***
After this, Natalia sighs heavily, goes to her room, and lies on the bed. A little later, the girl turns her side on a small bedside table near her bed, looks at this one with sad eyes, and examines everything on it: a fixed line phone, a golden expensive smartphone, such trinkets as a show globe, some photos in beautiful frames, a couple of notebooks, a few pens of different colors, and many other things. Later, Natalia gets interested in the glass bull with a fairy smiling widely and sparkling wings inside it. The girl really loves this thing that she got from Raquelle as a gift for Christmas when the friends were about ten or eleven. The blonde still has this bull with golden sparkles and keeps it in the most visible place, thinking of the nicest moments of her life when looking at this one. When they got on well, the friends often shared little gifts for their birthdays or other holidays. But one of the dearest and most favorite gifts for Natalia is the glossy bull with a fairy. Later, the girl stops her sad and little depressed eyes on a photo of Edward and Natalia. The picture was taken at the beginning of their relationship, which, as they thought, was not put in threat. After exhaling quietly, Natalia reaches her hand to the table, takes the photo, raises herself a little, and starts to view it, barely holding down tears and grieving for the times when she felt so happy. “Ah, Edward, why did it happen to us?” Natalia sighs heavily. “Why do we need to play this senseless game? It’s so hurtful to lie to everyone that everything is fine between us. I don’t like to lie, but I have to do it… And I have to be silent about the truth that would put everything in the right places. You don’t know what actually happened to me. And will hardly do… Because I have to be silent. Silent… And to hide the truth… Doom myself to suffering… And make you believe it’s the truth. Sorry…” Natalia sighs heavily, still viewing the photo, over which she runs a shaking hand slowly. “Every day, I have a lower chance to get everything back to the right places and prove that everything is otherwise,” Natalia thinks with sadness in her eyes. “And we'll probably never get out of the space, in which we ended up. It’s unpleasant for me to recognize it, but unfortunately, it’s true. I can’t tell all the truth and prove that I’ve never lied.” After viewing the photos with sadness and barely holding down tears, Natalia puts the framed photo in its place where it was placed before. And a few seconds later, the girl slowly gets up from the bed and comes to the window, looking at everything that’s happening behind her room with the same sadness in her eyes. She wants to feel happy and finally smile truly and laugh at something so hard. The girl smiles a lot, but falsely. To prove to everyone and herself that everything is fine. But her sad eyes, which have no gloss and fire, show her current state of soul, which is not as fine as she tries to tell everyone. And it seems like Natalia will not have reasons to be happy at the nearest time. Even her friends will not get her out of the depression, in which the girl is falling slowly. Later, a loud sound rings in the room that lets Natalia know that she got a notification on her phone. The girl lazily steps back from the window, takes her smartphone from the table, unlocks it, and sees that she got a message from Raquelle. “Hi, Natalia! Wouldn’t you like to go out somewhere tonight? Now I’m busy. I’m gonna have a couple of photoshoots in the city. But when it’s about five or six hours, I’ll be able to meet you. Wanna use the fact that you’re finally back in the city and go to the stores with you. What do you think?” After reading the messages, Natalia thinks a little and asks herself if Raquelle wants to know what’s happening between her and Edward. The girl understands why her friend decided to suggest she go for a walk. Actually, she would be happy to share what she is worried about, but something does not let her do it and makes her silent. However, Natalia does not want to refuse a meeting and types and sends a message to Raquelle some time later. “Yes, sure, I’ll meet you with pleasure. But I wouldn’t like to go anywhere today. However, you can go to my home. Don’t worry, my parents won’t be here all day long. And even if they’re back, they’ll always be happy to see you.” A few minutes later, Natalia gets another message from Raquelle and reads it shortly, standing near the window and leaning on the windowsill with a free hand. “Well, okay, if you wanna go nowhere, I’ll go to your home shortly after I finish working. And that’s great your parents aren’t home. We could gossip a little and have some fun.” Natalia reads the message and smiles slightly with the corners of her mouth, slowly steps back from the window, and puts her phone on the table, deciding to text nothing. Although Raquelle has always been her best friend, and she could trust her with anything, something prevents the girl from sharing what she is worried about. Moreover, every time she just thinks about a wish to tell everything, some thoughts come into her head and make her feel a strong shake, anxiety, and even fear. So, Natalia has to hide something that nobody should definitely know.***
Somewhere closer to one or two hours o’clock, Edward went outside to walk a little. The man ended up in a place that was located far from the center. He really likes walking on his feet and not using a car to go somewhere. Lockhart easily takes a long enough distance on his feet and does not get tired after a long walk. There are many high mountains of different heights. The furthest ones are hidden somewhere behind the horizon. A small river that seems to be absolutely clean is seen somewhere from afar. And there are some high, thin tresses, some of which grew out of the stone plates they are placed on. The sky is gray and covered with clouds, but the air seems to be warm. The light wind does not make goosebumps run on the body and teeth chatter from a terrible coldness. Total silence is settled in this place. There is nobody around here. Only birds flying high in the sky may break the silence for a few seconds. Edward is walking here with great pleasure. He adores admiring the horizons and very beautiful blue sky in the sunny weather or the magnificent sunset in the evening time. After taking a long distance on the wooden, wobbly bridge that leads to one of the highest mountains, the man comes to the edge of the abyss and sits on it, letting his legs down and setting his eyes into the distance. If anyone looks down from this abyss, there will be a feeling that they are at a very high height. But Edward does not fear heights and is sure he will not slide down after stumbling. He is quietly sitting on the edge of the abyss with his legs down and breathing in the fresh air. A little cold wind reminds him of the fact that summer is over, and fall is getting closer. The mood gets much sadder and more depressed at this time of the year. What’s happening in his life makes Edward feel much worse. He barely makes himself smile not to let people know everything is bad about him. And the problems with Natalia make the situation much worse. It’s madly hurtful for him to think about that girl. Hurtful to think about what someone did to him. And the question about what he did wrongly still tears him apart and makes him ask many questions. Answers to which have not been found yet. “Ah, Natalia, why is this happening to us?” Edward asks himself. “We felt so good together and were so happy… Did I do something wrong if it happened? Why did you do that to me? You lied… Lied all the time we were dating… You weren’t open with me and refused to show your soul. I didn’t know you and the side you hid from me. Wanted you to be open with me. But you preferred being silent instead.” Edward sighs heavily and moves his sad eyes to the horizon after looking at his hands for a long time. “It's harder to reach each other every day,” Edward thinks. “I understand more and more that all those wonderful moments will stay in our memory as light and nice memories that will make us smile, laugh, get sad, and cry. Sorry, but you did choose this way. And I have to take it.” Edward has lately loved to sing songs that describe what's happening in his soul. So, some time later, the man calls the memory of one song that perfectly describes what’s happening to his condition at the moment. Not thinking too long, he starts to croon the words of the song, playing a slow, beautiful music in his mind that perfectly lies on the lyrics. Since there are no people around, and nobody would look at him strangely for singing a song in a common place, the man lets himself relax and is doing what he loves to do when he is sad and upset with pleasure. A few minutes later, Edward finishes singing, sitting on the edge of the abyss. After a short pause, he sighs heavily and inclines his head, still thinking nothing can be changed as there is no way to fix the situation that’s currently happening. Sometimes Edward thinks of finding the courage to leave the city to try to forget everything that happened here and start his life over again. The man thinks he could be happier if he changed the place and did something interesting. For example, write very good songs. But Edward thinks that even though he wanted to leave, he would not be able to do this and would have to stay here. One of the reasons is that the man cannot leave the family, for which he was looking for a few years. Which got attracted to… It’s the reason why he feels happy… Edward falls into his thoughts so deeply, playing another song in his mind and shaking his leg with the rhythm slightly, that he does not hear that his phone starts to make a sound some time later. When he hears it, he shakes slightly in surprise, but then, clearing his throat, takes the phone from a pocket of his coat to answer the call. “Hello,” Edward pronounces quietly. “Howdy, Edward, it's Terrence,” Terrence replies. “Oh, hey, buddy,” Edward smiles slightly. “Glad to hear you.” “It couldn’t be otherwise,” Terrence smiles slyly. “People are always happy to see and hear me.” “Yes, yes, don’t start bragging again… And yeah, I know you missed your beloved friend so much that you called him two days after the meeting at dinner at your house.” “Yeah, I missed the moments when I was chasing my bro and kicking his ass. I got bored and thought of calling the kid and asking him to make me fun.” “Don’t worry, buddy, I’m gonna have much time to kick your ass and show you where you belong. And I’ll give you a little hint: it’s not the throne that you occupied when you became the idol of all girls around the world.” “Oh, fucking unbearable boy!” Terrence groans quietly, rolling his eyes. “You’re worse, trust me. Unlike you, I’m the real shy angel.” “A cute face doesn’t give you any advantages against such a unique handsome man like me.” “Oh, Terrence, stop it already…” Edward says tiredly, gets up on his feet, and steps back slowly from the edge at some distance. “Speak up, why you actually called me.” “Okay, I actually called you to suggest something,” Terrence replies more seriously. “Go ahead, what kind of suggestion you have.” “You see, I wanna go to visit Mother in two hours. Talk to her a little, drink a cup of coffee, help with something… And you said you wanted to visit her…” “Yeah, I still want to…” Edward nods and starts slowly going somewhere straight and looking around at times. “Don’t you wanna go with me? Mother would be madly glad to see you, and you and I would spend some time together for the first time after your disappearance.” “Erm…” “C’mon, Edward, let’s go! Why you’d stay home or wander nobody knows where!” “Erm, yes, sure, I'll go to visit her with pleasure,” Edward agrees confidently with a wide smile. “Since you ’re gonna visit her, we’ll go to her together.” “That’s wonderful! I have nothing to do. I’m now home alone and thought that I needed to spend a good time. So, I decided to take my pal with me and drive him to the woman, who’s worried because of his disappearance and madly missing him.” “Shouldn’t you have gone to the studio to work on songs?” “I think I'm not gonna go to the studio because Peter and Daniel disappeared