***
Some time later, Raquelle sits at the table that has places for eight people and starts having lunch quietly in a large, spacious dining room. Unfortunately, she has to spend her lunchtime alone because nobody but the servants, who have so much work, are at home. However, it’s good for Raquelle because she does not want to go out anywhere today and decided to stay home and relax a little. To stay away from people and spend time in silence. She feels that she got a little exhausted but does not want to show it too openly and pretends that she is alright. While slowly eating her lunch, Raquelle starts thinking about everything Natalia told her today at some moment. She does not want to listen to her pieces of advice because she believes she does not need some rest and feels wonderful. However, the girl would definitely have a little break and forget all the business and problems if she had a chance to do it. “I still can't get Natalia's words out of my mind,” Raquelle thinks. “Is it so clear that I should have a rest? Do I really look so bad that everyone starts to tell me to slow down and have some rest?” Raquelle falls into her thoughts, not noticing anything around her, while the servants are running from one side to another and doing their work. “Natalia has never lied to me and always told me what she thought,” Raquelle thinks. “Since she said I looked tired, it means it’s the truth.” Raquelle shakes her head. “But I don’t personally think I’m too exhausted and want to hear nothing about my job,” Raquelle thinks. “I feel very good and can keep working. I don't think I should relax right now because I have the energy to work as hard as I can.” Raquelle drinks a little bit of clear water from the glass that is placed near her plate. “Now it's a peak of my career,” Raquelle thinks. “I can’t go dark while everything is so good. When I’m getting tons of offers of work. People barely forgot what happened a few months ago and got love for me again. While someone wants to see me working, I will be working. I will be working until there is something to wish to offer me something.” Some time later, a woman wearing a light pink servant uniform comes to Raquelle, who is eating what she has on her plate and, as it was noticed before, sees nothing around because of falling into her thoughts too deeply. The short-height servant is a little bit thick, has light brown hair brushed up in a little tuft, and looks quite an adult woman – she is about thirty or thirty-five. So, there is an assumption that she is the oldest one of the servants. “Excuse me, Raquelle,” the servant starts saying very quietly. “Your boyfriend just called me and asked me to tell you that he is going to be back home at seven o'clock. And he also said he got some very good news for you.” Raquelle reacts to what the servant tells her not at once. That’s why the servant has to call the girl several times to make her wake up, waving her hand in front of her face or clicking her fingers. “Huh, what?” Raquelle pronounces hesitantly. “Did you say something?” “I said Mr. MacClife just called me,” the servant repeats. “He asked me to tell you he would be back home by seven o’clock with a piece of good news.” “Ah, yeah… You say my boyfriend called you? Erm… Yeah… Yeah, yeah… Alright, Christiana… Thank you so much for telling me.” “Erm, excuse me, are you alright?” Christiana shows anxiety, looking at Raquelle, who looks very exhausted, in her opinion, more carefully. “Yeah, I’m fine,” Raquelle shrugs slightly without emotions on her face. “Don’t worry.” “I must confess you look tired and a little pale…” Christiana notices carefully. “Maybe, you lie down and have some rest?” Raquelle chuckles quietly and smiles shyly. “You know, Christiana, you are the second person, who tells me about it today,” Raquelle replies thoughtfully. “Natalia was the first one…” “Are you sure you’re alright?” “Don’t worry, I'm absolutely fine and feeling great.” “Well, I don’t know…” Christiana shrugs. “I think your friend was absolutely right about the fact that you need to have a rest. If she said it, I can’t deny it.” “Christiana…” “Think of the rest, Raquelle. Don’t you want to relax as much as possible?” “No, I don’t want. Now my career is on the top, and I must use a moment.” “That’s wrong!” “You can’t go dark when everyone literally wants you.” “Stop, Raquelle…” Christiana shakes her head. “You wouldn’t go dark forever, just for two or three weeks.” “No, Christiana.” “Besides, I can’t remember you and your boyfriend going somewhere together. You don’t go on dates, and you never travel anywhere.” “We have no time to travel.” “Having so much money, you two are able to travel around the world. You are able not to stay home and always to go somewhere.” “If Terrence and I wanted to, we would surely go somewhere.” “Go somewhere then! Have a short trip. I’m sure it would be very good for you.” “No, Christiana…” Raquelle shakes her head. “You do know that Terrence and I are workaholics. We're used to working much and hard…” “But you have no time for each other!” “And what? Yes, we almost have no time for each other, but we never complain about anything and are happy with everything.” “I would not stop traveling around the world forever if I were in your place… I have always dreamed of seeing the whole world.” Christiana sighs quietly and glances aside. “But it seems like I will never make my dreams come true. Because my husband and I are not so rich to go to such types of travels.” It should be noted that Raquelle built a very good relationship with all the servants, who are working in this house, and talks to them as if they are friends of hers. And the servants themselves are very happy that they are working with this sweet girl, who does not refuse to talk to them about something except their job, is never mean to them, and does not talk to them arrogantly. “Yes, I know you like everything about other countries,” Raquelle replies amicably. “I also love traveling… Moreover, I often have to do it very often due to my job…” “Then, you could go somewhere with your boyfriend,” Christiana advises with a slight smile. “It would be good for you and make your relationship stronger.” “We have a wonderful relationship.” “Erm… Of course, I do not want to meddle in your relationship, but I think you have lately been kind of cold to each other and stopped going somewhere together. The only thing you are doing is working…” “Cold?” Raquelle frowns slightly. “You kind of work like crazy not to see each other.” “No, Christiana, it seemed to you,” Raquelle smiles a little falsely. “Everything is fine between me and Terrence. We just… We get tired… And we think only of eating quickly and going to sleep in the evenings. We have no energy for dates or something like that…” “That’s very wrong! Because if you are living together, it does not mean you can stop going on dates. Or just walk somewhere together.” “I know.” “You could delay your work and just walk with your boyfriend. Go to a café, to a cinema, to a restaurant… Somewhere else… Talk to each other… You actually, barely talk. Only in the mornings during breakfast, and in the evenings before sleep.” “It's life,” Raquelle shrugs slightly. “For example, my husband and I have been married for ten years, but we still love to walk outside, holding each other’s hands. We still have a light in our eyes… I still admire him, and he still admires me. Even if I’m not a cover girl. My husband loves me for the way I am.” “I’m very glad everything is fine between you and your husband. But Terrence and I get on well, too.” “But I believe you have no fire in the eyes you had before. You and Mr. MacClife… You became strangers to each other.” “We are not strangers!” “If you keep going on like this, your relationship will be ruined. You will not avoid a breakup.” “I’m glad you worry about our relationship like this, but I promise if Terrence and I have some free time, we will walk somewhere together with pleasure. But sadly, now we are not able to go anywhere.” “Well, sorry… Very sorry… I think it’s a first anxious sigh that should let you know that something is not right about your relationship, and you do not love each other the way you did before.” “You are wrong, Christiana,” Raquelle says not very confidently. “We still love each other very much. My boyfriend is proud of my success, and I support his wish to get into the musical world.” “Alright, but still, think about having a rest for a while and spending time with your boyfriend…” Christiana advises softly. “I’m sure it would be very good for you. You would have a little rest, spend time together, and get much closer… Now you are living like neighbors, honestly. Like strangers.” “It’s not the