***
Meanwhile, Blair is in the living room and cleaning up the cleaning room, while Christiana and Violetta are doing something in the kitchen or going by her for their business. The young servant, who is wiping dust off surfaces and putting what is placed on tables in the living room to order, looks quite sad and barely talks to someone. She is just doing her work and asking no questions, not wishing to talk to her colleagues, who are talking about something funny, judging the laugh in the kitchen. While Blair is silently cleaning up and thinking about something with sadness in her eyes, Raquelle slowly, a little lazily goes down the wide stairs, holding the railings. When she steps on the last stair, she looks around and sees the servant, who goes to another side of the living room to wipe the dust off another table. But the young girl notices Raquelle shortly after she goes down and comes to her hesitantly. “Oh, Ms. Cameron…” Blair pronounces quietly. “Did you just leave the room? I did not see you this morning…” “Yes, I’m a vegetable today,” Raquelle replies with a quiet laugh, running her hand through her hair. “I got sick of being in my room and decided to walk in the house a little.” “But why didn’t you wanna go somewhere? The weather is good… The sun is up, and it’s warm…” “I don’t want… Today, I’m gonna be home all day and go nowhere.” “Got too tired from shootings? Or got sick of being with someone?” “Sort of. Sometimes we need to be alone and put our thoughts in order.” “I get it… So… Okay…” Raquelle smiles shyly and then closely looks at Blair, who tightly locks her fingers. “Hey, I think you look sad,” Raquelle notices thoughtfully. “Do you have problems?” “Erm…” Blair stutters, looking down and tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I just…” “Christiana and Violetta say you’ve lately been not very talkative and don’t almost talk to them. Did you get mad at them because of something?” “No, no, I didn’t get mad at them… But honestly, I don’t really wanna talk to anyone.” “That’s how! Do you have problems that make you worried?” “Well… Actually, yes… There’s something that bothers me…” “Don’t you wanna tell me? Could I help you somehow?” “Erm, listen, Ms. Cameron…” Blair pronounces very hesitantly with a scare in her eyes. “Blair, please…” Raquelle stops softly. “You know you can call me by the name. I’ve never loved the words ‘Ms.’ and ‘Mrs.’ And I try to stop speaking formally if I know someone well.” “Sorry, Raquelle, I forget… So… Can I really talk to you about something?” “Yeah, sure,” Raquelle nods with a slight smile. “You can tell me everything you’re worried about.” “Say, is it possible that Mr. MacClife doesn’t know about our talk?” “Why?” Raquelle frowns slightly. “Why do you want Terrence not to know it?” “He wouldn’t just like what I would like to tell you.” “Well…” Raquelle says nothing for two seconds. “If you worry about it, I will tell him nothing. And if he asks, I will find what to say.” “Thanks a lot,” Blair smiles slightly. “You’re very nice to me…” “Erm, listen…” Raquelle glances at the sofa. “Let’s sit down and talk. Put the rag on this place.” Raquelle hugs Blair around the shoulders, while the servant hesitantly puts the rag on the table and sits on the edge of the sofa. “Speak, Blair.” Raquelle folds her hands in front of her. “I’m closely listening to you.” Blair says nothing for two seconds before she starts to speak quietly and very hesitantly, glancing at her hands at times: “Raquelle, I think you know almost everybody told me not to do one thing.” “Well, I don’t know about everybody, but someone really advised you not to do something,” Raquelle replies thoughtfully and frowns slightly. “But why? Why are you talking about it?” “I thought I would’ve overcome that, and the result wouldn’t have been what everybody talked about. But everything happened as they said.” “Do you have such serious problems?” “Yup…” Blair slowly glances down and sniffs quietly. “I don’t know how I’m gonna take it… I don’t know…” “Blair, please, don’t get so nervous,” Raquelle says softly, caressing Blair’s hand. “I won’t judge you, no matter what happened to you. I will help you if I can do something. Just tell me everything, so I understand you better.” “Wouldn’t you get mad at me”: “No, of course, dear! Don’t be afraid, say what happened to you.” Blair sighs heavily and slowly moves her eyes full of pity to Raquelle. “So…” Blair pronounces hesitantly. “Everybody told me not to try to fall in love with Mr. MacClife’s friend because I would suffer a lot because of that.” “Yes, we told you. But it was done for you, to save you from the disappointment.” “I’m afraid I’m gonna feel it because everything is coming to it.” “My gosh…” Raquelle closes her mouth with a hand and shakes her head with her widely open eyes. “Did you…” “Yes, Raquelle… I’m starting to understand I like him.” Blair feels her eyes get wet from tears coming to them. And Raquelle shakes her head, looking at the servant, who is almost crying, with pity in her eyes. “I do…” Blair pronounces quietly. “More and more… I’m starting to realize that every time we spend time together, I feel good. Benjamin is so kind, polite, sweet… And… I get horrified at the understanding that I wanna be much closer to him…” Blair stops holding tears down and starts to cry quietly, closing her mouth with a hand. “I’m in despair!” Blair exclaims in a shaking voice. “And I don’t know what to do! I wanna be closer to him and become someone like than the one to go to cafés for a cup of coffee with…” “Oh…” Raquelle sighs quietly with sadness in her eyes, rubbing her forehead. “So, did you pay attention to him as a man?” “Exactly! Maybe, now, I ain’t attracted to him physically and ain’t gonna lie to bed with him. But I’m making sure that I wanna be his friend and… Have his support that I need so badly… To have a strong and trustworthy man…” “Is that why you’re so upset?” “Yeah…” Blair makes one or two sobs. “Maybe, I’m blind now and don’t wanna see anything bad. But I can’t be sure I could trust Benjamin.” “Do you mean the fact that he breaks ladies' hearts?” “Everybody says he’s dated lots of girls and slept with much more ladies. I’m afraid that Mr. Parker is too impermanent. He seeks ways to have fun and gives a damn about serious relationships.” “But you aren’t gonna date anyone now.” “Yes, and I don’t wanna sleep with many men.” “Do you believe he has mutual feelings for you? If you just need a good friend, you have to know how many girls he’s had. You aren’t gonna sleep with him. You just wanna find a good friend.” “What if he’s a bad friend?” “I doubt Terrence would befriend him if Ben was a bad friend. Yes, Benjamin is a womanizer, who flirted with my friends. But not saying about his love adventures, that man is very good. He’s never done anything bad to anyone. His mother made him a decent man.” “Maybe, he’s a good friend only for men, but he can’t be a friend of girls.” “I’m sure he has friends among girls, who we don’t know about. And if you want, he’ll get on well with you and become your best and most loyal friend.” “What if he gets scared by my confessions and thinks I wanna date him?” “You could just say you think he’s a wonderful man and wanna be his good friend. Haven’t you told him you started to consider him the one?” “No, I’ve said nothing yet. And I don’t want. I might get everything worse.” “Did a wish to become a friend make someone feel bad?” “No, but what if he doesn’t wanna befriend girls and considers them sexual toys that he could throw off when he gets sick of them?” “Listen, Blair, I think you’re worried for nothing,” Raquelle puts her hand softly on Blair’s shoulder. “Benjamin has told you nothing yet, and hasn’t hinted that he doesn’t care about you. Vice versa, he invited you somewhere and even sent flowers here.” “But he’ll say it when I confess that I wanna keep communicating with him and get him as a trustworthy man, who would always protect and support me.” “Friendship with good people hasn’t hurt anyone yet. If you wanna be his friend, tell him about it. I think he wouldn’t mind speaking to you.” Raquelle falls into silence for two seconds. When Benjamin invites you