Dreams Can Come True

74. Wine and cigarettes

Bas took a drag from his cigarette as I refilled the wine glasses. The warmth of the wine spread through my body, making the cool breeze on the balcony almost unnoticeable. The sun began to set slowly, casting a beautiful orange-pink glow across the sky and sharply outlining the buildings against the evening light.
"You've really got a great place here," Bas said, looking around, his gaze sweeping over the balcony and the surrounding buildings.
I nodded in agreement, unable to suppress a small smile. "Yeah, it really feels like home," I replied. "I'm so grateful the previous owner left the furniture." My eyes fell on the comfortable chairs and the cozy corners that had been created.
Bas lit his next cigarette and inhaled deeply. A cloud of smoke drifted slowly into the evening air.
As I looked around, I took in the scenery. The atmosphere of the balcony was warm and inviting, with comfortable chairs that beckoned relaxation after a long day. The plants along the edges added a touch of green to the space, while the soft lighting from the street lamps created a cozy ambiance.
Bas lit his next cigarette and inhaled deeply, his face bathed in the soft light of the evening. "And you're not mad at Bill anymore for buying this apartment behind your back?" he asked, blowing out the smoke slowly.
A gentle breeze played with my hair as I thought about the situation. It was true, I had felt hurt that Bill bought the apartment without consulting me. But last night, when I couldn't sleep, I started to realize that anger wouldn't solve anything. I needed to learn to let go and move on.
"Pff, of course I'm still a bit upset about it," I admitted, running my fingers along the rim of the wine glass. "But I can't stay mad at him. He did it with good intentions after all."
Bas nodded understandingly, his eyes full of empathy. "Maybe you didn't make it clear enough to him why this was all so important to you," he suggested, exhaling smoke slowly.
I nodded in agreement and sighed deeply. "Exactly," I said. "And I realize that now. I should have explained it better to him."
A moment of silence filled the air as we both reflected on our words. The city was quiet but lively in the background, like a symphony of sounds enveloping the evening.
In the distance, the sound of a passing train echoed, and I looked up at the night sky, where the stars twinkled like tiny lights in the darkness.

"And now they've left for South Africa for their music video?" Bas broke the silence, putting out his cigarette in the ashtray beside him. His words brought a lump to my throat, and I swallowed hard before answering. "Yes," I said softly, my voice trembling.
Bas immediately saw that I was struggling and placed his warm hand on my knee. "Hey, the week will fly by, and you'll be back together before you know it," he said in a reassuring tone, looking at me with kind eyes.
I nodded slowly, grateful for his support, and took a sip of my wine to control my emotions. The thought of the coming week without Bill was hard to bear, but Bas' words gave me some comfort.
"Do we have our first photoshoot the day after tomorrow?" I asked him, my voice a bit stronger now as I tried to shift my thoughts to something else.
"Speaking of work," Bas said, trying to suppress a chuckle. "I got a call from Paul today..."
His words kept me in suspense as I raised my eyebrows, curious about what he had to say. Paul, our manager, was always involved in the business side of our careers, so it wasn't unusual for him to contact Bas. But the tone of Bas' voice suggested something unexpected had happened.
"...And he wondered if it was possible for me to look at girls lovingly," Bas continued with a wide smile.
The absurdity of the situation left me speechless for a moment before I burst into laughter. "Wait, are you serious?" I asked, trying to hide my surprise behind a laugh.
Bas nodded seriously, but there was still a twinkle in his eye. "Yes, seriously. Paul suggested that I should have a certain look, a kind of 'loving gaze' when I looked at girls during photoshoots, interviews, and performances. He thinks it would be good for our image if I showed a bit more... interest in the opposite sex," he explained, his voice laced with amusement.
I gave him a surprised look after I finished laughing, trying to process what Bas had just told me. So Paul seriously suggested that Bas should fake his sexuality for commercial success? It felt strange and uncomfortable. "That sounds... absurd," I finally muttered, my thoughts a whirlwind of confusion.
Bas shrugged, still laughing. "Yeah, absurd is the right word," he said, his voice dripping with irony. "But you know Paul, he's always thinking of new ways to promote the band."
I nodded slowly, my mind still grappling with the idea of faking someone's sexuality for publicity. It felt wrong on so many levels. "And what did you answer?" I asked, my curiosity piqued despite my discomfort.
Bas took a deep breath, his smile fading as he looked more serious. The silence suddenly said more than a thousand words.
I looked at him, my confusion still clear on my face. "So... you agreed?" I asked cautiously, my voice barely above a whisper.
Bas nodded slowly, his gaze serious as he considered his answer. "Yes," he finally said, his voice calm but determined. "I agreed."
I stared at him, unable to hide my surprise. "But why?" I asked, my voice slightly hoarse with astonishment.
Bas sighed deeply, his eyes momentarily looking at the ground before meeting mine again. "Elise," he began, his tone serious. "Being a musician has always been a big dream for me. And honestly, pretending to be interested in girls is the least of my worries."
I felt a pang of empathy as I heard Bas' words. His passion for music was something I had always admired, and the idea that he was willing to make compromises to achieve his dream touched me deeply. "But you have to stay true to yourself," I said softly, my concern still evident.
Bas smiled weakly, his eyes filled with a mixture of determination and resignation. "Maybe," he said, his voice softer than before. "But sometimes you have to make concessions to make your dreams come true. And if that means I have to act a little, then I'm willing to do that."
I sighed, knowing I couldn't change his decision, no matter how much I wanted to. "I understand," I finally said, my voice filled with a mixture of understanding and concern. "But promise me you won't completely lose yourself in the process."
Bas nodded, his smile widening. "I promise," he said, his voice full of determination. "I will always stay true to who I am, no matter the circumstances."