truth.” “Think, Raquelle, think. If you do not do something now, you and Mr. MacClife will have serious problems soon. You better fix them right now, before you decide to get married.” “Oh, my gosh…” “Remember, my darling, any relationship requires the hard work of two people. I’m sure your family has told you that before.” “Christiana…” “Alright, alright, I say nothing.” Christiana raises her hands in front of her as though she gives up on something. “But anyway, I will think you and your boyfriend need to have a rest.” “Do not think I am rude, but I think you better do your business and not meddle in the business of Terrence and me. I am dating him, not you. So, it means I should solve the problems of my boyfriend and me.” “Oh, alright, sorry…” Christiana pronounces thoughtfully. “I talk kind of too much… Sorry…” Christiana says nothing for two seconds and looks around with her little scared eyes. “Erm, excuse me, I have to go, I have business in the kitchen,” Christiana says thoughtfully. “If you need something, let me know. Or ask Blair and Violetta… They are walking near you…” “Alright, you can go,” Raquelle replies quietly. “With your permission.” Christiana goes to the kitchen very quickly to do her business, while Raquelle watches her until she hides. And then the girl frowns slightly and reflects on everything the servant told her. “Yeah, Christiana also noticed that I look tired…” Raquelle thinks and sighs heavily. “It seems like I'm gonna hear it from every second person outside.” Raquelle runs her hands over her hair brushed in a tail. “Why is she so sure that there are problems with the relationship between Terrence and me?” Raquelle wonders. “Everything is fine! We’re very happy and love each other. We just have no time or strength to give each other attention. He’s too busy, and I’m having a lot of work. Everyone lives like this! And someone has children. That you should spend much more energy on. But they don’t complain. Everyone is happy with everything.” Raquelle shakes her head. “So…” Raquelle thinks. “I don’t think Terrence and I have any problems. We live as everyone else does. I don’t get it… What does everyone want from us? Both of us are busy with our business. We can’t sit in the room, hug, and kiss each other all day long! It can’t be happening!” Raquelle sighs quietly with sadness in her eyes and keeps eating her lunch slowly. And then she goes to her room to lie, have a rest, think about what’s happening in her life, and probably find a good book and read it. Moreover, reading is her hobby, which is an excellent way to help a little.***
The evening is getting closer. Everybody hurries up to go home to see their close people. There are usually traffic jams on roads at this time, and many people can barely go home because they have to be stuck in jams for quite a long time. But Natalia did not want to stay home and went to a nightclub to meet Anna Seymour, whom she has befriended for many years, as well as Raquelle. The girls met by the invitation of the short red-haired owner of the cute baby face that makes her look several years younger and attractive green eyes. And now they take each other in an amicable hug with wide smiles on their faces and happy whoops. But after they step away a few seconds later, the friends look at each other, immediately noticing some changes in their appearances. “My gosh, Natalia, you dyed your hair!” Anna notices with a wide smile, looking at the dark strands of Natalia that stand out against her long, golden hair. “Yup, I wanted to try something new,” Natalia replies shyly. “Good! I really love it.” “Thanks, darling.” “Actually, everything looks good on you. You can look in any way, but you would be a beauty anyway. Your hair master always hits the bullseye!” “And as I see, you decided to make your red hair brighter,” Natalia laughs shyly. “Well, yeah, I wanted to change it a little.” Anna fixes slightly her bright red middle-length hair. “I decided to try on this color.” “It does fit you, my red-haired cutie,” Natalia laughs shyly. “Thanks, friend,” Anna replies with a chuckle. “Hey, have you ever thought of dying your hair a different color?” “Nope, honestly, I like red hair much more. I looked like a homely girl with my natural brown hair. But when I dyed it to red for the first time, I changed for the better. And now I don’t wanna dye my hair to any other color.” “I get it. And you made the right choice by deciding to dye your hair red. It fits you much. The bright and darker it is, the better it is.” “Just listened to the advice of one girl, who somehow recommended that I dye my hair red,” Anna smiles shyly. “She’s got a wonderful taste.” “Agree.” Silence settles in the air for two or three seconds, during which the young girls get used to this place and what’s around them. “Hey, where did you disappear?” Anna asks. “Where have you been all the time? I haven't seen you and Raquelle for such a long time! You two disappeared, but I madly missed you and our girls' hangouts… I thought we’d catch on after I graduated from the university. But instead of that, I was sitting home, reading books and had to communicate with boring people from a circle of my parents.” “I’m really sorry, my darling…” Natalia apologizes shyly. “Sorry about not warning you.” “Did we hurt you somehow?” “No, no, come on! I disappeared so suddenly, ‘cause I had the reason…” Natalia sighs quietly with sadness in her eyes. “Very serious reason.” “The reason?” Anna rounds her eyes. “Which reason?” “Something bad happened to my grandmother,” Natalia says with sadness in her eyes. “Your grandmother? Mrs. Lascano? The one, who’s living in Mexico after she got married to a Mexican?” “Yeah…” “What happened to her?” “She’s ill.” “Ill?” “Seriously ill.” “Oh, gosh…” “It happened so suddenly… A few days later, after Raquelle and Terrence moved into the same house, my parents got a call from Grandma’s acquaintance, and they asked us to come immediately because something had happened to her. And we found out that Grandma got sick with blood cancer and needed high-costed therapy…” “Oh, my gosh…” Anna closes her mouth with a hand and shakes her head. “Cancer is terrible! My grandfather had a good friend, who died of cancer. He said that and went to the funerals at the invitation of his family.” “When my parents and I found it out, we quickly left our business and went to Mexico. Everything happened so suddenly that we said goodbye and didn’t explain the reason for our arrival to anyone…” “So, is that why you didn’t tell me about your arrival and reply to my messages on your phone and Facebook and calls?” “Yup, I’m sorry for not contacting you all the time,” Natalia apologizes with sadness in her eyes. “My parents and I spent quite a lot of energy and many nerves trying to get Grandma to feel better. We were busy and also got so exhausted because of it that we forgot about our friends and familiar people.” “Wow, I didn’t know…” Anna shows sympathy, caressing Natalia’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, friend… Really very sorry about what happened.” “My parents even had to leave their job for a few months and replace themselves with some people, who they were, however, controlling when being far away.” “Oh, my gosh, how serious it is…” “Yeah… They had to leave their job, and I had to leave my friends.” “But does Mrs. Lascano feel better now?” “Yes, thank God, she feels a little better, but her illness is hard to be cured… There are so many cases when people died of cancer – the whole Internet is full of these pieces of news…” “Yeah… And by the way, I called the memories about one acquaintance of my parents, who died due to a similar illness many years ago. He got sick suddenly. Even the great money that his family barely got – and got into debts – didn’t help him save his life…” “I am afraid of that more than anything…” Natalia shakes her head with pity in her eyes. “I don’t want my grandma to die! You do know how much I love her and miss her while she’s living far away from me… Besides, I want her to be at my wedding when someday I meet the one I want to get married to.” “I completely understand you, sweetie… Anyway, your family has all the opportunities for giving her therapy, and I’m sure your grandmother would like to fight and destroy that horrible illness. Yes, money might not help, but you’ve gotta believe. Gotta pray. And wait.” “Despite such a terrible diagnosis as ‘cancer,’ we believe in the best.” “Well, since you’re back in the USA, everything’s under control now.” “Yeah, I could say so. Two days ago, I came here along with my father, and my mother stayed in Mexico along with my grandma. But soon, we’ll have to come back to Mother to help her watch Grandma Adriana… It’s hard for Mom to