somewhere, do it. Drink coffee, walk in a park, go to a cinema – it doesn’t make sense. The important thing is to let him know. Man doesn’t usually like it when you go round and round. They need clearness. Moreover, you often go somewhere. I guess you’re meeting him.” “Erm…” Blair opens her eyes a little wider. “What? You… Do you know that I sometimes leave?” “I do. Even though I’m not home and come back here late, it doesn’t mean I have no time to see you’re not here.” “But… But, Raquelle…” “I’ve seen you going somewhere several times. Violetta and Christiana knew nothing about it and just threw their hands when I asked them about you.” “Oh, I’m sorry, Raquelle…” Blair inclines her head guiltily. “I… Erm… I…” “It’s okay, don’t worry,” Raquelle puts her hand on Blair’s shoulder. “If you’re afraid Terrence would know, you can calm down. He knows nothing. He is too busy with his business and doesn’t care about anything but his problems.” “Does Mr. MacClife really know nothing?” Blair asks with his widely open eyes. “Really, don’t worry. But even if he did, he wouldn’t swear.” “Please, tell your fiancé nothing about it!” Blair begs with pity in her eyes, making a quiet sob. “If Mr. MacClife knows I was meeting that man and leaving without warning him, he’ll fire me. But I can’t lose this job. I really need money to feed my mother and brother. Please, don’t say anything to him.” “Calm down, Blair, calm down, please,” Raquelle replies softly, taking Blair’s hands. “Terrence will not fire you. He can fire you if he doesn’t see the result of your work. But you your work well, I see no reason to kick you out.” “Your fiancé is not happy that I actually speak to Mr. Parker. But if he knows about my crush, he may get mad.” “He will not be mad, Blair, stop being afraid of him. Maybe, Terrence doesn’t have a too soft and quiet character, but he’s always been fair. And he treats you much better than Violetta and Christiana.” “I need this job so badly. I got it only thanks to the one to know Mr. MacClife. He told me your fiancé was looking for servants and introduced me to him.” “Nobody’s gonna fire you, darling. Don’t forget, I’m also living in this house and can make decisions alongside him. But if he wishes to fire you, I’ll talk to him and ask him not to kick you out if I believe it’s unfair to you.” “Your fiancé may do what he wants. If he wishes to fire me, he will do it without talking with you.” Blair makes a sob again and wipes tears off her cheek. “But if he told me to stop speaking to Benjamin for my work, I would do that. I’m madly afraid of losing this job, and I don’t want him to fight with his friend because of me. Mr. MacClife is not happy that Mr. Parker was often at your house and speaking to me much. But if he knows I like that man, I’m afraid to imagine what would happen.” “Believe me, Terrence is unhappy with it not because he dislikes you or Benjamin. He just treats you very tenderly due to your age. He thinks you’ve had to suffer a lot. You’ve overcome so much in your short life.” “Short life?” “Yes, you’re gonna turn twenty-two soon… You’re quite young and haven’t lived enough in the world.” “You know…” Blair chuckles quietly and sniffs. “Sometimes I feel like I’m not twenty-two but thirty or forty. I… My whole life goes around my family. I help Mother at home in my free time and do something for her, drive my younger brother to school and home and do his homework with him. Honestly, I don’t even have friends, who I could have fun with. If I had them, I wouldn’t be able to go somewhere with them due to a lack of time.” “I completely understand you, sweetie…” Raquelle sighs quietly and moves a strand of hair off her eyes. “Honestly, I feel the same.” “Really?” Blair rounds her eyes, looking at Raquelle surprisingly. “Yes. You don’t know everything I’ve overcome. Somehow, I didn’t also have friends, with whom I could go somewhere to have fun with. And because of problems with people of my age, who didn’t accept me, I spent all my time with Grandpa and took care of him.” “But what about your friend, Natalia?” “I befriended her when I was eleven. I got the one I could talk with. And she later introduced me to Anna, who became a part of our company, as well. They were my party for a long time. But I got much more friends only when I started a modeling career. Thanks to that, I’ve met many people, who helped me believe in myself and discover the side of me that nobody had known about.” “I imagine how hard it was for you to reach so much and stay the same.” “Yeah, I’ve been literally struggling with me and the difficulties that I get in my way. I had to grow up too early because of all the events that happened in my life. Being a child, I realized many things much earlier than other people of my age.” “Have you ever regretted something? Would you like to strike something that you don’t want to remember out of your life?” Raquelle thinks for a few seconds and starts to wrap a strand of her hair around her finger when she says thoughtfully: “There are things I’d like to forget and never remember… But I understand that if what hurt my heart so much hadn’t happened, I would’ve hardly lived the way I am doing now.” “So, wouldn’t you change a thing?” “Nope. Although there have been many terrible moments, I try to take it as a life experience. A chance to make my life better and change something about me.” “So… I get it…” Blair inclines her head and thinks about something with sadness in her eyes, tightly locking her fingers. “Would you like to come back to the past and do something not to start to fall in love with Benjamin?” Raquelle asks, caressing Blair’s shoulder. “I would like to do it to save myself from getting fired,” Blair replies shyly. “I should’ve listened to all of you and not even tried to talk to that man.” “Listen, Blair, I repeat, I don’t like the fact that Benjamin has broken many ladies’ hearts. Nevertheless, I consider him quite a good man and a great friend. I think someday he'll meet the one, for who he’d love to change. Nobody says it will happen shortly, but if Benjamin falls in love completely, he’ll do anything for love.” “But what’s the point in breaking so many girls’ hearts?” Blair throws her hands up. “Does he get pleasure from breaking ladies’ hearts and knowing a girl that he leaves cries because of him?” “There are men, who are pleased with it. Not everyone is so loyal and ready for family life.” “It’s amazing that having a pal, who has been a hardened womanizer for ages, your fiancé didn’t become the same and always knew he was ready for a marriage and children.” “Who knows, Blair, maybe, he used to be like this,” Raquelle shrugs. “But now it doesn’t make sense. Terrence and I are gonna have a wedding soon. I’m sure Benjamin would become different someday. He’s just looking for the one and what he likes.” “Looking for the one for so long? The man is twenty-seven years old, but he can’t grow up! I think a man should at least think about a serious relationship and plans for life at this age.” “You know, some men can’t grow up when they’re thirty. But someone dreams of a wedding and children when they’re eighteen.” “I think Mr. Parker doesn’t dream of a family,” Blair says thoughtfully, crossing her arms over her chest. “He lives well: working at the alcohol store, earning money, and going somewhere to have fun with a girl.” “You’re so worried about it so much as if you’re imaging yourself as a bride, who is about to become his wife.” “No, Raquelle, what you’re talking about!” Blair exclaims with her widely open eyes. “I don’t need Mr. Parker as a man. I want him to be my trustful friend, with whom I could always talk about something.” “I believe, but you shouldn’t worry about it earlier. Benjamin hasn’t told you not to come into his life anymore, and still invites you on walks.” “Why do you think he invites me to walk with him? Is Benjamin interested in speaking to me?” “Since he invites, he’s interested in you,” Raquelle smiles shyly. “I see nothing bad about the fact that you go somewhere together. And that’s good for you, ‘cause you’d have some fun and realize there are many interesting things, and the world doesn’t go round only your