***
It’s about seven or eight o'clock. After driving in the city all day and getting to know each other much better, Terrence and Edward decided to go to one of the nightclubs to drink some non-alcohol drinks, distract from bad thoughts for a while, and celebrate their meeting that both of them are really glad about. On the way to the place, the wonderful, energetic music is playing in Terrence’s car, and the young men took a bigger half of the way along with it. They listen to it with great pleasure, shaking their heads energetically, singing along with some words, and beating the rhythm on everything they see in front of themselves with their hands: the steering wheel, knees, and the front panel of the car. By the way, they have already rated each other’s skills for singing and realized that they got quite strong and good voices. Edward and Terrence’s voices do not sound less wonderful together than apart. And they also really like to sing together. Moreover, the men found out that they had quite similar music tastes. They sing cheerfully and funnily along with the music playing in the car, forgetting all the problems they need to solve. While MacClife holds himself down somehow because he drives the car, watching the road closely, Lockhart has fun to the fullest. He is enjoying this time with pleasure, singing the song loudly and showing his talent, which definitely must be noticed by someone. And when the song ends, the men finally arrive at the place where they wanted to go and see a few people standing, talking about something near it. And one of them is holding a cigarette in their hands. However, Edward and Terrence do not pay attention to them and are going to leave the car after MacClife leaves it in a free place in the parking lot. “Oh, cool song!” Terrence notices cheerfully, getting the key out of the switcher. “I love it. One of those songs that I will never get sick of.” “Agree, I can’t fight off a wish to get up and go to dance along with it,” Edward confesses confidently, taking off the seat belt. “Hey, lad, you sing cool, just saying.” “Me?” “Yeah, you do this well.” “Nice to hear it.” “How did you teach? Did you get vocals lessons?” “Me? No!” Edward smiles shyly. “I’ve loved playing guitar and singing since childhood. And I use every moment to do that. For example, when I go to take a bath, you start to sing a song loudly. When I cook something, I sing something stupid at the top of my voice…” “I hope you don’t have neighbors, who’d kick your ass for bothering them?” “Nope, I’m lucky about it. I can quietly turn on music at the full volume and sing at the top of my lungs.” “Lucky! When I lived in a rented apartment, my neighbors always complained even about little noises.” “M-m-m, did you live in a rental apartment?” “Yup, before the affair with Raquelle. When I began to date her, I moved into the house that I bought after saving enough money.” “I see…” “Listen, even if you didn’t learn how to sing, you do it very well.” “I’m doing my best.” “Believe me, I can see when a person sings out of time and actually has no ear or voice. You definitely have it.” “Thank you, of course,” Edward thanks shyly. “But you sing cool, as well. You’ve got a very strong and piercing voice. I guess you have a very wide range.” “Yeah, I can take quite high notes. Just like you do, as I noticed.” “Didn’t you also learn how to play with professionals?” “Nope, nobody taught me. But I’ve also loved singing something since childhood.” “Cool!” Did you learn how to play the guitar on your own?” “Yup, I learned to play the guitar on my own. But I think I still have much to learn.” “It deserves to be praised. Even if I also learned to play it on my own.” “Where did you get a guitar?” “One friend of mine gave me. He said he didn’t need it and gave the guitar to me. So, I was learning how to play it. But I had to borrow a couple of books and cassettes with video lessons from some guys.” “Oh, I also got a couple of cassettes from one dude that played guitar.” “I don’t know what about you, I began to do everything well from the beginning. I quickly memorized chords and learned to tune on a guitar by ear.” “And it was easy for me. Some time later, my fingers could strike chords by themselves when I was told to play some of them.” “Cool!” “Yeah, Edward…” Terrence pronounces thoughtfully with a slight smile, grabbing the steering wheel. “As it turned out, we have so much in common.” “I was kind of sure that our tastes would be the same.” “Listen, man, I wouldn’t personally mind listening to you playing guitar…” “Me?” “Yes. And who knows… Maybe, we could think about using our talents and starting our band…” “Honestly, I don’t know if I can play in a band…” Edward confesses a little hesitantly, leaning back in the seat. “Have you never dreamed of becoming a musician?” “I’ve never dared to dream of it.” “Wrong. You’ve got a talent that you must show to the whole world.” “I dunno… I’ll hardly have a chance to do it.” “At least, show your skills in playing to me! Since you sing so well, I’m absolutely sure you can play guitar not less amazingly.” “Okay, I will play for you somehow,” Edward smiles slyly. “On one condition.” “What?” “You will also show me everything you can do.” “Huh, deal!” Terrence exclaims. “Go to my home somehow, and we’ll play guitar together.” “Maybe, I’ll even take mine from home for this case.” “It’d be cool. We’d have a little show for ourselves and sing a couple of cool songs.” “Sounds nice. We’ll talk about it somehow.” “Deal then!” Silence settles in the air for a few seconds, after which Terrence decides that it’s time to leave the car and spend time in the club where he came with Edward. “Oh, what are we doing here?” Terrence wonders. “C’mon, leave my car! Let’s go to listen to the cool music and drink something delicious.” “I hope we’re gonna hear cool music tonight,” Edward expresses hope. “I don’t care what it’s gonna be like! I’m ready to dance along with anything!” A few seconds later, Edward and Terrence leave the car with a slight smile, and the latter locks it with a key. Then the two come to the entrance, passing by a company of young people, who are holding a cigarette, glancing at them and continuing to talk about something and laugh loudly. The man enter the club and immediately start shaking their heads along with the music that is playing in this place. Tonight, there are quite many people mainly at a young age here. It’s quite dark in this place, despite thousands of colorful spotlights that light up every single corner of it. Someone is dancing on the dance pool carelessly and funnily along with the energetic, modern songs. And someone is sitting on the table or the bar table and slowly drinking something that may be either non-alcohol or alcohol. Since it’s actually impossible to hear someone in this place, Edward and Terrence have to shout loudly or say something into each other’s ear. “Good music, huh?” Edward asks, shaking slightly along with the rhythm of the music. “I can’t deny it!” Terrence agrees loudly with a slight smile. “My favorite style, just saying.” “Legs really wanna dance!” “Agree, but we will just sit down and talk first.” Terrence quickly looks around in search of a good place to sit down. “Oh, let’s sit at that table and order something non-alcohol.” “It would be great!” Edward exclaims. “Let’s go by all those dancing people and sit down where we won't have to shout at the top of our lungs and talk quietly.” Edward and Terrence barely get through a huge dancing crowd to reach the free table that has been taken by nobody yet. But some time later, the young men manage to go by many people, come to one of the quietest places, and sit at the table that they liked. A sympathetic brunette comes to them shortly and flirts with them openly with a wide smile while asking what they would like to order to drink. However, Terrence and Edward do not pay attention to her and just ask her to give them a glass of non-alcohol mojito. After quickly writing something in her notebook, the girl leaves, starting to blunt something under her nose and definitely understanding that these sympathetic men are not interested in spending time with her. “Yeah…” Edward shakes his head with a slight smile, closing her mouth with a hand. “It seems like her plans didn’t come true.” “Oh, yeah, but she tried hard,” Terrence notices cheerfully. “And that girl understood that she tried to pick us up and shook her thighs for nothing.” “Something tells me that she flirts with any single man that comes here.” “Anyway, she’s got good taste.” Edward slightly pulls the collar of his black denim jacket with his head proudly raised. “She put an eye on a gorgeous man.” “Oh, yeah, nobody else has been able to resist me,” Terrence says with his head proudly raised. “Well, I didn’t actually mean you.” “I didn’t say anything about you.” “Ah, I don’t care about that girl,” Edward waves his hand. “I personally, already have the one that my heart belongs to.” “And my heart already belongs to someone,” Terrence chuckles loudly. “Don’t you wanna look at other girls?” “Nope.” “When will you do?” “I dunno… When I want.” “Would you like to?” “Good question.” Terrence leans back in the chair, quickly looking at what surrounds him. “I’m single verbally, but I’m still in a relationship mentally.” “That’s how,” Edward rounds his eyes. “But I won’t get another girl because Raquelle is the only one. Nobody can replace her.” “I get it…” “Honestly, the thought of our breakup is like a pain in the throat. Because I don’t need any other girl but Raquelle. I’d hardly meet one more girl that would be the same as her.” “I’ve got the same problem…” Edward leans back, starting to know at the table with a little metallic thing that he finds in the pocket of his jacket. “Because I doubt I’ll meet someone to be better than Natalia… That girl is special. She is not like those I have ever known.” “Raquelle reached a too high level that another girl would hardly reach,” Terrence says confidently. “Listen, maybe, we shouldn't have come here?” Edward asks hesitantly, looking around quickly. “Why?” “Girls like that waiter could think we’re single. And they might start flirting with us and shaking their asses, believing we’d get caught in the trap and run to fuck one of them.” “They can flirt as much as they want!” “If I didn’t have a crush on Natalia, I would have nothing against it.” “C’mon, man, relax!” Terrence exclaims cheerfully. “We aren’t gonna drink to the fuck, hang out here all night long, and flirt with young girls.” “Look around! How many girls are literally trying to eat us!” Edward looks around again and notices a few young girls that are standing not far, looking at him and Terrence with a mysterious smile and wrapping their hair on their fingers. “Look how those girls are looking at you! They’re definitely dreaming of taking you to a bed.” “Maybe, they just recognized me,” Terrence assumes. “I am famous, after all. I was pronounced one of the sexiest men on the planet. So, they look at me. And they’re dreaming of me.” “You really want it!” “I am still young and fucking attractive. So, I can get anyone’s attention on me.” “Anyway, we shouldn’t stay here for too long,” Edward says confidently. “We won’t do it. We’ll just sit here, drink something and go home. Those cuties can shake their asses as much as they want. I don’t absolutely care.” “I dunno…” Edward swallows up nervously, looking a little tense. “I feel kind of awkward, honestly… Every one of us has a girl that we love. It’s kinda wrong we’re here…” “C’mon, dude, relax. As if you cut your tongue to reject anyone to start to accost you. When you tell a girl that you’re taken or especially married, she will definitely lose interest in you. She’s gonna leave as fast as a bullet.” “I know cases when a finger on a man’s finger and his status of a taken person didn’t stop a girl.” “Yeah, it happens, I don’t deny it. But there are not so many of them.” “It does happen, after all… So, don’t think saying that you’re married would always help you get off the one to wish to pick you up.” “The important thing is to insist and keep the distance. Not to let the girl start to feel you up and try to kiss you.” “That’s right, too…” “Relax, dude! Think of nothing and get pleasure. Let’s give a fuck about everything at least now and just spend a good time together.” Edward says nothing and glances aside, seeing a company of drunk people that are watching what’s happening with a glass in their hands and definitely looking for single girls that would agree to spend time with them. “Hey, do you want me to tell you not a very good secret?” Terrence suggests thoughtfully. “Erm, speak out…” Edward pronounces hesitantly. “When Raquelle and I fought, I was a frequent visitor to similar places,” Terrence confesses quietly. “You drank?” “Sort of.” “And you flirted with girls?” “No, no, I didn’t flirt with girls and didn’t sleep with them to get lost… I just drank a few glasses of whiskey or something strong and then walked in the city all night until the morning, coming to absolutely desert places.” “C’mon!” “But I must confess that I didn’t drink too much strong alcohol.” “That’s how!” “I didn’t just drink too much of something like this and did let myself drink what wasn’t too strong.” “So, did you decide to give a fuck this time?” “Sort of.” “Okay…” Edward pronounces thoughtfully. “But after my first fight with Raquelle, I got obsessed with drinks and… Began to drink regularly.” Terrence sighs quietly and glances aside. “I thought drinking was the best way to forget about my problems. But that’s not the truth… So, if you feel bad and in despair, drinking will not let you forget problems and get lost.” “Wow!” Edward pronounces surprisingly. “If you drink to the fuck, you will get only a headache and then suffer from a hangover all day long and dream of dying from how bad you feel.” “Did Raquelle never notice you walking somewhere at nights and drinking?” “It’s amazing, but she never noticed it,” Terrence shrugs. “Interesting…” “Maybe, she noticed. But she said nothing. Or she didn’t care about me so much that she wouldn’t have noticed that I wasn’t there for one week.” “And when did you realize you needed to stop?” “I don’t know. I drank one drink of whiskey with my friend. And then I didn’t drink anymore. I had no time, I had no wish…” “Didn’t your friend try to wash your brains and say you wouldn’t solve your problems by drinking?” “Tried. But I heard nobody and kept doing what I wanted. And it led to all the consequences that I’m still paying for.” “Alright…” “By the way, because of that terrible situation, that guy and I fought to the fuck three days ago, even if we called each other literally brothers.” “He got sick of fighting with you?” “I’d say so…” Terrence runs his hand through his hair. “And when I told him what I did, he began to judge me. I began to feel the coldness that he spread after that event… My friend had been very amicable to me, but after I told him about my slap at Raquelle and plans to ruin her career and life, he began to despise me.” “I think you should’ve known nobody would caress your head.” “I did. But I didn’t listen to those, who said I did a disgusting thing.” “That’s good you didn’t think of beating her. Or you would’ve become a number one enemy if everyone had known it.” “If it had happened, I would’ve preferred disappearing, ‘cause I would’ve been burning from shame for what I never wanted to do. It would’ve been worthless to prove something to someone. Nobody would’ve believed me anyway…” Terrence sighs tiredly. “But almost nobody believes me now… And my friend is one of them…” “How long did you befriend him?” Edward asks. “He was my childhood friend, whom I have known since seven or eight. I could always count on him and knew he would surely help me and advise me on something. Yes, of course, that guy is an idiot, but sometimes he says the very right things.” “I think everybody would understand you, early or late. You didn’t beat but just gave a slap… Of course, slapping a girl is disgusting. But it’s not as terrible as beating her.” “Now, I don’t care whether everybody will believe me. People can think anything of me. They have a right to do it. I just needed to do what I promised. And I did it. So, I can quietly exhale with a sense of the duty that I did.” “Yeah…” Edward shakes his head. “I’m sorry for you, brother… So much has rained thick upon you for the past days…” “At least someone feels sorry for me,” Terrence cracks a slight smile. “Everybody always judged and despised me before.” “Maybe, you did a bad thing, but I feel sorry for you anyway. Moreover, I can see you’re sorry and feeling lousy because of this story.” “You know, Edward, I used to think I’d get over everything,” Terrence confesses thoughtfully. “Since I had quite a fighting character and many things happened to me for the years of my life… I thought… All the difficulties that I ran into made my character very strong.” Terrence shakes his head. “But as it turned out, it’s not true…” Terrence adds. “All those problems were such stupid things, unlike what happened for the two months.” At this moment, the girl, who accepted an order from them, comes to their table, puts two glasses of mojito, and leaves in a quick step, still looking gloomy but not trying to flirt with Edward and Terrence. However, they do not pay attention to the waiter, just glance at her and keep talking. “I understand…” Edward nods. “Many things have happened to me, too… But I haven’t actually realized if it made me stronger.” “Hey, did you really feel so bad at the house of your father and stepmother if you left home at such a young age?” Terrence asks. “Terrible! My father never loved me and thought I was his burden, and my stepmother always supported him, even though she never expressed hatred for me. I had a bad relationship with my half-brothers. We fought almost every day, and they were happy to do a dirty trick and blame me for everything.” “You turned out to be determined!” “I had nothing to lose. And my father was probably happy. He would’ve been happy if I wasn’t born. On the day when we fought, that man told me that it would have been better if my mother had gone to get an abortion… I actually, clearly remember all the words that I heard from him on that day.” “How did he dare to say that? Say he wished his child was never born… And talk about an abortion…” “I always thought he thought of some mistakes of his youth when looking at me. That’s why he took it out on me… But I couldn’t figure out what got him so mad… I could be the sweetest and most obedient child in the world, but my father would’ve snapped to me and called me a pathetic piece of shit that ruined his whole life.” “But if he didn’t love you so much, why did he take you away and separate from your mother? Your father could’ve easily left you with her, and she would’ve raised you alone.” “I don’t understand it, either… But I know for sure that there were no reasons to take me away from my mother. She didn’t drink, didn’t smoke… She worked and earned enough money…” “Your father is a weird man, of course.” “All my life, I wished that he had never taken me away from her. Maybe, my life would’ve been much better. At least, there would’ve been a chance that I would’ve been loved.” Edward glances aside. “The life at the house of the provided woman didn’t make me happy. I had nothing anyway. I couldn’t come to my father or stepmother and ask them to buy me some good clothes or a toy. Yes, they bought everything I needed, but sometimes I had to beg for it like money from strangers.” “My father is an asshole, too,” Terrence says coldly and drinks a little bit from his glass. “He beat the innocent woman to assert himself on her and then left her in the end.” “I don’t even know whose father is worse: yours or mine.” “Both of them!” “Yeah…” Edward sighs quietly with sadness in his eyes. “I dreamed of the day when I’d finally leave that house, living in which was hell… And on the day when it finally happened, I felt a great relief.” “Didn’t you get scared of living on the streets?” Terrence wonders. “It was much better! At least, I stopped hearing insults from my father and sorting out my relationship with those two idiots that always washed my brains.” “I admire you, man! You got out of the house so easily and went nowhere…” “What could I do? Since I wasn’t loved and respected, there was no meaning in staying with those, who definitely dreamed of kicking my ass and getting me out of the house. They would've kicked me out anyway after turning eighteen. Plus one year, minus one year – no difference.” “I wouldn’t be surprised if your father married that woman for some benefit.” “For her money?” “Anything is possible!” “Maybe, you’re right… We always lived at her house. And that woman bought everything she wanted. Yes, my father worked with her and wasn’t unemployed. But he earned three times less than his wife.” “But my daddy worked his brain a little and thought that he could live well on the account of his rich sonny.” Terrence smirks quietly with a part of contempt. “At first, he turned the life of Mother and me into hell and left us on our own,” Terrence adds in a much lower voice. “And when I grew up and was able to live on my own and forgot to think of that man, he suddenly showed up, pretending to be so good, and said he wanted peace and love. Ha! It’s clear what he needs from my mom and me.” “You said he showed up when you were eighteen,” Edward recalls thoughtfully. “Right. From that moment on, he began to chase us. Well, I mean… He didn’t catch us near our home and visit us… He began to call my mother constantly.” Terrence smirks quietly again. “And Mother forgave him! She is behaving as if nothing happened. And she tells me to do the same. That’s why we often fight.” “Wow…” Edward pronounces thoughtfully. “I still can’t understand why she forgave him. Forgave him for everything he did to her. I don’t understand… My mother had no pride at all.” “Yeah, forgiving someone for beating you…” “That’s right! First, he was beating her, then he left her, and now he’s pretending to be an innocent angel and wants to be a part of the life of our family.” Terrence smirks contemptuously. “Mother and I lived very well without him! I actually never thought of him and didn’t feel like I was deprived of Father’s care.” “Did you