Coma

Our moments 3

■NYC, present time.

Dilan’s POV.

I was working on choosing colors that suits the model best, when I noticed Linda, coming into the agency, I left everything and went to her office. It was a modest office for a girl this rich, but it was fashionable and cozy.

I knocked on her door.

“Excuse me Linda. Hi.

-Dilan! Come in, I have just come from a meeting with Silky company, they agreed to export some of her fabrics over to our models. What do you think of this?

-Wow, that’s actually great. That must be your biggest project! Isn’t it?

-Yes it is, and I am telling the others soon, don’t ruin the news for me! Please.

-I won’t! Congratulations!” I said.

This doesn’t seem the good time to ask her about some personal information about Naomi, and her relation with Theo, he isn’t into social media, so we cannot connect him directly. It seemed like Linda noticed I was disturbed.

“Everything all right Dilan? Do you need anything?” Linda asked with concern.

This is my chance, go for it, Dilan.

“Actually, I do. I want some information about someone that went missing.

-Who? And what do I have to do with it? Said Linda.

-Few weeks ago, when you gave some magazines to Olivia, Naomi Blunt was seen with someone, that someone, is our disappeared friend, Theo Garcia. I want more of his information.

-I think he owns the new club, its news are spreading virally.

-I know, but we couldn’t get in, if we weren’t invited by a VIP member, plus they say he is invisible, we cannot meet him, only if there is an appointment, and Naomi didn’t let us, she thought we were bluffing her, like I was a spy for paparazzi.

-That’s it? I will manage it for you. Actually, I have got a great idea! I am inviting our new partners to a party meeting at Neon, you make sure, Matteo and you come, because you’re invited, and I will take care of Naomi.

-Thank you Linda. This really means a lot. I thank her.

-You know if sometime, you would like to tell me more about you, or you need anything, you can find me here. Said Linda gently.

-That’s really sweet. Thank you so much. If you don’t mind me talking, but first when I saw you, I thought you would be a proud girl. I didn’t think you would befriend us.

-Honey, we are into people’s metals more than their wealth. We were raised like that. Our father wasn’t a wealthy man, he always raised us to love people for who they are.

-And when did you discover we were good people?

-The day you dropped charges, before our lawyer could do his job. We knew you weren’t exploiting us for our money. That tells more about your manners. And this is rare in today’s people. That’s why, we are comfortable around you.

-I appreciate your honesty, thanks Linda, like for everything.

And I left the office.

“Dilan can you come take care of this? Screamed Amanda from the designing section, I hated her. But work is work.

-Coming!

I went to the lobby of designers. It was a blue dress, the fabric was cool, but the design I didn’t like. The model didn’t like it and Amanda got a manager call so she went to the manager.

“Watch this till I come back. And you Ruth! You will wear it, the photographer won’t wait, he has another appointments, okay? No buts!” Amanda left the lobby before Ruth, the model could say anything. I was watching everything. I took the chance.

“What’s wrong Ruth?

-The dress is so plain, and I really want to shine in the dress, look at the other models dresses, if I am not famous like the others doesn’t mean I get inferior dresses, look at the others dresses!”

She was right, the setting for Ruth was less glamorous than the others.

“Can you get me something from the creative section, Ruth?”

Ruth went and brought me some scissors, glue, glitter, fabrics paint and came back to me.

“I want you to watch the lobby for me, Amanda may be here any second, so I want you to delay her. Can I trust you Ruth?

-What are you going to do? Are you sure about this Dilan?

-I am sure about it and I am going to do you a stage A model.”

I cut one sleeve of the plain dress, and cut a piece on the waist, threw some glue on the side of it in an abstract way and put glitter with it. With the lighter tint of blue that she brought, I created an abstract pattern all over the dress.

“There is something missing.” The dress was longer than I wanted to be, so I cut it in a way it became uneven, but still better than it was.

“WHAT ON HOLY EARTH ARE YOU DOING WITH MY DRESS! interrupted Amanda. I SWEAR TO GOD, I AM GOING TO FIRE YOU, YOU RUINED MY DESIGN!”

“Who’s screaming like that? Amanda, why are you fuming? Said the photographer, he was RuPaul, one of the well known photographers in NYC.

-She ruined my dress! Complained Amanda.

-What dress? Asked Ru. This one? He pointed at the dress I redesigned. That is a masterpiece Amanda, did you design it?” Amanda calmed down a bit.

“What do you mean by masterpiece, she asked.

-Its different, funky, I like it, will be social media’s trend!

-Dilan redesigned it! Said Ruth.

-You are so talented girl, you should try designing more! Encouraged me RuPaul.

-Thank you sir! That’s a compliment I won’t forget! he saved me.

-“You are not getting away with this, trust me.” Threatened me Amanda and went out of the lobby.

NYC, present time.

■Elliot’s POV.

All day at the work, I was thinking about my friend Theo. Why did he change, what changed while I was away, he was never like this, and I don’t think Marie’s death has anything with this, but when I saw him, he was distant. There is something missing, while I was thinking , Camilla came and sat next to me, we were on our lunch break.

“Oh my god, the last customer was really a pain in the ass, he is so lousy, she almost ruined my lunch break, finally after I have done her papers, she left. Are you even here with me? Hello?

-Mmm, yes, I am with you.

-What’s wrong with you, you seem a little off.

-I have something disturbing me. I kinda feel guilty. How can you know what happened, with someone, you haven’t seen in a long time, and he changed, like a lot, I didn’t even recognize him.