family.” “But if he wants to stop speaking, how could I take it? I don’t want it! I really like speaking to Benjamin, and I don’t think he’s bad… At least, he’s always very gentle and soft to me.” “If it happens, I promise I’ll do my best to help you. Any breakup and farewell always give you pain. But trust me, in most of the cases, you can overcome it and be able to find the courage to keep moving on.” “Would you really help me?” Blair asks hesitantly, opening her eyes much wider. “Of course, I would,” Raquelle smiles shyly. “You can be sure.” “Thanks a lot, Raquelle,” Blair cracks a smile. “I knew I could always count on you.” “Terrence is not the only one to treat you with tenderness. I also worry about you and want to know you’re okay.” “Thank you so much. I truly appreciate the care you and Mr. MacClife give me.” Raquelle smiles much wider and then takes Blair in her hug for a few seconds, while the servant accepts it a little hesitantly, feeling a little better after this talk and getting a little hope that everything is not as terrible as she thinks. Some time later, the girls step away from each other with slight smiles on their faces and say nothing for two seconds. Then the servant looks around the whole living room and sees Christiana going by the closed door placed far from here with a big box in her hands. “Erm, okay, I will better go…” Blair says quietly, hesitantly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I have much to do… And I should help the other servants… Thanks for the talk. I got much better. And I’m sorry for bothering you.” Blair gets up from the sofa and goes to do her business, taking the rag, with which she was wiping off dust, from the table. Raquelle watches the girl with a slight smile on her face until the servant hides behind the door of one of the rooms, and then sighs quietly with sadness in her eyes. “Oh, Blair has been caught in the trap,” Raquelle thinks. “What nobody doubted has happened. And now I don’t even know how she would overcome the pain if her sympathy that began getting stronger was one-sided. How would the girl, who has never been in love do it?” Raquelle slightly raises her head with closed eyes. “Although there’s little hope, I’d like Benjamin to pay attention to Blair,” Raquelle thinks. “May he fall in love with her and not make that girl suffer. Or he’d really better be her best friend. It would be definitely great for Blair to befriend a strong and trustworthy man. Well, not saying about, speaking rudely, what a horndog Parker is, he is quite a good and decent guy.” Raquelle sighs heavily, sits on the sofa for some time, and reflects on everything that’s currently happening. But then the girl understands she got a little hungry and decides to go to the kitchen to cook something and try to distract from bad minds by reading a favorite book, lying on the big and soft bed.***
Meanwhile, Terrence is visiting Daniel at his home and working on writing songs with him again. Their work was good before, but today everything is not happening the way they want. They cannot pick up a rhyme for one line after thinking up another, and all their lyrics seem to be kind of senseless. “No, it’s nonsense,” Terrence blunts, striking out another line on the filled piece of paper. “Just bullshit…” “Damn, I can’t think up anything, either,” Daniel replies thoughtfully, knocking at the tough folder placed on his laps. “I get some bullshit, too.” “I have only bullshit on my mind and can’t pick up a rhyme and connect all the lines we’ve written,” Terrence wants to write something but then changes his mind and barely shakes his head. “No, it’s bad, too…” The friends unsuccessfully try to write something for a few seconds before Daniel strikes out something and sharply puts a pen aside, saying: “Alright, do what ya want, but I give up! I don’t have any ideas! I can’t think up anything and dunno what to do with this shit.” “Yeah, you’re right, we’ve gotta take a break,” Terrence agrees and puts the pen aside. “Or my brains would be boiling.” “It seems like we lost our inspiration…” Daniel leans back in the sofa. “Or today is just not the best day to write songs.” “At least, we’ve got what we could work with next time. I think we worked well and deserved some rest.” “Yeah, that’s good we wrote just something… I doubt we’d need it, but I think practicing is good.” “That’s right. If we wanna do it, we need to brace ourselves and work somehow.” “Oh, honestly, I don’t wanna do anything right now,” Daniel raises his head. “No euphoria and interest in all of this… For example, when you do something, you may get so busy that you can’t stop and leave it ‘cause you’re freaking obsessed with it. But now I don’t care.” “I get it, I don’t wanna do anything, either,” Terrence massages the nape of his neck. “Yes, I liked all of that and couldn’t stop first. But now it seems like I lost my inspiration and ideas.” “Agree, first, we had ideas, but now we can’t even write at least one word…” Daniel replies thoughtfully and runs his hands over his face. “I dunno, I can’t focus and always think of something unnecessary.” “Does spending time with Anna help you?” “Of course, it does. Without Anna, I would keep thinking of all of it and being mad. But she helps me distract, at least for a while.” “Hey, where’s your beauty now?” Terrence looks around the living room. “I didn’t see her when I came here.” “She went to the girlfriend of your bro and Raquelle’s friend…” Daniel falls into silence and rolls his eyes for a second. “Well, or just Raquelle’s friend…” “You said she was at your home along with Raquelle on the day Smith told us to come to him?” “Yes, Natalia and Raquelle were here.” “Say, didn’t you notice anything weird about Natalia’s behavior? Maybe, something seemed suspicious to you?” “Natalia’s behavior? Erm… Honestly, she really has something strange about her behavior. Natalia was kind of sad and said almost nothing. She was definitely trying to pretend that nothing happened, but I thought something made her worried.” “She was quiet and thoughtful?” “Yup, that girl became too silent. But Natalia was probably the loudest one of all of us. Now she doesn’t look like the girl I met for the first time.” “Honestly, it makes me worried…” “Listen, what’s happening to her?” Daniel frowns slightly. “Anna tried to find out something from her, but Natalia was silent and said she was fine. But Anna and I don’t doubt something happened to that girl.” “I dunno,” Terrence shrugs. “The last time I saw Natalia happened a few days ago, when Raquelle and I invited her and Edward for dinner. And then she was really timid, scared, and very quiet.” “It seems like she got into something bad. And she surely has some problems with your bro.” “Raquelle and I don’t doubt it. But now we decided to forget about her problems with Edward for a while and focus only on Natalia’s condition.” “You know, she kind of reminds me of Peter. Erm, I mean, both have a depressive condition… But while Peter has had depression for a long time, Natalia got it some time ago.” “Did she look so bad that you compared her with Peter?” Terrence rounds his eyes. “I can’t say she’s absolutely fine. I know her grandmother is seriously sick, and she’s worried about her. But I think it’s not the only reason that makes her sad. Rochester is worried about something else that made her change so much.” “Erm… What about her appearance? How did she look?” “Sad, a little tired, much skinnier than before… Her eyes had no gloss… And I thought she had no interest in life…” “Do you wanna say she looked as broken and depressed as Peter did on the way we met George?” “Sort of… And I must confess that I don’t like that. Raquelle and you must do something. Or Natalia might fall into the strong depression that Peter has. And then you’d have to save our drummer and also your friend.” “Yeah, but what can we do?” Terrence shrugs. “Natalia says nothing to anyone, became too secretive, and really talks not as much as she did before. She was a chatterbox and could easily betray all the secrets of her friend.” “Exactly! But now it’s much harder to get a word outta her. I think if nobody paid attention to her, she would be