somewhere, and they ignore my calls so hard.” “Try to go to their home. They wouldn’t run anywhere.” “Nope, I’ve said I’m sick of running after those fighting idiots and gave a fuck about them, at least now. Since they don’t care about the band’s future, I’ll stop being worried about it and let it break up.” “So, won’t you be writing songs?” “No, I’ll be writing them at home if I can. Maybe, I’d give everything I have to the guys from the studio and try to start a solo career. Break the contract with the band and sign a brand new one.” “Okay… Anyway, I can help you write something cool with pleasure.” “Thanks a lot,” Terrence replies amicably with a slight smile. “If I have a stupor, I know who’s gonna be my personal idea generator for wonderful songs.” “Don’t worry, Terrence, I’ll write such a cool song that you’ll become a star instantly,” Edward says confidently, moving some hair off his eyes as he is walking. “It’s gonna be a real hit that will take first places in all the charts.” “I am a celebrity, if you haven’t forgotten. My star will just shine much brighter, and everyone will know me as a super talented musician.” “Okay, okay, just wait for a while, and then you’ll conquer the hearts of little girls again and probably earn the respect of a more adult audience. Even if you aren’t in the band with Daniel and Peter.” “Without them or with them, but I’ll do my best to get into the music world and kick everyone’s ass this time,” Terrence says confidently. “To be a musician, I don’t have to be with them in a band.” Edward smiles shyly and moves his hair off, which gets into his eyes because he comes to the place where a much stronger wind is blowing. “Okay, let’s talk about it when we meet,” Terrence clears his throat quickly. “You better say, are you home? I mean, where should I go to take you out?” “No, I’m not home now,” Edward replies. “Walking in a quiet place… But I can go to your home. I’m not far from you and am supposed to come quickly. “Okay, I’ll be waiting for you at home. Well, before you come, I’ll work with songs a little and try to write something.” “In this case, I’ll come to you soon,” Edward smiles slightly. “Yeah, sure, see ya soon!” “See ya!” Edward turns off the call and puts the phone in his pocket. The man slowly walks in circles around the whole territory and looks into the distance for some time, thinking about something. And then he decides to go to Terrence’s home to go to visit Rebecca, who he has not seen for so long, and who he misses so much.***
Lunchtime was gone a long time ago. After a short walk in the city, Daniel and Anna decided to go to a small café they found not far from the place where they were. The lovers just ordered the coffee that they got in small plastic glasses. Daniel has not contacted Terrence, Peter, or anyone else that has to do with the band and does not regret deciding to spend time with his girlfriend and enjoy the pastime with her. Although he calmed down a little and does not look so furious, Daniel does not still think he is guilty of the situation and blames only Peter, who has lately, as he thinks, been too arrogant and unbearable. He does not care about what’s happening to the one, who was his best friend, who literally became his enemy due to their serious conflict. Anna tries to do her best to help her sweetheart and support him somehow. Even though she does not hide that she does not approve of the way Daniel treats Peter. “Thank you so much for supporting me,” Daniel says with a smile, sitting at the table in front of Anna. “I need your support so badly.” “Trying to do my best to encourage you somehow,” Anna replies shyly. “I see the situation hurts you, and you need support.” “Yes, you’re right. But I will overcome it.” “You don’t want your efforts to be applied for nothing.” “You know, Anna, even if our band is broken up, I won't be upset,” Daniel says thoughtfully. “Of course, I will be sorry that my dreams of fame won't come true. But if being a musician is not my fate, I’ll try to accept it.” “Don't lose hope, Daniel. I think not everything is lost. You don’t want it. You’re running from the people that have to do with the band.” “I’m running from them ‘cause I don’t wanna see them. I especially don’t want to see Rose, whose face I would be happy to beat. And Terrence wouldn’t stop me.” “You know well that I don’t like the situation with Peter, whom you’re doing a very cruel thing to.” “Doesn’t he do a cruel thing to us?” Daniel wonders. “That man betrays the band and began to believe that fame would come to him. He hasn’t recorded at least one single, but he pretends to be a star and puts all the work on me and MacClife.” “Excuse me, you do provoke him with aggression and reluctance to work with you. Maybe, Peter didn’t want all of that, but you’re mocking him, and he has to defend himself.” “I don’t doubt he doesn’t need our band. He probably thought he’d get famous as a solo artist, but two people stand in his way. And one of them has been a famous star for a long time.” “It seems like you don’t also need this band and don’t want to share your fame with Terrence and Peter. Sometimes it seems you’d surely leave the band and start a solo career to get known as a solo artist if you got a chance.” “The band would be broken up anyway. You did say the manager is breaking Terrence’s phone and demanding the stuff that we can’t give. Someday, he and the studio get sick of that idler Rose, and they will break the contract with us.” “If only you didn’t have to pay money as liquidated damages for a failure to implement. It might probably be a very high cost.” “If they demand money, I’ll give everything and say goodbye to them. Even if I have to get into debt to pay for liquidated damages, I will say goodbye to the studio once and forever in case they wish to break the contract.” “Just because you don’t answer calls of people from the studio and don’t come there doesn’t mean it would be happening forever.” “I know…” Daniel hums and crosses his arms over his chest. “I understand I can't hide from my band and the people, who are working in the studio, forever. But now I don't actually wanna show up before anyone’s eyes.” “You’re making everything harder, Daniel. You better solve it all as soon as possible, instead of hiding from everyone and hoping everything will be solved by itself.” “Everything’s doomed to failure. No matter if I show up, the studio will refuse to work with us. Because of that idiot Peter Rose, who is the one to blame for making our effort worthless.” “But why do you think he’s guilty? Call at least one more reason except for your hate for Peter, because of which you blame him for the band’s breakup.” “You do know it well, Anna. I’ve said many times that Rose refuses to work and drinks alcohol when we need to work on songs. And now I've lost my patience. I’m not going to close my eyes to what he’s doing. And it’s very hurtful for me that he’s betraying us and behaving so disgustingly.” Daniel glances at the window and exhales quietly. “I don’t get… There was quite a normal, adequate guy. But then he turned into some selfish idiot.” “There are always reasons why a person acts in one or another way.” “I didn’t think money and fame could change him so much. When he heard the amount of money that he would get for recording one album while signing the contract, I guess he got shocked and happy that his financial problems would be solved.” “If Peter does it, he has a reason to do it,” Anna notices thoughtfully and takes a sip from her glass. “The problem that would explain his behavior.” “He? Problems?” Daniel wonders, moving his widely open eyes to Anna, and laughs shyly. “Damn, Anna, don’t make me laugh! It just can’t be true!” “Why? Peter doesn’t look as horrible and egoistic as you want to make him!” “No, you must be kidding. I have known that guy for many years and have always been sure he has no problems. He’s always been funny. Too funny sometimes. Rose has never complained about problems. There hasn’t been a day when he is depressed or a little sad. Peter had a good mood and never showed that irresponsibility and aggression.” Anna thinks a little and frowns slightly. “You know, Daniel, sometimes people say just because a person laughs too much and looks happy outside doesn’t mean he or she feels like this inside,” Anna says thoughtfully, putting a finger on her lip. “It's something like a protective reaction when you don’t wanna show your emotions and tell about your problems. Of course, it's possible to say not about all the people, but I think Peter is a type of these people.” “Do you think he has serious problems that provoked that reaction?” Daniel frowns slightly. “I’m assuming,” Anna shrugs. “Have you ever thought he might have problems?” “Honestly, no,” Daniel confesses thoughtfully, running his hand through his hair. “And I wasn’t interested in it and never asked him if he had problems.” “But even if he has the problems, it doesn't mean he'd share them with someone.” “But if he really has a problem, what kind of? What does it have to do with?” “Well… For example, his pain may be a talk about his relationships with girls.” “But how could it be a problem?” Daniel throws his hands up. “Peter is the one to blame for his failures. He could’ve dated lots of sympathetic girls, but that man has always rejected everyone, finding different reasons for it. Too skinny, too tall, something isn’t right about the face, seems to be too arrogant… I’m not surprised he has problems with relationships ‘cause he’s too demanding.” “Maybe, those girls are really not his taste? What if he likes shy and decent ones, not provocative chicks wearing short skirts, underneath which you could see their underwear, inject lip filler, have breast implants, and make too bright makeup?” “Huh, he even rejected quite decent and shy ones!” Daniel hums and drinks some coffee from his plastic glass. “I remember one event. When we worked with Albert, there was a girl, who was doing her internship at his studio. Quite cute, shy, suave, hard-working… At some moment, she began to give much attention to Peter and was often next to him, helping him with something and doing something for him. It was clear she liked him, while that man was indifferent to her. But when she just invited him to drink a cup of coffee as friends, Rose refused. He let her know he wasn’t gonna look at her as his girlfriend. Although she said nothing, we heard that girl decided to leave the studio shortly after that case. I guess she couldn’t take it ‘cause she really liked that guy.” “I don’t know then…” Anna pronounces thoughtfully, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Of course, it’s all strange, but I think one of the reasons is hidden in his relationship with girls.” “I don't know, Anna…” Daniel shakes his head. “I think that guy hardly has any problems with relationships. If he wanted, he would get a girlfriend.” “Well, okay, if you think so…” Anna shrugs. “I just assumed…” Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which Anna drinks some coffee, and Daniel glances at a woman trying to calm a yelling child down. “Okay, if you don’t wanna explain what happened between you and Peter, tell me why you decided to ignore Terrence,” Anna says. “It’s clear about Peter… But what’s Terrence’s fault? He did nothing bad to you…” “If I say I don't wanna ignore him, you can think I lied to you,” Daniel replies hesitantly, taking a sip of coffee. “The problem is not the fact that I don't wanna see him. The problem is…” Daniel does not finish his mind, falls into silence, and starts to think about something while Anna looks at the man, frowning slightly. “Are you afraid of him?” Anna asks. “Well, I’d say so…” Daniel exhales sharply and runs his hand over his face. “Because of this situation, I want to shout at someone or break something… All these fights with Rose make me enraged, but I don’t want to fight with Terrence. Honestly, I barely held myself down when he was trying to pull me away during my fight with Peter… I wanted to hit him so badly… But the hate for the blond was much stronger.” “But now you look too quiet…” Anna notices and sighs quietly. “As if you don’t wanna let your emotions go out. Take it out on me…” “I’d kill myself if I dared