***
At the same time, Richard is really not far from the house of Raquelle and Terrence. After unsuccessfully trying to get into the territory of the residence, he was thinking of a way to leave the letter from Simon for the lovers for a long time. However, to his happiness, he met Natalia, to whom he gave the greeting from his boss. The girl thought he left after he did it, but the guy was actually not far from the house he needed. After hiding behind the car that is parked a few meters away from a security post and caught his attention first, he starts watching what’s happening with the hope that he may see the blonde again or even Raquelle and Terrence. “Damn!” Richard exclaims. “That’s bad I didn’t get on the territory of their house. Fucking security! I would’ve done that if they hadn’t been there.” Richard glances at the security post, on which there are two tough, young men talking about something and smoking a cigarette. They do make sure that strangers do not come here, let in those, who live or work here, and open the gate when someone comes here in a car. “Yeah…” Richard throws gloomily. “They don’t wanna surround themselves with bodyguards, but they bought the house in a place where even a mouse wouldn’t pass by without the permission of those tough guys. Ar-r-r…” Richard exhales sharply, running his hands over his face. “Alright, let’s view the photos I took…” Richard says quietly. With these words, Richard takes a small, cheap camera from the backpack he is holding on one shoulder. “Maybe, Simon would love to look at what I have,” Richard says thoughtfully. “Maybe, he knows someone of those, who passed by here…” Richard quickly turns on his small camera and starts closely viewing all the photos he took while being here. “Oh, the quality of this thing…” Richard growls irritably, nervously pressing the button, with which he can choose what to view. “Nothing is seen… Ar-r-r… I’ve got no money for a good camera!” Richard views the photos that he took and later reaches the one with an automobile coming to the security post and belonging to Natalia. “What a cool car…” Richard pronounces thoughtfully. “M-m-m… I wish I had it…” Richard views a few more shots of Natalia’s car and later sees the face of the girl, who cutely talks to the security members not hiding their slight smiles. “Hey…” Richard bites his lip slightly. “That’s the blonde I gave the letter of Simon to… Yeah… Right, that’s her…” Richard nods and zooms in on the photo with buttons to see Natalia’s face better. “I wonder, did she give the letter to Terrence and Raquelle?” Richard asks himself. “If she didn’t, Ringer is gonna cut my head. I did promise I’d give the letter to those two!” Richard exhales sharply. “By the way…” Richard frowns slightly. “Who was she going to visit? Is that the sweet couple? Does that blonde know them? And she is… Their friend?” Richard thinks about whether Natalia could have to do with Raquelle and Terrence for a few seconds. “I wonder, does Simon know her?” Richard asks himself. “Could he say who that blonde is?” By this moment, Richard views all the photos of Natalia and her car. “M-m-m, that girl is pretty cute…” Richard smiles slightly. “Beautiful… And she’s so sexy… I wish I hooked up with her… I wonder, does she have a boyfriend? She probably does! Such stunning cuties never stay single. They always get much attention.” Two seconds later, Richard, frowns slightly and clears his throat quickly. “Erm, what I’m doing…” Richard pronounces thoughtfully. “I’m thinking of the wrong things… Save thoughts of sex for later, Richard. Now you’ve gotta think not about it, but about how to get the money Simon promised to give you.” After viewing a few more photos of cars and people that went on the closed territory with the security’s permission, Richard turns off the camera. “Anyway, I have something to tell and show Simon,” Richard says confidently. “And actually, I have nothing to do here. I should’ve given the letter, and I did it. At least, I hope that girl gave it to Raquelle.” Richard puts his camera in his backpack and places it on his shoulders. “Alright, it's time to get out of here!” Richard exclaims. “I will go to visit Simon. Show him the photos. And ask if he knows that blonde. And whether he has some plans for her.” After looking around a little scarily, Richard goes further and further from the territory, in which the house of Terrence and Raquelle and the houses of their nearest neighbors are located. After this, he, stopping multiple times to have some rest, takes a few meters to the closest bus stop, at which only two people are standing and looking at different sides. It makes the young guy happy because he hates to be in overcrowded buses, in which there are no free places and people press tightly to each other. And Simon’s accomplice does not like to wait for transport to come. But today he is very lucky because some time later, Richard sees a little bus, which he needs, and which is almost empty. The happy guy quickly gets into it, pays for the trip with quite a dirty and shabby banknote, and then sits in a free place near the window – far from those, who are sitting closer to the driver, and places his backpack on his laps. After spending some time on the way and looking at what he is going by with interest, Richard decides to call Simon to warn him that he will come to visit him soon. The guy takes his phone from a little backpack and types the number that he knows as well as his five fingers. And while his eyes watch what the bus is going by without emotions, Richard gets an answer from Simon, who definitely has a good mood, quite quickly. “Hello, Simon?” Richard pronounces quietly. “Richard is bothering you.” “What’s up, Richard?” Simon asks in a cheerful voice. “What about the letter? Did you deliver it to my beloved Raquelle?” “Everything is great, boss, the gal has probably already read it.” “Excellent! I am very glad.” “Listen, Simon, can I go to your home right now? I want to show you a few photos I took while being on the territory of the house of the gal and her boyfriend.” “Of course, you can!” Simon exclaims. “You can come right now if you want.” “I will come to you literally for two minutes.” “Come here! I am now sitting at home.” “Of course, I am coming to you. I’ve been on a bus for about twenty minutes… I’m supposed to come soon.” “So, I will be waiting for you.” “Alright, I will come soon!” “I can’t already wait to know what you want to show me.” “I am sure you are going to be interested.” “Alright… I am waiting for you.” “See you soon, Simon,” Richard turns off the call, puts his mobile phone in his backpack, and leans back in the seat, dreaming of reaching Simon’s home as soon as possible and seeing that more and more people get on the bus after every stop. That’s what makes his mood much worse. Now the boy is regretting leaving his old MP3 player at home and not being able to put on headphones, enjoy his favorite music, and not to listen to noises on the bus, and the feminine talks about what makes the guy go insane.***
After about one hour of the way on a bus that got him a little tired, Richard finally arrives where he is going to meet Simon. Who is living in almost the same hostel the guy is living in. But the condition of this place is much better. And the building of the hostel is not located in the middle of nowhere, unlike the place where his home is. Ringer is not happy to live in a place like this, but unfortunately, he is as poor as his accomplice. When Richard leaves the bus, he has to pass a very long distance to the right place, starting to get tired after a long walk at some moment. But later, he finally reaches the hostel, quietly enters it, and asks permission from an old woman sitting near the entry to go to the man that is living in the room with the number #147, which is located on the third floor. Which the young guy goes up to, feeling that the bad smells of this place are getting into his nose. So, Richard finally comes to the room he needs and quietly knocks at the door with a fist. He waits for a reaction for a few seconds, and then the door opens, and the guy sees Simon having just a wonderful mood and not hiding his wide smile. “Oh, man, I’ve been waiting for you!” Simon exclaims happily. “Welcoming you again,” Richard says politely. “Glad to see you.” Simon and Richard share a strong handshake. “Come in,” Simon invites, making a gesture and stepping back from the doorstep. Richard crosses the doorstep with a slight smile and goes to the room, strongly frowning and starting to look around with disgust, while Simon closes the door and locks it. “I hope I will be interested in the information you brought me,” Simon smiles slyly. “I want to hope you are going to love what I have for you,” Richard replies confidently with a slight smile. “So, what do you have?” “I have a few photos. Maybe, you view them? What if there is someone you know in them?” “Great, then give them to me now!” “They’re here, in the camera… Now…” Richard opens his backpack and searches for the camera in it. “Here’s it!” Richard exclaims and gives the camera to Simon. “Take it!” Simon takes the camera, turns it on, and starts