Coco Chanel Saved My Life (11 page)

At two, after a quick lunch and – I swear – my last coffee, Valentina and I got in the company car to drive to the bride's sumptuous villa, just outside Milan.

In one month, I had learned so much about wedding receptions. Now I knew what the priorities were, which suppliers had the best wedding favours, how to organize tables, which locations were the best for traditional weddings, and those that best fitted more unconventional receptions. There were many rules, imposed by tradition, education, fashion, taste and even superstition. I had learned all this: now it was time to try to use all this information, the moment had come to demonstrate to myself and others that I was capable of something. The idea that I could count on my colleagues help comforted me. Just one month of experience wasn't exactly enough to feel self-confident.

What seemed to worry Valentina most was the lack of time.

“I'm sure you've learned that most people want to marry between May and September. Then they can take advantage of the good weather to have outdoor receptions, wear light clothes, and shoot millions of corny photographs in sugary garden corners.” She was explaining this to me, while we drove towards the villa. “In this case, the groom is the son of a very rich industrialist. He and his new bride will soon be moving to the United States. That's why they couldn't plan for a summer date. It seems that he can't wait to tie the knot! They will marry at the end of March, and we should think of it as a winter reception. The family is of noble origins, with a lot of money to burn. They will probably want a classic ceremony. Believe me, those are the most difficult to organize!”

I had to admit that, although at times she could be extremely unpleasant, she was professional and well prepared. In spite of her cynical attitude, I think she really loved this job.

Perhaps it was the caffeine, or maybe the traffic jam outside Milan, but I dared to ask her something personal. “Have you ever thought of marrying?”

She remained silent for a few seconds. Then she looked at me and answered, “I've already been married.”

I realized that maybe I made a faux pas. A woman that I thought of as one of the most convinced singles I had ever met, had a love relationship in her past so important that it led her into a marriage.

“We were young and happy. I was even more beautiful than I am now. We got married and were together for many years.”

“And then?” I couldn't stop myself from asking. Now
I
had become the indiscreet one!

“Then it ended. Most of all I believe it was because I didn't want children at the time and he did… Anyway it would involve
me
getting as big as a hippo! Or perhaps it ended because some people are not meant to be together for life. In the long run, you get bored, especially with a loser like he was. We separated and eventually divorced. And now I'm a free and independent woman again.”

I caught in her voice a subtle vein of humanity, in spite of her usual proud, boasting tone.

It was incredible that all the people around me had some past relationship that hadn't worked. I still wanted to fall in love again, more than ever, yet I began to realize that this thing called
love
was much more complicated than I ever imagined.

“Come on, don't look so worried,” she said, resuming the sarcastic tone of a woman of the world, “I am perfectly fine. I date many men and have a lot of fun. Last night I met a very nice guy and we spent a wonderful evening together. That's all we need men for, just to have a good time. You should try it! You look so uptight. I notice you always look a little sad, like a beaten dog. In my opinion you need to have some fun and go out with new men. Don't tell me you're still thinking of that asshole of an ex-boyfriend! You must be pro-active. You're young and – although you have a funny way of dressing – even
you
deserve a sex life. How long has it been since you've had sex?”

Oh my god – again she was passing the limit. “I prefer not to talk about these things…”

“Aha! I knew it! Trust me: it's been too long since you have had sex. That's not healthy. If you want, I can arrange a date for you with a friend of mine, this weekend.”

Perhaps she was right. I had to say yes and accept a blind date. I would spend an evening with someone and then put the whole idea behind me, forever. Maybe this was also the only way to shut her up and stop her persistence.

“Ok. Set it up for this weekend. I have nothing to lose.”

“Great! That's the spirit. I'm sure you'll thank me.”

I don't know why, but I had many doubts about this.

*

Finally, we arrived at the big villa where our clients were waiting for us. We passed through a huge gate and drove along a tree lined
allee
which led to the house. They had to be really rich to live in such luxury. I was fascinated by luxury, as long as it was not tasteless. Coco Chanel used to say:
Some people think luxury is the opposite of poverty. It is not. It is the opposite of vulgarity
.

We were received in a large living room; there were beautiful oil paintings on the walls, rugs and elegant arm-chairs and on a fireplace mantle there was a glass vase with beautiful, fresh red flowers.

“Please, come in…” the bride's mother was smiling. She wore an elegant navy pants suit.

We introduced ourselves and sat on a comfortable sofa.

“Would you like a coffee?” Frankly, I couldn't have another drop of caffeine in my system! I thanked her and asked instead for a glass of water.

The future bride, her fiancé and her sister were also at the meeting.

“May we start?” Valentina asked very kindly – unusual for her – taking her faithful IPad out of her handbag. She kept all the documentation, photographs and her notes on it.

“Sure!” The bride seemed impatient. Her name was Giulia and she was a very beautiful young woman: tall, slender, with her long blonde hair tied up in a bun, showing an elegant, long neck.

“We have so many things to organize and in such a short time!” She added, sincerely excited.

At that point Valentina took charge of the conversation. “The first thing we should do is to pick out the invitations you want, address and mail them, so that all the guests have time to RSVP.”

“Yes,” the mother interrupted her, “we have guests all over the world. Many of them have been informed already and they are waiting for the formal invitation.”

“Then,” ignoring the mother, Valentina continued in her professional tone, “we will need to select the wedding rings.”

“We have already selected them at Tiffany's! They are making them…” Giulia said proudly.

“Perfect!” I said. “Also we need to think about the dress and the shoes soon.” I knew the wedding dress was always one of the main reason for a young bride's anxiety.

“I already have two appointments for tomorrow afternoon, if you would be available…” and Giulia named two prestigious showrooms in Milan.