silent.” “I wonder, could everything get much worse after the day we invited her and my friend for dinner? She looked badly then, but now she didn’t definitely get better.” “I believe so. Anna says Natalia stays home all day long and doesn’t almost go anywhere. I don’t even know what kind of miracle helped Raquelle get her outta home and drive her here.” “As far as I know, her parents went to Mexico some time ago.” “Yeah, Anna said it. Raquelle and she were thinking about having a girls’ party at Natalia’s home.” “What does Natalia think of this idea, don’t ya know?” “My girlfriend says the blonde treated that idea indifferently. She was like, do what ya want. But as Anna said, she would’ve sold her soul for hangouts.” “I’m sorry her parents know nothing about what’s happening to her.” “Don’t her closest people know anything?” “Exactly! Her mother recently went to my home… She wanted to talk to Raquelle, but she wasn’t home on that day. And Natalia’s mother decided to talk to me.” “And what did she tell you?” “Almost nothing. She made me and Raquelle much more sure that something was wrong with Natalia. Mrs. and Mr. Rochester aren’t aware of what’s happening to their daughter, but they suspect that Natalia may hide a secret.” “Anna has said about it many times and is also sure about it…” “Yeah…” Terrence quickly gets a speck out of the corner of his eye. “There’s an assumption that something happened about four or five months ago. When Raquelle and I had a conflict, and Natalia met Edward.” “But what could happen at that time?” Daniel throws his hands up. “I dunno. But her mother thinks Natalia got problems after she met Edward.” “Do you wanna say her meeting with Lockhart and problems are connected?” “Maybe… But I don’t wanna believe Edward is the reason for her trouble.” “You said he didn’t like lies… Maybe, Edward got sick of Natalia’s lie and fought with her? And doesn’t he want you to know it?” “It’s the most possible version. Raquelle and I are sure her friend messed up everything with her silence.” “Damn, why is that girl lying to everyone: father, mother, boyfriend, and friends? It seems like she’s gonna be killed if she says something very important to someone.” “Yeah, I don’t understand her… Don’t get…” Terrence falls into silence for two seconds and exhales sharply, running his hands over his face. “Oh, when will everything be over? The band got problems, Rose fell into depression, Edward and Natalia began to behave strangely, that girl is hiding something… And the letters with threats…” “Erm… Letters with threats?” “Ah, yeah!” Terrence gets sharply straight. “I wanted to tell you something about the letter that Violetta gave me yesterday.” “Speak out,” Daniel shrugs. “Is everything so serious?” “Exactly, Daniel! When Raquelle and I were back home, and I showed her the letter, she later showed me another.” “Raquelle got something, as well?” “Yup. Do you know what they sent me?” “What?” “It was the second part of the letter that Raquelle got. That’s why the meaning of my letter was lost! The letters are one piece! After connecting them and reading the full text, its meaning got much clearer.” “Whoa!” Daniel sharply gets straight and stares at Terrence amazingly. “So, did Raquelle get the second part you wanted to expect?” “Yes! Someone left it on the windshield of her car when she was on the shootings in the country. I don’t know how someone found out where Raquelle would’ve been, but now you know what it led to.” “As far as I remember, something about secrets was written in your letter.” “Yes, not only. After connecting the letters, Raquelle and I found that we would be dead soon, and there were some secrets. But if we know what to do and who to ask, we’ll be able to discover many secrets that some people around us are hiding. And they advised us to watch out, ‘cause anything might happen.” “Here’s the conclusion that someone’s threatening you.” “If only we knew who that was. Raquelle and I don’t have enemies, and we have done nothing bad to anyone. We don’t know who could send us those letters with threats.” “But why don’t ya go to the police? It’s a threat to your life!” ‘We won’t do it now. But if the situation gets worse, and someone tries to attack us, we’ll think about reporting it to the police. But with only one letter, it would be hard to find out who is guilty.” “Don’t bring everything to something bad, buddy. Or Raquelle and I would get into such great problems that you’d literally have to run away from the city or country.” “Everything’s quite so far, but we decided to be careful. First, I insisted that Raquelle didn’t leave home without me.” “Do you think it’d save her if someone wished to get into your house?” “Anyway, being home is safer. I hope our neighborhood is under great protection, and suspicious people wouldn’t manage to come to our house so easily.” “Erm… Don’t Raquelle and you have enemies? Maybe, you stood in someone’s way and made someone’s life worse?” “No, dude. I said, Raquelle and I did nothing bad to anyone and have a good relationship with our familiar people and friends from the show business and common society.” “But someone does send you letters with threats.” “I know…” Terrence glances aside for a second. “And it would be really stupid to assume Edward did that.” “Edward? What does he have to do with it?” “I can’t confirm anything, but Raquelle believes the problems of Natalia and Edward might have to do with these threats.” “Really?” Daniel rounds his eyes. “I know it’s bullshit! I will not believe that Edward or Natalia could have to do with it. Yes, they’re definitely hiding and afraid of something. But I’m sure it has to do with their relationship.” “You know…” Daniel says nothing for two seconds, stroking his chin. “It’s quite a serious charge… And I wouldn’t be surprised if it was true. Although your friend seems to be a mouse, we know well that every one of us may have a demon inside.” “No, Daniel, Edward couldn’t do that and threaten Raquelle and me with those letters. He is my friend, and I owe him a lot.” “I don’t mean Edward wrote the letters to you. But take a note – Raquelle may be right. No matter which arguments she gave to explain her theory, you better listen to your fiancée. Maybe, Cameron criticized him on the day they met for the reason.” “But Raquelle clearly explained her suspicions. She believes so because Natalia and Edward have problems that they’re hiding from us and acting like they’re afraid of something, and the letters say that if we know what to do, we’ll be able to discover the secrets that people around us are hiding.” Daniel frowns and reflects on Terrence’s words for two seconds. “You know, Raquelle’s explanations are quite logical,” Daniel says thoughtfully. “Too many coincidences, buddy, huh? Maybe, the author of the letter meant that Natalia and Edward were hiding something from you and Raquelle?” “I don’t deny it’s possible,” Terrence replies quietly. “But I don’t wanna believe my friend or close friend would do that.” “But I completely agree with Raquelle and believe these things are really connected.” “I don’t know, Daniel, I can say nothing,” Terrence exhales sharply. “And I don’t think Lockhart would be too stupid to get into problems. And Natalia wouldn’t especially like to get into that, ‘cause she’s a cowardly and too vulnerable girl. To threaten someone, a person is supposed to have no shame or conscience.” “But Edward loves adventures and doesn’t like to stay in the same place. For him, it’s torture that he can’t stand quietly.” “Why do you think so?” Terrence moves his questioning look to Daniel. “He said that. And your pal feels love for risk. I don’t know what kind of, but that guy wouldn’t definitely be happy to live like an old person.” “Well… Edward said he had never been able to stay in the same place and always aimed to look for adventures.” “Believe me, he loves it. I remember we wanted to come together to my house and work on songs. And I talked to him a little, ‘cause Rose and you weren’t there yet. So, he told me what he was doing at his teenage age. And how his father kicked his ass for that.” “You know, I also loved similar things at my teenage age,” Terrence