never want to have a father?” Edward wonders. “Never! Getting my mother’s love was enough for me.” “That’s how…” “And I wasn’t jealous when I was surrounded by guys from full families. The children, who had a mother and a father. Yes, there was a short period when someone laughed at me because my mother was raising me. But it stopped later. Because I could always stand up for himself and let nobody hurt me.” “I would like to know if my mother thought about me all this time? Did she try to meet me? Or doesn’t she need me at all?” “What do you think?” “I’d like to believe she loved me.” “Anyway, I’m sure that she didn’t leave you. That your father decided to take her child away from her. To take revenge for some offences.” “Yeah, but why? Why did that man get so mad at her? What did my mother do to him?” “I don’t exclude that he could have an affair with your stepmother for a long time, but he was hiding it so hard. And at some moment, he got sick of doing this and just told your mother about their divorce.” “Damn, everything is so tangled!” Edward exhales sharply. “I’ve been trying to untangle this ball, but threads are getting more tangled. I get more and more questions every day.” “Anyway, I’ve gotta admire your stepmother for treating you with respect and accepting the fact that you didn’t call her a mother.” “No, she never told me to call her a mother. That woman didn’t aim to become the one. You know, there are those, who try to please you in everything and hear the word ‘mother’. Vice versa, she insisted that my father shouldn’t have banned me from meeting my real mother. It was kind of wrong to strike the alive and healthy woman out of the life of the child.” “But your father didn’t listen to her?” “Yes, he told her he would do what he thought was right. I mean, that man wouldn’t let me meet my mother until he decided to change his mind.” “I see.” “Hey, didn’t your mother get married to someone? Or maybe, she just dated someone?” “No, my mother didn’t date anyone and get married,” Terrence shakes her head. “She had no time to do it, ‘cause she thought only about how to feed me. When you have no money and have a little child, you don’t even think of your personal life.” “So, have you never had stepfathers?” “Right. But if he was good, I would accept him with pleasure. And maybe, I even call him a dad. I would be happy if someone made my mother happy. If she wanted to get married to someone, I wouldn’t mind it. And I’m no longer a child, and I’m living my own life. My mother can think about herself and do anything that she thinks is good for her.” “I would accept any stepfather and any stepmother if they treated me with respect and loved…” Edward falls into silence for two seconds and moves his sad eyes aside. “Sometimes adult people treat you much better than your close ones.” “Kind of right.” “Hey, what about your mother?” Edward asks. “Tell me something about her?” “She’s amazing,” Terrence pronounces with a slight smile. “Very good… Kind… Yes, sometimes my mother may be severe and a little rough, but she’s very kind, soft, and caring. I don’t know what would I do without her. My friends don’t always support me, but my mother has always been by my side. Whatever I do. Whatever I say.” “And what about her appearance? Beautiful?” “Yup, she’s a very beautiful woman. Short, with dark hair. The only thing I got from her were her blue eyes. Mother has the same ones as mine.” “I see.” “But sadly, I am similar to my father… Tall, slim, with black hair, pale skin, narrow face, shrunk cheeks…” “I’m not so similar to my father…” Edward replies hesitantly, locking his fingers tightly, and swallows up nervously. “Well… Maybe, only the hair color…” “So, you took after your mom?” “Most likely. When I looked at my father, I kind of wondered why we were so different. We’ve got different characters, interests, and skills. For example, I know nothing about what is super easy for him. But he doesn’t understand my hobbies.” “Didn’t you get the love for music from him?” “No, he actually hates it. He always told me to shut up when I sang something under my nose. And I’m silent about playing something on the guitar. I tried to hide it, so it didn’t even stand in his way.” “I guess you also had different points of view about your future?” “I could say so. My father thought that I would get a good profession and work hard to earn a lot of money.” “What about you?” “And me… I didn’t know what I wanted!” Edward runs his hand over his hair. “And I still don’t know what I want to do. And I don’t think about it. I care about how to earn money and not to die from hunger in one week or two weeks.” “So, are ya gonna work for pennies and do what makes you feel sick all your life?” “What can I do, buddy? Everyone lives like this! Not everyone can find something to do with love and earn millions! I doubt that everyone dreams of working as cashiers, deliver guys, loaders, or cleaning folks. But they have to because they have no choice.” “But some people do a job that they don’t love and manage to find time for their hobbies. Someone even makes money out of it.” “Alas, I will not be able to do anything with music. To become a singer, I should at least know some people. And it would be great to get a musical education.” “Many singers don’t have it, but they turn out to be wonderful artists.” “No, Terrence, I don’t even dare to dream of the career as a musician.” “You don’t have to be a singer. You can work at the recording studio and help artists record their own tracks.” “Thanks for the suggestion, but no.” “Okay, as you wish. I should just suggest. And you will decide if you need it.” Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which Edward and Terrence drink some drink from the glasses that were just brought. “Okay, if you say you don’t look similar to your father, what about his children from the second wife?” Terrence asks. “Are they similar to him? Or did they take after their mother?” “It’s weird, but these guys also inherited almost nothing from my father,” Edward replies. “I dunno… Maybe, only hair color and some features…” “Okay. What are their hobbies?” “They’re starting to show interest for the job of their father and mother. They say they’d like to try to work with them after growing up.” “You know… Sometimes I wish I wasn’t similar to Father, with whom I’m always compared. Sometimes it happens so often that it gets me irritated. Mother always reminds me of that. And she makes me stronger hate for that man.” “I get it.” “Hey, why did you want to leave at the age of eighteen?” “I just couldn’t find the courage earlier. I was afraid I wouldn’t survive after having no home. But since my conflicts with my father and brothers became unbearable, I gave a fuck about everything. I was ready to live even on the street not to stay in the house with the man, who never wanted me to be born.” “Anyway, I’m really sorry about you. I’m sorry that you had to run into this attitude toward you.” “Thanks, but talking about it doesn’t make sense now. And I think that my decision of getting out of home was one of the best in my life. Yes, sometimes I feel sad and lonely, but I don’t regret anything and live like I want. I do what I want, not asking for anyone’s opinion. I’m no longer a boy and have a right to do it.” “Sometimes I threatened to leave home during my conflicts with my mother. That she would never see me. But it never led to the real escape. I could just walk somewhere in the city with my friends until the late time, but then I came back home anyway. And I reconciled with her. I said I wasn’t kind of right.” “I think it’s fine at that age,” Edward smiles shyly. “Mother has always loved me with all her heart and been ready to sacrifice anything for me to make me feel good. Despite our conflicts, we lived very well and comforted each other at the hard moments. I came to her when I felt bad, and she shared what she was worried about with me.” “I get it.” “My mother has always been my close person. I don’t have anyone closer and more beloved than her. If not for my mother’s support and care, I wouldn’t reach everything I’ve reached for the years of my life.” Terrence drinks a little bit from his glass. “She was my strongest motivation for a long time. For her, I decided to act in movies. And I gave her a bigger part of the money I earned. I wanted to get a good job since childhood and do my best for my mother to need nothing.” “Hey, does she know about your conflict with Raquelle?” Edward specifies. “She does. But she didn’t turn her back on me.” “Really?” “After she found out what happened between Raquelle and me, many friends of mine turned their backs on me, thinking I was a bastard. Just because you raised your hand on a girl once means you’ll always do it… Nobody wanted to listen to my excuses… Nobody but my mother… Yes, she judged me and was disappointed in me. But Mother didn’t leave me. She was doing everything she could to help me somehow. She was the only one, who had been by my side, for a long time. And now I have you and Natalia by my side. As well as Raquelle’s aunt.” “So, everything is not lost,” Edward smiles shyly. “Someday, your friends will understand that you didn’t wanna do that and start speaking to you again. Understand that you did nothing bad to them, and your conflict with Raquelle is a matter of you and her.” “I am happy, at least because I’ve got Mother’s support. She does prove that a loving mother would love her child and stay by their side, despite nothing. No matter how bad they are.” “Oh, at least you had a mother’s love,” Edward sighs quietly. “And I never had the support and love of my parents. I was on my own.” Edward drinks some drink from his glass. “I could forget what was happening at home only in the company of some of my friends,” Edward confesses. “I could forget that my father and stepmother and half-brothers didn’t love me even if I did nothing bad to them. To forget that nobody needed me at that house.” “Did your brothers also get a little attention?” “No, vice versa. They got all the attention of Father and Isabella. That’s why I felt much more hurt. Yes, I know they’re younger than me and should get much more care. But it doesn’t mean they had a right to forget about the older child.” “I get it.” “Hey, have you really never met the children, who were born in the second marriage of your father and his new wife?” “Nope, I avoid meeting them and don’t wanna meet those two. But Mother thinks I should better get on well with them. They’re my close people! Though, I’ve never called them so. For me, they are children of my father from the second marriage with a strange woman.” “I didn’t call them so, either. I lived with them as if they were my neighbors.” “While I treat my brothers kind of neutrally, I’ll hardly treat my father in the same way… I despise him and don’t want to see and hear that man.” “But I’ve always dreamed of meeting my mother,” Edward sighs with a slight smile. “I was trying to find out just something about her for many years, but at some moment, I started to lose hope of meeting her or looking at her at least for a second.” “I’m sure that you will meet her one beautiful day.” “I’d like to believe it…” Edward pronounces thoughtfully, looking into the distance. “Don’t lose hope. Even if there’s nobody, who could help you, someday something may happen and let you reunite.” “I wonder how she would react if she met me?” “I can’t say anything. I don’t know your mother. I don’t know what she was. Whether she needed you… Whether she thought about you at least once.” “Even if I don’t manage to do it, I won’t be upset. And I will keep living my life. With the thought that I don’t have a family. I’ve already gotten used to this.” “It’s gonna be okay, don’t worry. You should really live your life and try to think about it less. It’s too short to spend it on worrying.” “Thanks, Terrence,” Edward thanks with a shy smile. “Thanks for the encouraging words.” “Okay, friend, who showed up out of the blue, let’s stop talking about it and never come back to it. I don’t feel a lot of pleasure talking about my father and his pathetic attempts to pretend to be sweet and fluffy.” “You asked questions, and I answered them. Just like you answered mine.” “Yeah… Now I know much more about you.” “Are you still looking for a reason to catch me in a lie?” “I wanna believe I will not do it.” “Okay, buddy, let’s really forget about it and drink for me meeting with my mother and hearing that she recognizes me as her son.” “Not only for that, but also for our acquaintance.” “Agree!” Edward nods confidently with a slight smile. “Yeah!” Edward and Terrence raise their glasses with a slight smile, click on each other’s one slightly, and drink a little bit of a nice-to-taste drink. And then the guys continue to talk about something and get to know each other better, sometimes drinking their drinks. At some moment, they get so busy with the talk and a wish to try to find some common interests that they do not pay attention to what’s happening around them. But Terrence would probably feel terribly awkward if he knew that he would run into some of the people, the relationship with who got worse because of his terrible act toward Raquelle. And he would hardly love to come to this place… As it turned out, some time later, after the guys entered this place, sat at the table, and ordered a drink, the good friends, Daniel Perkins and Peter Rose, who Terrence played in the band with for a little time, decided to come here. They come where MacClife is spending time with his new familiar guy but do not notice him because there are many people around, who either come here to have fun or walk from one side to another, hang out in a special dance pool, and sit on the bar table and drink some drinks. Peter and Daniel are more into their talk and do not stop smiling widely and laughing at something. Paying no attention to the crowd of people, the friends quickly pass by them and come to the bar table that they sit on, not stopping to laugh at something. They do not order anything for themselves yet and decide to take a look at the menu that they receive from one of the barmen at their plea. “Ah, dude…” Peter pronounces cheerfully. “I’m starting to live the happiest days of my life…” “It’s right, the life is getting much better,” Daniel nods energetically. “Damn, I can’t believe we did it and finally got out of this fucking band.” “Oh, yeah, finally! This time, Marty did cross the line! I really lost my patience after the thing she did.” “Oh, I would’ve gotten out much earlier, but I needed money so badly. So, I had to bite the bullet and handle the caprices of that princess that pretended to be a star.” “But now she got what she wanted and kicked us outta the band. Even though she got the money outta us for the destroyed things.” “Did you give her money?” “Yup, I had to shell up and pay her for that fucking scarf made of Chinese silk that I ripped accidentally.” “And yesterday, I transferred the money to her card that she demanded for the broken bottle of perfume. And I finally got rid of her.” “Oh, what a nauseating smell it had!” Daniel winces slightly. “I thought I’d get sick.” “That’s right! I also wanted to vomit from the smell of it.” “My girlfriend’s cheap perfume smells thousands of times better than the French one that little madam had.” “Huh, it’s not the French one!” Peter chuckles loudly. “I saw the same one in a catalog of Chinese goods. She bought that disgusting thing in a low-priced store and told us her daddy allegedly brought it from France. Paris itself!” “Or bought a low-priced fake with the true belief that she got a real perfume from France that was literally made somewhere in a garage.” “Oh, I give a fuck! May someone else sniff that shit, but I’m done with this snow.” “Oh, yeah, now I can stop dreaming of getting my nose stuffy when that princess used her smelly perfume.” “And now, when you and I got outta the band, Ms. Patch can build her solo career and get all the benefits, not having to share them with someone else.” “She wanted it, so that girl got what she wanted.” “Ha, after she framed me so cruelly, and Albert kicked my ass, I don’t actually want to work with her. Her disgusting behavior crossed the line. She really annoyed me.” “Oh, forget her, Pete!” Daniel waves his hand with a slight smile. “Her Highness Ms. Patch got what she wanted, so, she can build her solo career. Her mommy and daddy will do their best for their daughter to make her name famous and get into the show business.” “Ha, what kind of show business!” Peter simpers evilly. “For the time that we played in this fucking band, we never got invited to some important events. We only played at some restaurants and little clubs where a maximum of fifty or one hundred people came.” “Yeah, but I dreamed of getting famous someday and touring with my band…” Daniel says thoughtfully, leaning on the bar table with a hand. “Meeting new artists and getting some awards…” “I was dreaming about it, too…” “As it turned out, we were just wrapped around a finger. Albert wasn’t even gonna offer us to sign a contract with his studio. So to say, he kept us on the bench and tried to make us something he needed. We just spent four years for a traineeship.” “I’ve lately stopped hoping he would really organize a large tour, or at least find a large stage for performances.” “Yeah, he just fed us with empty promises. And we, idiots, believed him.” “Right! Sanderson’s label is promoting only the band that is touring in the whole of America. He doesn’t care about others.” “Exactly! Why wouldn’t he work with that talented boy, who plays the piano so well and sings beautifully? He could easily become a star if someone seriously worked on his career.” “And that sixteen-year-old girl with a brilliant voice! She definitely has the five-octave range! You heard how she could take high notes! She must perform on a stage!” “That’s right! But Sanderson’s studio promotes voiceless guys that always sing out of the tune and can’t remember words of their own songs.” “How are they able to get listeners? I don’t understand it!” “Oh, give a fuck about him!” Daniel waves his hand. “To be honest, I’m sick of playing all these freaking pop love songs. I wanna sing normal songs, Not typical songs about pretty, pretty love.” “Believe me, Dan, Marty wouldn’t get into the show business even with the help of her mother and father and their threats to Albert. The girl is gonna be singing pop at some restaurants and believing she is a great singer of all time.” “C’mon, buddy! Maybe, a random dude from the show business will notice her and get a wish to promote this queen?” “Huh, who needs her and her pop songs of love?” “No matter how much I hate Marty, I must admit that she sings quite well. Yes, her songs are absolute bullshit. But she’s got a voice.” “C’mon, Perkins, nothing special! It’s like she sings karaoke with her friends.” “But she is not voiceless.” “There are many primitive celebrities like her in the show business. If she was a famous singer, I wouldn’t actually pay attention to her.” “Well, I dunno…” Daniel shrugs. “Anyway, everything isn’t so hopeless in her case… If she gets a good promotion, she’ll get very famous and be able to earn millions of dollars for one performance.” “Honestly, I give a fuck,” Peter throws gloomily, twisting on the chair and leaning on the bar table with an elbow. “From now on, I’m no longer connected with that insolent gal named Marty Patch, Albert Sanderson, and everything about his studio and his business.” “That’s good! Let’s give a fuck about her and piss our princess off along with Albert and his studio.” “With great pleasure, buddy!” Peter smiles widely. “I personally waved a hand at that queen yesterday, said that I’d leave the band, and stopped associating myself with the band ‘Heart Of Fire.’” “Well, I did it today. And I am terribly glad nobody would be washing my brains every fucking day. Today’s hysteria from Ms. Patch was the last drop of my patience, after which I said goodbye to her.” “Hey, when I left the studio yesterday and slammed the door after telling Marty and Albert that I was getting outta the band, she swore at me so hard…” “She did it to me,” Daniel laughs shyly. “But it was kind of funny to me. I wanted to laugh very loudly after everything she told me.” “And she advised you and me to get a job as sellers in a store ‘cause, as she thinks, we wouldn’t get success in music and be able to work as sellers or cashiers.” “Ha, may she get ready to retrain to be a seller!” Daniel simpers loudly, glancing aside for a moment. “Her star won’t be shining forever. Early or late, it will fade away.” “I’d love to laugh as I watch her walking between shelves and accepting goods or scanning them,” Peter laughs quietly. “I would even go to the shop, especially to buy something, and look at her wearing a cashier uniform.” “It’s okay, I’m sure we’re gonna have a chance to see that princess in a seller's uniform. And we’ll surely laugh at her and see what kind of diva she’d be when trying on the gorgeous uniform of a cashier.” “It would fit her so well.” “M-m-m, I’m already imagining how beautiful she would look like…” Peter and Daniel laugh quietly for two seconds and then glance at a waiter, who goes by them with a plate and empty glasses and plates in her hands. At the same moment, the blond decides to call the memories of what happened yesterday when he said farewell to Albert’s band and left it once and forever.***