to do something like that,” Daniel looks down for a second and takes Anna’s hand placed on the table. “I swear this situation won’t make me take it out on you.” “You know, Daniel, I don’t want to hurt you…” Anna says hesitantly, looks down, and sighs heavily. “But sometimes I’m afraid… That you… Would take it out on me… And hurt me the way you do it to Peter…” “What?” Daniel opens his eyes widely. “Anna, are you serious? How could you think so? Do you think I can mock you?” “The girls warned me that I should be careful with you. And I completely understand that I need to be quiet and not to make you… Mock me…” “Damn, I can’t believe my ears!” Daniel shakes his head with a slight smile. “Sweetie, how could you have such a bad opinion about me? Trust me, my conflict with Rose will not impact the relationship between you and me. I won’t let myself treat you badly. Because I love you and don’t want to lose because of aggression toward you.” “I believe you, honey, but when people are bad, they don’t know who they talk with, and who they want to beat. You may get so furious that you won't remember that I’m your girlfriend.” “No, Anna, it won’t happen!” Daniel takes Anna’s hand softly, using the fact that she put her glass of coffee on the table. “First, when I was a child, I was taught that I must respect girls and never raise a hand to them. And second, you can’t see me being too furious because I usually leave as far as possible when I realize I want to explode. I walk a little and get a chance to control myself and my aggression.” “Really?” “Really. And if my anger is too strong, I’ve got a couple of more ways to let my emotions out… For example, I drive my car at high speed even if I understand I might lose control of it.” “What?” Anna gets horrified. “Drive your car at high speed?” “For me, it’s a perfect way to calm down and let my emotions out on something else, not a person. Well, sometimes spending five minutes of boxing or running on a treadmill also helps me.” “Gosh, I can’t believe it!” Anna shakes her head with her widely open eyes full of horror. “You’re playing with your life, but I knew nothing and couldn’t stop you… How awful… Oh, my gosh…” Anna shakes her head and puts her hands folded together to her mouth. And Daniel caresses her wrists softly with a slight smile. “It’s okay, my sunshine, don’t get so nervous,” Daniel takes Anna’s hands and places them on the table. “You know that I drive a car very well and haven’t been in a car accident for the ages of driving. I’ve been able to drive since my early years, when my father let me sit in the passenger seat for the first time and learn to drive in the country. And after getting older, I completed the training and got my license. So, I have great experience driving a car.” “But you’re playing a very dangerous game, Daniel. Even people with great experience of driving couldn’t control a car when driving at high speeds and could crush something. You know how many fines you would pay for excessive speed.” “Don’t worry, I find places where the police won't stop me. There are many places in the city where you could drive at high speed and not fear losing control and crushing a car.” “But that’s dangerous!” Anna exclaims with pity in her eyes. “You might crush to death or hurt yourself! Why are you doing that? And now, when I know it, I have a reason to worry about you. You can’t even imagine what kind of strong pain you just gave me…” “I'm really sorry, Anna,” Daniel says guiltily, feeling that his heart squeezes for a moment as he looks at Anna, who barely holds down her tears and is truly worried about him, and takes her hand. “Forgive me for making it happen… I just didn’t want to take it out on you and was looking for any ways not to let myself explode. If you left me because of my aggression, it would be my biggest mistake that I would regret all my life.” “And…” Anna pronounces hesitantly and sniffs quietly. “Do you do the same when we fight because of banal things?” “Yup. I also aim to leave and calm down at these moments. Because I don’t want to lose the girl that I madly love.” “Daniel…” “Please, don’t be mad at me,” Daniel looks at Anna with greater pity in his eyes. “I didn’t want to scare you and just tried to calm down.” “It’s okay, sweetie,” Anna puts her hand on Daniel’s hand with a slight smile and caresses it softly. “But I want you to promise me one little thing.” “Which thing?” “Never risk your life anymore. Don’t drive in the city at high speeds. I know you wanted to make it better, but someday you might go too far. Your trips might turn into something bad: either death or disability. But I don’t want anything to happen to you.” “I hope I will not have to let my emotions out in this way,” Daniel expresses hope. “But even if I have to, I’ll be very careful and not stop watching the road.” “But try to avoid something like that. You better box or train at a gymnasium. There would be more benefits.” “Okay, princess, I’ll stop doing that for you,” Daniel promises with a slight smile. “I believe you, sweetheart. And I rely on your understanding of my worries.” Daniel smiles much wider and caresses Anna’s hands, wishing to kiss her on the cheek but not being able to do it because he cannot reach her while sitting at the table. And they are in a public place where many visitors to the café are watching them. The lovers say nothing for two or three seconds and just look at each other, but then the girl takes her glass of coffee and takes a sip. “But still, tell me, are you really ignoring Terrence because you’re afraid to fight with him the way you fought with Peter?” Anna asks. “Yes, I fear it,” Daniel replies, looking down for a second. “I wouldn’t also like to fight with Terrence. I’m done with fighting with Peter and don’t want to fight with anyone else.” “Natalia recently talked to Terrence and said the situation was unpleasant for him. And he was unhappy with the fact that you refused to contact him.” “I know, but I don’t want to meet and talk with him. Terrence would start talking about the band, my conflict with Rose, George’s psychosis… But I don’t have a wish to talk with him about it.” “Why don’t you just talk and spend a good time together?” “It’s impossible now. And now I’m starting to think we’re connected by not very much. I can personally talk to him only about work. We’re friends, but just colleagues…” Daniel shakes his head. “I dunno… I’m not quite sure if he’s my friend…” “What are you talking about?” Anna wonders. “You’ve always spoken with Terrence well, not saying about the moment you and Peter fought with him because of what the chick, who he cheated on Raquelle with, told you.” “Yeah, we speak very well, and I consider Terrence a very good and responsible man. But we haven’t become best friends. And it seems like we’ll stop speaking if the band breaks up.” “But I think you are friends. Maybe, you ain’t the best friends, but you feel good together. I’m sure your friendship would get much stronger little by little if you reunited and saved your band.” “No, Anna, I’m afraid this case is hopeless…” Daniel shakes his head and drinks some coffee. “The band is gonna be disbanded soon. And I’ll no longer be meeting Terrence.” “Don’t say it so confidently. You better really wait for a while and then come together and decide what to do: saving the band or disbanding it. Terrence doesn’t also want to see you and Peter now. Natalia said he wanted to leave you alone and then talk with you two.” “Yeah, you’re right, I don’t want to look for meetings for some time,” Daniel glances at the window. “Since you say Terrence doesn’t want to, I will not insist. But if he shows a wish to talk, I think I’ll calm down and agree by that time.” “Anyway, do what you think is right,” Anna shrugs. “I don’t want to meddle in your conflict and can only advise something.” “And I need your pieces of advice and words of support. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Anna smiles shyly, while Daniel caresses her hand softly, kisses the back of it, making the girl smile much wider, and then tenderly runs his hand over her cheek. The lovers say nothing for two seconds and just share a tender gaze, listening to quiet music playing in the café. And then the man quickly looks around the whole room and massages his shoulder, saying: “Oh, okay, let’s go home. Honestly, I’m a little tired and would be happy to relax a little” “Yeah, honestly, I’m a little tired, too,” Anna nods and massages her neck. “I wouldn’t mind if you gave me a little massage… With your strong hands…” “I’d massage your back with pleasure and even cover it with kisses if you want,” Daniel replies in a lower voice with a sly smile, running his fingertips over Anna’s wrist. “But I would also be delighted if you gave me a massage of my whole body.” “Then let’s go home now. I’ll help you get rid of negative thoughts.” “Let's go!” Anna gets up from the table and takes her warm coat that she puts on with Daniel's help. After quickly checking if his wallet is in the pocket of his outer cloth, the man lets the girl go forward and leaves the café along with her, holding her back and acting in such a suave manner that she feels like a queen. But when the lovers leave the café, take some distance and turn on the corner, cutely hugging each other with a shy smile on their faces, Anna looks into the distance. Then the girl sharply stops with her rounded eyes, still looking at the side where she looked before and getting nervous because of a scare. Daniel, noticing something is not right with his girlfriend, stops and softly puts his hand on her shoulder. “Sweetie, are you okay?” Daniel shows anxiety. “Why did you stop?” Not moving her eyes from the side she is looking at, Anna points at a black jeep parked not far from the couple. An adult man and an adult woman with dark hair are standing near it, being a little severe-looking, wearing gray suits and looking definitely nervous. Judging by the fact that they are waving their hands while talking with each other. “Do you see that black jeep and those men and woman, who are standing near it?” Anna asks. “Yes, I see them,” Daniel nods, looking at the jeep and the man and the woman better. “But who they are? Why did you get scared of them?” “That’s my parents!” “What?” Daniel gets sharply white and sets his widely open eyes on Anna. “Your parents?” “Yes! That jeep belongs to Father, and he hasn’t changed it for many years!” “Are you really sure that’s your father and mother? Maybe, those people just look like them!” “I do tell you the truth – that’s them! My father and my mother are standing near that jeep!” Anna gets sharply white and watches her parents with a tense gaze and a slower breath. While Daniel also looks anxious and feels like his heart starts beating faster. However, the man does not show it and just looks at the unfamiliar people with interest. “Your mother is confident…” Daniel notices thoughtfully. “A smooth walk, a straight back… And your father is definitely confident and knows what he wants to get from his life…” “If they see us together, they’ll start a scandal,” Anna says excitedly in a strongly shaking voice. “They will get us separated, Daniel! My parents will make me come back home and impose their rules on me.” “No, no, Anna, it’s gonna be fine, don’t be nervous,” Daniel tightly hugs Anna, softly caresses her head, and kisses the top of her head. “They won’t get us separated.” “You don’t know them!” Anna sniffs quietly. “They think I have no right to my opinion and must do what they say. But I won’t take the separation from you and the life by their rules, I won’t…” “Calm down, don’t cry, it’s okay…” Daniel presses Anna closely to himself and caresses her head again, while she hugs him tightly and snuggles her face in his chest, slightly shaking from the strong excitement. “Nothing has happened yet. They don’t see us and are too busy arguing. Look, those people are unpleasant with something and arguing about something.” Daniel can see well that the man and the woman are really arguing loudly because of something, gesticulating actively and looking very unpleasant. And after looking around quickly, Perkins finds a good place behind a column where he and Anna will not be caught. “You know, let’s