"I wish you and Sydney happiness." This time, Ivana said it with an incredible calm.
"That's enough! I've already called you, haven't I? If you keep acting like this, don't blame me for what happens! You know my temper!"
Ivana found herself speechless, "If you don't want to hear me speak, you can hang up, you know."
"Ivana!" he yelled.
"Ah, don't yell at her again. Speak nicely," Sydney's sickly sweet voice interrupted as usual. "Hello? Ivana, it's me, Sydney."
Ivana just said, "Oh."
Sydney invited her, "Three days from now, it's my birthday. I don't have many friends here and Ernest booked the entire Nolen Bar. Can you come? We'll celebrate together, okay?"
"I don't think I'll go. My foot isn't convenient." Ivana said.
Sydney tried to persuade, "Ivana, are you still mad at me? I'll make you a cake to apologize, okay?"
Here we go again ... Ivana was in a pretty good mood today. Thinking it over, she figured it was just a meal, what's the worst that could happen? She'd be leaving for France soon and she didn't want to stir up any more drama.
With the Gilmore Family's influence in San Diego, it wouldn't even be hard for them to stop her from boarding the plane.
"Fine, send me the time," she finally said.
Sydney texted her: [7 PM, Nolen Bar. (Location shared).]
***
Ivana picked out the same dress she wore on her very first date with Ernest five years ago. She'd always been someone who believed in finishing what she started.
By the time Ivana arrived, it was already 7:30. Nolen Bar was bustling. Most of the people there were familiar to her, Dominic, for one, was present again.
There were also a few women who looked vaguely familiar. Ivana vaguely recalled they were Sydney's close friends.
Dominic was the first to notice her and quickly approached with a mix of flattery and unwillingness in his eyes, "Ah, our chef is finally here! Ernest and Sydney are over there."
Following Dominic's gaze, Ivana saw a large cake on the table, it looked familiar.
Ernest was talking to Sydney, who playfully nudged his chest and then fell into his arms, giggling coquettishly.
"Ivana! You came! Come on over!" Sydney waved her over, her face full of unconcealed triumph, like a hen proud of winning a fight.