-Dude... I thought Milan was funnier… there are only churches and museums in this place -says Chandler grumbling while sitting on the plane seat looking at a tourist leaflet

-Don't be silly Chandler. Milan is wonderful. Besides, I already planned everything we are going to visit on my free days - Monica replies taking a notebook out of her bag

-Of course you planned ... -Chandler rolls his eyes imagining that he will spend two weeks looking at clothing stores of rich people and convincing Monica that they can't afford to pay 500 euros in a boot, whatever that is in dollars means

Upon arriving at the hotel, Monica already wanted to leave it and go to the "Quadrilatero della Moda" but Chandler refused saying that he was tired and that they could go on wednesday, two days later, when Monica would have the whole day off. Monica consented and they spent the rest of the day having dinner at the hotel, with Chandler having to watch his wife flirting with the waiter in an attempt to get the recipe for some dishes. Later, at night, they watched "Eat Pray Love". Although Monica didn't like this movie very much, Chandler thought it would be cool to watch a movie that takes place in Italy while they're in Italy.

On Wednesday, they left shortly after breakfast and Monica promised that as soon as they visited Bottega Veneta, Valentino, Bulgari ... (and other names that he didn't pay attention to but that were certainly too expensive) they would go look for something fun for him to do "We can look for some souvenir stores and buy you some t-shirts and pins." At that moment Chandler regretted not having found an excuse to stay in NY doing nothing with Joey.

/

After a few hours of walking and a few euros less, Chandler was already tired and asked his wife to return to the hotel.

-That's the last one, I promise. Valentino. It's my favorite.

-Monica, I'm hungry!

Monica went into a pizza shop and a few minutes later came back with a big piece and handed Chandler "Now, shall we?" and kept walking with some bags of clothes in hand.

Chandler tried to look angry but he was actually quite happy with his pizza and started to think about ways to annoy Joey by saying that the Italian version is much better than the American one but unfortunately he was unable to bring any pieces to his friend.

After a few minutes of walking (as it would be very expensive to pay a taxi to everyplace they were going) they arrived at Valentino and were immediately greeted by an elegant girl, who kept their shopping bags and directed them to the interior of the store, while presenting the products.

Chandler was walking bored around the store when he noticed from the reflection in the front store that there was a Burger King further down on the street and breathed a sigh of relief thinking he finally found a place that would fit his budget (and although he is not Joey, while visiting Italy, eating is never too much). He went to Monica and told her he was going there. He only received a nod as an answer as she was busy with the clothes, so he left the store.

Monica had fallen in love with a dress in the window shop and asked the clerk to take her size.

While watching a few more pieces on mannequins, some laughter in the background catches her eye. She turns and notices that next to the payment counter there is a man and a woman. They didn't wear a uniform, but because of their elegant attire and for being in a reserved area for employees, Monica imagined that they could be the heads of the place. They were both clearly flirting, maybe they were dating - not married, because despite the distance, she was able to notice that they didn't have engagement rings - but Monica couldn't help but find the situation a little inappropriate, considering that, out of respect for the customers, she would never behave with Chandler like that in her restaurant. She noticed that the man must have been in his late 40s or early 50s, he was tall, gray-haired and somewhat attractive, although he was not her type. The woman looked younger, although she could not tell exactly because she had her back to Monica almost hugged to him, she had long dark hair and was all dressed in black, with a tight long sleeve blouse, leather skirt with pantyhose and high heels.

Watching her, Monica was tempted to ask her if her shoes - very pretty, she thought - were sold in the store, and when she found the courage to go to her, the woman turned slightly to the side, so Monica was able to see her face.

Perplexed, Monica immediately turned her back and at that very moment the young girl arrived with her dress. "I forgot, I have an appointment with my restaurant, I need to go", went to the reception to pick up her bags and left the store, leaving the attendant without understanding the situation.

Unable to tell if she was walking fast or running, Monica quickly arrives at Burger King, where Chandler was sitting at one of the tables and eating a hamburger, while watching TV.

"Let's go"

"Already? You just walk into the store ... Or am I really into this Italian fashion show for newborns? "

"Chandler, I just want to go, come on!"

"But why? You said Valentino was your favorite store. Are the prices not expensive enough as you thought? " Chandler received a death glare from Monica and realized that it was best to leave without questioning further.

Upon returning to the hotel, Chandler realizes Monica is too quiet and a little upset. So when they get to the room he tries to talk to her to understand what happened.

"Mon, sit here" he says, calling her to sit with him on the bed "What happened? Did you have any clothes that you really wanted to buy but were too expensive? I know I complained a lot about money but just because I care about the kids's school… But if you really want to buy, we'll go back there and… "

"It's not that" she says in a mixture of frustration and irritation

"So?"

She keeps silent for a moment looking down

"She was there"

"She who? There where? " Chandler asks without understanding

"Rachel" she says emotionlessly still looking at the floor

"Rachel who?"

Monica looks Chandler in the eye in irritation and gets up from the bed

"Rachel! Our Rachel! She was there, flirting with a guy. Happy, as if nothing had happened, as if she hadn't disappeared! "

Chandler is thoughtful for a moment.

"Are you sure it was her?"

"Of course I do!"

"Ok, calm down. It's just… what was she doing there? Does she work there?

"I don't know, Chandler! Do you think I'm going to go over there and say 'Hi rach? Remember me? We were friends since high school but then you left a letter and left as if I never existed in your life and as if I didn't matter to you. My brother was completely devastated too, but how are you? Do you work here? By the way, is your shoe sold here in the store?' "

"Honey, it was seven years ago and ..."

"I don't care if it's been seven or seventy years! She should... I don't know... " she sits back on the bed "We were like sisters... She should have talked to me, or sought me out "

"Maybe you should tell her that"

"What?"

"Mon, Rachel was one of us. It also must not have been easy for her to go away, especially in the conditions she was in"

"I know... It's just that..."

"Maybe this trip came about for that. Destiny thing, I don't know. All those Phoebe's stuff "

Monica is thoughtful for a few moments.

"What if she doesn't want to talk to me anymore?"

"Come on honey, it's Rachel"

"Yeah, but you didn't see her. She was all fancy and living in Italy… Maybe she has become these arrogant bitches".

"I'm pretty sure she didn't and besides, she had always dressed like a barbie"

"Maybe you're right... But you need to come with me"

"Of course I will" He says giving a kiss on his wife's forehead

/

Two days later, on Friday, Chandler and Monica are going to the local Valentino again, this time in a taxi because if they went on foot, nervousness would perhaps prevent them and so it was better to be "carried" until they had no option. On the way, Monica hoped that everything had been a misunderstanding and that she had been confused. "After all, that woman is brunette and Rachel has always been blonde" she thought.

When they arrive at the store, Monica lets out a sigh of relief for not seeing her (and also for not seeing the attendant with whom she had been inelegant in some way). Taking this as a signal to leave, she takes Chandler's arm but receives a comforting look from her husband implying that they should stay.

"Excuse me" Chandler asks an employee who was fixing the window shop

"May I help you?"

"Does Rachel Green work here?" Monica notes that there is a certain hesitation in his voice

The employee gets up and looks at them with a doubtful look

"Are you two from the press?"

"Yes, we are doing an article for the magazine… Early Style…about... milan fashion for newborns"

"Oh sure" The young men smiles and Chandler and Monica look surprised that he believed "Unfortunately you should have made an appointment and, besides, Ms. Green usually answers the journalists by phone"

"That's ok, Christopher. Send them in." They both recognized the voice and Monica realized that it was not all a big mistake.

Now she was hesitantly heading for the back office.