smiles shyly. “To be honest, I still like it. But I’m not trying to consciously look for adventures. I could say I got over it and loved a quiet life.” “And what was your riskiest act?” “Oh, I don’t remember, ‘cause I’ve tried literally everything and felt all types of adrenaline… I was a crazy guy when I was a teenager and didn’t think of the consequences of what I was doing. Sometimes I got into something and had to suffer much and pay for it.” “Yeah, you definitely made your mother worried.” “Agree. But fortunately, she knew half of what I did. Not to make her upset and scared, I found more or less true excuses and lie, so she didn’t know the truth and didn't ban me from doing those things or meeting those, who encouraged me to do it.” “Ah…” Daniel runs his hand through his hair with a slight smile. “Being teenagers, everyone wants to be adults and not to depend on parents. I know it well… But I never played with my life, even though I tried to do everything adult people did. The truth is, it looked a little stupid.” “Oh, Daniel, we were all doing something to seem adults… But I was more obsessed with curiosity and wish to get a drive and make my blood boil in my veins. I really loved the feeling when you did something risky, got goosebumps on your back, and made your heart stop.” “Yeah, you’re like brothers!” Daniel laughs shyly. “I’m sure that you would’ve gotten each other into problems if you’d had the same parents.” “Oh, yeah, I would’ve definitely kicked the ass of that little rugrat,” Terrence smiles slyly. “You’re doing this well now.” “I can’t deny that my relationship with that kid is a little different from my relationship with other people. With him, I can let myself do what I don’t do with the others. And… To be honest… It’s still hard for me to explain why we’ve such a close connection. Why he’s much closer to me than all my friends.” “Watch out, Terry, someday Edward will answer you and kick your ass so hard that you won’t get in touch with him,” Daniel laughs kindly. “You know me bad, buddy. I keep Edward on a short leash.” “I’d bet who does: you control him, or he controls you.” “Of course, me,” Terrence smiles slyly, raising his head slightly. “Because I am older.” “Yeah, it’s clear how much you dreamed of having a bro.” “It’s true. And I have a lot of fun with Edward. We love playing the fool. He’s really become like a bro to me.” “I saw it a long time ago.” “I’m sure you’d understand me better if you had a brother or sister. If you had a friend that would be much closer to you than anyone from your circle…” “Yeah, you’re right… Absolutely right…” Daniel thinks about something for some time, looking into the distance with his sad eyes and nervously fingering over. And then he looks at his guitar placed on the sofa in front of him and keeps his eyes on it for two seconds. After this, the man raises himself slowly from the sofa, reaches for his instrument, takes it, and sits down again. When Daniel comfortably places the guitar on his laps, he starts to quietly play a song. Terrence quickly recognizes the first chords and starts to slightly shake his head along with the rhythm, smiling shyly and thinking of the wonderful time when he finally got a chance to make his dream to become a musician come true. “Thinking of that time?” Terrence asks. “Yup, I got obsessed with nostalgia…” Daniel replies thoughtfully. “This is the song, from which ‘Against The System’ reached its first success…” “This song and the guys from ‘The Loser Syndrome,’ who helped us get in the musical world and perform on a few shows.” “I remember…” When Daniel performs a short intro on guitar, Terrence starts to sing the lyrics of this song, sometimes clicking his fingers to help himself keep the right rhythm. Slightly shaking along with the music, the friends have a shy smile on their faces when thinking of the days when they were trying to record a video they later published on the Internet, not knowing one beautiful day this song would become a key to their first success. The guys performed the song without mistakes for the video. But nobody will know how many funny and awkward moments happened when trying to get a perfect result and get freer in front of a camera. Later, Daniel joins Terrence and starts to sing along with him or perform some lines from the song alone, skillfully plucking strings and picking the correct chords. The sonorous voices of the friends perfectly fit and sound together wonderfully, even without warming up. Although the public praises Terrence’s divine, strong voice and believes he was born to be a singer, Daniel also has wonderful skills in playing guitar and a magnificent ear. Many people really love the low, deep notes of his voice that gives some charm to the song. Three or four minutes later, Daniel and Terrence perform the last lines, and Perkins plays the last chords on the guitar. And then they say nothing and think for two seconds. “Ah, how many wonderful memories are connected with this song,” Terrence says thoughtfully with a slight smile. “Even though I felt bad due to the problems with Raquelle, they’re nice anyway. I finally got hope that I could make my dream come true and become a musician.” “I still remember us three recording this song,” Daniel confesses, still holding his guitar on his laps and quietly knocking his fingers on it. “How many funny moments that made us literally roll on the floor from laughter happened.” “Yeah… I thought we would’ve never recorded a video if we’d kept laughing like idiots and hadn’t braced ourselves.” “But we spent a wonderful time. Sometimes you forgot about your possible breakup and had fun to the fullest… And Rose looked happier than before… And he aimed to make his long-time dream come true.” “That time was magnificent…” Terrence leans back in the sofa and glances at the big chandelier in the living room. “And I understand we really lack a drummer.” “Not just a drummer, but Peter.” Daniel puts his guitar next to himself on the sofa. “No talk about searching for a new one.” “Our band lacked something when we were all together, but after Rose leaves, everything will be changed much more, and it won’t be the same.” “I know… Everything will be otherwise…” Terrence thinks for two seconds, inclining his head slightly and starting to finger over nervously, and then he exhales sharply with closed eyes. “Damn, I’m really sorry I thought it would’ve been better to kick Peter outta the band,” Terrence confesses a little hesitantly. “It was one of my stupidest and most terrible thoughts.” “You just rated the situation soberly,” Daniel replies quietly. “You wanted to get what you wanted and were ready for anything… Even to sacrifice a truly talented drummer…” “I can’t believe I wanted to kick him out for my career. He was kinda a barrier that I should’ve gotten rid of…” “Stop, Terrence. I also thought it would’ve been better for us if we’d wanted to save the band. But now we ain’t ready to let Peter go so easily.” “A wish to build my career became one of the reasons for my conflict with Raquelle. I was ready to sacrifice my love for singing songs in front of hundreds of people. And now I could’ve made the same mistake by kicking my friend out of the band, who needs help.” “I understand it, but, please, don’t blame yourself. Peter showed a wish to leave. We didn’t make him do it. Vice versa, we began to persuade him to stay and try to solve the conflicts.” “I know, but I feel disgusting, ‘cause I actually thought about it.” “Dude, I’m also sorry about everything I did and told him. Don’t blame only yourself. We are all guilty. But Pete and I are much guiltier… I mean, I am… Because of me, he began to hate himself and got such a strong depression.” “And decided to leave the band at his wish, asking us to find someone to replace him and keep making our dream come true.” “But we don’t wanna do it. None of us wants to have anyone but Peter instead of him. We can’t lose him and must get the blond back to the band.” “It’s madly unpleasant to say it, but I’m afraid we’ve lost him,” Terrence sighs quietly with sadness in his eyes, slowly getting straight.” “No matter how much I want to protest, I have to agree,” Daniel nods. “The