Valentina nodded. “I can't wait!” Giulia, joyful and thrilled, grabbed her sister's hand. “I've always dreamt of wearing the white dress.” She smiled at her fiancé, who didn't seem willing to talk much. Weddings in Italy are always women's affairs.

“Also, we will have to order all the flowers. March is not the best month for flowers, but our nurseries have a big selection—”

I dared to interrupt Valentina: “We could use only camellias! March is the perfect month for them…” Camellias were the favourite flowers of Coco Chanel and so mine, too.

“White camellias,” Giulia said, clapping her hands. “I adore them. Wonderful idea.”

“And we'll need to select and confirm the church as soon as possible.” Valentina continued.

“Speaking of the church and the location, one of our relatives offered us his castle on lake Como for the reception. The castle also has a beautiful seventeenth century chapel where we thought we might hold the ceremony.”

“It sounds fantastic! And simplifies things a lot…” I looked at Valentina. I spent all morning looking for locations, something large enough and elegant enough for this type of wedding and I had been struggling to find anything suitable.

“I would like to add something special to the party. An idea…” the bride said.

I said, “what about giving each guest a flying lantern? They can be lit up at sunset and when they rise into the sky, everyone can make a wish. They will create a magical atmosphere.”

“Oh, this is wonderful!” Giulia was enthusiastic.

“Good!” Valentina was looking at me, surprised, as if it were impossible that I had a brilliant idea! Everything seemed to go very well, in spite of my hangover and too much caffeine in my system. I was performing very professionally.

We talked about some more details and then said goodbye to the family. I was proud of myself. For the first time, I felt like a real wedding planner. I took my water bottle out of my handbag and secretly made a toast to my new self.

While heading to our car, I noticed a black Audi parking in the garden. I had the feeling I knew that car. A stunning figure got out of the driver's side, wearing a very short black dress. It was Anna. That damned Anna! Anna –
the-woman-to-love
. And she was driving Niccolò's car!

I didn't know whether run away or slap her in the face. I wondered what the hell she was doing here.

As she went to the front door, she turned and saw me. She had the stupefied expression of a grazing cow. She stopped and shyly smiled at me.

“Rebecca… It's been so long!”

An eternity, bitch! Given the fact that, after stealing my man, you didn't even have the courage to call me.

“What are
you
doing here?” I said, trying not to shout…

“I came to get some documents for my father. They are my father's clients.”

Of course! The very rich and eminent lawyer she worked for – a real self-made woman. Right!!

I kept staring at her without hiding my hatred.

“Rebecca… I'm very sorry for what… uh… happened between you and Niccolò. He says you were very good friends.”

“Niccolò says tons of bullshit! He's an asshole and a traitor. Watch out, girlfriend, the next one he cheats on could be you!”

Anna stood there speechless. Valentina blew the horn impatiently. She already had started the car.

“I must go. Please, say hello to my best friend Niccolò.” I smiled and left.

During the way back to Milan, I kept smiling. I was very proud of myself. Finally, I had let out some of the poison I had inside.

*

As soon as we arrived at the office, I turned my computer off and gathered my stuff, while Valentina was checking her e-mails. I met Etienne in the hall of the building. He wore an elegant dark suit and carried a brief-case.

“How elegant! Are you going to deliver something important to a CEO?” I asked, thinking he looked even more sexy than usual in his tailored suit.

“You've got to have class no matter what your job! And you, Coco? Are you planning to fall into the arms of someone tonight?'

“Very funny.”

He looked at me with his gorgeous smile. I felt the usual butterflies in my stomach, and completely understood why
his
Juliette had lost her head for him.

“Thanks again for helping me with the Chanel handbag. My mother loved it.”

“I didn't have any doubt. At least with Chanel, I'm an authority!”

“Got to go now.” He pointed towards the taxi waiting for him.

Yes, that man lives way beyond his means, I thought, puzzled.

I said goodbye and headed happily to the subway.

*

The next afternoon we met Giulia again – our future bride – at an elegant showroom in the centre of Milan. They specialize in wedding dresses and have many VIPs, even movie actresses, as their clientele. It was the first time I had found myself in the midst of wedding dresses, and – and even with my disdain for weddings – I have to admit they were beautiful.

“Many of my fiancé's relatives live in London or in the States,” Giulia said – excited like a kid in a candy store – “so, we should also consider their traditions. Don't you agree?”

“Ah! I have just the thing…” Valentina answered, “
Something old, something new…
”

“Something borrowed, something blue…” Giulia added.

“
And a silver sixpence in her shoe!
” Laughing, we ended the little rhyme in unison.

Everyone knows it. The Anglo-Saxon tradition, that we also have adopted in Italy, says that on the wedding day, the bride has to wear something old – to indicate her ties with her past; something new – good luck for a new life; something borrowed – better from someone already happily married; something given to her as a gift – a wish for future happiness, and something blue that symbolizes purity and fidelity.

“We'll find everything you need!” Valentina said, as a model put on the first incredible white dress to show it to us.

“I already have everything, almost everything!” Giulia said. “I have my mother's diamond necklace, a blue garter – a gift from my best friend – and my old, small diamond earrings. I only need something new!”

At that moment I had an idea! I asked Valentina to let me go for a few minutes, explaining I had forgotten something in the car. She nodded, slightly annoyed, and I ran out of the showroom, as if it were a matter of life and death. Earlier I had noticed a perfume shop a few blocks away. I was running there.

Twenty minutes later I was back, when the bride was trying on her first dress. Ecstatic, she looked at herself in the mirror. I took a little packet out of my handbag and handed it to her, hoping that I had done the right thing.

She looked surprised at me. “What is it?”

“Open it. It's a gift.
Something new
to wear… It's something important to me and I hope it will bring good luck to you!” I was a little anxious.