Susan was getting ready to go out that night, meanwhile Gerard couldn't stop working on his sketch as he would transfer it onto a canvas in New York.
After looking through her closet several times, Susan finally settled on a black pantsuit, 10 cm high heels, and a red coat to keep her warm in the cool night. She decided to apply some makeup and while giving herself the finishing touches, something caught her attention – the sparkle on her hand. She couldn't help but gaze at her wedding ring.
After a few minutes of contemplation, Susan took off her wedding ring and engagement ring, placing them in her old jewelry box.
...****************...
As promised, Joanne came to pick up Susan.
"You look elegant, you'll surely make an impression," Joanne said. Susan smiled.
"I seriously doubt that at my age I can make an impression, but I'll settle for not evoking pity. The last thing I want to hear is,"There goes that poor old abandoned woman.
"Susan, we're not old. I think your biggest trauma is that he left you for a younger girl."
"We are not the same age, you're much older," Susan teased her friend.
"You're wicked! We'll tell everyone that you're my older sister," Joanne responded, and they both burst into laughter.
"Thank you, Joanne. You're a great friend," Susan said, showing her hand.
"You'll see, everything will soon go back to normal. You just need to give it some time and get used to this new reality."
...****************...
Meanwhile, David Cooper was in his car, about to have dinner with Chloe to celebrate her twenty-first birthday.
"We'll go dancing after dinner, you promised me, David," she said.
"We could leave it for another day. Understand, I'm tired. I've been working all week, and the last thing I want is to go to a place with loud music, getting pushed around, stepped on. Go with your friends," David told her.
The waiter escorted David to his table and handed him the wine menu. The place was very exclusive.
He recognized several people there, including Steve, his daughter, her fiance, and their future in-laws.
Joanne's car stopped at the exclusive restaurant. They were just entering when they bumped into some other friends. The four of them walked animatedly, while Gerard waited inside the restaurant. As soon as he saw Joanne and Susan arrive, he immediately stood up.
"Joanne, Susan!" Gerard greeted Joanne's other friends, a woman named Ana, her husband Troy, and a man named Jesse. "Please, have a seat, Susan," Gerard said, pulling out her chair.
She took a seat beside him. The waiter arrived to take their orders. He ordered a Martini for himself and a Daiquiri for Susan. She looked at it and said, "You'll like it, you'll see!" He commented. The conversation was lively, filled with anecdotes from Joanne's trips.
"How do you like the Daiquiri?" Gerard asked. She looked at him and smiled.
"It's very good, sorry," she said.
"Why would I need an apology?" he asked. She looked at him again.
"For the bottle and for being so unfriendly. I'd say it's because of the moment, but I'm not sure if that's the case."
"How about we start over? Nice to meet you, I'm Gerard Dubois, a 38-year-old French painter," he said.
"Nice to meet you too, I'm Susan MacMillan, 45 years old, Joanne's older sister," she replied, bursting into laughter.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Susan MacMillan." The dinner progressed with laughter and pleasant conversation.
"We should continue this gathering. I know a bar where they play incredible music," Gerard suggested.
"Yes, come with us, Susan. You'll have fun," Joanne chimed in.
"Leave her be, she's tired. I'll accompany her to the car," Gerard offered.
"No, it's not necessary. I'll take a taxi," she said.
"Then let me accompany you home. I won't let you take a taxi alone," he insisted.
"No, you won't. Take her in my car, we'll see you at the bar. I'll send you the address," Joanne said.
Susan said her goodbyes to everyone, and as she approached the elevator, he took her coat and helped her put it on.
"This is completely ridiculous. I can go alone," she said.
"I won't leave you alone on the streets," he replied. The elevator doors opened, Susan stepped in and positioned herself in the back. He followed and stood beside her. Other people got in and stood in front of them. The doors closed, and the elevator began to descend. The doors opened again, and the people in front of them got off. Susan looked sideways.
"Are you planning to go to New York with Joanne?" Gerard asked. She turned her face and saw David standing behind them with Chloe. "Susan!" exclaimed Gerard.
"She didn't say when she would go, but of course I'll come to see your exhibition," she said.
David Cooper turned around and saw Susan. "Susan!" exclaimed David, surprised.
"Hi David. Sorry, I didn't introduce you. This is Gerard Dubois, and he's David Cooper," Susan said as if that was enough.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Cooper," greeted Gerard.
"Pleasure to meet you. This is Chloe, my partner," David said.
"Good evening," Susan greeted her.
"Good evening," she responded.
"So, if you're going to New York, I'll have to prepare a welcome for you. In fact, I have a surprise for you," he said excitedly. She looked at him and smiled.
"And what if I can't go?" she asked.
"Then you could visit me in France. Just imagine, you, Joanne, and I strolling through Paris."
The elevator stopped, and the four of them exited. "Take care, David," she said. As soon as they were out, Gerard placed a hand on her back.
"You tell me where the car is," Gerard said.
"I think it's over there. I once lost mine," she said, and they both started laughing.
David Cooper got into his car and watched Susan walk through the parking lot.
Finally, the car was in the area Susan had mentioned. Gerard opened the door for her to get in.
"Thank you," she said, and he looked at her.
"What I said in the elevator is true. I want you to go to New York, and if you can't, I want you to come visit me in Paris," he told her.
"I meant it too. I'll come to see you in New York," she smiled. She got into the car, and Gerard closed the door. He turned around and got in, driving towards her house. Ten minutes later, the car stopped in front of her house.
"Thank you, although I still believe I could have come alone," she said while unbuckling her seatbelt.
Gerard got out of the car and opened the door, extending his hand to help her.
"I'll tell you something that might help you, or maybe not. They left you for someone younger, and they left me for someone older and wealthier. The problem isn't us; the problem is with them. They don't know what they want or they're not satisfied with what they have."
"I'm sorry," Susan responded.
"At first, I was too. But over time, I realized it was for the best. I deserved more than what I had. Trust me, you'll come to that conclusion too. Rest, Susan. I'll see you in New York," he told her and kissed her on the cheek. He got back in the car but didn't leave until she entered her house.
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