< Yu >
“You look happy.”
“What? Isn’t it wrong to be happy on your birthday?” My so-called boss says, defensively.
“Nope, I haven’t seen you smile like that since…” the kid arrived. Yet, I won’t let those words slip in my mouth. It looks accusatory for both Nina and Luca.
Apparently, my boss reads my mind and sighs. “She hates me, Yu.”
I just laugh grimly as I lean on the railing, taking another puff of smoke. Bad habits don’t die even though my biological father died due to these cancer sticks.
But work is fucking stressful and that includes babysitting my best friend slash boss. They are just temporary relievers.
Luca, on the other hand, doesn’t like smoking, yet he enjoys the scent each time we have some serious conversations like this. We decide to go outside, have a chat at the backdoor railing, getting away from the noise you call my birthday party.
“She said the same thing, Luca. Didn’t I tell you to start talking to her? You can even just ask about her day at school.”
He sighs again. I notice he has been doing that a lot lately. “I said the same thing three years ago, Yu. I called her mother some slanderous words.”
“Oh, Jesus fucking Christ, Luca.” I wasn’t wrong when I said he was scared. Nina brings out an unfamiliar territory that Luca couldn’t handle, after all. “You just need to fucking apologize.”
He doesn’t reply but instead, his cheeks just turn red, either out of embarrassment or shame. He only shows this when he’s with his closest friends. Behind his perfect demeanor, he’s afraid of losing that so-called control. And it’s comforting for him, really.
Frankly, I miss the times when he makes wisecrack jokes and I just fume him like usual. We haven’t had those ever since he returned from his sudden family dinner night. He has been in a sour mood since.
“Last time I’ve seen you like this…it was about Lucille,” I say which makes my boss scowl. We have not said her name for a long time after all.
“Don’t start with that,” he says, firmly.
“I know, I know,” I give a low shrug as I stomp on my tiny piece of cigarette. I’m feeling relaxed now. “So, are you going to keep ignoring Nina until the end of the year?”
He hesitates for a moment, his mind has gone somewhere else again. He has the habit of being in a trance whenever he seems lost, dejected, and unsure of what to do.
Honestly, I applaud Nina Caulfield for making Luca de Milano question his confidence. It took a lot of attempts from our former company rivals to make him lose his confidence but to no avail.
“One year is a long time, Luca,” I continue, a part of me is hoping that my persuasions reach him.
“Why is it that each time we talk, Nina is always the topic?”
“Well, duh,” I say, a hint of sarcasm. “You’re her guardian and a neglectful one at that.” I cross my arms, expecting Luca to refute.
Surprisingly he isn’t denying it tonight. That’s a good sign. “Speaking of which, why don't we invite her for dinner here?”
At that he looks at me yet again, singing as his face creases with worry. “Can you do that for me?”
It’s like can you handle this piece of a nuisance to me is what I interpreted in his words and I sigh. “I think I don’t want another drama between you two on my birthday. Well, no worries, I will make it up to her tomorrow by celebrating with her.”
“How did you do it?”
“About what?”
“Dealing with her. It seems too easy for you, Yu,” he glances away as he stares at the cold dark autumn night. “Whenever I see her, I only get angry and later regret it.”
“Because she resembles Marie or because of your mistake back then?”
He nods. “It would be so much easier if she was some kind of an annoying little brat. But I know she’s so much more than that.”
“If you know that, why aren’t you doing anything?”
“I don’t know,” he says, sighing. “Anyway, it’s your birthday, Yu. We should celebrate your birthday now.”
“Well, it would be nice if you and Nina celebrate my birthday tomorrow. This time it’s your treat.” I say as my index finger jab on his chest.
“Not a problem,” Luca says as he smiles. Finally, that eases the tension. We will talk to the kid tonight if she’s still awake and takes her somewhere nice after her school.
“Now that’s sorted out, shall we get back in?”
He nods in agreement. I take the crumpled cigarette piece and throw it in the trash nearby.
“By the way, I haven’t seen Heather. You said she was the one who decided to have an early birthday party.”
“Beats me,” he just shrugs. “Grigori said that she left to get some flowers for you but hasn’t come back since.”
Huh.
I don’t ask for more because as soon as we enter back inside, we hear a lot of cheering. All of our friends are crowding at the bar counter. Some of our friends are dancing even if we don’t put music in the restaurant. And others are...jumping.
“What’s going on?” Luca is the first one to wonder. Curiously, we both head to the center of the ruckus. It is hard to squeeze in especially when our damn fucking friends are drunk. Apparently, I haven’t even drunk any of the booze Oda-san provided for me.
Damn fuckers.
But my mouth slowly curves in the shape of an “o” as my eyes widen. I try to blink if my eyes are just seeing things or perhaps the intoxication oozing around affects me.
No, this can’t be…
“Well, who’s next?”
Before us in this chaotic roar of spectators is none other Nina, who is gripping the empty beer mug which has been clearly used because of the residue color of the alcohol and her eyes are unfocused. Cheeks are redder than her normal blushes as she speaks again, garbled words due to intoxication.
“Anyone? Let's go for round 5!"
Beside me, Luca is frozen stiff, unable to process his own thoughts.
What the hell is going on?!