Yesterday. A lot of things are happening at “Whisper Records”, one of the quite popular recording studios in New York, and every person is busy with something. Except for the drummer of the band “Heart Of Fire” named Peter Rose. He is now in one of the light rooms, in which there are very good instruments, a mixing desk, microphones, amps and other machines, thanks to which you could record songs, listen to them and edit them at any moment. Even though there is so much here, there is also a place to dance something in front of high mirrors. This place would be a real paradise for any musician or lover of music because. There is everything to record a truly cool track that would be playing on all the radio stations in the world. So, Peter adores spending time here. When he is free from rehearsals and performances, he loves doing some experiments, trying to play something on an instrument, listening to his play closely through high-cost headphones, playing with sliders and buttons on the mixing task, and changing settings on a computer. He can see everything, even a little detail on the big screen that might seem not quite good or absolutely terrible. Peter has always liked to experiment with sound, try something new and change genres of music, playing not only in his favorite rock and punk rock but also different genres. Of course, his band would hardly need it as it plays in quite a popular pop-rock style, but the blond likes to do it, even if he would hardly find a job as a sound guy. For him, it’s one of the best ways to play time while waiting for his bandmates, Daniel Perkins and Marty Patch. They have not come here yet but are already supposed to rehearse a couple of songs that they should play at one very prestigious restaurant. However, Peter does not care and is not mad that his colleagues have not shown up. Or he just forgets them because he gets too busy working on a track so much and does not notice time is going, but they need to rehearse right now. It should also be noted that even if Peter is a drummer, he can play instruments like the guitar or cajon. He has been able to play cajon since childhood. He had that thing at home, and the man even earned some money by playing it. And the talented guy learned to play guitar on his own from the beginning, just for his own interest. So, it’s quite possible to call the blonde a person, who has very many talents, and many familiars of him agree with this opinion. Some time ago, Peter played something on drums, later, he played a little solo on guitar, and then he started to play on a cajon, an instrument in the shape of a small wood box that requires playing with hands. Sometimes, when his band performs at some events, they replace drums with a cajon, and the drummer masterly beats a rhythm on it. The only thing he cannot show himself in yet is singing. Since the lead vocalist of the band is Marty, she gets all the lines, and the bass guitarist Daniel and the drummer Peter can only be backing vocalists. But now the blond has the great pleasure of singing along with a part of the track that he recorded. And it should be noted that his voice is just magnificent: strong, very nice and melodic, velvet… And a little hoarse is a zest for it. If this guy decided to record covers of famous songs or – if he got too lucky – released an album, he would be very successful and have many fans. This man was definitely born to be a musician or work in the musical sphere because he is incredibly talented in it. Some time later, Peter finishes working on what he has done while his bandmates are not here and decides to listen to the full short track from start to end. He eventually gets just an amazing melody that causes a wish to listen to it over and over. The man also likes it, shakes his head energetically and knocks his fingers at the mixing task while listening to the track, and then he spins himself around in a soft, comfortable office chair one or two times. He likes the song so much that he rewinds the track back to the beginning and plays it for the second time, getting great pleasure from the work he did. The blonde dreamed of recording at least a part of what he came up with because he did not want to forget what seemed genius to him. And a little later, Peter gets so busy with it that he jumps off the chair and starts to perform a dance that he saw in quite a popular music video and memorized well. As it was mentioned, there is enough space in this place, and dancing on the light parquet in shoes with an anti-slip sole is just wonderful. It should be noted that the guy has amazing dance skills. He feels a rhythm well, moves wonderfully, does not look like a log, and could compete with more professional dancers and dance not worse than they do. While dancing, the blond can see himself at the full height in a high mirror and see how he dances. However, he does not care about it. He just wanted to dance for himself, mixing several dance genres and brilliantly performing some hard elements. The man just has fun and gets pleasure, forgetting about his band and the colleagues, whom he should work with. While Peter falls into the rhythm of the music and performs the dance in a mixed style in front of a high mirror, someone comes into the room where he is now without warming and knocks some time later. And as it turns out, it’s Marty Patch, who looks gloomy but keeps her head proudly raised. The girl looks around arrogantly and sees the blond dancing along with the music that she dislikes immediately. Seeing that he does not pay attention to her and continues to dance, the lead vocalist of “Heart Of Fire” confidently comes to the computer and turns off the music with only one click of a mouse. Silence instantly settles in the air, and Peter being a little confused stops and glances at the computer, near which Marty is standing. “Ugh, Rose, I didn’t know you liked such a shitty sort of music,” Marty winces slightly, putting her purse on the table. “How can you actually listen to it? My ears started bleeding when I heard THIS a few meters away from here.” “Nobody makes you listen to it,” Peter throws gloomily, breathing a little heavily after dancing so energetically. “Close your ears with something and get your earplugs out only for rehearsals.” “Ha, if only these rehearsals actually happened. They always get canceled.” “Come on?” “Yes! Where is your pal Perkins now? He got too busy hanging out somewhere and forgot about the band! He forgot that he must rehearse.” Before saying something, Peter rolls his eyes with a quiet growl and slightly pulls down his t-shirt with the logo of the famous Canadian band “Nickelback”, a huge fan of which the man has been for ages. “Calm down, girl, Daniel will be here soon,” Peter says quietly. “He said he was in a great traffic jam. And I came earlier with the hope that I won’t see you before our rehearsal started. But no… You managed to annoy me even at the place that I consider holy for me.” “No, my sweet Peter,” Marty shakes her head confidently. “That idiot isn’t in a traffic jam, as he told you.” Marty starts to walk in circles in front of Peter with her head proudly raised. “Your pal is just hanging around somewhere and spending time with his girlfriend,” Marty adds.” When he had no girlfriend, he came at the right time, like a good boy. The only reason why Perkins could be late is a day he drank too much with his pals and then complained that everything was hurt, and he felt bad. But when that plucked peacock got a girlfriend, we started to wait for His Highness to take his ass here and flirt with that girl enough for hours.” “Are you envying?” Peter smirks evilly. “Are you envying him because he is happy and dating a good girl?” “I am envying?” Marty points at herself with a finger. “Yes. Men don’t pay attention to you at all.” “Don’t pay attention to me?” “Be kinder and sweeter, girl. Stop speaking in a command tone and being an egoist to get much happier.” “No, Rose, unlike you, I have very many fans,” Marty says with her head proudly raised. “I often get big bouquets of flowers with warm messages and invitations on a date.” “Come on?” Peter simpers evilly. “Why do we never see them?” “Because if I bring them here, the studio will be too small to leave here all the flowers that I receive. And don’t forget about gifts.” “Yeah, you’ve gotta buy flowers for you and ask your daddy to buy some jewelry. If you don’t make yourself happy, nobody will do this to such a selfish egoist like you.” “Ha, nobody actually notices you, and you still date nobody.” “It’s my business! I don’t have to tell you everything and tell you about all the girls I spend time with.” “Do you spend time with them?” “None of your business, Patch.” “Listen, maybe, Perkins was right when he joked that you were still a virgin and never even held a girl’s hand? Huh, blond?” “You’re talking very much,” Peter crosses his arms over his chest. “So, does nobody drool over your gorgeous body with a six-pack? Is that why you haven’t had a night of love yet?” “Marty, be nice, close your mouth,” Peter barely holds his irritation down. “Or better get out of here. And come back when Daniel comes here.” “But I’m telling the truth: you’re not lucky with girls, boy. And if your friend with the chocolate head really said the truth about you never having sex, I’m ready to laugh at that for a long time. And I wouldn’t be surprised if we knew you were actually gay and have a thing for men.” “You better make sure everything is fine about you, and I will care about my intimate life.” Peter starts to walk in circles in the whole room with his arms crossed over his chest. “Maybe, if you met a boy and slept with him on one of the dark nights, something would change about you. Maybe, you get a little kinder.” “Thanks for such a wonderful care, blond, but I don’t suffer from a lack of caress,” Marty replies confidently. “I’ve got enough of it. Unlike you, pretty boy.” Marty ruffles Peter’s hair by running her hand through it, but he moves it off sharply. “Patch, do me a favor, get out of here,” Peter says very coldly. “Or you will really make me get out of here during the play. Or I will not actually want to start it.” “No, Rose, this time, you and Perkins will not get out of the rehearsal,” Marty says with her head proudly raised. “Because Albert promised to come and see how we’d play a new song.” “So, get out of here not to do your best for Dan and me to listen to Sanderson’s lectures about disrupted rehearsals.” “Don’t tell me what to do, Rose. Or I will do my best for you to get out of the band after that guitarist, MacClife, who did not stay in it for two weeks, even though he believed he was a celebrity.” “So, what are you gonna do?” Peter stops sharply and turns on Marty. “Would you come to Albert and think up a lie? Or would you go to your parents for your plan to work at one hundred percent?” “Perkins and you don’t have good authority over Albert,” Marty notices confidently. He can’t wait to find a new drummer and a new bass guitarist and finally to kick you out.” “I will tell you openly, my dear star of all times…” Peter starts walking in circles in front of Marty. “I would be very happy if someday Albert told me he’d kick me out of the band. Because you, saying softly, annoyed me. You made me so irritated that I wanna strangle you with my own hands. I got really sick of listening to your endless hysterics for any reason and working with such an egoist like you.” “It’s okay, it won’t last forever,” Marty replies with a sly smile. “When Albert finds a talented drummer, he’ll say goodbye to you.” “I wish he had found a new lead singer.” “You know how ashamed he is of the fact that such a talentless drummer like you plays in his band. Who, just saying, cannot sing and dance.” “Oh, wow!” Peter wonders truly. “You are worthless, Rose! Ears bleed from your terrible play. And what you recorded here may surely be some trash. The shit that must belong somewhere in a dump.” “That’s what you think! But Albert said nothing to me about my mistakes and has never criticized my play. And Daniel says my play is just wonderful. And I believe that he is a very talented guy, as well.” “Ha, because he is the same talentless peacock!” Marty smirks evilly. “Who thinks he has such charming eyes that he’d slay anyone. Even if that guy has nothing special. Just a pathetic idiot that gives no benefits!” “Keep your mouth shut.” “Listen, Rose, if Albert says nothing to you personally, it doesn’t mean he’s happy with everything. Sanderson told me many times that the play of you and Perkins leaves much to be desired. So, here’s the reason why he’s so busy looking for new musicians. Why does he not rush to work with our band. He is afraid of letting you two on stage because you'll get him and me ashamed.” “You’ll ask for trouble, and I’ll get out of the rehearsal!” Peter throws sharply. “You won’t dare!” “Who are you to tell me what to do?” Peter looks at Marty from head to feet contemptuously. “A pathetic little girl, who grew up too arrogant! As if you’re an aristocrat of blue blood that everyone must bow to.” “To your information, my mother and father are provided people, who built a brilliant career. And you and Perkins are two beggars, who have to count every cent to live another day. And you're afraid to lose such great money so much that you can’t find the courage to leave the band at your wish.” “Ha, and what?” Peter smirks sarcastically. “Do Daniel and I have to kiss your legs and hands ‘cause your mommy and daddy work on you and have allowed you to live in luxury since childhood?” “You two must be grateful to me for tolerating you and your stupid jokes for so many years,” Marty says rudely. “Ha, I don’t need this fucking band!” Peter sharply goes aside and starts to gesticulate actively, saying: “As if I dreamed of working with the hysterical girl, who is too young but too insolent, shameless, and egoistic!” “You know, I don’t also deserve to work with a dork like you,” Marty says confidently. “I hope someone will kick your ass someday and strike off the crown you put on.” “Shut up, Rose!” Marty hisses irritably. “Or you will regret being born in this world.” “How will I do?” Peter wonders, quickly coming to Marty and looking into her eyes. “You won’t surprise and scare me with your claims about Albert.” “Please, don’t forget that my parents are very powerful people. One word from them before your life turns to hell! Before you are not able to find a good job, give your virginity to a girl or find new friends and familiars. Before you are able to do nothing! Because wherever you go, all the doors will be closed.” “Are you threatening me?” Peter rounds his eyes. “Warming. If you’re too sassy, you will quickly become a reject for everyone and not be able to even build a brilliant career as a pathetic seller or a cashier.” “You think i’ll get scared and start to dance attendance upon you?” Peter simpers loudly. “Don’t wait, girl! You are nobody to me to make me worship you!” “So, you can think today was the last day you played in the band. Because I will do my best for Albert to lose any patience and kick you out.” “Yeah? What’s your first step going to be?” “My first step is going to be…” Marty quickly comes to the drum set and beats the biggest drum with a shout so strongly that it gets crushed. Then she does the same to another one that is less and also breaks two drumsticks placed on the table. “Are you sick?” Peter frowns slightly, putting his hands on his hips. “Why did you the fuck break the drums?” “And now see what I will do to the shit that you have spent so much time on,” Marty says with a sly smile. “What? Marty! Marty, don’t dare! What do you wanna do? Don’t dare to change anything! You can hear me?” But Peter gets to do nothing because Marty deletes the full track, on which he worked too long, with a few clicks of the mouse. “Brainless idiot!” Peter gets wild, sharply grabs Marty by the shoulders, and shakes her slightly. “Do you know how long I have been working on this song?” “That’s it, pretty boy,” Marty shakes something off her hands with a smug smile. “Bitch! You’ve destroyed my work of a few weeks!” “You can think I saved you from the shame that you would’ve gotten if you’d let someone expect your pal Perkins to listen to this shit.” “Alright, little bitch, you made me really enraged! And now I will do my best for this rehearsal not to happen!” “You will not.” “I will disrupt it on purpose!” “What are you talking about?” “I am not kidding, Patch, you really got me wild by what you just did.” “Okay, c’mon, keep threatening me. If you are not afraid to lose your head.” “Now, kid, now… Now you will ask for trouble. Now…” Deciding to take revenge on Marty for deleting the file of his track from the computer, Peter comes to a little table, on which some things are placed, takes the girl’s purse, checks it for two seconds, gets a little glassy bottle, and breaks it on purpose. Marty starts to shout with horror in her eyes like crazy, seeing many pieces of glass and a pool on the parquet that is getting bigger and bigger. “IDIOT!” Marty shouts excitedly. “DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEIR COST IS?” “So what, bitch, you got it?” Peter smirks evilly. “YOU WILL NEVER PAY ME FOR THIS PERFUME! FATHER BROUGHT IT FROM FRANCE! FROM PARIS!” “It’s okay, your mommy and daddy have a lot of money and will buy a new one for you. There are many bottles of this perfume, don’t worry.” “IDIOT! BRAINLESS IDIOT! WHAT DID YOU DO?” “Or you don’t better actually buy it. I’m getting sick from this smell. Ugh…” Peter, wincing slightly, waves his hands in front of his nose. “So sorry that I can’t open a window and air out this room… Now I have to choke on this shitty smell.” “BASTARD!” Marty screams at the top of her lungs. “I WILL NOW PULL YOUR HAIR OUT!” Marty wants to run to Peter and either slap him in the face or grab his hair strongly. But at this moment, Albert literally runs into the room and looks at them with a little scare in his eyes. “Hey, what’s going on?” Albert wonders. “Marty! Why are you shouting at the whole studio as if someone is killing you?” “Mr. Sanderson, this idiot just broke a bottle of my high-costed perfume that I love,” Marty starts to complain literally with tears in her eyes. Peter says nothing and just simpers loudly with his arms crossed over his chest. “And he also broke the drums,” Marty says confidently and glances at the drums broken by her. “There, look!” “What?” Peter pronounces surprisingly. “Me? Did I break the drums?” “Yes! And you screamed at me and almost attacked me with fists! But thank God, Mr. Sanderson came and didn’t let you kill me right here!” “Are you out of your mind? I didn’t touch you even with a finger!” “You did! You screamed at me, began to threaten me, and wanted to strangle me with your own hands.” “Seriously?” “Hey, calm down, you two!” Albert meddles and glances at the broken drums and the broken pieces of the bottle, in which there was Marty’s perfume. “Mr. Sanderson, she is lying,” Peter protests confidently, not regretting what he did. “I did nothing to her!” “Peter, what are you the heck doing?” Albert resents. “Did you break something again?” “I broke nothing.” “Do you understand you just broke the property that did not belong to you and costed very much?” “She kicked these drums with a leg so strongly that they got broken!” “Are you not ashamed of lying and blaming the girl for everything? What did your parents actually teach you?” “And she deleted everything I was working on for the past few weeks from the computer and wanted to send to one person from a famous studio.” “Yeah, did I also break the bottle?” Marty shouts hysterically. “First, your pal Perkins ripped my scarf from the real Chinese silk, and now you broke the bottle of a high-costed French perfume.” “Yeah? Am I going to be guilty even if a meteorite falls on the city?” “You broke my favorite French perfume! DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG I WAS DREAMING OF IT?” “Quiet, Marty, calm down, please,” Albert says quietly. “Don’t scream like this.” “Do something, Mr. Sanderson, I’m begging you,” Marty begs with pity in her eyes and sniffs quietly. “This man must not stay unpunished after he destroyed what was mine.” “Alright, as for the broken bottle, may your parents give Peter a check, and he will pay you the full cost. And may give claims to Daniel for the ripped scarf and remind him that he still has to pay for that.” “He ripped it accidentally,” Peter says confidently. “As for the broken drums, I will have a serious talk with Peter.” “Punish him as hard as possible, Mr. Sanderson,” Marty provokes with a sly smile. “Would you let these two talentless people keep breaking everything and pay no cent? They have broken the instruments that cost a few thousands of dollars, but you forgive them for that so easily.” “So, may your mommy and daddy also pay for the drums broken by you,” Peter throws coldly. “I didn’t break them!” “You did! You broke them on purpose to disrupt our rehearsal. To blame me for that!” “What?” “I did not break them!” “Alright, Peter, calm down!” Albert raises his voice. “Marty is absolutely right! I really forgive you and Daniel for too much, who has not come yet, by the way. I have let you stay unpunished and told you to pay nothing for a long time.” “What?” “And I think I would have to take hard control over you two. Since you do not understand when someone treats you well, I will do it in a bad way.” “But, Mr. Sanderson…” “Shut up and listen to what I tell you!” Albert throws coldly, raising his hand with a palm turned on Peter. “Listen to me, when Daniel comes here, you will tell him that he must pay Marty for the ripped scarf. And you will have to pay money for the broken bottle of perfume.” “The deadline is tomorrow!” Marty adds. “And I am warning you, if one of you breaks at least one instrument, you will buy a new one for your money. I do not care where you get it. Borrow money or get credit – I do not care!” “If you don’t pay, you will regret it much!” “Instruments are high-costed, and many of them were ordered abroad or actually made on the individual order. But you two always break them and are about to get me bankrupted.” Marty does not hide her wide smile, seeing Albert scolding Peter and finally pressing him to the wall. The girl watches the shocking blond, whom she framed to some extent, with a proud and arrogant look, being happy she made Albert sure he was guilty of breaking the drums. “Alright,” Peter pronounces with his head proudly raised. “If this girl wants it, I will pay her for the perfume. Just because I really broke it. I will not deny it. I confess only what I really did it, and I always tell the truth. For me, it’s always been very important!” “Excellent!” Albert exclaims. “This topic is closed.” “But I am not going to pay for the instruments she broke.” “I did not break them!” Marty protests with tears in her eyes. “You kicked them with a leg!” “You are out of your mind today! Screaming at me, beating me, insulting me, breaking the instruments and my bottle of perfume…” “No, you have always been out of your mind! Every fucking day!” “You have a very bad opinion about me!” “You are not a princess for everyone to