Katerina swallowed and glanced at the couple, an apologetic look on her face. Soon the three of them continued talking while Mano went back to his phone.
“Mano, are you from here, from Athens?” Anna asked much later, as they were discussing Patra’s Carnival.
“No.”
“Katerina and I are from here. Ody is from Patra. You?”
He looked up, the same bored indifference in his eyes. “Volos,” he replied, slipped his phone into his pocket and stood up.
“Where are you going?” Katerina asked.
“Bathroom.” He went inside and entered one of the restrooms. When he came out, he washed his hands and studied his reflection. He adjusted a black lock of hair that fell neatly across his forehead, held in place by the styling clay he had used.
The door opened and two young guys walked in, one of them bumping clumsily into his shoulder. “Sorry, man,” the guy said quickly.
Just before reaching the main exit of the café, his phone rang. He looked at the screen and sighed. “What do you want, Stella?” he said, irritation obvious the second he answered.
“At least say hi first.”
“Hi. What do you want?”
“You can’t just disappear on me after all this, Mano.”
Ody, still talking with the girls, noticed Mano in the background, standing with his phone to his ear.
“Just tell me what you want. I’m out,” Mano said, impatience clear in his voice.
“I want you to come over.”
“What?” His eyebrow lifted.
“I guess you forgot the sex we’ve had. Didn’t we have fun all this time?”
“This is sudden.”
“Not at all. Maybe you should check your DMs once in a while,” she snapped. “So, should I expect you?”
“No.”
“If you don’t come, I’ll message the girl you’re seeing this week. Katerina, isn’t it?” she asked, anger sharpening her tone.
Mano clenched his teeth so tightly, a sharp line formed along his already sculpted jaw. “Are you threatening me? Tell her everything. You think I care?” He let out a dismissive chuckle.
“Okay, Mano, your choice. Bye!” She hung up.
He walked back to the table, visibly irritated. “I’m leaving,” he announced.
All three looked at him.
“Why, what happened?” Katerina asked.
“I’m pissed off.” He grabbed the helmets from the chair.
“Wait... Mano!” she called, jumping to her feet. “Guys, I’m so sorry, I don’t even know what to say. I’ll go see what happened.” She looked at the couple.
“Yeah, don’t worry,” Anna reassured her as they watched her run after him.
“Mano!” She grabbed his arm when she caught up. “Are you gonna tell me what happened?”