pressing buttons, closely viewing all the photos he can see in it. “What is that?” Simon wonders, sitting on his harsh bed, on which there are very old bedclothes covered with yellow tracks in some areas. “Did you decide to photography cars and show them to me?” “Actually, there are not only cars,” Richard replies confidently, sitting on the bed next to Simon. “Did you come here to show me that?” Simon sharply moves his eyes to Richard, showing no interest in the photos that he took. “Stalker, do you have brains? I am thinking about how to get revenge for the humiliations and pain I got through, but you decided to take photos of cars!” “No, come on, boss!” “You were asked to go there to watch MacClife and Cameron and find out if someone came to them and whether they went out. But you photographed cars!” Simon sees photos of some unfamiliar people he has never met. “Why did you photograph them? Why do I the fuck need them?” “I was photographing everyone to go to the territory,” Richard shrugs slightly. “Why?” “I thought you could know someone!” “I don’t know any single person to be here!” “No?” “You’re just wasting my time,” Simon says gloomily. “I thought you had something important, but you…” “Don’t you know her, too?” “Who, her?” “Now…” Richard sharply takes the camera from Simon and looks for the photos, in which it's possible to see Natalia’s face, and shows them to his accomplice. “Here! Do you see the girl with blonde hair?” “Of course, I see!” Simon smirks ironically. “I am not blind!” “Don’t you know anything about that girl?” “Oh, let me take a closer look…” After exhaling sharply, Simon takes the camera from Richard and views the photos of Natalia closely. “Well, no, I do know that girl,” Simon says thoughtfully. “That’s Raquelle’s friend. Her name is Natalia. Natalia Rochester.” “Natalia Rochester?” Richard pronounces amazingly. “As far as I know, she’s the best friend of hers.” “Do you know her personally?” “Nope, I don’t know her. But I managed to find out many interesting things about her.” “Would you share?” “Well, first, she is the daughter of provided people. They are well known in some circles and earn a lot of money. Her mother is a famous jurist in the fashion industry, and her father is a popular fashion journalist. They have been hanging out with famous people for ages and got so famous that they require much money for their services.” “That’s how…” Richard smiles slyly. “So, is she a rich girl?” “Sort of. The girl does not work and gets pleasure from spending money of her parents. And they do not mind it.” “Alright… Do you know something else about her? She dates someone?” “Nope, her heart does not belong to anyone so far. But thanks to her appearance, she always gets much attention and wouldn’t mind flirting with young guys.” “So, is she still looking for a rich man that would provide her as well as her mommy and daddy?” “Oh, yeah!” Simon exclaims. “But nobody wants to marry that chick yet. However, time is moving on. Her friend already found a boyfriend, but that cutie is still trying to get the heart of a man.” “I see…” Richard pronounces thoughtfully. “Hey…” Simon moves his eyes sharply to Richard. “Why do you care about that girl? And why did you photograph her? Did she go to Raquelle’s home?” “She did, Simon!” Richard nods confidently. “I saw her coming there in a car. She went to the security post, talked to the security about something, and went to the territory of the house of her friend and her boyfriend.” “Yeah, but how did you give the letter to Raquelle? Gave it to the security?” “Huh, those tough guys didn’t actually even let me into the territory of her house! I even tried to ask them to give the letter to that girl, but they kicked me out. Threatened to call the cops if I refused to leave. So, I didn’t risk and left…” “But how did you give her the letter?” “Gave it to that blonde.” “Come on?” Simon rounds his eyes. “You gave the letter to Natalia?” “Yeah. I asked her if she was living in that neighborhood. And when she said she just came to visit someone, I gave her the letter and asked her to leave it under the door of her friend’s house.” “I hope you didn’t tell her that was the letter from me?” “No, of course! I just called the address of the house and left. And I also thanked her for help.” “Alright…” Simon thinks for two seconds. “Okay! I think that gal gave the letter to Raquelle.” “Well, if you said it was Raquelle’s friend, I am sure that she was going to go to the house of her and Terrence,” Richard says confidently. “Yes, yes. Don’t worry about it. But you would’ve better left the letter under the door personally.” “I would've been happy to do it, but the security didn’t let me in. So, I wasn’t able to come to the house of that girl and their neighbors’ houses. I watched everything from far.” “Yeah, sorry…” “Oh, yeah!” Richard smirks quietly. “They surrounded themselves with security by buying the house located at the place that was under the view.” “Right… And honestly, they are a little weird. They walk quietly alone outside, but they bought the house that you couldn’t get in so easily.” “Probably, all the rich and famous people live there! So, they gave money to buy a security post and a gate.” “You’re right…” “I decided not to try to argue with those men and to try to get in by force. Because I wanted to have no problems. I didn’t want them to call the cops. And I don’t want to be in a cell.” “You did a very wise thing,” Simon replies confidently. “If you’d been caught by the police, I would’ve been caught, too.” “But I would not have betrayed you! I would’ve pretended that I didn’t know Simon.” “Yeah, but after reading my letter, they would’ve realized that you were my accomplice, and I told you to give it to the gal.” “Don’t worry, boss, I will not betray you to the police,” Richard promises with his head proudly raised. “I can pay for all the things I’ve ever done, but I would not betray you even under the threat of the death penalty.” “That’s what I like about you!” Simon clenches his hand into a fist with a sly smile and slightly smashes it against Richard’s forearm. “You can be loyal and know when you better shit up.” “I’m trying, Simon,” Richard shrugs with a slight smile. “Anyway, you did it. You did what I asked you about.” “I am sure Raquelle has already read your letter and is now thinking of how to stay safe and help her close people do it.” “She can do…” Simon smiles slyly. “But she wouldn’t do anything.” “And her friend was probably also scared. She probably already knows what you are going to do.” “I want them to be afraid… I want them to wish to run… I want them to live every single day as if this is the last one for all of them… That’s a part of my plan. To drive them crazy.” “By the way, Simon, do you have some ideas about how to scare that blonde friend of Raquelle?” Richard asks. “Raquelle’s friend? Hm…” Simon thinks for a few seconds, frowning slightly and stroking his chin. “You know, boy, I really have an idea!” “Really?” Richard gets excited. “I just came up with a genius plan about how to turn Natalia against Raquelle.” “Weren’t you going to get them to fight?” “I was. But I didn’t know how. However, I planned everything this time.” “Great, and how are you going to get them to fight?” Richard shows interest. “You will find out everything very soon, buddy,” Simon replies with a mysterious smile. “Anyway, I would need your help.” “I am at your service, Simon! Leave it to me if you want. And I will quickly do my best for those girls to pull each other’s hair.” “No, no…” Simon raises his hand. “Don’t need to get them to fight now. I will do it a little later.” “But what are you going to do now?” “Now we just need to scare that blonde beauty a little.” “Scare? That gal?” “First, I did not want to hurt the friends of that gal and get them involved in that game. But every single day, I want to shake them and freshen them up. And Raquelle’s friends are going to be first.” “Alright…” “We should let Natalia know that she would regret it if she were helping her friend fight with me and dared to say just one word against me.” “M-m-m…” Richard smiles slyly. “Do you want me to catch that girl and show her where she belongs?” “Yes, Richard!” Simon nods confidently. “I want you to do it.” “Alright, I shall do this. But at first, I should watch her. Find out where she goes.” “Well, I don’t know where she goes, but I can give you her home address. You’d go there, watch… Maybe, that beauty would be pleased to go somewhere. You’d watch her and wait for a good moment. And then you would come to her and tame that cutie.” “Excellent!” Richard exclaims with his head proudly raised. “I shall do everything, don’t worry.” “And yeah… I want you to do your best to make the blonde sure that being next to Raquelle is dangerous to her, and she must break all the contact with her.” “Break contacts?” “Yes. Make Natalia believe that if she keeps speaking to Raquelle, she will regret it very much.” “I guess it's possible.” “My goal is to make that gal leave her friend alone and let her solve what she is going to be allegedly blamed for. Not only I will just say all the same things to them one or two times. I am