UNTIL DAYLIGHT

17

17.

Two separate destinies

we are like two planets,

yes, so close you know,

But they never touch.

Monday started badly.

I hadn't heard the alarm go off, and now I found myself running around my room looking for some clothes left scattered between the two chairs and the desk table. I was late, and Carlo would not have accepted justifications about it!

I left my room in a hurry, with my bag open, intent on putting on my coat.

"Alessia, I should talk to you when you get back," Nina said coldly.

I stopped for a moment in front of the reception. She kept her eyes down on the papers she kept turning in her hands.

“What's going on, Nina?” I asked.

"You know I don't mince words, but I need you to leave my room by the weekend. I don't come with the bills anymore and I need to rent the rooms, and ... and get paid." 'of coldness in his tone of voice. Lately I had ignored her, I was no longer giving her that helping hand she needed, and, in addition, Agnese had resigned.

"I'll pay your arrears, Nina. I don't know where to go .." I grumbled.

She shook her head. “I don't know how to help you, I'm sorry.” She looked at me, took the papers, and went into the filing room.

We were missing such a thing ..

I sighed and headed for work, with a lump in my throat, and a few tears streaming down my face. I tried to dry them as quickly as possible. Can you go through all of this on your own?

I arrived at the shop and Carlo was seated at the cashier. He looked up as he saw me coming, opening his mouth to speak but, when he saw my expression, he immediately thought about it. He arched an eyebrow.

I went to the dressing room for us employees, putting down my bag and coat. I took my cell phone and sent a message to Agnese:

- Tell me you still have a place for me ..

Nina wants you to leave the room by the end of the month. I do not know where

to go.

I put my cell phone in my bag, and went out. I did the routine things: I helped the customers, I arranged the clothes left in the dressing rooms by the girls who were pissed off by not fixing the garment they try on, and arrange the prices on the special tags where they were missing.

Milla was in the cash register in place of Carlo. She was beaming. A broad smile encircled her face, and I think Carlo liked her presence.

In fact, I thought she really liked her! I had noticed the way he looks at her when they started talking, or when he started complimenting him on how she managed her work.

Typical of boys.

Carlo was 30 years old, and that shop had been inherited by his grandparents.

When I arrived on the first day, he immediately took a liking to me. He started telling me how he had remodeled everything. She told me that he had painted half of the shop himself. He was proud of it.

I thought about how good it was to feel fulfilled, without having insecurities and to go straight to the point of what the path taken was!

I shook my head to recover from those thoughts, and looked straight ahead. Oddly, it was sunny.

"Alessia .. I'm sorry .." Milla's voice behind me caught my attention.

"Tell me Milla .." I murmured.

“I wanted to ask you if you could do it in the afternoon tomorrow and I in the morning. My boyfriend has another meeting and I wouldn't want to miss it.” His voice was quiet as he spoke, and I was wondering if he really was or just a feint.

"Okay .." I went back to arranging my clothes, saying no more.

I hoped that she would return to her place, that she would leave me alone for a moment.

"Would you like to go get something to drink someday? Meet my friends, and Mirko." She continued.

My heart leapt at hearing her name. Eventually he had decided to stay with her after that night. That's why he was gone. No messages, no tickets.

"Milla, thank you, but for now I have to refuse. I'm looking for a place to stay, so I'm busy. Maybe when I'm free, yes. Yes, I'll gladly accept it."

I just wanted my heart not to choose him.

***

A message from Agnes:

Agnes: Ale, you have to forgive me but I already have

found a roommate! I'm sorry for Nina ..

Hope you can find something!

I snorted and dropped the phone into the bag. How beautiful were these friendships that gave you up in your time of need, telling you just how sorry he could be.

I had been in times like this before. I just thought I'd make it all right!

Besides, it couldn't last forever, could it?

After he left the shop, I went to the post office to get some money to pay Nina the last fees, leaving only this week uncovered.

I decided to take a walk before returning home. I took my cell phone again and wrote to Matteo:

- Would you like to see us one of these days?

The answer was not long in coming:

Matteo: Of course yes!

I'm still sorry about the other night.

While for this, it's okay if I bring you a little

outside Milan?

I smiled and answered with a simple 'yes' accompanied with an emoji. Maybe Matteo would have taken away those thoughts that led me to Mirko.

That sometimes it is better to follow the mind than the heart.

***

I went back to the b & b and looked for Nina. I found it in the back. I knocked on the door, and she gasped before turning to me.

"Nina .." I said her name in such a low tone of voice. " Do you need help? "

“If that's not too much to ask!” She exclaimed.

I walked over without speaking, and started helping her with the plants, and with her laundry. I spread out what we had taken out of the washing machine, and cleaned up the hall.

When I finished, I took the bag and handed her the money.

"I only have to pay you this week .." I murmured.

I turned away from her and started walking towards my room.

"Alessia?" She called me.

I turned and waited for her to speak.

"You can stay .. As long as you need it," she said, smiling at me.

My heart was in my mouth, tears in her eyes. I could not speak, I reserved only a nod with my head, before going to my room.

Expectation and negativity fight each other if they don't have burdens on them.

And, often, it's not the heart that is right.