need a minute to think about breakfast, though. Maybe after the first glass…”
“Hmmm… I don’t know about the champagne…,” Elly seemed hesitant.
“What’s up? What happened that you’ve decided to drink in the morning?”
“I think I’d do a vodka shot.”
“Oh my god, you’re scaring me. What happened? Why vodka?”
“Please, just a glass of white wine. We can’t be drinking champagne after what I am about to tell you…”
Eva felt uncomfortable.
“What happened? Is everything all right?”
“With me – yes, thank God.,” She looked at the waiter who was still there. “You know, we’ll get a bottle.,” Elly said. The waiter nodded and went away.
“Here… listen…”
“You’re scaring me…”
“Well… you’re so easily impressed. I don’t want to traumatize your fragile psyche…”
“Come on already. Tell me. If you are gonna take longer, you will see me kick the bucket, as Sasha likes to say.”
“What Sasha?”
“My driver, Sasha.”
“Oh him…. I should have guessed. Who else would say such a thing…”
“Leave him alone! I’m starting to think you fancy him…”
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. So, listen… You remember Bella?”
“Besides traumatizing my fragile psyche, you think I have memory issues?” Eva placed her phone on the table, having enabled the silent mode. “Let me guess… she’s dating one of your idiots, right?” Eva produced a snort while laughing.
“Not exactly…,” she ran her fingers through her hair, fixing a stubborn curl behind her ear. Then, she coldly added: “She died.”
The silence hung between two friends. What seemed to be a semi-smile froze on Eva’s horrified face that had been grinning just a few seconds ago. They started at each other, both not knowing what to say, or even what to do in that instant. As if a computer’s operating system froze and needed to be rebooted.
“Here’s your glass of rosé,” the waiter broke the awkward silence.
“Thanks,” Eva heard herself say. Her voice sounded weak, tears rolling down her cheek.
The waiter, not knowing what to do, uncorked the bottle and splashed some wine into the glass – an invitation to taste. She looked at him in surprise which made him fill the glass to the top and quickly disappear, asking no further questions.
“Why are you crying, silly?” Elly seemed worried with such a sincere concern on her face which Eva thought she rarely saw her friend display. She was clearly worried, despite the unspoken taboo people like Elly had on openly expressing their emotions. Being an iron lady, a snow queen, she never showed what she really felt. Never. That was the reason many openly disliked her for her coldness, arrogant confidence, and condescending attitude. Elly never cried. But in that instance her heart was filled with pain and compassion that have forced the iron mask she had worn off her face. Although, she did not really cry, you could see something in her eyes – the eternal sadness, and to Eva’s surprise, warmth and unmistakable urge to help a friend to cope with the terrible news.
“Eva, stop crying or I’ll cry myself!”
“I don’t even know why I reacted this way,” Eva said weeping.
“You sure you don’t want wine?”
“No, thanks,” Eva said, taking another sip of champagne.
“Poor guy,” Elly said, looking at the waiter who stood at the opposite corner of the restaurant, discreetly looking at two friends. “He’s probably worried for you. I bet he wishes he had brought vodka.”
“Tell me, how did it happen? I still cannot believe it. I cannot even say it aloud. How old is she? I mean was…,” having realized the extent of the tragedy, Eva burst in tears all over again.
“Eva, baby. Please, do not cry. Had I known…. I would have had you over to tell you… and then we would’ve come here. I should’ve listened to Rosa.”
“Listened to Rosa?” Eva was confused.
“She said you’re rather sensitive, yet you try to look strong and rebellious. But in reality, you’re just a baby whale who’s still holding on to the mother’s flippers…”
“She’s right. As always,” Eva sadly agreed. By then she had stopped crying but her cheeks were wet and eyes puffy.
“I hope she’s right only about that. You’ve no idea, all the time we were walking here she was screwing my brain, trying to convince me not to go to the restaurant dressed like this.”
“What’s wrong with your outfit? I think you look amazing for someone who only got four-hour sleep.”
