Illusions

The next day after they spent the night together again was normal, like a couple of daily life. It started with a coffee but in the home not in the Coffee Shop because Laria does a morning run every day. They are getting ready for the morning run.

-Serio-Laria my dear wife/girlfriend sometimes I am and sometimes I am not a morning person, what can I say this is me, not Fate. So why not just sleep till 3 pm and write something then to my favorite rooftop bar with AMFs?

-Laria-No and I need some explanations after the run.

-Serio- Why not now, why not at 3 pm?

-Laria-Let's go running Serio.

They started running in the park and they saw Leona and the boy from college running together and laughing.

-It looks like you and Leona do the same treatment after a friendship break, date somebody. -Laughs.

-Serio-No and no my dear. Keep running.

-Laria-Do you wanna talk I can go forward and wait at the bench.

-And why so my dear? Do I have something to talk about with her? Of course not. She and I are not any more friends to her wish.

They pass each other close.

-She was trying to not see you in the eye so hard Serio, and I am a girl and I know that.

-Serio-Wow such an amazing not-needed fact about girls who understand each other. I know girls should stay together and support each other but showing this kind of information to me is like helping somebody who doesn't need your help. Let's sit at the bench and do something.

-Laria-Oh no -sees him directly in the eyes.

-Serio-What? -they sit at the bench.

-You feel something for her, don't you? Are you going to cheat on me on the first day of our different relationship wife/husband and girlfriend/boyfriend with all the goods from them and not negative sides?

-Serio-Jealousy is a sign of weak women and men and is silent cancer in couples relationships so please my dear goddess Aphrodite. I only feel bad that I might have lost forever my best friend but no I never have felt like that for Leona. Okay and now, please don't be weak.

When said "weak" he made a serious face.

-Show me your hands on the soft side.

Laria shows the hands to him, and Serio takes out of his pocket a black pencil that lasts 5 days of color when applied.

-Serio-You see this black pencil, is a pencil which lasts 5 days when applied and look at what I will do.

In her left hand, he draws a 3 cm line.

-Why you did do this?

-Serio-You need to be a strong woman for your book and like a strong man in your view, I have to do something. Whenever you show a sign of weakness I will draw something in your hands or other parts of your body. Now just a line but how you will direct that line is in your hand.

-Laria-Why are you like this, why?

-Serio-Don't fall for me please I don't like that.

-I fall for you isn't a duo, worry not my dear, and let's go to the coffee shop and drink something.

They both go to the coffee shop and they sit where usually Serio and Leona sit, they both order hot chocolate, and when their order arrives Leona and the boy staying with her arrive too.

-She is here dear! Do you see what I did? Here dear. -laughs.

-Of course, you amazing rapper who better stay out of music studios.

Leona and the boy who is called Eno sit in the corner of the Coffee Shop.

Meanwhile Leona and Eno.

-Eno-Leona anything with that boy? Because you've been staring at him for like 5 minutes.

-Leona-Nothing.

-If you don't want to talk, okay your choice.

Serio goes to the bathroom and Eno 1 minute after goes too.

In the bathroom, Serio is washing his hands and Eno gets close.

-Eno-Not wanting to bother you but did you use to date Leona or were you in a relationship?

-Serio-And you are? I mean coming after me in the bathroom looks a little bit threatening! Should I consider you a wise college boy who talks or should I make ready my fists? 

-What no no I ... -Serio interrupts him

-Serio-I was half-joking, not but I don't give a single what is in the WC right now and oh man is a lot of it. Bye, whoever you are. Not nice meeting you.

When leaving Eno grabs him by the arm.

-If there is nothing between you two please let it that way.

-Get your hands away from me. Touch me again or speak to me again you will understand what half-joking is.

Meanwhile, Leona stares at Laria but whenever Laria turns her head at her she lowers her head.

Serio and Eno both go to their tables.

-So any action?

-Serio-You is marvelously catching up with moments but for the sake of the bathroom which is a holy place no, unfortunately.

Mia comes into the Coffee Shop to anger and goes to Leona.

-The hot chocolate tastes better whether it is a movie or a live theater without a script in front of you.

-Serio-The more you talk the more I like you 

Mia to Leona.

