Page 72 of Capuleto

I wish the world could be this simple; him, me, and the universe.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked, scratching my neck with his beard.

"About the pleasure of little things. About the fleetingness of moments like this, which create a temporal bubble that isolates us from a world as sordid as ours."

"Nobody is happy with what they have. Sometimes, I think happiness is too lofty a goal. Maybe we should settle for something less."

"You and I were not born to settle, love, we are made of different stuff."

"That doesn't change the fact that sometimes, I feel like you are enough for me."

His words stung because they mirrored exactly what I had just felt seconds ago. I felt uncomfortable because the feelings I was trying to suppress were blooming again.

"We'd better get back, it's not a good idea to be late. Besides, you owe this night to Dante."

I got off the motorcycle to get the helmets and, before putting his on, I received as a reward a sweet kiss full of respect.

"You are the best travel companion I could have asked for in life."

I put on my helmet.

"Life can be a real bitch and make you blow a tire."

I averted my gaze from his, uncomfortable.

"Then we'll call a tow truck. Start it up, I'm eager to get home."

I accelerated, overwhelmed by the shared intimacy, trying to catch up with the group, and when I arrived at what was supposed to be the toast, an explosion made everything blow up.

29

To war

Aleksa, 15 minutes earlier

We parked at the spot where the toast was supposed to happen, the guys were parking all the motorcycles together, and when I didn't see the one Nikita was driving, I got scared.

Irene came up beside me.

"Aleksa, I'm heading home. I've paid my respects to Dante and, considering the situation with Romeo's wife, I'd rather not run into her too much."

"Do you want me to drop you off or should I ask one of the guys to do it?" I asked, still scanning the area with concern.

"No, thanks. I'm heading straight to the taxi stand." She gave my arm a squeeze and walked away, trying to hide that one of her heels was missing.

I took another visual sweep. No sign of R and his wife. I cursed under my breath.

I really didn't feel like exchanging even a single word with Andrey, but I had no choice. The guys were already opening their seats to take out the drinks that were waiting there.

The Russian was standing with his arms crossed, seemingly looking for the leaders just like me. I went straight towards him.

"Have you seen your boss's bike?" I muttered, standing beside him.

He looked at me as if I were a damn mosquito squashed against the glass.

"What's wrong?"

"Well, it's not here."

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