Chapter 5 I deserve to be happy

"But I'm in so deep. You know I'm such a fool for you. You got me wrapped around your finger, ah, ah ah"

"Katharine! - Alex entered the kitchen with a weak laugh - I think you will have to rent the office for Dr. Rhodes as a little room.

- He is there? I asked staring at Alex, laughing at his mean joke.

"Of course, now he eats breakfast and dinner here most days.

"Okay, take good care of him then."

"Aren't you going to greet him?"

"Is he calling me?" I asked in surprise.

"No, but... I don't think he comes here that often because of my beautiful green eyes."

Alex said joker and left. The few morning staff present in the kitchen made jokes with me and laughed too. I didn't go to say hello to the doctor for reasons of a lot of work. I knew I owed him an apology for the call last night, and I didn't want to sound crazy. So I pondered and bit my lower lip thoughtfully, staring at the sweet bread I had just taken out of the oven.

"Gisella, please finish here.

I spoke to one of the employees in the morning and went to my office to remove thedolman. When Alex saw me in the dining room walking to the coffee bar, he let out a small smile and walked over to me, stopping beside me and watching me.

"Has he asked for anything yet?" I asked.

"I was coming to get him a coffee, but you were quicker.

- I carry.

I spoke keeping my voice normal, I didn't want to give reasons for Alex's smirks.

"Okay... I'm on my way out now, okay?" Marianne has arrived and is changing her clothes.

I nodded and kissed my employee and best friend on the cheek. Alex worked the night shift, and that morning he had gone to do an extra job, arranging some orders with the wine suppliers so that later George, thebut, receive them.

Marianne was minehostess of the morning team, and for that reason too, Alex was already on his way out. I put two cups of coffee and onecroissant on the tray and walked to table thirteen noting that it was his favorite spot in the bistro.

As soon as I set the tray on the table, Daniel put down his newspaper and looked at me, smiling when he noticed my presence.

- Time...Chef, businesswoman, mother and also a waitress... What an incredible woman. - He said folding the newspaper and getting up.

I smiled in response, placing my hand on his shoulder and directing greetings with two kisses on his cheek. But, Daniel's hand on my waist made my subtle greeting turn into a hug.

"This is what you needed yesterday and I couldn't provide. – he justified himself by the intimate gesture of hug.

- And this is what I offered, but I'm sorry it wasn't enough, so again... - I faced him with guilt and shame and said: - Please, I'm sorry.

- We are friends?

- Certainly! I already told you that.

"Then stop acting like we're not. Now, please... - he walked around to the chair in front of his, pulling it out for me to sit down.

I sat down and moved the tray to a corner of the table, where he had left his newspaper. Daniel looked at thecroissant and rubbed his hands, laughing.

- Nothing better than leaving a shift, and having breakfast in good company.

- How was your night? I asked laughing and drinking my coffee.

"It was exhausting. I had surgery shortly after we spoke. But, everything went well despite some difficulties.

"I'm sure you would... I couldn't keep up with you, you know?"

- He is sure? Your work here isn't too easy either...

- Not even. Today I'll be straight here organizing some things and at night, in the kitchen. But, unlike operating tables, where there is so much pressure, I deal with food and the pleasure of seeing people happily enjoying my dishes, with smiles like yours now.

We both laughed and he agreed with me.

"You really make this whole thing sound better than medicine.

"Luckily you're great at what you do too. Are you free today?

"Deserved it, isn't it?"

- Without a doubt.

"Now Katharine... Tell me." How are you?

- After taking out my love frustration on Alicia Keys, in a good red, and sleeping soundly, I'm fine now.

- I'm happy about that... You know, when you least expect it, you'll see that there was no way it could be otherwise. Things happen as they have to happen.

"You've never been married, but you seem experienced in the disastrous affairs of love, Daniel.

"Oh, you can be sure of that!

"More coffee?" – I asked when I noticed that his cup was empty and he agreed.

I got up to pour him another cup and brought him a piece ofa thousand sheets with raspberry jam.

"Do you intend to fatten me up?"

"I'm sure you haven't eaten anything all shift." I said looking at him defiantly.

- I'ts right. He smiled, accepting the plates with pleasure.

"When are you going to tell me your disastrous story?" I asked.

"How about when we stop meeting alone at your restaurant?" he asked naturally.

I stared at him confused. Was it an invitation or a joke because we were always seeing each other among theFrom Katharine and the hospital?

"So, have you thought about Nicholas's invitation?" – he asked without paying attention to what he himself had just told me.

- I didn't think, but I believe that I won't have much escape but to face the situation.

"I think it will be very good for you. Look, I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but once you face it, there's nothing you can't face. Not to mention Liz, who will certainly be very happy to see her parents re-establish light communication.

"Again, you're right about everything. The problem is the courage to face Priyanka after everything she and I have been through.

"Hey... You don't have to be ashamed!" She slept with another woman's husband. - He said obvious.

"But she was his fiancée before I came along." Right here in this bistro, they came countless times while they were engaged.

"And how did you and him get together?" Daniel asked firmly.

"They broke up and Nicholas and I fell in love.

"Who was it who acted more futilely then?"

Daniel's question made me close my eyes and shake my hair, sure I had no real reason to be ashamed of Priyanka.

"Okay, once again you're right.

- Katharine... - he told me and I didn't face him until he asked: - Look at me.

Daniel was serious when I looked at him, and he was analyzing me meticulously.

"You don't have to feel guilty. Don't belittle yourself so much by the end of this story. Look what a wonderful mother you are to Liz! Look around, this is your business that you run so zealously. Dress up as who you truly are, okay?