hide there,” Daniel suggests. “They won’t find us.” Daniel takes Anna where they would not get caught, in his opinion, hides along with her, and keeps watching a couple of middle-aged people, who, fortunately, do not see the lovers. “Gosh, Is our peaceful life over?” Anna asks with excitement, pressing closer to Daniel and barely holding down tears. “I don’t want them to get us separated!” “Don’t worry, my princess,” Daniel replies softly, embracing Anna tightly and caressing her shoulders and back. “Even if they see you, they won’t get us separated. I’ll be looking for ways to meet you secretly from them.” “But this time, they’ll show much more severity and literally watch every single step of mine. But I don’t want to live as they want. I do have a right to decide what to do, who to meet, and who to live with.” “Believe me, someday they'll surely realize it and have to accept the fact that they can’t control you anymore.” “I really doubt it…” Anna pronounces in a shaking voice, shaking her head. Daniel shakes his head, hugs Anna tighter, and kisses her tenderly on the forehead while she presses closely to him with her widely open eyes. “I wonder, how long have they been here?” Daniel asks. “I didn’t see them when we came here to drink coffee.” “I don't know,” Anna replies quietly. “But I think not for too long… I didn’t see them, either…” “Hey, why are they talking with each other with such resentment? Are they fighting because of something?” “I think they are… I guess it’s about work. They often have misunderstandings and can defend their point of view for hours.” “Oh, are they working together?” “Yes, so to say, continue the joint business of my grandparents. They have a business that gives great money thanks to the Seymours, my father’s family, and the Dickmans, my mother’s family.” “As far as I understand, they want you to continue their business and become their successor.” “Nope, I won’t work at their company, even as just an intern. I don’t know anything about their works and all those numbers that you have to reflect on much. My family has known it from the beginning and, thank God, doesn’t annoy me with at least that.” “But what’s gonna happen to their business when it’s time to give it to someone?” “My parents didn’t like that I wasn’t interested in their business. But later, they decided they’d get my future husband ready for taking control of what belonged to the Seymours-Dickmans for ages, when they’d marry me off to someone they needed. One of the reasons why they wanted to marry me off so badly is to find a successor.” “Does the man they wanted to marry you off have to do with that business? He knows something about it?” “He’s quite smart, knows mathematic science, and could take the place of Father. He’s now studying at the university, getting a second education… That guy has the same age as mine and is the youngest son of a man, whom my family has known for a long time, and who keeps a partner relationship with my parents.” “Youngest?” “Yes, that man has two sons. The older one is working with his father, but I see a bigger potential for ruling the business than the youngest one.” “Oh, gosh…” Daniel glances at Anna’s parents and sees them fighting very loudly because of something and waving their hands. “Sorry that we wouldn’t hear what they say… It seems like they need a little to get so bad to do something bad.” “I wish they left as soon as possible…” Anna sighs heavily. “We can’t stay here forever and wait for my parents to leave, or at least enter the café.” “I’m sure they’ll leave soon, and we’ll be able to go home and not to meet them.” “Oh, my gosh, if I’d known they’d come here, I wouldn’t have come here,” Anna runs her hands over her hair. “I’m afraid to walk into the city because I might run into them and not be back at your home. And now…” “Don’t be afraid, sweetie, it’s gonna be fine,” Daniel replies confidently, embracing Anna tightly and kissing her on the top of her head. “They don’t see us yet and are too busy with their quarrel.” “Everything’s bad if they report to the police about my disappearance. You might have great problems… If my parents know that I’m living with you, they’ll blame you for something that you will probably get arrested for.” “No, I don’t think so… Think yourself: why they’d report the adult girl, who can live alone. And we shouldn’t be afraid that someone will betray us. Your friends support us fully and have no contacts with your parents, my friends wouldn’t extradite us, and our neighbors know well we’re dating.” “But I wouldn’t be surprised if they’d gone to the police a long time ago. If they’ve been looking for me for a few months.” “If they’d reported, you would’ve been caught on the street, and someone would’ve called the police. But nothing like that has happened yet, and I ain’t under a threat to go to prison for letting my girlfriend live with me.” “I hope…” Anna sighs heavily. “But damn, why did my parents come here? I don’t want to run into them! I don’t!” “I think your parents came here by chance. How they could know you’d be here if you haven’t lived together for about four months.” “Ah, if they did…” Anna thinks about Daniel's words for some time. “Or maybe, you're right… Honestly, I’m surprised that they ended up here. My parents usually prefer high-priced restaurants and delicious dishes cooked with special recipes. Mother has always cooked with some restaurant recipes and never loved too simple dishes. But I must confess that much of what they love is terrible.” “Nevertheless, I’d definitely taste a lobster or crab…” “Lobsters and crabs are delicious, unlike some other dishes that still make me feel sick. I’ve been fed up with that. So, I prefer being hungry if I see something like that.” “Get it…” Daniel and Anna say nothing for some time, still carefully watching the girl’s parents, who get so busy with their argument that they do not notice their phones make sounds at a different time. Still, they answer a call that makes every one of them a little shocked. “I wonder, how long are they gonna stay here?” Anna asks. “Yeah, they’re gonna be here for a long time…” Daniel agrees hopelessly. “They started a talk on the phone with someone…” “Oh, gosh…” Anna closes her face with her hands and moans quietly. “Why…” “Sh-h, don’t get upset, my beauty,” Daniel says softly and caresses Anna’s face with his hands, hiding behind a wide column along with her. “If they don’t leave now, we’ll find another way to leave secretly and go home. I’ll think up something, I promise…” “I'm so sorry for getting you involved in the issues with my parents,” Anna says guiltily with pity in her eyes. “I know I’m probably doing the wrong thing by running from my own parents. But I can’t hope for a miracle and dream of Father and Mother letting me live my life and accepting you as my man.” “I’m sure they’ll get it early or late. And someday you’ll have to meet them and explain that you want to live alone.” “You didn’t probably wanna be a part of my conflict with my parents. And become a victim if they really reported my disappearance to the police.” “It’s true, I didn’t want it. And nobody wants to go to prison. Especially if you’re guilty of nothing. Nevertheless, I’m not gonna leave you alone and will do my best to take you away from them. You’re my girlfriend. So, my responsibility is not only to love you but also to help you, take care of you, and keep you safe.” “Nice to hear it,” Anna smiles shyly. “You’re in the trustworthy hands, princess.” Anna smiles widely, kisses Daniel cutely on the cheek, hugs him tightly, and keeps watching her parents along with him, carefully looking out of the wide column they are standing behind. But a few seconds later, those people, who look anxious and keep talking on the phone, step away from the car and slowly go to the side where Anna and Daniel are hiding now. “Oh, oh, they’re coming here,” Daniel says in a little shaking voice. “What?” Anna rounds her eyes, looks out of the hideaway, realizes that Daniel is right, and starts to get anxious, shaking her head. “No, I won't take it… Please, no, please… I don’t want to meet them, Daniel, don’t want…” “They don't see us now and are too busy talking on the phone…” Daniel whispers as quietly as possible, trying not to succumb to panic. “Maybe, we try to get out of here quietly?” Anna starts to shift her weight from one foot to another and breathe heavily enough. “Let’s go on another road…” “They stopped and started to discuss something… Aren’t fighting… Looking at something on each other’s phones…” Daniel nods. “Yeah… Yes, I think we got a good opportunity.” “Opportunity for what?” “Let’s go!” Daniel takes Anna's hand and leads her after him carefully, trying to do his best for the girl’s parents not to see them. After stepping back from the café and hiding behind it, they start to quicken a step and slowly start to run, looking back at times. Her parents are too busy with their phones and do not see this couple together. But the man and the woman, who have no smiles on their faces, go to the place where the lovers were hiding, still examining something on each other’s phones, talking about something, and calling someone on the way.***
Anna and Daniel pass some distance before they end up in a deserted place. There is something half-destroyed, half-abandoned, built from stones of different sizes and grown with sticks of trees. It seems like someone tried to build something here but gave up on it for some reason and left only stone ruins. It’s possible to see a bunch of thin, dry trees far from here, and dry fallen leaves lying on the damp earth rustling under feet. Probably, someone knows about this place and comes here to talk with someone or just spend some time in silence. But now there is nobody here but the lovers. After coming to the place that is located not far from the café, the young people slow down a little and then actually stop, trying to catch a breath and feeling a little tired. Daniel leans on one of the stone walls, breathing heavily enough, and Anna leans on one of them with her back. Touching stones with a hand or leaning on them with the back, they can see they are quite dirty but also very cold to touch. That’s why they shake slightly. They say nothing for two seconds. Silence might be broken only with the uneven breath of Daniel and Anna and the singing of some birds that are heard somewhere far from here. But then the girl decides to speak but stops literally after every single word, still breathing heavily enough: “Oh, I never thought I’d run away from my parents because of fear of living under their control. I don’t think someone would understand me, even if I said I just didn’t want to live the life they chose for me.” “Honestly, it’s a little strange for me,” Daniel confesses, breathing heavily. “But on the other hand, I completely understand your wish. Because I wouldn’t like to live under someone’s control.” “Is aiming to live a better life and choosing your own way worse than blindly trusting those, who allegedly know what’s better for you?” “Of course, it’s not! I personally like your confidence and the fact that you have some goals and don’t wait for someone to do everything instead of you. You didn’t wanna get married – you refused determinedly. You got sick of constant control – you got freedom.” “Glad you get me,” Anna smiles shyly. Daniel smiles at Anna back and says nothing for two seconds because he is still trying to catch a breath. Maybe, he does workouts and goes to a gymnasium, but it’s clear that his psychical sharpness is far from perfect, and he has not trained his organism enough to run many kilometers and almost not to get tired. “Oh, you know, I wanna tell you I don’t have to run like this every day,” Daniel says, still breathing heavily and leaning on the wall with a hand with his head inclined. “And too fast…” “You’re breathing so heavily like you ran five kilometers without a stop,” Anna notices thoughtfully. “Yeah, I don’t have as good a relationship with sports as I have with my girlfriend,” Daniel replies funnily. “Although I do it, everything is not so perfect.” “Yeah, you got so scared of meeting my parents that you ran away faster than a wind, sparing no energy,” Anna laughs shyly. “I would’ve