Trouble finding Blondie (17 page)

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Arye and Cori were arriving almost at the same time. One was coming from London, the other from Vienna, arriving at two different terminals.
 

“Which one do you want?”

“Is that a trick question?”

“No. I’m sure you have a preference.”

If I say Cori, she is going to think I’m chicken. If I say Arye, she will think I’m trying too hard. I’m going to throw her off...

“I’m going to pick up both of them, take them to lunch, and do the talk on my own.”

“What? Are you serious?”
“Dead serious.”

“Okeeey then. What supplements did you take this morning?”

“And I’ll take Francois with me.”

“That’s too long, and you won’t be able to enjoy lunch.”

“Come on, he is my ice breaker.”

“Haha ok, but pick a restaurant now. I’ll ask Reni to meet you there to take him home for lunch and a nap.”

“Love it. And what is the Queen going to do?”

“I’m going to try to have lunch with Philippe then. I feel like we didn’t have a chance to talk last weekend.”

“You mean being alone?”

“No comment,” Simona smiled, enjoying the new position of Andre feeling unsafe. She always made him feel so secure, with no signs or reasons to worry. This was a brand new world, one she was beginning to enjoy.
 

Philippe was thrilled and agreed to lunch immediately He was also relieved, now questioning his own reactions, exploring his healed insecurities.
 

What kind of a bullshit insecurities are these?! I didn’t have insecurities about women until I met THIS ONE!

9

"YOU DIDN'T WANT ME AT MY WORST, YOU DON'T DESERVE ME AT MY BEST."

SIMONA STRUGGLED GETTING dressed. She was glad she had an empty house to get ready. She had her favorite music on, playing salsa, Danza Kuduro. It was a magic trick for her mood pick up. Every neighbor she had in the past decade knew that song by heart by now.

Why am I so nervous? It’s just Philippe. Lunch with Philippe, like a hundred times before, what is this feeling? Why am I trying the 5th outfit on?

She finally settled on a romantic long summer dress with a halter, exposing her shoulders. It was a combination of chiffon and silk fabrics. The dress was very airy and sexy romantic. It was maxi length with a teal hem around the sleeves and an opening in the middle from her thighs. Everything was loose, except around her mid section, from her waist to where her underwear ended. Every time the wind blew, the dress became a flying train with gorgeous multi blue ocean colors, revealing the deep green on the inside. She wore strappy sandals in a beautiful royal blue color, and her only accessory was a green clutch she got from Philippe for Christmas. Marcello picked her up first, whistling with admiration.
 

“Grazie, Marcello. But is it 'you look great, or holy moly?’”

“Madame Simona, you know that you look stunning. I was just acknowledging it.”

“Ok then. It was a struggle today, Marcello. I’m not even sure why.”

“Where are you going for lunch Madame Simona? My instructions were only about the pick-ups. We are getting Monsieur from the office next.”

“That’s just it. It’s just lunch with Philippe. I’m not sure why I am nervous…”

Marcello looked in the back mirror and nodded in agreement. When they turned onto the main boulevard, Simona asked Marcello to pull over on the other side of the busy city artery. He wasn’t there yet, so she stayed in the car. “Are we early, Marcello?”

“Just a couple of minutes.”

She saw him coming out, got out of the car, and waved. When he acknowledged he saw her, she walked across the street, letting her dress fly around, creating a scene, smiling with satisfaction. Her eyes met his, with the typical smirk of ‘I know, you like it’. She opened her arms, and he got lost in the moment. He forgot he was in front of his office building, lifted her up, and twirled her around. She was laughing, asking him to put her down. Then she grabbed his face and kissed him on the lips. Their eyes were still locked, still completely unaware of the surroundings, until security started chasing a few obnoxious paparazzi away. Philippe grabbed Simona by the hand and walked across the street to the safety of his car.

“Was the dress show for me? You better have undies on.”

“Haha, your opening lines are worse than your pick up lines.”

“Only with you. Why even try when there is inevitable humiliation, or check mate, following automatically?”

“Oh my God. Who fucked with your confidence this badly? Where is the scary, heartless Bouchard with the financial shark reputation?”

“Where are we going?”
 

“Out of the city.”

“What? You are dressed for the Champs-Élysées.”

“I’m dressed for you, not the admiration of others. Plus, you get enough of that anyway.”

“Enough of what? People don’t admire my looks or clothes.”

“I meant ego boosts and instant gratification you get on your outings when you have your trophy model kind of women on your arm.”

“Marcelo, the lady wants outside the city. Pick something nice.”

“Don’t stress it, Marcello. Anything will do.”

Marcello knew their favorite places, but this one was really special. To his recollection, they only visited twice, both times with great success. It was a stable with a Relais Châteaux hotel on their property. The restaurant was country style with five stars. Simona loved their organic food, and the whole ‘farm to table’ freshness of their dishes. She was a true gourmet who enjoys food and wine, and always preaches simplicity.

“I feel like I didn’t spend any time with you at the chateau,” she started, cautiously.

“You didn’t. You should feel guilty, and really make it up to me somehow.”

“Really? Well, in my defense, it was too much, too fast.”

“So, how are you feeling? You are not going to guilt trip me that it was a wrong move, are you?”

“I’m really not sure what the right move is, Philippe. The chateau was fantastic, but coming back to Paris stirred up a lot of things. Not to mention, he is getting the boys from the airport as we speak.”

“What? Both of them?”

“Yes. His idea. To have a men talk, alone.”

