***
Lunchtime is over. Raquelle and Terrence are now at home, in their room and, sitting on the bed, talking about the last evening they spent with Natalia and Edward. Whose behavior seemed strange to them and made them suspect everything was not as good as it seemed. “Yeah, you were right, something really happened to them,” Raquelle says with sadness in her eyes, sitting on the bed in front of Terrence with her legs bent under herself. “Those two were very strange yesterday during our dinner.” “I got suspicions when you told me your friends never talked about my friend several times,” Terrence replies, sitting on the bed with one leg bent under himself and running his hand over his hair. “And Edward never talked about Natalia when he sent me messages a couple of times during his absence. I thought it was strange, ‘cause they could be talking about each other for hours.” “I thought the same… Natalia, who dinged into the ears of Anna and me about Edward and could talk about how good she felt with him for hours, stopped talking about him and could talk about anything except for him.” “Right… Those two can quietly talk about anything that doesn’t have to do with them. But when someone talks about them, they become kind of false. Yesterday’s dinner showed it well. Our friends ignored each other, never talked at their wish, and didn’t hug each other at all.” “And they smiled very often… But their smiles were too false… I didn’t believe they were true.” “You know, I got a feeling that they’ve got a role. They are playing a perfect couple.” “Agree, they kind of agreed to play a perfect couple,” Raquelle nods. “But I didn’t believe them and understood you were right shortly when they met at our home and greeted each other. “Exactly! And see, Natalia was funny and smiling slightly, but when Edward came, who looked cheerful and happy, they got gloomy. They unsuccessfully tried to prove to us that everything was fine with them, but they are actually bad actors because the coldness in their relationship was too clear.” “Yeah, my friend can't lie,” Raquelle nods with a slight smile. “Even if she tries to lie to me somehow, I can feel it. But I can say nothing about it. Yesterday, I did that when I thought it would be worthless to try to get something out of those two.” “Agree. Moreover, Edward can’t take those, who lie to him… But I don’t exclude that he may also lie.” “Yeah, now we need to find out what they're hiding from us, and why they’re pretending to be a perfect couple,” Raquelle says thoughtfully. “Ready to bet that none of them talks about it.” “I think so. But they should understand it can’t be happening forever.” “I hope these two understand. But since they say nothing with the pretense of one of them, they’d hardly talk about it, even if one of them isn’t near them. We’d hardly persuade them to explain it and make them call the reason for their possible fight so easily.” “Do you think they're afraid of each other? I mean, do you think they're afraid to open their secret or secrets of each other?” “I don’t know, Raquelle,” Terrence shakes his head. “But if one of them knows something that may malign one person for others, I can understand why they say nothing.” “Maybe, they just fought with each other? And we shouldn’t meddle in their business… Why we’d meddle in their business and solve their personal problems. Edward and Natalia aren’t little children and should seek compromises by themselves.” “I wouldn’t also meddle in their lives. But they had too scared faces when they were sitting next to each other at the table. My intuition tells me a serious problem has to do with it.” “Yeah, Natalia really had a too scared face,” Raquelle says thoughtfully, recalling yesterday’s evening. “As if she was afraid Edward would’ve done something to her.” “But what could he do to make her literally shake?” Terrence throws his hands up. “Yesterday, Natalia was shaking strongly while having to sit with Edward and pretend to be happy.” “What if Edward hurt her somehow? Maybe, he scared the poor girl so much that she wants to do her best not to see him?” “I hope you don't wanna say he…” “Anything may happen,” Raquelle shrugs. “I was also frightened when you were mad and looked like an animal that’d kill me without regret.” “Oh, Raquelle, you know well that I…” Terrence moans quietly, running his dead eyes around the whole room and thinking about the period of time that he wants to strike out of his life forever. “I know, Terrence, you can say nothing,” Raquelle says softly with a slight smile and puts her hand on Terrence’s shoulder that she tenderly caresses. “I just made an assumption. That Edward could get enraged, give Natalia strong pain, and make her afraid of him.” “Who knows,” Terrence says thoughtfully and gloomily. “Even if Edward has a quiet character, it doesn't mean he will always be so calm and well-adjusted.” “Do you think it might be the truth?” “No matter how much I wouldn't like to say it, I must answer positively,” Terrence sighs quietly. “Yes, Edward is much quieter than me and doesn’t get excited as easily as I do. But I don’t believe it’s really impossible to make him mad. Maybe, you’d have to try to work hard, but you can do this.” “Okay, let’s think it’s one of the reasons for their strange behavior. But I’m sure you really need to try hard to make him mad.” “Right… But we can’t exclude it.” “But you know, there is one thing that makes me worried,” Raquelle says thoughtfully, putting a finger on her lip. “I don't know if you’re aware of it, but Natalia somehow told me there was something that she couldn’t tell anyone. Of course, I didn’t ask her anything about it, but I think it may also be the reason for this problem.” “Yes, I know, Edward said something about that,” Terrence replies thoughtfully. “He tried to find out what happened to her many times, but got nothing out of her.” “I wonder what it could be?” Raquelle frowns slightly, looking into the distance. “What could happen to Natalia?” “Wait, hasn’t she said anything?” Terrence frowns strongly. “You, Edward, Anna, her parents…” “Nope, it’s been a while, but she’s said nothing yet.” “We’re all aware of her grandmother. But is there something yet? More terrible…” “I don’t know, Terrence…” Raquelle sighs heavily. “I’ve been thinking about it a lot, but I can’t assume what could happen to her.” “Do you think it could have to do with what’s happening to her and Edward?” “Quite possible… But it’s supposed to be something very horrible that would make your friend enraged and get so cold to his girlfriend.” “Oh, damn, how hard and tangled everything is…” Terrence sighs heavily, glances at the door that leads to the balcony, and runs his hand through his hair. “Honestly, I don't know where's the end of the thread… I can’t stop thinking this situation wouldn’t give us anything good.” “I’m confused and also understand nothing…” Raquelle shakes her head. “But on the other hand, I must confess that I don’t feel quiet. I’m making more sure that Natalia and Edward’s problems will give us many problems.” “That’s why I wanna find out what’s happening to them as soon as possible. It would be great to know Natalia’s secret. To find out whether it could have to do with that.” “Maybe, we try to talk to Natalia and Edward individually? Yes, I know it’s worthless, but what if we persuade at least one of them to speak and tell us some information?” “No, Raquelle, there’s no point in it,” Terrence replies quietly. “We both know those two would be silent and pretending that everything’s okay.” “But Terrence, we need to try! We can't do anything if we don't know all the details.” “Do you think we’ll find out everything by asking them? No, sweetie, it won’t happen!” “We could press on them a little or do something for them to unconsciously betray themselves. Maybe, we’d get lucky and get at least some pieces of the picture.” “We'd just waste our time,” Terrence shakes his head, glances aside for a second, and looks at Raquelle again. “Sorry, but I’m not going to talk with any one of them.” “But what are you suggesting? We’ve got no possible versions or other ways to find out something. If they don’t say anything to us, I’m sure other people couldn’t help us, either. Now the only way is to talk to Edward and Natalia openly.” “They would deny everything, get it. At first, we could just go to the home of Natalia’s parents and carefully ask them about her behavior with their pretense. They could surely tell us something.” “We’ll surely talk with them, but a little later, even though I’m not sure if they know something,” Raquelle says confidently. “And yeah, do what you want, but I'll try to invite Natalia to walk somewhere and carefully ask her about everything. If I don’t find out what’s happening to her and Edward, I can at least try to find out the secret that she’s been hiding for a few months.” “Ah, Raquelle, you're starting to be headstrong again,” Terrence shakes his head with a slight smile. “My grandpa and auntie say I'm headstrong, but sometimes I may be right,” Raquelle smiles innocently. “I know we wouldn’t get much if we talked to them by one. But I feel I should do it and talk to Natalia. Even if I know only two facts, it’ll be just something. We’ll have a reason to reflect on what to do.” Terrence says nothing and just sighs quietly. “So, sorry, Terrence, but I will do it because I want it,” Raquelle says confidently. “You will decide whether you talk to Edward, but I will not miss a chance to talk with Natalia. Well, if I have to, I will also talk to your bro and find out what he did to my friend.” Terrence sighs again, tenderly cuddles Raquelle