Cosimas Lounge

Hi dear folks,

hope you enjoyed the past 2 parts and are waiting for the next one already :) Here it is and I wish you lots of fun reading it :) And sorry for the mean cliffhanger ;)

Just the way you are - Part 3

Monday morning. The alarm clock woke Sasha rudely up in a topmost penetrante manner.

Half past 6.

Oh God, is it truly time to get up again already?

Yes.

And while Sasha stumbled into the bath half asleep, she thought that THE Monday was finally today. Suddenly, Sasha became lively. After she had taken a shower and had dressed, she nearly hovered the stairway down into the kitchen. There, Linda had already made a great breakfast.

Linda: Good morning, my darling! You have but good mood in the early morning! From where this may probably come.....?!

.....she greeted Sasha and cared her a kiss on the cheek.

Sasha: Good morning, mom! For sure I have good mood today! If it only would be already this afternoon!

Linda: Well the most has already passed! What separates you in the most favorable case are.......

.....Linda looked at the clock.

Linda: .....hardly 9 hours of a surprise, that you haven’t certainly imagined in your wildest dreams!

Sasha: Mom, that’s mean! You know exactly that the worst and the longest are the last hours before a big thing!

Linda: Ok, ok, it’s alright! But you will get an eye!

Sasha twisted the eyes to the ceiling and had to laugh. She knew her mom. If she watered her mouth for it so much, it had to be something special.

Sasha was allowed to be curious.

Exactly at 8 o'clock, Sasha sat at her desk.

She worked in a graphic-design-agency and had worked hard to become in shortest time the right hand of the boss-designer.

Her advertising-posters had already gotten many prices and awards.

Some were even nominated for the „Oscar “of the advertising-industry and so Sasha had made a name quickly in this business.

Of course, she drafted the posters with particular passion for ice shows within Canada and the USA.

That was her specialty.

Shortly after she had sat down, her mobile phone rang. It was Stephane.

Stephane: Bonjour! Well, how is the first working day after the vacation?

Sasha: Bonjour, Stephane! It has started just only now, but thanks for asking! So far, everything is still in the green area, cheri!

Stephane: Oh, I love it, if you speak French! Do you come today to the Dome? Please say yes!

Sasha: Stephane, firstly I had a good teacher concerning my French! And secondly I come to the Dome today by all means! My mom has promised me a giant-surprise! Do you know something about it?

Stephane: Hmmm.....I believe, yes, if it’s this, which I think....!

Sasha: WHAAAAAAT??? YOU know about, too? Well, don’t tell me now, I endured it for a very long time, so I manage this few hours as well!

Stephane: Oho, I won’t tell you anything! Linda would kill me!

Sasha: Oh, I could not be responsible for this of course! So see you this afternoon, Stephane! Et merci beaucoup pour vous coup de téléphone!

Stephane: Mhmm... you know how to let the sun rise in my heart! See you this afternoon, mon petite!

Stephane! What kind of a charmeur! And this with barely 19 years! She knew, if they had become a couple, he would have layed her down in a bed of roses....if it hadn’t been for these 10 years of age-difference. But this matter was clarified for years already. Even if Stephane often made it very hard for her and simply couldn’t curb his charm.

Still smiling about Stephane, Sasha started her work.

As she found the next time a minute to look at her clock, it was already half past 12 am.

Sasha decided that she now make her lunch break first to get going with strengthened power.

Shortly after 1 pm, she sat at her desk again. Actually, she still had 30 minutes of break, but Linda's surprise haunted constantly around her head, she considered better to distract herself with her work again.

At about 3 pm, she had managed everything, which had lain on her desk. HOORAY! She packed up her stuff, snatched her bag and already had the handle in the hand as the telephone rang. Argh, she thought, please not NOW! She answered the phone.

Sasha: Shining star, Inc., Ansbach, can I help you?

Linda: Hey sweetie, it’s me!

Sasha: Mom! What’s up? Hasn’t my surprise arrived yet?

Linda: Oh yes! I only wanted to remind you of it so you don't forget!

Sasha: Haha, very funny, mom! As if I could forget THIS!

Linda: Well then everything is clear! When do you come?

Sasha: I was already on the way from here to go home, changing my clothes! I don't know admittedly for WHOM I start styling, but it won’t be a bad idea anyway, right?!

Linda: There, you’re absolutely right as an exception once! So hurry up! See you!

Sasha: See you, mom!

Aaaaaaah, but now get out of this place!

Breathlessly, Sasha arrived at home. After she had taken a shower quickly, she stood helplessly now in front of her wardrobe.

What should she put on?

If she had known WHOEVER was the big unknown....but maybe it was also better, that she didn't know, who expects her there, otherwise she would have become presumably even more nervous. She decided for her favorite-jeans with rose-imprint on the right leg.

As top, she chose a black sweater with carmen-collar and glitter-embroidery on it.

She pulled her green winter-coat over it, snatched her handbag and started on the way.

Nevertheless she had spent some time in front of the wardrobe, it was „just “ 3.45 pm.

She almost ran the first meters to the Dome but then she thought that it made possibly more impression if she doesn’t arrive there with hanging out tongue and completely besides breath. So Sasha slowed her steps to arrive at the Saddle Dome externally completely relaxed. After a short conversation with George, Sasha entered the ice rink.