situation seems hopeless. And sometimes I ask myself if we waste our time.” “Maybe, we really disband our band?” Terrence glances at Daniel. “If we don’t get Peter back to the band, there won’t be a point in moving on.” “Are you ready to sacrifice your long-time dream?” “I’d sacrifice it if it helped us save the blond. Damn the band, George, the studio, and everything about it. Maybe, fate constantly deprives me of a chance to become a musician for a reason. Because everything doesn’t just happen.” “But what about our friendship? Would we remain friends after the band’s breakup? Or is the only thing we’re connected by is music?” “No… We could keep communicating, spending time together, and being friends. Nothing would be changed but the fact that the band ‘Against The System’ would no longer exist.” “You know, I must confess that I also thought of pissing everything off. Because there’s no hope for a miracle that would help us get the drummer back and let us know how to help him overcome his depression,” Daniel exhales slowly with closed eyes. “But on the country… Fuck, I don’t wanna give up! It’s not my rule! If I wanna something, I’ll go ‘till the end! I can’t leave everything in the middle of the way.” “I wouldn’t like it, either… But since everything leads to it, we should accept it somehow.” “But what would ya do if our band broke up?” “I don’t know, Daniel,” Terrence shrugs. “Maybe, I’d try to become a solo singer again. Talk to the people from the studio and agree on a contract for the recording of an album. If they turn me one hundred and eighty degrees, I’ll try to come back to acting.” “What if nothing happens to your acting career? What if you get roles similar to those you played at your teenage age? What if it wouldn’t make people talk about you again?” “I don’t hope I'll get a starring role in a TV show or movie. I’ll just try to become a part of the show business… But if I meet a failure again, I’ll have to do nothing but quit my career and become a common man. Recall the time I was working somewhere… Well, Edward and I will be working somewhere together… I think he will help me find something.” “And would you envy Raquelle because she’s famous and successful, but you aren’t?” “No! I’ll be happy if Raquelle reaches much more than she has now. Whatever happens, I’ll always be proud of her and will not especially dare to envy her. And I will support her in everything she does.” “But you don’t wanna be the one!” “I don’t. But since I get signs that tell me to stop doing all of that, I need to accept it.” “Maybe, fate is checking you for resistance and finding out what you’re ready for your dream? If you pass all tests, you’ll get a chance to perform on big stages in front of many people.” “I’ve been fighting for my dream for ages, but I haven’t gotten anything.” “Why haven’t you done it? What about the success of ‘Against The System’? What about the tour with ‘The Loser Syndrome’ in America? What about the contract with a successful label? What about the fame among so many fans? Does it all mean nothing to you?” “I think it’s something like a delicious cake. You got a piece to taste it and enjoyed it. But when you ask more, either there is no cake or nobody wants to give it. Our case is the same: we got a little piece of fame – that’s all, enough!” “But if you want a couple of more pieces of cake, you should cook it by yourself,” Daniel chuckles quietly. “Even if you’re a freaking bad cooker.” “I’m actually serious, Dan. We just managed to enjoy those moments a little and feel what that is. But now the pleasure is gone.” “No, Terrence!” Daniel exclaims and claps Terrence on the shoulder with his head proudly raised. “Maybe, the situation is hopeless, but I won’t give up so easily! Someday, we gave each other a promise that we would let nothing stand in our way and would overcome all hellish tests. So, we must fight ‘till the end. Let’s take it as a test for resistance that would get us closer to making our dream come true.” “Do you have a plan of saving our band?” Terrence wonders, crossing his arms over his chest. “Not yet. But I think someday we'll find a solution to this problem. I’ll do my best not to lose hope. And I advise you to turn your nose up. If you also wanna leave the band, we’ll have only to disband the band and look for money to pay liquidated damages.” “Yeah…” Terrence pronounces and smiles slightly. “I think you’re right… We’ve gotta believe… We’ve gotta believe we'll solve it. I’d feel sorry if we gave a damn about everything after taking a bigger part of the way.” “I mean the same!” Daniel exclaims. “None of us should give up. We must fight for saving the band.” “Then let’s do this for our friendship,” Terrence smiles much wider and raises his head a little. “And not give up for our fans that are waiting for our first album.” “For our beauties that we love so much,” Daniel smiles shyly. “Do this for ourselves. For the promise we gave each other when starting this way, knowing it wouldn’t be easy.” Terrence gives Daniel a hand for a handshake, and Perkins does the same, raising his head and saying: “Let nothing stand in our way.” The friends tightly shake each other by the hand with a slight smile on their faces. When they break their handshake some time later, Daniel and Terrence smile much wider, being determined not to let everything happen as it wants and to fight for the salvation of the band and for Peter until the very end.***
Meanwhile, Natalia came back home after Anna persuaded her to leave home and go somewhere. This walk did not give the girl nice emotions, and she still feels depressed. After unlocking the apartment, Natalia enters it, closes the door after her, puts the keys on a table near it, slowly goes to the living room, and throws her purse on the sofa. Then the blonde looks around the whole room, sighs heavily, goes to her room, and falls on the bed, snuggling her face in a pillow that she hugs tightly. A little later, Natalia sets her gaze into the distance, falling into her dark thoughts again. Since there are no friends and parents around, nobody can make her forget about bad things, at least for a while. Natalia gets obsessed with horrible memories of the awful days when something happened to her. It makes her shake slightly, and the girl starts to cry quietly and recalls someone’s loud voice that she is terribly afraid of. Natalia probably, really reminds of Peter and has depression as well as he does. But unlike the man, the girl does not think about harming herself and cutting her veins. She gets these thoughts at times. But then the blonde imagines the faces of her favorite people at the moment they know she harms herself. Their shouts full of despair, loud cry, and pleases of not doing that… She gets tears in her eyes, and her heart squeezes and bleeds. For her close people, Natalia decides to do her best to hold on. But she is not sure that she will keep it and not do anything bad to her. She is close to hysteria and understands that it’s getting harder for her to hold herself down every day. Natalia has lately looked much worse. She has circles under her red, tear-stained eyes. They cannot be covered with cosmetics. The girl lost quite a lot of weight, even though she stopped working out at a gymnasium. Almost all of her clothes are a little big for her. Nothing is left of the cute, sanguine blonde with attractive curves and a healthy body. Now Natalia has become a sad, depressive, skinny, and depressed girl. She could pretend she was fine and forget about her problems for a while. But now the girl cannot do that. Natalia understands she needs someone’s help and support, but cannot overcome some fear. Moreover, everything is not fine in her relationship with Edward. The man does not rush to support his girlfriend and help her solve the problems, caring about his business much more and literally forgetting they are dating. However, Natalia does not expect his support and care and does not wait for him to come to her to help and get out of the hole she got in. The girl kind of forgot that she had been madly in love with Terrence’s friend and is afraid her feelings for him would have been one-sided. Falling