do all of that alone: visiting doctors, driving Grandma for examinations, analyses, and some therapies…” “I hope she’ll get well very soon. Mrs. Lascano is a wonderful woman, who didn’t deserve that.” “God will help, honey…” Silence settles in the air for two seconds, and then Natalia decides to distract from bad things and talk about something nice, while Anna looks at her friend with sadness in her eyes. “You know, friend, I believe I’ve been thinking about it too much,” Natalia says thoughtfully. “And honestly, I want to distract from the problems of my grandma for a while… So, let’s enjoy this evening and forget everything bad. Let’s talk about everything, drink something, and probably meet a couple of handsome men and flirt with them a little…” “With great pleasure!” Anna agrees with a slight smile. “In this case, I will have the pleasure of helping you distract from bad thoughts and make you funnier. And it would be cool if we really met some guys here… Handsome guys…” “M-m-m…” Natalia smiles at Anna shyly, and then the girls come to a table and sit at it after they buy some non-alcohol drinks for themselves, which they paid for earlier. “Hey, don’t you know something about Raquelle?” Anna asks. “She also disappeared suddenly after she decided to live with Terrence, and I haven’t seen her since that moment.” “I met her today, “Natalia confesses. “After I had some rest from the flight from Mexico to New York, I went her home.” “Really? And how’s she doing? How’s she living with Terrence?” “Cameron says everything is wonderful between them, and she doesn’t regret marrying him.” “And him? You saw him, too? How’s he doing?” “I didn’t see Terrence. Raquelle said he was very busy and working as much as our sweet friend.” “I hope their work doesn't prevent them from spending enough time with each other and having a good rest. I wouldn’t be surprised if our friend got so busy with her career that she would forget about her own boyfriend.” “You know, Anna…” Natalia frowns slightly and takes a little sip of her drink with sadness in her eyes. “I think everything happened…” “What?” Anna frowns slightly. “It seems like she needs a rest.” “Rest?” Anna asks, opening her eyes widely. “But why?” “Raquelle looks quite exhausted. Pale, a little distanced… She used to be much more emotional, but now her smile is kind of false. It’s like Cameron doesn’t care about what’s happening around.” “Overworked?” “Yup, I’m sure about t. You know that our friend has worked like crazy for one and a half years to reach the top of the Olympus. After that sick man Simon humiliated her for the whole world. Cameron did want everyone to forget about that shame and not to remember that anymore so badly that she didn’t spare strength. Thanks to her stubbornness, she got it. But I’m afraid we’d have to worry about her mental health.” “Wow, that’s bad…” Anna shakes her head and takes a little sip of her drink. “Raquelle definitely forgot there were some lines.” “You know, friend, I’m not surprised that she’s working so much. Raquelle has always been a workaholic. That’s why she’s reached so much. Moreover, remember, she had been obsessed with her work before the scandal with Simon and the beginning of the affair with Terrence. Raquelle distracted a little only when she just became a girlfriend of that man, ‘cause she cared only about whether he would’ve liked a dress she bought last week or whether he would’ve invited her on a date tomorrow.” “Yeah, right, she was really working less. But even if I was in Mexico and helping my parents take care of Grandma, sometimes I got a free minute. I could turn on the computer and check out the Internet or Raquelle’s social networks, where she posted much more photos from various photoshoots after the beginning of her affair – a few shoots literally every single day. It made me think she started to think about her career much more. It's more important to her than her own boyfriend. Who is the same. Who isn’t definitely even trying to fix the situation somehow.” “But the fact that our friend looks exhausted also makes me think she overworked too much.” “Raquelle herself insists that she’s fine and feels great,” Natalia shrugs. “And I think she could be stopped only if she was tied to a chair or a bed by force.” “And what does Terrence think of that?” Anna asks and takes a little sip of her drink. “I doubt he’s trying to do something…” Natalia shakes her head, looking a little gloomy. “MacClife is also very busy.” “So, he’s trying to reach the top of Olympus, as well?” “Sorta. And actually, after talking to Cameron, I got a feeling that they meet each other only in the late evening and in the early morning when she goes to another shooting, and he builds his career…” “So, is not everything as good as we thought?” “I don’t know, but I have a feeling it is… Everything is not as perfect as it seems at first sight. And their obsession with their work is the one to blame. They can’t imagine their lives without it.” “My gosh…” “Remember, they did even refuse to spend time together, saying that they had too much work. I wouldn’t be surprised if they went to shootings or another interview after they barely brought their stuff to the new house.” “Does the media talk about it?” “No, the media insists that they have a perfect relationship, and they are very happy. That’s what Cameron and MacClife say.” “Acting for a camera?” “Probably. It seems like they needed this affair only for a PR or their families to stop pressing them and calm down.” “I dunno, I think they began to date by love. Remember our friend having shining eyes when we were talking about Terrence, and he was shining when he saw her or heard Raquelle’s name. Even if they first fought as hard as a cat and a dog, they had a gloss in the eyes anyway.” “Yeah, but something has changed…” Natalia assumes confidently and takes a little sip of her drink. “I thought Raquelle didn’t have such a bright gloss in her eyes that she had before. She has it, I don’t deny, but it’s no longer bright… It seems like she will not care if Terrence decides to leave her.” “Maybe, the pressure of her family has to do with it?” “Maybe. I can’t exclude that she could begin to date him just to calm her relatives down.” “Or maybe, she really got too exhausted? As people say, burned down emotionally! It may happen when you do your work automatically just because you must do it, not because you get pleasure from it.” “I don’t exclude it… But be sure, Terrence and Raquelle’s relationship is not as perfect as it seems to everyone. They are pretending and lying to everyone that everything is fine.” “Yeah… Hard case…” “And Terrence is not better than my friend!” Natalia throws gloomily. “He could say just something and make her sure to stop for a while.” “I thought they were really happy…” Anna sighs quietly and takes a little sip of her drink. “They’ve given so many interviews and said they love each other. And these two publish photos, in which MacClife and Cameron look happy. Maybe, they publish something rarely, but still…” “He, you know, wants to record at least one song… Got an idea to become a musician and is now looking for managers and producers and visiting some auditions almost every single day. He should give an example to his girlfriend and take a break and make her forget about her work for a while. But no! The career is more important!” “Wow, Terrence wants to release his own music?” Anna gets truly amazed. “Yeah, as it turned out, playing guitar wasn’t just a hobby,” Natalia replies thoughtfully and takes a little sip of her drink. “My gosh…” “Of course, I knew that Terrence played guitar sometimes, ‘cause Raquelle dinged into my ears about that. But I didn’t think he’d do that seriously and wish to become a musician.” “Do you think he notices changes about Raquelle?” Anna asks. “Or is a musical career more important to him than his own girlfriend? Doesn’t he care about her condition?” “You know, friend, I think only a lazy person wouldn’t notice her, saying softly, exhausted and indifferent look,” Natalia replies confidently. “But I think if she has a rest from her work and puts herself in order, everything’s gonna be okay.” “You think?” “Don’t doubt.” Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which the girls slowly drink their cocktails, look around, and listen to the loud music playing in this place. “Anyway, Raquelle can get through it,” Anna says with a slight smile, takes a little sip of her drink, and folds her hands on the table. “She’s a strong girl with a harsh character and can take much.” “Yeah, but will she have enough strength?” Natalia asks. “I think she will do. Let’s not forget that our friend loves her work so much. Do you remember how much she was worried when she almost lost everything? She almost drove herself to depression! Just because one idiot decided to destroy her modeling career. But that’s good Mr. Cameron helped her, and her aunt Alicia managed to distract her, as well.” “Not everyone can take a great load. Even the healthiest person would break down after such crazy work, which that girl is doing now.” “Yes, Natalia, I completely agree with you, but Raquelle is not the type of person, who gives up so easily. She can take all of that.” “I really wanna believe you, but something does bother me anyway.” “You think everything’s so bad?” “I dunno… But I can’t stop thinking something is gonna happen very soon…” “Bad?” “Maybe.” “What’s that? Are you sure Terrence and Raquelle would break up?” “If they don’t solve their problems, it will happen.” “C’mon, friend!” Anna exclaims. “Don’t think about it!” “Yeah, but I can’t do it,” Natalia takes a little sip of her drink. “Something doesn’t make me calm.” “Anyway, Raquelle has a wonderful life.” “But does she appreciate it? Maybe, if her family hadn’t reminded her of the fact that it was her time to get married, Cameron would’ve worked like crazy ‘till the end of life.” “Trust me, friend, when she has a rest from work, everything will be back in the right places. And Cameron will remember that she’s got a boyfriend.” “I don’t know…” Natalia replies thoughtfully. “Maybe, you’re right… Anyway, she’s gotta think. If she doesn’t wanna regret one beautiful day.” “Listen, Natalia, let’s not talk about bad things,” Anna suggests with a slight smile. “Let’s change the subject and talk about something nicer. Well, or we can just search for sympathetic guys that we could flirt and dance with.” “You’re right,” Natalia agrees. “Let’s forget about the problems and just have fun. And talk about something good.” And before trying to get to know some guys, Natalia and Anna talk about something that does not have to do with Raquelle for a long time. By the way, the blonde is very happy she has such friends, who can always support and help her at a hard minute. And Raquelle and Anna themselves are also unbelievably happy to have such a loyal friend, who would not leave their love and support unnoticed. It’s rarely possible to see such a perfect, strong friendship that has lasted since the three girls studied at school. Not anyone may have such a long and strong friendship with someone.***
Meanwhile, Raquelle is sitting at home in her room and reading a book while trying to get busy with something and shorten the time that is going on too slowly. Terrence is about to be back home, but he has not come yet. And nobody knows when he will do it because it's a little more than seven o’clock. However, the girl does not care about it and is busy reading one of her favorite books that she is ready to re-read over and over. “My gosh, what an interesting book,” Raquelle thinks with a slight smile on her face. “I’m reading it for the hundredth time, but I haven’t got sick of it. Even if I literally know it heart by heart. Probably, this novel is my favorite one of everything I’ve ever read…” Some time later, Raquelle reaches the last page of the book, quickly runs her eyes over the text, and finally finishes reading this breathtaking novel she loves so much. “The end…” Raquelle sighs quietly, closes the book, and puts it aside. “So fast…” Raquelle looks around the whole room for two seconds, bending her legs under herself, and moves her sad eyes at a little open window, through which a little cold wind is getting into this place. “Hey, when is Terrence supposed to be back home?” Raquelle asks. “Do I wait for him or ask the servants to serve me dinner right now and then get ready to sleep without him? When is he supposed to be back? Christiana said, but I forgot it…” Raquelle frowns slightly, trying to call the memories of what Christiana told her during lunch. “Well, it doesn’t matter,” Raquelle thinks. “He’s gonna come back when he should do. I don’t wanna bend under him and wait for his return. Besides, I need to wake up early tomorrow to get ready for one meeting that’s very important to me. If Terrence is back late, and I decide to wait for him and wanna sleep with him, I’ll look sleepy tomorrow and not be able to listen to what they wanna talk to me about… I can’t do that.” Raquelle bites her lip slightly. “I will probably do that,” Raquelle decides silently. “So, I will go to ask the servants to serve me dinner…” At some moment, Raquelle hears a long, long ring on the door in the living room. One of the servants quickly goes to open the door, and a few seconds later, the girl can hear how the servants start to make a little fuss on the first floor. Raquelle frowns slightly, trying to understand what's happening there, and at some moment, she decides to go downstairs and find out what’s going on. But when she gets up from the bed and comes to the door, it suddenly opens, and a tall man with white from nature skin, luxury, gorgeous black hair, a charming smile that would make any girl insane, and his head proudly raised quietly enters the room. This man, who looks very confident and does not definitely doubt that he is handsome and talented, is Terrence MacClife, whom Raquelle has been dating for a few months and living in the same house very well. At least, that’s what she thinks… “Oh, hi,” Raquelle pronounces with a slight smile. “Hi, Raquelle,” Terrence cracks a smile. “You’re a little late today.” “Sorry, traffic jams were on the roads.” Terrence kisses Raquelle cutely on the cheek, holding her by the shoulders, and gets the same answer from the girl. “I did my best to come back home earlier and have a rest, but I got into a traffic jam, which I was in for a long time…” “You could call me not to wait for you,” Raquelle replies quietly. “I wanted to ask the servants to serve me dinner.” “Sorry, I couldn't speak while driving,” Terrence shrugs, enters the room, and closes the door. “And I actually called Christiana and asked her to tell you I’d come after seven o’clock.” “Yeah? Ah, yeah… Sorry… It got out of my mind. Christiana told me about your call, but I forgot when you’d come.” “It's okay. It happens.” “Yeah… It happens…” Raquelle glances at her reflection in the mirror for a second and fixes her hair. “Will you have dinner with me? I will ask the servants to serve us now.” “Yes, but a little later,” Terrence refuses softly. “First, I wanna go to take a shower and change my clothes. And lie a little. Because I’m very exhausted.” “Oh, okay,” Raquelle nods with a shy smile. “Then I will ask the servants to serve dinner to me.” “Right now? Is it not early?” “Tonight, I want to go to sleep earlier. Tomorrow, I’m gonna have an important meeting that I must be ready for.” “Erm, okay, I got it…” Terrence says hesitantly, moving a short, sad look at the window. “Maybe… I will also go to sleep… Earlier.” “Okay, have a rest, and I will go to have dinner.” When Raquelle is going to leave the room and go down, Terrence looks at her with sadness in his eyes and stops her by saying: “Erm, do you wanna know some good news?” “Erm, yes, of course, I do,” Raquelle replies hesitantly, putting on a smile. “Christiana said you wanted to tell me something. Right?” “Yes, I have something to tell you. Let's sit down, and I will tell you everything.” Raquelle agrees to listen to Terrence without enthusiasm or pleasure, sitting on the bed with the man, who feels kind of awkward because of the girl’s coldness but does not hide his happiness due to the news he wants to share. And the girl already notices how happy her boyfriend looks, not stopping smiling mysteriously and definitely dreaming of telling her what happened to her. “Well, okay, tell me what's happening to you,” Raquelle says quietly, folding her hands in front of herself. “Why do you have such a happy face? Is that really something amazing, if you’re smiling for the first time in a while?” “It’s the truth,” Terrence smiles shyly. “I just finally got luck in what I was trying to reach for long.” “Really?” “Yup…” Terrence keeps silent for two seconds before he continues to speak: “As you know, I’ve been dreaming of recording at least one song. I’ve visited many audiences for a long time, and I’ve sent some demo records to all the labels I know. But I wasn’t lucky before today.” “Yeah, I remember,” Raquelle nods. “So…” Terrence falls into silence for some time. “Two days ago, I went to one of those auditions. They were looking for a vocalist, who could play guitar, for a band.” “And what?” “The case is that when I wanted to go to another audition today, I got a call from someone that organized the audition to find a guitarist a few days ago.” “And what did he say?” “He said they wanted to work