serve you!” “What did I do?” Marty wonders and sniffs her nose falsely. “Why do you treat me like this?” “M-m-m, how truly you are pretending to be a victim… I’m about to believe you’ve got something good.” “You are mad because you have no girlfriend. You are envying Perkins because he is dating a girl. While you cannot even meet someone, and nobody cares about you.” “As if someone cares about you.” “That’s why you always take it out on me! You weren’t taught that you must’ve respected girls. A real man would never raise a hand on them.” “Listen, Patch, stop saying bullshit!” Peter throws gloomily. “Nobody touched you with a finger, but you want to pretend that you were literally beaten. Who taught you to lie so insolently and slander people?” “Close your mouth!” “You shut up!” “You shut up, freak!” “Watch your mouth, pathetic kid!” “Hey, stop this circus!” Albert cries. “What did you the hell start here? Did you really go crazy?” “She is the one to start it!” Peter points at Marty with a finger. “I was sitting here, bothering nobody, working on the music, and waiting for Perkins to come. But that this princess came here, began to wash my brains, and broke these drums.” “Shut up, Rose!” “Why does she always take it out on me?” “I said, shut up!” Albert shouts. “And I highly recommend that you watch your mouth. Or I will have to take measures.” “Seriously? Do you believe this gal?” “You always take it out on her! Even if she doesn’t insult you and give you a reason to hate her.” “I would not touch this girl with a finger because just touching this madam is disgusting to me.” “Stop nagging to Marty! Leave her alone!” “You better watch this queen closely, who has broken a half of your instruments but pretended that Daniel or I did it.” “Oh, how I’m sick…” Albert moans tiredly. “My God… Perkins and you get me much more exhausted than other wards of mine. I watch you like children! Why am I the hell trying to make just something good out of you? You are not going to get better and keep playing terribly. Especially, you, Peter! Your play has lately been disgusting.” “Seriously?” Peter points at himself with a finger. “Are you giving me claims?” “What happened to you? You played well when you joined the band, even though you did not reach the level I wanted. I thought you just needed to teach a little to play well. But you still keep doing what you want and aim to make music that you would like to hear. Even if I do not like your ideas! It’s far from the band’s concept.” “Oh, I completely agree with you, Mr. Sanderson,” Marty agrees with a sly smile. “You know, Peter wants me to be a performer of rock songs that he and Perkins love so much. But he forgets that our band is pop, and I will not sing what they want.” “Perkins has also lately made me disappointed. He actually stopped after falling in love with a girl. And he is always late to rehearsals because of dates with her… And I also thought I could teach him to play what I wanted. But he is also as headstrong as a donkey! As talentless and worthless as Rose is.” “Yeah, you and Marty are the only ones to think so,” Peter notices confidently. “All the former guitarists of us and the people, who work here, think Daniel and I are very talented. Someone actually thinks we are the best musicians of the ones you are working with. We are good enough to record at least one song. But there are very many people you don’t want to pay attention to. You are promoting some voiceless idiots, for whom computers sing, while real talents stay in the shadow.” “Song?” Albert smirks evilly. “What kind of recording a song?” “The one you promised us when Daniel and I joined the band.” “My God, Peter, don’t make me laugh! What you and Daniel show me now is horrible! I am absolutely shocked by what you want to play.” “We like it.” “Do you really want to reach something with such terrible skills and dream of popularity? No, guys, you have to teach again and again. Teach very much to deserve the recording of a song that you talked about.” “We’ve been teaching here for almost four years.” “Even a monkey would be able to learn how to speak for such a long time. But you two have learned nothing.” “What are you talking about?” “Here’s my best advice, guys: stop getting ashamed and get another thing to do. Music is not your element. Remember, loving and being able to do are different things. Just because you love music doesn’t mean you can work with it.” “Excuse me, Mr. Sanderson, why did you decide to tell me that now?” Peter wonders, crossing his arms over his chest. “I never heard you saying something about my play. And Daniel never got any claims from you. But now you suddenly broke down!” “I was silent, my dear, because I hoped you would understand what kind of level I needed, begin to teach, and try to get better. Understand that I work only with truly talented people, not everyone, who wants to get a piece of fame. But for such a long time, I have not seen progress about you or your friend.” “Yeah, talented people… Especially, the band that is touring the whole of America. They’re so talented guys that someone has to change their voices on a computer to make them sound more or less good.” “I am going to be honest, I have lost any hope of teaching you two just something. I thought I would really offer you a contract for recording a few songs, but at first, I wanted to give you a chance to teach and get better. But I see you would not better even try to reach something with skills like yours. Or you would get yourself ashamed.” “I believe you started to humiliate me and Perkins because we are talentless, in your opinion,” Peter puts his hands on his hips. “You better be silent and listen to what the one to know more about it says,” Marty meddles. “Nobody asks you here!” “Thanks to Mr. Sanderson, many celebrities have been discovered around the world. They are all very talented thanks to their talents and got the love of people.” “Yeah, I see how successful they are. So successful that people know nothing about them.” “But if someone listens to how terribly you and Daniel sing and play, both of you will become a laughingstock for the whole world. Especially you, Rose. If you give someone to listen to the shit that you recorded for a few weeks, you would really get ashamed.” “Yeah, but why have you not gotten famous yet?” Peter smirks evilly. “If you allegedly have a great talent, in the opinion of Mr. Sanderson, you were supposed to get famous a long time ago and not to be in the band with such rejects as me and Perkins. You consider us dust, don’t you?” Peter moves his eyes to Albert. “Huh, Mr. Sanderson?” Peter pronounces. “Why don’t you make the wish of her mommy and daddy come true and make her a worldwide star? They pay you such great money for their daughter to become a famous singer for a reason. What are you waiting for? Do it!” “Aren’t you too arrogant?” Albert asks rudely. “Who are the fuck you to talk with me like this? Does it matter who pays me and for what?” “So, do you confess that you get money from them?” “Close your mouth!” “I guess they don’t pay enough for you to seriously work on the career of this talentless egoist. So, that’s why you keep her on the bench.” “Leave Marty alone and stop mocking her like that!” Albert demands coldly. “The poor girl did nothing to you to make you treat her like that. Even your pal contains himself somehow and does not do what you do.” “If this madam gets him enraged, Daniel will also tell her everything he thinks of her.” “Listen, are you really taking it out on Marty because you are mad and envying Daniel, who has a girlfriend? It would explain your disgusting behavior! And your aggression towards innocent people.” “Oh, you are defending her! Even though you were not happy with working with her!” “None of your business!” “It’s clear those people bribed you enough for you to take care of this girl. Even if she must get whipped with a belt. Someone must educate this princess! Educate her like a dog! To make her sweet and obedient!” “Alright, shut up now!” Albert shouts. “I am done with it! I am no longer going to take your disgusting behavior! And that’s why I want you to know it and tell Daniel something.” “So, are you going to kick them out of the band?” Marty rounds her eyes. “Remember, when I find a truly talented bass guitarist and a drummer to replace you, you two will leave the band after the guitarist, Terrence MacClife. Whom I had to say goodbye to due to the situation of my daughter. But that one at least had a talent and a strong enough voice. I would have started to work on his solo career with pleasure. But he insulted and humiliated Rachel and deprived me of a wish to do it. So, he is banned from coming here. As well as you and Perkins will be.” Marty smiles slyly, listening to what Albert says, and smirks quietly when she sees Peter’s discouraged face. “So, Peter, get ready that I may kick you and Daniel out of the band at any time,” Albert concludes. “I did not want to say it before a certain moment, but you forced me to open my mouth.” “That’s how…” Peter pronounces thoughtfully. “But while you two are in the band, I advise you to be as quiet as a mouse. And remember, if you do something else and make me enraged, you will regret it. I have much more contacts than you two do and will do my best to make your life worse and show you who Albert Charles Sanderson is.” Ah, how happy Marty is to hear Albert saying that he is going to keep Peter and Daniel under control and not to let them do anything, as it happened before. The girl does not hide her wide smile and watches the blond with her head proudly raised. Peter himself listens to Albert from start to end and makes a decision, for which he was trying to find the courage for a very long time, because he has lost his patience and refuses to take all of this. “I think you would not have to kick me out,” Peter says confidently, raising his head proudly. “Yes, you will not.” “Huh?” Albert frowns slightly. “Because I am letting you know about my wish to leave your band at my will. Right now.” “That’s how!” “Honestly, I wanted to do it a long time ago but couldn’t find the courage. But the actions of this queen crossed all the lines, and I have no wish to work with such a hysterical girl like her.” “Good riddance,” Marty whispers quietly with a wide smile, shyly waving a hand at Peter. “You can continue this show, but do it without me. I am leaving the band ‘Heart Of Fire’ right now. I am done! From now on, I do not care about its business.” “Alright, you can leave,” Albert pronounces quietly. “Nobody holds you here. You can leave after Terrence MacClife.” “As for Daniel, he will decide whether he wants to keep working with the kid, who makes even a normal person enraged, or leave after me. It’s going to be his decision. I’ve already made mine. And I hope I clearly let you two know about it.” Peter confidently goes to the exit from the room, but at some moment, he turns on the gloomy Albert and Marty smiling widely and sending him air kisses. “I will transfer the compensation for the broken bottle of perfume to the card of this madam, but you should tell her family to pay for the drums,” Peter says confidently. “I am saying goodbye to you with great pleasure and going to leave immediately.” After this, Peter opens the door and closes it after he leaves this place, leaving Marty and Albert alone. At first, the girl swears at the man and humiliates him, but then she starts literally jumping high, not hiding her happiness caused by the fact that she finally kicked one person out of the band and made him leave at his will. And the man gets quite nervous because he is going to have problems with rehearsals due to the drummer’s departure. They could do this somehow without a guitarist, but now they have to find a way to solve this problem as soon as possible. Or he would have just disbanded this group and focused on much more talented guys, who are waiting for their time to shine bright.***
These memories make Peter feel nothing good on the one hand. But on the other hand, the man does not hide his happiness that he finally left the band, in which he played for many years. And somewhere at the bottom of his heart, the guy is glad Daniel supported his decision and also left the band after he was told what happened and fought with Marty so hard that she got him enraged. He eventually said he would leave the band because he could not stand the permanent hysterics of the lead vocalist and the ungrounded humiliations from her. And now, after the guys decided to say goodbye to everything that had to do with Marty, Albert, and his band, they are enjoying their free time. But the question about what to do to keep earning money for life is still open. “Hey, Rose, what are you gonna do after leaving Albert’s band?” Daniel asks, knocking at the bar table with his fingers. “I don’t know, Daniel,” Peter shrugs, glancing aside thoughtfully. “But I need to do something. Although I have some money, someday I’ll spend everything if I don’t find a way to earn more.” “I mean the same… We can’t live on the money that we earned from performances in the band. We’d have to get a job not to die from starvation. Maybe, even a job as a seller.” “Yeah… I’m sorry that we didn’t get success in the band…” Peter runs his hand through his hair. “I was dreaming of going on a stage with my band someday, beating on drums and listening to the deafening shouts of fans that would come out to my shows… But… Alas! It seems like my dream won’t come true… I won’t be a famous musician.” “I get it…” Daniel nods. “But I wanted to travel around the world, play in various arenas and hear everyone admiring me…” Daniel exhales sharply. “However, instead of that, I’d have to call the memories about the years when I worked in random places,” Daniel adds. “Drive in the city and go to stores to ask if someone needs a staff.” “I wanted to be a musician not only because I wanted it,” Peter says thoughtfully. “But also because of my wish… The wish to stick it to Marty. Not to let her know we’d really be working in a store and selling goods. I didn’t want to let her rejoice and laugh at us out of spite. And I tried to do my best to prove to her that I had a talent…” Peter shakes his head. “And I could’ve counted on something if I’d sent the track that I was recording for a few weeks at the studio to one guy,” Peter adds. “But now I can’t even do that ‘cause Marty deleted it. But I have no machines to record tracks at home. That gal deprived me of the last chance to get into the musical world… And I shall never forgive her for that. That little bitch destroyed my work!” While Peter says it with sadness in his eyes, Daniel listens to his buddy, thinks about something, and listens to the music that is playing in this place. And when the blond falls into silence and glances aside, the brown-eyed one smiles widely and claps the man on the hand, saying: “Listen, Peter, why don’t we try to create our own band?” “Create our own band?” Peter rounds his eyes. “Why not? You’d still play drums or cajon, but I’d take the responsibility to play guitar. I’m sure we’d be an excellent team!” “You think we’d really do that? You should understand that we might remain unpopular for everyone and just waste our time!” “Yeah, maybe, we’ll really have to find a job at a store and forget about our wish to get famous. But I wouldn’t personally like to leave my hobby of music. I want to keep doing it even after leaving the band.” “So, are you suggesting playing just for fun?” “Exactly!” “I dunno…” “Hey, besides, we could try to talk to the owners of clubs and agree with them about a couple of shows. What if we’re lucky? Many people invite musicians to office parties. So, we could try to agree with someone.” “Yeah… Well… It would be great.” “And we could sing some covers and publish them on the Internet. Maybe, some time later, we’d get our fans…” “Covers?” “I recently listened to a couple of covers of successful performers and came up with the idea of trying to do the same. I think it would be cool!” Peter says nothing and, frowning slightly, strokes his chin. “Let’s record a couple of covers of your favorite band, ‘Nickelback?’” Daniel suggests. “Or something from my favorite bands, ‘Three days Grace’ or ‘Green Day!’” After thinking a little, Peter approves of Daniel’s idea of starting to record videos of them performing covers and believes they would be a great team and work well together thanks to their common interest in music. “Listen, chocolate head, your idea is really cool!” Peter exclaims cheerfully with a wide smile. “Let’s really try to record a couple of videos and publish them on the Internet. Who knows, maybe, we’ll get noticed by some famous people and get our little piece of fame.” “Let’s prove to Ms. Patch that we can do much more than she does?” Daniel suggests funnily. “And do it on our own! Not with the help of our parents or some patrons!” “Oh, yeah!” Peter and Daniel exclaim cheerfully with a wide smile and give each other a five, getting more interested in the idea of trying to work together as a band even for fun. “So, let’s talk about everything tomorrow and decide what to do,” Daniel suggests confidently, clicking his fingers. “Deal!” Peter nods energetically. “I’m sure it’s gonna be a bomb!” “Oh, an excellent bomb!” Daniel and Peter fall into silence for two seconds and glance at by far not a sober crowd of people hanging out on the dance pool along with the energetic music. And then the blond leans on the bar table with an elbow and thinks about something with sadness in his eyes. “I don’t know what about you, but I think Terrence could be a part of our band,” Peter confesses thoughtfully. “And sing with us…” “Ah, yeah, Terrence…” Daniel pronounces with the same sadness in his eyes. “We did a bad thing to him… We shouldn’t have attacked him like that… Even if his act is disgusting…” “Moreover, his problems with his ex are their personal business, not ours.” “Exactly! They should solve it by themselves, but we shouldn’t have meddled in it.” “I agree that he did a disgusting thing, and men don’t usually do that. But I feel sorry about him… It was clear MacClife was sorry and knew he was guilty.” “I think he hardly wanted. I would say, MacClife was also shocked by the fact that he dared to raise a hand on the girl.” “That’s right!” “Although I can’t stand such stinkers and wouldn’t raise a hand on a girl, I feel sorry about the man. You know…” “Moreover, now we know he really never beat Raquelle… As for that, Terrence told us the truth.” “Yeah, Rachel lied about him and made us think he was so terrible…” Daniel nods. “And we would’ve thought so if she hadn’t betrayed herself when having a talk with her friend that we heard.” “But on the other hand, I can understand her… Because MacClife hurt her and used her feelings. Of course, Rachel adores exaggerating everything, and people sometimes get her wrong because of that. But she was really hurt. So, she lied to us and her father.” “And calling Raquelle a prostitute was a bad thing from her. You and I heard her repeating that girl was a whore, prostitute, bitch, scumbag, and something like that.” “Raquelle suffered much more in this story. That man Simon annoyed her, Terrence mocked her like that, and Rachel attacked her but pretended that she was attacked with fists.” “And I don’t think the story about her mental problems is true. I’ve always liked Raquelle and think she is quite a sweet and good girl. And I’m very glad she finally got off that stinker Ringer.” “That’s right! And I must confess that Terrence did a noble thing when he decided to help Raquelle get off that man, Simon. Even if he felt remorse, he didn’t bury his head in sand and wait for that girl to come to him and fall to her knees.” “Oh, yeah, everyone says and writes about that stinker Ringer! I’ve probably watched a report about Simon and the way Terrence kicked his ass several times in the past two days.” “But now that stinker got what he deserved and wouldn’t hurt that poor girl anymore. Everything ended well, and MacClife made his status a little better. I don’t exclude that he’d probably get a little better for people.” “Agree! I’m glad this story ended well, and everybody got what they deserved. And I think MacClife did the right thing when he didn’t bury his head in the sand… I don’t know why, but I think it was made truly. With all the heart.” “Remembering him having pity in his eyes when trying to explain everything to us, I have the same opinion.” Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which Peter glances at one of the working waiters, and Daniel fixes the belt of his watch. “Anyway, we need to talk to Terrence and apologize to him,” Daniel says his opinion confidently. “I think he’d understand us if we explained everything to him and asked him not to be mad at us for fighting with him because of what he should’ve solved with his wife. Without third faces.” “To be honest, I’ve been thinking of going to his home and trying to talk to him for a long time,” Peter confesses thoughtfully, running his hand through his hair. “I don’t feel good, you see…” “Oh, I also feel embarrassed for him…” “I personally liked to spend time with him. Terrence quickly got on well with us. We quickly got closer to him.” “Absolutely agree… Despite his disgusting act, Terrence is a cool man anyway. And I’d like to speak to him again. And even try to suggest that he join our band.” “So, let’s go to his home tomorrow? And save our talk about creating a band for later! We’d come back to this after talking to Terrence and apologize to him.” “I wanted to suggest the same!” Daniel exclaims cheerfully. “We could work on our band later, but at first, we need to explain everything to Terrence. Moreover… It would be cool if he joined our party again and became a part of our future project.” “Deal then! Then let’s meet tomorrow after lunch and…” But Peter does not speak his mind because he glances aside, squints slightly, and sees a very familiar man with black hair somewhere far from here. “Listen, Dan…” Peter pronounces, clapping Daniel on the shoulder, and moves his eyes where he is looking at. “Isn’t Terrence sitting at that table? Or is everything too bad about my vision?” Daniel also moves his eyes aside and quickly understands Terrence is really sitting on the table placed somewhere in the corner, talking with Edward and laughing at something with him. “Right, that’s him!” Daniel nods. “Yes, that’s really MacClife! The six-foot dude with luxury, thick hair on his head.” “So, I wasn’t wrong…” Peter pronounces thoughtfully. “That’s our giraffe!” “I wonder how long he has been here? When we came here, I didn’t see him.” “At least, I didn’t notice him before…” Peter shrugs. “Or I just didn’t look at where he was sitting.” “Do you think Terrence saw us?” “I think he didn’t also see us ‘cause he’s busy with other things. But…” Peter throws his hands up. “Who knows… Maybe, he noticed but pretends that he doesn’t notice us…” “Hey, who’s that guy, whom he’s talking and laughing at something with?” “I dunno, I see him for the first time…” Peter frowns slightly. “Maybe, that is his friend? Who doesn’t definitely know what it means to brush his hair…” “Oh, yeah,” Daniel laughs shyly. “As if he got up from the bed and forgot to look in a mirror.” “That’s a bird that forgot to put its leathers in order.” “That’s good he at least picked up some good clothes… If he was dirty, I’d definitely think he’s homeless.” “Nope, that guy isn’t homeless. Yes, he doesn’t care about his look much, but he looks quite clean.” “Yeah, everything is kind of fine with it.” “But he is too young at first sight.” “Yeah… He is about eighteen or twenty, no more… His face is too young and pretty.” “I wonder what could connect MacClife and that little kid?” “Who the fuck knows!” Daniel exclaims. “Sometimes people can befriend those, who don’t fit them at first sight at all.” “Oh, it’s just like you and me! People are still overwhelmed by the fact that the guys like us can just talk.” “You know, blond, I can’t surely call you sweet and fluffy. You are not as harmless as you seem to everyone.” “And people are wrong when they think you’d bury anyone, who dares to go against you.” “Oh, yeah, I’m sweet!” “Shut up…” Peter and Daniel watch Terrence and Edward with interest, who are too busy with their talk and do not notice anything or anyone around, not stopping laughing quietly and drinking their drinks at times. And then Daniel moves his eyes to Peter, who feels it somehow and also looks at his friend. “Hey, if Terrence is here, we can talk to him right now!” Daniel notices cheerfully. “Let’s come to him and explain everything!” “Well, as we were so lucky to come here, we just can’t miss this good chance,” Peter throws his hands up with a slight smile. “We wouldn’t have to go his home.” “Let’s go then!” “Let’s go!” Daniel and Peter stand up from the bar table and confidently come to the table that Edward and Terrence are sitting at, still having a hot discussion about something. None of the men notice the guys with wheat blond hair and dark chocolate hair. Rose waits for two seconds, but when he gets no reaction, he coughs quietly to let them about him and says: “Erm, excuse us…” Terrence and Edward move their eyes to the guys, who are standing near them. MacClife immediately starts to think these two looking at him with sadness in their eyes are familiar to him. But the man quickly realizes they are Peter and Daniel, with whom he played in the same band but later fought due to the situation with Raquelle and Rachel’s lies. “Peter?” Terrence pronounces surprisingly, moving his eyes to Peter and struggling with a sense of awkwardness, and looks at Daniel, who is standing next to the blond. “Daniel? Erm… Hi… I didn’t expect to meet you here…” “Can we sit down and talk to you?” Daniel asks carefully, looking at Terrence with sadness in his eyes. “We need to discuss something.” “Erm, yeah, sure,” Terrence shrugs. “Sit down… Erm…” Terrence moves his look to Edward and asks him to sit down next to him. “Who are they?” Edward asks in a whisper after sitting down next to Terrence. “You know them?” “Yes, I do,” Terrence whispers. “I played in the same band with them. But later, I left it and fought with them. Because of the situation with Raquelle.” “That’s how…” “I’ll explain everything later.” After getting permission to sit down, Peter and Daniel sit at the table in front of Terrence and Edward, who sharply becomes kind of discreet and tries to pretend that he is not here and think about something. “Listen, Terrence,” Peter starts to speak hesitantly almost at once. “Daniel and I would like to apologize to you for attacking you on that day and swearing at you. What happened between Raquelle and you should’ve been your personal business that we didn’t have to do with.” “Now we understand you didn’t want that scandal to happen between you and Raquelle,” Daniel adds with sadness in his eyes. “On that day, we both saw regret and sadness in your eyes, which let us know you really regretted it. But we were mad, ‘cause we believe a real man would never do that.” “You see, we just treat Rachel very well. Yes, she has by far not the perfect character, but she’s a good girl. And when she told us what happened between her, you, and Raquelle, we started to defend her. We’ve known her much longer than you, and we preferred to believe her. Even if we’ve always known that she loves lying and exaggerating.” “Yeah, we wouldn’t think she lied to us about you beating Raquelle to half death and her beating Rachel at that club and ripping her clothes.” “I really never beat Raquelle, and I wouldn’t have done that,” Terrence replies quietly. “Rachel actually attacked Raquelle on that day, not vice versa.” “We know,” Peter nods. “Rachel confessed everything when Dan and I accidentally heard her talk with her friend, to whom she told how she made us turn our backs on you and believe you were a stinker.” “It’s true, Terrence!” Daniel confirms. “Then we realized you told us the truth about never beating your girlfriend, and Rachel lied to everybody. Peter and me, her father, all her friends… You… And then we literally pressed her to the wall and told her to explain everything.” “She didn’t want to confess everything and found some excuses for a long time,” Peter confesses. “We didn’t get everything right, and the talk wasn’t actually about you. But we eventually made Rachel tell us everything and confirm you really never beat your girlfriend, but just slapped her in the face once.” “Nothing worse than that slap happened,” Terrence replies with sadness in his eyes. “We believe you.” “I quickly realized that Rachel lied to me about much after talking with Raquelle and Albert. And when you two blamed me for allegedly beating my girlfriend, everything got clear to me.” “Now we also made sure about your innocence.” “But I’ve always known she could easily lie and exaggerate very easily.” “But it doesn’t mean Peter and I fully support what you did,” Daniel says confidently. “We still believe your act is disgusting, and we aren’t gonna say that was right. But we both understand you. We understand you could be just excited and explode like a bomb. And we don’t excuse Raquelle herself, who is also not holy and innocent. She also did a bad thing and began to fight with Rachel first.” “She could be understood. And I do understand her.” “Moreover, we recently read one article on the Internet that said Simon Ringer ended up in the hospital after falling from the five-floor building.” “Really?” “Now absolutely everyone talks about it. We may see the news about what happened to that man several times per day.” “And they said about you and Raquelle,” Peter adds. “Those articles said you were the one to go to the police and follow the girl, who decided to go to the meeting with Simon alone. So, MacClife, we know how you kicked the ass of that bastard and showed where he belonged.” “We highly appreciated your act, Terrence. Really. We appreciate the fact that you didn’t hide like a coward, but did your best to prove your regret. And we’re sure your act wasn’t made to keep your reputation. It was made with all your heart.” “This time, I did what I should’ve done,” Terrence replies confidently. “I did that not for my reputation but for the love for the one, who I actually ain’t indifferent to. I couldn’t stay aside when I got a chance to get off that bastard, who did much more than we knew.” “We know…” Peter nods with a shy smile. “Not only do we appreciate it… Everyone’s talking about it! This piece of news is actively discussed by literally every single person. They could show such activity when discussing the news about you and Raquelle suddenly disappearing and literally wishing to quit your career.” “Yeah, that’s right!” Daniel confirms confidently. “And your relationship with Raquelle has reportedly ended. They say someone even has some theories to explain it. Cheating, violations, and some other false assumptions and horror things.” “Wow!” Terrence pronounces thoughtfully, being surprised by what he just heard. Although Edward prefers being silent, he closely listens to what Daniel and Peter say. When they fall into silence, he slightly hits Terrence on his forearm with a fist. “So, people remember you, buddy!” Edward notices happily. “Since Raquelle and you are still discussed, nobody has forgotten you!” “Wow…” Terrence shakes his head. “And be happy that nobody knows about your action. Because you’d get better for them ‘cause you helped Raquelle get off Simon. Trust me, nobody’s gonna judge you ‘cause they don’t know all the truth about the reason for your breakup.” “Yeah, nobody knows it yet, but that type of rumor might be spread out. They could make my reputation much more. Which got much worse because of everything that people have said about me literally since the beginning of my career.” “Calm down, MacClife, we haven’t heard someone spread similar rumors,” Daniel replies confidently. “Everyone assumes the reason for your breakup with Raquelle is your betrayer.” “My betrayal?” “Yeah. There are many witnesses of you spending time with Rachel, hugging her, and kissing her… There are very many photos!” While Terrence shakes his head sharply, Edward frowns slightly. “Yeah, but none of us have given comments to the media yet,” Terrence notices. “Did they start to say something about the breakup of Raquelle and me?” “Photos of you and Rachel kissing are already on the Internet,” Peter replies confidently. “Your fans are posting them on social networks… So, you won’t get off it ‘cause everyone knows you cheated on your girlfriend. Who, according to the rumors, could not take it.” “Hey, you didn’t tell me you cheated on Raquelle!” Edward exclaims, looking at Terrence surprisingly. “Huh, Terrence? What does it mean?” “Oh, yeah, I really cheated on Raquelle with that girl,” Terrence admits gloomily. “But I don’t wanna talk about it. And I would actually like to forget that mistake. But since photos are spread out on the Internet, I won’t avoid questions about cheating.” “That’s right,” Daniel nods. “But now almost nobody cares about those photos… Since you saved Raquelle from Simon, they started to respect you more. Maybe, you become an all-favorite man again and get offers for a job.” “Yes, don’t forget that you’re still a famous actor,” Peter adds. “Maybe, you haven’t acted in any movies for a long time, but people still remember you. In the old times, you had lots of fans, many of whom are still waiting for your new projects. Yes, many of them stopped following your life, but you aren’t forgotten.” “And it seems like you won’t be for a long time,” Daniel assumes with a slight smile. “And if you acted in a perspective movie or TV show, you’d surely get the same fame back.” “So, now you see what’s actually happening!” Edward smiles widely, clapping Terrence on the shoulder. “But you wanna quit your career! Damn! Everything is getting started for you! You can reach such goals that you couldn’t even dream about.” “No, friend, everything was over many years ago,” Terrence protests quietly. “I’ll never get back the fame that the eighteen-year-old boy got after he instantly became the all-favorite guy for little girls. You’d be able to get so successful just once in your life.” “What?” Peter rounds his eyes. “Do you really wanna quit your career?” “Yes, I want.” “No…” “Peter shakes his head sharply. “No, no, no, you won’t do that!” Peter jabs. “You won’t do! How could you leave what you’ve gotten in the past years?” “I have no choice, Peter,” Terrence replies without emotions. “Now my career isn’t as important to me as it was before. I understand I have different priorities and no longer wanna be famous. And I want to run away from here as far as possible. Really… I’m sick of all of this… Freaking sick.” “Bloody hell, dude, what are you talking about?” Daniel wonders. “Why do you leave everything when you can just take a break for a while and live like a common person? You’d have a rest for two months and be in good shape again!” “I wanted to do that. But every day, I’m making much more sure that my vacation will be endless. And my career won’t be suspended. It will be ended once and forever.” “We completely understand that your nerves are wracked after what happened! But it’s not the reason to do what you may regret.” “I’d hardly regret it. Acting is not what I’ve always wanted to do. I began to act in movies just to get out of poverty and help my mother with money.” “Listen, Terrence, it seems like you lost your motivation to do something because of the conflict with Raquelle,” Edward says confidently. “As if a breakup with the girl broke you down at all!” “I can’t deny.” “Damn, what’s gonna happen when more time is gone, and that girl is not back to you? Would you give a fuck about you? Become a hermit or something like that?” “Exactly!” Peter exclaims. “People fight, break up and divorce every single day, but life doesn’t stop because of that. We understand this situation is unpleasant for you, and you’re suffering. But you must brace yourself somehow, buddy. You can’t give a fuck about yourself for this reason. You can’t run away. You can’t leave everything.” “Yeah, guys, I know…” Terrence pronounces quietly and runs his hand through his hair. “But you see, now I don’t really have the motivation to reach something. There is nothing that makes me feel alive, so I keep moving on. And now, when Raquelle and I broke up, I feel like someone took a part of my body away…” “But your problems shouldn’t stop you from building a career,” Daniel notices confidently. “If you want, you can become much more famous than you were when everyone literally praised Mason Houston.” “But I don’t want it!” “Okay, okay, you don’t wanna be an actor. But you’ve always dreamed of being a famous musician! You can try to focus only on music. It will help you show your feelings and let go of what bothers you. Trust me, you can do this. Pete and I know well how brilliantly you play the guitar. With such great talent, you’re gonna be successful.” “Now I want nothing, Daniel… I’m exhausted physically and morally, and I no longer wanna do all of that. The only wish of mine is to get out of here and forget that I was an actor and the favorite guy of little girls.” “Are you gonna spend your life far from everyone, lying on a bed or a sofa like a vegetable?” Peter wonders. “Life doesn’t stop If you lose a girl. You’re gonna have hundreds of them! Don’t get obsessed with only one! There are many beautiful girls around. You should just look around to understand it.” “I don’t need another girl, Peter…” Terrence replies quietly without emotions in his eyes. “Playing love with Rachel made me realize what I want to manage to be happier.” “But, Terrence…” “Anyway, don’t think about it…” Terrence runs his hands over his face with a tired sigh and glances aside. “You wouldn’t understand me… I know I look like a whining boy… So, don’t listen to me and forget everything I said…” “No, no, I completely understand you!” Edward protests. “Everything is unclear about my sympathy for the girl, as well, and I don’t know what to do.” “I understand you, too, “Daniel replies confidently. “I’d feel very bad if I lost my girlfriend, whom I love very much… Remember these words now and remind me of them if someday we happen to have a conflict and decide to break up, and I begin to behave like a whining boy and complain about the loss of my sweetheart.” “You’ve hardly gotten over a breakup with a girl because of a mistake you didn’t want to make,” Terrence says gloomily. “If your girlfriend left you for the same reason, for which Raquelle broke up with me, you’d say different things.” “Okay, okay, you’re absolutely right,” Daniel shrugs. “But you shouldn’t give up anyway. You’ve gotta believe someday a miracle will happen and bring everything to the right place.” “It will hardly happen.” “You believe it! Don’t be so pessimistic.” “Although it’s worthless to tell me something, thank you two very much for your support anyway,” Terrence smiles slightly. “Any good word would be very nice to me.” “We get it all, dude, but you shouldn't really lose your hope,” Peter replies confidently. “Of course, you can expect no miracle now, but something might happen later. Maybe, you and Raquelle will calm down after this story and then find the courage to talk about your future. Put everything in the right place and let each other know if your decision would be right.” “They’re right, Terrence,” Edward agrees. “Don’t give up early. Because everything may change. You never know what’s gonna happen tomorrow or in one week.” “Thanks for the support, guys,” Terrence thanks amicably. “Really. I’m glad the people that are ready to support me are coming back to my life.” “You can always count on us,” Peter smiles shyly. “Yes, Terrence, let us know if you need some advice or support,” Daniel adds. “Thanks…” Terrence pronounces with a slight smile and moves his eyes to Peter and Daniel. “And yeah, because you wanted to talk with me, I want you to also forgive me if I hurt you somehow.” “It’s okay, we’re not mad!” “And don’t think anything bad of me, ‘cause I started to ignore you at some moment. It doesn’t have to do with you, and you did nothing to me.” “But wouldn’t you ignore us now?” Peter asks. “No, I won’t do it. You’re cool guys. And I wouldn’t like to stop speaking to you. Who knows… Maybe, someday, I’ll become your good friend. It would be great.” “You know, you’re also a cool man, Terrence,” Daniel replies with a slight smile. “All the time you were in our band, it was nice for Peter and me to spend time with you. We laughed and joked at everything so much… So, it would be cool if you became a part of our crazy party again. We don’t mind a little addition.” “Yeah, dude, don’t be mad at us,” Peter says amicably. “We didn’t really wanna hurt you… We’re sorry about believing Rachel and attacking you with charges for beating your ex.” “However, what happened was good for me and got me a little sober,” Terrence notices with a slight smile. “I think I needed this kick on my ass to understand some things.” “Well, we hope you won’t be a pain in the ass, and the blond and I won’t have to wash your brains at times,” Daniel replies funnily. “I will do my best.” Peter, Terrence, and Daniel laugh shyly while Edward silently watches them with a slight smile on his face, feeling like he is unnecessary here and even thinking of leaving this place at some moment. However, he stays here so far and just tries not to show that he does not feel too comfortable in this company. And some time later, the three men stop laughing, and the blond raises his hand up as if he suggests that MacClife gives a five, saying: “So, Terrence, peace?” “Agree to come back to our gang?” Daniel asks funnily, raising his hand, as well. “Sure!” Terrence exclaims. “Peace!” Terrence gives a five to Peter and Daniel with a slight smile on his face. Then he raises himself a little, and hugs every one of them, sharing a slight clap on the shoulder. And then the blond stops his eyes on Edward, who is somewhere far from here in his mind and looks kind of hesitant. “Hey, Terrence, we’d like to ask you…” Peter pronounces thoughtfully. “Who is the guy that’s sitting next to you? Perkins and I saw you with him and began to guess who he was.” “Yeah, MacClife, who are you hanging out with?” Daniel adds. “Don’t ya wanna introduce us to your new friend?” “Ah, yeah…” Terrence pronounces quietly. “I should really introduce you to each other…” Terrence looks down for a second and points at Edward, saying: “So, guys, this is Edward. Edward Lockhart.” Terrence moves his eyes to Edward sitting next to him and points at Peter. “Edward, the name of this blond is Peter Rose,” Terrence introduces and points at Daniel. “And this brunet is Daniel Perkins. We three had played in the same band for a few weeks before I left it. But I think you already understood it after hearing our talk.” “Yes, yes, I got it,” Edward nods and shakes Peter by the hand with a shy smile. “Nice to meet you, guys.” “Nice to meet you!” Peter pronounces amicably with a slight smile. “Nice to meet you!” Daniel says amicably when Edward shakes him by the hand. “So, if it happened, welcome, as they say,” Peter says thoughtfully. “We’re always glad to meet new people, and we accept everyone we meet with pleasure.” “And I also like meeting new people,” Edward notices amicably. “That’s good!” Daniel exclaims cheerfully. “Anyway, we don’t bite and have a good relationship with those, who wanna talk to us and become candidates to become friends of ours.” “I understood it after your talk with Terrence.” “Excellent!” “I believe you had communicated with him well before you fought because of that situation.” “Well, not too closely, of course, but we got on well,” Peter replies thoughtfully. “Aha, and we really liked it,” Daniel adds with a slight smile. “It was cool when we and he tried to kick the ass of the girl we worked with.” “Annoying?” Edward specifies. “Oh, yeah! The kid got lost and began to act like a princess of blue blood.” “Kid? She’s young?” “Only twenty years!” Peter exclaims. “But she’s so insolent and spoiled.” “Her mommy and daddy didn’t educate her at all,” Daniel adds. “But someone like her must get the ass kicked with a belt.” “I’m sorry that I’d no longer mock her,” Terrence smiles slyly. “I’d be laughing at Marty and showing her who she is.” “No, thanks, I don’t want more,” Peter protests. “That girl washed my brains enough. If I had stayed in the band much longer, I would’ve strangled that little bitch.” “What?” Terrence frowns slightly. “Ah, yeah, we forgot to say!” Daniel exclaims. “Peter and I got