That morning, Armando happened to drive past his friend’s favorite spot by the sea. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he grumbled under his breath, berating himself for his poor planning. He was annoyed that he’d promised a colleague to fly to Rome with him today to sort out some work matters. He knew full well that after partying at a wedding in Cagliari, catching an early flight would be a struggle. And, sure enough, he’d missed it. He had to face the embarrassment in front of his colleagues, then head back home to try again tomorrow.
But wait—what was this? He never expected to see Davide’s motorcycle parked here. Armando slammed on the brakes.
No way! Davide had just gotten married yesterday; he should be curled up in bed with his brand-new wife right now. Hmm... and what a wife she was... Man, some guys have all the luck. He’d snagged himself a stunning blonde. A real knockout. That figure, those moves, that smile... And, oh, so fiery... In that gorgeous white dress, Mica was absolutely breathtaking! A true princess. All of Davide’s friends suddenly wanted a catch like her. Even confirmed bachelor Gianni started talking about settling down. Though, let’s be honest, he was probably joking. Who could put up with him?
The first time Armando laid eyes on his friend’s fiancée, he instantly understood why Davide had caved so quickly to his parents’ pressure to tie the knot. Hmm... If someone had set him up with a girl like that, he wouldn’t have said no either. Though... later on, something about her started to rub him the wrong way. He didn’t quite like it. But... maybe it was just his overactive imagination after a few too many drinks? After all, he and Davide had knocked back a couple of shots for courage before the wedding. It’s not every day you get married—nerves, you know. Maybe she was just stressed too? He hoped that was all it was.
But... no, that was definitely Davide’s bike. Armando would recognize that Ducati anywhere. They’d picked out the design on the side panel together. And that shade of burgundy? No one else in Livorno had anything like it.
He got out of the car and made his way down the hill to the shore. Near the water’s edge, a young man sat hunched over. A helmet lay on the sand beside him. The guy had his head down, staring blankly ahead. He looked so forlorn, as if he carried the weight of the world on his broad shoulders. Armando approached quietly and sat down next to Davide. His friend slowly turned his head, gave him an indifferent glance, then looked back out at the sea. It was as if he was searching for something important in the waves, or hoping to hear an answer in their rhythm.
After a while, Davide finally spoke:
“You know, I’ve always loved this place. I’d come here on good days and bad. On romantic evenings, I’d bring girls here, and on tough days... it helped me clear my head and think. But today... for some reason, it’s not working,” he sighed heavily, glancing at his friend.
“What’s going on? I never thought I’d see you here the morning after your wedding. Why aren’t you at home with your beautiful bride? What happened? Was the wedding night not what you expected or something?”
“Don’t talk nonsense! What wedding night?! I barely survived it!” Davide grimaced.
“Are you serious? I don’t get it. Tell me what’s up,” Armando said, growing more puzzled. Could it really be that bad?
“Ugh... I don’t even know how to explain it. You saw a bit of it. And then...”
“Well... I noticed a few things, but... after I left with Bianca, did something else happen? What did I miss?” Armando asked, concern creeping into his voice.
“Borelli, you missed quite a show...” Davide exhaled heavily. “And I’m glad you did. At least someone didn’t witness that embarrassment,” he said, running a hand through his dark hair before slumping back onto the sand. His gaze returned to the waves.
“Come on, man! What happened?!”
Davide let out a bitter chuckle and turned away for a moment. He closed his eyes, sinking into memories of the day before.
At first, everything had been perfect. Such a stunning bride, such a radiant smile. He’d been mesmerized by the delicate white rose he’d been lucky enough to call his own. That alluring figure, the playful way she looked at him... All his friends and acquaintances were green with envy—some didn’t even try to hide it. The nerve of them...
But as soon as they started talking, he realized something was off about Mica. She wasn’t the same. Her voice lacked the softness he loved, her tone was different. And most of all, her eyes. That special warmth he’d always seen in them was gone. They still sparkled with laughter, but it was colder, somehow... different.
He noticed changes in her gestures and expressions too. Mica had never wrinkled her nose like that before, or pouted her lips when something annoyed her. But yesterday, she did it constantly. She seemed on edge in a way he’d never seen. She snapped at the wedding band, barked at the limo driver, and even argued with her mother over the length of her dress. Her mom insisted it should’ve been shorter, but Mica hissed that it was fine as it was. Maybe it was just the stress getting to her?