had to explain much to them if they’d seen us together. But I’m not quite sure my meeting with them would be good.” “Don’t worry, honey, you’ll be under my defense anyway. If we have to run into them, I’ll do my best to defend you from them and those charges they’d love to give you.” “Erm, no, I don’t want…” Daniel jabs with a scare in his widely open eyes. “It’d be a too crazy release of adrenaline that I wouldn’t take.” “But you needed adrenaline – so, you got it!” Anna chuckles shyly. “Yeah, but I don’t wanna meet your parents… Because they really might blame me for something and put me in jail. I don’t want to be in jail with lots of criminals…” “I hope it’s just my crazy fantasy and strong overreaction. Anyway, I won’t believe any charges and will do my best to save you from prison.” “Damn, I must confess that I got a little scared when you said they were your parents,” Daniel confesses, putting his hand on his forehead. “I didn’t think I’d have to get over that adventure.” “Sorry, I didn’t want to make it happen,” Anna says guiltily and inclines her head, starting to look at her hands. “And I didn’t think it’d happen…” “You have no reason to apologize, beauty. You’re not guilty.” “I know… But I feel a little guilty, and I am starting to think you want to get off me.” “What?” Daniel sets his surprised look on Anna, stepping back from the wall he is standing near, and gets his normal breath back. “Are you serious?” “Absolutely,” Anna replies shyly and steps back from the wall she is leaning on with her back. “You probably think you might get problems that my parents could give you. And because of that… You… Would leave me…” “You know, Anna, you're crazy!” Daniel shakes his head with a quiet chuckle. “How could you actually think I’d wish to leave you just because of what your father and mother could do to me if they knew you lived with me?” “Sometimes I just think you're sick of my issues with my parents,” Anna replies hesitantly, running her hand through her hair. “And you want to save yourself from a threat to suffer.” “Don’t say stupid things, my sunshine,” Daniel, holding Anna by the back of her head, kisses her cutely on the forehead. “I wasn’t gonna and ain’t gonna leave you because of fear of getting in touch with your family. Of course, I’ll do my best to give them a good impression of me. But even if they don’t accept me, you and I will keep dating.” “And aren’t you afraid they might do something to separate us?” “For the love of you, I’d not only go to prison,” Daniel runs his fingers through the strands of Anna’s red hair, looking at her with a tender gaze. “And I actually think they shouldn’t be a barrier that would prevent us from dating.” “But they're kind of a barrier that doesn’t let us live quietly. I love my parents very much because they raised me. But I'm upset because they have been against our meetings from the beginning. And they didn’t understand my wishes…” “I get it…” Daniel slowly comes to Anna and caresses her cheeks tenderly with his hands. “But we’re still together… So, together, we’d get over any barriers to be happy.” “And if I have to fight for my love and my happiness, I’m ready to do anything,” Anna replies shyly, putting her hand on Daniel’s shoulders and then putting her arms around his neck. “I won’t reject you, either, beautiful,” Daniel raises his head with pride and looks at Anna confidently. “Nothing can make me break up with you.” “Believe me, Daniel, my parents would have to accept the fact that I’m gonna live my life,” Anna smiles slyly and caresses Daniel’s cheek tenderly. “It’s not a riot, it’s a wish to rule my life. A wish to be with the one my heart belongs to.” “Exactly! When people love each other, nothing can stop them.” Daniel falls into silence for a second and laughs quietly. “Even the most severe parents in the world won’t be a barrier to that.” “No, they won’t,” Anna shakes her head with a wide smile. Daniel smiles much wider and touchingly hugs Anna, putting his arms around her waist and running his hands over her back. She answers the hug back with pleasure, tenderly caresses his head, and lets her fingers through his chocolate hair. “Anna, my love…” Daniel pronounces with a slight smile in a soft, quiet voice and hugs Anna tighter. “I’ll give you to nobody… Nobody…” “I know, sweetheart,” Anna replies and kisses Daniel’s cheek tenderly, while he keeps her hand on the back of her head. “And I won’t reject you at my wish.” Two seconds later, the lovers step away a little and look into each other’s eyes. A little later, Daniel tenderly caresses Anna’s cheek with the back of his hand, while she enjoys his touch with closed eyes and a wider smile. But she notices that the man is still tense and anxious. “Don’t be afraid, pretty boy, I won’t let my parents hurt you,” Anna promises in a soft voice, caressing Daniel’s head and cutely kissing him on the tip of his nose. “But as you’ve heard, I got really scared,” Daniel says thoughtfully. “And I’m gonna be nervous if I see them again.” “Don’t be nervous, sweetie, it’s gonna be fine.” Anna tenderly runs her lips over Daniel’s cheeks and lips. “Relax… You’re too tense.” While Anna plays with Daniel’s hair on the top of his head, he feels her attracting smell that drives him crazier and crazier and makes his heart beat much faster. And later, his breath gets heavier and deeper, and he gets a wish to smooth the girl with kisses. “Yes, I’m tense…” Daniel says in a low voice, coming close to Anna and breathing in the smell, which he can feel on her neck and makes him feel dizzy. “Very tense… But you could help me relax a little and make me much happier.” First, Daniel runs his lips over Anna’s cheek, while she feels goosebumps from the slight touch on her skin. And then he leaves tender kisses in some places, smiling wider and wider after every single one. “You’re the only one to make me feel incredible,” Daniel adds, kisses Anna on the cheek, and grabs her chin with his mouth, seeing well that she starts to breathe heavier every second. “Only one…” Not waiting for a reaction from Anna, Daniel gives her a tender, continuous kiss on the lips, going to drive her crazy with his ability to kiss wonderfully again. She answers him back with pleasure, feeling how fast her heart is beating, how heavily and deeply she is breathing, and how she is shaking. His hands caress her shoulders and slide up and down the curves of her thin waist. The man sometimes has to break the kiss to catch a breath because it’s getting hard for him to breathe because of excitement. “M-m-m, feeling much better…” Daniel smiles widely, breathing much heavier and caressing Anna’s ear with his lips. “But not quite…” Daniel comes much closer to Anna and softly pushes her, so she presses herself tightly to the cold wall. And then he keeps a confident look into her eyes for two seconds and kisses his sweetheart’s lips again with stronger pressure. Later, the man slides down to one of the curves of her neck and leaves a couple of such incredible kisses that she unconsciously shakes too strongly and cannot contain her quiet, peaceful moans. “Oh, damn, Perkins, couldn’t you wait for us to go home?” Anna wonders, tightly squeezing Daniel’s hair in a hand. “Why did you decide to drive me crazy right here?” “Because I don’t want to wait,” Daniel replies with a sly smile, runs his lips slowly over a curve of Anna’s neck, and leaves two more exciting kisses on it, while she feels a slight tickle in her abdomen. “I can’t resist a beauty like you. And I want to relax a little after what happened.” “Sadly, you’ll have to take it,” Anna steps back sharply from Daniel and the wall with a sly smile, not stopping looking at the man. “I mean, I can’t help you.” “Hey, don’t torture me, princess. I did overcome such terrible things, but you decided to play hard-to-get.” “Everything isn’t so serious to get scared,” Anna grabs Daniel by the collar, presses him closely to herself, kisses him on the lips as passionately as possible, running her hands over his chest to get him much more excited and feeling his little tense muscles, and then sharply pushes him off herself. “You’re afraid for nothing.” “So, you decided to play?” Daniel chuckles quietly and nods with a sly smile. “Okay then, play. But it’s worthless ‘cause I will get a victory.” “Don’t be so confident, Daniel,” Anna raises her head proudly. “Or it’s gonna be over badly.” “Badly for whom?” Daniel starts to come to Anna slowly with his head proudly raised up. “I think for you. Because I will get what I want.” Daniel sharply presses Anna to himself by the waist and passionately kisses her on the lips, slightly squeezing her yawl with a free hand and caressing her throat tenderly. At first, she moans something and slightly claps him on the chest with her hands, but then relaxes and literally lowers her hands under the influence of the unearthly bliss. A madly nice warmth is spreading all over the body, and a hot breath is burring each other’s faces. The man smiles smugly and kisses, pulls, and bites her lips slightly for a few seconds. Then he presses her to the wall and comes tightly to her, running his hands over the curves of her waist and caressing her thighs and buttocks. “I did say I’d get a victory,” Daniel whispers into Anna’s ear in a low voice, softly grabs it with his mouth, and kisses tenderly the most sensitive area behind it. “And you didn’t resist me for too long.” “But it’s not the end of the game,” Anna shakes slightly. “I haven’t done everything I want.” Keeping a look into Daniel’s eyes, Anna sharply tries to step away from him. But he comes much closer to her and grabs her by the wrists that he raises to her chin’s level. “Quiet, quiet, don’t move,” Daniel says in a low voice with a sly smile and runs his lips over a curve of Anna’s neck that has not been touched by him yet. “Don’t do…” “I wonder what would happen if I told you I’m not delighted by what you do?” Anna smiles mysteriously and closes her eyes with a heavy breath, while Daniel caresses her neck with his lip. “That I don’t wish your kisses and caress…” “I wouldn’t believe it. I’d think you’re a silly girl that hopes to deceive me.” “Still too self-confident?” “I know you too well and have examined what you like.” “But my mood suddenly changed, and I unloved everything,” Anna says confidently while Daniel is busy caressing her collarbones, which he covers with kisses. “Absolutely everything!” “What if I check it and drive you crazy?” “Don’t try. You won’t obey me to you with your caress, kisses, and even your charming eyes.” “C’mon,” Daniel grabs Anna’s face with his hands, raises it slightly, and looks into her eyes. “My magnificent eyes have always made you insane. Made you do what I want.” “Now even my eyebrow will not move.” Anna needs to do her best to pretend that she is indifferent to Daniel and can easily hold herself down while such charming eyes look at her and literally hypnotize her. Actually, the girl barely holds down her strong affection, feels how fast her heart is beating, and cannot move her eyes aside even if she wants to. “Don’t lie to me, my green-eyed beauty,” Daniel chuckles shyly, running the back of his hand over a curve of Anna’s neck, caressing her lips with a finger, and moving some strands of her hair aside. “I don’t doubt that if I apply some effort, you’ll do anything I want.” “I won’t,” Anna shakes her head. “Leave this idea and let’s go home.” “Okay. You asked for that.” Daniel grabs Anna’s face and gives her an exciting and incredible kiss on the lips, showing his strong wish to own this beauty. Wishing to do his best for her not to even think about resisting. It all really makes her shake and barely stand on her feet. Her heart is beating so fast that its beats echo in her head. But she is pretending that she does not react to it but does not resist it and sometimes betrays herself, making sensual moans and bending backward like a cat. “No, no, don’t try,” Anna says in a low, little hoarse voice, breathing heavily when Daniel breaks the kiss and runs his lips over her cheekbones. “You’ll get nothing…” “But what about this?” Daniel wonders, slides down to Anna’s neck, covers it with very tender kisses with pleasure, and smiles widely when he notices her body is shaking, and