going to repeat the same thing many times to make them believe me. Believe that the source of all the problems is Cameron.” “So…” Richard smiles slyly. “Would you do your best for them to think what’s happening to those people is allegedly Raquelle’s fault?” “I wouldn’t have to,” Simon shrugs with a shy smile. “Those people do know that it will start because of her. They believe that if not for my dear Raquelle, everything would be alright.” “What if they keep helping and supporting her?” “They will not. Yes, maybe, they tell that girl they will not leave her. But I shall turn their lives into hell, and those people will start turning their backs on her and looking for a reason not to meet her. I repeat, I will be pressing on them again and again and finding arguments that would help me make them sure that Raquelle is the walking trouble. The reason that causes the chaos around her.” “M-m-m, that’s how…” “Soon, they will be so scared and angry that they will really believe what’s happening is allegedly her fault. But if someone wishes to stay with her, I will use my charm and wash the brains of anyone, who would need it.” Simon smiles slyly. “Or…” Simon pronounces thoughtfully. “I shall wash the brains of Raquelle. To make her fight with those to wish to stay with her until the end.” “Cool…” Richard happily rubs his hands. “It’s going to be a serious hit for her.” “Who knows… We will see what is more important to her: her modeling career or her friends and family. Whether she will be worried about them as much as about her reputation and her career.” “So… Do you think she will not care? Will she think that everybody can turn their backs on her, but nothing should happen to her career?” “Well, I don’t know if it's the truth… But in her interviews, Raquelle always noticed how much her career meant to her. Not family… Not friends… Not her own boyfriend… But her career.” “So… If it's so, she will not be too upset if everyone leaves her behind.” “Maybe, not. But anyway, I am going to get that girl so exhausted that she will start slowly going crazy. I will give her not one but a few strong hits in the back. I will do my best for her to stay alone without the support of those, who she calls her close people.” “I’d watch how she would fight with you all alone.” “I doubt she’d have the strength and a wish by that moment.” “The important thing is to get off those, who are much closer to her. Her best friend and her boyfriend…” “Don’t worry, Richy, I shall do this to them. And I will get her to fight with her friends and relatives. Natalia will give a damn about Raquelle’s problems, and Terrence will not wish to help her. Help the one who definitely does not love him much.” “That’s right…” Richard nods, crossing his arms over his chest. “Although the end of their relationship is very close, I will do my best to make it happen sooner. Even the strongest sexual affection not to be a reason to stay together.” “Yes, Simon, yes! Turn that actor against her! Do this!” “And I also have an idea for how to make him get seriously mad at her.” “What?” “Wait, buddy, wait. You will know everything soon. But be sure, my plan is going to work one hundred percent.” “I do not doubt you!” “Yeah…” Simon smirks slyly. “That gal is going to be all alone. Alone with her problems. And nobody will help her. Nobody will love to help the little star of runways and glossy magazines.” “Oh, yeah,” Richard nods confidently with a slight smile. “Ah, buddy…” Simon sighs quietly with a slight smile. “I cannot wait to see that gal broken, alone, unhappy… Begging for mercy…” “Soon, Simon, soon…” Richard replies confidently. “When I get off those, who could stop me, I shall enjoy the result. And trust me, kid, it's going to be really worth it.” “By the way, I remember you saying you had a secret that would break Raquelle down.” “Yeah, but I will tell you nothing yet.” “I don’t mean it. I just want to know… Are you going to tell her that now or somehow later?” “No, Richard, not now,” Simon shakes his head. “I will be giving hits with the increasing pain. Every new hit is going to destroy her morally. And, maybe, even physically.” “Is it a case of drinks, when you drink a stronger drink every time?” “Something like that. At first, she may believe that she will take it. But every single hit of mine is going to be strong. And when I reach the peak, the gal will be very exhausted. She will get literally weak.” “Listen, as I understand, you’ve got tons of ideas!” Richard notices cheerfully. “Right…” Simon smiles slyly. “I have very many ideas for revenge,” Simon says confidently and glances at a small window. “And I do not even know what to do first… And whether I should make my ideas come true…” “Do what you would like to do,” Richard advises. “Do not hold yourself down.” “I do not do.” “If you decided to do it, do not stop.” “No matter what, I clearly know one thing.” Simon moves his eyes to Richard. “May all the terrible events happen chronologically. I want every single event to be more terrible than the previous one. It would be much more interesting.” “I don't doubt you could do this,” Richard replies with his head proudly raised. “Especially, me. I don’t doubt.” Simon starts laughing quietly, raising his head proudly, while Richard looks at him with a sly smile on his face. He does not doubt that his plan is going to work absolutely well. He knows it's really going to drive Raquelle crazy and destroy her morally and psychically. This man is sure that nothing would stop him from reaching his goal and doing his best to take revenge on the girl, whom he also wants to tell something that would definitely get her shocked.***
Some time later, Natalia returns home, where there is nobody here. After quickly putting on a simple t-shirt and shorts, the girl decides to eat something and find out what’s translating now on a TV, with the hope that she will manage to watch a good movie or show. But her plans do not come true because Anna calls her on a mobile phone at some moment with a wish to talk to her friend on the phone and share the problems she had to run into. Natalia herself is happy with this call and decides that it's a good moment to tell the red-haired girl about being in danger because of Simon Ringer. But the blonde notices her friend is upset about something and first decides to ask what’s wrong. “Oh, Anna, what’s wrong with your voice?” Natalia shows anxiety with sadness in her eyes, reading something while she is lying on her stomach in her bed and pressing her smartphone to her ear. “You’re kinda strange… I mean, your voice is strange.” “I called you to talk out a little,” Anna confesses quietly. “Do you have problems? Could I help you somehow?” “Ah, how could you help me? It doesn’t depend on you.” “What’s wrong? Tell me! I wanna know what’s happening to you. Why you’re so upset…” “It's all my parents,” Anna exhales sharply. “So, did you fight with them again?” “I could say so.” “They banned you from something again?” “Yes!” Anna starts speaking very quickly and nervously, not hiding her recentness and irritation: “You imagine, my parents banned me from going to clubs and meeting my friends!” “Banned? What do you mean?” “They did! I’m now not able to meet you!” “What do you mean you aren’t able?” Natalia rounds her eyes. “Since I graduated from the university, my parents have begun to watch me much more closely.” “So, wouldn’t you and I go to clubs and meet single guys?” “Sorry, friend… But I’m not allowed to go nowhere.” “My gosh, Anna…” Natalia shakes her head. “I’m so sorry…” “If only you knew how sick I am of their everyday lectures about how I should behave,” Anna sighs tiredly. “How I am sick of Father and Mother trying to decide what I should do and how I should live.” “But they’ve always banned you from going to some places they didn’t like.” “Yeah, but this time, they literally banned me from leaving home!” “Oh, gosh…” “It's so hurt…” Anna sniffs quietly. “It's hurt they don't understand me and don't even want to do,” Anna says in a little shaking voice, standing near a window of her room and looking at everything that’s happening outside. “Moreover, I’m not a child anymore. But Mother and Father treat me like I’m not twenty-two.” “Forgive me for saying that, but your family has always been a little weird,” Natalia says confidently. “They were also always banned from everything, and now those people are doing this to me.” “My poor girl…” “I’m not able to go anywhere! My parents make me stay home and, as they said, think of my behavior. And my mother gave me tons of books I should read. Read and understand a meaning to tell her what I understood. But I began to fall asleep on the second page, ‘cause they’re terribly boring.” “So, aren’t you able to meet me and that guy you met at the club?” Natalia asks with sadness in her eyes. “Oh, about that guy!” Anna steps back from the window and sits on her bed. “Yesterday, I told my mother about that guy. I naively thought she would be happy for me and help me choose something beautiful in case he invited me somewhere.” “And your mother wasn’t happy?” “She didn’t care. Until I said I met that guy at a nightclub.” “That’s how?” “She started