Just for Tonight

42.

It had been hard to see her again. Even harder than he had expected. A blow to the heart, and a big one. He sighed. Life had just taken Seppo away from him, and shown him what it could have been with her. He thought back to the ring and what she had said to Migé. He had given it to her before she returned to Finland. Could it be that...

Emy's hand came to rest on his leg. He looked out of the cab window and saw the church in the distance. It was time to say goodbye to his manager and friend.

They all arrived at the same time and got out of the cabs.

They took their places in the church, Ville, Emy and Burton in front, Linde, Chloe, Migé and Gas in the row just behind. It was very crowded. Chloe spotted Eicca, Perttu, Jussi and Jyrki on the other side, as well as the members of The Rasmus. They greeted each other discreetly.

When the coffin arrived, Chloe's heart sank. This was becoming real. Seppo was gone. She saw Ville clench his jaw and felt his pain. The ceremony began.

Emy seemed to keep talking in his ear. Several times she saw Ville make a gesture of displeasure. For a brief moment, he half-turned his head in Chloe's direction and sighed.

"Interesting", she murmured. A half smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He had heard her.

Seppo's life had been entirely devoted to music. Various testimonials attested to that. On several occasions, they had tears in their eyes. Chloe thought back to those moments on the bus with Seppo and the guys. The gruff way he had apologized when he had been overprotective of Ville. She couldn't help smiling. But she knew that Ville was suffering right now. And Emy didn't seem to be giving him a minute's peace. Chloe looked at Migé, who was also watching the couple in front of them. He shrugged, as if to say: it's always like that.

At the cemetery, they remained last. All seven of them. Ville and the guys gathered around the grave, Chloe and Emy a little apart.

Ville's voice broke the silence.  "Chloe, come with us."

She joined the guys. They held each other by the shoulders, forming a silent circle. A few tears rolled down their cheeks.

They then returned to the cabs, which dropped each of them off at their homes.

Migé and Chloe found themselves alone. They chatted late into the evening, avoiding touchy topics.

Her phone suddently rang.
"Shit ... Rafael...!", she exclaimed before picking up.

Rafael was angry. Migé could hear his voice clearly, he was shouting at Chloe.

"You were supposed to send me a message when you arrived. I'm still waiting.  I guess you're okay, since you're picking up. But I know, you're in Helsinki and you forget about me. And you're with him, aren't you?".

"Raf... don't say that. I just forgot, I got caught up in the emotion and stopped thinking. Forgive me", she replied calmly.

"Don't make any more mistakes with me, or else... ". And he hung up.

Migé looked at his friend, who remained calm.

"Is it often like this?", Migé asked.

She shrugged and yawned. It had been an emotional day.

"You can go to my bedroom, I'll take the sofa", Migé offered.

"The couch is for me, don't worry."

He brought her an extra blanket.

"Good night, Chlo."

"Good night, see you tomorrow."

At around 3am, Migé's phone rang. She opened her eyes. Migé was speaking quickly, but she heard the words: "You can come, but as you know, she is here".

He left the bedroom and approached her.

"Ville is on his way", he simply said.

"I guess he wants to talk to you. I'll go to your room, you'll be quieter", she offered.

He nodded.

She heard Ville arrive and speak with Migé. The conversation seemed lively. She closed her eyes and tried not to pay attention.

A ray of light flooded into the room and she felt someone sitting on the bed. She turned around.

"I knew you weren't sleeping. Don't hide from me, you can come with us, Chlo", Ville softly said.

"I'm coming", she murmured, her throat tight.

She wrapped herself in a blanket and joined them. She took her place on the sofa, opposite Ville, and remained silent.

Ville summarized the situation for her.

"She gave me another jealous fit. Apparently, I got too close to you today." He half-smiled.

Chloe widened her eyes and looked at him. For the first time, they locked eyes.

"I think you were both correct, you behaved", Migé sighed.

"I think so too", Ville added without looking away. "I didn't even say hello. I apologize for that, Chlo. I promised her."

"I understand", she shyly said.

"Hello, Chloe. I'm glad to see you again, though I wish it had been under different circumstances. Here is what I wish I had told you."

"Hello, Ville", she replied.

Migé smiled.

"I don't understand", she added in a low voice. "How could she ... be jealous of me?". She pointed at herself from head to toe.

Ville looked at her intently.

"I ... probably gave her reason to be, without meaning to. But, as I explained to Migé, it's not the first time."

"Emy's jealous of everyone. Even of me", Migé explained, laughing.

"It's not our first fight, but today... may be the one too many. The day of the funeral.... and the day I see you again ... it's not the moment for a tantrum ... So Migé accepted to let me stay here". He pointed at his luggage.

He clenched his fists and his knuckles turned white. Clearly, anger was rising inside him.

Chloe leaned towards him and reflexively put her hand on his. Immediately, his fingers unclenched.

Migé intervened: "I think her Rafael is jealous too. He called her tonight and I couldn't help but overhear. He was shouting at her because she had forgotten to send him a message".

Ville looked at her worriedly.

"Does he do that often?".

She shrugged. "It's not important, Ville."

He bit his cheek.

Migé yawned. "Do I dare leave you both here? I think you have things to talk about. If you don't mind, I'll be in the bedroom."

Ville and Chloe nooded and Migé left them alone.