with me.” Terrence falls into silence for two seconds and makes a happy whoop. “They offered me to record a couple of songs first,” Terrence says happily, looking like a little child, who finally got the toy that he or she had dreamed about for a long time. “And I'm gonna sign a contract for a significant amount of money with a very famous recording label.” “Really?” Raquelle flashes a slight smile. “Really! Really! Raquelle, that's what I dreamed about! It's so unbelievable! I can't believe everything is real! I finally started my way to making my dream come true.” While Terrence says all of this, he sometimes caresses Raquelle's shoulders with a slight smile and holds her hands. Although the girl is glad for her boyfriend and cannot be indifferent to his success, she does not show too much interest in the man’s piece of news. “Wow, that's just wonderful,” Raquelle says with a slight smile. “I’m very happy for you.” “I’ve finally gotten what I wanted!” Terrence exclaims happily. “Finally, I got just a little bit of luck!” “Congrats, Terrence. Congrats.” Raquelle kisses Terrence on the cheek. “I knew you could do it. You've always dreamed about that and finally made your dream come true.” “I really hope so,” Terrence smiles widely. “Congrats, Terrence. With all my heart.” Raquelle takes Terrence in her hug with a slight smile, putting her arms around his neck while the man caresses her back tenderly, not hiding his happiness. A few seconds later, the young people step away from each other, and the girl does her best to show happiness for her boyfriend and support him. “Thank you, Raquelle,” Terrence thanks truly. “Thank you so much for pushing me to that step. I would’ve hardly done that without your support.” “If that’s what you really love, I am very happy,” Raquelle replies quietly. “You can’t imagine how happy I am now! I wasn’t so happy when I got money for my first role in a movie ever, or my first starring role. Now everything is different.” “It's amazing you didn’t try to work on music before.” “I was just too busy with my acting career. But now I wanna give more attention to music.” “I wish you got success.” “I promise someday you'll see me on the scene, in the light of millions of floodlight projectors,” Terrence raises his head proudly. “And the whole world will discover the musical talents that I will show them soon.” “Yes, sure…” Raquelle replies thoughtfully. “You will do this…” “Don’t doubt, sweetie, I will get a ticket for the best place in the first line close to the stage,” Terrence promises confidently, takes Raquelle’s hand, and looks at her with a slight smile. “Think you’re gonna be my first fan that would be yelling from happiness and asking for an autograph and a photo with her idol.” “Thanks, of course…” Raquelle smiles shyly. “But why do I need photos when the real Terrence MacClife is sitting next to me right now? Other people should dream of taking photos with you, but I have something much better than any shoot.” “I know, but anyway, I will invite you to my first solo show that will take place at the nearest time,” Terrence promises confidently, caressing Raquelle’s hand and cheek. “And I hope that someday I will be able to visit one of the shows and watch you walk on a runway. I’ve never seen you doing that… I’ve only seen photos from shoots and fashion shows.” “I hope I’ll get a chance to get the invitation for you at one of the fashion shows,” Raquelle says thoughtfully. “And if I get an offer to work with you at another photoshoot, I will agree to do it with pleasure.” Terrence carefully tucks a strand of Raquelle’s hair behind her ear with a slight smile. But the girl does not care about his attention and probably takes it and gets a little pleasure from it, thinking about something. “It would be great to work with you again and watch how you feel like a photo model,” Raquelle says thoughtfully, cracking a smile. “With the hope that everything will be okay this time.” “Don’t doubt, it’s gonna be just wonderful,” Terrence replies confidently with a wide smile. “First, I’m a handsome man, who does everything perfectly. And second, I’ve got a girl that would always help me look much better in photos and give me a chance to fall in love with myself over and over.” “I’ve never doubted you’ve got a too high self-rating!” Raquelle chuckles kindly. “Don’t doubt my talents, honey,” Terrence puts his hand on one cheek of Raquelle and cutely kisses another, while she just looks at him with some indifference. “I will prove that I can do everything I do perfectly. Playing an act, singing or shooting for a magazine or a commercial…” “I’ve never doubted it.” Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which Raquelle just smiles shyly, and Terrence looks very happy and does not hide it. “Okay, I’ll go to have dinner,” Raquelle says thoughtfully. “Join me if you want.” Raquelle is going to get up with a slight smile and go down to ask the servants to serve dinner. But Terrence is not ready to finish such a short talk right now and counts on something more. “Hey, where are you always running?” Terrence asks with sadness in his eyes, taking Raquelle by the wrist and pressing her to himself. “Let’s spend some time together…” “I can’t do it, Terrence,” Raquelle finds an excuse, trying to get her hand out of Terrence’s grip softly, and cracks a smile. “I’ll be waking up early. I need to go to sleep earlier.” “You always say it and blame your work for that,” Terrence notices confidently. “Let’s spend at least one hour together… I don’t remember when we were talking or doing something together the last time.” “I know, but I really need to… I’ll have dinner quickly, take a shower, and go to sleep. I will wake up early, decide what to put on, and pick up a hairstyle and makeup.” “You’re gonna spend a lot of time on all of that, don’t worry.” “Yeah, but…” “Come on… Come to me, beautiful…” Terrence takes Raquelle’s wrists and seats her on his laps, and the girl’s face gets much sadder, and she is kind of not happy with the man’s pretense and aims to run away from him. “Well, Terrence, let’s do it later…” Raquelle sighs tiredly, trying to get up and softly push Terrence off. “Please…” “Sweetie, what’s going on?” Terrence wonders with sadness in his eyes, hugging Raquelle by the waist with his arms, and kisses her softly on the cheek. “Why have you lately ignored me? Did I hurt you somehow?” “Nope. It’s okay.” “Don’t you wanna play a little and give me attention? I actually miss you very much while you’re far from me all day long…” “Believe me, I also miss you very much while I work somewhere at shootings or stay home,” Raquelle puts on a smile, caressing Terrence’s cheek. “But now I’m too tired and want to get enough for tomorrow.” “Didn’t you sleep today? You’ve had a free day and could have a good rest. I even got free earlier to be with you for the first time in a while. I hoped we’d lie together, talk…” “I know, but…” “C’mon, Raquelle, stop finding excuses…” Terrence moves Raquelle’s hair off her shoulder with an easy movement, kisses it tenderly, and leaves another kiss on her neck, over a curve of which he tenderly runs his finger. “Just trust me, and I will do everything for you to relax and forget about your tiredness.” At this moment, Terrence’s hand slides over a curve of Raquelle’s waist, stays on her thigh that he tenderly caresses, and then smoothly goes down, running it over her leg and softly caressing her knees. But the girl is not ready to do what the man would like to do… “Terrence, let’s do it somehow later…” Raquelle says tiredly, softly stepping back from Terrence when he wants to kiss her on the neck. “I’m gonna have a very important day tomorrow…” “Can’t you spend at least one hour with me?” Terrence asks in a lower voice, caressing Raquelle’s cheek softly with one hand, getting another underneath her shirt, and caressing her back. “Why are you always running away from me and not wishing to stay with me as long as possible?” “I’m not running away from you… I just have very much work and get terribly tired every single day.” “Please, Raquelle…” “Listen, Terrence…” Raquelle caresses Terrence’s cheek softly. “I promise when I have some free time, I will surely give you all my attention.” “But I do want your attention right now! And I will get it if you forget about your work at least for some time and think of me.” “I can’t do… Tomorrow, I…” “Relax, sweetie,” Terrence softly puts a finger on Raquelle’s lips. “I know how to help you get rid of tiredness… Trust me, and I will do everything.” Feeling playful, Terrence leaves a few cute kisses on Raquelle’s neck, tickles it with his nose, and does not refuse a wish to kiss her on the collarbones in a tender way, and the area behind her