reading me a lecture! That meeting at clubs is dangerous… That I am not allowed to go to clubs because only possessed maniacs go there. And I heard so many other things that I've heard millions of times.” “But she should know you’d never speak to bad people. Besides, you’ve got a nose for good people. If you say someone is good, we may not doubt it.” “Yeah, but my family believes there are no good people in clubs.” “Where would we meet men, expect parties, dances, and hangouts?” “I said it to Mother. But she just snapped at me and told me to do what I should do. And not to open my mouth. Father and she better know what would be better for me.” “Yeah…” Natalia sighs quietly. “I guess they went too far in educating you well.” “I can’t take this anymore!” Anna exhales sharply. “I want freedom! I wanna decide who to communicate with and spend time with! Not speak to someone at the command of my parents!” “I get it.” “You know how boring those people they make me speak to are. They like it and get pleasure, but I wanna run away. Even if I can’t be mean to them. I’ve gotta bite a bullet and smile at them. But I’ve got nothing to talk to them about.” “It's like a case when two mommies are long-time friends and try to make their children speak. But those can’t stand each other and would never become close people.” “Exactly! Mother and Father befriend some people and want me to be gentle with them and befriend their daughters and sons. And I am not actually interested in them. I wanna laugh, have fun and play the fool, but they don’t even know these words. They could only talk about the latest book they read and tell me a lecture about what I don’t actually understand. For example, one of the sons of my father's friend annoyed me with his stories about nuclear physics. And he tried to ask me what I thought about it. But I understand nothing about it.” “Wow… My gosh…” “Oh…” Anna exhales slowly. “Okay, I would take it somehow. But I don’t like the fact that my parents decided to seriously work on my personal life and already began to plan my wedding.” “Your wedding?” Natalia pronounces amazingly. “Yeah. Yesterday, Father told me he, Mother, and my grandparents wanted to find a husband that would be good to me in their opinion.” “Husband? Seriously?” “Absolutely! They were waiting for me to graduate from the university. But now my family has started talking about my forthcoming wedding. And they don’t even want to hear that I don’t wanna marry someone I don’t love.” “But how is it possible?” Natalia resents. “You’ve gotta live with a husband, not them!” “As they always say, older people better know what I need. But I’d prefer studying and reading all of their boring books for a whole day over marrying someone they consider my potential fiancé.” “Who do they want to marry you off?” “One of two sons of the man, whom my family has befriended for ages. And they actually planned to marry us a long time ago.” “You know them?” “Yeah, I do. Since childhood.” “What do you think of them?” “One man is good and interesting to talk with, but I don’t like spending time with the other. One man has the same age as me, and another is eleven years older than me.” “Eleven?” Natalia gets loudly amazed. “Yup.” “Wow…” “And I don’t love anyone of them. I couldn’t even try to love. I don’t get attracted to them. And… I get horrified from thinking I’d have to live with one of them.” “And what are you gonna do? Obey your family’s wish and get married?” “Never!” Anna protests loudly. “Never, for anything! I’d die, but I'll never get married to the man I don’t love!” “But what about your parents?” “I don’t know, but I won't let that wedding happen! I don’t want to live the same unhappy life my grandparents, Father, and Mother did. All of them were married off without their agreement. Nobody cared if they liked their partner. And they didn’t mind. They just accepted it as it should’ve happened and decided not to fight with their fate. They lived their whole lives with the one they never looked at with love.” “What’s gonna happen if you refuse? If you’re asked whether you want to take that person to your husband!” “I dunno, friend…” Anna shrugs slightly. “Nobody from my family has said, ‘no’ before the altar. But I guess I’d just get kicked out of the home. I’d be told to live on my own, and they’d refuse to feed me and give me money.” “But could you live if you were really kicked out?” “I think I could do it. But I’d have to find a home and a job.” “When is your family gonna plan your wedding?” “I don’t know yet. But I’m afraid they’ll do it very soon. They won’t waste time. I delayed that moment for a long time…” “Yeah?” “Actually, they wanted to get me married literally at the age of eighteen. But my father and mother decided that I should've been better focused on my studies. Me not to think of getting ready for the wedding. Of course, my grandparents resented a little ‘cause they believed playing a wedding as early as possible was right, but then they thought a little and agreed to wait. A girl with a high education is always more appreciated.” “My gosh…” “Oh, yeah…” Anna sighs heavily. “I should prevent this wedding somehow but don’t know how. I don’t wanna doom myself to an unhappy life. I don’t want.” “Ah, friend…” Natalia shakes her head with sadness in her eyes. “I don’t even know how to help you… What to advise…” “You can do nothing in this case.” “I know. Anyway, I’m by your side.” “Thanks, Natalia…” Anna smiles slightly. “Thank God, at least you’re by my side.” “You know I’d always support you.” “Thanks a lot, but in my case, I don’t need words, I need actions.” Anna sighs heavily. “My God, I'd agree with it if I were ten years old or younger. But I'm almost twenty-three. Why can't I do whatever I want and talk to those, who I feel more comfortable with than with my own family?” “Sadly, to them, happiness has a different meaning,” Natalia sighs quietly. “Ah, how much I’m jealous of you and Raquelle… You were never banned from anything…” “Right, my parents never aimed to choose my life for me. They knew I’d never do something terrible. I am quite an educated person, who could behave worthily.” “Your mom and dad have never judged you. Don’t make you work if you don’t want to. Don’t make you get married to someone you don’t love and give birth to a child from him. They let you do everything!” “That’s why I love them,” Natalia smiles shyly. “For loving me for what I am. Even if I am an idler for some people, who wastes the money of my parents and goes everywhere to find a man, who would love me and wish to marry me.” “Ah, my parents are different…” Anna sighs heavily with sadness in her eyes. “My gosh, why aren’t you my sister, and why aren’t your parents mine?” “You can’t choose parents, Anna,” Natalia notices quietly. “You should love them for what they are.” “I love them very much but want them to give me freedom. Let me decide how, where and who I want to live with. I would be madly grateful to them. Because… I don’t ask them anything impossible.” Anna says nothing for two seconds. “I don’t even ask them to give me love. I don’t ask them to always hug and kiss me, ‘cause I’m already used to the fact that they’ve always been discreet and not been able to show their emotions and feelings. Yes, I would like them to do it, but I could live without it. I wish they just gave me freedom and accepted any of my decisions.” “C’mon, Anna, don’t worry. It's gonna be okay.” “Aha… I doubt it. They would marry me off and tell my husband to control me. And I’d have to say goodbye to my careless life and become a perfect wife. And a mother… One beautiful day…” “Your parents should understand they won't be controlling you forever. You’re no longer a child and can be responsible for you and your acts.” “Yeah, but how do I explain it to Mother and Father? Who want to hear anything about what I need! I am kind of a nobody. I have no right to my opinion. The right to show my feelings.” “It’s gonna be fine, my sweetie,” Natalia softly calms down with a slight smile. “Just don’t worry.” “I can't…” Anna sighs heavily. “It's too hard…” “Don’t be upset. Please.” “Alas, I see no solution for this situation. I don’t know how to avoid that wedding.” “I’m sure you’ll find a solution, early or late. Well, or parents wake up.” “No, Natalia, they won’t wake up.” “It's gonna okay. Trust me. Just believe you’ll avoid the wedding you don’t want. And you’d do this early or late.” Anna says nothing and just sighs heavily, thinking about something for two seconds. “Oh, okay, let’s change the subject,” Anna says quietly and sniffs, running her hand through her hair. “I don’t wanna talk about it… Don’t wanna talk only about me.” “Just remember that I’ll always be by your side,” Natalia replies with a slight smile. “I know, sweetie.” Anna falls into silence for two seconds and frowns slightly. “Erm, your voice is also strange. You’re kind of upset by something… Or anxious…” “I am,” Natalia sighs heavily, slowly rolling onto the back. “Something happened?” “Oh, you know…” Natalia runs a free hand through her hair. “Today, I went Raquelle’s home…” “How’s she doing there?” “Holding on.” “Simon hasn’t started his game yet?” “It