The black cat reappeared putting his nose out from his hiding place, staring at Massimo with a look of defiance, his eyes were green like Damiens, and he made a gesture with his paw that seemed an invitation, Come here if you dare! it seemed to say.
But it wasnt a challenge. The cat had something under his paw, something made of paper and on which was imprinted an image, a five-pointed star, like Damiens earring, but it didnt shine.
Massimo approached the cat, leaned over and was surprised to see that... Beside the star with five grey tips, was impressed the number 50. He had found fifty euros! Wow, the same amount he had spent in Damiens store! He picked it up promptly, heedless of the cat who ran away quickly, without asking for a reward.
Part five (stop the clock!)
Sonia had just left the Doctors Office; the results of her tests were not good at all. Her hands were trembling from the sudden feeling of weakness; she almost fainted before those papers on which her destiny was written. Inexorably.
First of all you need to stop smoking immediately, - the Doctor admonished her severely your habit cant win over your will, well try every possible treatment to slow down the progression of the tumour.
These words echoed over and over in Sonias head; her thirty-four years of age had become as heavy as boulders, perhaps they contained all her life and maybe in another life, she would have lived longer. She felt old and out of place, all around her she could only see the uselessness of it all.
What good had her commitment to her University studies done her, or the job she had recently undertaken as an architect, designing homes that would live longer than she would, even from their foundation stage, or the job that promised her a successful future?
Then there was love. She put her love life on hold in order to study and now that she was finally exploring this new world together with her new boyfriend, her time had expired. Everything expired. Time had expired, beauty had expired, pleasure had expired, and she was running out of life.
From behind the counter of the store, Damien saw Sonia, still standing in front of the window of the Doctors Office, which was just across the street from his store. He looked up from his laptop and took a better look at the girl.
She also looked up from those condemning papers, she looked at her Breil watch which indicated a stupid and useless nine oclock in the morning and while looking around her, she met Damiens gaze. Although the shop windows were a little obscured, the interior light brightened and allowed her to see inside even from a distance. Sonia had a perfect vision of Damien who got up from behind the counter and started walking towards the door. A sign, the kind with colourful LED letters, lit up in the stained glass window of the store, the LEDs lit up and began chasing each other, reading: Open.
A flash of lightning followed by a long loud thunder, tinted the lead grey cloudy sky with blue-violet for a moment. To Sonia it seemed that it had always been that colour. Now she couldnt even imagine a different colour than the Fifty shades of grey; yet her life, unlike the film, had not been erotic at all.
The weather promised rain soon, the air was particularly electric. The wonderful spring weather of the day before seemed a distant memory. On television she had heard that there would have been yet another return of winter weather. Perhaps one last sprinkle of snow, even at low altitudes.
Sonia crossed the street as soon as the predicted rain started to harshly pour all over her. Covering her head as best as she could with her cellophane covered medical records, she ran straight towards Damiens shop door, quickly opened it, walked in and felt a welcoming embrace that she gratefully accepted.
Thank you, excuse me! she said to the man that let her in from the rain.
Dont worry, - he answered, kindly - youre welcome to stay here until the rain settles down, its no problem.
Thanks again, but I dont think it will stop soon!
Damien ushered the girl to one of the two armchairs in the store, which he used for customers in line or for those who stopped by for a chat, which happened often. He sat on the second chair, never taking his eyes from Sonia.
She was a beautiful girl, blonde with a modern short haircut, tall and thin, with the right curves in the right places, she could be a model, with her graceful movements and tone of voice. She was wearing a suit, black jacket and pants with a white silk blouse, a little unbuttoned, she wore high heeled pumps which enhanced her ankles and well-shaped feet.
Her hands were beautiful, Damien watched as she rested them on the arms of the chair; he would have liked to take them into his, to feel their softness. Surely she had a rare beauty about her.
Is this an electronic cigarette store? Sonia asked to break the ice.
Yes, - said Damien bringing his eyes back to hers - one of the many that have been opened over the last three years here in Florence.
Meanwhile, it was really pouring rain outside.
I have seen some of them - said Sonia - but I never stopped to ask for information on these articles, maybe I should have
She put her hand on the clinical records.
I dont want to take advantage of this occasion to sell you something - Damien interrupted her, standing up instead, may I offer you some coffee? I was just making one for myself.
Thats very kind of you, - Sonia nodded but, do go ahead, maybe Im interested in the topic, you can tell me about it in the meantime.
Sonias frankness was disarming. Damien was fascinated by her and while he prepared the coffee with the electric coffee maker he kept in his shop and then, while they drank the two cups of coffee, he improvised an explanation of the e-cig that was brief, clear and comprehensive.
It was obvious that Damien wasnt very interested in Sonia as a new possible customer; rather he wanted to know more about her and her story, if she wanted to tell it to him.
But she received a phone call that somehow prevented her from staying a bit longer in the store.
She had to leave in a hurry, therefore she said goodbye to Damien handing him back the empty cup of the excellent coffee he offered her, and as if she wanted to repay him for his gracious hospitality, she pointed to a small statue in the showcase packed with various trinkets.
This is nice, is it for sale? She asked indicating a little statue of a man sitting on an old suitcase with a hat in his hand. As she looked at it better, she realized that she really liked it.
For you its on sale said Damien as he picked up the statue and handed it to Sonia, enjoying the chance to touch her hand.
When she came into contact with Damiens hand, Sonia felt a shiver down her spine, a pleasant feeling, while she noticed that the mans pupils widened and their colour went from emerald green into an indigo blue.
Really, - said Sonia still under the effect of that sensation how much is it? I like it a lot and Id like to buy it for my office.
I told you it's on sale, so let's say eight euros and the promise that you'll come back to see me and to try an electronic cigarette, okay?
Sonia opened her purse and took out the money, promised she would be back soon, maybe even on the next Saturday; she said goodbye and went quickly out of the store carrying the bag in which Damien had put the statue.