Broken Hearts On Boulevard Unirii novel Chapter 77

When the plane landed at Otopeni airport I took my trolley from the overhead bin and exited the plane. Within ten minutes of landing I was sitting in a taxi with Oana on our way to my apartment. She hugged me tightly and whispered into my ear, "I insist on every position that you described to me." I smiled and stroked her hair.

While the taxi driver was speeding through the wide streets of Bucharest, Oana asked him to take a slight detour. She wanted to go to her apartment and get some things for herself to take to my place, as I had told her that I would be in Bucharest for at least a week.

I wasn't really paying attention to where we were going, but I suddenly noticed that we were in a very shabby-looking neighborhood. All the buildings were ugly, long five-story blocks that looked like they had been never completed and the people just moved in. The buildings were totally neglected and extremely dilapidated.

When the cab stopped at the address, Oana asked me to wait a few minutes for her in the cab. I didn't listen to her and got out ready to follow her.

She stood in front of me blocking my way, and said, "I asked you to wait in the taxi."

"I want to see where and how you live," I replied.

"I live with someone. The apartment is probably not tidied up or she is in the apartment," she answered.

"Is it a 'he' or a 'she'?" I asked.

"Fine," she replied. "Do whatever you like. Come with me."

As soon as we entered the building, I was hit by a strong odor of cooking and a hallway strewn with tables and chairs.

"What's all this?" I asked.

"People have small apartments and don't have room for much furniture, so they eat in the corridor. It's also a great way to socialize with the neighbors," she answered.

I followed her up to the third floor. The scene was the same on every floor; tables, chairs, shoes and locked cabinets, all in the corridor.

She walked over to the corner apartment and unlocked the door. Immediately, a black cat jumped up and rubbed against her legs.

"Micio, my dear, come to Mommy," she said to the cat.

The cat purred, lifting her head as if asking for something.

"Mommy will get you some food, Micio sweetie," she said.

I followed her into the apartment, which was dark and cold as the rusty window frames allowed the cold to enter. There was a smell of mildew and the walls were covered with black, smelly spots. The apartment was neatly organized, but extremely neglected, with old furniture and a faded carpet. In the living room there was a brown worn-out sofa and in one corner there was a mat for the cat. The way the sofa looked, I would not dare to sit on it. I asked her if I could use the bathroom, as I realized that since I boarded the flight in Florence I had not gone to the bathroom. I looked at the walls, faucets, and bathtub, everything was very old, but maintained as best as possible.

"Don't tell anybody at home. Even my mother doesn't know yet," she said.

I took Angelo to a corner in the bar while the three girls sat in the kitchen conversing with each other.

"Angelo, is there any good business opportunity that you know of?"I asked.

Angelo wrinkled his forehead, thought for a minute and suddenly jumped up. "There is. I know somebody who is very anxious and is dying to sell his apartment for a bargain price," he said.

"Where is it located?" I asked.

"On Regina Elisabetta Street just outside Cismigiu Park, in the opposite direction of your apartment," he answered.

"How much does he want for it?" I asked curiously.

"He wants fifty thousand Euros, but I think he would settle for forty thousand," Angelo replied.