around the shoulders with a slight smile, softly caressing them, and kisses her cutely on the top of her head. “Oh, what do I do to you, Raquelle Cameron?” “To understand and forgive,” Raquelle laughs shyly. “And let me talk to my friend and make her sure to confess everything.” “If you wanna talk to your friend and talk about a collection of clothes or buy something from cosmetics, you can meet her at any time,” Terrence chuckles kindly. “Nobody bans you…” “Then trust me and be sure I’d get at least one word out of my friend about her relationship and the situation that happened a few months ago.” “Since that girl has been silent about something for so many months, she will not surely tell you why she began that show along with my bro.” “Gosh, why are you pessimistic and sure we'll get nothing?” Raquelle moans quietly, steps back from Terrence, and slightly pinches him on the cheek. “Where's your fighting spirit, Terrence MacClife? What's happening to my irresistible, handsome guy, who's never doubted what he does and always been sure he’ll get what he wants?” “Oh, yeah, it’s a good time to have a fighting spirit…” Terrence sighs tiredly, looking around the whole room. “We got lots of problems again… My bandmates fight like cat and dog and blame each other for all sins… We haven’t been able to write songs for ages… None of those two answers my calls… The studio is about to break the contract with us, and our manager is gonna make me crazy with his command tone… And now we’ve got problems with our friends…” Terrence closes his eyes for a second and exhales slowly. “Just wonderful!” Terrence exclaims. “Life is freaking good! I thought our lives got better… You and I would get ready for a wedding… You’d keep working as a model, I’d finally become known as a musician… And Edward and Natalia would be happy together…” “I thought the same…” Raquelle sighs heavily and smiles slightly. “What if I change my middle name, Allison, to something different? To let people know that some problems often come into my life, and I’m not able to live quietly for more than six months… What! Everyone would see clearly that not everything is as bright as it seems in photos that I publish on my accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.” “Hm, how long ago did you begin to joke at similar moments?” Terrence frowns, looking at Raquelle surprisingly. “What do I have to?” Raquelle shrugs and looks down. “To dissolve in tears, pull all my hair out, and break everything I see? I’m done with it… I’ve cried too much for the past year…” Raquelle sighs heavily, inclines her head much more, and thinks about something. Terrence watches the girl with pity in his eyes for two seconds, caresses her cheek tenderly, and moves closer to her. “Come here, my sunshine…” Terrence cuddles Raquelle around her shoulders with his arms, kisses her on the temple, and softly caresses her head while she smiles much wider, feeling how warm she feels when he presses her to his chest. “At least, we're not alone and will have enough strength to overcome all the difficulties,” Terrence notices with a slight smile. “That’s what makes me happy,” Raquelle replies quietly. “I would go insane if I had to solve my problems alone.” While Raquelle says it, she presses much closer to Terrence and starts to play with a button on his black shirt. Later, the man glances at the girl and looks at her for two seconds. “I believe I infected you with my pessimism,” Terrence wonders and puts his hand on Raquelle’s cheek with a slight smile. “Since you got so sad.” “Let’s comfort each other to take some things positively,” Raquelle jokes with a quiet laugh. Terrence shakes his head and takes Raquelle in his tender hug, which she accepts with pleasure. The girl snuggles her nose in the man’s shoulder and feels his smell that calms her down. And he kisses her cutely on the cheek and runs his fingers through her soft hair, which he madly loves to stoke and sniff, knowing how much she likes it. And he does like it, too. It calms him down. So, Raquelle also runs her hand through her fiancé’s hair and slowly strokes it, cutely kissing him on the temple at some moment and caressing his head. Some time later, the lovers slowly step away and look into each other’s eyes with a slight smile on their faces for some time. That’s why silence settles in the air. But a little later, Terrence smiles shyly, caressing Raquelle’s hand softly, while she caresses tenderly his cheek with the back of her hand. “Okay, if you want to talk to Natalia, do it as soon as possible,” Terrence says amicably. “I still think it’d give us nothing, but we need to try.” “I’ll invite her tomorrow evening,” Raquelle promises with a slight smile. “I can’t do it in the morning ‘cause I’m gonna have a shooting that will last all day long. But I will be able to go somewhere and talk with her tomorrow in the evening.” “So, I'll try to suggest to Edward that we sit somewhere and talk. I think I will do it tomorrow, as well… Gonna work on the band’s stuff in the morning and then call him and ask if he wants to go somewhere.” “Okay… Since we decided to take measures, we will start our investigation tomorrow.” “Yes, sure…” Raquelle silently moves her eyes down and thinks about something for some time. Then she glances at Terrence and looks at him with sadness in her eyes while he runs his hand over his face and fixes his little rebel hair. “You say, is everything so bad about the band?” Raquelle asks. “I think it couldn’t be worse,” Terrence sighs quietly. “As I said, it was hard to reach Peter, but now Daniel doesn’t also answer my calls. Of course, I don’t care ‘cause I will not look for them and beg to work. But I try to call them one time per day.” Terrence locks his fingers tightly. “But on the other hand, I understand them…” Terrence adds. “I also want to turn off my phone, so I don't get calls that have to do with the band. I don’t wanna hear claims from our manager George and hear him swearing at us like little children and making us feel like idiots.” “But you explained the situation to your manager,” Raquelle notices. “Yeah, but he doesn’t care about it. He gives a damn about Daniel and Peter fighting like buffaloes and not being able to work together. The most important thing for George is the result. But I can’t give him anything.” “Doesn’t he care about the conflict in the band?” “He does care about it less. Due to the situation, I have to listen to his claims… Because I am a frontman of the band and the only one that agrees to work.” “Sweetie…” Raquelle caresses Terrence’s hand softly, looking at him with pity in her eyes. “I’m sorry that I can’t help you…” “Sometimes I think nobody can help me ‘cause Peter and Daniel fought so hard that we can about their reconciliation. They’ve told each other so many bad things, which they would hardly forget.” “Why don't you visit Daniel at home and talk to him about his aggression toward Peter? I think he is there with Anna.” “I thought about going to Daniel’s home and talking to Peter face to face. But I’m not sure if they would love to talk. None of them wants to tell what’s happening.” “I don’t know if everything’s so hopeless, but they need to try to talk to each other and give all their claims.” “I think so, but now I wouldn’t like to think about it. I’ll surely talk to those two, but I’ll do it a little later. I need to get ready for the talk and find words to make them sure to talk quietly, without charges and fights.” “I’m thinking of meeting Anna someday… We haven’t met and talked for ages. And she would probably tell me something about this story.” “You and Natalia wanted to warn her about being careful with Daniel due to his aggression toward Peter.” “We didn’t change our minds. When we meet her, we’ll surely warn her and say that she must take her stuff immediately after experiencing any kind of aggression.” “Of course, she should decide it, but as they say, if you’re forewarned, you’re forearmed.” “Right. No plans of breaking the relationship between Daniel and her, and nothing personal to him. Just a warning…” “Do you wanna talk to her today?” “Actually, I’d like to go to visit Grandpa at home. He wants me to help him clean his apartment. And I would ask him for a piece of advice… I’m sure Grandpa would tell me what to do.” “Do you wanna go to him now or tonight?” “Now. I will meet Anna after meeting Natalia.” “So, are you leaving me home all alone?” Terrence smiles shyly, putting his hands on Raquelle’s laps. “Only for two or three hours…” Raquelle caresses Terrence’s face with her hands and leaves a short kiss on his lips. “And then I will be all yours.” “All yours?” “I'm gonna be ready to do anything you want.” “Sounds very good…” “Besides, you can get out somewhere. Not to stay home all alone!” “No, I’ll better stay home,” Terrence shakes his head. “I won't go to the studio because I have nothing to do there without these two. I can try to write songs at home. Moreover, I’ve lately had some inspiration.” “Show me the result?” Raquelle asks with a smile. “Or better play something?” “Only when it's ready,” Terrence replies shyly, tenderly caressing Raquelle's cheek. “Have patience, my queen.” “Okay, I'll be waiting. And remember what you promised me.” “I promise when at least one is recorded, you’ll be one of the first to hear it.” “Will take you at your word when the time comes.” Terrence laughs shyly, while Raquelle looks at the clock hanging on the wall. “So, I think I’ll go…” Raquelle says thoughtfully and slowly gets up from the bed. “I’ll go to eat something and then go to Grandpa.” “Be careful on the roads,” Terrence says