-Mia-Leona what's wrong? Why are you avoiding me? In college avoiding me, in text messages leaving them unopened, and not picking up the phone when I call you.

-Leona-Jon came to me and told me everything! 100 times I say thanks to him and Mia as I said to Serio do not even try to talk with me again. You are not my friend anymore. Come to Eno let's go to college.

-Eno-Okay.

They leave and Mia goes straight to Serio and Laria.

-Laria-A storm is coming!

-Serio-A brown one, a color of deserved anger and disappointment. This is when Karma takes a ride but still comes back.

-Mia-Is your fault all of this is your fault, you f*cking f*ck boy.

-Serio-Actually no and with proven facts of praised Karma is not.

-I lost my best friend my boyfriend because of you. -starts crying.

-Serio-See and hear what I am about to say to you, "I SERIO DOESN'T CARE A SINGLE LEAF ON THIS HUGE PLACE NAMED FOREST FULL OF TREES"

-Mia-You are weird people and look you have caught this girl too. Be careful sis he is a player.

Serio wants to say something but Laria interrupts him.

-He tried speaking as a man to you but let me say something now. Do not ever speak again to my boyfriend you angered negative b*tch. Keep your negativity away from us.

-Mia-You are a couple now? Wow, you are the same as playing with people like toys! -she looks around and everyone in the Coffee Shop is staring at her then she leaves.

-Serio-Oh mighty Zeus something happened and is making me laugh without even laughing physically but spiritually. Waiter, bill, please. -then he grabs her hand and kisses her.

-Laria-Now what?

-Serio-You showed a little strong sign. We are going somewhere now.

-Laria-Okay, -says it with a little doubt.

They walk out and Serio leads the way to the city library called 'The Book Place'.

-Laria-Library? Was waiting for some bar or some restaurant but the Library?

-Serio-Not just a Library 'The Book Place' is a library where you look around this gigantic book place and find a book but the catch is there aren't any genre divisions no famous author corners or by year you just see around in this 3-floor library with 999 corners find a book and a place and then you go to your book place. Every book place has a table for two and windows to see the city. Today you and I go and find a book then go to my book place next time you find your book place. Mi capisci? -mi capisci in Italian means "do you understand?

-Laria-Mi what?

-Serio-Is in Italian means "do you understand?".

-Laria-Okay let's find a book, -says like it got boring.

-Serio-Now you get bored, what a shame on you my dear. An author should never get bored with books and to be honest, that was a shame for me too. I used to get bored reading books and then someone brought me here and since then it wasn't any more boring. You just didn't have your place!

-I think I got it who showed you this place? But thanks for showing, let's look for books now.

-Serio-Look for a book and came to the third floor 332 corners. All corners have numbers.

-Laria-And you aren't a morning person or a running person but go around 333 corners?

She laughs and her eyes show happiness.

Serio picks a book too fast and goes to his corner while Laria takes her time around to choose one and go where he said.

When Serio went to his corner he saw Leona sitting there with 3 books and 3 bottles of water emptied.

Leona sees that he saw her and tries to hide the bottles and stand up to leave but Serio turns around and leaves. But Leona spoke.

-Please don't leave, this is your place. I will leave now.

Serio turns in front of her.

-No one owns a place in the library if people did, what was the reason for reading in the library? And no you don't have to go, I will find another place.

-Leona-I know I said to not talk to you but you need to tell me something. Why corner 332? Why come so far and not fo for the 333? Why Serio?

Serio laughs so hard, so much that tears come out of his eyes.

-Serio- Because I am a man and not a woman, I play with fate and not as fate plays with other people's Leona.

While speaking Laria was looking at them from the hallway.

-Leona-What? Please, at last, this time finish your sentence with the full meaning of your words.

-Serio will this time, but only this time. A woman is never satisfied and she would go for the 333 just to be on top or to have the best not only a woman but men too are in this fate game when people think to go for the top, going to the biggest number, to the highest, to the end will give them I don't know what. Power, peace, or a simple thing called calm. But not me I go this far just not to go to 333, and I go here because the park looks better from this angle, and on the third floor, I can see squirrels in the tree near this side of the library. 

