Chapitre 1
Installed on the balcony of her favorite restaurant, arms negligently crossed leaning on the table, Ariadne contemplated with an amused air the animation of the city which extended just at her feet. The long rainy period had finally stopped the day before, giving way to the radiant sun. The first rays were piercing the remains of gray clouds that still occupied the azure sky and were slowly beginning to warm the atmosphere. Also in spite of the coldness still rather sharp of the wind, each one wished to benefit as it could from the beautiful weather which announced already a marvelous spring.
The sidewalks were more crowded than usual, a clear sign of the good mood, and the change of climate, which confirmed as usual the beginning of the eternal season. Most of them were carrying heavy bags with various products for cleaning. Strollers and happy children with their mothers were heading to the parks. Couples by the hundreds holding hands or elbows, smiling at each other blissfully, tenderly, probably talking about all sorts of things, from trivia to deeper, more intimate things. This made her go back to the discussion she had had with her godmother. About the story she had told her. Her own. What had hurt her, this hidden part of her that the young woman would never have imagined and that had disturbed her more than she would have liked.
- Hi honey. Sorry I’m late,” suddenly exclaimed someone hurrying towards the young woman’s table.
- You always are, Amy! exclaimed the treasure with amused irony.
- If you had come a little later, you wouldn’t have to wait so long.
- Of course not. But next time, to prevent any waiting, I simply won’t come.
- You know you can’t, you love me too much for that,” replied the newcomer with an almost insulting carelessness.
The newcomer was as blonde as Ariadne was redhead. With eyes as blue as the morning sky while hers had the hue of spring buds.
But apart from that, the two young women were as similar as two drops of water.
The same slender body on which any clothes would have looked chic, the same look and the same taste for fashion. Most people recognized them as sisters. Three years older than her, Amy was working as a geological engineer in a large Australian company based in Montreal, while she herself was working as a freelance writer for a stable, medium-sized company that took this kind of free, easy, and slightly lower-than-average employee, which suited her very well, because it allowed her to have a lot of free time and to move around as she pleased, and still work anywhere!
- So what happened to you?
- What do you mean? Ariadne asked, squinting her eyes.
- Oh, don’t do that to me! When I saw you you looked more than a little lost in thought. Not the usual kind, where you’re preoccupied with your work or day-to-day problems, but more like the disturbing kind, like you don’t know what to think about something you’ve just discovered!
Despite her irritation at her sister’s surprising insight, Ariadne couldn’t help but feel a certain amusement at how much her sister wanted to help her, even though she was the type who was quite unconcerned with others, whether it was their joy or their problem.
- I am indeed being worked on by something that I have recently discovered. But more importantly, our meeting is about you. So what’s the reason for your being thirty-five long minutes late again this time,” she said, looking conspicuously at the thin silver watch on her left wrist. And why did you want to see me! Because I assume that it is important so that you did not inform me on the phone as usual, she added while holding up her cell phone, that she put back casually on the table covered with light blue tablecloth.
She looked at her big sister with admiration in the eyes, that day she wore a set of midnight blue pants with a glittering abstract pattern, a thick bolero of the same tone and black leather boots very prominent. She had let her beautiful moon hair float. Thus, she was so sublime and graceful that all the men couldn’t help but follow her with their eyes, whether it was in the alleys or at the restaurant like just now. But this was also true for her.
She was dressed in a sunny yellow blouse, with black pants and an equally black jacket, and brown suede boots. She had pulled her flaming hair up on top of her haughty head into a bun that showed off her pure oval face and swan neck.
- You look almost as good as me today, honey!
- Well, thank you! replied Ariadne ironically. Well then?
- For your first question she began after the waiter had put in front of her her favorite cocktail, ordered by her sister. It’s Julian, we had a little misunderstanding because he wants to take me with him to Australia for a few weeks. Just him and me to love each other and spend some time together.
- How long exactly are these few weeks?
Although her sister tried not to show it, Ariadne could see that she was very happy at the prospect of this vacation and very flattered that Julian had finally shown enough attachment to her to offer her this vacation, of luxury no doubt, being the heir of the company in which Amy had worked since her graduation. Vacations undoubtedly very important especially if they want to evolve their relation towards a new stage, which moreover should soon lead to the marriage if they continued on this momentum, but that the interested one seemed well not to have accepted yet, what surprised Ariadne.
