Always

20. Chapter

-June-

When I realize that Anthony had been around with our rented car, I am almost about to go back inside and ask Nathalie for hers but I wouldn't be able to look into her eyes and so I turn into our lane by feet. I should have known that something, someone else, had hidden behind Nathalie's behavior.
She was one of the few friends I totally trusted and the realization that she was way more loyal to him than to me makes me understand that I should have kept to my rules and never trust anyone too much. I had lowered my guard down and got blind to obvious things like Roberto organizing my surveillance. How could he ask her something like this? How could he seriously involve other people into this messed up situation? When I think about how hard Nathalie had tried to stay close to me like a limpet I shiver.

Then again I can't imagine that he had forced her into it. Knowing her good heart she might have accepted without protest!

By the time I arrive in the square I see the feast tend right in the middle of it.

The workers had done a great job, I realize and slower my steps to watch it. The feast was only days away and despite my first excitement only god knew if I would actually participate. I am already imagining myself in the middle of the crowd, getting insulted by Giovanni, hearing Charlene's squeaky voice, feeling Roberto's gaze on my skin and getting observed by Riccardo and his stay-sober-control team. I turn under the light of a street lamp to find the keys of the recreation room in my messy bag. I really needed to get organized, or, I think to myself, a bigger handbag.

"Don't turn around."

A dark man's voice hisses behind me and makes my blood turn gelid when I push the keys inside the lock.

-Roberto-

"Did you talk to Serena?" I ask Sergio and close the empty pizza box.

Sergio shakes his head energetically. "No. I think this time it's really over."

Sergio and Serena have been a couple for years and had broken up countless times. Usually their break-ups didn't last longer than a month but Sergio had avoided Serena's mention over the whole summer.

"Come on. You always get back to each other. Everyone knows that you can't take your eyes and hands off her."

Sergio smiles perfidy. "I know. Jesus, she's wonderful. But I am tired of the whole story. I think we got short on fuel, you know?"

"No, I don't." I start laughing, Sergio never made much sense of romantic discussions.

"Look at Andrea." He mentions one of our best friends we've grown up with. "He finds a girl, they date, they fall in love, he gets married and now she's pregnant. With twins!" He states more precisely. Sergio was right, other people seemed to get their love live straight without any obstacle or even effort.

"Look at you!" He continues.

"No, no. Don't drag me into this."

"I don't know. I think I should stay alone for a while, see what's out there. I mean, if Serena and I were meant to be together, we would be together, right? We wouldn't always fight about every bullshit, leave another, turn each other jealous, that's just kid's stuff."

I nod in agreement and reach for my bottle.

"Cheers to kid's stuff." I announce and let our bottles collide softly.

"Speaking of the devil. Blondie is back in civilization."

I follow his gaze and strengthen the grip around my bottle when I notice June coming out of the dark of a corner, turning to the recreation room.

"What the hell is she doing there at this time of the day?" Sergio mumbles and watches her attentive.

"No idea."