-Leona-That's why! As always, a meaning behind actions.

Leona takes her things and leaves.

-Actions that happen without meaning are the best, remember that Leona.

-Leona am sorry that I said you do not talk to me again. I understand now, I will always be only a best friend for you Serio, and you a best friend for me. I want to befriend you again. If you want of course and I am sorry.

-I know I know Leona, but I need time to be your friend because I want to understand how to be around you for you, do not get feeling again for me.

-Leona understands your choice.

Tears come out of Leona's eyes.

-Serio-Don't cry, -sees Laria in the hallway.

-Serio-Laria comes, this is 332 Corner I told them. This is my friend Leona, and Leona this is my girlfriend Laria.

Laria comes and Serio introduces to each other.

-Laria-Hi Leona.

-Leona-Hi Laria nice to meet you. I have to go now.

-Laria-Okay goodbye.

Leona leaves.

-Serio-So what's your view on strong men and women after hearing our conversation?

-You saw me! Well, I think she is strong too just needs some time to put in work her strength around her world.

-Serio-She is strong Laria but you are too but I will not tell you why. Let's see what book you choose and what I chose.

-I saw this book just once and picked it up at the moment. The reason it has a yellow cover while all other books have black or red cover colors. It talks about introverts and extroverts. I think I need to read this, and I already know I am an extrovert. And you?

-The more I am with you more I understand your way of doing things. Amazing and stupid at the same time just like me when picked this book only because it had an orange cover. It talks about a girl who wants to travel outside of the world. For her sky isn't the limit, I like people like that. Now let's read and see the view.

Serio opens the window.

-Laria-Why open the window?

-Serio Let the squirrels in when they pass but you should not talk about it.

They start reading and once every 5 pages, Serio reads he sees the view out of the window as a child when having the bed near a window. She smiles and starts doing the same and feels different.

Half an hour goes by and Serio stands up, keeps his book like a literature teacher, and goes around the hallway to come back.

-Laria-Do you suffer from an illness called "can't f*cking stay at a place without moving?"

-Serio-Hear this, -start reading a paragraph of the book.

-Serio- Whenever I see the sky I get this love-like feeling for the beauty of it and then I think it is not love is admiring, but wow I get so confused that I start getting angry and you know what in the end I hate. The most beautiful view, of this big round rock, is the sky and we never can pass it just seeing it.

-Amazing, but why the angry face? Do you hate the sky now because of that paragraph?

-Serio-Keep reading I got something to do.

Serio leaves.

-He changes a lot, god where or in what have I gotten myself but is oh yeah it is.

Serio goes into his home and in his room, he has a heavy bag. without even putting on his gloves he starts hitting furiously.

-Serio-You idiot, you're doing it again.Again.Again.Again.Again.Again.Again.

He hit it for 20 minutes just screaming Again, Again. His hands become red and sweaty.

-Serio-You never changes, do you? You need to understand you, idiot. Why don't you just understand?

He starts hitting with his head.

But at that moment quietly Laria gets in his room. had come home but he didn't hear her because of screaming.

Laria stops him and hugs him.

-Laria-We might not be a real couple but at least let me be your friend. What's wrong?

-Serio-Is not like that is like something you cannot understand. I will not even try to explain, please leave me hitting this heavy bag. Can you please?

-I thought a view of you of a strong man, are you, even if you never had to be?

-Serio-Is funny or is it ironic that both of us are weird at least you are just on the weird side but I, unfortunately, am more than weird. -tears come from his eyes.

Laria gets out and goes to the kitchen and gets him a glass of water but when trying to give it to him he throws the glass of water away. Laria just sees him in the eyes and laughs.

-Serio-Why laughing? Why move the 43 muscles of your beautiful face? Why even try with the water? You thought that I said I might be weird as you water, Works? No you and I aren't at the same level, I am higher. -starts laughing.

-You trying to laugh, you trying to cry is just a mask you put after the mask you wear in your daily life. You are an illusion, and me too. You say that I am strong but wherever I just can't do something I find someone to help me with that. Whenever I feel bad I need to stay with someone! I feel fear but worry not all do, me, you even Leona you think is so strong. I understand you but you don't let people understand you. Can you please let me understand you in these 6 months?