softly, gets up from the bed, and caresses Raquelle’s face with his hands. “You know I always drive my car carefully.” The lovers smile shyly, give share a shy kiss on the lips and take each other in a tender hug for two seconds. After stepping back from Terrence, Raquelle leaves the room. The man feels he got a little hungry and wants to go to the kitchen to seek something tasty. Of course, Terrence can cook some dishes that his mother taught him to cook. But he did it not to die from starvation when living in a rented apartment. After moving to this house, he rarely used his skills. But now it’s time to call the memories of everything he knows. “I think it's time to recall how to cook some food and not to commit fire in the kitchen,” Terrence says quietly with a chuckle and smiles slyly. “But I don’t doubt I can do it. Because I always do everything brilliantly. I’ve always cooked incredibly.” Terrence comes to the mirror with a proud walk and looks at his reflection for some time, which he – no need to hide – truly admires. “You’re awesome, Terrence,” Terrence says with his head proudly raised and fixes his hair a little. “You just can’t be ugly next to such a stunning fiancée. Such a beauty needs a man, who fits her. And she is very lucky that you became the one! The sexiest man in the world…” Terrence smiles widely at his reflection, admiring himself silently. And then he goes to the exit from the room, leaves it, and slowly goes down to check what he has from the food in the refrigerator and cook something to eat. Well, or at least, try to do it…***
Meanwhile, Natalia is sitting at home. She did not have to spend time alone because Anna visited her. Even though this visit became unexpected, the blonde was very happy to see her friend and gave happy whoops when she saw her on the doorstep. Leticia and Anthony, Natalia’s parents, are not home now as they left for some work business. So, the friends got a good chance to gossip a little. “My gosh, friend, it's been a while!” Natalia exclaims, letting Anna come into the apartment. “I don't remember when we met the last time.” “Honestly, me too…” Anna replies with a smile, going to the living room with Natalia. “You went to Mexico for one month, and we only talked on Facebook.” “But I never forgot you and Raquelle and couldn’t wait to be back home with my parents.” “By the way, how long were you back? You didn’t let me know when you were gonna home! If not for Raquelle’s message on Facebook, I wouldn’t have known about your return.” “I wanted to tell you I was back after yesterday and wanted to suggest you meet somewhere. But you came to me…” “Just missed you very much.” Anna sits on the sofa with Natalia and takes her hands. “And I wanted to talk to you a little.” “I hope, would you make me happy with some news about good changes?” “Oh, sadly, I’ve got nothing to make you happy with…” Anna upsets with sadness in her eyes, moving a strand of hair off her eyes. “We just thought our life got better, but everything got much worse.” “Do you mean what’s happening to Terrence, Peter, and Daniel's band? They kinda have serious problems, and the band is about to break up.” “After the tour with ‘A Loser Syndrome’, Peter and Daniel began to confront like cat and dog for an unknown reason. And some time ago, they fought right at the studio. But that’s good Terrence calmed them down and didn’t let them kill each other.” “I know, Terrence said it yesterday,” Natalia sighs with sadness in her eyes and glances down for a second. “He’s so upset because of the conflict between Rose and Perkins… MacClife is tearing himself between them and trying to get those two to reconcile somehow. But they don’t definitely wanna save the band and their friendship. Yesterday, the lads didn’t come to the studio and turned off their phones.” “I tried to persuade Daniel to stop doing this and go to the studio. But he refused. Because he would’ve killed Peter if he’d seen him.” Anna sighs heavily. “It’s sad that nobody wants to make peace. Daniel is very aggressive to Peter and constantly humiliates him. And Peter blames Daniel for everything and says he betrayed their friendship.” “By the way, do you know something else about their fight?” Natalia asks thoughtfully. “Maybe, Daniel called at least some reasons why he became so aggressive to Peter and humiliated the one to be his friend?” “Honestly, not very much… Daniel says nothing exactly and is just talking about how bad his friend is, and how he betrays everyone.” “But he’s right about it… Why does Peter really betray the band and drink so much that he creeps on a wall?” “I can say nothing… Nobody says anything…” “I’m sure something very serious happened between them and made them fight and be ready to sacrifice their band.” “I have a few assumptions,” Anna replies thoughtfully, starting to wrap a strand of hair around her finger. “One of them is that they got too exhausted after the tour with ‘The Loser Syndrome’.” “Yeah, but it's been one month since the tour ended,” Natalia throws her hands up. “They had time to relax and put their mind in order.” “After they returned from San Francisco to New York, the lads started to work on their debut album. Everything was fine, even though they sometimes had disputes and moments of irritation. But later, everything got worse when Daniel fought with Peter.” “But who started to provoke these fights?” “Daniel says that was Peter. He blames him for what’s happening to the band.” “But what did he do to make everybody mad?” Natalia frowns slightly, tucking a strand of her ear behind her ear. “Maybe, Peter just visits nightclubs too often, drinks too much, suffers from a headache, pain all over the body, and is not able to think well.” “I didn't think he would descend to this level… Why did he begin to drink alcohol and slowly stand in the way that all alcoholics go?” “I’m sure there is a reason for that. But Rose says nothing to anyone and just has to defend himself from the aggression of Daniel, who, honestly, treats him too badly.” “Do you know he has been mocking Peter because he dates nobody or doesn’t have any experience in communicating with girls?” “I do. And Daniel does know I’m judging him for that. I’m not going to pretend he’s doing the right thing, no matter how much I want to whitewash him for my love for him.” “Listen, Raquelle and I talked about it, and we think you should be careful with Perkins,” Natalia says carefully. “We think that if Daniel started to treat Peter so badly, then… It means he might not be as good as we thought. And… Do something bad to you…” “I also began to be afraid that Daniel would change his attitude toward me someday,” Anna sighs heavily and locks her fingers. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do if it happens. I love him too much and got too attracted to that man… Cold and sassy outside, but tender and kind inside… At least, he is behaving to me in this way so far.” “Don’t get hurt, friend. Raquelle and I have nothing against Daniel, and we won’t blame him until we know the real reason for his fight with Peter. We just wanna warn you that you must run away from him if he shows at least a short act of aggression toward you. It would prove he is really a cold, evil, and insolent man, who loves mocking people.” “It’s okay, Natalia, I’ve been thinking about it. But I hope Daniel isn’t so bad and will regret mocking the poor Peter like this. Rose is actually a very good guy. So shy, kind, gentle… I liked him shortly.” “If your boyfriend is really so terrible and doesn’t regret mocking the blond, I’ll be very surprised by the fact that two different men could be such close friends for many years.” “Sadly, Daniel doesn’t regret it at all and keeps showering Peter with mud and blaming him for all possible sins. But I hope he’ll realize what a terrible thing he did to his friend some time later and stop saying bad things that hurt the man, who is upset because of being single.” “Gosh, why can’t such a sympathetic guy with an amazing character and a gorgeous body meet a girlfriend?” Natalia wonders. “Anyone would die from happiness if she got that guy!” “Maybe, he’s surrounded by girls, but he rejects everyone and doesn’t want to fall in love… Excuses it with a reluctance to date girls.” “Who knows… I personally think he doesn’t look like a womanizer. The one, who hasn’t had enough girls and decided to stay a bachelor. Peter definitely wanna date a girl, get married and become a father.” “I think so… But maybe, he’s not ready for that yet, and Daniel, unfortunately, doesn’t get it and mocks him because of it.” “Oh, someone would’ve hardly thought his long-time friendship with Peter would be ruined. Daniel had told me much about him and said better things than he says now. Spending time with him was very interesting and funny for Perkins.” “Gosh, what did he need?” Natalia sighs quietly. “I’m sure Peter did nothing bad to Daniel to make him so angry and hate him.” “It’s a mystery so far… Gonna be the one for a long time… Until those two calm down and confess what happened.” “I'm sorry that we can't help them…” Natalia sighs heavily with sadness in her eyes. “I would also like to help them, but on the other hand, it’s their business,” Anna tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear. “We didn’t fight… And we don’t have to do with their relationship…” “You're right…” Natalia looks down for a second. “Of course, I’d like to do something for them to make peace, but they should solve it by themselves. Someday we’d know everything and stop reflecting on the reasons for their conflict.” “I’m sure one of them would explain everything