seems like he's done it. He sent a letter to Cameron.” “A letter?” Anna frowns slightly. “Yup. He clearly let her know that she’s on his hook.” “Oh, my gosh…” “By, the way, I was given the letter by one guy, who was walking not far from Terrence and Raquelle’s house not for the first time.” “Guy?” Anna rounds her eyes. “Yes. He came to me when I was gonna get close to the security post in my car. He wondered if I lived there and asked me to leave the letter under the door of Cameron and MacClife’s house.” “So, is that guy his accomplice?” “Maybe. But at first, I didn’t know the letter was from Simon ‘cause it had no signatures.” “Hey, who’s that guy?” “I dunno… I never met him… But I disliked him. He seemed kind of suspicious to me. Moreover, I also saw him trying to pass by the security and get on the territory of the house of the MacClifes.” “Maybe, he wanted to leave the letter by himself but couldn’t do that. And you just stood in his way to his happiness.” “Yeah, right…” Natalia sighs heavily, slowly gets up from the bed, and comes to the window. “Hey, what did Simon write in that letter?” Anna asks. “You don’t know?” “I know,” Natalia pronounces quietly. “He said he knew everything about us.” “What?” “I wanted to say he knew where Raquelle and Terrence and their friends and relatives lived.” “What?” Anna opens her eyes widely. “And I’m afraid that Simon might suddenly visit you and me.” “Oh, my gosh…” Anna puts her hand on her heart, which started beating much faster. “I’m kind of scared…” “Me too…” Natalia nods. “Simon might go to our home at any time.” “That man could definitely do much.” “I know… I wouldn't be surprised if he decided to get us involved in this case and deal with us as well as he wants to do it to Raquelle.” “But why?” Anna wonders. “Simon doesn’t know us! Neither you nor me!” “And I don’t know how he could know all of that?” “Listen, maybe, Simon bluffs? Maybe, he actually knows nothing about us? And try to terrify Raquelle!” “I don’t know, Anna…” Natalia shakes her head. “Maybe, he does… I wouldn’t be surprised… But I’m scared anyway.” “If only he didn’t tell someone to deal with us. To close our mouths…” “Yeah, I’m afraid of that…” “But nothing has happened yet. Nobody has called us. And nobody has gone to our home.” “You think we’d get off it?” “I wanna believe it.” “Me too… Anyway, I’m begging you, be careful. Try to go out as less as possible. Or Simon or his friend might watch you.” “Don’t worry, Natalia, I will be very careful,” Anna promises softly. “I worry about you,” Natalia confesses, running her hand through her hair. “You’ve always been too calm to fight off someone.” “If I have to protect myself, I shall do my best.” “Better stay home and go nowhere. I could say your parents banned you from going somewhere just in time.” “Yeah, but that does not mean I’d listen to them. My parents banned me, but they don’t watch me. So, I could quietly get out and come back before their return from work, and none of them would notice it.” “Alright, I got it,” Natalia laughs shyly. “But please, Anna, stay home and go out as less as possible. Yes, we can’t exclude that Ringer could go our home. But it would be better to be home than somewhere in the city.” “Don’t worry, Natalia, it's gonna be okay,” Anna replies softly. “Better take care of your safety. I also worry about you and don’t want anything to happen to you.” “I’m gonna be fine, friend,” Natalia smiles shyly. “I will try to get out as less as possible and be careful when I have to open the door to someone.” “I wish Ringer did nothing to us.” “Amen, darling.” Silence settles in the air for two seconds, which Natalia breaks: “Okay, let’s talk about something yet. Or I’m gonna get a headache from talking about problems and threats.” “Yeah, we got busy with problems,” Anna notices thoughtfully. “You better tell me what about the guy from the club.” “M-m-m, that guy…” Anna smiles mysteriously. “Are still thinking of him?” “Always thinking. Now thinking of him is the only thing that makes me happy.” “Hasn’t he called you? Invited you somewhere to walk?” “By the way, I wanted to talk to you about it.” Anna bends her legs under herself and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Tonight, I wanna violate the rule and get out somewhere,” Anna confesses. “Huh?” “My parents aren't at home ‘cause they went away somewhere due to their business.” “M-m-m…” Natalia smiles mysteriously. “That’s how…” “My grandparents wouldn’t also come ‘cause they’ve lately had health issues. So… Nothing can stop me.” “Hey, you haven’t said if that man called you.” “He called,” Anna nods confidently. “Called?” Natalia expresses happiness loudly. “Yes, he called!” Anna exclaims happily. I did say he wouldn’t forget me!” “My gosh! That’s amazing! Friend…” “That guy called me and invited me to have a walk with him tonight.” “Come on?” Natalia smiles widely. “Did he really invite you to go?” “He did, Natalia! He did!” Anna makes a loud, happy whoop. “The most handsome guy I’ve ever met invited me to have a walk!” Anna adds. “Hey, when did he call you?” Natalia asks. “Literally two hours ago. He said he’d love to keep speaking to me and suggested accompanying him tonight.” “That’s cool!” Natalia smiles widely. “I’m so happy for you!” “Aw, friend…” Anna smiles shyly. “How shy and sweet he was when scarily suggesting me going somewhere… He was probably afraid that I would’ve declined it, ‘cause his voice was literally shaking…” “M-m-m, wow…” Natalia nods. “Friend… It seems like he has a crush on you!” “Did or not, but he wants us to keep speaking.” “My gosh, how it’s great you thought about giving him your number! Or you would’ve hardly met him again… And you would’ve had to do your best to stop dreaming of him and hopping on something.” “Don’t worry, Rochester, the guy that I met wouldn’t have to find you to get my phone number or home address,” Anna says funnily. “Anyway, you got what you want,” Natalia laughs shyly. “That guy did call you when he realized he wanted to do it and invited you to have a walk.” “Yeah…” Anna makes a happy whoop again. “A-a-a, my gosh! I'm so happy he invited me to walk!” “My gosh, you met him yesterday, but you act as if you’re waiting for him to confess his love for you and propose to you to marry.” “I just have a feeling that it’s mine,” Anna confesses shyly. “I felt very good when talking to him. That man spreads warmth and kindness. He… I dunno… It's a very nice feeling… Warming…” “Anyway, I'll be very happy for you if you were lucky with him, and he was really a good and decent man,” Natalia replies with a slight smile. “Ah, I’m impatiently waiting for the meeting with him. When I could talk to him and get to know that man much better.” “Don’t rush, Anna. Let things happen as they want.” “Trust me, friend, when you meet your man, you will understand it, as well,” Anna says confidently. “You will get a wish to marry him.” “Ah, friend…” Natalia sighs quietly with sadness in her eyes, being a little sad because she is not very lucky with guys, despite catching men’s admiring gazes and flirting with them. “Sometimes I doubt I’d meet a man that would make me dream of it,” Natalia confesses thoughtfully. “Why not?” Anna wonders. “You’re smart and beautiful! Men always pay attention to you!” “Yeah, but it doesn’t make sense! I’ve never met good guys that would wish something serious.” “Don’t lose hope, Natalia,” Anna says with sadness in her eyes. “You will surely meet your only one.” “I dunno, friend…” Natalia tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Every day, I’m losing hope more and more. Hope for getting married. Or at least meeting the one, who would think I could be a long-time girlfriend. Not the one, whom he could have sex with just once.” “You’ll surely meet and love someone,” Anna assures with a slight smile. “Early or late, fate will bring you to the one, who deserves such a wonderful girl.” “I doubt…” Natalia pronounces with sadness in her eyes. “Men don’t pay attention to me.” “Don’t pay attention to you? When you walk by a handsome guy, he may break his neck while watching you. And didn’t you forget some handsome men flirting with you yesterday while I was talking to that guy?” “They all need only flirt – no more. And there are such prevents, who want only to get any girl they like to bed. With the thought that she’ll do anything he wants. And then leave her the next day and forget her as if nothing happened.” “Yeah, I agree that there are such insolent people. But some of those you’ve met were interested in you, not your body or look.” “No, Anna, I haven’t met the one, who’d be interested in my inside world…” Natalia sighs quietly. “Who’d like to know what I feel, what I want… Guys only see me as a beautiful blonde with blue eyes, with whom they can flirt and also discuss dirty things about sex.” “Your time will come, my dear,” Anna says cheerfully. “Now nobody sees what you want them to see about you, but someday everything will be changed when you meet the one, who’d understand you without saying a word. Not only see your wonderful body that you never stop working hard on.” “Yeah, as it turned out, beautiful people aren’t lucky in love either…” “You