Laria gets close to him grabs his hand and from her jacket pocket takes out a pencil-like Serio. Serio laughs again and gives his hand to Laria.

-Laria-Not your hand, but your face on your left side.

-Serio-Whenever you want!

She draws a little star on the left side of the face.

-You see yourself in the morning in the morning a lot so in these coming days, I want whenever you see yourself in the mirror to remember you have someone. I know I am not that important but still, you have Leona.

Serio goes to the mirror sees himself and goes back to Laria grabs her left hand and puts it on the left side of her face.

-Serio-You got me from now on even when the 6-month relationship trial ends.

-Laria-A man word or just comforting words?

-Serio always keeps my words and promises.

Serio touches her on the face and sees with his way of seeing in the eyes.

-Laria-Not that.... -he just sees directly in his eyes while giving a calm smile.

-Serio-You are strong you don't need anyone to hold on, trust me but you will need time to understand something for a strong man and woman.

Touches her on her lips and kisses her.

-Laria-Now what?

-Serio-Thank you! I will cook for you.

He goes downstairs to the kitchen but Laria goes after him.

-Let me do this, please.

-Laria-No I will help and since you are cooking for me I want spaghetti and I need an explanation on why you don't call me anymore your Lady.

-Because now you are my Lady for 6 months and a true man doesn't need to say everywhere that his Lady is his Lady.

-Laria-You....-Could say nothing so she says something else.

-You put water in the pot.

-Serio- Of course,-he just laughs.

Serio goes to the speakers and connects with the phone.

-Serio-You know what goes more with cooking?

-Laria-Dancing?

Serio plays "OneRepublic-Counting Stars"

-Serio- Do you see this life put some salt there.

-And some pasta even if it is wrong.

-Serio-I think is the right thing.

They dance while cooking and helping each other.

-Stir the pasta and stir it hard.

-Let's test it I am tired of waiting.

They taste the pasta and then they put sauce.

-Laria-To be honest this is pretty minimalistic with some modern feeling right there like the new wave art,

-Serio-And with a little help, the help of music

Serio goes to take a bottle of wine and 2 glasses.

-For this amazing time and amazing dinner we will drink this masterpiece, a 1990 Latour.

-I see a man of class and culture.

-Serio see what you did there.

They both laugh.

While eating and drinking Laria starts eating fast.

-Serio-Some people eat fast because that's how they are but some eat fast because enjoy it and there is another type. The type who wants to finish and to leave, which one are you? I for myself am a slow eater.

-The three that you mentioned on different occasions but mostly slow eaters.

Serio's manager calls him.

-Manager-Yo my favorite writer.

-Serio-Your favorite money writer, you wanted to say. What now?

-Manager-Before we go to the part when I am waiting for some news for a book from you. Are you dating Laria?

-Serio-Is complicated but yes I am dating Laria.

-Laria-What? -sees Serio confused.

-Manager-Look I know I am more money and prize-focused but imagine a book from you too. The irony you write, the sarcastic way of writing even in fiction you have, the merciless method you use to make people like characters then destroy them plus the feelings she writes, the beautiful way she makes everyone someone in her books, the power and the flow of the story she gives and with the fantasy you both have, I have an offer you too on a brand new fantasy adult book without borders, without the normal fiction but more putting the romantic non-fiction in the fiction.

-Serio-Yeah you wasted 5 minutes of my pasta eating with my girlfriend.1 I am writing a book, 2 ever talked again about my relationship I need to say "Nice to meet you" and it was an offer I couldn't refuse.

-Manager knew that, wait what? You? Where's the catch?

-Because I will refuse the offer.

Ends the call.

-Just a manager calling for a book from both of us, let's enjoy our creation a magnification of a meal in a godly meal with you my dear goddess Aphrodite.

-And you are?

-Serio-Just a man, of words and actions, not a god.

-In this kinda dinner couples discuss different topics and their day but we are spending the days together so why don't we talk about each other? Let's know each other better, my turn. What do you think about me and my books if you have read them?