someday.” Natalia cracks a smile and looks at her hands for two or three seconds. “Okay, honey, let’s leave Perkins and Rose alone,” Anna says with a slight smile. “You better tell me how you and Edward are doing.” “Erm, everything is just wonderful,” Natalia says hesitantly, putting on a false smile and getting sad and nervous enough. “You know, I don’t wanna meddle in your life, but some of your messages on Facebook made me think something wasn’t fine about your relationship with him. You didn’t have a wish to talk about him…” “No, it just seemed to you…” Natalia tightly locks her fingers, breathing heavily from the excitement. “Just… My fingers got hurt when I was typing too much on my phone or a keyboard…” “Hm, why did you get nervous when I called Edward’s name?” Anna frowns slightly. “When you heard his name, you shined and smile widely before. But now you’re literally shaking and don’t definitely wanna talk about that man for hours…” “No, friend, what you’re talking about…” Natalia smiles sadly, nervously pulling a thin silver ring she has on her index finger. “Everything is fine about me and Edward… Yesterday, we met for the first time after a long separation, went to Raquelle and Terrence’s home for dinner, and spent a good time.” “You were at dinner with them? But Edward kinda disappeared!” “He’s back! He just left the city for some time. And it happened that I came back in New York at the same time as he did. And Terrence and Raquelle invited us home.” “But where was Edward?” “He said he had some business… But I don’t know what kind of… He didn’t say anything to any one of us.” “Interesting…” Anna frowns slightly. “That guy leaves somewhere not for the first time… He always warned about it earlier… But he didn’t do it this time…” “I dunno…” Natalia shrugs with a slight smile. “But the important thing is that he’s finally back, and we can spend time together.” “Say, are you really happy he’s back? Or don’t you care about him?” “Of course, I’m madly happy! What kind of question, friend?” “I’m asking it because you didn’t worry about him and were much more worried about your grandmother than about Edward, who suddenly disappeared. As if you don’t care if he’s alive and healthy…” “Gosh, Anna, stop saying stupid things!” Natalia opens her eyes widely. “I was madly worried about Edward and was afraid that something could happen to him. And when he sent me a message during my talk with Raquelle on the phone, I got great relief.” “You know, Natalia, even if you’re smiling now, your eyes are sad anyway,” Anna says with sadness in her eyes. “And you’re shaking from hearing Edward’s name.” “I’m not shaking, Anna!” Natalia denies and smiles falsely again. “I can shake only from a nice excitement…” “Maybe, you have problems that you don’t wanna talk about? Don’t be afraid, friend, tell me why you suddenly got so cold to Edward and stopped worrying about him. Maybe, I could help you with something and advise you on how to establish your relationship.” “No, we’ve got no problems,” Natalia shakes her head sharply, glances aside for a second, and scratches the back of her head. “Well, I mean… Of course, there are moments when we argue about something and don’t understand each other… But that’s fine… My parents love each other, but can also argue about something.” “I don’t deny, everyone has problems,” Anna sighs quietly. “But the problems between you and Edward are serious… Now you no longer look like a girl in love…” “Everything is fine about me and Edward,” Natalia says not very truly. “We have no meaning in hiding from our friends and close people. If something happened, we’d surely ask someone for a piece of advice and ask them how to solve our misunderstanding.” “As if you don’t trust me and are afraid I’d judge you or advise something bad.” “Please, Anna, don’t say that,” Natalia softly takes Anna’s hands with a false smile. “I swear, if I have problems, I will tell you and Raquelle everything. You’re my best friends that I trust everything.” “But we do worry and want you to be happy with your boyfriend, for whom you were waiting for a long time. Do you wanna you lose the one, who really loves you? It would be your great mistake!” “I know. And I’m sure that even if Edward and I have problems, we will surely solve them. You don’t have an idyll in your life with Daniel, and you may have misunderstandings.” “Well, yeah…” Anna nods. “Sometimes Daniel and I argue about something. But luckily, we make peace quickly and embrace each other while sitting on the sofa in the living room or lying on the bed in our room.” “Despite his conflict with Peter, you're really lucky to get that man,” Natalia notices with a truer smile. “You’re gonna be celebrating five months of dating soon.” “Yeah, time flies fast…” Anna exhales with a wide smile. “I’ll never forget we began to date on April, 15th of this year… These five months have been the best in my life.” “And I remember that Edward and I started to date on May, 14th…” Natalia chuckles kindly. “Almost one month later after you and Daniel did.” “It’s very interesting, I must confess.” “Say, do you feel like the wife of this man?” Natalia changes the subject. “You’ve been living with him since you began to date.” “If you’re hinting at the wedding, we don't want to rush,” Anna laughs shyly, starting to twirl a strand of her hair. “No, I didn’t mean a wedding. I just wanted to know if you feel you’re living with Daniel like a family in the same house.” “Of course, I do! Daniel became a very close person to me. And for me, he’s almost like a husband. And I really like to take care of him and make him happy. It’s especially nice to cook something. You must see Perkins’ eyes while he watches me cook. And when he eats my food.” “It’s one of the checked ways to charm a man and get him attracted to you,” Natalia laughs shyly. “And when you walk by him in a beautiful négligée and show a little bit of your body, he goes insane.” “Oh, Perkins does love when I do it!” Anna exclaims with a wide smile. “And I think I already got him attracted to me.” “If it’s so, I’m sure the time for a proposal will come some time later. You will choose a beautiful wedding dress and walk down the altar.” “I really want to put on a wedding dress someday and get married to my beloved man. But I think a wedding is a very important step. And you shouldn’t rush with it. Luckily, Terrence and Raquelle decided to get married now, not when they barely knew each other and were connected by passion.” “Yes, but their obsession with a career was the one to blame… That’s why they got so cold to each other.” “I think Raquelle knows she must give her fiancé attention and never put her career above him.” “Yesterday, they were very cute at dinner. Nothing threatens their relationship now.” “I’m so happy they solved their misunderstandings and are now living quietly,” Anna says with a slight smile. “It would be sad if such a beautiful couple broke up.” “Yeah, those events taught them much. And Raquelle strongly took all of that.” “Our friend has always been strong. She’s a real fighter… If not for her firm character, Raquelle wouldn’t have gotten what she has now. But when her close people are by her side, it’s much easier for her to overcome a problem.” “Even if she said she wouldn’t take one or another event, Raquelle always stayed strong, brave, and happy,” Natalia smiles slightly. “Our friend didn’t break down after the hell that Simon Ringer got her into.” “You're right, the phrase ‘Stay strong, stay brave, stay happy’ has always been the slogan of Raquelle. That stinker Ringer already got what he deserved and will never hurt her.” “Yeah, he’s confined to a wheelchair and not able to do anything without someone’s help. Ringer can’t even eat or change his clothes.” “Ah, I wish I had her endurance and strong character,” Natalia sighs quietly with sadness in her eyes. “I lack it so badly… I think I’d break down like a thin stick shortly if something happened to me. I’d hardly take it ‘cause I don’t have such a strong endurance as Raquelle’s one.” “I think you have some hardness in your character,” Anna says softly, looking at Natalia with sadness in her eyes, putting her hand on her shoulder and caressing it tenderly. “Maybe, you don't have Raquelle's character, but you also have nice endurance that will surely help you.” “Remember how hard it was for me to overcome the fight with Raquelle that Simon provoked. I thought my world was ruined and would never be the same. And how it’s hurt for me to know my grandma Adriana has cancer and has been getting therapy for almost one year.” “But you reconciled with Raquelle, and your grandmother will surely get well. Since her illness was diagnosed at an early stage, it’s a little easier to treat her. If she had reached the last stage, you would be afraid of the worst. But now there is hope. A great hope.” “I know, but I’m really worried anyway…” “It’s gonna be okay, honey,” Anna softly caresses Natalia’s hand. “Your grandmother is strong. She can get over it… And even if you have problems, you will solve them.” “I don't think so, Anna,” Natalia sighs heavily and looks at her hands. “Sometimes I have to play a sassy girl, who fears nothing. But I'm actually a real coward, who is afraid of anything. I can easily act as if nothing can scare me when I’m with my friends and close people. But if I had to run into danger, I wouldn’t stand for myself and would turn into a terrible coward.” “Don't say it, Natalia, you're not a coward! If you'd been a coward, you would've never gone against your schoolmates and become a friend of Raquelle that nobody loved.” “I did it