London Has Your Eyes

Chapter 23. Alex

- Oh, my God, Alex! It's so good to see you! - Olivia squeezed me tightly in her arms. - As soon as Anton told me you were here, I had to change my plans immediately. I'd never forgiven you, or myself, if we hadn't met.

- Hi Oli, I'm very glad too! It's a pity I have to leave tomorrow. I would be glad to spend more time with you, because you and Anton don't come to Russia very often, - I hug Olivia back.

- You know, we're in the middle of wedding preparations, - Olivia rolls her eyes dreamily, - Do you want me to show you some of the decorations after dinner? I've already got my own folder for the wedding.

The smell of dinner wafts in from the kitchen. Anton lets us chat while he sets the table.

- What kind of star have you picked up here already, huh? Tell me. Do I know him? What movie did I see him in? - I squint at Anton, who in turn innocently shrugs his shoulders. Chatterbox.

- Wait a minute, - I smile, - I didn't hook up with anyone. But yes, I met Daniel Pierce.

- I don't remember his last name... You got a picture? - She frowned, going over the options in her mind.

I reach into my bag for my phone. Wait, where's the phone? I look around, but I can't find my phone. I wonder why it' been silent all day. Hmm, I wonder if Daniel called me. Maybe I overreacted this morning. Or didn't I? Olivia pulls me out of my thoughts.

- Hey, Are you with us? Can I see a picture? - she asks impatiently.

- I think I left my phone in my room this morning. Damn. I'll pick it up tomorrow morning when I go to pack up my things before the plane. I hope nothing bad happens,- I feel uncomfortable not having my mobile phone. It's like you've been cut off from the flow of life in one motion. The hand is reaching out to check messages or calls, but there is nothing to check. I should do a gadget detox from time to time. But I don't feel like doing it today. What if Daniel did call? What if he didn't and I'm getting my hopes up?

- Girls, can we start dinner already? - Anton's voice comes from the kitchen. - I'm all set.

- Guys, it's a great flat. Much better than the one you showed me in the photo,- I sincerely admire.

- Thank you, darling, I'll show you a picture of the final interior that's going to be here,- Olivia holds out her mobile to me.

While I'm looking at the plan, a message arrives on Olivia's phone, flashing a banner at the top of the screen.

- There's a text message for you,- I say, taking my eyes off the screen. Oli tenses a little, quickly replies to the message and puts her mobile away from the table.

- Who's texting you at this hour? - Anton asks. His voice is calm, not annoyed, as suspicious husbands tend to be, but rather surprised.

- You know, honey, approving a project is always a long 24/7 job, - she answers, smiling widely.

- I always tell you to take care of yourself, Oli. A woman shouldn't work so hard. You have me. So you can slow down a bit. I'll back you up. - He kisses Olivia tenderly, then turns to me. - Why are you so nervous all evening? - No matter how hard I tried to hide my worries about Dany, Anton notices them; he knows me too well.

- I think I left my phone at the hotel. And, you know, I should always be in touch. In case Max calls, - I say. I think this truth is more than enough.

- Max. I see. How's he doing?

- He has changed a lot since the last time you saw him. You'll be very surprised when you see him again. I'd show you fresh pictures, but we all remember about the phone - Max will probably be calling me. And I really want to hear my favourite voice already.

- Sanya, I can go to your hotel and bring you the phone, if you need it so much, - Anton summons. What a gentleman he is.

- That's a great idea, honey! Alex and I are going to gossip and talk about the wedding, - Olivia adds.

- Are you sure it won't bother you? - I timidly ask. I don't want to bother anyone.

- It was my idea. Give me the key-card, I'm going,- Anton takes the key-card with obvious enthusiasm and quickly puts on his shoes.

- Thank you. By the way, dinner is fantastic! You're a wonderful cook, - I shout after him.

As soon as the door slams shut behind Anton, Olivia is distracted by the phone again.

- I'm sorry, I need to make a call. It's urgent. A very cranky customer, - she says and walks out into the other room.

I look around. Olivia and Anton's flat is lovely. It's all done in light colours. Despite the piles of unpacked boxes, it already feels cozy. One thing's for sure, Olivia has great taste. You can tell she has a professional hand. I have seen Olivia's designs for different houses and flats, and they are all like artworks. But here she decided to keep it simple and tasteful. I think they'll be very happy in this flat.

- Oh, these cottages, - she says with a sigh and takes a sip of wine. - You still haven't told me about your actor. I Googled him. He's very young.

I shrug my shoulders. How do you explain to someone you're attracted to and don't have the strength to resist? That despite his age, there's something about him that makes me lose my head and break all the patterns. Daniel... Last night ran through my mind again. My body gets goosebumps.

- Yeah, he's ten years younger than me. What can I tell you? We met, we talked. Nothing special, - I lie. I don't want to get her involved in my personal business. - I'd rather you show me your wedding dress. You've already chosen one, haven't you?

That's a very clever move. Olivia's eyes sparkle with joy, and she jumps to her feet and tells me all about the look. The dress, of course, is not kept in the flat so that Anton couldn't see him ahead of time. But there's lots of photos of the dress, next to the dress, in the dress. We chat about the wedding preparations, completely oblivious to the time. Anton is delayed for some reason, so Oli makes a bed for me on their sofa and she goes to sleep in her room. Tomorrow she has an early departure to the suburbs for the object, and I have to pack for the plane and take the long flight to Moscow.