monday, the alarm went early, but he encouraged her to sleep until she's rested. they made the bed together, the quiet rustling of the white duvet and the platinum textile covered pillows welcoming the morning as they shook the feathers into shape. she brewed a pressed of white jasmine tea, the pearls expanding in the hot water. she poured the infusion into a delicate china tea cup on the table: cream-colored porcelain, edged with intricate golden patterns, antique wedgwood, a gift from her best friend years ago. they shared breakfast a bowl of ripe rainier cherries, still beaded with cold water from washing. the rain poured loudly outside the window and they conversed before the start of the day. he told her about the german film he had watched the night before, set in east berlin. she told him of the pages of the journal she had been reading before she fell asleep, the pages covered in her own handwriting from the six months of her engagement. breakfast was followed by a hot shower was followed by a morning of work. they sat side by side, both working from home. late in the day, long after photographs were processed and a cup of hot chocolate was savored in the afternoon, she curled her hair, she sprayed indian perfume. she wore a sequin adorned tulle top under a cashmere wrap and slipped her feet into black wedges. on main street, she met two creative and gorgeous girls: caroline & sarah. they gushed over one another's outfits; sarah dressed in a silk obakki top with strappy black stilettos and caroline dressed with a soft leopard printed scarf around her neck and the perfect line of liquid eyeliner on her lids. they were seated at the latin american latitude. they begin to catch up on one another's lives. ages passed before they even glanced at the menus. the perfect conversation, without lulls, continued for hours and hours. she ordered a flute of cava and the others drank argentinian malbec. they shared a starter plate of prawns sauteed with garlic, smoked chili, butter and grill bread, perfectly spiced. from the latin american street food inspired menu, three platters of tacos were ordered: one with steak and guacamole, one with chicken and tomatillo salsa, one with battered fish and cabbage and pickled red onion. between the rich flavors and sips of wine they shared their lives, their hearts. stories of their loves, of skincare, of fashion, of tiffany & co., of business, of monocle magazine, of engagements, of weddings, of photography, of films... and more and more and more. sarah reapplied nude lipstick in elegant sweeps. it was refreshing to be out, to be feminine, to be conversing, to be listening, to be giggling. they finished the evening with one dessert and three spoons: a decadent chocolate banana bread pudding with molten chocolate and cream, simply perfect.