out of the band.” “Come on? Got out?” “Aha, that idiot started such a strong hysteria that we just lost our patience.” “Yesterday, she broke the drum on purpose and blamed me for that,” Peter adds. “And she lied and said I literally beat her.” “Rachel taught her?” “Who the fuck knows! But Albert read me such a great lecture and told me many claims. So, I got overwhelmed by his insolence and decided that I was done.” “I wasn’t at the studio and came here later,” Daniel adds. “And then I found out the blond left the band. And then that little bitch decided to deal with me and made me lose my patience, scream at her and tell her everything I thought of her. Then Albert ran up and washed my brains, too. In short, I got fucking sick of that, pissed Sanderson off, and said I would leave the band. I turned around and left.” “Wow!” Terrence wonders truly. “I wanted to call Rose and talk about this situation, but his phone wasn’t available. I managed to reach him today in the morning.” “I just wanted to get cool,” Peter confesses. “So, did you leave the band forever?” Terrence concludes. “Will you no longer play in it?” “No, we’re done! They can go to the fuck! We don’t care about the band anymore. Sanderson can do what he wants, and Patch can die from the anger and hatred.” “In this case, I hope Albert will find someone else to kick Marty’s ass enough.” “I doubt someone would stand that princess longer than us,” Daniel assumes confidently. “I think we were the only ones to stand her for almost four years. Others got out two weeks later or even earlier.” “Oh, yeah, I’ve never met anyone worse than that girl,” Terrence confesses. “Alright, guys, forget her!” Peter exclaims. “Let’s not make our mood worse and talk about Patch.” “Okay, okay, I’m silent!” Terrence raises his hands up. Daniel and Peter laugh quietly, so silence settles in the air for two seconds. And then the blond frowns slightly, glancing at Edward. “Yeah, guys, can you explain to us what could connect two people, who have such a big age difference?” Peter wonders. “Why?” Terrence rounds his eyes. “Edward and I have almost the same age.” “Yeah, although I’m still young, I'm already twenty-four,” Edward adds. “Come on?” Peter and Daniel wonder at the same time. “Twenty-four?” Daniel asks. “We thought you were not less than eighteen!” Peter exclaims. “Nope, I’m twenty-four,” Edward smiles shyly. “My gosh… I guess you take care of yourself very well if you look so young and fresh.” “Thanks for the compliment. Many people get surprised when they find out my real age.” “Just throw your blazer in a trash can, and you will look like you’re thirty,” Terrence advises. “I rarely grow my bristle and usually prefer having a shaved face.” “I dunno, I like having a bristle,” Daniel confesses, running his hand over his dark, barely seen bristle. “But my girlfriend doesn’t like it. And she’s got tender enough skin. She can wound herself easily. And then it takes a lot of time for her wounds to be gone.” “You’d do many things for the girls!” Terrence sighs with a slight smile. “You’d do anything to make them happy.” “So true!” “Hey, guys, where did you meet?” Peter asks thoughtfully, moving his eyes to Edward and Terrence. “How long have you known each other?” “We met today!” Terrence confesses. “We talked a little and decided to hang out together.” “That’s how…” “What would I do? Everyone left me, and I didn’t wanna be lonely. So, I didn’t refuse the opportunity to spend time with Edward.” “Yeah, we talked about our families,” Edward adds. “We talked about our fathers being stinkers. And about our brothers, who were born in their second marriages.” “Brothers?” Daniel frowns slightly. “Terrence has brothers?” “Yes, I do,” Terrence confesses shyly. “Two half-brothers.” “Come on!” “You’ve never told us about them!” Peter notices. “I’ve never spoken to them,” Terrence confesses. “And I doubt I will do this someday.” “But why? They’re your brothers… Even if you have different mothers.” “I just don’t want. I don’t want to have anything in common with my father, his new wife, and their children.” “I support him,” Edward adds. “My father and his family turned my life into real hell.” “Maybe, you slander them?” Peter assumes. “What if everything is not what it seems to you?” “If you lived with them for several years in the same house, you would start moaning and dreaming of escaping,” Edward says without emotions, crossing his arms over his chest. “Did you live with them?” “Sadly. And I’m going to be honest, I was ready to kill those brainless idiots because of their shitty jokes. That’s why my father always kicked my ass. In the literal sense, sometimes. He grabbed a belt and slapped me strongly.” “Hey, why didn’t Terrence know that he had brothers?” Daniel wonders. “Why did he say he was the only child in the family?” “Erm, actually, I’ve known about my half-brothers since eighteen…” Terrence confesses hesitantly. “I learned about them when my father showed up for the first time after leaving my mother and me.” “Come on?” “Interesting story…” Peter pronounces thoughtfully. “Tell us everything about it?” “Actually, it’s a very long story…” “Well, we don’t actually rush,” Daniel shrugs. “Pete and I would love to know how it happened. And it would be cool to get to know Edward better. Since we met him.” “Okay, then we’ll tell you everything in order,” Terrence promises with a slight smile. “Yeah, but let’s first drink for the reconciliation and the new acquaintance?” Peter suggests cheerfully. “Moreover, Dan and I haven’t even ordered anything, even though we were gonna drink a glass here.” “Nice idea,” Edward agrees with a slight smile and chuckles quietly, slightly shaking his glass of drink. “MacClife and I have a little bit to drink for that.” “Oh, ask the waiter to give you something,” Terrence suggests, pointing at the waiter, who's standing near him and servicing the nearest table. “Hey, what are you drinking?” Peter asks. “Mojito, I guess,” Edward shrugs. “I’m not allowed to drink ‘cause I’m driving!” Terrence exclaims. “Oh, cool!” Daniel pronounces cheerfully. “I will order a mojito.” “Me too!” Peter adds. “Today, I’m driving the chocolate head in my car. So, I’m not allowed to drink, too.” While the others laugh shyly, Peter moves his eyes to the waiter standing nearby and raises his hand. “Waiter!” Peter pronounces loudly. “Give us, please, two more glasses of mojito.” “Yeah, alright, one minute,” the waiter nods with a slight smile. The waiter quickly leaves but comes to the table that the four men are sitting on one minute later and places two glasses of just-cooked mojitos on it. When the girl gets thanks from them and goes to do her business, Edward, Terrence, Daniel, and Peter take their glasses. “So, guys,” Peter raises his glass. “I’m suggesting we drink for our acquaintance with Edward and our reconciliation with Terrence.” “For our acquaintance and reconciliation!” Daniel raises his glass with a slight smile. “For our acquaintance and reconciliation!” Terrence and Edward pronounce together at the same time, raising their glasses at the same time. Peter, Edward, Terrence, and Daniel raise their glasses with happy whoops, click on each other’s glass, and take a few sips. Then Terrence and Edward start to tell Peter and Daniel how they found out about their family ties, how they met today in the café, and how they spent a good time today. Also, they tell them about what’s happening to their families, even if they want to never think about it. The friends listen to what the guys say with pleasure and sometimes give their opinion about something. When they discuss this story, every one of them tells a little bit about themselves to get to know each other better. And the more time is gone, the more they are starting to like to spend time together. Nobody feels uncomfortable. Even Edward relaxes later, gets used to Daniel and Peter, and gets pleasure from talking to his new acquaintances as if he has known them literally all his life. And Perkins and Rose accept warmly the new familiar guy of Terrence, get on well quickly with him, and get nicely surprised when they find out he also loves music and can sing and play guitar very well. They laugh and joke, tell some funny things about their lives, and discuss one of their common interest – music. And after drinking a little and talking enough, the guys do not refuse to have fun at the dance pool, confidently dancing along with the energetic music. Moreover, their favorite songs play several times in a row. So, they do not have a wish to sit at the table in the corner and watch people have fun to the fullest, no matter if they can dance or were actually not born for that.***
While the male four, which consists of Terrence, Edward, Peter, and Daniel, are spending time at the nightclub, the female company, which consists of Raquelle, Natalia, and Anna, decides to have a rest in a similar place. Not at the one where the men are, but at a different one where the girls have never been before. As the gentlemen, the ladies are not going to use their freedom and try to flirt with someone or, much worse – drink until they pass out. But they just cannot refuse to drink a glass of cocktail. Natalia, Anna, and Raquelle come to the place that they need and leave the car in a special place. When they take some things, the girls enter the building and look around with interest, talking about something on the way. The loud music is playing here, and there are many people, among whom there are mostly young ones. Someone is sitting on a table or bar table and drinking some drinks. And someone is having fun to the fullest and hanging in at the large dance pool. “My gosh, girls, how much I missed this time,” Raquelle confesses, looking around with a slight smile on her face. “The time when we went everywhere and had much fun.” “Oh, Raquelle, how much I did…” Natalia sighs quietly and smiles shyly, embracing Raquelle and Anna around the shoulders. “I madly missed visiting clubs as well as our girl's trio.” “Yeah, I can’t remember when we went somewhere as a trio the last time,” Anna says thoughtfully. “Only Natalia and I went somewhere.” “That’s right, we wanted to go somewhere together as much as possible and have fun, but we didn’t do that,” Raquelle recalls. “Natalia went to her grandmother, I was busy with my work, and that terrible situation with Ringer happened…” “You know, my darling, better late than never,” Natalia notices. “We did decide to hang out together. For the first time in a while.” “But promise me that you’d no longer fight, and we’d often go somewhere all together,” Anna says confidently. “I don’t wanna tear myself between you and spend time with you two apart.” “No, my sweetie, I promise, it will no longer happen,” Raquelle promises with a wide smile. “I will no longer be such a stupid idiot and will confidently say my friend would not betray me.” “And now, no excuses for refusing to walk with your friends!” Natalia adds cheerfully. “If there’s a suggestion to go out, we get ready and go! Got it? Huh, Cameron? Your job can wait, but your friends can’t do!” “Huh, if she doesn’t wanna go, we’ll make her do that by force,” Anna laughs shyly. “We won’t let her get too busy with her job and will make her remember there are very many good things in life.” “Don’t worry, girls, I’ll always find time for you now,” Raquelle promises confidently, embracing Anna and Natalia around the shoulders. “We’ll be meeting as frequently as possible. And I will be fixing my past mistakes and giving you much more time.” “We’ll see!” Natalia exclaims. “We’ll remind you of these words if you wanna find an excuse not to hang out with us.” Raquelle says nothing and just laughs quietly, and Anna looks around for two more seconds and points at a free table placed in the quietest place of the room, which is lighted up with colorful spotlights, and in which loud music is playing. “Oh, let's sit down at that table and order something to drink,” Anna suggests. “That’s for us,” Raquelle notices cheerfully. “We’d at least be able to talk quietly.” Raquelle, Natalia, and Anna confidently go to the free table, going by some people, who are also searching for a place with a glass in their hands. Someone is going to go out to smoke, and someone wants to leave this place. Some people are dancing along with the energetic music. And someone is trying to find single girls or men to flirt with a little. “Okay, I wanna warn you that I ain’t gonna drink to the hell,” Natalia says confidently. “I just wanna relax a little, not go home with a wobbly walking.” “I ain’t also gonna drink,” Raquelle replies confidently. “Although I came here to have fun, It doesn’t mean I’d love to drink glass by glass.” “Exactly!” Anna supports. “We just wanna drink something fresh and delicious, talk a little, and go to dance in the dance pool.” “Of course!” “But honestly, I can’t already wait to go there… The music is so cool that I’m starting to dance now.” “Agree,” Natalia agrees. “And be sure, I won’t miss such a wonderful chance. Even if you wanna sit here and watch everyone, I will go to dance anyway. And you won’t hold me down if my favorite song is playing here.” “And you two wouldn’t hold me down, either,” Raquelle laughs quietly. “Tonight, I’m gonna have great fun and forget all the bad things that have happened to me lately.” “That’s right, friend!” Anna pronounces cheerfully. “Don’t be worried or sad! Life is too short to worry about everything. You’ve gotta enjoy every single moment.” “Nice position, girl!” Natalia nods in approval. Raquelle and Anna laugh quietly, come to the free table, and sit down along with Natalia. Some time later, a light-brown-haired waiter comes to them and asks them what they want to order. After thinking a little and quickly checking the menu that someone forgot to take away, the girls decide to sweeten their lives and order a glass of chocolate cocktail. When he quickly writes something down in his notebook, the young waiter promises to complete the order as soon as possible and leaves to do his work. “I hope we won’t have to leave a gymnasium for one month to lose the weight that we’re gonna get after drinking this cocktail,” Natalia laughs shyly. “Oh, friend, it doesn’t threaten you!” Anna waves her hand with a wide smile. “You’re our fan of sports and literally spend nights at a fitness club.” “Well, not quite, of course…” Natalia rolls her eyes with a slight smile on her face. “But I really like all these workouts. It’s a cool way to let my energy out that I sometimes don’t know what to spend on.” “But I hate all these workouts and do sports just because this is the only way to keep my body in good shape.” “Oh, I’m begging you,” Natalia laughs shyly. “It doesn’t threaten you, either. You’ve got a wonderful body. Moreover, as long as I remember you, you’ve always been skinny and eaten as little as a kitten.” “I would say my mother impacted me,” Anna confesses shyly. “She’s always said if you wanna keep yourself in good shape, you can’t eat too much. And she gave me a love for healthy food. So, someone would hardly see me leaving McDonald's with big packets in my hands.” “And I never gain weight and can eat everything as much as I want,” Raquelle chuckles kindly. “But I always lose it If I worry too much… However, when I calm down, it goes back to normal little by little.” “You don’t even have to do sports hard ‘cause you’ve never been prone to fatness,” Anna says confidently. “You can keep no diets. You’re very lucky in this case: you eat anything as much as you want and don’t gain weight.” “Yeah, but it’s too hard to explain to everyone that I don’t have anorexia. This is my normal weight that hasn’t changed through the years. And I can feel fed enough after eating a piece of what I have on my palm.” “You have a very good weight for your tall height,” Natalia says confidently. “All of us have a gorgeous body, girls!” Anna notices confidently. “We are all beautiful and slim, and we get the attention of men that we go by on us. Did you see those three men standing near the entrance and smiling at us when we went by them? And then one of them even whistled quietly…” “You’re banned from looking at other men ‘cause you’re dating someone…” Raquelle notices confidently. “I don’t look at anyone! I've already met my man and can proudly call myself a girlfriend of him.” “But Natalia is single for a while and has no relationship yet…” Raquelle shrugs, moving her eyes to her hands folded in front of her. “And I’m gonna start meeting men someday… Of course, I am not ready for it yet, but someday everything will be changed.” At this moment, the waiter comes to the table, puts three glasses of the cocktail on the table, wishes the girls a nice time with a slight smile, and quickly leaves to do his business. After watching him, the friends take a glass for themselves and take a couple of sips. “Hey, Raquelle, I’ve already seen articles about you in magazines and the Internet,” Anna says confidently. “Wow!” Raquelle rounds her eyes. “Really?” “Everyone wonders where you suddenly disappeared, and what’s happening to you.” “Do people still remember me?” “Of course, they remember!” Natalia chuckles kindly. “You’re still a famous model that’s a role model for many people and loved by many of them.” “They even began to discuss the rumors about your breakup with Terrence…” Anna notices confidently. “The media believes the reason is the fact that MacClife cheated on you. And there is even proof of it.” “Yes, yes, I heard something about it. It seems like I saw photos of him hugging a blonde… Nobody knows who she is.” “She is a certain fan!” “But I can’t be sure that an idiot didn’t decide to make those pictures on a computer.” “Sadly, it’s true…” Raquelle confirms with sadness in her eyes. “Terrence really spent some time with a blonde. Kissed her. Hugged her.” “C’mon!” Natalia exclaims. “But he says they had nothing but kisses. And he actually says it was just an act for a certain benefit.” “Wow, that silent guy told me nothing about cheating on you…” Natalia opens her mouth slightly. “Interesting… He said about the slap but said nothing about cheating on that girl…” “Now the media believes it’s the most possible reason for divorce,” Anna says confidently. “And the photos speak for themselves. Denying something doesn’t make sense.” “It doesn’t matter now,” Raquelle replies without emotions. “And I don’t wanna talk about it. What’s done is done…” “You’re talking about it too quietly.” “Do you think I should fret and fume?” “But someone cheated on you!” “And what? Terrence and I broke up. I shall make the official statement about a breakup very soon.” “Why? I shall try to make people sure that Terrence and I broke up lovingly, without scandals, and will always respect each other. Nobody is gonna ruin anyone’s life, and I’m gonna take nothing from him. What belongs to him will stay with him.” “Wow… But some time ago, you literally wanted to turn him to dust.” “His attempt to save me from Simon made me softer to him. Not at once, but it did.” “Yeah, they also published articles about Simon on the Internet. They said he was guilty of spreading those rumors. And they added that the man ended up in the hospital after the falling from the roof.” “It’s true,” Raquelle nods. “The policemen had no choice but to shoot.” “They also wrote that Simon made you go to the meeting, at which Terrence and the policeman came a little later.” “It’s all true, as well.” Raquelle sighs with sadness in her eyes and takes a big sip from her glass. “And you know, I must confess that I’m proud of him. I’ll never forget how bravely he was fighting with Simon and trying to protect me… That event discovered the other side of Terrence. The one I didn’t know before.” “He would’ve hardly agreed to do that if he didn’t love you,” Natalia assumes, taking a few sips from her glass. “Since Terrence followed you, trying to save you in any way, then drove you to the hospital and stayed with you, it means he has some feelings for you. It was clear that he was scared when Ringer dragged you with him when you two fell off the roof.” “Even if it’s true, nothing will be changed,” Raquelle says without emotions, moving her eyes on her glass. “Our reconciliation will never be possible, even if we two want it…” “Of course, you want!” Anna exclaims loudly. “You’re just running away from each other, thinking every one of you will never be forgiven.” “But it’s true! We’ll never forgive each other. Even despite the love that lives inside me… Now I clearly understand it. But alas, the breakup is the only good thing we can do for each other.” “Ah, Raquelle…” Anna sighs tiredly with sadness in her eyes. “Don’t be so headstrong. Someday, your stubbornness will play an evil joke with you.” “I know, Anna, but unfortunately, dreams don’t always come true.” “You just don’t wanna try.” “Believe me, it’s madly unpleasant for me to know it all happened. But I rate the situation soberly and understand that there’s only one way – a breakup.” “But you love him! I do see you’re not indifferent to him.” “And what? My feelings will change nothing.” “Try to give him another chance to get better. Or just talk to him openly.” “He knows I think keeping our relationship is impossible. And I see no meaning in the talk about our future. I won’t forget everything he did. And I’m not sure that I can fix all the mistakes I made when we lived together.” “Anyone deserves a second chance,” Anna replies confidently. “But If he behaves like that again, you really should run away from him. But what if Terrence gets better and becomes the one you’d love?” “He’d better be happy with another girl that would fit him much more,” Raquelle smiles slightly. “I promise I will not get his name ashamed and will defend him if he gets into a scandal. I shall be a friend of him. Not a girlfriend or a wife.” “Raquelle…” Anna pronounces with pity in her eyes. “My gosh, girls, let’s not talk about Raquelle and Terrence’s divorce and the story about Simon Ringer at least right now…” Natalia moans tiredly. “I personally came here to have fun, not to talk about our problems. Save the thoughts about problems for later! Now, let’s have fun!” “You’re right, friend,” Raquelle smiles shyly. “There’s no need to talk about what we can’t change! And I wouldn’t like to get nervous because of what’s happening. I’ve gotten too