ear that he slightly bites. And in parallel, his hand slides down to her thigh and then tenderly caresses one of her buttocks. Although the girl likes all of this, something holds her down and does not let her relax and get absolute pleasure. “Please, Terrence, don’t do it…” Raquelle moans tiredly. “I don’t want…” “I do tell you, relax, and you will feel better,” Terrence replies quietly, still continuing to persuade Raquelle to give him some attention, grabs her softly by the chin, turns her face to him, and tenderly runs his thumb over her lips. “Come to me…” Terrence gives Raquelle a continuous kiss on her lips, caressing her face with a hand and stroking her hair with another hand, but later moving one of them to her belly, which he caresses tenderly. The girl keeps looking like she does not feel comfortable with this man but does not resist his kiss, which she answers without a special wish. Although the man understands she got kind of cold to her, he wants to pretend that nothing is happening and try to do his best to stay with her and save their relationship, which has gotten a little worse lately. But she does not want to agree to do it and probably loves her modeling career much more than her own boyfriend. “You’re still very tense…” Terrence breaks the kiss and leaves a few ones on Raquelle’s neck, which still leave her indifferent, even though they got her excited for a few minutes before. “You weren’t like this before…” “Terrence, please…” “But it’s okay, I’ll help you… You can even do nothing. I will do everything… You need just to relax.” Terrence kisses Raquelle on the lips again and gives all the love to this kiss that he wants to give his beloved girlfriend, holding the nape of her neck. At this moment, his free hand slides over the curves of her waist, opens a couple of buttons on her shirt from a pajama she is wearing now, and tenderly caresses the deep décolleté he sees in front of him. But even this unbelievably nice warmth does not make – or she hides it for some reason – the girl relaxes, and she continues to look at her boyfriend with an empty look, even though she does not resist his attempts to caress her. “Why do you have such sad eyes?” Terrence asks in a low voice, caressing Raquelle’s eyes while looking into her eyes, which seemed so happy before but now look absolutely lifeless. “And you don’t even wanna smile… “I’m tired…” Raquelle pronounces without emotions. “I get it… But it’s okay, it will be gone now, and you’ll get funnier.” Terrence hides his face in a curve of Raquelle’s neck for some time and covers it with tender and exciting kisses in the hope that the girl will madly like it, finally relax and stop being so unhappy. And the fact that she stopped resisting means so much to him, and he does not doubt he is on the right track. And the further, the more the man gets loose and adds more pressure and passion to his acts. For example, some time later, Terrence seats Raquelle on the bed with one movement and slightly pushes her so that she lies down, and then he raises himself above her, keeping his weight on his arms, gives her another more passionate kiss and slides down to the front of her neck, which he also kisses with great pleasure. But despite all these acts that could drive her crazy before, the girl does not get pleasure and does not try to caress the man, not being ready to have fun with him. He is not disgusting to her, but she does not have such a strong affection for him. She does not care about her own boyfriend at the moment. While Terrence is getting a stronger excitement from kissing and caressing the one, who has something that makes him lose his head and go insane. “Oh, damn, you’re driving me crazy…” Terrence says with a little heavy breath, covering Raquelle’s collarbones and breasts that are seen out of a tight sleeveless shirt with kisses. “Terrence, please…” Raquelle pronounces tiredly. “I want you… Right now…” Terrence gives Raquelle being indifferent to his actions another kiss on the lips, slowly starting to pass his hand over her belly after he unbuttons all the buttons on her shirt, raising her shirt a little and touching her unbelievably tender skin of such a beautiful part, So, his fingers reach her breasts and tenderly squeeze them and slide over her belly up and down several times. And a little later, the man steps back a little and takes off his coat that he was wearing outside and puts it aside, and then he generously covers her neck and some areas on her belly, over which he also runs his lips, with kisses. And when Terrence weakens slightly the belt on his jeans and unbuttons a couple of buttons on his shirt, Raquelle guesses what will happen if she keeps being silent and just lying on the bed. So, when the man gets closer to her for another kiss and tender caress, the girl sits up sharply, pushing him off herself softly. “No, no, no, stop…” Raquelle pronounces hesitantly. “I don’t want it… Now… No…” “But what’s wrong?” Terrence throws his hands up with widely open eyes. “It seems like I gave you hurt, and you started to be afraid of me like fire!” “Oh, no, you did nothing hurt to me, no…” Raquelle tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I just don’t want to do it now… Somehow later… I’m exhausted…” “But you do always say it! What did I do if you stopped letting me get closer to you and got indifferent to me?” “Nothing, Terrence, nothing… I’m just really exhausted… I’m sorry…” “Please, Raquelle…” “I promise I will do it when I get better. When I’m not so tired.” “When?” Terrence wonders a little louder. “You always work and don’t almost stay home! And when you have free days, you find excuses when I suggest we spend time together.” “I have a rest and come to myself.” “I don’t like that, Raquelle. I don’t like it at all… And I don’t know what’s going on.” “Please, honey, don’t insist,” Raquelle begs with pity in her eyes. “I don’t also like the fact that we spend so little time together. But unfortunately, we’ve got a lot of work. We get terribly sick and think only of falling asleep when we’re back home…” “If you wanted, you could delay some shootings and meetings for another day and get at least two hours to have a good rest and stay with me,” Terrence says gloomily. Being offended by Raquelle’s one more refusal to relax a little and spend time with him, Terrence moves his little gloomy look to a window and crosses his arms over his chest. The girl swallows up nervously, watching the man with sadness in her eyes for two seconds, moves closer to the man, and takes him softly by the shoulders, wishing to make amends somehow. “C’mon, Terrence, don’t be mad, please…” Raquelle says with sadness in her eyes. “Put yourself in my place. I have so much work that I can’t delay. Everything’s discussed and scheduled. I can’t piss off everything and everybody.” “It seems like you don’t need me at all anymore,” Terrence replies in a low voice, looking at his hands. “As if our relationship is like a formality for you. A check mark that you put just to prove and show something to someone. You always prove something to everyone.” “Sweetie…” “You’ve become different. You don’t pay attention to me. You always think only of your work and go from one shooting to another. You don’t even wanna think of me. You don’t wanna do something nice to me. You don’t want to just talk to me. Show happiness for me. Remind me that you still need me.” “No, that’s not the truth! I always think of you when we’re far away. I always ask myself what you’re busy with, and what about your success.” “No, Raquelle, don’t think about me.” “Please…” “I stopped existing for you. I am a shadow. An invisible. As if I am not with you. I have been the one for a long time. That’s why I’m starting to feel more lonely every day.” “Terrence…” “Maybe, we should have not moved in together? Maybe, we should have left everything as it was? Maybe, we made a mistake when we started to date? Maybe, we should’ve ended it all after meeting a couple of times?” “Please, understand me…” “I don’t like this all, Raquelle. I don’t like the fact that you’re always running from me. I don’t like the fact that we have to pretend to be a perfect couple in public when we are actually not.” “I don’t think everything is bad about us. You and I are living very well. We don’t fight and can agree on everything.” “You don’t think, but I do!” “I promise I will surely find two free hours in my schedule and spend them with you. And do anything you will wish…” “You haven’t kind of had a wish to do it lately. You’re planning your schedule to have no free time for me on purpose.” “But, Terrence…” “It seems like I demand impossible things. But I just want to go somewhere with you. Talk. Share my feelings. Make