-Serio-I doesn't like this type of game but why not? I have read your books, to tell the truth, all 33 of them which 25 are just a series. I like "Angels in Paris" and "A Warrior's Death" which are solo books. And about you, well we have met a lot of times in the past just in ceremonies but personal thoughts by the days of sharing. You are like a bird who leaves when the climate becomes colder and goes to a warmer climate to feel better, but you are not that type of bird you just protect yourself by doing this. Not being alone but always being shown alone so all to see the strong part of you which I can see without even seeing you. Your actions show it, and I like you like a girl who, to be honest, this top, this achievement, or everything is self-made. And about the real you, I don't know and can't describe because the Japanese proverb says: Everyone has three faces, the first one you show to the world, which I think is the one you are showing me most of the time. The second face you show to the family or close people to you which you have shown me only once when you were trying to help me with hugs and a glass of water, can be a misunderstanding since anyone would try to help. But there is a third face you never show to anyone and that is the true you, everyone has three faces not only you.

-Laria-Wow just wow, you can go 0-100 really quick boy. Not gonna lie you are good at it but not correct, your turn.

-Serio- Why me? Why chosen me to help you and guide you for the book as a muse, I mean why not I am who I am but still why?

-Every book you do is a success, and every meeting with big names in the author world you are in, so I thought I could use you. No hard feelings and learned from you but everything took a 180-degree turn. Then on the way, I saw what type you are but I will not describe you because I can't, you might be the most masked person I know and If normal people have 3 faces you might have one per occasion. But with a big BUT, I like you how you are and sorry for saying this I think you are in depression.

-Serio-This game always takes white and then full black page turns. That's why I don't like it, but no I am not in depression.

Laria sees how the atmosphere just changed and goes and turns on the TV.

-If fate takes turns for us, let me take a turn to out-turn him.

-Serio-You spoke like you know how to play Chess, a nice way of changing weather a friend of mine would say, and not Leona but Reis.

On TV there was a news reporter talking about pets in the street who are mistreated.

-Serio-People who mistreat animals are the same who wanted to see how stuffed toys would be inside and cut them but not doctor-wise. Now from playing with the dead, they play with alive creatures. It is a bad change of weather Laria but now I need to see this news.

-I never was a dog or a cat person.

-Serio-Well neither was I, but since we are alone I need to say it. All dogs are good dogs but for me, cats are on a different level. I like cats more.

-Laria-Why since we are alone?

-Because in public you can open debate for this even if in the end you say that you like cats more that's why.

-Never thought of but okay, thanks for sharing this little secret with me.

-Serio-My pleasure, let's get to the second floor on the balcony for something cool.

They go to the balcony which is in the bedroom with a lot of outdoor space. With two chairs a table and a large glass bottle full of water.

-Laria-Now what?

-Serio- Sit in the left chair and see the view of the city.

Laria sits in the chair and she can see the beautiful view of the city with the thousand lights shining everywhere.

 -I know you are rich but how much did you pay for this house?

-Serio lot of greens or a lot of money but is personal, but since we are a couple I will tell you this more than 3 million.

-Laria-Okay do you have like a million for me, you look like a philanthropist. Donate to me for a great cause.

-Serio-No I am sorry that I am not stupid but I am a philanthropist but not for you.

They stand then in peace for an hour just seeing the city Serio goes inside removes his heavy bag and lies on the bed, and Laria goes and lies next to him.

-If you think you going to get something tonight you are wrong, even if the dinner was an amazing time.

-Serio-My dear why thinking like that? The most I need now and would like to get is sleeping near you that's all.

He covers himself in the blanket and falls asleep.

-Laria-Me too Serio me, lies near him and just sees him in the eyes.

Serio opens his eyes kisses her and hugs her and they fall asleep together 

-Laria-Thank you. -falls asleep.

Sleeping like a real couple for some hours Serio's smartphone starts ringing without stopping.

On the phone was Jon,

-Serio-Wow Jon wow, Jon wow the f*ck Jon.

-I know I shouldn't call you but Leona was fighting Eno and I interrupted them but I think Eno is bothering Leona and probably you should know.

-Serio-One question, do you know his last name?

-Jon-No just Eno, is in our college but in the music department. He studies music I think.

-Serio-Okay Jon, I owe you this, good night.