because Raquelle didn't deserve to be the one that everyone called her. When I went to her school, I quickly noticed that girl. They said bad things about her, but I never believed everything I heard. And I was frightened by what they did to her.” “So, you see, you have the courage and your own opinion. You turned against the herd without fear of being desecrated. I think you have some linchpins. But you haven’t realized it. You don’t know what you can do for yourself and those, who are dear to you…” “No, friend, I can say I will never have any linchpins. And I will hardly find the courage to stand for someone to get into a problem.” “Still, I think you had to do with the fact that Raquelle changed and got much better. If you compare her photos in the elementary and middle school, a difference is clear.” “I think you're right. The former Raquelle and the present Raquelle are different people. We knew an insecure girl, but now she has turned into a wonderful swan… And got a real handsome man, who she’s gonna marry soon.” “Terrence would’ve hardly paid attention to Raquelle if she wasn’t so attractive. And so many men around the world wouldn’t drool over her photos in magazines.” “I think you’re right,” Natalia laughs shyly. Anna smiles shyly and glances aside. That’s why silence settles in the air for two seconds. But later she decides to change the subject to make Natalia funnier as the blonde looks at her hands with sad eyes and nervously pulls down a thin chain on one of her wrists. “Okay, Blondie, let's forget about bad things and better talk about something good,” Anna suggests cheerfully. “Ah, if there was something good…” Natalia sighs heavily, running her hand over her hair. “Keep your pecker up!” Anna exclaims, softly massaging Natalia’s shoulder with a slight, cheerful smile. “Relax and be happy, at least because you have people, who love you. And someday your problems will be solved.” “I'm very lucky in this case,” Natalia smiles slightly. “I don’t know what I would do without my close people.” Anna takes Natalia in her touching hug with a wide smile, and the blonde accepts it with pleasure. Some time later, the girls step away and decide to drink a cup of coffee with something tasty and talk about something more interesting and positive.***
Edward is where he has been living for a few years. His room is small. There are light wallpapers that were made in the 80s or 90s and are ripped in some places… The window is very shabby and closed with a slight short tulle, there are old bedclothes on the bed with metallic backs. They were also bought at the end of the last century. And there is by far not a new small closet with clothes and a writing table, on which some things are placed. Moreover, a couple of old pictures are hanging on the wall, and a little chandelier with only one lightbulb that lights up the whole room at nighttime is hanging on the ceiling with yellow spots. Edward does not want to go out anywhere and do anything. That’s why he decides to stay home and think about what's happening in his life. In order to get rid of sadness and depression, the man decides to play guitar and try to write a few words for a song that he would either give Terrence's band or leave in his folder. After a few years of his love for writing songs, he has got many pieces of paper that he does not throw. He keeps them in a special folder, sometimes viewing them and learning how far he has gone, and what he has taught through the years. But no matter how hard Edward tries, words do not want to connect with one another. Even if he gets to think up a line, it's very hard to find words that may be connected with this one. So, after a few attempts to think up something, striking random chords on his old guitar, the man decides to leave it. He quickly collects all the papers in one bunch, puts them in his folder, and puts them aside. But he is still holding the guitar in front of him and playing a melody that got stuck in his mind. The sounds of this slow, nice melody spread over the whole room, but it’s so sad that there is a wish to get sad and even cry because of thinking of something bad and not very good. Some time later, Edward calls the memory of the lyrics of a song. At first, he sings under his nose. But then he starts playing on his guitar, quietly singing along with the melody that flows under the fingers of the one to know the instrument. Of course, the lyrics do not describe his current condition. But much of what it is about can be said about him and what he is feeling. Edward would probably keep playing and singing under his nose. At some moment, an old, short woman with a kind look and a very cute smile enters the room. It’s Victoria Richardson, and she is the owner of the small apartment. When Victoria comes into the room, she looks at Edward and smiles shyly while he is brilliantly playing guitar and singing with a breathtaking voice that would slay any girl. After the man sees someone watching him, he instantly stops playing and singing and moves his little discreet look on the woman. “No, no, you can continue,” Victoria says softly. “I really like the way you play and sing.” “Oh, Mrs. Richardson, I bothered you…” Edward says hesitantly. “I’m sorry… You probably wanted to have a rest, but I began to play…” “Not at all, Edward, you didn’t bother me.” Victoria slowly enters the room and sits on the bed Edward is lying on. “I was sitting in my room and listening to you singing while sewing up my favorite shirt.” “I’m sorry…” Edward puts his guitar aside and glances at Victoria. “Just wanted to sing something and amuse myself.” “I must confess that I really love the way you sing. You’re a very talented guy, Edward.” “Thanks a lot, it’s a pleasure to hear it,” Edward smiles shyly. “I’m still surprised by how brilliantly you can play the guitar. Nobody taught you, you learned everything by yourself… But you play like a real professional, who spent many years training.” “Many people say I play like a professional. But I think there is very much I need to learn.” “Maybe, I don’t know anything about it… Only my husband could tell his opinion as the one to play guitar since early ages and be taught that by a wonderful teacher… But even having a talent like this, you could get the love of people by your incredible talent.” “Thanks, of course, but I will hardly get famous and show my talent…” Edward says thoughtfully. “I play, sing, and write songs just for fun, for letting my emotions go out…” “Why? Videoblogs or somewhat are very popular among the youth now… Publish your video of you singing on the Internet, and you will be known probably very many people or the whole world.” “Nope, Mrs. Richardson, I don’t aim to get fame and want to live a quiet life… I don’t care that all my written songs will never be known to the public or performed by me or anyone else. I’m happy with the way I’m living… It’s just my hobby and a way to relax and show my emotions…” “I see… By the way, the lyrics of the song that you were singing are a little sad. What are these words of sadness and grief about? Huh, honey?” “Whom are they about?” Edward thinks for two seconds. “Erm… No, it's just a song… It means nothing… Please, do not find everything I sing seriously the condition of my soul.” “But I think something makes you worried. You’ve been kind of depressed and sad for a long time. I don’t remember when you smiled the last time.” “I don’t want to smile all the time…” Edward shrugs. “Maybe, you fought with your girlfriend?” “No, everything is alright about us,” Edward shakes his head with a false smile. “We didn’t fight…” “You stopped inviting her on dates. I remember you getting ready for walks with her too carefully and always going home smiling and very happy. But now you don’t invite her anywhere. That’s wrong, Edward…” “I know, but I’m just back in New York after not being here for one month. I was so busy that I didn’t have to send her a message…” “Remember, Edward, even if you’re dating a girl or married to her, it doesn’t mean you can forget about dates. When my late husband and I were young, we walked every day. And when the health got worse due to age, we spent time together and, for example, watched an old movie.” “You’re absolutely right. If you don’t go on dates with your beloved person, you start to lose interest in him or her.” “Then I advise you to invite your girlfriend on a date at the nearest time. The girl is waiting for you to invite her, but you’re too busy…” “Surely, Mrs. Richardson… Surely…” Edward sets his sad eyes into the distance and slowly moves them on his hands, definitely thinking about something not very nice. Victoria watches him with great sadness, suspecting that he does not say something and hides his problems in his relationship with his girlfriend. “But you know, I think you have some misunderstandings,” Victoria says thoughtfully. “Of course, any couple has them, but sometimes I believe everything is too hard about you.” “No, Mrs. Richardson, why do you think so?” Edward rounds his eyes, not showing that he feels like cats are scratching inside him. “Of course, Natalia and I have some disputes. But you said any couple might have them. And we completely get it.” “I understand you want to solve your problems by yourself. But don’t pretend that everything is fine, because I see your relationship got much colder. As if you don’t care about your girlfriend. You don’t invite her on dates and don’t talk to her on the phone. At least, I don’t remember you talking with her.” “Everything is fine about us, Mrs. Richardson,” Edward says quietly but a little colder, nervously pulling a sleeve