- So why are you hesitating, Amy? If I believe Julian’s decision, this is a chance for you to be alone and to really get to know each other? So if everything goes as well as you hoped, I’m sure, as much as I do, there would be no reason for him not to do what you want him to do most in the world, and give you the ring of your dreams.
Amy nodded, biting her lips gently.
She looked at her sister, seeming to torture herself and gesticulate as if under the effect of a slight pain, then confided.
- Well, this trip will be for both of us, and especially for him, a decisive step concerning our future.
- Only for him my dear? Cut her sister severely.
Amy emitted a short laugh.
- You know it very well. I am totally in love with this man. I even noticed him before he saw me and made sure to get his attention.
- Yes. And it worked very well as you can see. And now you’re together and you’re the only one he’s seeing, you’re the only one he...loves.
Seeing that her sister was still very indecisive, Ariadne insisted even more.
- He had all the women at his feet. He was spoilt for choice. But he chose you. And now he’s asking you to come with him to Australia to see his family.
- How do you know that?
- I’m sure, because it’s obvious. Then you have nothing to worry about.
- I’m so scared, honey. If his family doesn’t like me, or worse, he realizes that I’m not good enough for him. That he doesn’t love me enough.
- Amy, I think you mean something else.
- You haven’t seen his ex, Ary. A beautiful, luscious blonde whose IQ is as high as her needle skills. Commercial director of a big oil company. A certain Ytel or whoever.
- Yes, you know her name well! And so do I, after hearing it from you. But I repeat, he chose you, and that’s all that matters.
- But...
- Listen to me, silly. Let me tell you something. People, and especially men, may love when women play with them and their feelings, or worse, are undecided about their future together, but they may still be so attached to their partner that they leave without looking back and build a life with someone else who will not hesitate to consider a life together.
- Really!
- Yes! Ariadne pressed forcefully.
- But how do you know all this? You’re still a virgin, I’ll have you know! Her sister remarked tactlessly.
Ariadne thought again about the discussion she had with her godmother and shrugged her shoulders, deciding not to talk about it yet to her sister who was already so confused by her decision.
- Alas, I know more about love than any of you could possibly imagine.
Amy raised an eyebrow.
- So you think I should go.
- Yes, it’s more than obvious.
The older woman squirmed.
- I don’t know...
- Then put yourself in your love’s shoes. If you were the one who had invited him, and Euho had this kind of grotesque indecision as much as you do, while you’re serious enough to introduce him to Mom and Dad! What would you do in his place.
- I’d yell at him before I left him for good,” she answered without hesitation. Euh, no, not for good but for a while...
- Well, you have your answer. If you ever refuse this important trip for you, he will leave you too, and for him it may be not for a while. That I am sure!
Amy paled at these words and stood up suddenly.
- I have to go! Sorry, sweetie!
- You’ll probably talk to Euho.
- Or rather, tell him my decision about this trip!
- Which is more than obvious. Observed her sister in front of the touching panic of her big sister while having risen with force before taking her bag then rushing towards the door to return and inform her young sister of something important.
- So my darling you are going to present my excuses to uncle Seurus for my absence because I will be elsewhere.
Ariadne frowned, surprised.
- What are you talking about, Amy? What does your love trip have to do with uncle Seurus!
- Oh, that’s just what I wanted to tell you today, my dear. Uncle Seurus is getting married!
- What,” exclaimed the young woman, jumping up in turn, totally stunned.
- Yes, our uncle, that old boy so proud of his freedom, has finally decided to tie the knot. He surprised us by sending me the invitations in the mail. I received them last night. But as I pointed out to you, it was something that could not be announced over the phone.
- Yes, you are right. It’s a good thing you didn’t move out either, or we would never have known about it.
- Yes, you’re right.
And she opened her bag and handed Ariadne the invitation. It was a large candy pink envelope embalmed with the heady scent of roses. The two sisters exchanged a knowing glance. Inside, a thick sheet of very good quality paper, folded in half, with the usual invitation words and a photo of the two soon-to-be brides and grooms in old costumes with every imaginable flourish, was placed inside.
- The woman is quite beautiful.
- And one of the richest women in Brazil. The wedding is in less than ten days as you can see and I’ll let you go alone. Ah later,” she finished, rushing straight to the exit.