into her thoughts, Natalia does not notice that she starts to fall asleep some time later after she goes to her room and lies on the bed. At some moment, the girl closes her eyes and starts to see dreams that are far from reality. The blonde could be sleeping for a long time, but after she sleeps for about five minutes, she wakes up because of a sudden call on her mobile phone that she did not get out of the pocket of her jeans. Shaking slightly from the vibration that she feels somewhere in her abdomen, Natalia slowly opens her eyes, looks around to understand what’s happening, lazily rolls onto her back, and takes her phone from her pocket. Rubbing her eyes and often blinking them to wake up after a short sleep, she does not even look at the screen and just runs her finger over it. “Hello,” Natalia pronounces in a quiet, sleepy voice. “Hello, Natalia,” a masculine voice says. “It’s your dad.” “Erm… Yeah… Hey, Dad… Glad to hear you.” “Me too,” Anthony says amicably. “How are you doing, honey?” “I’m kind of fine… And you?” “I’m great. And your grandmother is feeling well.” “That’s good,” Natalia smiles a little wider. “I hope she’ll get well soon.” “Of course, she will, sweetie. We’ll do our best and pay any money for her therapy.” “I know…” Natalia sits up and strokes down her little disheveled hair. “By the way, does it seem to me, or do you have a sleepy voice?” Anthony frowns slightly. “Had you been sleeping before I called you?” “Erm, yes…” Natalia replies hesitantly. “I got a little tired after going to the stores with Anna. I went home, being exhausted, lied on the bed, and fell asleep literally shortly. If not for your call, I would’ve probably been sleeping for two or three hours.” “Oh, did you go to the stores with Anna?” “Yup, she wanted to buy something and invited me to go with her. At first, I didn’t want it, but Anna persuaded me.” “That’s good. I’m glad you don’t stay home all day long, and go at least somewhere. I thought you felt too bad and were going nowhere.” “No, Dad, I don’t stay home all day long and always find something to do. My girls don’t let me feel bored and do their best to make me have fun.” “That’s right! Go out somewhere with your friends often, and don’t stay home all day long.” “I often go out somewhere, don’t worry. I’ve just lately slept very badly. Insomnia or nightmares that I see…” “Do you have insomnia?” Anthony frowns slightly. “Are you probably worried about something and always thinking of that?” “Nope, I just have bad thoughts at times…” Natalia replies thoughtfully, scratching the back of her head. “When I think of something bad, I think about it and can’t get these terrible thoughts out of my head.” “Ah, Natalia, how sensitive you are! Why are you worried about your grandmother so much, while all the worst things are over?” “What kind of question, Dad? I love Grandma so much and am afraid to lose her! You do know how close I’ve always been to her! She’s not a stranger person to me…” “I know, my sunshine, but now you’ve got no reason to worry. A bigger part of her therapy is over, and now doctors give her some cures and watch her condition. But their verdicts are positive. I see no reason to worry.” “I’m not quiet because I’m here, in New York, but Grandma is in Mexico, too far from me. I wanna be by her side and support her at this hard moment.” “Don’t worry, honey, you’ll be able to see her every day when she moves in with us. When we finish some business and wait for the doctors to let your grandmother have a flight, we’ll be back in the USA along with her.” “I can’t wait to see and hug her again,” Natalia smiles falsely, nervously pulling the edge of her t-shirt. “Soon, honey, soon,” Anthony promises confidently. “Your grandmother also misses you very much and often asks how you’re doing.” “Tell her that I’m fine and love her very much.” “Okay, my sweetie, I’ll tell her.” Natalia nods with sadness in her eyes. Silence settles in the air for two seconds, after which Anthony frowns slightly before he asks thoughtfully: “By the way, Natalia, why did your mother get mad at you? She doesn’t wanna talk to you and refused to call you when I asked if you talked!” “It’s true…” Natalia sighs heavily. “Mom got mad at me and said she didn’t wanna talk to me anymore.” “I guess you had a big fight, knowing she wants to hear nothing about you and said she didn’t care about you.” “She said that?” Natalia rounds her eyes. “Yes. So, I decided to call you and find out how you were doing.” “Is Mother with you? Can you call her? I wanna talk to her and ask her not to get mad?” “No, she is not near. Letitia went to walk with your grandmother. And your mother told me not to think of calling her by your plea because she doesn’t wanna even hear your voice.” “Didn’t you make her sure to stop being mad at me?” “Of course, she surprised me with this claim, ‘cause you always got on well and never fought. But how can I make her sure to talk to you if I don’t know why your mother got so mad? She refused to explain why she doesn’t wanna hear about you.” “You’re right…” Natalia sighs heavily and runs her hand through her hair. “She just got mad because I told her nothing. And Mother thinks I’m an egoist ‘cause I think only of myself and give a damn about others’ feelings.” “But she’s partly right. You’re really hiding something from your mother and me. If you told us everything, we’d do our best to help you.” “I know, Dad… But trust me, if something happened to me, I’d tell you at once.” “Gosh, Natalia, nobody’s gonna kill you if you share what you’re worried about. I don’t understand why you’re torturing yourself and others. We clearly see you either wouldn’t be able or wouldn’t wish to solve your problems.” “It’s okay, I don’t have problems…” Natalia swallows up nervously, feeling especially nervous after Anthony says that “nobody’s gonna kill her.” “Honey, if you don’t wanna say something to your mother, tell me. I’ll try to help you, whatever happened to you.” “No, Dad, don’t worry. There are no problems that I would hide from you and my mother.” Natalia sniffs quietly, hating herself for such an insolent lie that might make her relationship with her close people worse. “Natalia, stop lying to me!” Anthony cuts off sharply. “I can also give a damn about you. If you’re lying so insolently and refusing to explain the reasons for your depression, I have nothing but to let you solve your problems by yourself.” “No, Daddy, please, don’t do it!” Natalia begs desperately with tears in her eyes. “You can’t do it to me! I don’t wanna lose you!” “Then tell me what has the hell been happening for a few months,” Anthony demands a little louder. “Is it so hard to tell your parents all the truth and stop lying to them insolently?” “Please, don’t get mad at me, and don’t leave me alone. I won’t accept it if you also leave me alone. Please, Dad, don’t do what Mom did.” “You know, I completely understand her. Because she got sick of crying because of you not sleeping at nights and getting horrified from thinking about what you got into. Don’t you feel sorry for her? Look at your mother! She is exhausted because she does her business at work and goes to the doctors with your grandmother. I’m afraid to imagine what would have happened to her if I hadn’t insisted that I helped her.” “I’m madly sorry for Mother, and my heart bleeds when seeing how much she’s worried about Grandma,” Natalia says in a shaking voice with tears. “But I believe she is absolutely right, and you think only of yourself. Your mother and I were too soft to you and did not teach you to take care of other people just a little.” “No, Dad, don’t say that!” Natalia makes a quiet sob. “I’m not so bad, and I always think of my close people! If I were really an egoist, I would give a damn about Grandmother and wouldn’t show a wish to help her.” “You feel sorry for your grandfather, but do not do it to me and your mother! You do give a damn about the fact that we work like crazy and literally fall down from tiredness at the end of the day. And knowing how many problems we have, you give us much more and kill us by your silence.” “It’s not true! Please, don’t make me a monster that loves nobody. I’m