
Silverstro, or new year's night in Italian, nine o'clock...
The restaurant is still open, it looks very crowded now. It looks like he's having a new year's event. The table at the front is also full. He just thanked me the next morning after my message I threw the key under the door. His car was still next to his restaurant, a sign he was there. Why do I want to see her again now, that kiss last night made things a little messy. I deflected my car and found parking immediately.
“Bova, you're here.” He smiled at me behind the bar.
“Organize a party?”
“Ahh yes, my reservoir is full so I set up a little entertainment here.” There was a singer on a small stage in the corner, singing love songs with piano accompaniment that was already there. The bar is also full of visitors. He helps the bar serve. “You want to drink what?”
“Dry martini only.” He quickly prepared for me. I went into the bar. Sit in a corner so as not to disturb letting other guests get their seating spots.
“Why are you there?” He looked at me in wonder.
“That's okay for guests, I've eaten, don't mind me, just do your job.” He smiled, gave me his martin.
“I'm a bit busy, but this much crowd makes happy.” She was in high spirits, unlike yesterday grieving over her husband's phone. I'm glad to see him excited now.
“It's new year's night, what are you doing here Don Juan? Don't have a date? You just stand at the bar table, someone will take you out.” I grimaced. He always thought I was getting a woman by just winking.
“Nothing, accompany me okay. I know you're alone too.”.
“I have to work.”
“Can I help? Even a small job can."
"You're serious?" He looked at me in disbelief.
"200% serious."
"Can you help out at the beer and soft drink counter? You can't mix cocktails. The one on duty here in the oper to the kitchen. Waiter will tell you what they need."
"All right." And I helped out next to him, just this time I was celebrating the new year by helping out at the bar, and it was fun actually. Some girls don't mind teasing me. I just know the one who served at the bar had to be friendly and didn't mind being talked to. I serve them kindly. I rarely get along with people I don't know.
Eliza smiled to see me enjoying my work.
"I didn't think I could get the help of the most handsome bartender in Milan tonight." Now he's nudging me. I don't know why I'm happy now when I usually question what's behind the compliment. "How should I pay you?"
"You're gonna have to face my mom next week. It's already paid." She laughs.
Almost 12 o'clock the restaurant still had a few guests, but most now orders are switching to drinks and desserts. And almost 12 o'clock it seems they went out into the street to see the fireworks.
"The hotel up ahead we set off fireworks." So the restaurants are also opening participating this year launching along with their count. We're all going out there. It's almost 12 o'clock let's get out..." He pulled my hand out following the crowd that had already gathered in the boulevars in front of the restaurant and clenched my hand without awkwardness.

In front of us are many people gathered. While Plazza de Duomo who is not too far from us has started a new year's commotion. But only sporadic explosions, by the crowds that gather there every year. And then the sound of trumpets began to sound.
"Funny isn't it..." His eyes are on me . I smiled, grabbed him and he didn't mind. The big screen up ahead is already doing the math. And everyone cheered at the last count.
"Happy New Year, ..." He hugged me warmly.
I never thought I'd be spending the new year with just a friend in Milan, working in a bar. I didn't plan it, I wanted to go to Paris to take Sophia, but the drama she had done made me cancel all my plans.
"The Happy New Year." I hugged him too. Remembering how she hugged me tightly last night. But it's not really me he wants.
Why does it feel like I want to take the name Javier mentioned last night out of his mind. The man didn't deserve to make her so sad.
"Let's go back." We got into the restaurant then, the guests have almost gone all out now. Some just make payments.
"Tomorrow you open."
"No, everyone has worked hard. Tomorrow we close and reopen on the 2nd. Tomorrow I just want to see Valentina back."
"He'll be fine..."
"I hope so too." He's lookingat me. "What night did I say strange things? Doing something weird? My memory's a little messed up? Actually don't remember at all." I grimaced. If he finds out I took the chance to kiss him he'll kill me.
"No, what can a drunk person say other than to be too happy. Unless you say I'm handsome and hug me forcibly."
"I hugged you forcibly?" He's wide-eyed now.
"Yes, don't let me go home and hug me like I'm your boyfriend until you fall asleep..." His face is now flushed.
"I did that?" He doesn't seem to believe it.
"What's wrong, you can do it again. Next time I'll stay until morning. I'd be yours all night."
"You must have made it up..."
"A drunk is free to do anything. But only once. Next time you hug me like you're gonna eat me you'll know the consequences." I'm happy to tease him. She's quiet. Maybe he did feel like he was hugging someone last night.
"sorry. I trouble you..." He even apologized. I grimaced wide.
"What's wrong. That's what friends are for."
"I just hugged you. Nothing else is." I didn't answer him, just smiled a little, acted like there was something but didn't tell him.
"No. There's no..." He looked at me and asked again, but he didn't seem to dare. Enough that his clothes were still attached to his body seemed to have made him grateful.
"Hmm okay. Anyway thank you."
"All right, I'm home. You should go home too, you must be tired too. Happy new year Vanilla. Next year you'll be better." I hugged her briefly, and she accepted.
"Happy new year too." He smiled at me. I waved at him, then got into the car while the excitement of the new year still felt around me.
I feel happy and at peace. I don't know why, even though I missed the new year just by watching fireworks on the streets.