know, the same was happening to me for a long time. All the men noticed nothing about me but my baby face, which makes me much younger. But later, they started seeing other things about me… Started to notice that I was very smart, educated, shy, and intelligent…” “Men have never given you dirty suggestions. But I always get them. Yes, nobody has tried to rape me and take me to bed by force, but I do suffer from harassment. I’ve done for ages. Even if I do nothing to take that.” “Don’t be upset, Blondie…” Anna pronounces softly. “Someday everything will be changed. Just don’t be stuck on that. Don’t be obsessed with thoughts of a wedding and children. Take it quietly.” “I’m not obsessed with a wedding. I just wanna love and be beloved. I want to have a strong, trustful man by my side, who I could press to.” “I know, sweetie. But trust me, someday, you’ll be lucky. You haven’t met your true love yet. And the man, who is destined for you, hasn’t found a way to you.” “Oh…” Natalia sighs heavily. “I hope you will be lucky to have that guy… Maybe… That guy is your destiny. The one to save you from your family. And not to let you marry someone you don’t love.” “I wish…” Anna smiles shyly. “Maybe, I’ll be really lucky this time. I will hope that my new acquaintance will consider me a sympathetic girl, a nice talker, and a careful listener.” “Show the best side of you to make him really like you. Don’t be too smart, but don’t be stupid.” “Sure.” “Since he invited you by myself, it means he is definitely interested in you. He liked you.” “I’d like everything to happen… I wouldn’t like to miss out on such a handsome man… That spreads warmth… That makes me wish to hug him and press closely to him.” “Gonna keep my fingers crossed and hope he’ll be the one you want to be with.” “Well, I will hope that someday you’ll meet a decent man, who will be your trustworthy wall. Become the one you’d love to marry.” “I wish…” Natalia replies without emotions. “I wanna believe someday I'll meet the one, who’s gonna love me with all his heart, and whom I'm gonna love back. But if my destiny is to be alone now, it means I'll be single so far. Without my second half.” “I believe everything would be so, darling,” Anna says softly with a slight smile. “You deserve happiness not less than Raquelle and me.” “I hope…” Natalia pronounces thoughtfully and smiles shyly. “Anyway, thank you so much for the support.” “Don’t be upset! The prince on a white horse is riding somewhere and coming right to you!” “Oh, my gosh, Anna…” Natalia laughs shyly. Anna and Natalia keep talking about the same things. They talk about the forthcoming date of the red-haired girl with the mysterious man that definitely makes her heart beat faster, even if she does not know him at all. These talks help them distract from the thoughts about Simon, who is planning something bad and getting ready to give hit by hit with a wish to get Raquelle exhausted morally and psychically.***
Meanwhile, Terrence decides to talk to Rebecca MacClife, his mother. Eight months ago, she met Raquelle and was very glad about her son’s choice, which she accepted at once. But now the man is going to talk not about his relationship with his girlfriend. He just wants to make sure that everything is alright with Rebecca, since he is anxious because Simon probably knows the addresses of all the friends and relatives of Raquelle and Terrence. His hands are shaking while he is typing the number of his mother. The man is terribly nervous, and he is walking from one side to another before he finally gets an answer from the woman: “Hello.” “Hey, Mom,” Terrence greets. “It's Terrence.” “Oh, that’s you, Terrence!” Rebecca exclaims happily. “Hello, dear!” “How are you doing there?” “Wonderful. And you?” “Good, as well.” “By the way, we haven’t talked to each other for a long time. And you visit me at home much rarely.” “Sorry… I’ve lately been very busy with my work and couldn’t visit you… And I couldn’t also call you…” “Did you start working like crazy again and barely see your girlfriend?” “Yeah, I have enough work… But I complain about nothing and am happy with my life…” “Happy?” “Yes.” “Don’t you miss your girlfriend, who you do not almost see?” “Of course, I do…” Terrence protests hesitantly. “But she is also busy…” “Listen, do you actually spend time together? Or do you tell each other a couple of words and run to do your business?” “Sort of…” Terrence bites his lip slightly. “But when we have free time, we try to spend it together.” “Really?” Rebecca does not believe. “Yes, Mother.” “Is everything really alright with you?” “Of course, it is.” “You know, judging by your voice, I don’t feel any kind of happiness.” “Just feel a little tired. That’s all.” “Yeah?” Rebecca frowns slightly. “So, alright then… If you say everything is alright…” “Everything is really alright,” Terrence tries to say as confidently as possible. “Don’t doubt.” “Alright, I shall believe you.” Rebecca falls into silence for two seconds and thinks of something, feeling her relationship with Terrence is not as good as her son wants to prove. “So, as far as I understand, did you get free time and call me for the first time in a few weeks?” Rebecca asks thoughtfully. “Yeah…” Terrence pronounces, barely holding his aggression down, which makes him look quite tense. “I have some free time… So, I decided to call you and… Find out how you’re doing.” “Everything is fine to me,” Rebecca says quietly, already noticing Terrence’s voice is kind of strange, and he does not want to tell her something. “Really? Erm…” Terrence thinks for some time and runs his hand through his hair. “That’s good then…” “Are you alright there?” Rebecca frowns slightly. “Yes, everything’s alright.” “It seems to me that you would like to tell me something…” Rebecca notices quietly. “Me?” Terrence rounds his eyes. “Yes, you!” By the way, Rebecca knows her son, Terrence, very well and always understands when something happens to him. When he has some problems, she does feel it. The mother’s heart has never betrayed her and has always let her know if her beloved son is fine. Just like it does now. The woman needs to just listen to the intonation of the man’s voice to understand that he does not say something very important and probably bad. “And don’t even dare to tell me that everything is okay,” Rebecca says confidently and severely. “But…” Terrence pronounces hesitantly. “I know you very well! And I feel when you’re fine or bad.” “Well… Actually, everything is okay to me…” “I actually have a feeling that something made you call me.” “Made me call you?” “You didn’t need your mother, but now you suddenly decided to call her.” “Gosh, Mom, how could you actually think so?” Terrence wonders, not wishing to openly tell his mother what Simon wants to do. “You’re hurting me if you think I called you just because I need something from you.” “Do you need something from me?” “No, I need nothing.” “Alright then…” Rebecca exhales slowly. “I understand that you have your life and are busy with it. But it's kind of strange.” “Why it's strange?” Terrence gets truly amazed. “Couldn’t I call my mother and ask her how she’s doing? Find out if she needs my help… Maybe, you need money…” “If I needed something, I would call you shortly.” “Erm… Okay then.” “Listen, sonny, if you have problems, better tell me now. I should know about them before something terrible happens to you.” “I did say I have no problems,” Terrence tries to say quietly, without the excitement. “My call was caused by anxiety. A wish to make sure that you’re fine.” “You did?” “Yup…” “Now tell me what happened to you.” “Mother…” “Do not lie to me, Terrence. Lie to anyone but me, your own mother.” “I don’t lie to you,” Terrence lies hesitantly and bites his lip slightly. “Don’t lie.” “I’m warning you, I don't want you to say nothing about your problems, and me to have to find out what kind of problems you got too late,” Rebecca replies confidently. “And not to be able to help you.” “It's alright, Mom, don’t worry,” Terrence says quietly, feeling awkward because he is lying to his mother out of reluctance to get her excited and shocked by what’s happening now. “Share your problems, honey. I’d surely help you if I was able to do it. You know I’m ready for anything for you.” “I know.” “Then stop finding excuses and tell me the truth.” “If I had something to say, you would know everything at once.” “Don’t wanna tell?” “I have nothing to say.” “Oh…” Rebecca exhales sharply. “So…” Rebecca pronounces thoughtfully, deciding to stop trying to find out something and making much more sure that Terrence has something to tell. “If you don’t want to talk… We will do this somehow later.” “Please, Mom…” Terrence pronounces softly. “If you don't want to talk about your problems, let’s change the subject and talk about something else.” “Something happened?” “No, nothing. I just want to say that your father called me some time ago,” Rebecca says quietly. “Father called?” Terrence strongly frowns, not being happy with the fact that Rebecca started talking about his father, whom he does not even want to remember. “He asked how you were doing. And he reminded you that his suggestion