she rolls her eyes. “Of course, you give incredible kisses. But I’m sorry, it doesn’t get me excited.” “There are many areas I can kiss,” Daniel leaves a few kisses on open parts of Anna’s collarbones and slides up to the curves of her neck and the front of it with a heavy breath. “Damn, cutie, you’re just stunning and can easily make me lose my head.” “And I…” Anna does not finish her thought and makes a sensitive sigh with half-closed eyes when one of Daniel’s hand slides down to her belly and caresses it tenderly over her clothes, and he leaves a couple of kisses on her lips. “Like?” Daniel smiles slyly, caressing Anna’s cheek with a free hand, slides underneath her clothes, and continues to caress the velvety soft skin of her belly. “I do know what drives you crazy… And you won’t lie to me.” “Okay, you won, I confess that you know me too well,” Anna exhales quietly, feeling a nice cramp on the muscles of her belly while Daniel’s tender, warm hand caresses it underneath her clothes. “I didn’t doubt it.” Daniel, breathing heavily with a little open mouth, kisses Anna on the lips two times and leaves a few tender kisses on her neck. His hands caress the curves of her thin waist, thighs, and buttocks, and run over her belly. “I just need to have some patience and effort to enjoy what I want.” “But I didn’t say you won,” Anna pronounces in a quiet, low voice with a sense of heat. “To do it, you need to do very much.” Anna sharply turns and wants to go aside, but Daniel instantly presses her to himself, hugging her by the waist from behind and grabbing her throat. She shakes slightly and tries to get out on purpose, but the masculine, strong hands that spread the warmth and a quiet whisper in her ear make her stop resisting. “No, beauty, you’re wrong, I won a long time ago,” Daniel whispers in Anna’s ear in a quiet, low voice and kisses her on the neck. “Wrong…” Daniel runs his hand over Anna’s belly, the curves of her waist and thighs. He softly caresses her throat with it and strokes very tenderly, and then he squeezes her breasts slightly. It makes the girl get all-embracing ecstasy and feel a strong tickle in her abdomen and a wave of strong excitement, because of which she shakes with a sensual moan. “If you keep doing this, I won’t be responsible for what I’m gonna do,” Anna replies in a little hoarse voice with closed eyes, while Daniel moves her hair aside and leaves a couple of kisses on the nape of her neck. “You hear me, Perkins?” “I hear you very well, my princess. But I don’t care.” Daniel makes a path from kisses to the area behind Anna’s ear and kisses her earlobe tenderly and bites it slightly, while his hands keep sliding over the fragile feminine body and caressing every part of it with all his love. “I’m gonna say more: I’m aiming to do it,” Daniel adds, runs his hands over the inside of Anna’s thighs, and squeezes her breasts tenderly. “For you to be so charmed by me and do anything without words.” “Well, okay…” Anna exhales with a sly smile. “Since you did your best to tease me, you’re gonna have to wait for me to play with you enough.” “But I haven’t…” Daniel does not finish his thought because Anna turns on him, softly pushes him up against the stone wall, and kisses him on the lips so sharply, grabbing his face, that he gets a little confused and tense in surprise. But he quickly relaxes and answers her quite passionate, hot, and exciting kiss, holding the girl by the waist with one arm, running the fingers of his free hand through her red hair for a few seconds, and then grabbing her by the nape of her neck. They feel a nice warmth spreading all over the body, but making them feel excited. A breath is heavy and deep, a heartbeat is frequent and echoing in the head, knees shake slightly, and legs get weak. The lovers are enjoying the minutes they are spending in the arms of their beloved person, do not hold down their passion and burn up the fire inside each other thanks to their confident actions. Anna’s hands caress Daniel’s face, shoulders, and neck and later slide underneath his clothes and caress his strong and little tense torso tenderly. The man does not refuse to kiss her on the neck again, caress her belly and squeeze tenderly her small breasts that fit in a masculine hand. The girl does not resist and does not feel timid. She has great pleasure in doing her best to give her sweetheart as much happiness as possible and to feel like a beloved and wanted girl. Knowing his little weakness that drives her boyfriend crazy, she leaves a few kisses on his long neck. She instantly makes him shake and literally forget how to breathe. In passion, his fingers tightly squeeze the lady’s tough buttocks and slightly pull her incredibly soft hair that smells so good. A few seconds later, Daniel slowly breaks the kiss with Anna, holding her face with his hands tenderly and looking into the bright green eyes of his beloved girlfriend with a wide smile. The young beauty looks into her sweetheart’s expressive brown eyes, keeping her arms wrapped around his neck. Silence settles for a few seconds. All this time, the lovers just hold each other and share a tender gaze and a shy smile. “So, now I feel much better,” Daniel smiles widely, stroking Anna’s face and hair, and kisses the tip of her nose. “I need only to kiss my gorgeous beauty for my life to get more beautiful.” “I think I’ll prevent myself from going too far,” Anna smiles mysteriously, playfully slaps Daniel on the nose, and pulls both of his lips tenderly. “But when we go home, I’ll show you everything I can do.” “You won’t get off me easily, too. Although I got much better, it’s not enough. And I’ll do my best for you to help me relax.” “Then I’m suggesting we go home and play a little,” Anna, biting her lip slightly with a sly smile, walks her fingers over Daniel’s chest, runs her hand over it, and looks at him playfully. “Of course, being here is great, but nobody would bother us at home.” “Absolutely agree, sweetheart. So, in order to save us from one more meeting with your parents, I’m suggesting going home in another way. The one we’ve never gone on before.” “I hope there are no dangers?” “You’ve got nothing to be afraid of ‘cause I’m with you,” Daniel replies, running his hand over Anna’s cheek with a slight smile, and kisses her cutely on the temple. “I’m ready to protect my beauty at any moment.” “So, in this case, I completely trust you,” Anna smiles shyly. “And I am ready to go anywhere with you.” Daniel puts an arm around Anna’s neck with a wide smile, presses her to himself, and goes home with her. The girl puts her arms around his waist and presses herself closely to her sweetheart. Wishing to tease him a little, she slightly slaps him on the buttocks when he starts to laugh shyly for some reason. Then the red-haired beauty gets a playful clap on her nose from the man, who definitely did not expect this from his shy girlfriend. The lovers do not rush anywhere and use a great chance to be in each other’s close, unbelievably calming, and truly wonderful hug.***
Meanwhile, Raquelle just finished a couple of photoshoots that lasted almost all day and got the girl exhausted. The weather is good, but a little windy. The girl could walk a little and breathe in some air, but because she agreed to meet Natalia, she cannot do it. And before going to her friend’s home, Raquelle arrives at the nearest café to buy at least a glass of coffee. The girl leaves her car in the parking lot, locks it with a key, and goes inside. One of the staff members that is working at the café recognizes Raquelle shortly and comes to the girl quickly, slightly fixing her light brown hair that is gathered in a ponytail. “You have lately been a frequent visitor of our café, Raquelle Cameron,” the collaborator of the café notices. “You come here even when I don’t work and have a rest.” “Your café is just located near the agency where I went to discuss something,” Raquelle replies amicably. “So, I thought I could come here.” “I see,” the collaborator of the café replies with a smile. “So, in this case, we are happy to see you again.” “Thanks, you are very nice.” “Alright, what do you want to order?” the collaborator of the café asks. “Do you want to taste our new dish? It’s delicious and has no calories. Perfect for a model that must keep herself in good sharp.” “No, thanks, next time,” Raquelle refuses gently. “Now I want to order only cappuccino and take it with me.” “Alright, it will be done now,” the collaborator replies with a smile and turns to one of the collaborators in the café. “One cappuccino in a plastic glass, please!” Some collaborators begin to fume and work on the order that they just got, taking a clean plastic glass from somewhere and starting to set up an espresso machine, so it can cook fresh cappuccino. “You will get it now,” the collaborator says gently. “But I’m not sure if you would do so fast… Our espresso machine is fuzzy. A master is going to come tomorrow to find out what’s the problem.” “Thanks, I will wait,” Raquelle smiles shyly. “But if something is wrong, I will take something else.” “Alright…” Raquelle nods and goes aside not to prevent other visitors or staff members from going where they need to go. Moreover, a middle-aged woman is now washing the floor and would hardly like someone to stand in her way. “By the way, how is your career doing?” the collaborator asks, coming to Raquelle and locking her fingers. “I heard you are getting very many offers about a job and are still very popular.” “Yes, it’s true,” Raquelle replies thoughtfully. “There are very many offers… People literally fight for a chance to work with me.” “By the way, I really liked your recent photoshoot for a collection of jewelry. You were just incredible.” “Thanks a lot. The jewelry was just magnificent. All those rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces – a dream of any girl…” “Agree, the jewelry is really gorgeous,” the collaborator of the café looks around, seeing only a few people sitting at the tables. “Do you not get tired after so much work? Many people criticized you because you got too exhausted because of that.” “Nope, now I examine everything and decline offers that I think are not interesting. I do not want to work as crazily as I did before.” “Do you think of your close people and want to give them more attention?” “It’s the most important thing I have,” Raquelle replies with a shy smile. “Without my relatives, I would’ve hardly reached something. Only their support motivates me. At some moment, I worked so much that I forgot about them. But I’ll no longer let myself make that mistake.” “I’m glad you got it. Everybody loves you anyway and will remember you as a very talented model.” “I know…” The collaborator of the café fixes her hair with a slight smile, while a man with a plastic card in his hands goes by her. “Well, what about your personal life?” the collaborator of the café asks. “Is everything fine?” “Yes, everything is wonderful,” Raquelle replies confidently with a smile. “I do not want to tell you everything, but I can confidently say that my personal life is absolutely fine.” “I'm glad you saved your relationship with your fiancé,” the collaborator smiles shyly. “Many friends of mine were shocked when they found out about rumors that you were going to break up.” “Yeah, we had some problems, but thank God, we solved them. Now we do not even talk about any breakup. As everyone knows, we’re even planning to get married.” “Have you picked up a day?” “Nope yet. But I promise we’ll surely tell people everything when we decide it.” “I've always liked your couple and think you fit together very well. You were made for each other.” “Everyone likes our couple,” Raquelle laughs shyly, moving a little strand of hair off her eyes. “We hear it from everybody we speak with.” “Not every couple spreads such strong energy. Two people can’t always have such a powerful attraction.” “That’s right… We’re like two pieces that become one piece after being put together. I think that’s what they describe as ‘to find your second half.’” “I get it…” The collaborator of the café glances down for a second with a slight smile, while Raquelle glances aside, seeing quite a young girl with a boy at the age of one and a