of his gray hoodie or his thin bandage on his hand. “No problems.” “Alright, if you do not want to say, I will not make you speak,” Victoria sighs disappointedly. “It’s your business, and you should solve your problems with your girlfriend…” Victoria looks around the whole room and glances at the folder placed on the table near the bed. “Still writing songs?” Victoria asks with a slight smile. “Trying,” Edward shrugs with a shy smile. “I tried to write something right now, but I got no result.” “You can come up with good ideas when you do not find them. Try to forget you want to, or you should write a song. And you manage to do this. Remember that spontaneous thoughts may often be amazing.” “I know, but the problem is not about it. The problem is that I’ve got no idea what to write a song about.” “Many bands and artists sing songs about love. There are different types of love: mutual, false, unhappy, and more. You can always choose what you like.” “I know, but now I want to write a song about something vital that is based on real events, not just love,” Edward runs his hand over his hair. “Or experienced personally…” “But love is a real-life event. Many movies and songs are dedicated to love. It does not always have to be beautiful and romantic. There is one that can’t be impossible… One-sided, beneficial, true…” “Yes, you are right… But I don’t want to write a song about love… I wanna write a song that could tell a life story that happened to a person in reality. I’d like to tell people about the life that I lived thanks to lyrics.” “I think this song would be very sad,” Victoria replies with sadness in her eyes. “Knowing the story of your life, I can say it with great confidence.” “It's true, but I have good moments that have to do with the people that I will never forget and always remember,” Edward sighs again, looks down, and starts to look at his hands. “If I try, I can easily find words to tell about my life.” “A song about you fighting to get what you want. I think it’s the only type of song that would be associated with you and your life.” “I do mean the same! I want to write a song about me fighting for a good life, trying to find the person I wanted to find, and meeting the people I love…” Edward sighs heavily again and glances at the window for two seconds. “But I can do nothing because words can’t get connected.” “Well, if you can’t do it today, you will do it next time,” Victoria puts her hand on Edward's shoulder and looks at him with sadness in her eyes. “Don’t make yourself. It wouldn’t give you anything good.” “Yeah…” Edward glances at the window. “There are no ideas, and my mood isn’t very good…” “I would like to help you get funnier. But sadly, I don’t know about all your problems that you prefer solving on your own.” “You’ve done too much for me, Mrs. Richardson,” Edward smiles truly. “Thanks to you, I have home… If I hadn't met you, I don't know what would have happened to me. I would’ve lived on the streets and been homeless because I didn’t have money for my own home. What I earn when I have side jobs is enough for some food. And clothes if I’m lucky to buy them on sale for half the price.” “When I saw the young you sitting on a bench, my heart just squeezed. You had a little bag and looked so unhappy and exhausted… My intuition told me you had no place to go…” “Yeah, I had no place to go after Father chased me out of home… Since I left at my wish, I didn’t want to come back to him. So, I had to use people’s kindness and spend nights with someone or get cold on the street and sleep with homeless people on dirty asphalt.” “I got it…” Victoria says softly, caressing Edward’s hand. “You didn’t bother me because I lived alone after my husband’s death. And it would’ve been great to have a man at home… I’m not able to fix something or change a blown lightbulb. But you never refuse to help me and always do any pleases of mine.” “Think it’s my thankfulness for letting me live with you,” Edward smiles shyly. “And for putting yourself in my place and demanding no money for living here. Sadly, I wouldn’t be able to pay you for living in this room.” “I completely get it, honey,” Victoria puts her hand on Edward's shoulder. “I’ve never thought of getting money out of you. You can live here as much as you want and worry about nothing. I’d have the pleasure to feed you with something tasty, lend you money if you don’t have it, and give you anything you need.” “Thank you so much for that… You’re just an angel brought to me to help me survive in this cruel world.” “Sadly, I wasn’t destined to have children… But I got so attracted to you that I began to consider you my son… You will always be my close person that I madly love.” “I can say the same things about you, Mrs. Richardson. Even though I have a family, I love you like you’re my second mother. I’ll not forget you, even if a miracle happens, and I’m able to live in my own house or apartment.” “Thank you so much for being in my life, honey,” Victoria smiles widely. Edward takes Victoria in his amicable hug, which she accepts with great pleasure and a wide smile on her face. And some time later, the man steps back from the woman and smiles shyly at her, while she looks at him with kind eyes and gives him a feeling of calm and warmth. “Alright, I will start to cook dinner soon,” Victoria says thoughtfully. “Try not to come late if you want to go somewhere.” “I will not go anywhere and will stay home,” Edward smiles shyly. “When dinner is ready, let me know.” “Alright, I will check what I have and think about what to cook. But you don’t feel bored and do something.” Victoria slowly stands up from the bed and leaves Edward alone, who is actually used to it. The man watches the woman with sad eyes, quickly runs them over the whole room, and sighs heavily after she leaves his room and closes the door. “Damn, I feel much lousier than before…” Edward thinks with sadness in his eyes. “Time is supposed to treat wounds, but it’s been so long, and I don’t get better… It’s not the life I want to live… It’s not a movie that I wanna see… It’s a sad story…” Edward thinks for a second, runs his hand through his hair, and swallows up nervously. “Oh, I’m supposed to be at least a little happier after I did what I was dreaming about for a long time,” Edward thinks. “But no… I don’t feel any kind of relief… No, maybe, I would be glad about it, but all the events that have lately happened make me so depressed.” Edward nervously pulls down the sleeves of his hoodie. “All my life, I’ve run into failures…” Edward thinks with sadness in his eyes. “I’ve never been really happy and lived at least one day when being absolutely relaxed and happy…” Edward bends his legs at his knees, glances at the window, and looks through it with his sad eyes. He does it with the thought that it is not happening as he would like. Even if he dreams of something, it will never come true.***
Time is getting closer to the evening, but Raquelle is still at the home of her grandfather, Frederick Cameron. He played a major role in the girl’s life and took on the responsibility of raising his granddaughter when she lost her parents, Jackson and Elizabeth Cameron. She is madly grateful to him for being by her side in the hardest times of her life. For example, when newspapers were telling about a scandal that was provoked by Simon Ringer. If Raquelle lost her grandfather, she would hardly accept it. And once, she really almost lost him as he got a heart attack from worrying, and Frederick ended up in the hospital. Luckily, everything ended well thanks to his wish to live for his beloved granddaughter and the fact that he lived a healthy life. After forgetting about him for a long time due to her obsession with her career, Raquelle visits Frederick very often and sometimes helps him with homework. So, she is doing this now and helping the man clean up the apartment while he is sorting out books and other things and looking at everything he finds with interest. “Hey, honey, tell me something about you,” Frederick says, sorting out a big pile of old books. “Why we’re talking only about me. You better tell me how you’re doing.” “Everything is fine with me,” Raquelle smiles shyly, wiping off the dust on all the surfaces with an old rag. “I still work a lot and shoot for magazines and commercials or walk on runaways. But now I learned to schedule my plan of work much better and not to get too exhausted and forget about everything.” “Do you have less or more work?” “I got much more work, but examine everything carefully and decline what seems not very interesting. Since my managers and I accept only the best offers, working is much funnier now.” “I’m glad you didn’t put your career higher. I think you learned the lesson that was given you the last time.” “Yes, Grandpa, although I wanna forget that horrible time, it taught me much and made me change my mind about some things.” “That’s wonderful! You’re a clever girl. You don’t do the same thing twice.” “At least I’m trying to.” Frederick smiles shyly and falls into silence for two seconds, getting interested in a very old book that he looks at from all sides. “Well, what about you and your fiancé?” Frederick asks. “Are there any problems with Terrence?” “No, everything is wonderful!” Raquelle smiles widely. “We’re living very well and adore each other.” “Haven’t you picked up a wedding day?” “Nope, we haven’t even talked about it.” “Hope, doesn’t he hurt you?” “No, c’mon!” Raquelle exclaims. “After we reconciled, Terrence literally carries me in his arms and takes care of me touchingly. He makes any wishes of mine come true if I ask him