“She doesn’t think so. She told me I looked like a pale moth and today there may be just the right man who will pass by me without ever noticing. Or, even if he noticed, he wouldn’t be as impressed. When it comes to men it’s all about the first impression. Don’t you look at me like that. It is not my idea, it’s all Rosa’s. She believes that if a man sees you all beautiful, stunningly dressed, that’s how he’s going to keep seeing you forever – even when you’re not wearing any makeup or dressed in a bathrobe… In other words, if he likes you the way you are naturally, with bed hair, without makeup, just like I am now, then no matter what you wear later – he will perceive you as a simple woman who isn’t capable to impress any other men. And since all men are primitive, according to Rosa of course, and driven by natural instincts, the other kind of women – who are able to attract other men. Don’t know if I made much sense, but something like that…”
“What kind of trash is that. Utter nonsense. Now you have to wear a corset and have a whip in order to be loved?”
“I wish. If only you knew what I have to listen every Friday night before going out. She is never pleased. Now, I look too humble, and pale. Other times, vulgar, like a whore. She’s a true Madame Paradox. She makes me sick,” Elly rolled her eyes and took another sip of wine. “And now imagine me having to listen to this nonsense non-stop! And today it went on over the phone. God have mercy on my poor ears.”
While Elly was complaining about her granny Eva finished her glass.
“Another one, Madame?” asked the waiter who seemed to have suddenly popped out form the thin air, startling Eva. “Oh, my apologies. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“No worries. Yes, please. I’ll have another one. I’m not hungry though, thanks.
The waiter disappeared.
“He annoys the heck out of me,” Elly snapped. “Anyway. Just promise me you won’t be crying anymore! Otherwise I won’t be able to tell you the rest… of what I know… or keep learning about.,” Elly was now looking at her phone which she never turned off.
“How do you keep learning…?”
“Well, Instagram[1 - Here and further: Instagram is an organization banned in the territory of the Russian Federation.] of course. Why do you even need one? Are you even subscribed to anyone? You never seem to know what’s going on.”
“You know I don’t like gossips!”
“I do know. But I can’t believe you’re not even slightly curious?”
“No. Besides, what you just told me is no gossips, it’s a sad, sad news. How could this happen?” Eva’s face fell, though this time she managed not to cry. “And what does Instagram have to do with any of that?”
“Come on. There is now a new hashtag. #RIPBella. So far, twenty-seven posts.”
“And what are they about?”
“Well obviously mostly bunch of hypocrites. I’ve literally been in shock since morning. How could people be like that. How could anyone hate a person, turn away from her, because of that story, you know; And now after she hanged herself, write how much they loved her and how much she meant to them. blah blah blah…”
“What? Hanged herself???”
“Yes, she did. The girls wrote she hanged on a strap from her silk negligee.”
“You’re kidding? Is that true?” Eva was in shock. She leaned back in her chair in an awkward position without seeming to care about how she looked. Her “24/7 perfect look control,” was now disabled. “When did it happen? Today or yesterday?”
“Hey girl, slow down on that champagne….,” Elly was looking at the empty glass her friend was still holding in her hands.”
“I can’t drink anymore. I was planning for one glass and Benedict’s eggs.”
“Eggs Benedict,” corrected Elly.
“Pardon?”
“You said… Benedict’s eggs…,” Elly said barely containing laughter.
“I couldn’t have said that,” Eva disagreed. “You misheard me.”
“Either way. Sounded weird,” Elly was now laughing.
“Elly, even if I did misspeak, you know what Chekhov said on the matter – Good breeding is shown, not by not upsetting the sauce, but by not noticing it when somebody else does,” Eva sounded clearly displeased, her voice cold.
“Ok, sorry.” Elly was trying to stop laughing. “I won’t argue with Mr. Chekhov. I completely agree. But you can’t deny the name of the dish, is weird. I am positive, you were not only one who misspoke about the eggs in such a way.”
“Elly! Will you stop it. It’s not the time…”
“Ok then…” Elly took a big sip of wine hoping it will help with the hysterical laughter.
“So, when did it happen?” Eva asked in a serious tone.
“Well… turns out, it happened three weeks ago but it wasn’t until today that everyone found out.”