exhausted in the past two months… I'm done! I wanna calm down!” “So, in this case, I’m suggesting we relax and raise our glasses for your reconciliation and a reunion of our little party,” Anna suggests with a slight smile and raises her glass up. “Excellent idea!” Natalia agrees with a slight smile. “Let’s drink.” Natalia and Raquelle look at each other and grab their glasses. “For our reconciliation!” Raquelle exclaims. “For female friendship!” Natalia pronounces, looking at Anna and Raquelle with a wide smile on her face and raising her glass. “For us!” Raquelle, Anna, and Natalia whoop happily. Natalia, Anna, and Raquelle quietly click each other's glasses and take a few sips, still smiling widely and laughing shyly. And two moments later, a man hesitantly comes to the table that three girls are sitting on. The tall brunet with hazel-green eyes and a very depressed look, who probably knows at least one of the girls. “Erm, excuse me, girls…” the man pronounces hesitantly. “Don’t I bother you?” Natalia, Anna, and Raquelle move their eyes to the man, who came to their table. “No, you do not bother us,” Natalia shrugs. “I do not know if you remember me, but my name is Benjamin Parker,” the man introduces himself shyly. “I was a friend of Terrence. Was his close friend. The childhood friend.” Raquelle frowns slightly and looks at the strange man better, and calls the memories about the one to be really Benjamin Parker. The man, who is the childhood friend of Terrence. She vaguely remembers him because she does not almost speak to him, even though she has already been introduced to this man. But the girl treats this person well and respects him as the close friend of her ex-boyfriend. “Ben?” Raquelle pronounces surprisingly. “Is that you?” “Yes, it’s me,” Benjamin confirms amicably. “Glad to see you, Raquelle. And you too, Natalia, Anna…” “Yes, yes, I remember you well,” Anna says thoughtfully. “Remember the girls and I met you and two more guys… It seems like Cody and Joseph…” “That’s right. But I haven’t spoken to them since Terrence and Raquelle decided to live together. Just like I haven’t spoken to your friends… Emma, Olivia, Odette… Who was there… I can’t remember now…” “As far as I remember, you even flirted with Natalia a little after meeting her,” Raquelle smiles mysteriously. “But it didn’t go far in the end…” “It’s kinda true… But I really liked talking with Natalia. And I wouldn’t mind continuing it…” “I would be glad to talk to you with a cup of coffee,” Natalia smiles shyly. “You’d tell me how you’ve been… What you’re doing… And something like that.” “I’d accept your invitation with pleasure if you wanted to meet.” Natalia says nothing and smiles shyly, and Raquelle frowns slightly, looking at Benjamin questioningly. “Listen, Benjamin, how did you recognize me?” Raquelle wonders. “We don’t almost speak and have met just several times.” “I immediately recognized you and your friend when you came here,” Benjamin replies quietly. “Moreover, you’re still famous… It would be hard not to recognize the all-favorite model.” “Really?” Raquelle surprises truly. “But sometimes I think I ain’t famous… Because people have lately, rarely thought of me and published some articles about me.” “Kidding? They’re only talking about you! Talking about your wish to quit your modeling career and break up with your boyfriend! People are excited because of this piece of news! I saw and read everything personally!” “There’s a part of the truth about it. But very soon, I’ll make the official statement and let people know what to expect. And unfortunately, they’re gonna get not the best news.” “My gosh, are you really gonna quit your career?” “Most likely.” “But why, Raquelle? You’ve always loved your job and literally lived it!” “Now I understand that I’m terribly exhausted and have lost interest in this business. Moreover, I wouldn’t work as a model forever. Early or late, any model may retire and give up on younger ones.” “Erm, listen, of course, it’s your business, but I’d advise you to think better. Whether you should you quit this business when you’re at the peak of your fame.” “The peak of my fame is gone, Ben,” Raquelle smiles slightly. “And that’s quite fine. I understand my time is gone. Or it’s going.” “But, Raquelle…” With these words, Benjamin shakes his head, and Natalia points at a free chair with a slight smile on her face. “Hey, Ben, sit down with us,” Natalia suggests amicably. “We’d talk a little! And you’d tell us what’s happening in your life. Why are you standing like a stranger?” “Yeah, Ben, join us,” Anna suggests with a shy smile. “Of course, the girls and I planned to spend time in the ladies' gang. But since you came here, it’d be great to talk a little.” “Erm, I would sit down with you and talk with pleasure…” Benjamin replies hesitantly. “Join us then!” Natalia shrugs. “We’re always happy to see you and talk a little.” “Well, if you don’t mind…” Benjamin bites his lip slightly and glances at Raquelle. “But at first, I’d love to talk to Raquelle about something face-to-face.” “Talk to me?” Raquelle asks, looking at Benjamin surprisingly. “Yup… Could you give me two minutes and listen to me? I promise it won’t take a lot of time.” “Erm…” Raquelle glances at her friends. “Actually, I don’t have secrets from my friends. So, you can speak with their pretense. I’ll listen to you closely and help you if I can do it.” “Sorry, Raquelle, but I’d like to talk to you face-to-face,” Benjamin replies thoughtfully. “Although I don’t want to say anything bad, it will not be very comfortable for me to talk about it with your friends’ pretense.” “But why?” “I promise I won’t take too much time from you. Just listen to me, and I will go to do my business.” “Well, okay…” Raquelle pronounces without emotions as she shrugs. “If you want, let’s go out somewhere.” “Thanks.” Raquelle moves her eyes to Natalia and Anna. “I’ll be back soon, girls! Wait for me here.” Raquelle gets up from the table and goes somewhere with Benjamin, who lets her go forward and follows her, looking kind of sad and devastated, while Natalia and Anna watch her questioningly and look at each other.” “He’s kinda sad…” Anna notices thoughtfully. “He is…” Natalia agrees. “I wonder, what’s he gonna talk with her about?” “Maybe, about Terrence? I mean, they will talk about him! Because there is actually nothing that connects them.” “Don’t you know whether Raquelle spoke to Ben after she moved into Terrence’s house?” “It seems like, nope,” Natalia shakes her head. “And you?” “Nope, I didn’t speak to him ‘cause I went to Mexico shortly after Cameron and MacClife moved in together. But he and I agreed to meet someday and talk.” “Anyway, he remembers you,” Anna smiles shyly. “He smiled at you…” “As if I forgot him.” “I won’t forget the way you flirted and didn’t leave each other.” “He was very nice to me, and I had the pleasure to talk with him. You know I’m always open for new acquaintances.” “You know, I think he could fight for your heart if you hadn’t met Edward.” “Benjamin is very sweet and good, but we’d hardly have something to happen.” “Listen, Rochester, what if both of them fell in love with you! That would be a battle! Two handsome guys would be fighting for the right to be with the beautiful girl!” “Gosh, Anna, what are you talking about?” Natalia laughs shyly, clapping Anna on the shoulder. “Why not? You always complained that nobody fell in love with you, but now two men would be fighting for you and your love.” “Oh, my God…” And while Natalia moves her eyes aside with a shy laugh, Anna continues to tell her something about two men, who would be fighting for her heart if it happened that both Edward and Benjamin fell in love with the sweet blue-eyed blonde, who has driven so many men crazy thanks to her beauty.***
After finding a quieter place than the one where they were before a few moments ago, Raquelle and Benjamin stop and turn on each other to start a talk. Although the girl is behaving nice enough, she does not like it all because she understands what the talk may be about. “What's wrong, Ben?” Raquelle asks quietly. “Why did you call me here? We could quietly talk with Anna and Natalia’s pretense!” “It’s just a personal talk,” Benjamin confesses. “Do you have something too important that you asked me to leave them?” “Well, nope, nothing special…” Benjamin replies hesitantly and bites his lip slightly, scratching the back of his head. “I would just like to… Not exactly talk… Erm… Just to ask you for a piece of advice.” “If you want to find out something about your friend, I know nothing and advise you to ask someone else about him,” Raquelle says a little sharply. “I guess he has many friends, whom you know, – so, ask them.” “We recently fought… So, I… I don’t think we can be called friends.” “Fought? What do you mean?” “Because of the fight between him and you,” Benjamin replies with sadness in his eyes. “That’s how!” “Terrence called me before he went to the meeting with that nasty man Simon after you. He said he’d sell his house, let the servants go, leave his career and leave as far as possible if nothing changed for the better after helping you.” Raquelle says nothing and crosses her arms over her chest. “I asked him not to give up and to fight until the end,” Benjamin adds. “But he wanted to hear nothing. And then I got a little excited and told him I wasn’t happy about his behavior and the fact that he was acting like a weak boy. Because Terrence never gave up on his goals and always reached them, despite nothing. But now the guy suddenly gave up, let everything go, and began to say something as if he didn’t have a meaning in living.” “Listen, Ben, of course, I’m very sorry that you fought with Terrence and hope someday you'll solve this conflict,” Raquelle replies quietly. “But what can I help you with?” “Now I understand I crossed the line and said too many bad things. I’m ashamed of some words I said to him when fighting with him. That was a bad thing of mine.” “And what?” “I really wanna reconcile with him and become a friend of him again. I would say I’m missing him and wanna spend time with him. Terrence and I have been friends since childhood and have always supported each other. But then I got suddenly excited…” “Of course, it’s amazing, but what’s the problem?” Raquelle wonders. “Just call him and ask him to meet you, apologize and say you weren’t right. Seriously, Ben, you’ve never apologized to a person and don’t know how to do it.” “No, the problem isn’t about it. I just don’t know if he wanna speak to me. We really argued hard and would’ve even fought if I’d been at his home.” “It’s easier for you, men, to forget offenses, and I think he’d understand everything if you talked to him.” “Yeah, you’re right about offenses…” “Anyway, I’m sorry that I became the reason for your fight.” “He just said such terrible things about you that I had my hair standing.” “Terrence and I will solve our problem by ourselves. Other people shouldn’t meddle in it. I understand most of them are worried and want us to work everything out. But this business has to do with us two.” “People just judge his behavior and don’t want to pretend it’s right. And I didn’t hide my disappointment from the beginning and judged Terrence after he confessed that he slapped you.” “I know.” “Do you think I should’ve caressed his head and praised him for what a good man would’ve never done?” “I understand it all and am glad there are people, who are standing by my side. But nobody should’ve fought with him and turned their backs on him just because of what he did to me.” “Excuse me, Raquelle, but nobody wanted violence because of their principal,” Benjamin replies confidently. “Nevertheless, I personally listened to everything he said to excuse himself… First, I was disappointed and refused to accept that. But now I understand that man really regretted what he did. He didn’t mean to do that…” “I believe, Ben,” Raquelle nods. “And the fact that he’s regretting it is a great plus personally for me. This fact and the fact that he helped me get off Simon Ringer impacted the way I treated him. I got a little softer and no longer wanna say bad things about him and try to ruin his life and career.” “Yeah, but I’d like to help him, and you reconcile and at least try to save your relationship,” Benjamin confesses with sadness in his eyes. “You really look great together. Your fans still admire you and are gonna be upset when they find out that you’re no longer together.” “Now it’s going to be just nice memories,” Raquelle smiles slightly with sadness in her eyes. “Sadly, we broke up.” “You can always break up. But anyone deserves a second chance if they really want it.” “Believe me, I don’t regret our affair and won’t forget the good things that happened in my life thanks to him. I was really happy with Terrence. Even if I didn’t appreciate him the way I should’ve done.” “Maybe, you didn’t notice that or didn’t want to confess, but he was really devastated on the days you just started to fight,” Benjamin confesses with sadness in his eyes. “I remember he called me somehow after one of your fights and asked if I could meet him and talk. So, Terrence told me everything that happened to you. And he continued to tell me everything that every day as he was getting more broken.” Raquelle sighs with sadness in her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest. “Ben, I’ve said that many times but can repeat it: making peace between us is impossible,” Raquelle replies quietly. “Please, think better,” Benjamin begs. “Don’t make thoughtless things.” “We’ve made too many mistakes that are impossible to fix. Now we have only to go our separate ways and let each other go. One of our mistakes was that we rushed to start an affair and live together and didn’t make sure we really loved each other.” “Listen, Raquelle, I completely understand you and your feelings,” Benjamin replies with pity in his eyes. “I didn’t also like this situation when I learned what he did to you. And I judge him for behaving like that just because he believed that you cheated on him, even if it’s never happened, and then decided to cheat on you himself… But believe me, Terrence’s truly regretting what he did and burning from shame for you and the people who he knows, and who are aware of his disgusting act.” “I don’t want to reproach him for that, ‘cause I’m also guilty of what happened. But there are things that are impossible to fix. You can regret and apologize hundreds of times, but after what happened between us, trust and love were gone forever.” “Something tells me he would do even the craziest thing to save your relationship from a crush. Terrence does know that he’s guilty. So, he tried to get better when he got a chance. Yes, he didn’t almost have hope, but he didn’t give up and didn't bury his head. And that’s why I already respect him.” “I also started to respect him after that event,” Raquelle confesses shyly. “If I hadn’t had his help, I could’ve been dead now.” “You know…” Benjamin sighs quietly with sadness in his eyes. “I didn’t recognize him on the first days after your fight. That man started to do what he had never let himself do… And I don’t mean only that terrible event with the slap, I mean frequent visits to the place where they sell alcohol.” “He said it.” “I remember that Terrence somehow drunk too much, and I had to drive him to my home and watch him until he came to himself. He stayed with me for a night and woke up after lunchtime… That’s good my mother wasn’t at home ‘cause she went somewhere for her job. Or she would’ve been shocked…” “Yeah, I remember he didn’t spend one night at home.” “But the fact that he was literally creeping on a wall from how bad he felt didn’t stop him. MacClife continued to drink at times, but much less. But on the day of your last fight, after which you left his home, he drank only one drink. But I can’t be sure he didn’t drink more after that case. Or maybe, he really stopped. Because he was busy with the girl that he was cheating on you with… I dunno…” No matter how much Raquelle would like to hide her feelings, she feels kind of sad and starts to worry about Terrence after what she hears. The girl is afraid that the man might start drinking again and then find no will to stop. She is worried that he might turn into an alcoholic and destroy himself, his life, his career, and everything. Even though Raquelle would have never thought it would go too far because drinking and Terrence were not related things. “Did he really feel so bad?” Raquelle asks with sadness in her eyes. “You can’t even imagine how much,” Benjamin replies with pity in his eyes. “As far as I know, Terrence didn’t almost drink strong alcohol.” “Right, he didn’t do it. Sometimes it was hard even to persuade him to drink a glass of champagne or a bottle of beer. But at that time, he was drinking everything. Starting with beer and vodka and ending with liquor.” “Wow…” “I don’t recognize the present Terrence. That’s not the man I knew some time ago. He was confident and clearly knew what he wanted to get. But now he doesn’t care about anything. Anything. MacClife definitely lost the meaning of life and wanna do nothing. He just wanna lie in a bed and stare at the ceiling. He’s become a vegetable!” “I understand him. Because I was a vegetable and wanted to do nothing for some time.” “But when you met, he always had a good mood and a fighting spirit. Even if one of you didn’t love at all or loved not very much, you gave him life and made him feel alive. He said so. Even when you were fighting like a cat and a dog from the beginning, he had passion in his eyes. A bright fire.” Raquelle says nothing because she does not know what to say. Of course, she would really like to get over the offense and pride and try to talk to Terrence and support him, but the girl cannot do this. “You can say nothing if you don’t want to,” Benjamin says quietly and confidently. “I do know well what you’re thinking about.” “You understand nothing…” Raquelle shakes her head. “I don’t say you should run to him to make peace and tell him how much you love him. Just talk with Terrence quietly. Try to solve your misunderstandings. In short, you should get on well with him, at least as a friend. And then try to save your relationship.” “We’ve already talked…” “Talked?” “Terrence was with me when I was waiting for the news about my grandfather, who ended up in the hospital with a heart attack three days ago.” “C’mon! Your grandfather is in the hospital?” “Yeah, but he feels better now. He’s supposed to be released soon.” “Wow… I’m very sorry…” “First, Terrence and I argued, and he definitely wanted to give a damn about his wish to stay with me. But he got over himself, and I found the will to put an end to our fights at least for a while. We eventually united, and we even talked quietly. Even if nothing changed after our talk.” “You know, I think it’s a very good sign,” Benjamin replies confidently. “Even if it was a temporary reconciliation, it’s supposed to help you.” “It helped me. I don’t feel such a great evil that I felt some time ago.” Raquelle glances aside. “I think if not for that talk, I would’ve kept dreaming of turning him into dust and making him burn from shame for his fans. But now I’m ready to let him go and keep my respect for him… And I’m always ready to defend him from the media and his fans. I really want us to break up on good terms and remain good friends.” “Anyway, don’t get ahead of yourself and think better,” Benjamin softly takes Raquelle by the shoulders. “I don’t want you to make a mistake that you will never be able to fix. But I’m sure if you really wanted to make an effort, you’d get a wonderful chance to come back together and try to get happy. At least if you decided to break up for the second time, nobody would regret trying to do nothing.” “Everything’s decided, Benjamin. I’m sorry, but you have to accept it. Just like all the people, who are saddened by the news about our breakup.” “I’m a little afraid to imagine what would happen to him after breaking up with you. If Terrence already gave a damn about himself and is gonna turn literally into a recluse, what would happen to him later…” “I think you also should reconcile with him,” Raquelle shrugs. “You have been very good friends since childhood. You were by each other’s side at good and bad times.” “You’re right… Maybe, sometimes Terrence is unbearable, insolent, and too arrogant, but he’s a good man, who can be a friend and loyal. And he’s quite smart and can always advise something. Sometimes his pieces of advice really work. And sometimes I lack his wise words and amicable support…” “So, apologize to him and say you wanna be friends with him again. I clearly see well you’re missing Terrence and wanna get your friendship back. I think he really needs the support that only you could give him. As his best friend.” “It’s gonna be hard…” Benjamin assumes with a slight smile. “But I’ll try to do it. Anyway, I won’t be able to make him happy. His friends wouldn’t replace the girl that he loves. Terrence can have one hundred friends, but nothing would be changed.” “I know,” Raquelle smiles shyly. “But the support of his friend would be good for him. And you can also talk to Joseph and Cody and ask them to give him support. I’m sure he’d be happy to talk and spend time with those guys.” “I’ve been thinking of talking with them. Honestly, I’m a little missing those guys. We’ve gotten on well since we met, and I’d like to meet Joe and Cody again. And if I manage to reconcile with Terrence, we will meet somewhere and talk.” “It would be good for him. I think you’d distract Terrence and bring him to life.” “Undoubtedly. Anyway, think of everything I said to you. If you don’t help him right now and give him a chance, at least to explain everything to you, he might destroy or hurt himself somehow. But I don’t want him to do something to himself. For example… Jump off a bridge or a high building.” “You think he could really do it?” Raquelle gets horrified, rounding her eyes. “Terrence is very close to that. At least, he was when we were friends.” “You’re scaring me…” “I’m not scaring you. I just wanna let you know that he feels bad without you. Even despite my conflict with him, I worry about him and wish him the best.” “Sorry, Ben, but I can’t come back to him,” Raquelle shakes her head. “I’m afraid I wouldn’t become a good girlfriend. I’m afraid that situation might happen again. I’ve got many fears that stop me.” “I understand it. But please, be next to him, at least as a good friend. I think it would be enough for Terrence not to be so broken.” “It’s much more possible.” “At least this…” Benjamin glances aside with a greater sadness in his eyes, while Raquelle looks at her hands. “Well, that’s all… I said what I wanted… And I hope I made you think a little. I will no longer hold you. You can come back to your friends, and I will go to do my business.” “Don’t you wanna stay with me and the girls?” Raquelle asks. “I think, no. Give my greetings to the girls and say I couldn’t stay with them. Moreover, I didn’t think I’d meet you here and came here for a few minutes to drink a glass… But unfortunately, I have to go to do something.” “Okay, go.” “See you soon, Raquelle.” Benjamin steps back from Raquelle, looking at her with his sad eyes. “I hope you will make the right decision and won't leave that man. He needs you, remember this.” Benjamin turns around slowly and goes somewhere: he either leaves the club or goes somewhere else to continue to spend a good time in this place. And Raquelle, who got sad after this talk, stands in the same place for some time, thinking about what this man told her again and again. Thinking that Terrence might hurt himself somehow, everything turns upside down inside Raquelle. No, no, he cannot do this… He cannot do it! The girl would not take it if something happened to him! Benjamin’s words really terrified her and made her seriously worried about the man, whom she broke up with a long time ago. At the bottom of her heart, she cannot take it but understands she will not forget and forgive him for what happened between them. Anyway, Raquelle decides that even after the breakup, she will stay by the side of Terrence as a good friend, support him, and defend him if he needs it someday.***