-Maybe, there was something that happened, but first why do you feel guilty? If I may ask?

-There was a guy, he was my best friend, better tho, my brother, we grew up together. This guy has suffered a lot of problems and I was there for him, before I went to Mexico, and I came back to my hometown, I met my ex girlfriend there, that friend of mine had something for my girlfriend, I noticed that, but he never acted for the sake of our friendship. My girlfriend and I had a break, that’s when I came here to start freshly, and I met Veronica.

-So what does it have with you and guilt.

-When I came here, I didn’t ask about him, he was by himself. I think when he needed a friend the most, I wasn’t there for him. He changed Camilla, not with me, but his character became a negative one. It seems to me like he isolated himself. He wasn’t like that.

-I am sorry to hear this, but I guess you weren’t wrong. It was time that did this to him, don’t be harsh on yourself. But you can be here for him, since you’ll see him again you know? Break that shell of his and bring him back to light again. Said Camilla, she inspired me.

-Thank you Cam, this means a lot to me.” She assured me with a hand squeeze.

■Baldwin, two years ago.

I took the chance that morning of a sleepy Theo and took some photos with my polaroid camera, he was sleeping heavenly, I caressed his face with my thumb. He woke up, gave me one of his rare smiles I barely see out with others.

“Morning sunshine, he said with a sleepy voice then he yielded in my arms. I loved his soft side.

-What are we going to do today? I Asked.

-Stay here all day, in your arms. He flirted.

-No, no, we should go discover the forest nearby, get more wood, you know, we have been up all night yesterday, and then come and prepare dinner. I said while I got up and started wearing another rural short dress, it was a red one with dotted white circles.

-I prefer you better naked, get back in here.

-No, you should get up, its almost noon!”

He was forced to get up, he got ready, and we went hiking in the forest.

“What are we exactly doing here? He asked now that he is fully awake.

-We are exploring the forest, I have always wanted to do that with my boyfriend.

-So I am your boyfriend now? He teased.

-Not yet, don’t get excited. I am still in process of knowing you.

-And till now, what have you concluded? He got closer and was flirting with me, I felt his breath on my skin.

-You can’t persuade me, I am a very stubborn girl, maybe I won’t accept your offer being my boyfriend.

-I know you’re messing around girl, but you will always come back to me. Even if we were apart, and the whole world and universe are against us, you will come back to me. You can’t deny it.

-And why are you so confident about it? I teased him, but as it seems he got serious.

-Because you are the little last trace of belief in me, Kate. What I feel for you, is the only truth I know now. And it is getting bigger, wilder, more dangerous, day by day, don’t miss that.”

This was intense, I didn’t know what to say, I wanted to express my self more, this boy is making me fall harder than I can ever imagine, his feelings were always more intense than mine.

“Do you love me this much? What is so special about me? What did I do to deserve you?” I just wanted to hug him, and I did, I wanted every moment next to him, I wanted to be one with him, he always got my expectations of love higher than I wanted, he lifted me to the sky with a word, made me feel beautiful with a look, enchanted me with a kiss and melted me with a touch. How can’t I fall deep with him?

We were having intimate moments in the large thick woods, it was foggy, shady, the sum light was getting through the high branches of the trees, there was humidity parasites every where, insects, birds sounds, frog sounds coming from the lake, algae on the trees trunk, it looked like we were in a fairytale.

“OH MY GOD! I screamed.

-What’s wrong? Pulled away Theo.

-Look, over there! I pointed at a mushroom.

-Come on, you scared the hell out of me! It is just a mushroom Kate! Sighed Theo.

-Not any mushroom! King Oyster’s mushroom! Known scientifically as the Abalone! It is a rare type of mushrooms!

-Is it edible? Asked Theo.

-Yes it is! Lets grab some for tonight’s dinner. I said enthusiastically. I hope we find some chanterelles in here!

-And what is a chanterelle?

-Another type of mushrooms, it is edible and yellow based color. I said while trying to shape it with my hands in my imagination.

-I love this nerdy side of you. You have always loved these things?

-Actually, I am in everything herbal and into nature, I love how nature is always merciful with human beings, she gave him everything to use it with wisdom. God always put us into experiences for a lesson.

-And still I didn’t learn mine. Said Theo.

-Believe me, you will find peace, just be fair to yourself, I will be here for you too, trust me. I squeezed his hand for assurance. Plus, you are getting a delicious dinner tonight. I have a recipe in mind!

After our little hike in the woods, we came back to our camping site, Theo fished two huge largemouth fish, and cleaned them, I was chopping the mushrooms, some vegetables and preparing the seasoning. Theo was responsible for the fire and the drinks! I looked at how we could make a beautiful couple and imagined how would we be in a family.

“Theo?

-Yes sunshine.

-Do you see yourself creating a family?”

He left what he was doing for a second, then looked at me.

“ I am not into families actually, nor in kids, but with you, it is different.

-What do you mean?

-I don’t know, but I would love to have a family with you. Why are you asking?

-Nothing, just a question. I blushed.

-Kate Moore, do you want to have kids with me? He teased.

-No, not like that. Don’t get me wrong.

-Then you don’t want to have kids with me? He made puppies eyes.

-Stop playing around, it was just a question and yes I would love to have kids with you.

-We can make them now if you want! He teased.

-Shut up or you won’t get dinner tonight.” I was tomato red, and he enjoyed messing around. He moved his hand like he zipped his mouth and went setting the table near the fire.