about something.” “By the way, how was your trip abroad? You haven’t told me where you were or how your trip was.” “Aw, those two weeks were the best in my life… I really liked the trip abroad for a good rest, not for a job. I had never gone anywhere as a tourist, but now I did it.” “I believe, it impacted your relationship with your fiancé.” “It did! This trip got Terrence and me much closer.” Raquelle smiles slyly. “And now I will give him to nobody. That handsome guy is only mine.” “You should’ve had a rest together a few months ago. So, you went somewhere and came back here, literally being different people.” “Yeah, I know…” Raquelle says thoughtfully. “And you know, we learned to understand each other much better. Of course, love is very nice, but you should have a deep respect and a wish to take care of your beloved person.” “That’s absolutely right, my dear,” Frederick smiles slightly. “Thank God, everything is alright, and you saved your relationship. And I’m really glad you’re gonna get married.” “I’m glad not less than you… Because I love that man and understand that I don’t want to lose him.” “Listen, Granddaughter, are you sure you want it? Is your decision to get married to Terrence conscious?” “I am sure about it, Grandpa Frederick,” Raquelle smiles shyly. “I see nobody else next to me. There is hardly someone to be better than Terrence.” “Don’t get married to him if you wanna make your aunt Alicia and me happy.” “I’m getting married ‘cause I want it. Because I’m ready for it, and I know I’ve met the man, who would be a wonderful husband.” “So, I wish it happened. If it makes you happy, I’m gonna be happy. And quiet, ‘cause you’d have a trustworthy and loving man.” “I was looking for him for a long time and found him.” Frederick smiles shyly and puts a little bunch of books covered with dust and definitely bought a long time ago on the bed, while Raquelle is squatting and wiping off the dust on the bottom of the table. “Hey, what about Terrence's band?” Frederick asks. “I read an article in a newspaper that said they came back from the tour and started to work on a new album.” “Oh, Grandpa…” Raquelle pronounces with sadness in her eyes, distracts herself from what she is doing, turns on Frederick, and sighs heavily. “Everything is actually much harder than it seems…” “What do you mean?” “The case is that the lads don’t record an album, as everyone thinks…” “Don’t record?” Frederick frowns slightly. “Do you want to say newspapers lie, as always?” “Not newspapers, Grandpa. Terrence, all our friends, and me.” Raquelle moves some hair off her eyes getting out of her bandana that keeps her hair brushed up. “We have to tell reporters that the band is working hard, and a new album will be released very soon.” “So, everyone is lying?” Frederick wonders. “Yup… We’re often asked about their work at the studio, and we say it’s still ongoing. But actually, everything stopped. And I’m afraid the album will never be out.” “Are you serious? But what happened if the guys don’t work at the studio?” “It seems like the band will be disbanded soon, and the lads will go their separated ways,” Raquelle sighs heavily and leans on the wall, putting her hand on her forehead. “The situation got much worse than before. Everything’s coming to an inevitable breakup…” “But why?” Frederick moves his eyes off the pile of books and looks at Raquelle. “As far as I know, those guys had good shows, and very good things were written about them. I personally read everyone admired your fiancé’s talent and called them rising stars.” “Maybe, Terrence would show his talents, but without his friends. As a solo artist.” “He fought with them?” “Not quite…” Raquelle bites her lip slightly. “The case is that the drummer and the bass guitarist have lately confronted very frequently. The last time, it was so strong that they had a fight in the studio. And now they disappeared and turned their phones off.” “Fight? Gosh, but why? What didn’t they share?” “We don’t know, one blames another for everyone, and nobody recognizes his fault…” Raquelle shrugs. “We have only to guess why the best friends, who had got on well for a few years, suddenly became enemies.” “Didn’t Terrence talk with them to find out the reason and try to reconcile them?” “Of course! Many times! But they don’t listen to him and refuse to explain everything and at least try to reconcile.” “Wow!” Frederick gets up on his feet after he takes all the books from the bottom shelves and puts them on the bed, rubbing the small of his back slightly and massaging his knees. “And what does he think of it?” “What can he think?” Raquelle throws her hands up and puts a rag for dust on the table. “Of course, he doesn’t feel nice because he is between two fires and tries to do just something to save the band.” “I hope Terrence didn't fight with those guys.” “No, he speaks with Daniel and Peter well. I mean, he did… Now Terrence decided to leave them alone and just wait for a while.” “I’m imaging how hard it is for him to tear himself apart between two friends.” “Exactly! He got so sick of running for them and trying to reconcile them that he gave a damn about the band’s business. And decided to have a rest from the constant lectures of their manager that makes Terrence give him what he can’t give due to the conflict between the bassist and the drummer.” “How long has it been happening?” “Since they were back from the tour. At first, everything was fine, but then Peter and Daniel got kind of loose and began to cling to each other, seems like, without a reason.” “Are there no guesses about the reason for their fight?” “There are some ones, but we want to know everything, not try to think up something,” Raquelle says thoughtfully, scratching her temple. “Oh, sweetie, I don’t even know what to say…” Frederick sighs quietly. “You have only to wait for one of those two to tell all the truth. They must know they’d have to decide the band’s future.” “I'm sorry that I can’t help him…” Raquelle sighs with sadness in her eyes, raising her head. “And I don’t know what to advise Terrence… I’m doing my best to support him with words, but it’s not enough.” “Ah, Raquelle, what can you do?” Frederick sighs heavily. “You don't have to do with that case and shouldn’t meddle in it. The only thing you can do is to be by Terrence’s side and give him energy, so he keeps moving on and gets famous as a musician.” “I know, Grandpa…” Raquelle smiles with the corners of her mouth. “I will never leave him and will always be by his side.” “Now he needs your love, sweetie. With your care and support, you can prove how much you love that man, who’s done so much for you. I see he’s doing his best to please you and show how much he appreciates you. So, you should answer him back and support him now when he has problems.” “It goes without saying… I’m ready to do anything for him to make him feel better.” Raquelle sighs heavily with sadness and fixes her hair. “And I wouldn’t live without him… Because he also gives me the strength to overcome hard moments. That man can even say nothing and just hug me, and I would get much better.” “I completely get it,” Frederick comes to Raquelle with a smile, softly caresses her shoulders, and hugs her around them. “The trouble you had to get over really changed your relationship for the better.” “I’d like to erase everything horrible from my memory. But I understand that we realized very much.” “Maybe, it’s been not very long since your reconciliation, but you’ve gotten much and made your relationship much stronger.” “You think we haven’t made our relationship perfect?” “Any bad relationship requires much time to get better. At these moments, the important thing is not to succumb to the temptation to blame your partner for the mistakes of the past that you two want to forget.” “But we don’t talk about it, and we got much closer to each other.” “No, Raquelle, even if everything’s fine now, it means nothing. You’ll get it if a hard time comes and makes you wish to tell Terrence about all his sins in anger.” “It won’t happen, Grandpa, don’t say it.” “I know what I say, sweetie. To say just, ‘sorry’ is not enough to live happily ever after. Trust me, you and Terrence are gonna take a long way to an absolute understanding and peace. Now quite a nervous situation is happening, in which you should keep calm and not take it out on each other.” “Sorry, but I don’t get you,” Raquelle shakes her head. “You will do it and say I was absolutely right. It has to do not only with love relationships, but also amicable relationships. Even if Terrence’s friends reconcile, they’ll have to apply some effort to make their friendship stronger.” “Well… You’re kind of right… But you can have no worries about me and Terrence. We won’t have moments of taking it out on each other…” “We’ll see, my sunshine… The most important thing is to remember you must always keep calm and leave in time if you feel a situation gets worse.” Raquelle looks at Frederick silently with sad eyes. And he hugs her tighter with a comforting smile, kisses her on the temple, and comes to a small bunch of books placed on the bed. “Okay, let's not will talk about bad things,” Frederick says, starting to sort the books out in two bunches. “You better tell me about Natalia and Edward. Maybe, these two have peace?” “Oh, what kind of calm…” Raquelle sighs heavily. “Everything is not better about their couple than about Terrence’s band.” “Gosh, did all the problems rain thick upon you at the same time? You dealt with that stinker Ringer and learned his sentence, and here we go again…” “That’s right… If a bad streak starts, problems