Natalia and Anna are still sitting at the table and waiting for Raquelle to come back to them. While she was talking with Benjamin, the girls were discussing this situation and guessing what their talk would be about. Time flies too fast, and the friends do not notice how Raquelle comes back to them, being very thoughtful and sad. The brunette comes to the table the girls are sitting at and silently sits down. Natalia and Anna look at each other questioningly and move their eyes to their friend. “Hey, friend, are you okay?” Anna asks, putting a hand on Raquelle’s shoulder hesitantly. “Honestly, you don’t look too good.” “I’m fine,” Raquelle replies quietly. “Don’t worry.” “What did Benjamin tell you?” Natalia asks. “Did he want to tell you something serious if he even asked you to talk to him at a different place?” “And why didn’t he come back to us?” Anna wonders. “Ben said he had some business and couldn’t stay with us,” Raquelle replies without emotions. “He asked me to give you greetings, just saying…” “Okay… But what did he tell you if you’re sitting here and looking so thoughtful?” “Nothing special…” “It’s about Terrence? Something happened to him?” Raquelle sits on the table silently for a few seconds, leaning on the table with her elbows, locking her fingers and putting them to her mouth, and then she moves her little scared eyes on Natalia and Anna. “Girls…” Raquelle pronounces hesitantly. “What do you think… Could Terrence destroy himself somehow if I didn’t manage to reconcile with him? Or would he get over it and find the will to keep moving on?” Natalia and Anna look at each other with horror in their eyes as if they are asking why Raquelle suddenly began to think about it. “My gosh, Raquelle, why did you think so?” Natalia wonders. “Why did you get such gloom thoughts?” “Yeah, why did you suddenly get this terrible mind?” Anna wonders. “Do you really think Terrence could really do something like that?” “Ben said anything could be possible,” Raquelle replies quietly. “Ben?” “He believes if we didn’t make peace, Terrence might do something to himself. Parker believes his friend looks too depressed. He wants nothing and lost his interest in life.” “Actually, MacClife really looked depressed when we talked in the café,” Natalia confesses with sadness in her eyes. “But I didn’t think he was so worried about the situation that everything went too far…” “Did one of you know that Terrence drank every single day when we were in a fight?” “What?” Anna rounds her eyes, not hiding that she is surprised. “Drank?” “He drank quite much…” “Raquelle, what kind of stupid things are you talking about? You did say Terrence never drank strong alcohol!” “Yeah, it’s true, Terrence said it. But Benjamin told me on the days when MacClife and I were fighting, he drank quite much. And one day, he drank so much that Parker had to take him to his home and wake him up. And when we had our last fight, he drank the last time and hasn't drunk more… But that’s what Benjamin said, who Terrence fought with, just saying. Who knows… Maybe, he drank somewhere alone…” “Wow…” Anna closes her mouth with a hand. “What a twist…” “Listen, you two talked much with him at that time… Didn’t you really see anything suspicious? Maybe, you felt that he smelt alcohol?” “Nope, Natalia and I never noticed that,” Anna shakes her head. “He spoke to us when being absolutely sober and didn’t smell alcohol.” “Right, but it’s strange that he came to himself so quickly,” Natalia frowns slightly. “Did he drink at nights when not many people walked and went to places where he could drink? You always feel terrible after a hangover!” “Most likely…” Raquelle assumes. “And I don’t think he drank to the hell every single day… As Ben said, it happened only once when he had to take Terrence to his home.” “Didn’t Ben warn you that Terrence would stay with him? He was supposed to call you and say your boyfriend drank too much and wouldn't be back home!” “Nope, he said nothing about it and didn’t call me,” Raquelle shrugs. “Dunno, maybe, he didn’t think about it, Or maybe Terrence asked him… Or everybody understood that everything wasn’t so fine, and Ben thought I wouldn’t care where my boyfriend was walking.” “Didn’t you really care?” Anna asks. “No, to be honest.” Raquelle thinks about something for two seconds with sadness in her eyes. “But I remember Terrence going somewhere after our first fight. When we were at the hospital, he said he went to drink. But I didn’t know it. I was never worried he was coming back home in the early morning. I didn’t really care about it…” “Wow…” Natalia shakes her head. “The case wasn’t only about my offense. I just didn’t love him so much to have my heart hurt every time he didn’t go home when he promised or didn’t tell me where he’d go. He could be gone for one week, but I wouldn’t have even noticed it. And I wouldn’t have been worried.” Raquelle sighs heavily and looks at her hands for a second. “Yes, I noticed Terrence was disappearing somewhere for quite a long time,” Raquelle adds. “But I didn’t think he would start to drink.” Raquelle sniffs quietly and carefully wipes off tears under her eyes, while Anna and Natalia get horrified by what they hear. “My gosh, friend, didn’t you actually worry about him being late and disappearing somewhere all day long?” Anna wonders. “I didn’t really care about him…” Raquelle confesses hesitantly. “I dunno… At some moment, I just became indifferent to him… We didn’t support our feelings after we moved into the house, but we got busy with our business. That’s why I didn’t care about him, and he didn’t pay attention to me…” “I think you understand why it all happened,” Natalia says a little hesitantly. “Terrence would’ve behaved otherwise if you hadn’t forgotten him. That’s why he easily fought with you, believed you cheated on me, and didn’t wanna stay by your side when you needed it. He began to drink from despair. Form the offense. From disappointment. MacClife thought everything would be okay, but alas…” “I know… But now it's too late to talk about it…” “Listen, that’s what we have…” Anna says thoughtfully. “He left his home somewhere in the evening, went to a club or a bar, drank something, and… What was he doing?” “He was walking somewhere all night long… I guess he did it to stop smelling alcohol. But who knows…” “My gosh, what if Terrence really does something to himself?” Anna rounds her eyes. “He was so depressed and wasn’t able to think soberly ‘cause he was drunk. MacClife could’ve easily been hit by a car or something like that!” “No, I won’t let it happen!” Raquelle sniffs quickly. “After the breakup, I’ll keep speaking to him and give him my support. I will be a friend to him. It’s the only thing I can do for him. I think he would feel a little easier with my help…” “I’m afraid it wouldn’t be enough for him… Now coming back to you would help him.” “Benjamin said I was the only one to help him get his interest in life back. And I will do my best not to let him destroy himself. I can’t be his girlfriend, but I’ll always be a good friend, adviser, and defender. We can be friends. And we will.” Anna says nothing and just sighs quietly with sadness in her eyes. “Oh, girls…” Natalia moans tiredly, running her hands over her face. “Why did we start talking about problems again? We wanted to spend time without it all…” “Sorry…” Raquelle apologizes shyly. “I didn’t want.” “Because of you, I just thought of what I was worried about… About getting my heart broken very soon….” “If you mean that guy, you shouldn’t worry about him,” Raquelle says quietly, falls into silence sharply, and bites her lip slightly. “I mean… Erm… You shouldn’t think your love for him is one-sided. I’m sure he’s definitely interested in you ‘cause he often invites you somewhere and treats you very tenderly.” “All the men had done that before they left me…” Natalia sighs heavily with sadness in her eyes. “So, even if he’s trying to be gentle and sweet to me, it doesn’t mean he’s really interested in me. And I don’t believe his words about him not wishing to stop speaking to me…” “Raquelle’s right, Natalia,” Anna says quietly, putting a hand on Natalia’s shoulder. “You shouldn’t think your feelings aren’t mutual. What if you’re worried for nothing, and that guy can’t live without you, always thinks of you, and wanna be with you?” “Honestly, I started to trust men less as I’ve had my heart broken so many times. Yes, I still keep smiling widely and getting blushed when I get compliments. But when the euphoria is gone, I start to think I’m deceived.” “Why would he leave you?” “Because that guy needed to find one person! And I did it! So, does it make sense to stay by my side and waste time on me?” “Gosh, Natalia…” Raquelle moans tiredly. “I’ve already told you how he would behave if he really needed only to get your help in finding that person.” “And I’ve told you a million times that such a caring and careful man just couldn’t be a deceiver and break your heart,” Anna adds confidently. “I dunno, girls…” Natalia shakes her head with sadness in her eyes and sighs heavily. “I dunno… But if he doesn’t wanna speak to me, I will be unhappy. I’ve wanted to lose a man that I like so much.” “You won’t lose him! Don’t worry!” “Besides, I’d hardly forget our first kiss.” Raquelle and Anna open their mouths slightly, look at each other quickly, and whoop happily with a wide smile. “What?” Raquelle wonders loudly and happily. “You already kissed?” “That was really amazing, girls…” Natalia confesses. “I had never felt such wonderful feelings that I got when he just kissed me.” “My God, you did?” Anna pronounces happily. “You really kissed him?” “I did,” Natalia nods with a shy smile. “Although I thought I’d have my heart stopped for one second, I’d give much to feel that magnificent feeling again…” “Damn, Rochester, how could you be silent about that?” Anna opens her mouth wider, clapping Natalia on the hand. “You should’ve started your story of your wonderful admirer from that moment!” “Don’t worry, Anna, we’ll fix it,” Raquelle replies confidently. “Blondie will tell us everything now!” Raquelle moves her eyes to Natalia with a wide smile and claps her on the hand, quickly forgetting that she was worried about what might happen to Terrence. “So, friend, tell us how everything happened,” Raquelle says cheerfully. “Yes, yes, speak out how it happened!” Anna jabs excitedly. “And do not miss any little thing! Tell us everything! How it started, who showed a wish and something like that…” “Everything happened so fast that I didn’t realize it at once,” Natalia confesses with a slight smile. “I was just walking somewhere, thinking about something, and then accidentally ran into that guy. He suggested I walk with him ‘cause we ran into each other, and I agreed.” “Okay, okay, that’s something…” Raquelle smiles mysteriously. “And then everything went far, better, and we confessed our sympathy to each other…” Natalia glances at her hands. “And when he made me sure it was true, he…” Natalia says a little excitedly. “Erm… He looked into my eyes for some time and caressed my face tenderly… And then I felt his tender hand on my face… That’s why my heart stopped for a moment, and I felt it was too hot.” “M-m-m…” Anna nods with a wide smile. “And then he tenderly kissed me, and I immediately felt a lot of incredible emotions… And my gosh… He has such tender and warm hands… I immediately felt warm when he just caressed my cheek… His voice is so soft and velvety, and his eyes are so beautiful…” Telling about her kiss with Edward, Natalia sometimes rolls her eyes dreamily or closes them, thinking of the wonderful moment that warms her soul up and makes her shake slightly, and makes her understand that her heart stops for a moment. “Gosh, girls, that was unforgettable…” Natalia pronounces thoughtfully with a wide smile. “I’ll never forget his soft lips and that dizzying smell he was spreading…” “Aw…” Raquelle and Anna get tender feelings with wide smiles on their faces. “If I had to die, I’d prefer dying like that – a kiss from that man…” Natalia laughs shyly. “But I’m still surprised that I didn’t faint right there and just had my heart stop several times and could barely breathe… I had to make myself breathe, ‘cause I felt very strong dizziness.” Anna and Raquelle smile wider and wider every second and can barely hold down a wish to whoop from happiness very loudly, seeing the excited Natalia can barely speak and looks a little blush. “So, you say your sympathy is one-sided?” Anna wonders. “Someone doesn’t love you? Someone uses you! Ha!” Anna chuckles loudly. “That guy definitely has a crush on you ‘cause he confessed his love for you and kissed you!” Anna exclaims. “But if these feelings are one-sided, I’m letting you two know that that I wanna be an engineer or nuclear physicist.” “Indeed, friend, why do you say your feelings are not mutual?” Raquelle asks with a mysterious smile, putting a hand on Natalia’s shoulder. “I think it’s very mutual, and that guy really has a crush on you.” “I don’t know, girls…” Natalia sighs heavily with sadness in her eyes. “But I’m really afraid I wouldn’t fall in love with anyone but that man. I’d hardly forget the one I’m falling in love with more and more. The one to give me such a wonderful kiss…” “I don’t think you’d have to do it. I wouldn’t personally kiss the one that I don’t like. I don’t think that man would do that, too.” “Hey, what did he feel when kissing you?” Anna asks. “Looked happy? Excited?” “Looked a little blushed and smiled widely,” Natalia smiles shyly. “But I only remember how I closed my eyes and shook with a feeling of the stopped heart and slight dizziness. And then I was dumbfounded for five more minutes. As if someone hit me on the head with a skillet.” “Ha, are you trying to make us sure that you aren’t loved after what happened?” Raquelle wonders loudly. “No!” “No, honey, I’m sure we’re gonna have one more romantic couple very soon.” “C’mon, Raquelle!” Natalia waves her hand. “We won’t be a couple! That man is gonna deceive me and leave me!” “Hey, get all these thoughts out of your mind now!” Anna demands confidently, clapping Natalia on the shoulder. “I’m sure that guy isn’t indifferent to you! And if you kissed, you can think the situation is getting better and better.” “That kiss means nothing!” Natalia protests, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “It just happened… Accidentally… I couldn’t resist, and he didn’t stay indifferent.” “These accidents can’t happen, my dear. You’ll see that, at the nearest time, that guy will invite you somewhere on a date again. And some time later, he’ll actually propose to you to date. And then you will get closer to a wedding…” “Now he will hardly do it…” “My God, Rochester, you’re so silly! Don’t you really notice what’s clear?” “You know, girls…” Natalia sighs heavily. “It would probably be much easier for me if I stopped speaking to him. If I insisted upon nothing and just thanked him for all the good things he did to me.” “What?” Raquelle wonders loudly. “Just don’t tell us that you’re gonna push off that guy!” “I wouldn’t be so hurt if I’d do that at my will… Earlier than he’d decide to do it…” “Gosh, Rochester, you’re such a fool! Just a silly fool! The guy did confess his love to you, and you’re gonna run away from him.” “Indeed, friend, you’re really crazy,” Anna agrees. “Here are all the sighs of the fact that someone fell in love with you! And you, silly girl, are pushing your happiness off! Did I do that when my boyfriend confessed his love to me and asked me to be his girlfriend? Did Raquelle run away from Terrence when he did the same?” “I don’t believe someone could love me,” Natalia confesses hesitantly. “Don’t be such an idiot, Natalia!” “Maybe, you will no longer have a chance to meet the one, who really cares about himself as much as about you,” Raquelle adds confidently. “We can’t say the same about your previous admirers. But you must take care of this one. You should do your best for him not to leave you.” “Sometimes I think I will never meet my true love…” Natalia sighs heavily, leaning on the table with an elbow and on her chin with a hand. “I’m unlucky in this case… I’ve always met either ugly perverts or too handsome liars. Everybody leaves and deceives me…” “And it will keep happening if you push that guy off you,” Raquelle says confidently. “Of course, if Anna and I knew him, we’d talk to him carefully and find out what he really thinks about you. But we don’t doubt everything would lead to the beginning of a relationship if you gave him a green light.” “Oh, I dunno, Raquelle… Maybe, Anna and you are right. But now I would like to let him spend time with the one, for whom he was looking for quite a long time. They have something to discuss…” “If you mean so much to him, he will always find time for you.” “No, that guy is gonna be so busy with a pastime with the one he met today that he wouldn’t have time to think of me. I’ll stop speaking to him for a while, and then it’s gonna get clear… Maybe, we’ll talk again about what happened and decide what to do.” “I don’t know who could get that guy so busy and make him forget you, but you’d make a great mistake if you rejected him,” Anna replies confidently. “You can make that man really decide that you don’t need him and leave you. And you will cry your eyes out and regret letting your happiness go.” “Remember our words, friend!” Raquelle exclaims. “Someday, you will say, ‘thank you’ to us for showing you the right way and helping you get your personal happiness.” “Anyway, thank you for your advice,” Natalia smiles slightly. “So, if you wanna be really happy and beloved, give that guy a chance to love you and make you very happy.” Natalia says nothing and just sighs heavily, looking into the distance with sadness in her eyes, while Anna and Raquelle look at each other and shrug slightly. “Okay, girls, let’s not talk about bad things,” Anna suggests. “Let’s spend a good time together now, not thinking about men, problems that are related to them, or something like that.” “Indeed, we got busy with the wrong things,” Natalia laughs shyly. “I would like to propose you another toast…” Anna grabs her glass of the drink. “Erm…” Anna bites her lip slightly. “For example, for our sweet friend Natalia to stop thinking someone wanna leave her after such a wonderful kiss, which is the reason why she’s still overwhelmed. And stop thinking that guy isn’t in love with her mutually and thinks of leaving her as soon as possible.” “For her not to think of breaking contacts with him and pushing off the one that may probably be her destiny,” Raquelle adds confidently and takes her glass, as well. “Or she’s gonna have a very serious talk with us two.” “Let’s better drink for making all of our wishes come true,” Natalia suggests shyly and takes her glass of the drink last. “For not standing in the way of some bad things.” “For us, then!” Anna exclaims cheerfully. “For us!” Raquelle, Natalia, and Anna pronounce at the same time. “Yea-a-ah!” After making quite whoops, Natalia, Anna and Raquelle slightly click on each other’s glass and take a few sips. Then they decide to talk about something more interesting and put the bad thoughts aside, enjoying this evening that they are spending in the company of each other for the first time in a while. The girls relax quickly enough and start to smile and laugh much more, thinking of all the good moments that have ever happened to them, watching what’s happening around them with interest, and slowly drinking their drinks. After talking enough, drinking their drinks from the glasses and quickly paying for them to one of the waiters, Natalia, Raquelle, and Anna go to the dance pool to dance with other people along with the amazing music that is playing at this place. They all let themselves relax fully and leave all the negative emotions on the dance floor, having much fun and showing their dancing skills that many of those, who are dancing with them appreciate highly. Thanks to incredible dances, Raquelle, Anna, and Natalia get tons of positive emotions, nice tiredness, and a good mood. Moreover, someone decided to turn on many of the favorite songs for these two ladies, who think performing a couple of dances will not be a sin. They do not also refuse to have fun with unfamiliar people that accept them warmly enough and talk to them about something nice with pleasure.