2 months later

"Wake up Charlie"

"No, I don't want to."

"Yes, You have to."

This scene takes place in New York. Charlie and Sophie are lying on their immense bed in their new bedroom in their flat (or apartment as Sophie says). After the marriage, The love couple went on tour in Europe as their honeymoon. With no more than their clothes and backpacks, they went to France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and then back to the states. They had no fixed patterns, no desired countries to visit. They relaxed and took it day-by-day. Well back to the States, Charlie had only to look once at Sophie's flat to decide that he wanted to move. The flat was cosy and charming but he wanted something bigger, with more spaces and more rooms. Sophie consented to it at last and they took some furniture into the new home. This flat was more spacious. From the entrance, one could go in the kitchen trough the open door to the left To reach the living room, one has to walk along the small corridor until one can see the living room full with light. Two huge windows face the city and the morning sun. The dining room is place behind the living room so to go from the kitchen to the dining room, one have to walk by the couch and the TV to the right, an inevitable attraction. The bedrooms are located to the right of the kitchen with one bathroom intersecting with the two bedrooms side by side.

"Come on Charlie. It is your first day at work. The people there are going to be so kind and friendly to you," said Sophie. He was so pride and brave in other cases, why did he have to be so scared now? "Americans are known to be friendly people."

"Yeah I know but they love to talk. I haven't met one American who doesn't love to talk. We British people learn to appreciate silence. Anyway, I would rather stay in bed with you," answered Charlie with a smile.

"Oh yeah? Then you are going to be disappointed because I am going to make some coffee now. I won't live another second without it. Should I set the water for the tea?" Sophie made a move to go to the wardrobe when she was stopped by Charlie's hand on her waist.

"Wait! Stay with me, please. I am so lonely here," pleaded Charlie. He looked so cute and Sophie could never resist cute faces. She let him pull her back to the bed where he kissed her passionately. But he was stopped ten seconds later by Sophie, fleeing out of his arms, which caused him a sigh of frustration. Sophie laughed and went to dress herself. Charlie followed her with his eyes until she left the room. He dropped back on the cushions with a smile of contentment. Oh he had her in tight grip indeed! They completed each other perfectly, especially in the morning. He loved to snooze while she went up directly at the first alarm tone. He loved her too much to be irritated at it. He had, none the less, a work to go to so he dressed quickly. In the kitchen, the toaster was busy. Both he and Sophie weren't much of breakfast people so they each ate some toasts and a cup of coffee or tea. It has quickly become routine for them and they were comfortable with it. Another routine was the breakfast in the dining room with the TV on. They listened to the morning news with a sigh at some horrible news and a smile with a positive info. Today was something new. Charlie had from his work in London, good recommendations from his boss. He applied to several places and everyone accepted him. He just had to pick and choose. He finally decided for a small and successful company 10 min with taxi (without any traffic). He felt that the atmosphere was positive and that the people were happy and contended. Today was the first official day with the company. He had visited it before to absorb and observe the energy and the mentality of the company. The job was very well paid too so he couldn't ask for less. Sophie was happy for Charlie too. She knew how much he would miss London and his colleagues when he moved in here. She hoped that his new work would be to his expectations. She had to rush.

"Hey honey, I have to go. Be a good boy now and we will se each other at dinner." She kissed him goodbye and disappeared through the door.

"I won't!" shouted he after her.

The days went by easily. Charlie determined that the work was something good after all. His colleagues weren't as talkative as he had predicted. He quickly became an object of attraction to the numerous secretaries and females colleagues because of his British accent. He enjoyed the attention and then crushed their dreams when they were told that he was married. They did however not cry too long because they renewed their flattery the day after. After all, forbidden fruit is more dangerously attractive than legal fruit. Sophie on the hand was very successful with her stories. The New Yorker was never so popular as it was now. It was like people wanted to read about happiness and happy endings. Sophie provided them the satisfaction of feeling happy with their life and life in general. She became so successful that she received her own column. Charlie was so pride that he read aloud the all article to his colleagues at work. Sophie gradually became more confident with her work and accepted that Charlie would marvel at her stories until the world ends. Victor was too distracted to compliment her writing. It took is as a fact and never actually really saw her writing. She reflected now and observed that he had never really listened to her at any time. Their first date was marked by Victor interrupting her by complimenting the restaurant for their good food. He loved to talk about himself. This was a trait she now forgiven. He was, she realised, an artist and artist were known to be lunatic and impatient. Sophie didn't know if this was true for all artists but it matched in Victor's case. Sophie had actually met the man in question some days ago. She was gone to buy some bagels and passed his restaurant. She went in by curiosity and discovered a restaurant filled with customers. The restaurant breathed of elegance and refinement. She had always loved his idea and was enchanted that everything has worked out best for him. She went in the direction of the kitchens before some nearby waiter stopped her. Probably new she thought because everyone knew her there. She did however not flinch and asked the waiter to call for Victor from her. It didn't take 5 min for the chef to receive her. Victor walked out of the kitchen with his full uniform. He looked as handsome as ever. The only difference was his haircut, cut short and masculine.

"Sophie, my dear Sophie, it is so nice to meet you!" he took her in his arms for a friendly hug.

"Hey Victor. You are as lucky as ever I see," replied Sophie.

"This is crazy, I have customers all the time. They won't stop from coming. I would really enjoy a break sometimes, said Victor with a theatrical sigh

"No you won't. You love actions. You would cook in your sleep if you could, " answered Sophie with a laugh.

"Yeah you're right", admitted Victor. He looked at her more attentively this time. " Oh Caspita Sophie! You look wonderful!"

"You don't look bad either. How are you nowadays?"

"I am good. I have so much to do with the restaurant that I can't breath!" Victor looked happy. Sophie felt that he was a free soul; he needed to settle his own rules and fly free before he accepted someone else. She felt a rush of affection toward him. She had always liked him and hoped that they would stay friends in the future.

"I am so happy for you Victor but I actually have to rush. You are certainly very occupied too I imagine. But we will stay in touch, will we not? I don't want to lose your friendship."

"No Sophie. You can count on me. The secrets recipes are great success. Everyone wants to how I cook it. But I say to them that the secrets will go with me to the grave." He smiled.

"I am so glad. Take care of yourself Victor." She kissed him on the cheek and left the restaurant and left as happy as a fish in the sea. She rushed home, home to Charlie.