half years, who is behaving amazingly quietly and following his mother obediently, holding her hand tightly. “Excuse me for my little immodest question, but have your fiancé and you thought of children?” the collaborator asks. “Would you make a child after a wedding?” “Of children?” Raquelle asks and glances down with a slight smile for a second. “Sure, we’ve done… But we think it's too early for us to make children. We haven’t gotten married… A child must be raised in a real family.” “I support your decision. But I think your fans would be happy if you announced the birth of a baby to the whole world. I think you would have very beautiful children.” “I think I wouldn’t be able to say a word from the excitement,” Raquelle laughs shyly. “And my fiancé would have to do it unless he became speechless from happiness.” “Do you actually feel you’re ready for your children’s birth? What does your fiancé think of it?” “Oh, my fiancé adores children! When we see children playing on the street, he loves watching them and says he dreams of the day he watches his own child playing.” “I guess Terrence has experience raising someone’s daughters or sons.” “Nope, no experience. He doesn’t have nephews or nieces, he hasn’t become a godfather of anyone, and none of his close friends have children.” “He will have, I’m sure,” the collaborator smiles shyly. “But if one of his sympathetic friend has children, they’re going to be very cute. Because Edward is really sympathetic. He’s discussed much now, and girls admire some photos that someone posted on the Internet.” “Yeah, that guy is gonna take the popularity away from my fiancé and make the entire world talk only about him,” Raquelle replies funnily. “All my friends already talk about him. He has something that makes people think he’s very cute and charming.” “I agree, he’s quite cute…” Raquelle smiles shyly. “But no matter how well I treat my fiancé’s friend and how sympathetic Edward is to me, my fiancé is the most handsome and irresistible.” “Well, I haven’t seen a more handsome man than your fiancé. Real handsome! You’re very lucky to get him!” “I know, that handsome guy will always be mine,” Raquelle says confidently. “Since he began to run after me, he wouldn't be able to run away.” Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which Raquelle looks around the whole café and sees the café staff members really got some problems with the espresso machine, because of which they cannot cook cappuccino for her. “By the way, we’ve known each other for a long time because I often visit your café,” Raquelle notices thoughtfully. “But I don’t know your name.” “I’m Taylor, it’s on the card,” the collaborator of the café replies with a shy smile, slightly fixing her badge with her name pinned on the chest. “Taylor Benson, to be clear.” “Nice to meet you, Taylor!” Raquelle shakes Taylor by the hand. “Same,” Taylor says with a smile. “It’s nice to meet such a famous person as you. And that’s great you are not arrogant and don’t demand that any person don't have access to your body. Many celebrities do love pretending to be nobody knows what.” “No, I’m not the one,” Raquelle smiles shyly. “Although I’m a worldwide famous model and role model to many people around the world, I like to live as a common person much more. I’m a celebrity on the red carpet, where many people are from the same circles.” “That’s great! If I didn’t know who you are, I wouldn’t guess you’re famous around the world.” “I say it when I’m recognized. When a person doesn’t know about my work, I’m silent and don’t brag.” “Really? So, that’s nice!” Two seconds later, after a pause in the talk, a loud voice of one of the staff members, who got the espresso machine to work and completed the order, rings from far: “One cappuccino is cooked!” Raquelle comes to the cash desk to take her order and pay for it with a card she takes from her purse. While Taylor takes dirty plates, throws what visitors did not eat in a container, and places them with others that need to be washed. “So, it was a pleasure to talk with you, Taylor,” Raquelle says gently. “Thanks for making the time of waiting better.” “I was glad to talk with you,” Taylor smiles shyly. “We're always happy to see you in our café. Come back again.” “Thanks a lot, I will do it.” Raquelle puts on her purse on her shoulder, takes her glass of cappuccino from the table, and steps aside, sharing a slight smile with Taylor. “Goodbye,” Raquelle says goodbye shyly. “See you later!” Taylor waves a hand with a slight smile. Raquelle turns around and leaves the café, putting on her dark glasses on the way and walking on her middle-high heels with a proud and confident walk and her head raised up. And when she comes to her car placed in the half-empty parking lot, the girl leans on the door of the driver with her back, takes a lid off the glass, and starts to drink her cappuccino, thinking about something that makes her a little sad.***
Meanwhile, Terrence is sitting at home and waiting for Edward’s arrival. The friends agreed to go to their mother, Rebecca, and MacClife decided to try to ask his friend about what’s happening to him and his relationship with Natalia. Of course, he is still skeptical and doubts that he will know something interesting, but he decides to listen to Raquelle’s advice and at least try to do it. To shorten the time, Terrence is trying to write at least a little piece of his own song. So he has something he could work with in case he wants to try to start a solo career. The man has an idea of trying to make the studio sure to sign a contract with him after his band “Against The System”’s breakup and help him start a solo career. Terrence is not going to forget about his dream just because of Daniel and Peter’s fight and refusal to sit down and discuss their claims quietly. It should be noted that Terrence could be a good songwriter. Even though the lyrics for songs are kind of sad, they are very good and have a deep meaning. Slowly striking chords on his guitar and picking up words for the melody, Terrence gets more and more ideas for lines of songs. And actually, he has lately liked writing songs and discovered another talent that he did not pay too much attention to before. This fact makes the confident man much more sure he is just irresistible and does everything perfectly. Terrence gets so busy writing songs and playing guitar that he does not notice that someone rings the doorbell some time later. The man assumes Edward finally came. He quickly puts aside his guitar and a notebook with a pen and goes to the door to open it. But he sees a middle-aged woman with blonde hair that he does not know and has never seen before. Terrence cannot even assume this woman is Letitia Rochester, Natalia’s mother, who wants to talk to Raquelle about the strange behavior of her daughter. “Oh, hello…” Terrence greets hesitantly. “Can I help you with something?” “Hello,” Letitia pronounces gently. “Excuse me for bothering you, but I would like to speak to Raquelle Cameron. Say, is it possible?” “To Raquelle? Erm… You see, she is not home now… And she will be back late.” “That’s how? Sorry, I wanted to talk to her.” “Do you have something important to her? If you want, you can say it to me, and I will tell her you were here. How do I introduce you to her?” “My name is Letitia Rochester. I'm the mother of Natalia. Raquelle has befriended her since childhood…” “Oh…” Terrence looks at Letitia better with a slightly open mouth. “Wait, are you her mother?” “Yes. And I would like to talk with that girl about my daughter, I mean, her strange behavior. I don’t doubt she could tell me something about this strange story.” “Excuse me, what if I could help you with something?” Terrence asks, deciding to take a chance to talk to Natalia’s mother and try to find out something from her. “I know Natalia very well. She is my close friend and a girlfriend of Edward, my close friend.” “That’s how!” Letitia wonders and puts a finger on her lip. “Wait, are you Terrence MacClife? Raquelle's fiancé and Natalia and Edward’s friend?” “Yes, I am really Terrence MacClife.” “Unfortunately, we never met before. But my husband, Anthony, knows you well because you spoke to him.” “Yes, I know Mr. Rochester. Spoke to him at the time when Natalia and Raquelle fought. I was often at your daughter’s home to comfort her.” “Anthony told me. During that period, I was in Mexico, taking care of my sick mother. I couldn’t come here.” “I’m aware of what happened. Natalia has said a lot about it. And that’s good the therapy helps your mother.” “My husband, daughter and I are very happy, too. But actually, I would like to talk about something different.” “You can ask me what you want to know from Raquelle. I will try to answer all your questions.” “Alright, then I will ask you a couple of questions. If you know nothing, I will talk to Raquelle when she is home.” “Yes, sure…” Terrence glances aside. “Come into the house. We will talk about everything.” “Oh, excuse me, could we talk right here, outside?” Letitia asks hesitantly, biting her lips slightly. “I have literally two questions, and then I will go to do my business.” “Erm, alright, if you want it…” Terrence crosses the doorstep and closes the door, while Letitia goes aside, tightly locking her hands and looking quite anxious. “I’m listening to you closely. Ask me anything.” “Alright…” Letitia crosses her arms over her chest. “Mr. MacClife…” “Erm, call me just Terrence.” “Alright, Terrence. Anthony, Natalia's father, and I think our daughter has lately been very strange. But she says nothing to us and tries to make us sure that everything is fine.” “Yes, she really looks kind of strange…” “We began to notice it a few months ago, but it was not so noticeable at first. But now it’s clear that something is not right about Natalia.” “Agree, it’s been lately very clear…” “Say, Terrence, do you know something about my daughter’s strange behavior?” Letitia asks quietly. “Maybe, she told you something or dropped some hints?” Terrence thinks for two seconds, frowning slightly and stroking his chin. “Erm, you know, Raquelle and I are also trying to learn the reasons for her behavior,” Terrence says a little hesitantly. “It all really seems very strange. And we believe the case might be serious.” “Maybe, Natalia doesn’t want to say something to her parents? What if she shared it with some of her friends?” “Sadly, Raquelle and I do not know even little things. Natalia has said nothing to anyone, and we cannot even assume what could happen and make her kind of scared.” “That's so strange…” Letitia frowns slightly. “Do you think Natalia could say something to Raquelle that she is also hiding from everyone? Well, I mean, said something and asked her not to say it to anyone…” “Nope, I don’t think Raquelle knows something. We’ve always been open to each other. She would tell me if she knew something.” “Alright… Do you know something about her relationship with Edward? My daughter has lately talked about him with reluctance, but says everything is fine. But my husband and I don’t believe her… If it were true, she would shine from happiness.” “Almost nothing, as well,” Terrence shrugs, shaking his head. “But we are sure something really happened between these two.” “Maybe, your friend told you something about her? I know he disappeared for one month while Natalia was in Mexico and helped Anthony and me take care of my mother. My daughter says she spoke to him and madly missed him, but we doubt it. And since we came back, she hasn’t gone on dates with him. She met only Anna.” “Nothing is clear about it. But I got suspicions that something happened between them after a few messages from Natalia to Raquelle on Facebook and a couple of messages from Edward to me. Your daughter didn’t kind of care about him and didn’t wonder where he was for one month. And my friend wasn’t interested in her or her grandmother’s health… But he really used to care about it. It made me think something wasn’t right about them.” “Is it true that Natalia and Edward went to the home of you and Raquelle for dinner? She said about it to me and her father!” “Yes, it’s true. Raquelle and I invited Edward and Natalia to dinner with us to spend time together and watch them. And