Serio got up from the bed and went into the bathroom seeing himself in front of the mirror.

-Serio-You never changes, do you? -says calmly and looks serious and goes dressing and wears a suit a black suit.

Laria sees him but doesn't say anything to him and tries to fall asleep again, Serio comes to her kisses her forehead, and leaves. He goes to a bar near him and orders a cappuccino.

-Wake up too early today Serio?

-Serio-Yes got something to do!

The bartender sees that he is wearing his black suit and his black leather band analog watch.

-Bartender-Can I help you?

-Serio-Thanks but no, you have helped me once and I still owe you.

-Bartender-Serio you owe me nothing, I know for years a friend does things for a friend but whatever. Still, if you ever need my help I am here.

-I know, thanks.

Puts out the wallet and wants to pay for the cappuccino.

-Bartender on me, be safe Serio.

-Thank you.

Serio leaves and goes home at 8 am, Laria was waiting for him while she had 3 cups of coffee.

-Laria-I don't care what you have done with that Eno dude but are you okay?

-Serio-You were awake?

-Laria-Yes and I need to know if are you okay.

-I am sorry to make you worry my dear goddess Aphrodite.

-Laria-Okay let's go out for breakfast and go change, that's not something you wear for breakfast.

-Serio-Okay.

Serio changes his clothes and wears daily clothes and together they go to The Coffee Shop. When they get in the coffee shop they see Leona there at the table Serio usually stays with Leona with 2 cups of coffee and 3 croissants eaten. The moment she sees Serio she runs to him and hugs him.

-Leona-Why? You didn't have to? Who told you?

-Serio-Please remove your hands from me, and I have said that whenever you need help I will come to help you without an invite.

-Leona-Okay, -cries.

-Laria-Leona you okay?

-Serio of you sit, I will go to take something. Laria? Leona, you want something?

-Leona am full thanks!

-What will you get?

-Serio-Cappuccino and croissant.

-Laria-Me too then!

He makes the order and the waiter brings him the order. While drinking a cappuccino and raising his left hand Leona sees his black leather analog watch.

-Leona-You have your black leather analog watch on?

-Laria-A nice watch?

-If he doesn't tell you I shouldn't.

-Drink your cappuccino and eat don't talk.

-Laria-All right.

-Thank you Serio but you might have put me in more trouble now.

-Serio-He will never talk to you again, so worry not. He will do nothing just continue his music studies and that's all.

-Leona-But?

-Serio-Leona leaves now, you are going to be late I think.

-Leona-Goodbye Laria.

Leona leaves.

-Anything you want to say about that watch?

-Serio-My father said to me when I was young, "Sometimes you need to wear a black leather analog watch when things happen and show what a real man is" and I have continued doing what he said like a man. Please don't ask me again about the things I wear because most of the time there are clothes I wear for personal reasons.

-As you say, Serio and I like your watch.

-I feel some confusing winds of jealousy but Laria I trust you since the moment I said I like you so I would wear this watch at any time if needed for you.

-Laria-I didn't mean that still, I am happy about what you said so...

She kisses him.

-You showed me a strong side so yeah you earned a kiss and today we going to do what I want.

-Serio-Anything you want.

-We will go to my favorite place where I write, I mean where the best parts are written.

They leave and go to the lake "Rokisse" and get on a boat and start sailing.

-Serio-I like flying and you like sailing is a little story someone told me when I was younger:'There was a cat in love with a bird but the bird never came down to earth, the only place the bird came down was a boat in a lake and the cat stayed observing for times and times but the bird never understood because he thought the cat liked seeing the lake nor the bird. You have the right to ask what? But don't because I don't remember the reason that person said this to me so I just remembered now.

-I am 101% sure that I am not the cat but you are the bird so since we are in the boat I think who is the cat, just saying. The look is so quiet and now just feel the peace.

They stayed there for like 20 minutes but they didn't write a single word they just stayed till one of them asked the question about leaving.

-Serio-I think this peace made me a bird with the olive branch but I am not a symbol of peace nor targetted by a cat so can we somehow do a maneuver called a strategic retreat?

-I thought you never asked.

They leave and go home but at the house door, they see Leona.

