Blue

Chapter Five

When Ilaria opened her eyes the next morning, she felt as if her head was going to explode from the ache. Closing her eyes again and pressing her face down onto the pillow, she tried to ignore the green stars that were dancing on her eyelids. Focusing on the embroidery that was harsh on her cheek was a good distraction but... Wait, her pillow wasn't supposed to have embroideries. Rising suddenly only made the room spin and twirl, so she had to lay down again, this time aware of the fact she was not in her bed but on the couch. This was a good beginning of analyzing what was going on around her so, opening her eyes, this time slowly; she stared at her living room and at the warm light of the day. The next thing she registered was the delicious smell of fried eggs and bacon coming from the kitchen and the fact that a pair of male shoes was still next to the armchair.

" Sergei" she whispered softly, remembering what happened a night before. The conversation between the two of them, his confession about Natalia being the love of his life and her self-promise of keeping her hands off him, giving up her physical attraction and deciding to act as a friend. One who was absolutely not allowed to have fantasies with him…stepping into the kitchen to watch him cook with no shirt on, was definitely not a good move.

" Hi!"

He seemed relaxed and less haunted than the previous night. Wow, apparently, getting drunk and falling asleep in stranger's living-rooms helped forming connections, noted Ilaria.

“Morning’!"  she yawned , stretching her arms. “It smells good."

“It tastes even better. Have a bite!"

She wanted to ask him “of you?", but the words died in her throat. 'Keep your promise, Ilaria. Keep your promise.’

“Wow, thanks." she said instead, grabbing the plate he handed her and sitting at the table. " You didn't have to cook.”

“After falling asleep on your carpet and cancelling the coffee meeting, I can do at least this. Sorry for the sleeping part. Actually, sorry for both, but especially for that one."

"Nah, it's fine. I always have drunk strangers sleeping on the floor."

He stopped cutting the cheese to look at her.

" Seriously?"

Ilaria almost chocked with her bacon when she started laughing.

" No. I was just making fun. Don't take me so serious."

He nodded and took the other plate then sat at the table, starting to eat his own breakfast. After a few bites, he left his fork down, staring at Ilaria. Trying to ignore his stare, she kept eating until she felt a lump in her throat that just wouldn't go away unless he moved his gaze. So she swallowed and looked back at him.

“Yes?"

He seemed overdone while trying to find his words, but he ended up sighing and taking a deep breath.

“Do you remember I've told you I needed help? I mean, spending a night with you was kind of fun, but that wasn't the help I came here to ask."

“Yeah?"

“Well... I was wondering if you... I mean, I would really appreciate if... Could you stop looking like that at me? It's pretty weird to ask you that anyway."

“What? I'm not looking at you in any way."

“Yes, you do. You have that look... agh, never mind."

“Fine. I'll stare at the floor. Say what you've got to say." She said, moving her gaze on the brown hone of her kitchen and she heard him take a deep breath again.

“Just stop. It's even weirder like that. The thing is, I came here to check the places for a film a director wanted me and Natalia to star in. We only talked to the writer who turned his book into a script and we were searching for the right sets. But Natalia gave up and she was the only reason I agreed to be part of this in the first place." he stopped, seeming a bit vexed. " But I think I've already told you that." He waved his hand. " Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, I really need this film to patch things with Natalia, and now that she won't be a part of it, I can only think at one way to make her change her mind. "

He paused, looking straight at Ilaria and noticing for the first time what a nice shade of hazel her eyes were. She frowned.

“You know, you have to tell me that 'one way', because I didn't learn how to read minds. Yet."

His lips curved into a smile.

“Yes. Sorry. It was so obvious for me I thought it was obvious for everyone else..."

'Idiot.' thought Ilaria, rolling her eyes.

“The idea is that I was hoping you could turn your book into a script. I mean, it's Natalia's favorite, so she wouldn't be able to turn the offer down. And the manager would get both me and her as leading actors."

He sounded really thrilled by the idea; Ilaria, on the other hand, wasn't so sure. It was true that he was offering her a nice chance, because not many writers get their book turned into a film, but what were the odds of this thing being an 'actual thing'?

“How can you be so sure the manager will agree?"

“The film director wants me and Natalia. I want this script. Your script. Natalia certainly wants it too. It's that easy."

“But what about the other script? The characters and actors you have chosen for the film?"

He waved again.

“It wasn't all settled. Besides, as I've said before, Natalia and I are what the manager is after. He already lost Natalia; he wouldn't want to lose me."

Ilaria frowned.

“Let’s say I'd agree to sign a contract. What happens if Natalia turns it down? "

Sergei looked at her.

“If that happens, but I hope it won't, we will still be doing your script."

His eyes, as blue as always were fixing her with such hope that Ilaria couldn't find the power to say 'no'.

“I will think about it. I'll have to see the contract I have to sign before giving you an answer."

“I’ll take care of that. I promise."

Ilaria nodded, and went back to her breakfast, contemplating the possibility of turning her book into a movie. Sure thing, she had to talk to Leslie about that, so she noted to call her as a first action after Sergei left. She didn't realize the rest of the meal was quite, until there was nothing left on her plate and Sergei was at the door, putting on his shoes.

“I’ll let you know as soon as your book gets approved." said Sergei quickly, opening the door. “And thank you."

Ilaria smiled and waved, closing the door behind him. Now, deciding what to do was going to be hard. Surely, she could turn her book into a script, but that meant that her time to write a new one was seriously reduced, as well as her energy. Not to mention the fact that she was going to spend more time with Sergei who, even though was out of reach now, due to her promise, was still dangerously hot. But love was something sacred for Ilaria, especially true love, as Sergei told her he had with Natalia, so, even though she could totally crush on him - and she did crush on him- she was going to act as a friend, and as a friend only. Of course, before any of this had any importance, the producer as well as the manager had to agree with Sergei's suggestion to change the script. Maybe, just maybe, they would not, making Ilaria's decision unnecessary because, as much as she wanted to help Sergei be happy, in the name of true love, watching him bond again with Natalia would be far from pleasant.