I smiled and Daniel got up from his chair, handed me a fifty. I went to get his change, and when I handed it over Daniel approached me and kissed my forehead, then he removed his coat from the chair wearing it and I could only smile watching him.

"See you at Liz's next appointment?" - he asked.

- Clear.

"And then, I want to take you somewhere other than the hospital and theFrom Katharine, Can it be? he asked naturally.

- Clear...

I replied shyly and approached to hug him in farewell.

"Seems like all your loves are born here, isn't it?"

Nicholas's familiar voice behind Daniel took me by surprise and had him looking at me.ex with some sarcasm. Daniel smiled at Nicholas saying:

"Good morning, Nicolas. I see you're fine.

"I see you're even better."

Nicholas looked directly at him with a dissatisfied expression, but Daniel continued with his peaceful expression.

- There is certainly nothing that restores me more than leaving a shift and having a wonderful coffee in theFrom Katharine.

"And in the company of Katharine herself, I understand. Nicholas scoffed.

- IT'S! I really don't know what the best part is. – Daniel said smiling and again turned to me, saying goodbye: - See you later. Good luck.

He winked in my direction making me laugh at the ridiculous role that Nicholas was playing and before completely turning his back on him, Daniel turned to Nicholas saying:

"I'll really feel honored if this" – he pointed at him and me as he spoke to Nicholas directly – "is a new love being born here.

I let my smile widen at the knowledge that Daniel had so elegantly affected Nicholas. We watched both, myex and I, the man walking out the door of the bistro without looking back. I went to collect the dishes on the table, and Nicholas took the tray from my hand, silent and displeased, taking it to the counter. We sat facing each other inside my office where I had the request to accompany me.

'I take it you didn't come for coffee, Nicholas.' - started.

- Not. I came because Joe said you didn't like my asking him to give you the invite.

- I just felt offended because, a matter involving Liz you should treat with the same impetus with which you meddle in my life, as you did a moment ago.

- Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb your courtship.

He was silent watching me waiting for some reaction.

"Aren't you going to say what you came here for?"

"Aren't you going to deny that you're dating the doctor?"

"I'm not dating the doctor. Focus on something that really matters to get you here, Nicholas.

- You go? He changed the subject with an annoyed look.

- I still don't know. But, is it really necessary to expose Liz to this event now?

"I promised you. I haven't been with her much, and I would very much like her to be. It's not like they don't know she's my daughter. And I don't have anyone there to accompany her. As much as my whole family is, you know there are going to be times when we step away to pose and etc.

"Can I talk to her about it first?"

"She'll say she wants to go, she's been talking about it for days."

"Certainly because someone put it in her head, didn't they?"

"Katharine, please!"

"Okay, so if she really wants to, I'll go.

"You can take the doctor if you want. From the looks of it, it won't be long before Liz calls him "Mom's Boyfriend".

"What's your problem, huh?" Why do you always bring up this subject?

"Maybe because I don't like the idea?"

"I don't like a lot of things either, so attacking them isn't going to change my mind.

"I'm not attacking you or him... It's just...

-Nicholas! – I said urgently and he looked at me attentively - I stayed up all night drinking, remembering us and crying, suffering for still loving you. So please respect my pain.

- Katharine... – he pondered more understanding: - I didn't want things to have ended up like this.

"But they did, and now is no time for us to discuss any of that." Please, I am considering taking a respectful step in going to the event where you will be with Priyanka showing her off as your wife. And you're acting like a tomboypicky with any man I relate to!

"Not just any man. After all, he's the only one who's been hanging around you, isn't he?

He spoke exasperated, getting up and walking from one side to the other:

"Don't you notice the resemblance?" That's how you and I started! I came here every day Katharine, we spent hours talking and...

- What makes you so sure that he comes every day, and if we are very good friends or not? I asked doubtfully.

"Liz talks about him sometimes, and Joe . . .

- Oh! Joe! I interrupted Nicholas. "He came to your house yesterday and told you that Dr. Rhodes came to dinner, and what else?

- I subject todo o resto.

"Well, well, if it isn't you doing what you've always thought me wrong: assuming things that aren't real.

I turned my back on him leaving towards the door, but I returned emphatic:

"Do you realize you have no reason to be bothered about that sort of thing right now?" You've moved on with your life, and I'm trying to move on with mine, so stop acting like we're still married and I'm supposedly cheating on you, because that's not the way it is! And even worse is you acting like I did: creating fantasies in your head that only make our communication worse.

Nicholas was red with anger and glared at me with such hatred that when he approached me to say what he wanted, he didn't mince the sentence of his own words.

"Turns out it wasn't so much of a fantasy in your head, was it?" Which might not just be my fantasy either!

I looked at him shocked and suddenly, I noticed the tear falling from one of my eyes, with such surprise.

"Did you hear what you just said?" I asked crying and shocked. - Get out. I'll think about going with Liz.

I wiped away my tears and opened the office door without facing him directly. Only then did Nicholas come to his senses.

"That's not what I meant... I...

- Get out. I said firmly interrupting him and he left.

I closed the door that felt heavier than a ton. Nicholas spent so much time denying that he cheated on me, so many times saying I was creating things in my head, and even the moment I received that photo on my cell phone and confronted him with the information, he made sure to say that it was none of those things. that I was thinking. The worst part is whether it was or not, I was done with it and whether or not it was, he had just confirmed that yes, Nicholas Cassano had cheated on me. If not then, then sometime.

I wiped away the heavy tears that inevitably came and composed myself by going straight to my work. I was eager to get over it all. And even though there was a little bit of hurt left, I knew I was that much closer to getting over it.