Neither paid any attention to the scenery, nor had any idea where they were going until Marcello pulled into a gate and Simona started clapping with excitement. Philippe was watching her, smiling. He loved the little quirks and her childish spontaneity. She always preached gratitude, but she also walked the talk. Once he asked her if she was always like that. First he got a smart ass sassy answer, but on another occasion, a moment presented itself, and she opened up. It was a quiet night with wine and cheese in the winery. They were cozied up, watching the stars. She told him that she was very quick to criticize, pointing out mistakes, and very tough on everyone. She admitted that her natural tendencies were being bossy, the tough-love kind bossy. That’s how she grew up, that’s all she knew. It took her many years working on herself with lots of bumps and bruises, lost relationships, to figure out that kindness, humility, and love were the way to go.

“Thank you, Marcello. You just made my day. Merci. I’m so excited.” Simona exclaimed.

“I don’t know anyone who is not a chef and loves food like you. You are such a foodie,” Philippe
 
was smiling as a genuine compliment.

“Today, my attention was to focus all on the company, but I’m sorry, this is a whole new game, Mr. Bouchard.”

“You will trade me for some lettuce?”

“You are such a barbarian. We are entering a Michelin star culinary wonder with secret
 
flavors prepared to perfection, served like a work of art. Behave yourself.”

“Do they pay you for advertisement?”

“You are terrible. And whatever you do, don’t piss the staff off. I don’t want them to be spitting in my food.”

The entry had a massive baroque arch announcing a grand entrance into the castle. A true historical chateau with massive walls, chandeliers, antique furniture, and an amazing two story library, but renovated with all the modern amenities of a boutique hotel. Fun, classy, and classic.

“This place is amazing,” Simona was twirling around.

“Would you like to sit outside?”

“I’m not sure. Is the terrace shaded?”

“It’s actually a garden. I remember the metal chairs. I would prefer inside.”

“I agree, the inside is more pleasant with cushy chairs for your royal ass,” she laughed.

“Mine may be royal, but yours is the bony one that would be bruised.”

“Right now, I’m not worried about my ass but my tummy. Feed me already.”

“You know the models you mentioned before? I just remembered the benefits. They don’t ever bitch about being hungry like you do.”

“I know, sadly it’s not going to be just a salad. This lunch is going to cost you.”

“Yes, men are usually afraid to clothe women. With you, they need to be scared to feed you.”

The energy between them was flowing like the summer breeze outside. They were both relaxed, happy to be there in each other’s company. Simona started ordering appetizers until Philippe finally told the waiter to just keep bringing them, one by one.

“Let me just make sure I understood correctly. We are getting the whole left side of the menu?”

“You were already on appetizer five. What’s a couple more?”

“Are you planning on ordering the right side, too?”

“Planning? No. Fully determined.”

“I said feed me, not kill me.”

“Alright then. You have your favorite wine, your food is coming, this should be a fairly comfortable, pleasant state for you to finally not go around the bushes and spill it.”

“You told me it’s ok to have doubts, and I get that. But this is different, Philippe. I have everything and beyond I ever wanted and dreamt about. I’m happy and content.”

“But you seemed glowing and happy with him, too. Did I get that wrong?”

“No, the happy hormone, connection, chemistry, all of that is still there…”
“But?”

“But that’s not what you build a relationship on. Those are not a solid ground, a foundation.”

“And you don’t think there is depth? You built this relationship on friendship for years. That’s what you told me.”
“Yes, that’s all true, but there is the other part, too. I always knew his past. I knew his flaws, too: his commitment issues, immaturity and shortcomings. I loved him with all of that.”
“Another but coming up. This is becoming a thriller,” Philippe was smirking.

“The betrayal showed colors I didn’t expect, never saw before. The level of cruelty, the lack of remorse, and even after losing me, his quick rebound. But most of all, he has done it when I was physically and emotionally at my lowest, finalizing my divorce. Who does that? Who kicks someone in the gut when they are down?”

“Coward.”

“Amen.”

“You have never told me this. I thought I was doing the right thing.”
“No, no, you have done the right thing. You set me free from carrying the bag of guilt about Francois. It would have happened sooner or later. I’m glad that part is over. I can breathe easier, make my amends.”

“What about Andre? Can you forgive him?”

“I forgave him a long time ago. I’m just processing my mixed emotions and all the stuff that is flying in my head.”
“Like ‘when people show you their true colors, believe them the first time?’”

“Yeah, that one, too. But more like, ‘you didn’t want me at my worst, you don’t deserve me at my best.’”

“I met you at your best. And you keep getting better…”

Simona reached for Philippe’s hand, and their eyes met. The moment didn’t need words. It was speechless and priceless. Silence proved to be golden at that moment.
 

The food arrived. Simona’s excitement was spilling over to Philippe, who was not used to marveling over food before. “Simone, you...”

“Oh God, you call me Simone only when you are serious. What now?”

“Do I? Ok, Simonaaaaa. You know you don’t have to be with him just because he is Francois’s father.”
“I know, but you gave me that whole second chances speech, mixed with my hormones and emotions.”

“You can give the whole family thing a second chance, I mean it. I’m only an outsider, but from where I stand, you do have some magic together.”

“Philippe, we are not people who believe in happy endings. We believe in destinations and riding waves.”

“Ok, smarty, so your destination is what? Loneliness?”

“What do you mean? I have the best people in the world around me. My kids are happy, my ex-husband is finally human, my baby is healthy, my dream job is still alive. I’m on a cloud nine.”

“Yes, but unless you agree to sleep with me, you are on your clouds filled with love only for others. Who fills up your tank?”

“I was hoping for the PG13 version of that statement.”

“You mean like who fills up your uterus? Your are like a man, disgusting and dirty.”