Someone to Love (12 page)

Diego shook his head, amused. “Stalking? But if we live just a few metres away! You're all malicious, you women. As soon as a man shows you some special attention, you're immediately ready to categorize him as a sleaze-bag.”

“There must be a reason! Who knows what your reputation's like in Gallipoli. Better luck in Turin, right?”

At these words Diego's expression changed with unexpected rapidity. “Like I said, Mia, being bitchy doesn't suit you. Anyway, you're wrong, my life is perfect here. I don't need to prove anything to anyone,” he confided, taking the cup of hot milky coffee to his lips.

Was it a trap or was he serious?

“I didn't mean that, I meant that life is too short to fossilize oneself in one place. Maybe one day I'll decide to revolutionize my life and change city. Who knows, maybe I'll go to Apulia.”

“Are you kidding? Have you ever been there?”

I shook my head. “Unfortunately, not… I have never had a reason to.”

“Then you need to find one.”

Diego's mobile gave a short
beep
and the display flashed for a few seconds.

“Nothing important, only site notifications.”

“What site?”

“I was invited to sign up on a chat site to get to know new people. My colleagues recommended it at work, you know, between men…”

“Aren't you a little old for such childish things?”

“Okay, maybe you're right, but I wanted to try without obligation. In a few days I received several contacts. You can enter a location, gender and age and the site gives you a list of people registered that match the search criteria. You should do it yourself, maybe you can find a Prince Charming to melt your heart of stone.”

“Nice. Was it worth it?” I asked, giving way to curiosity.

“Oh, I would say so. See for yourself…”

I looked over his shoulder at the screen. The photos showed a smiling girl with long blonde hair and dark glasses.

I frowned and chuckled. “I've seen better,” I said with a shrug. “Sweet doll?”

“Yes, that's her nickname.”

“Oh my God, are you kidding?” I continued seriously. “How old is she? What's her name?”

Diego shrugged. “Maria, I think…”

“Diego!” I said, shocked. “So, let me understand, you're chatting to a girl who calls herself ‘Sweet doll' and you know nothing about her?”

Diego smiled. “Not all women are frozen like you, kitten. She's a lawyer and she's a very intelligent woman, in addition to being beautiful. And we have a date tonight.”

“But it's irresponsible. You know nothing about this person, she might be completely different from the photo. Maybe she's good at using Photoshop.”

Diego looked up at the sky. “Mia, I'm a cop. It's not that easy to take me for a ride!”

I glanced at Diego's profile on the screen and tried to read the conversation. There was a tiny photograph in which you couldn't see much. It was understandable, he wanted to arouse curiosity.

I bit my lip. “Anyway, I have a date too, you know? I'm seeing someone.”

Diego didn't bat an eyelid. “You amaze me. So, you're not only good at pushing people away.”

“No, I only push away those who believe a smile is enough to end up in bed.”

Diego put his elbows on the table and leaned toward me. “There's no reason to get so het up. We said we're friends, right?” he smirked.

“Indeed. So your love life isn't going as well… as you say?”

“What's that got to do with it… this meeting site is just a way of arranging dates easily.”

I slumped in the chair, with my hands resting on my knees. I had to resist the urge to give him a sermon, but then I couldn't control myself. So I kicked him under the table, out of spite.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Diego stretched out his leg and rubbed his shin.

“Sorry, this ugly tic never leaves me.”

“This is serious, you should sort it out.”

“There is no cure, it comes when you least expect it.”

“You know, if I was a suspicious person I would think that you were doing it on purpose.”

We talked a little longer, then Diego got up and helped me clear the table. I rolled my sleeves up and started washing the cups and saucers.

Diego sat in the chair, busy stroking Bubu, who looked at him with half-closed eyes, enjoying that moment of total attention. The idea of being in his place occurred to me, but I sent it packing.

To be honest, his presence was positively surprising me. “You like classics…”

“Excuse me?” I answered, confused.

“The Picture of Dorian Gray is one of my favourite books,” he said, running his fingers along the back of the cover.