out. Get a little bit of your attention. To remember that I have a beloved person by my side.” “I dream about it, too.” “Is that bad when a boyfriend and a girlfriend go on dates, kiss, and hug each other? Is that bad when they talk about something? When they spend time together! We can just lie on the sofa and watch a movie with popcorn in our hands!” “No, not at all…” “I don’t wanna fight with you because of that or anything else,” Terrence says gloomily. “But sometimes I think you really want it and ignore me on purpose. You want to provoke a scandal on purpose.” “I don’t ignore you…” “You don’t care about everything about me.” “No, Terrence, that’s not the truth!” “It seems like I am talking to the wall. Who was I telling about a contract with the label? Huh? Who? Who was I sharing my happiness with? With the hope that I will get the support! With the hope that someone will be happy for me!” “Okay… Do you want us to talk about something right now? Ask me anything, and I will answer you.” “As if you’d be interested in talking with me… Knowing you refuse to have intimate…” “I can tell you about how my yesterday’s shooting was. Want me to tell you one funny thing that happened to the model I was shooting with?” “No,” Terrence says without emotions, showing no interest in Raquelle’s business because she does not care about him. “Don’t do. I do not care.” “No, no, you’re gonna love it,” Raquelle promises with a slight smile. “I promise.” “I don’t care about it.” “No, you just listen…” “I said I do not care about what happened to you!” Terrence throws a little louder. “What? But…” “Better tell me about today. Christiana told me that we had a visitor today…” “Erm…” Raquelle tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah, that's true… Today at lunchtime.” “And who that was?” “Natalia.” “Really?” Terrence asks amazingly and turns on Raquelle with a slight smile, deciding he would rather talk about Natalia than about his girlfriend and her success. “Did she show up?” “Yup. I talked to her a little, and then she went home. She didn’t stay for lunch when I had suggested she do that.” “Wow… We knew nothing about her for a few months, but now she has suddenly been found.” “I didn’t also expect her visit. But I had thought of her some time before she rang the doorbell.” “I wonder, what happened to her that Natalia disappeared so suddenly?” Terrence frowns slightly. “Did she say nothing?” “As it turned out, Natalia went to Mexico to visit her grandmother along with her parents,” Raquelle replies with sadness in her eyes. “It happened almost after we moved into this house.” “Mexico? Does her grandmother live there?” “Yes. She got married to a Mexican many years ago and moved there.” “That’s how…” “They went there for the reason. One awful situation happened…” “Really? But what happened?” “Her grandmother got seriously sick.” “Sick? But what?” “She’s been diagnosed with cancer.” “What?” Terrence rounds his eyes. “Natalia’s grandmother has cancer?” “Yup. That’s why Natalia and her parents had to leave New York for a few months and say nothing to anyone.” “My gosh…” “Natalia and her father just returned to the USA, but she will probably leave again in a few days because they don't wanna leave my friend's mother and grandmother alone.” “Wow…” Terrence shakes his head, being truly sorry about the trouble that happened to Natalia’s grandmother. “But why didn’t she contact us on social networks or call us by using a video call at least once?” “She wanted to contact us, but she couldn't do…” Raquelle replies quietly. “I don’t know… Maybe, she didn't wanna talk to someone… Or she had no time… Who knows.” “If it's so, it would be bad to get mad at her for sharply breaking contacts with us.” “I'm not mad at her because this reason is quite respectful. In this case, I can only sympathize with her…” “I hope everything gets better soon. Natalia’s parents aren’t so poor and can let themselves do any therapy. But I must admit that money can’t always save someone’s life.” “You’re right…” Raquelle sighs quietly, looking aside. “But if her grandmother dies, it’s gonna be a strong hit for Natalia. She’s always been very attracted to that woman and adores her… And she says she dreams of seeing her at her wedding when she meets a good man someday.” “We need to call her somehow, show sympathy, and let her know we’d always help her if we could do something.” “Yeah, I think she needs the support of her close people… I've already let her know that I’m ready to help with everything I can do.” “Me too… Me too…” Terrence thinks about something with sadness in his eyes, moving his eyes to the window for a moment. “And didn't she tell you something else?” Terrence specifies. “Except for her grandmother’s illness?” “Well, nope, she didn't say anything special.” Raquelle shrugs slightly. “But… Natalia said that I needed to have a little rest. She believes I’ve worked too much and need to take a little break.” “To have a rest? But why does she think so?” “Natalia decided so because she thinks I look exhausted.” “That’s how…” “And by the way, Christiana said almost the same today… Of course, she said it not from word to word, but the meaning was the same. I’m exhausted. I need a rest.” “Exhausted?” Terrence looks at Raquelle much closer and frowns slightly. “You know, Raquelle, I completely agree with both of them. Honestly, you really look tired…” “What?” “But I’m gonna be honest, I just noticed it… I did not have… Did not have time to notice it.” “Oh, my God…” “Listen, maybe, you really need to take a little break and have a rest?” “Ar-r-r, everyone agreed behind my back,” Raquelle pronounces gloomily, rolling her eyes and exhaling slowly. “I don't need a rest at the moment, and I feel great now. And I will be working until I have the strength and a wish to do it.” “Well, you know, I think you need to have a rest at least for two weeks.” “I see no meaning.” “Look, Raquelle, our makeup artists may have to cover up your circles under your eyes for hours and do their best for your face to look fresh and rested.” “That’s why I always try to fall asleep early,” Raquelle smiles slightly. “Thanks to that, my face looks well but gets much better with cosmetics.” “Anyway, I wouldn’t ignore what’s been said by many people. Think of two weeks of a break. It would be good for you.” “I feel excellent and will be working until I have energy,” Raquelle says confidently. “And I will decide when I should slow down.” “Okay, okay, do what you want,” Terrence sighs tiredly. “I’m not gonna change your mind… It's your business.” Terrence decides not to continue this argument because he completely understands that Raquelle would insist on what she wants. But actually, he does not care about the girl’s wish to work until exhaustion, her tired look, and indifference to everything. The man thinks that he does not have to worry about her because she does not care about his business and got kind of cold to him. “But remember that everyone knows you anyway, and you don’t have to work too hard to reach something,” Terrence adds without emotions. “You’ve worked for one and a half years without stopping. And I think you’ve gotten as much as the most famous models and actors wouldn't get for ages.” “Maybe.” “After you got your honest and kind name back, it’s mentioned on every single society page. And nobody even calls the memory about the scandal of you being slandered by Simon Ringer. They’re praising you and considering you a role model, and you’re getting a lot of offers for work. And people literally fight for you, for a chance to work with you. Because they dream of getting an issue of a magazine with a photo of you on the cover or making you one of the models in a fashion show.” “Yeah, I know,” Raquelle replies amicably. “Nobody wants you to be taken to the hospital with strong exhaustion from a shooting. If you keep doing this, it will surely happen.” “Thank you so much for your care, Terrence, but when I wish to do it, I’ll surely do it. I promise…” “Good, I think you know what you’re doing. You’re an adult girl and can decide what to do. I will not meddle in it.” “Thanks for understanding…” Raquelle falls into silence for two seconds and then clears her throat quietly and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Okay, I will better go to ask the servants to serve dinner for me. I’ll eat, take a shower and go to sleep…” “Don’t you wanna listen to how my audition happened?” Terrence asks without emotions. “Erm, no, let’s talk about it somehow next time.” “Don’t you wanna know even the most important things?” “Nope…” “Okay… If you don’t want… Don’t listen.” “Sorry, I have to go. Tomorrow, I’ll get up early and do lots of things before I go to the meeting.” Raquelle quickly leaves the room and closes the door, while Terrence watches her with a sad look and sighs quietly when he stays alone. Despite trying to save the relationship that has gotten much worse lately so hard, the man stopped feeling happy with the girl, who gave a damn about him and his feelings. Everything was wonderful for some time, but when they moved into the house together, things went kind of wrong. And Terrence does not understand what kind of terrible thing he did if the relationship, which seemed kind of perfect, got much worse. So, the man has only to sit in the room and ask himself why this is happening, and whether starting to date Raquelle, who is probably pretending that she loves him and is obsessed with her career, was the right thing to do.***
