46
Edgar Torn.
Served me tea and took a quick sip, not even knowing what flavor it was.
I just felt the hot liquid coming down my throat; it was then that I felt the taste... it was chamomile, sweet at the right point.
Even that mild infusion wouldn't calm me down. My heart was still racing, and my mind was hammering with restlessness.
Across the hall, I saw Sarah walking excitedly beside Lucas.
She smiled at him, gestured with her hands, and Lucas listened intently. He seemed truly interested in the conversation, in everything she said.
I couldn’t stop looking at the two...
The question that came to my mind was...
How was he there? Who invited him?
Why was my friend, the woman I was attracted to, so comfortable with another man?
No, no... not this.
I need answers, and fast.
I finished my tea in one gulp and placed the cup on the table with some force. I couldn't just stand there watching from afar anymore. I had to do something.
I approached them, feeling each step increase the weight in my stomach.
“Hi, Lucas,” I said, placing my hands in my jacket pockets. He looked up, surprised, and I continued:
“When I saw you here... I was surprised. I had to come say hi.”
Lucas looked away from Sarah and gave me a friendly smile, putting his hand on my shoulder:
“Hi, buddy! Wow, you're here... that's cool!” He gestured to Sarah. “I came because her friends wouldn't stop talking about her, the talented writer. I met Julia and Sabrina recently, but I wanted to come and meet Sarah in person.”
I nodded, trying to keep my voice neutral:
“I see.”
I looked back and forth between him and Sarah, seeing her smile.
She opened her mouth, looking a little nervous to saying something... but then she said:
“Are you two... friends?” she asked slowly.
Sarah blushed slightly and ran her hand through her hair.
“Um, yes, we're friends, Sarah. I've known him for a long time, since our senior year of high school, and we've been through a lot,” I told her.
“Wow, that's spectacular... what a small world, right?”
I nodded, clearing my throat.
“Um! True,” I said.
Lucas smiled, shaking his head:
“Yeah...”
Lucas then took the lead.
“We could celebrate today: the four of us, me, you,” he looked at me and continued, “Sarah and her friends. What do you think?”
Lucas continued to look at me and then at Sarah. I saw the hesitation in his eyes, but I tried to keep the proposal casual, an invitation to approve.
Sarah took a deep breath and smiled, turning to me:
“Actually, I've already made plans to have dinner with my parents tonight. But maybe next time?”
Lucas forced a weak smile:
“Sure... thanks, Edgar. Talk to you later.”
Sarah's friends, Julia and Sabrina, appeared at that moment and grabbed my friend by the arms. They whispered in Lucas's ear about plans for later, and he finally gave in.
"Okay, we’re coming," said Lucas, and the girls started smiling.
I was on my friend’s side, so I heard clearly what they said, even if it was whispers. I would not repeat in thoughts what they wanted. They were crazy about him.
Lucas said goodbye to Sarah, Julia, and Sabrina kissed her face and said they would talk later. Lucas was taken by the girls, who seemed super excited.
I turned my gaze to Sarah, who was looking at me; her eyes were shining.
I got caught looking at her face. She was so beautiful... Sarah came closer to me.
"I’m going to have dinner with my parents... but can you wait? When the dinner is over, I want to go out with you." she said, a little shy.
Go out with me? Ahh, that was what I needed right away, just me and her... of course...
"Yes, of course I do." I smile, trying to contain my joy. " I’m going out soon, eat something at a restaurant. We can meet later; I’ll text you, okay?"
Sarah nodded; she brought her face closer to mine, and her hand came closer and touched my fingers gently. Warm and soft fingers touched mine. Her mouth came to my ear, and she said,
“See you soon, then,” she said, holding my fingers for a few seconds, as if it were a promise.
That whisper, a mixture of promise and anxiety to see us later... it made my heart almost explode, so happy it was.
I watched Sarah walk away, taking with her sweet perfume, which I loved so much.
She sat at the table with her parents, smiling, and was happy. She deserved it; today was her day. And Sarah would shine even more in the future.
They smiled proudly, enveloped in the pride that every author's family feels. I noticed the complicity between them: they knew how precious their daughter was.
As Sarah talked to them, the question echoed in my mind.
Do they know how important she is to me? How much she surprises me every day?
I knew that what we had was real and lasting. She had refused to go out with everyone else to wait for me—and that made me believe that I was, in fact, significant in her life.
Around me, authors exchanged ideas, editors talked to authors, and guests smiled.
I sat down in a nearby armchair, watching the main table from a distance. My gaze wandered over each person, but always returned to her. I knew that our paths were aligned from that moment on.
I took out my phone and sent a brief message to Lucas.
'I'm still curious... how we find ourselves here... and how you became friends with Sarah's friends so quickly... that was shocking, Lucas.' I sent it...
I was curious, really... was it just a coincidence?
I put my phone back in my pocket and took a deep breath.
Soft music began to play; it was already six o'clock. With every second that passed, I grew more anxious because soon I would be going out with her, just the two of us.
There, at that moment, I felt that she belonged to me, just as I belonged to her. Sarah was mine... she would be forever.
I would always take care of her, protect her... she would have a man who would do anything for her, without even thinking twice.