CHAPTER - 141

  Iris: (yawning, stretching) Let’s hurry and get dressed…

  I’m in desperate need of coffee.

  Valeria: (getting up slowly, eyes still half-shut) Ugh… fine…

  but if I faint on the street, it’ll be your fault.

  Dav: (already up, tossing away the magazine) Alright, I’m heading down.

  See you in the cafeteria.

  Cafeteria

  Narrator: The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants filled the air.

  The morning light filtered through the large windows of the cafeteria, coloring everything with a golden hue.

  Dav walked in with a relaxed step, hands in his pockets, observing the sleepy shuffle of the first students.

  Behind the glass counters, Margherita was arranging the breakfast items with her usual care.

  She saw him approaching and gave him a warm, affectionate smile, like a mother seeing her son again.

  “Good morning, Dav! Here you go, your favorite croissant.”

  She handed it to him wrapped in a colorful paper napkin.

  “Thanks for helping Iris every Sunday. It really means a lot to her, knowing you’re there.”

  Dav smiling as he takes the croissant:

  “Oh please… I actually enjoy it.

  Going out with her, chatting… and then having lunch together.

  She’s great company.”

  Margherita, amused, gave him a gentle elbow to the arm.

  “You’re too modest… So? When are you bringing me a little grandchild?”

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  Dav chuckling, a crumb on his lip:

  “Who knows…”

  Just then, Iris and Valeria entered the cafeteria.

  Their hair was messy, their faces still half-asleep.

  Valeria was hanging off Iris’s arm, her head resting on her shoulder as if every step was a burden.

  Dav looking at them, trying not to laugh:

  “Sleeping Beauty… is sleeping while standing!”

  Valeria let out a barely audible groan and collapsed into a chair, her face buried in the table with a resigned sigh.

  Iris, more awake, went to get two coffees.

  Valeria: (without lifting her head, to Dav) How much do you usually shop for…?

  Dav: (grinning slyly, bringing his coffee to his lips) Not much… don’t worry.

  A few hours later

  Narrator: The sun was high, and in the supermarket’s large parking lot, the three of them stood with four shopping carts overflowing with bags.

  Valeria: (biting Dav’s arm, exasperated) LIAR! You lied to me!

  I’ve never seen so much stuff in my life!

  It felt like a military operation! Searching for everything, checking lists, and those carts that wouldn’t budge!

  Dav: (laughing heartily, leaning on a cart) AHAHAH! Come on, with you we finished earlier today!

  Iris: (smiling sweetly) Yes, really… you were amazing, Vale.

  Thank you!

  Valeria: (huffing, but with a smug smile) Well… there’s always a reward for hard work, right?

  (looking at Dav with expectation)

  Dav: (gently patting her head) Exactly.

  I’ll take you somewhere quiet for lunch, and you can pick all the desserts you want.

  Downtown café

  Narrator: The café was cozy, with rustic decor and hanging plants near the windows.

  They sat in the back, near a wall decorated with black-and-white photos of the old city.

  Valeria: (rubbing her hands together, curious) What dessert do you recommend?

  Dav: (raising an eyebrow with a half-smile) "The Chocolate Triumph."

  Iris loves it so much she orders it every week.

  Iris: (blushing, crossing her arms) It’s not my fault it’s that good!

  Valeria: (laughing) Then I’ll get that too!

  Narrator: The waitress came over and took their orders.

  While waiting, the girls chatted about their outfits.

  “I told you, Iris! You look stunning in those tight black jeans and that black top.

  They go perfectly with your long hair and that graceful figure of yours.”

  Iris, smiling and fixing her hair:

  “Thanks… it’s you who convinced me to wear them, I wasn’t sure this morning.”

  At that moment, she noticed Dav watching her with a calm but intense gaze.

  He had his elbow on the table, his cheek resting on his hand, and gave her a little wink with a faint smile.

  Iris blushed slightly and smiled back.

  The waitress returned with their food.

  Dav ordered his usual: a juicy burger, crispy golden fries, and steamed green beans.

  Iris and Valeria, a bit more refined, received tender herb-seasoned veal with roasted potatoes, followed by tortellini with ragù and a sprinkle of aged cheese.

  And finally… the famous Chocolate Triumphs: layers of mousse, ganache, and a molten heart of warm chocolate that oozed out when they dipped their spoons in.

  The two girls tasted their desserts with sparkling eyes. Then, almost in unison, each offered a spoonful to Dav.

  Valeria and Iris, looking at Dav:

  "Here, try some too!"

  Dav looked at them, slightly surprised, then smiled and took a bite.

  joking, looking up:

  “Okay, now I get why you always order this.”

  The girls burst out laughing.

  As they kept chatting like sisters, Dav got up to pay the bill.

  They left together, laughing, with the shopping bags in hand, ready to head back to the academy.

  END OF CHAPTER - 141