all my suspicions were confirmed. They were very cold and tense, didn’t talk, and tried not to look at each other when our talk wasn’t about them. But when they were asked whether everything was fine, they played a fake love for us. Believe me, I’m an actor. And I can recognize an act. But in the case of your daughter and my friend, anyone could feel a lie. Because they played their roles too bad.” “Right, they’re playing their roles not very well but trying hard. But I don’t understand what the point is in pretending that everything is fine? Sometimes I think Edward hurt Natalia somehow because she shakes when Anthony and I ask her about him.” “You’re right, Mrs. Rochester, she is really afraid of him. When she went to our home, Natalia was funny and quiet, but when Edward showed up, she started shaking and became as quiet as a mouse. But my friend, I must confess, became more talkative and talked much more than she did during dinner, and tried to distract Raquelle and me. But everything had been otherwise. It was hard to get at least one word out of him, and she talked without stopping.” “So, didn’t they talk with each other, hug, and ask how they were doing?” “If Raquelle and I hadn’t asked them, they wouldn’t have even looked at each other. Even if they did it, they had no emotions in their words: no regret, no sadness, no happiness… They did not care… And when Edward hugged Natalia to prove that everything is allegedly fine, she definitely wanted to get out and go as far as possible.” “Gosh, what’s happening to them?” Letitia gets horrified, putting her hand on her forehead. “My girl was so happy that she began to date a guy. And then… And it was fine if she explained everything… But Natalia refuses to say something and openly lies to me and her father.” “Believe me, Mrs. Rochester, if Raquelle or I knew something, we would surely tell you. Now we are trying to find a way to find out everything. And if we know something, we’ll surely let Mr. Rochester and you know it.” “Yeah, but my husband and I care not only about her relationship with your friend. The case is that Natalia may hide something. Natalia's father and I think she has a secret that she has been hiding for a very long time. After our daughter met Edward, she was very happy when dating him, but sad because of something. He somehow told us he tried to find out what happened, but she refused to talk about it.” “Yes, I know something about it,” Terrence replies thoughtfully. “Edward mentioned it somehow, but none of us gave too much attention to that. And when Raquelle and I talked about their situation, she told me that Natalia confirmed she had a secret on the day they reconciled. But the truth is that she said nothing and quickly closed the subject.” “Anthony believes we need to find out what happened to Natalia a few months ago. He’s sure it would explain just something. At least a strange behavior of my daughter. It hardly has to do with Edward, but my husband suspects that we have a reason to worry.” “Yeah, how do we do it?” Terrence throws his hands up. “As I understand, everything happened a few months ago when Natalia fought with Raquelle and met Edward. But I’m really surprised that she’s been hiding it for so long. She has said nothing about it yet… I don’t know… Maybe, she forgot…” “No, I don’t think so.” Letitia moves a strand of blonde hair from her eyes. “Natalia kept being scared even after she started to date Edward. She really was happy with him, but something that happened a few months ago does not let her relax.” “What are your assumptions? What could get Natalia so scared and shocked that she has said nothing yet because of fear of something or someone?” “I don’t know…” Letitia shrugs. “But I’m praying that Natalia doesn't get in touch with criminals. We don’t know everyone she’s spoken with when she wanted to meet a guy.” “You think it’s the problem?” “I see no other explanation. My daughter often went to some places with her friends and talked with men, who weren’t always good. I never liked it, but I couldn’t ban her from that because Natalia is not a child and can be responsible for what she’s doing.” “Well… She had dated nobody and had done nothing more than flirt with the guys before she met Edward. I don’t know everybody she’s talked with, but I can say there was one man I knew among them. Benjamin, my childhood friend. But you can have no worries – that man can’t do anything bad.” “Yeah, I remember, Natalia talked about him… It seems like she met him some time before the move of you and Raquelle, but stopped speaking with him due to our sudden arrival in Mexico.” “Right, they didn’t speak for a few months. But when my friend found out Edward was dating her, he stopped thinking of getting her.” “Were there Raquelle’s acquaintances?” “No, there were not,” Terrence shakes his head. “Right.” “Oh, how it’s all so strange…” Letitia sighs heavily. “I don’t know who to ask for help…” “I understand you, Mrs. Rochester. Raquelle and I don’t also like all of this. We’re worried about Natalia and Edward… I know they should solve their problems by themselves, but something literally makes us find out what happened and do something to help them.” “You know, Terrence, Anthony, and I are going to go to Mexico in two days and get ready for my mother’s move to New York. We don’t take Natalia with us, and she will stay here. We thought she would be happy with a chance to spend time with her friends and boyfriend. But when we told her about our arrival, she didn’t get happy and literally begged us to take her with us.” “She wanted it?” “Yes, she helped us very well. Her grandmother is madly grateful to her for all the love and care. But you see, Natalia is so young and beautiful. She shouldn’t spend her time taking care of the old person. She needs to think of a wedding, children, an independent life… Her wish to take care of her grandmother scares us a little. For one month that we spent in Mexico, she was only taking care of her, even when Anthony and I were free. She didn’t even almost go outside, even though my daughter loved going to the city. But she was a little funnier and didn’t almost think of New York, her friends, and her boyfriend…” “Say, did Natalia leave at your wish or persuade you to take her with you?” Terrence frowns slightly. “She persuaded. Natalia persuaded us to take her with her. And I must confess that she was even crying… She explained it with some bad presentiments and a wish to be by her grandmother’s side in case she died. But we have no reason to worry because the therapy was and is doing well. “Oh, my gosh…” Terrence closes his mouth with a hand and shakes his head. “So, did it turn out that she tried to run away from New York? From what happened here!” “We don’t know what she is running from, but the situation is definitely complicated,” Letitia sighs heavily and puts her hand on her shoulder. “I do worry about my girl, Terrence. My heart is bleeding… I feel my daughter needs someone’s help.” “Yeah…” Terrence frowns and thinks for two seconds. “I guess something serious happened, as she wants to go with you for the second time so badly.” “Honestly, I’m even afraid of going to Mexico and leaving her alone. But unfortunately, I can’t delay the trip. My husband and I should go and get ready for my mother’s moving to our apartment.” “Say, please, how long have these things been happening to Natalia? You probably better know when strange things began to happen to your daughter.” “Well, if you say about Natalia's secret, it started about four months ago. If you mean problems with her relationship with Edward, it’s been about one month since my daughter changed her behavior.” “Hm, how much were they supposed to fight that it’s all happening? What if they broke up a long time ago but do not want to say it?” “And hide their problems from everyone and pretend that everything is alright?” Letitia crosses her arms over her chest and frowns. “Would there be a point in pretending to be a perfect couple after breaking up? Natalia wouldn’t do that!” “Well, I don’t know…” Terrence exhales slowly. “Honestly, I can expect anything.” “Moreover, Natalia does not have strong endurance. She can't pretend all her life while cats kind of scratch in her soul. My girl is too sensitive and vulnerable… It’s very easy to hurt her and make her cry or get very scared.” “But she is pretending,” Terrence shrugs with sadness in his eyes. “Anyway, I will not deny that Natalia might sometimes pretend that she fears nothing and is ready to kick anyone. But I think that girl is really very vulnerable and susceptible.” “You’re absolutely right,” Leticia nods. “My daughter can pretend to be a sassy girl as much as she wants. But she actually succumbs to any emotions too easily and takes even the smallest things too seriously.” “If it’s so, we need to find out what’s happening to her as soon as possible. And I think we should focus on what happened a few months ago, not her relationship with Edward. It may be more important.” “I’m begging you, Terrence, do your best to find out what happened to her,” Letitia begs with pity in her eyes. “Anthony and I can count only on you and Raquelle. That girl is a close friend of my daughter, and you are the friend of her boyfriend.” “Do not worry, Mrs. Rochester, I promise that Raquelle and I will do our best to find out what happened,” Terrence promises confidently and softly. “Yes, please, try to find out what's happening to my girl. If you have to, give her all the support and care, and do not leave her alone.” “Raquelle and I will never leave her,” Terrence smiles slightly. “And don’t worry, if you need to go to Mexico, go there. We will watch Natalia and be by her side no matter what happens to her.” “Yeah, could you tell me where your friend is living?” Letitia asks thoughtfully. “I don’t think he will say something, but Anthony does want to talk with him and get at least something out of him.” “I’m sorry, Mrs. Rochester, but I don’t know where Edward is living,” Terrence shakes his head. “He has never invited me, Raquelle, Natalia, or anyone else to home. We know that Edward is living with a woman, who gave him a room in an old building. And my friend said nothing more.” “So, has none of you been at his home? Or at least driven him to the place where he is living?” “No, he is very secretive in this case.” “Alright, I got it… Do you think there’s a point in talking with Anna and asking you to tell me where she is living?” “Not sure. Anna would tell you the same thing that I told you. Raquelle would also repeat all my words.” “Alright… So, nobody knows anything.” “I’m very sorry we couldn’t help you.” “It’s alright,” Leticia smiles shyly. “Anyway, thank you so much for giving me some time and answering my questions.” “If you have more, feel free to ask.” Letitia nods and looks at the watch on her hand. “Alright, I will go to do my business,” Letitia says quietly. “Anyway, Raquelle has my phone number and Anthony's one. Call us if you know something.” “Sure, we will contact you,” Terrence nods confidently with a slight smile. “Thanks a lot. Goodbye, Terrence…” “Goodbye…” Terrence says thoughtfully. Letitia slowly turns around on her heels and goes far from the house, taking something from her purse on the way and getting busy with it. Terrence continues to stay in the same place where he was during the talk with the woman, being a little thoughtful. “So, talking with the Rochesters would’ve given us no results if Raquelle and I had gone to their home…” Terrence thinks, frowning slightly. “They also know nothing and have only to guess… Oh, shit, what a task… Because those two decided to be silent, the others have to guess what’s happening to them.” After standing near the hall door for a few seconds and reflecting on the situation, Terrence exhales sharply and decides to come into the house. But when MacClife crosses the doorstep of his house, Edward suddenly shows up from nowhere, coming to the hall door that is still open with a slight smile on his face. “Hey, Terrence!” Edward exclaims cheerfully. After hearing the voice of his friend behind, Terrence sharply stops and turns on Edward, who is still acting as if nothing happened and pretending that everything is fine in his life.