never come alone.” “Well, what kind of problem do those two have? They also confront and literally fight like cat and dog?” “I don't know, but those two are very strange.” Raquelle starts to wipe the dust off all the surfaces. “As if they really fought…” “Really? Didn’t you know they had problems?” “Terrence started to suspect something bad when he and I began to receive messages and calls from Natalia, who spent one month in Mexico next to her sick grandmother, and Edward, who suddenly disappeared at almost the same time. They didn’t mention each other, and they tried to find excuses to avoid these talks.” “As I understand, were his suspicions confirmed?” “Exactly! Terrence and I found out that Natalia was back in New York with her parents, and Edward let us know about him. We invited them for dinner yesterday. Everything was fine, without fights, but when Terrence or I talked to Natalia and Edward about their relationship, they got nervous and proved that everything was fine.” “Really?” Frederick rounds his eyes and distracts from sorting the books out. “Didn’t they say what happened to them?” “No word! And I noticed that Natalia was shaking strongly while being next to Edward. Especially when they were sitting together, hugging by force and pretending that they cared about each other’s business. Edward didn’t definitely care about her or what was happening to Mrs. Lascano, even if he had often asked about her.” “Oh my God…” Frederick shakes his head, scratching his chin. “I thought they had endless romance in their relationship…” “We also thought so. But something is not as good in their relationship as they’re trying to prove.” “Maybe, they just fought? It's quite fine when people fight with someone they date.” “Terrence and I thought about it, but they were supposed to fight very much ‘cause my friend was literally shaking from her boyfriend, and my fiancé’s friend looked at her not very kindly.” “But why did they come to you together if they didn’t want to see each other?” “I don't know, Grandpa,” Raquelle shakes her head. “I thought about all the possible versions, but I can’t come up with anything.” “Sorry, sweetie, but I don't even know what to advise because it's too strange.” “Terrence and I agreed to invite Edward and Natalia somewhere by one tomorrow and talk to them. But he thinks we’d get nothing out of them. But I, despite my doubts, want to try to do it anyway.” “Well, you know, I totally agree with him,” Frederick confesses thoughtfully. “Since they try to prove to you that everything is alright so hard, it means they have a secret or a reason why they’re doing it.” “Yes, but what's the point in playing this senseless game?” Raquelle throws her hands up. “What if they broke up a long time ago and are just playing an act for us?” “I don't know, Raquelle, I don't know…” Frederick shakes his head. “But I don't think they will be pretending for too long. You and Terrence need to wait for one of them to get sick of playing this game. Yes, it might happen not very soon, but this is the only way Terrence and you can find out the truth about Natalia and Edward's real relationship.” “Of course, it's a good idea, but we cannot wait for a long time. Who knows, how much they would be pretending. Maybe, they would be playing with us until the end of our lives.” “No, they will not do this. They will not have a wish or patience. Moreover, you know Natalia very well. She doesn't have such strong endurance as yours. Your friend is too sensitive and vulnerable. She might break down quickly if she ran into trouble. Trust me, honey, Natalia would give up early or late and is gonna be the first one to recognize just something about what's happening between her and Edward.” “I’d like this to happen as soon as possible… I can’t stop thinking that their problem might give us much more problems. When I think about something too much, it almost always happens. Moreover, Edward is still in my list of suspicious people. I am expecting a bad trick from him at any time.” “You have reasons to assume it? Or do you just listen to your feelings?” “Well…” Raquelle thinks for two seconds. “You know, Grandpa, I think I really have one suspicion. I didn’t tell you that, but Natalia somehow said she had a secret she’d never tell anyone. It happened on the day I came to her to apologize for being a psycho.” “Wow…” Frederick pronounces thoughtfully, scratching the back of his head. “But what happened to that girl if she wanted to say nothing?” “I don’t know, but I do feel that’s something very serious. She was strongly shaking and nervous when I suggested to her that she tell me everything. And I decided not to ask her and thought Natalia would tell the truth if she wanted… But it hasn’t happened… I surely have the reasons to believe it would give us nothing good.” “Yeah, but what does her relationship with Edward have to do with it? Do you think they're connected with one another?” “I’m not sure, but I think it’s possible. Moreover, Edward doesn’t like when someone lies to him, and he’s tried to find out what happened to her many times but got nothing.” “Do you think he got sick of your friend’s lie, and they fought because of that?” “Quite possible. I see no other explanations… But I don’t understand how hard they were supposed to fight, so my friend is literally afraid of him.” “Didn’t you talk to her about it again after the day of your reconciliation?” “No, I didn’t. Everything was kind of fine, and I forgot about it.” “You know, I think you need to find out Natalia's secret at first, not a reason for her fight with Edward. If you say she told you that when you reconciled, it's been about three months since that moment. I'm sure your friend would stop being silent and tell you everything. Maybe, there’s something that makes her silent, and she can’t get over it. But if you softly push her to that, she will make the situation clear.” “Ah, if I knew what would make her do it,” Raquelle sighs heavily. “You can carefully ask her about it again and let her know she can trust you and tell you anything. Maybe, she’d agree to say something this time.” “Of course, I’ll try to start this talk tomorrow when I meet her. But I think I’ll have to try hard to get just something out of her.” “Even if you don’t, I advise you not to rush,” Frederick smiles shyly. “Now you and Terrence can just watch Natalia and Edward and memorize every single thing that might seem suspicious. Any gesture and any word may be very important in this case.” “Well, for me and Terrence, it’s not a secret that those two have problems, ‘cause their gestures and words speak for them.” “Keep watching anyway. Maybe, someday, they’d say something you could cling to and use it to make them confess everything.” “I think we’ll do it… Tomorrow, we’ll talk to them, closely watch them, and then think about what to do.” “Memorize every single detail and closely watch any word, gesture, and gaze, honey. Now, this is the only thing I can suggest to you. And then everything depends on events…” “Thank you so much for the advice, Grandpa,” Raquelle takes Frederick in her amicable hug with a smile and steps back from him two seconds later. “I knew you’d advise me something!” “You could guess it by yourself,” Frederick laughs shyly. “Everything’s easy – a bit of psychology, a bit of logic. Learn to use logical skills and read a couple of psychology books to get to know people better. I can recommend to you the amazing one that I read from start to end.” “You know that I try to do it so hard, but I can’t always do it.” Raquelle comes slowly to the window, embracing herself with her arms with sadness in her eyes. Frederick comes to the girl two seconds later and hugs her around the shoulders. “Don’t get upset, honey,” Frederick says softly, caressing Raquelle’s shoulders. “Sometimes you can get very wise thoughts by using your logic. You can’t always be right in everything… Sometimes I may also be wrong and have wrong assumptions.” “For example, do you remember you and me playing chess when you were living with me? You won half of all games, but I won the other half.” “Yeah, I remember.” “It all says that you’re a very clever girl and can think logically. But to get much better at it, you need to play often and make your brains work.” “What if we play one or two games? I think I forgot everything ‘cause I haven’t played for ages!” “I’d play with you with pleasure. We could even play now before it’s too late.” “Let’s play then?” “Sure, but at first, let's get rid of this mess. Or we would be talking and doing nothing until the night.” “Yeah, we better sort it out quickly…” Raquelle says thoughtfully and glances at the window. “It’s getting dark outside…” “Alright, stop dreaming and looking through the window!” Frederick comes to Raquelle and leads her away from the window, pointing at lots of bunches in the room. “Go to work, Raquelle Cameron.” “I’m going to, Grandpa…” Raquelle replies confidently. Raquelle starts cleaning the surfaces from dust again, while Frederick begins to sort out his things that are placed on the floor, the bed, and the table, deciding what to throw off, what to leave, and what to give someone. There are books, magazines, little things and something else. Many of these things are very old and impossible to find at the present time. During the clear-up, Raquelle and Frederick talk about what does not have to do with problems and the personal lives of their friends, relatives, and acquaintances. Sometimes they find some things that make them nostalgic and call the memories of some moments that may be very good and nice or madly unpleasant and terrible.