of meeting him is still up.” “Wow…” Terrence rolls his eyes. “Daddy hasn’t forgotten that he has the eldest son, not only the children of his new wife.” “He has never forgotten you!” Rebecca exclaims. “And he cares about what’s happening to you.” “I wish he did not do. Nobody needs that man anyway. Neither me nor you.” “Terrence…” “Does he want to explain why he left us?” Terrence asks loudly, barely holding down the anger that is burning inside him. “Why did he leave you when you needed his support and help so badly!” “You shouldn't care about it,” Rebecca replies confidently. “You can’t choose your parents! I shall always be your mother, and your father will never be a stranger to you.” “Yeah, but he can choose a family!” Terrence starts nervously walking around in a circle in the room again, trying to get rid of the anger that is literally destroying him inside. “Did you forget how that man exchanged us for his present wife, who gave birth to his children? Did you forget everything he did to you?” “What did he do to me?” Rebecca wonders. “He raised a hand on you!” “How do you know what happened between us?” “I’ve known it since childhood!” “Maybe, you listen to your father and then make any conclusions?” “I don’t need his explanations! I will never forgive him for what he did. For daring to treat you like that. For leaving you. For giving a damn about me.” “He did not give a damn about you.” “My gosh, Mother…” Terrence shakes his head. “How could you defend that man? How could you forgive him so easily and forget everything you tolerated because of him? You should’ve pissed that man off! Told him to go to his new wife and their children! Him to live with them and forget us once and forever!” “Terrence!” Rebecca exclaims. “That man treated you like that, but you easily forgot everything and have been asking me to pretend that everything is fine for so many freaking years.” “If you knew the whole story, you would say different things.” “I do know everything! And I want to hear nothing more!” “At least try!” “Oh, Mom, you are too kind…” Terrence sighs tiredly. “Have at least a little bit of pride. Stop defending that man. Stop defending the one, who treated you like that.” “No matter what, he is your father!” “I have no father!” Terrence says confidently. “Terrence, don’t dare to say it!” Rebecca raises a voice. “Since that man left us, let him live his own life.” “Yes, he left us. But your father has never forgotten you. He always cares about your business. And that man wants to meet your girlfriend very much.” “I don’t know what I would’ve done if he had done it.” “Even if your father has a different family, it doesn’t mean you stopped being his son.” “I wish he happily lived with his new wife. And did not bother us.” “Listen, Terrence…” “I have lived very well with my father my whole life. And I would live much more. I don’t need that man and everything he wants and can give me.” “Oh, my God…” Rebecca sighs tiredly. “Give me patience…” “I said everything, Mother.” “Listen, I completely understand that you feel hurt and try to defend me from something bad,” Rebecca replies with sadness in her eyes. “But I’m asking you, give a chance to your father. Just talk to him!” “No!” Terrence cuts off. “I don’t even want to see him!” “Do it for me. For your mother. Would you not be ready to get over it and meet your father, who has dreamed about it for so many years?” “I say again, I don't even wish to meet him outside!” Terrence replies sharply, definitely dreaming of finishing this talk as soon as possible. “I want that man to leave you and me alone! May he go to his wife and her children and forget us forever!” “Sonny, please!” “May they make a couple of more children and educate them.” “You could meet those guys. And befriend them.” “Befriend?” Terrence simpers loudly. “Mom, are you kidding me? How I could befriend those, who my father made with another woman!” “Those children aren’t strangers to you. They are your younger brothers. Yes, not siblings, but you’ve got the same father. The same blood.” “They are not my brothers! I have no brothers and sisters! Sadly…” “But you always dreamed of having a brother,” Rebecca recalls with sadness in her eyes. “A brother, a mother of who would be you, not a strange woman. I wanted a sibling. A sibling. You understand?” “My gosh, Terrence, how stubborn you are…” Rebecca sighs tiredly. “And please, stop persuading me to meet my father,” Terrence says quietly. “I’ve told you a million times that I don't want to see him. He will not come into my life.” “At least for me…” “Oh, alright, Mother, stop…” Terrence waves his hand. “I don’t want to talk about it.” “What I do to you…” Rebecca shakes her head. “I don’t understand…” “Sorry, but I have to go,” Terrence decides to end the talk. “I have many things to do.” “Already?” “I will call you somehow later. When I have some free time.” “Alright then… If you want…” “And yeah…” Terrence bites his lip slightly, deciding to tell Rebecca to be careful, but he still does not want to tell her about what Simon decided to do. “I would like to ask you something…” Terrence says a little hesitantly. “What?” Rebecca specifies. “Please, walk outside very carefully… Look around often, and don’t open the door to everyone.” “To look around often?” Rebecca asks with her widely open eyes. “To walk outside carefully? What are you talking about?” “Please, Mom, take care of you. And if something… Bad… Happens to you… Let me know shortly. I would come to you… Help you… Solve your problem…” “Listen, what’s actually happening to you there?” Rebecca wonders. “Why are you so strange? And don’t want to say anything!” “Erm… I…” Terrence exhales slowly. “I will explain everything later. Not now.” “Why not now?” Rebecca wonders. “Alright, sorry, I have no time to talk. I shall call you later or visit you. Bye, Mom…” Saying no more, Terrence turns off the call and sharply throws his phone on the bed. Then he sits on the bed with a loud sigh and thinks about something for a few seconds, running his fingers through his hair. The man starts to whisper something under his breath with anger, rubbing his hands and fighting off a wish to throw something against the wall as strongly as possible: “She’s talking about her wish to make me talk to Father… Ar-r-r… Holy shit! When would she understand that I am not going to do this? I will never forgive that man for hurting us like that… I will never forgive!” Terrence falls into silence and keeps thinking of something, not noticing that Raquelle is standing from afar, frowning slightly and watching him. Seeing that the man is so excited, the girl is not sure if she should come to him and ask something right now. But some time later, curiosity and a wish to find out what makes him hate his father so much get obsessed with her. So, the brunette quietly opens the door and enters the room. Then she comes to Terrence slowly and a little hesitantly, while he is still sitting on the bed, doubling over and slightly pulling his hair with both hands. “Erm, are you okay?” Raquelle asks quietly, carefully. Seeing Raquelle in front of himself and hearing her voice, Terrence shakes slightly and then looks at her kind of weirdly. With some kind of contempt… It makes the girl get a little confused and feel kind of awkward. Raquelle shifts her weight from one foot to another and tries to stop stuttering, not knowing what to do: trying to find out what happened or getting out and not standing in his way until Terrence puts his mind in order. “Oh, I didn't notice that you came,” Terrence says a little coldly in a low voice. “I was standing near the door,” Raquelle confesses shyly. “I wanted to come in, but I decided to wait for you to stop talking.” “You overheard my talk?” “I heard just a little part of it.” “Hm… Alright…” Terrence quietly hums, still looking at Raquelle with some contempt and definitely trying to hold his emotions down not to take it out on the girl. “Sorry, I didn't want to annoy you,” Raquelle says hesitantly. “It's alright,” Terrence throws coldly. “Erm…” Raquelle locks her fingers tightly, seeing well that Terrence looks quite tense but still staying in this room because something does not let her go. “You’ve never told me that you don't love your father… Don’t love him so much…” “I don't want to talk about it,” Terrence throws gloomily, throwing a quick glance aside. “By the way, I’ve wanted to ask for a long time… Why do you hate him? Did he do something bad?” “I said I don’t want to talk about it.” “Listen, Terrence…” Raquelle comes a little closer to Terrence. “I don't make you talk about it if you don’t want. But I would really like to know it.” “I’m not going to discuss my relationship with my father with you,” Terrence says confidently. “Terrence, please…” “Leave the room!” Terrence throws sharply. “Let me stay here all alone.” “But…” “Did I say something unclear? Leave the room!” “I wonder to know what made your relationship like this.” Terrence says nothing and just growls quietly and exhales slowly with his eyes closed, barely holding himself down and silently begging himself not to get loose. “Please, Raquelle, leave me alone,” Terrence says as quietly as