“I didn't know you could read.”

“And I didn't know you liked to read. You have many books, where did you find the time to read them all? Oh right! I had forgotten that you've been single for ages.”

“Everyone enjoys themselves as they wish to and reading is one of my favourite pastimes.”

“That explains many things. I can imagine your evenings alone, sitting in this chair with a book in hand, hoping that at least the protagonists in the novel will have sex.”

“What did you say?”

“See? Just the word makes you shake.”

“I have no problem with sex. I like it, and very much indeed,” I said defensively.

At that point I wondered if I really wanted to be friends with Diego.

“I can imagine,” he said with a laugh.

“You know what I think? That all this showing off of yours, only confirms the fact that you suffer from an inferiority complex. But don't feel bad, you definitely have other qualities. You know how to do various things that others can't for example…”

Diego gave me a contemptuous smile. “Don't be ridiculous! I'm good at everything.”

“You're just confirming what I just said,” I pointed out. “One can't say anything to you, you're so sure of yourself you can't take any criticism. Why do you always have to be the centre of attention? Is there something that doesn't satisfy you? I'm certain that's the problem.”

“I'd better go,” he announced. “My shift begins soon.”

I walked him to the door and felt his eyes on me. “Thank you for breakfast.”

Diego touched my chin with his finger, moving a lock of unruly hair. He was trying to be clever. He walked over to kiss me, and we were so close now that only our breath separated us. He tilted his head and his lips brushed my cheek. I drew back instinctively, and pushed him away. “See you soon then.”

He took a step back and then laughed softly. “Are you angry with me, kitten? I was just saying goodbye.”

I turned my head sideways and stared at him. “Don't you have to start choosing a restaurant to take your unknown girlfriend to?” I asked drily.

Diego stared at me with a seraphic expression. “Sweet, Mia, very sweet.”

I bit my tongue to avoid adding something acidic.

“See you, kitten.”

“I hope not.”

A wry smile appeared on his lips. “I find your sense of humour a little abrasive,” said Diego. “Keep practicing.”

His arm stretched out towards me, but he lowered it before touching me.

I watched him as he walked away. Then closed the door.

*

I had half a day available and I decided to dedicate it to myself. I wrote down a short list of things to do in my notebook.

A few, but fundamental ones. Point number one: hair. It was years since I had changed the cut or colour of my hair. At eleven o'clock, I arrived beaming at my hairdresser's salon.

“Hello, darling,” Marzia, the owner, greeted me with a warm embrace that printed bright red lipstick on my cheeks.

“You're in perfect shape,” she added, giving me an admiring glance.

I made a little grimace. “And you're a good liar,” I said, hugging her.

Marzia looked at me and nodded to the left with her head. I peered over her shoulder and noticed blonde hair, perfect and shiny as usual: that bitch, my sister. What a strange coincidence.

“Oh, here we go…” I said, through clenched teeth.

“Today she's very sharp and gossips more than usual,” said the hairdresser. “Don't let her see you,” she added, sitting me on a chair in front of a silver framed mirror. She pressed her foot on the pedal and the chair rose a few centimetres, she let my hair slide through her fingers and began to observe it with an almost worried expression.

I looked at her reflection in the mirror, waiting for the verdict.

“So, what shall we do?” she asked, putting her hands on my shoulders.

I stared at her hesitantly. “Actually, I don't know. I was hoping for your advice. I trust you,” I said eventually.

“I'd go blonde,” Lucy began, moving closer to me. “Men prefer it.”

“Ah, you're here as well…” I said simply, pretending to have only just noticed her.

Lucy gave a wry smile and pushed her long hair behind her shoulders.

“I'm sorry to have to correct you, but blonde is out now,” Marzia informed her, smiling. “The trend this year is red.”

My heart did a little somersault with happiness.

“You know, I was thinking of putting in a few darker highlights. Taking your copper as a base and slightly thinning it, keeping the length. What do you think? Oh, I forgot. We can straighten it, you'll make everyone envious.”