It's a late time to go somewhere, and everyone stays home now. Natalia had already come back home and gone to her room a long time ago, deciding to sort out her things a little. After getting through everything she has in her spacious room, Natalia finds some childhood photos. The girl sits on the bed and starts to view every single one of them with interest. Some time later, the blonde finds the one, in which she poses with her schoolmates for a school photo. She was studying at a different school and did not know Raquelle. She could not imagine she would meet the one, who would become her best friend in the future. Viewing this photo, Natalia thinks that she would like to meet those she was studying with because she got on with all of them very well. “Ah, how much I’m missing you, guys,” Natalia says quietly with sadness in her eyes. “I'm so sorry that I had to get separated from you. But I'd be happy to meet you somewhere with pleasure. We could talk about how our lives have changed since that time.” Natalia sighs heavily. “I'm sorry that it's impossible ‘cause everything was happening far away from here…” Natalia adds quietly. “In Kingston… Where I haven’t been for ages…” Natalia puts this photo aside and then finds a photo, in which the girl poses with the guys, with whom she was studying, as well as Raquelle. This shot is common, as well. Natalia is standing in the middle of this photo. This girl with blonde curls reaching her shoulders looks quite noticeable. She stood out against people of her age thanks to her cute and very memorable look and tall height. Even the girl that is standing next to her in the photo and was silently pronounced a queen of literally the whole school, does not seem as memorable as the owner of golden hair that many girls were definitely jealous of. And it’s almost impossible to find Raquelle in the photo because she stands on the edge. Besides, the girl looks unhappy and timid. Someone would hardly believe she could change so much and become the famous worldwide model that all men dream about. Maybe, someone would be loudly laughing because they would not believe it would be possible. They would not believe this homely, by far not the most beautiful girl would become so attractive and confident. Viewing this photo, Natalia thinks of Raquelle. About what she was… About what she has become… How much the girl in the photo has changed… She turned from a homely, nondescript girl to a confident beauty, who is a role model for many girls. Nobody would have thought everything would have happened that people would start praising the one, who was ugly… “I still can't understand why they hated her so much,” Natalia wonders, slightly biting a lip. “Raquelle did nothing bad to anyone! And I don't remember that girl hurting someone. My friend has always been so kind and good. Did everyone just envy her? Or maybe, they completely understood that Raquelle was able to get so much thanks to her strong character? She would prove to everyone that sometimes an ugly duck might become a beautiful swan! Or did they just hate her so much and consider her their number one enemy for nothing?” Natalia sighs with sadness in her eyes. “Thank God, she got through that hell and managed to change and make her life better,” Natalia thinks and smiles slightly. “Maybe… Raquelle would’ve hardly gotten what she wanted if she hadn’t had a harsh character… If she had stayed a timid, insecure girl.” Natalia views Raquelle in the photos for two more seconds. “But sometimes I have a feeling that she did all of that on purpose to make her enemies mad,” Natalia thinks. “My friend wanted to prove that she wasn’t as brainless and talentless as they thought.” Natalia shakes her head. “But the question is, did it make her happy?” Natalia asks herself. “Is she happy to have what she has now? Maybe, she doesn’t actually need it, but Cameron wants to keep proving to everyone that she’s worth something. The people were wrong when insulting and humiliating her and saying she’d never reach just something.” Natalia glances at the window for a second. “Does Raquelle work so hard for everyone just to make everyone realize that she is worth something?” Natalia wonders. “That she is no longer a little, timid, hesitant girl, who was afraid to say a word against the sheep that was bullying her so hard. Bullying her for… Just growing up in a poor family… Wearing the clothes of other people. Not being able to buy something new ‘cause her grandfather had not much money… Not being able to express herself and make everyone think she wasn’t so ugly.” Natalia sighs quietly with sadness in her eyes. “Gosh, is she gonna be working ‘till she’s taken to the hospital with exhaustion because of those people?” Natalia asks herself, viewing one of the photos in a frame that was taken literally two years ago, and in which the girl poses with Raquelle. “Even if she says she didn’t get tired and feels good, now she really needs to slow down and have a rest. I'm so sorry that she doesn't understand it. And she keeps getting herself exhausted… It won’t give her anything good.” Natalia thinks for a few seconds, but later she puts all the photos aside and comes to the window, starting to look at everything that’s happening outside the apartment and noticing a few bright stars that are seen in the sky covered with gray clouds. “I understand everything, but she shouldn’t work so much,” Natalia thinks. “Although Raquelle seems happy to everyone, tiredness can’t be hidden with any type of cosmetics. And she wouldn’t get a gloss in the eyes… Well, my friend doesn’t have it. She does not have it… Sadly…” Natalia shakes her head. “Oh, also, the situation with Terrence is unclear…” Natalia sighs tiredly. “I’ve gotta start an open talk with her and find out if everything’s as okay about her relationship with Terrence as she wants to prove.” Natalia frowns slightly. “Or I’d better talk to MacClife himself…” Natalia thinks. “Maybe, he’ll be much more talkative. I could call him somehow and suggest going somewhere together. I’d really love to know what’s actually happening to their couple. To find out why Raquelle doesn’t look so happy when a talk is about her boyfriend. As if she wanna break up with him but can’t do this for some reason.” Natalia sighs quietly and stands in front of the window for some time, thinking about something and watching what’s happening outside. And then the girl moves her eyes to the clock hanging on the wall in her room and quickly understands that it’s a late enough time. “Wow, how much time is it!” Natalia exclaims, closing her half-open mouth with a hand with her widely open eyes. “I have to go to sleep soon. I’m gonna have many things to do tomorrow. I’ve gotta go somewhere…” Natalia quickly looks around the room and sighs tiredly when she sees the complete mess at this place. “Oh, my gosh, I also need to put everything where I got it from…” Natalia says tiredly. “And to move off all these things, I’m gonna need a lot of time…” Natalia shakes her head. “But I’ve got no choice…” Natalia pronounces. “I’ve gotta sort all of this out. Because I took everything, I should put it in the right places. And then I will go to eat something.” Natalia tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Moreover, Dad is gonna be back home from work soon,” Natalia adds. “Maybe, I’ll be lucky, and we’d have dinner together. Who knows…” A few seconds later, Natalia exhales sharply, steps back from the window, and starts slowly taking all the photos and putting them where they were placed before. After that, the girl puts the other things that she took to look at but leaves something that she forgot about but meant to her on the writing table. And after sorting her things out some time later, Natalia goes to the kitchen to check what kind of food there is in the refrigerator, cook a light dinner, and probably eat it alongside her father, who is supposed to be back home from work at the nearest time.