I saw her in Paris

That Conversation

Dayane's boyfriend was a handsome and strange man at the same time. One side of her face was scarred by a huge surgical scar. One of her beautiful brown eyes was red. And when he reached out to greet Helena, she soon realized that his hand also had another scar, as if it had been punctured.

— Mon prince (my prince), this is my childhood friend, Helena Petropoulos who, along with Samantha, came from Brazil to spend time with me.

Dayane said when he introduced her. She just looked at the couple, noticing how different they were. While her friend was pure elegance, he was a little more laid back, but still well dressed.

Different, just as she and Luiz were...

— Miss Petropoulos? — He had to ask, since Helena didn't answer. Dayane had to take her hand so he could shake hers. And she just watched.

— I have to ask: were you listening to our conversation, Mr. Junqueira? — She called him aggressively. She didn't really like the fact that he appeared out of nowhere, if she wasn't already there listening to their conversation. Out of fear and shame of the judgment, Dayane didn't want anyone to know about her past. Helena knew and respected her decision. Mitchell tried to explain:

— No, no way, I was just passing by when I heard you say my girlfriend's name. Sorry to have made a bad impression. Suddenly, he looked at the two of them, already sniffing something wrong. No wonder he's a journalist: — did I disturb something?

— No, imagine. — Said the two trying to hide.

— It looked like you two were sad...

And they were, but of course they didn't want to talk and he preferred to respect their silence. To change the subject, he said good news, that some fashion bloggers came to Fashion Week, were also there at the party and when they found out that stylist Dayane Remy was his girlfriend, they asked him to meet her.

Helena and Dayane looked at each other and looked at him: — now?

— Yes and why not? Since we're all here, why not enjoy the occasion... unless you want to schedule another time.

— Can you excuse us for a moment? — I'll be right back – Dayane asked, taking Helena by the arm. They moved away a little to talk privately: — So what do you think?

— What? Should you go talk to bloggers? Go there.

— That's not what I asked. It's about taking "the next step"...

Helena was surprised by Dayane's attitude. It even felt like she had gotten over the trauma of the past in a matter of seconds. She looked her up and down, turned to the journalist and asked if she really wanted to have the "talk" right now. She thought it was very clueless of her.

And from the way she was looking at him with her moon-gray eyes, yes.

— I can't believe you want to talk about this right now!

— But what is the problem? Was it not you who said just now that we are stronger and better than what happened to us?

— Yes, but I didn't think it would be so fast!

— Well, I...I wanted to get out of my comfort zone a little bit...and for years, I always wanted to 'date'...but I was always stuck. Is there something wrong with me? - She confessed a little awkwardly, making quotes with her fingers in "dating".

Helena understood what Dayane meant and felt sorry for her. She was a beautiful woman and a good person. What happened to her was horrible. She tried to help:

— Friend, just because that i***t was an asshole to you doesn't mean everyone will be. — She even wanted to believe what she just said: — Let it happen naturally. Don't create expectations and be yourself. There's nothing wrong with not wanting to do it, but there's nothing wrong with wanting to do it either. You are a woman, by the way, a very beautiful woman. You deserve to be happy, even if it's just for one night.

Even though she didn't like Mitchell very much and saw that Dayane was determined, she felt she needed to give her friend some more advice. She said what her grandmother would say at the time:

— Listen to your inner goddess, release her when needed, and ask for protection if needed.

Dayane already knew that phrase. Those were Grandma Tina's wise words.

— Grandma's advice?

Helena just shook her head affirming and laughing. Her friends knew her grandmother's sage advice and saucy tips.

— Well, go over there with your boyfriend and talk to the bloggers.

— And you, don't you want to come with us?

— Oh no, I'm going for a walk. I'll look for Sam. Enjoy the party and anything calls me! She blinked and disappeared into the crowd.

*

Helena walked around the party a little aimlessly. It was packed with people. Paris in full must be there. As she walked distractedly, she ended up bumping into someone.

— Oh, pardon... — she apologized in French. When she looked up to see who she was, she was flabbergasted...

It was him, her mysterious neighbor.