“Do whatever you want with me,” I nodded happily.

While I was relaxing, among dozens of tinfoil sheets, my sister was pretending to read a magazine, watching me secretively. It maddened her not to have all Marzia's attention to herself. She walked over, sitting down in the chair next to mine.

“Haven't you got anything better to do today?” I asked her vaguely.

“No, apart from shopping. But I can wait for that. I'm really curious to see what will come out!” she exclaimed, pointing at my head.

Bitch, as usual. She had inherited our mother's every gene.

Marzia arrived with a colour chart, held up a sheet of foil and watched carefully.

“Run, girl. We have to wash it straight away,” she ordered, dragging me towards the sink.

While the hot water ran through my hair, her fingers massaged my scalp gently. I let myself go with the pleasant feeling.

Marzia rinsed the remaining colour out and, after putting on some conditioner, wrapped my hair in a towel.

“Ready, dear?” she asked, releasing my curls from under the soft fabric that concealed them.

I looked down because I still didn't want to see myself in the mirror. I heard a general chorus of approval and, taking courage, I looked up.

“Oh, wow!” I exclaimed, approaching the mirror.

Marzia stepped to one side. “Honey, wait till you see the final result. We still have to thin it out and straighten it. The wet colour never looks its best. Trust me.”

I felt Lucy's eyes on me and peered at her out of the corner of my eye. She was laughing at me. God, how I hated her. Sighing I grabbed a magazine, determined not to look in the mirror until the end. Eyes closed and surprise effect guaranteed.

I spent the next half an hour reading interviews and gossip columns. I reached the last page and as I was about to find out from my horoscope what terrible misfortune the planet Mercury was about to bring, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

“Look,” she urged in a whisper.

I closed the magazine and stared at my image. A new woman reciprocated the smile. Once straightened, my hair looked much longer and had a shiny look. Small streaks of a coppery red ran down from the root to the tips, merging with the natural colour.

I touched my cheek to make sure it really was me I saw. I looked at least five years younger.

Lucy got up from the chair without saying a word. She just stared at me, silently.

“Wow, girl! You're a bombshell,” said Marzia, attracting the attention of the other customers.

I couldn't believe my eyes, I was beautiful, despite all my imperfections.

“You're a fairy godmother!” I exclaimed, clapping my hands. “You've just performed a miracle.”

Marzia settled a streak behind my ear. “You're the beautiful one! I only took a small part in it,” she said, satisfied, and added “Lucy, do you want to say something to your sister?”

She glared and, with an air of superiority, turned her attention on me. “Mmm… I must admit, you did a good job.” She retrieved her phone from her handbag and walked away without another word.

“Leave her alone, she's just jealous,” Marzia exclaimed, while I was paying the bill.

I picked up my jacket and, waving goodbye, I walked away feeling radiant. I walked along Via Roma, stopping in front of every shop window. Absorbed in the euphoria of the moment, I didn't notice the hand that encircled my wrist. I turned round sharply.

“Do you want me to die of fright?” I blurted out, staring at Lucy.

“Always exaggerating!” she exclaimed. “I'd like to ask you if you want to buy something together. I could advise you…” she added, with a faint note of hope in her voice.

I hadn't planned to buy anything, but Lucy's change in attitude left me speechless. We hadn't been out together in years and our relationship was relegated to family dinners. I relented. I wouldn't have another opportunity like that and after all, she was still my sister.

I sighed. “Alright then. Let's see what you can do.” I nodded.

I followed her past a dozen interesting looking shops, but every time I tried to enter one, she shook her head.

At one point Lucy froze. What the hell did she have in mind? In almost thirty years I had never dreamt of setting foot in that store. I frowned, but my sister's hand grasped mine, pulling me inside despite my better judgement.

I crossed a threshold of marble steps, and a large room welcomed us. The low ceiling was a row of small spotlights illuminating walls covered with mirrors. Sought after clothes and luxury accessories were arranged tastefully on both sides of the room.