-Laria-I will go inside,

She goes inside and doesn't even talk with Leona.

-Serio-What are you, Leona, doing here?

-Leona-I needed to meet you to say that you can come to college and that the college principal has canceled your exemption.

-Serio-Yes, and thank you. I think I could just read an email to my PC but you are with the old one. I would like you to use a smoke signal but calculate the cost of the wood, breaking the law, and the citizens' complaints. This is a better way, but I think now I should invite you inside which I should and I will but wait a minute.

-If Laria doesn't like it or you have something to do I will just go, I mean I came only for the message.

-Serio-No, nothing like that just that I need a minute to do a thing.

He goes inside and runs to the kitchen where Laria is eating a snicker.

-Why isn't Leona inside?

-Can you remove the pasta plates, please?

-Laria-Okay, why?

-Serio- Whenever I did home cooking I used to cook pasta with Leona which can look a little bad now. Got nothing to do with you.

-Laria-Right. -she starts cleaning the place.

Serio goes outside and invites Leona in and she comes in.

-Laria-Hi!

-Leona-Hi Laria.

-Serio-What wise chosen words to have a conversation and oh my god, now it feels like someone trying to break the ice with sandpaper instead of a metal shovel. Leona my girlfriend Laria who you have met by now, the same goes with you Laria. Why don't you sit on the couch while I Serio the Great make some hot chocolate? It is a rhetorical question!

Laria and Leona both sit on the couch while Serio goes to make hot chocolate.

-Leona-So how have you met Serio?

-Laria-Book ceremonies and author meetings, things like that.

-Are you an author too?

She makes a surprised face.

-Laria-Yeah, fiction genre like Serio but not so Known as Ruazo.

-Leona-That's amazing, which book have you written?

-A lot to tell the truth, "Angels in Paris", "A Warrior"s Death"!

-Those two are two of my favorite books. Serio liked them a lot when I recommended them, so you too use a different name?

-Laria-Yeah, only people who I meet know me, and yeah my author name is just LIT, not like the meaning but something else meaning for me. What about you? What do you study?

-I study for painting but I .... -she feels shy to say it but Serio came in.

-Serio-She paints what she listens so yeah she paints the music or the feeling she gets.

-Leona-Yeah that.

-Serio-She once painted a lion on a violin, yeah a lion on a violin.

-It looks like you are creating a new wave a new flow if I can say. It is amazing, keep up.

-Leona-Yeah thanks still not at the level of you too.

Serio gives them their hot chocolate.

Someone calls Serio, Serio speaks to him in private, and then he leaves.

-Serio-I need to go somewhere, I will be here for 30 minutes.

He leaves.

-Leona-Well since Serio left I am leaving to don't want to bother you.

-Oh no, don't. This is your friend's house, not mine so wait for him.

-Leona-I know but coming here was an excuse just to meet him since he doesn't want to be my friend after I did and was hoping to calm the waters. Did I just think with voice?

Laria laughs.

-Laria-Hahahaha you are funny but yeah and your secret is safe with me. But you do feel something for Serio so just asking, don't think about our situation. Why do you never take the first step?

-Leona-Well no, no, I don't feel anything anymore. He is just my best friend you don't need to worry, -she became shy.

-Laria-Okay you know, want to watch TV?

-Thanks but I am better off leaving. Goodbye.

-You know, goodbye.

She leaves.

After 2 hours Serio came with some groceries.

-Serio-She left?

-Laria-Yeah.

-Better that way because she would get hurt if stayed more.

-Laria-She is your best friend, isn't she?

-And the world needs the sun but the sun doesn't need Earth Earth still captures its light but the Sun does it unintentionally. Is just how the sun is made,

Meanwhile, Leona is in her bedroom.

-What are you doing Leona, what? She is her girlfriend, not your friend, she was probably testing if I still feel for Serio.

Her phone rings and is Jon on the phone.

 -Leona-Hi,

-Jon-Hi Leona, I know it is kinda late but I need to ask for a favor.

-If it doesn't include Mia or Serio I think I can help.

