PART 4: - "The Strangest Thing"

It is Saturday and the day after the whole thing. She has to get up early to go to work, and he has to drive her. Even though he wants to be with her all the time he realises she won't be able to concentrate when he is there and watches her in action. And the fact that they have to practice for the huge fashion-event that evening doesn't make it easier.
- I'll see you tonight, love! she says and kisses him tenderly, and he leaves.

At home he finds a single white envelope on h is doorstep. He picks it up and gets inside before he opens it and reads the small pink card inside.

"No one loves you
as much as I do"

And that is all. No sender, no address, nothing. "Probably just Tania" , he smiles and puts it in his left breast pocket.

He sits down with the latest fashion-magazine and sees his pretty girlfriend on the cover. He can't help but smile, and still can't figure out why on earth he even got this chance. "We'll share the future, she will be a part of my life forever," he sighs and continues to read the magazine. She's not only on the cover but also on every 3rd page showing her flat belly, her smashing thighs, her beautiful face... "I have to talk to somebody," he concludes and dials Sarah's number. She is always there for him, and he knows it. If he had called in the middle of the night, she would have done whatever he wanted her to do. "She's great!"

Ten minutes later she is there in his couch and listens to more details than she really needs to hear. But she doesn't say anything - as always.
- I think I've died and gone to heaven, he ends the half an hour long monologue with.
- You must be very happy, she concludes. Just to say something before she brakes down to tears.
- Oh, I am, I am! This is different from anything else I've ever experienced. She's so... perfect!
- I don't mean to burst up your fantasy, but no one is perfect...

He thinks for a while and figures out that she is right.
- Direction: I haven't discovered any mistakes yet, so to me she IS perfect!
- Whatever you say, George. Whatever you say. Just don't get too disappointed when you realise that she's only a human being, she replies and yawns.

After another hour she is gone. He sits back and thinks about what she said to him, but he doesn't worry about it just yet. He just wants to enjoy perfection as long as he has it...

A present! Darn it, I should have asked Sarah when she was here about what to buy a woman...
Sarah's phone rings just as she steps inside her door.
- You again? No, I'm not being rude I was just shocked. Do you miss me that much? she laughs. Oh, a present for Tania. Sure, I'll help you out. I'll be ready in 5 minutes.
- What should I have done without you, Sarah? You're a lifesaver.
- Yeah, yeah, let's go.

Even though there is nothing else she wants to hear from him than words like that, she can't help but to feel a little uncomfortable. "Why do I have to blush every time he looks at me or says something nice to me? Why?" she thinks and puts on the radio.
- Oh, it's "If You Were My Woman"! I love that song! he says.
- Yeah, me too, she mumbles.

She lives for that song, the lyrics, and the hope that maybe one day he will talk to her the way the male vocalist sings to that woman. The man beside her starts to sing, and for the n ext 3 minutes she enjoys himself more than she has for a long, long time. She almost falls asleep because of his tender voice and the background song. Until...
- Wake up, sweetie! We' re here!
- So, what are you going to get her? Any idea?
- No, I was hoping that YOU could help me...

They walk up to the gigantic mall and she looks around for a proper shop. She takes notes, and has to laugh of some of the suggestions.
- Have you figured out something? he asks kindly.
- This might take some time, darling' , she says seriously. - What do you feel about some jewellery? Or in other words: What would TANIA feel about some jewellery?
- I don't know... I mean, she gets all she needs from her agency; she can even keep the things she shows on the catwalk.
- Jewellery and clothes is out of the question, then, right? Let's see, I have written down the following things: Perfume, cell-phone, flowers, music, videocassette, Walkman, pearls, a watch or a teddy bear.

He thinks about her suggestions, and replies after a few minutes with intense thinking:
- She doesn't need a cell-phone, she doesn't listen to music or watch films, she has an expensive watch and what grown woman wants a teddy bear?
- I do, she says and laughs. - And by the way, she's not 50, and all girls think teddies are sweet. But if that's out of the question, I suggest a Channel perfume and 3 red roses - to show her that you love her.

Back at his apartment he puts the roses in water, and the perfume on the bookshelf.
- What should I have done without you? he says and gives her a hug.
- You've already said that one time today, she replies fast.

She holds around him and feels like a teenager in love. He looks down at her, and for a brief moment their eyes meet and the time stands still. She is not the only one who notices, he feels the exact same thing and it scares him a little. Because for a second he felt like they were more than just neighbours and friends.
- You're my best friend, Sarah, and I love you, he says and gives her a kiss on her cheek.
- Love you too... pal..., she answers. In her heart she knows that he doesn't love her more than a friend, but she just said what she felt for him - more than just friends. She says goodbye and leaves his apartment.

Part 5