Chapter 3 The Reality

• FRANCO
• “Sophia doesn't feel well. I'll take her home. Then I'll come back to pick you up.” I spoke hurriedly to Yenefer.
• “It's okay. I can go home on my own.” her independence made me feel a little guilty that I had never been a good husband, even if we were only in a fake marriage.
• After sending Sophia home, I returned to the office to deal with some business matters.
• In the evening, I received a message from Spencer. It said:
• “ Franco, would you like to join us? Everyone is here.”
• I replied:
• “ Alright. I'll be there soon.”
• I wrote as I left the office.
• Spencer owned the Mint Bar. It was one of the most popular bars in the city, and tonight it was particularly crowded. As soon as I entered, I saw Spencer and David. We had all been friends since childish.
• “Have you seen Yenefer?”Spencer asked as soon as I stood in front of him.
• “Yes, ”I replied and then asked the bartender to serve me a glass of whisky.
• "Are you really divorcing her? Spencer pressed, approaching me.
• "Yes, I impatiently replied and lit a cigarette.
• "How could you, man? Yenefer is, like, our girl. We grew up with her. You and Sophia are being cruel to her.
• I blew a puff of smoke into the air as the bartender placed my drink in front of me. I decided not to respond to Spencer and just drank my whisky. But what he said was true.
• To be honest, I was nervous when I talked to Yenefer last night about the divorce. Meanwhile, she sat there the whole time, looking calm and quiet. I couldn't tell if it bothered me or impressed me.
• It had been three years since we saw each other last time. She was no longer the sweet girl who wore her heart on her sleeve. She had changed a lot. Seeing her again in that cold disposition bothered me a little.
• "Did she agree? David asked curiously.
• "Yes, she accepted it.
• At that moment, I was regretting my decision to go out and meet my friends. I just wanted to have a drink with them, and there they were, interrogating me with all these questions.
• "So, are you really going to marry Sophia?
• "Yes.
• "Seriously? Are you really going to sacrifice your happiness just because she saved you? David got very excited with my answer. He accidentally spilled his wine on my clothes.
• "Shit! I cursed angrily.
• "Oh, I'm so sorry, man. David immediately apologized.
• Since I didn't want to sit there looking like a total mess, I excused myself and went home to change clothes. I left the bar and called a transportation service. I had planned to go home, but as soon as I got into the car, I stopped to think.
• Then, I asked the driver to take me to Gardner Street. When I arrived, the house was brightly lit, and I could hear bursts of laughter through the open windows. A familiar Mercedes was parked in the garage.
• It seemed like my mother and grandmother had come to visit. I quickly walked towards the door, but before I could enter the password, someone had already opened the door from the inside.
• "Where were you? Why didn't you answer my calls? My mom approached and scolded me.
• "I was in a meeting, mom.
• "But why do you smell like alcohol? Did you drink? Oh my God, you're a mess. Go change. She wrinkled her nose.
• She pinched my nose and let me in.
• I entered the house and saw Grandma and Yenefer sitting in the living room, talking and laughing. There were fruits and even an apple pie on the coffee table.
• "Hello, Grandma," I approached to greet her and took a piece of apple pie, but my grandmother slapped my hand away.
• "Hands off. That's not for you. That's for Yenefer."
• "Franco, what happened to you? Come, let's get you some clean clothes."
• Yenefer stood up and walked towards me.
• "You have been married for a long time. Why do you still call Franco by his given name?" Grandma asked Yenefer and then looked at me suspiciously.
• "Is there something wrong with the way I address him?" Yenefer stopped and asked.
• "Don't young married couples like you call each other honey or baby or something like that?"
• Yenefer froze and seemed to think for a while. Then, she cleared her throat.
• "Come, honey. Let me help you change."
• She helped me take off my suit jacket and gave me a genuine smile.
• "I like that better," Grandma smiled, her tone filled with satisfaction.
• I loved Yenefer very much. What?
• Yenefer had been abroad for the past few years, and Grandma often asked me about her. I only gave superficial answers every time.
• Soon, Grandma started a new topic.
• "Franco, I have made an appointment with the doctor for you this week. Don't drink until then. I want you to get checked."
• I was stunned.
• "But I just had a physical exam, Grandma. I am very healthy."
• "I don't want you to have another physical exam. It's a more specialized check-up. It has been several years. Where are my great-grandchildren? And I definitely don't think it's Yen's fault. It's yours."
• Yenefer pursed her lips and looked at me. A muscle twitched in her jaw. It seemed like she was trying not to burst into laughter.
• Before I could defend myself, my phone rang, and I sighed in relief. Yenefer, who was holding my jacket, took my phone out of the chest pocket and saw the caller's name on the screen. I realized it was Sophia by the way her face suddenly changed.
• "Is that woman? Oh my god!" exclaimed my mother.
• I took my phone from Yenefer and declined the call.
• "Is it Sophia? You are a married man now, Franco. Why are you still involved with that woman? You should be loyal to Yen. And what were those pictures of Sophia trying on wedding dresses that I saw in the news? What is going on?" scolded Grandma.
• "It's not what you think, Grandma."
• "Then why did you reject her call? Is there something you two need to talk about that you don't want us to hear?"
• I didn't know how to respond. I could lie to others, but not to my grandmother. She always saw through me. Grandma was so angry that she trembled. Yenefer quickly served her a glass of water.
• "Franco will be more than happy to answer your question, Grandma, but let me take him upstairs to change first," Yenefer said, pushing me upstairs and towards the bedroom.
• "I have a couple of white shirts in the third cabinet."
• When Yenefer went to look for a clean shirt for me, I took off the one David had stained with his wine. It was already ruined. Damn it. I really wouldn't forgive David next time.
• Then, I felt a total silence behind me. I turned around.
• Yenefer was standing there, holding one of my shirts in her hand. She lowered her chin, trying to hide the furious blush on her cheeks.
• "How long have you been standing there?" I asked.
• She didn't respond. She quickly closed her eyes. I approached her.
• This time, I could see more of the new her. She was no longer the girl she used to be. Her last three years in France had transformed her from a simple bud into a delicate rose.
• Her long eyelashes trembled. Her lips were pressed into a thin line as if she was suppressing something. Her face grew redder with each passing minute.
• I took the shirt from her hand and quickly put it on. After changing and putting on a clean shirt, we returned to the living room together.
• "I don't have many years left, Franco. Why couldn't you live a peaceful life with Yen? Why are you always trying to make me angry, huh? Grandma still blames me," she said.
• "Grandma, next time you want to come here, you can call me and I'll pick you up, okay?" I still didn't know how to respond, so I decided to change the topic.
• "No, thank you. You're always so busy. I don't want to bother you. I just want to see if you're treating your wife well," Grandma replied.
• "I'm fine, Grandma," Yenefer intervened.
• "Very well then. By the way, don't forget about the River Group's 60th anniversary party tomorrow. Franco, I hope you buy Yen a beautiful evening dress for the party. I want everyone to see how lucky you are to have someone like her. Don't make me unhappy again, understand, young man?"
• "Of course, Grandma."
• After talking with my grandmother and mother for a long time, I finally managed to convince them to end the night and said goodbye.
• Given the circumstances, there was no way I could mention the divorce to them without causing a big commotion.