Stephane discovered her first and welcomed her very heartily.

Stephane: There you are finally! And delightful you look, as usual!

He took her into his arms and kissed her on both cheeks.

Sasha: Hello Stephane! Thanks for the compliment! I blush for embarrassment!

Stephane: That’s not my fault! You simply always look gorgeous! But the red on your cheeks suits you also very well!

Sasha: Stephane, please!

Sasha had to laugh now. And Stephane smiled at her with his most irresistibly smile.

Now Linda also had noticed that Sasha was there. She approached the both.

Linda: Hello, my darling! Well finally! Probably you’re not curious any more, are you?!

Sasha: MOM!

Linda: Ok,ok! If you don’t have anything better to do you can come in 10 minutes to my office, ok?

Sasha: Anything better to do...HAHA! Ok, in 10 minutes in your office, mom!

With a triumphant smiling Linda left the two alone.

Sasha: Oh Stephane! I’m so curious who sits in this office there!

Stephane: I know it...but I say nothing! You know why!

Sasha: Yes, that’s ok... These 10 minutes I survive as well!

In this moment, Jeffrey came to them.

Jeffrey: Hey Sasha! My beloved sweetheart! You're the greatest!!

He took her stormily into his arms again and kissed her.

As a result, Stephane went between them.

Stephane: Hey, hey, Jeff! What are you doing with my girl?

… he asked with pretended irritation.

Jeffrey: You see it: I kiss and hug her!

Sasha started to laugh. Because she was able to tell by Stephanes face, that the biggest part of his irritation was NOT pretended. She knew him too well. Therefore, she defused the situation with her laughter.

Jeffrey: Sasha knows why. Thank you, darling! I’m deep in your debt! I don’t know what I’ve had done if I hadn’t had you!
Sasha: That’s ok, Jeff! I’m sure I find something for you to make up for, honey!
Jeffrey: No problem, Sasha! But I think I better leave now or Romeo will kill me!
….he replied with a wink in Stephanes direction.

It was an open secret that Stephane still felt more than friendship for Sasha.

Also Stephane had to laugh now and Jeffrey said goodbye to Sasha.

The 2 were alone again. Sasha looked at the watch.

Sasha: Oh man, not nearly 5 minutes later! I don’t believe it!

Stephane: Calm down! It hurts me in my soul to see you suffering but you know....

Sasha: ….no word, otherwise murder through Linda, I know! But the last minutes are always the longest, you know this best, don’t you?

Stephane: Yes, this is correct but...I still don’t know at all whether I let you go to Linda's office!

Sasha: Are you kidding??? Why??

Stephane: Because...oh, I don't know how I should say it.....because.... after you were there, you maybe have no time anymore for me!

Sasha looked dismayed at Stephane.

What had he just said?

No time anymore for him?

Whoever should manage THIS in the whole wide world?

And something scared her even more, the thought that he really imagined it could be possible that Sasha would let her dearest and best friend stand in the rain because of anybody else.

Sasha: But Stephane.....is this what you really think about me? Do you really believe it’s possible that I let you standing outside for any stupid guy after all these years???

Stephane: No, of course not, mon petite!

...... Stephane replied terrified.

He hadn’t wanted this! If he only would have shut his mouth......

Stephane: Say that you’re not mad at me, cheri......PLEASE!

Sasha: No, I’m not…..but, that you expect me to let you fall for anybody else scared me!

Tears appeared in Stephanes eyes and he took Sasha tight into his arms and kissed her on the forehead.

Stephane: Forgive me, mon petite, this was very stupid of me.....I have only fear to lose you!

Sasha: Stephane, you won't lose me! I’m much to fond of you for that! Amis toujours!

Touched from Stephanes honesty Sasha gave him a kiss.

Sasha: Everything ok again?

Stephane smiled and his eyes shone.

Stephane: Oui, Sasha, everything again ok! Thank you for not being mad at me, cheri!

Stephane looked at his watch.

Stephane: Oh Sasha, you’re overdue already 2 minutes for your surprise in Linda's office! Now vite, vite!

Sasha: That doesn’t matter, YOU were now more important! But you’re right, I will start on the way. Maybe we see us later, au revoir!

Stephane gave a farewell to her with 2 kisses on the cheek. He saw after her for a while as she started on the way to Linda's office. Yes, he still loved this woman, even if he had made a „non-attack-pact “with her. He had also fear at that time to lose her and so he could enjoy her nearness at least as a friend, that was better than nothing. But the fear, that had seized of his heart this time, was another kind. At that time he fought only against Sashas irrefutable principles, but this time he fought against another man in Sashas live. And he knew what she thought about this man. She already had told him about this man some years ago but this man was at this time far away and now he sat in Linda's office. What would Sasha say to see him there? He didn't know what he should do but one thing was clear for Stephane: he wouldn’t leave Sasha to another man peacefully! The other one had to prove to him that he had deserved Sasha.....

Sasha went the last steps to Linda's office. There arrived, she knocked at the door.

Linda: Come in, please!

….. Linda's voice sounded from the inside of the office.

Sasha opened the door. The big unknown sat with the back to her. But Sasha already wondered. These dark curls......no, that couldn’t be!

There Linda already waited for her.