What do you want me to do?
You don’t want to lose Larry, do you
She nodded her head.
You know, Larry is very loyal to others. If you don’t have his wife, he won’t. If you know this, you have to be friends with Sophie. You must put it in the past and be as kind as possible to Sophie. She should get married and need to buy some new clothes. You might as well discuss accompanying her to buy them. I think she will definitely say yes.
Isabel narrowed her eyes and seemed to be absorbed in listening to me. She pondered for a long time, but I couldn’t guess what she was thinking. I was quite surprised by her reaction.
Can you meet her for lunch? I just said that to Larry yesterday. It would be embarrassing for me to ask.
Do you promise to behave yourself after I ask questions?
Be absolutely quiet, she replied, with the most charming smile.
I’ll arrange it right away
As soon as I found Sophie’s number, I waited for a long time. Anyone who speaks French must wait patiently and finally get through to my name.
As soon as I arrived in Paris, I heard that you and Larry were getting married. I wish you all happiness. I almost called because Isabel was wringing my arm hard. When I was in Paris for a short time, I wondered if Larry could have lunch at the Ritz the day after tomorrow. I would also invite Gray Isabel Eliot Tamburton.
I’ll ask Larry. He’s just here. He’s temporarily out of tone. Yeah, I’d love to.
I made a polite remark when I was sure, so I put the receiver down. At this moment, I caught a glimpse of Isabel’s strange eyes, which made me less worried.
What are you thinking? I asked her, I don’t like your expression.
I’m sorry, I-that’s the look on your face.
You’re not up to any tricks, are you, Isabel?
Her eyes are wide open.
I promise not. Actually, I’m curious to see what Sophie has become after Larry’s guidance. I hope she won’t wear too much makeup when she comes to the Ritz.
five
I did a good job at this small dinner party. Gray Isabel went to the restaurant five minutes ago. Larry Sophie McDonnell also showed Isabel Sophie kissing her cheek intimately. Isabel Gray also congratulated her on her engagement. I caught a glimpse of Isabel’s quick look at Sophie’s appearance. Before I saw her in the three cafes in Lapp Street, her face was covered with thick powder, her hair was dyed reddish brown, she was dressed in bright green, and she was drunk. Her eyes were provocative and coquettish, but today she was ordinary. Simplicity, though actually one or two years younger than Isabel, looks much older. She still proudly holds her head high, but somehow it makes people feel very sad. Her hair has returned to color and dyed, and her new hair looks sloppy except that her lips are painted red, her face is rough and her skin is morbidly pale. In my impression, her eyes are bright green, but now she is dim. She is wearing a red dress, and she can tell at a glance that it is a new one with a hat, shoes and handbag. Although I don’t know how to wear women’s clothes, I always think it is a little too much for occasions. Pay attention to something. She wears eye-catching artificial jewelry on her chest, which is very similar to that bought in Rivoli Street. Compared with Isabel, she wears a black silk necklace and a beautiful hat. Sophie doesn’t look gaudy and rustic next to her.
I ordered cocktails, but Larry Sophie refused. Eliot arrived late. When crossing the spacious hall, he met one acquaintance, shaking hands and kissing hands, as if the Ritz Hotel was his home. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the guests. He didn’t know Sophie’s experience over the years and knew that her husband and children were killed in a car accident. Now he wanted Larry to get married. As soon as he came to us, he showed his skillful skills and congratulated them in all kinds of ways. Then we went into the restaurant together. Because it was four men and two women, I asked Isabel Sophie to sit face to face with Sophie, and the round table was not big.
Old friend, you don’t know wine, Abel. Give me the wine list. Eliot said unilaterally while turning over the wine that I can drink mineral water, but I must let everyone drink good wine.
Abel, his sommelier, is an old acquaintance. After a heated discussion, they decided what wine to order. Then Eliot turned to Sophie and asked her where you were going for your honeymoon, dear.
He glanced at her dress and raised his eyebrows slightly with almost no trace. I don’t think so
We are going to Greece.
I’ve always wanted to go to Greece for ten years, Larry said, but I don’t know that I never made it.
The scenery should be the best this season. Isabel said it was full of interest.
She must remember that when Larry wanted to marry her, it seemed to be Larry’s obsession to discuss taking her to Greece for her honeymoon.
The chat didn’t go well. Fortunately, Isabel was there, otherwise I would have been unable to maintain the atmosphere. She behaved extremely well. Once the topic was about to be interrupted, she picked up some light-hearted witticisms when I wanted to find a new topic. I really appreciate Sophie’s little mouthfuls. She barely spoke a few words when others were talking to her. It seems that her heart has been ripped out. I can’t help but wonder if Larry was too restrained for her. If I really expected that she would be drunk and drug-addicted, she would definitely be mentally depressed. I caught a glimpse of each other when she stopped. Looking at Larry’s face full of tenderness and encouragement, Sophie revealed some kind of pity and begged Gray to be honest and maybe aware of the present situation, so she reminded Sophie of Larry’s miraculous cure of his headache and then showed that she owed him dependence.
Now I am very healthy, and he continues to say that I will return to the workplace as soon as I find a job. At present, I hope that several opportunities will be finalized soon. It must be great to wait for me to go home.
Gray is well-meaning, but what he said is not very harmonious. In my judgment, Larry should treat Gray in the same way to deal with Sophie’s serious drinking problem.
Gray, have you had any more headaches? Eliot asked.
I haven’t sent it for three months. Every time I feel a headache, I’ll be fine. He took Larry out of his pocket and gave it to that ancient coin. It’s my precious treasure.
We were going to have coffee after dinner when the sommelier came to ask if we wanted dessert wine, but when Gray ordered a brandy and the sommelier brought the bottle, Eliot insisted on seeing it for himself.
This wine is good and worth recommending. It won’t do you any harm.
Would you like a small glass, sir? asked the sommelier
Well, I don’t drink anywhere now
Eliot spoke in detail about kidney problems, and the doctor forbade him to drink.
It doesn’t matter if you drink some Polish vodka, sir. The great thing about this wine is to treat low back pain. We just got a batch from Poland.
Really? It’s hard to drink these days. Bring me the bottle.
The sommelier was chubby and dignified, with a long silver chain around his neck. Eliot told us that it was Polish vodka, but it was more advanced than vodka in all aspects.
I used to drink at Laziviu’s house, and when I went hunting in Poland, I stayed at their house. You should have seen the prince of Poland drink this wine, one glass after another, and it’s no exaggeration to keep his face straight. Of course, their fine blood is aristocratic. Sophie, you must try Isabel, and you must try it. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The sommelier brought me the bottle, and Larry Sophie refused, but Isabel said she would like to try it. I was very surprised. After all, she used to taste it, but she had already drunk two cocktails and two or three glasses of wine that day. The sommelier poured a small glass of light green liquid and Isabel sniffed a few.