possible. “I need to stay in the room and think a little.” “About what?” Raquelle wonders. “None of your business!” “Listen, I don't make you tell me something right now. But…” “I will sort everything out with my father. Without your fucking pretense.” “No matter what happened between you, I’m sure your father loves you anyway.” “I don’t care about your opinion. And I did not actually ask you what you think.” “What?” Raquelle rounds her eyes, understanding her stubbornness may lead to terrible consequences but being obsessed with a wish to support this man or just curiosity. “But…” “Fuck, leave me alone, after all!” Terrence raises his voice a little. “But I want to help!” “I don’t understand, are you deaf? Don’t you hear what I say? I said, leave me alone! What’s your problem?” “Fuck, what's happening to you?” Raquelle also starts shouting, losing patience but not understanding what got obsessed with Terrence, whose behavior sharply changed. “What’s bitten you?” “Ar-r-r, how it's hard to have a deal with headstrong and stupid people…” Terrence growls irritably, running his hands over his face. “Did you get so excited because of the mention of your father? You never raised the voice on me and behaved so strangely!” “Do not make me mad, Raquelle…” Terrence tightly clenches his hands into fists, looking at Raquelle with contempt and hate in his eyes. “Leave at your wish,” Terrence demands in a lower voice. “Or I will not be responsible for myself.” “Please, Terrence…” Raquelle pronounces quietly and tries to come closer to Terrence. “Let’s talk.” “Did I say something inexplicable?” Terrence sharply gets up from the bed, making Raquelle jump back. “Did I ask you for something unclear? Hard? Impossible?” “I don’t recognize you!” Raquelle exclaims loudly. “What happened to you during the time while you were in the room?” “I am telling you the last time. If you are so deaf and brainless…” Terrence starts raising the intonation of his voice more and more and begins shouting at the top of his throat in the end: “Leave. Me. ALONE. RIGHT NOW!” When Terrence starts screaming at her, Raquelle rounds her eyes full of scare, looking at the man, who is breathing heavily. “GET OUT OF HERE!” Terrence screams and points sharply at the door. “I WISH YOU, NASTY GAL, WERE NOT HERE!” “Huh!” Raquelle simpers contemptuously. “WITH PLEASURE! I SHALL LEAVE! I wanted to help and support you, but that’s what you did to me!” “GET OUT OF MY WAY BEFORE YOU REGRET IT!” “STAY HERE ALONE THEN! PSYCHO SCOUNDREL!” Raquelle turns and runs out of the room quickly and sharply, loudly slamming the door and not hiding that she is resentful and dumbfounded. Terrence watches her with contempt in his eyes, breathing heavily enough, clenching his hands into fists tightly, and feeling how much every single muscle of his body is tense.***
Raquelle quietly goes downstairs and goes to the yard in the back of the house, while Violetta is in the living room and wiping dust off all the surfaces. The girl saw Terrence being so furious and heard him suddenly raising a voice toward her without a reason for the first time. Yes, of course, the man was not too discreet. But she did nothing to make him so mad. That’s why she feels much more hurt. “He’s a psycho…” Raquelle pronounces gloomily. “He started to scream for nothing… I did nothing to him, but he did something like this to me…” Raquelle sits on a deckchair placed near the pool at the back of the house with a tired sigh. “I never saw him being so wild,” Raquelle thinks. “Even if we always fought, Terrence was never so rude. That’s very strange…” Raquelle sighs quietly with sadness in her eyes. “Did he become like this because of the mention of his father?” Raquelle asks. “And it seems like something serious happened if MacClife turned to a psycho for a few seconds. But what? Did they fight somehow very hard? Or can’t Terrence forgive his father for not being a part of educating him?” Raquelle shakes his head. “I don’t get it…” Raquelle thinks. “I don’t get it…” Two seconds later, Raquelle lies down and comfortably sets herself up on the deckchair, feeling how the cold wind nicely caresses her face. “Alright, I’d better not stand in his way now,” Raquelle decides. “First, he needs to calm down a little… And then we’ll see it… But honestly. I’m really mad at him… I am mad because he dared to raise his voice on me for nothing. I wanted to help and support him, but he did that…” Raquelle exhales sharply. “Alright, may he deal with his father by himself,” Raquelle thinks gloomily. “I have more important problems now. The problems with Simon, I’ve gotta find a way to secure myself and my close people. Gotta do my best to deal with that man. Before he does something horrible. But it's gonna be hard… Because Ringer is like a hurricane… You never know where it will go… Where it'd love to destroy everything in its way…” Raquelle sighs heavily again and keeps lying on the deck chair and thinking about something with sadness in her eyes, deciding not to even enter the room while Terrence is there because she does not want to see him after what just happened between them.***
Meanwhile, Terrence is still in his room and struggling with the evil he is obsessed with. Which got obsessed with him after Rebecca mentioned the father of her son, who just hates talking about it and gets wild from thinking that the one to betray him and his mother wants to make the relationship with him better. That woman made MacClife think of the betrayal of the one he never wants to see. Who he has hated for his whole life. Whom he will never forgive for what he did. Whom he refuses to have a meeting or any other business with. Anyway, Terrence is truly sorry for not holding himself down and taking it out on Raquelle, who added some fuel to the fire by starting to talk about what he would never love to talk about. The man did not actually want to do it because she was guilty of nothing. He understands that he should come to the girl and apologize to her for showing unexpected aggression. However, something does not let him do it. Some thoughts prevent a wish to make amends and explain everything to her. Maybe, he did not like that she was too headstrong and did not want to do what he wanted. Maybe, he is mad because she also raised her voice at him and even insulted him in the end. But now MacClife does not even think of trying to apologize to her somehow. While talking to Rebecca, he held himself down somehow, did not scream at her, and stopped the talk in time, but Raquelle was less lucky. The man actually loves and adores his mother and would never do that to the one, who raised him and spent many nerves to give him everything he needed. But he also loves his girlfriend. Even if Terrence has lately gotten cold to the one, who he truly admired a few months ago, due to her great obsession with her career. “Fucking father…” Terrence pronounces with evil in his eyes. “I will never forgive him for what he did… Never… I struck him out of my life a long time ago. He would never become my close person. As well as his new wife and their children. I shall never accept those, who were born from another woman. Never. I will never call them my brothers. They’re strangers to me! The strangers that my father made with another woman. My mother could try to change my mind as much as she wants, but I will think what I think and will not be sweet to the new family of the one that left us. Who dared to mock the poor woman like that. Who had to do her best to raise me.” Terrence growls quietly at first and then exhales sharply, running his hands over his face. “Holy shit…” Terrence pronounces quietly, doubling over, running his hands through his hair, and pulling it slightly. “And I also took it out on Raquelle… Even if I didn’t want it… I did because of my father… Because I heard the mention of him again… Oh… If she hadn’t also talked about my father, everything would’ve been fine… Or not…” Terrence thinks about something for a few seconds, still sitting on the bed. And by the way, he looks gloomier and gloomier every second. As if the man is mad not only because of the mention of the one he has hated all his life. “Alright…” Terrence pronounces thoughtfully and gets straight sharply. “I’ve gotta go somewhere… Put my mind straight. Or I’m gonna go crazy in these fucking walls. I wanna go out somewhere. And I give a fuck about who will watch me. I am not going to hide from everyone. May Ringer do what he wants. May his pals watch me. I give a fuck. I don’t actually care about what he wants to do. I am not guilty of the fact that he went out of the mind.” Forgetting everything he said in the morning and giving a damn about his promise to be with Raquelle to make sure that nothing would happen to her, Terrence exhales sharply, gets up from the bed, quickly takes some things from his table, gets out of the room, goes downstairs to the first floor, and leaves the house, while Violetta being in the living room glances at him and frowns slightly. The man comes to his car, unlocks it with a key, sits in the driver’s seat, starts a motor, and goes nobody knows where to calm down a little and put his mind in order.