Then, right before the ceremony, she caught him off guard. She took his hand and whispered in his ear that she couldn’t wait for all this chaos to be over so they could finally be alone. He could’ve been thrilled, but... no. First, it didn’t sound like the shy girl he’d known before the wedding. And second, it didn’t seem like nerves about the crowd or the importance of the day. It felt like she was just bored with everything happening around her. The only thing Mica seemed to enjoy was posing for photos. Oh, she did that with gusto.
Strange... She’d never known how to pose before. At least, not the few times he’d tried to snap a picture of her on his phone. Back then, she’d just smile shyly, blush, and not know what to do with her hands or feet. But now, suddenly, she was twirling in front of the cameras like a professional model, striking pose after pose.
When it came time for their first dance, Mica seemed annoyed and almost surprised that the song wasn’t the one she’d originally wanted. Davide asked:
“Did you forget? We decided together to dance to this one because the faster song didn’t quite work for us.”
“Ugh... Fine, whatever, let it be,” she replied, clearly irritated.
As they danced, Davide noticed she was much better this time. More relaxed, more confident in her movements. How odd... She forgot they’d changed the song, yet she danced so beautifully.
Even when they kissed, something felt off. It’s hard to put into words, but the sensation was completely different. He could feel it in his bones. How could this be? Where was that electric chemistry, those sparks that had been there since the day they met? He used to be driven wild with desire; her shy demeanor had always ignited something in him with just a touch. But now... it wasn’t the same. She was still alluring, but... something was missing.
The real trouble, though, was still to come. At the reception, Mica barely ate, but she drank... way too much. At first, Davide didn’t think much of it, but then he saw his new wife polishing off a bottle of wine while he was only on his second glass. They laughed it off at first. But as it continued... Soon, it was obvious she was tipsy. Davide quietly asked her to slow down, but she shot back that no one could tell her what to do at her own wedding. It was her day, and she’d do as she pleased. Ironclad logic... if only her steps had been as steady.
Davide’s mother grew worried and whispered to him that Mica was starting to sway a bit and laugh so loudly it was almost grating. People were beginning to cast skeptical glances and murmur among themselves. It could get worse. But... did she listen when they told her to stop drinking? Everyone close to Davide was stunned by her behavior.
At one point, Mica went to “chat” with Davide’s best friend. Well, “chat” is a generous term, since he doesn’t speak Ukrainian, and she only knows a handful of Italian words. But... do you really need words when you’ve got a handsome guy in front of you? Body language and a flirty gaze can say plenty.
Eventually, Mica’s mother had to drag her brazen daughter away from Armando because she’d started openly flirting with him. Mica snapped at her mother angrily in front of several of Davide’s relatives, who later relayed the incident to his father.
Davide finally returned to the conversation with his friend by the sea:
“Well... you saw it yourself. It’s like she’s a completely different person. None of the modesty, restraint, or tenderness I fell for. So... was it all just an act before the wedding to make sure I didn’t back out? I don’t understand anymore! She acted like some reckless floozy at a bar last night! She even tried flirting with you.”
“Listen, man, don’t take it too seriously just yet. She had a bit too much to drink and... it happens to everyone, right?” Armando tried to reassure his friend.
“Not with the Mica I knew before the wedding! Not with a normal, even slightly balanced girl! Don’t you get it?! This one doesn’t care about anything as long as she’s having fun! She made a laughingstock of my family! Even her own mother couldn’t rein her in—she doesn’t listen to anyone! She’s a spoiled brat!” Davide shouted, his emotions boiling over.
Armando sighed heavily, at a loss for words. It was clear to anyone with eyes that Davide was right. Mica had definitely crossed a line. A big one. Now Armando recalled overhearing whispers from some of the more dignified guests. One of them had said that the Cagliari family couldn’t have found a more beautiful—or more foolish—bride. Then added that Davide was still young, so it wasn’t surprising he’d chosen someone like her. As long as she was pretty.
“So... what happened after I left? Are you gonna tell me? You know I’ll find out eventually.”
“Ugh... Find out? I bet all of Italy already knows what a ‘great’ wife Cagliari picked for himself! Sure, by the end, there weren’t many guests left, but... I’m sure it’s all over the internet by now!” Davide replied bitterly.
Armando winced. What could he even say to that?
“Armando, I’m telling you, I’ve never been so humiliated in my life!” Davide blurted out.
He went on to recount the other “feats” of his new bride as the wedding drew to a close.