-Jon-Yeah of course not with them, I have two tickets for an art gallery which my father bought for me to see art and he wants me to go and to tell him later what I saw or what I learned. So I know it looks weird but if you could come it would be great since you understand art better than anyone I know. So?

-Leona-What time?

-After 1 hour.

-Leona-What? And you called me now?

-Because I thought I could just not go but I have to.

-I will be ready.

-I will come to get you in one hour.

An hour passed and John came to Leona's house and Leona was outside waiting.

She was wearing a pair of blue long jeans, a black sweatshirt, a caramel coat, a scarf with a handbag, with a pair of black leather ankle boots. Jon saw her and just stayed watching.

-Leona-What? -she blushes.

-Jon-No nothing, you look good that's why, I just took a normal outfit of jeans and a jacket. Let's go.

-So in which gallery are we going?

-Jon-At Ermenisa Art Gallery.

-Leona-Have heard a lot but never went, but why does your father make you go there?

-Jon-He is obsessed with arts, painting, and classical music and wants me to be like him if I eventually lead his company while I like reading and being a book editor or a literary agent.

-Leona-You should tell him.

-I do, but he says he doesn't want his son to work for other people's books. He is like this "Or create your own or never work for someone other work".

-Leona-It isn't polite to ask but is your father super-rich like an artist rich?

-More like a businessman rich, but yeah he is really rich and I am his only child so he wants me to be like him.

They arrive at the art gallery.

-So what theme does the gallery have?

-Jon-Contemporary art theme about new artists and their works.

-Like me, I am like a contemporary artist too.

-But why do you say like me?

-Leona-Because I change my style a lot and daily.

They get inside and Leona is amazed by what she sees.

-Leona-This is amazing!

-You are an artist too why so amazed?

-Leona-Because I am not known or professional with years of experience and known work but the people showing their art here are.

-Jon-Is not like I hate painting, sculptures and all but books for me are easier.

-So what you wanna see to talk to your father?

-Just hearing you talk about any painting here will do the work.

-Leona-Let start with this painting, what do you see?

In the painting was a boy with a pink face playing a blue guitar while wearing red and yellow clothes in a horror theme park.

-Someone going against their style? This looks scarier when you think about it.

-Leona-You know art is not made to have a definitive meaning, is what I think because while you see someone going against their style, I see a boy being himself in a dark world made by people's view. He looks like he is trying to go like them but being original isn't cheap, being honest has its drawbacks so he just enjoys his life. He has a pink face and a blue guitar while wearing yellow and red clothes, he looks like a combination of a girl and a boy but he is a boy just people define others by what they wear. I think he started to play with the blue guitar only for people not judging him from the pink face, but when he gets the guitar he understands that not all care and does what he wants to do and wears those color clothes.

-Jon-I was thinking he was trying to get more attention in this horror theme park but Leona you understand art, that explanation was amazing and even if anyone has their opinion on a painting I would believe always yours instead of mine.

Leona laughs.

-Leona-Thanks but you know what you just said might have been what the artist wanted to show so no one knows.

They start seeing each painting and commenting on it and laughing a lot, Jon starts seeing differently Leona while understanding that she loves Serio. An hour passed and they arrived at the last painting, which was a painting of a painter painting a writer while a girl was singing for him and an old couple was seeing this painting with more details.

The old man saw that they were waiting for them to go so they would get a moment with that too.

-Old Man-See Daria a beautiful couple waiting for their time.

-Jon-We are just friends.

-Old Man-Sorry boy,

Leona just stays there seeing the painting.

-Old Man- So what do you think?

-Leona-Is beautiful, and this is the most beautiful one I have seen in this gallery. What do you think?

-Old Man-Well some said that this girl singing was a one-sided girly love for the writer while others said it is just a painting too so all this is just a painting. But you know what I think it is?

-Leona-What?

-Old Man illusion to make us feel that the painter is painting only the writer's writing while in reality, he is painting the writer, but the story the writer is writing is the girl singing and thinking about it,

-Leona-An illusion? I wasn't thinking of that but now I am confused.

-Old Man-Goodbye girl but trust me is an illusion.

-Everything okay?

-I was with the first thought, the girl was singing for him while in reality, it was him creating her or in a whole new conception, it was never about them. An illusion.