not so terrible and egoistic.” “What’s wrong then? Why are you behaving like this and turning me and your mother against you? We would be ready to close our eyes to many of your actions, but it’s hurtful for us to see that silence destroys our only daughter. If you keep hiding your problems, it will lead to terrible consequences.” “Even if I had problems, I could solve them by myself…” Natalia says in a very quiet, shaking voice. “No, Natalia, you can’t solve any little problem. Don’t make me an idiot! I know you very well and don’t doubt your character is too soft and tender to take any events strongly.” “Yeah, you’re right…” Natalia smiles slightly. “I’m really too weak…” “Remember, my dear, you would have to tell us all the truth early or late. Or someone else would tell us everything instead of you. If there are those people, your mother and I will get all the information out of them and make you explain all the demons you got in your head.” Natalia says nothing and just sighs heavily, but she completely understands that Anthony is absolutely right. “I think you understand it well,” Anthony says gloomily, getting some offense on his daughter. “Your mother and I will find everything out after we finish our business and come back to New York. Then we will talk to you very seriously. And you will not avoid the answer this time. If we have to be cruel, we will do it.” “Yes, Father…” Natalia pronounces in a little shaking voice, slowly moving her eyes down. “And yeah, we will also talk to Edward and make him tell his version of what happened between you. I will personally push that guy to the wall and make him pay for what he did to you. And remember, if we know your silence and depression are connected with him, and he’s guilty of that, he will have to regret much.” “No, no, Dad, don’t hurt him!” Natalia jabs with her widely open eyes. “Don’t hurt Edward. He doesn’t have to do with it. And our relationship is fine…” “Alright, if you want to keep lying, do it. But your mother and I will find out what both of you hide. And if we do not like just something from what we know, you will never come to Lockhart.” “But, Father, please…” “Sorry, Natalia, but I can’t talk to you anymore,” Anthony throws coldly. “I will call you when your mother and I decide when we’re back in the USA to talk to you. If you spend the money, send me a message, and I will transfer something to your card.” Anthony ends the call without warning, and Natalia hears only beeps. She throws the phone near her on the bed and closes her face with her hands with quiet sobs, letting her emotions get obsessed with her and starting to cry bitterly again. The girl – at least when she is alone – does not hold down her tears, the pain that is literally eating her inside, and all the experiences she has to hide for some reason. Letitia does not wish to talk to her, and now Anthony has definitely taken offense. Natalia has silently apologized to her close people millions of times for having to keep her secrets inside her and unsuccessfully trying to overcome what happened to her. Natalia is sure that if she keeps worrying so much and pretending that she is fine for a few more days, she will not take this horrible torture, will give a damn about everyone, and will break the promise she gave herself. She is about to find a way to kill herself one horrible day. She has less and less strength to hold on and not to break down for her best friends and parents. The girl might go crazy at any time, let her fear get obsessed with her, and reach the critical point when it’s too late to do something.***
It’s about five o'clock. Edward is slowly walking in deserted, unpopular places where there are many elevations of different heights, and the horizons seem to be endless and go further and further. Similar places have lately been his favorites because here, he could enjoy loneliness, think about something, and put his thoughts and feelings in order. Climbing higher and higher on the stone path, slowly walking in the whole place, and watching the beautiful sky, in which it’s possible to see a piece of the bright sun that kind of hides behind the mountains, which are far from here, Edward still looks sad, and there is not a hint of a smile on his face. But even if almost nothing has lately made him happy, he does not look as depressed and broken as Natalia is. He still has an interest in life. Edward is not ready to literally bury himself with the thought that he does not have a meaning to live. Maybe, his perspectives are not good, and his future will not get better, but that does not make him give up and fall into depression. Sometimes Edward thinks of what’s happening to Natalia. Of course, the man still has an offense on the girl, but he wonders to know something about the one he does care about. Yes, he could go to her home and find out how she is doing and suggest his help. But there is something that does not let the man do it. The man is not even going to talk about Natalia’s life. As if they are strangers to each other and have never been in love. By the way, he noticed that his friends stopped being interested in what happened to him and Natalia. During the latest talk on the phone, Terrence behaved as if nothing happened and did not ask Edward about his girlfriend. On the one hand, it makes Lockhart calm down. But on the other hand, the man understands he cannot hide the truth forever and knows he would have to tell everything that’s happening and what he is hiding early or late. “There is no end to these problems…” Edward thinks, slowly climbing higher and higher the elevation, from which there is a perfect view of the amazingly beautiful sky colored with warm shades. “That bastard will not surely stop after Father’s death and will keep revenging my close people. My perspectives for the nearest future are terrible, and I’d hardly be able to live well… And my personal life is not fine… And how much may happen at the nearest time…” Edward comes to the edge of the stone elevation, sits on it, and looks into the distance for some time, paying no attention to the strong wind ruffling his hair. “Oh, shit, it’s amazing I haven’t gone insane from what I’ve had to overcome, what I’m experiencing now, and what I may experience soon,” Edward swallows up nervously. “I wouldn’t have gotten in touch with that and would’ve pissed everything off. So, that bastard chokes with what doesn’t belong to him… But I can’t give up so easily and let injustice happen. And I swear, I will not give up… He will get everything only over my dead body. If he wanna get everything easily, he should kill me. It couldn’t be otherwise.” Edward runs his hand over his hair from the top of his head to the nape of his neck and sighs quietly, throwing a one-second gaze at his little dirty and shabby shoes. “If that man harms at least someone, I swear he will regret it,” Edward thinks, looking a little gloomy. “I will choke him with my own hands or shoot him. I do give a fuck about the fact that I may be put in prison for murder. If I have to become a killer to save my close people, I’m ready to make this sacrifice. He can do anything to me, but that scumbag will not dare to come to the others. He will not dare…” The strong wind is still blowing Edward’s hair and clothes and raising his black strands of disheveled hair up. He sits on the edge of the elevation and watches the horizon for some time. But then the man slowly gets up on his feet, goes down to the grass path, and starts to walk on it, putting his hands in his pockets and glancing at thin and dry trees and little bushes. Flies almost get into his mouth a couple of times, and he repels them with his hands when he feels they are annoying him. And while he is walking in this place where it’s impossible to hear the sounds of cars or people talking, Edward falls into his thoughts so deeply that he does not hear a call on his phone at once. But the man has to come back to reality because he feels his mobile phone starts strongly vibrating in the pocket of his coat. After exhaling sharply and stopping in the middle of the small path going by the place that is covered with grass, Edward takes his mobile phone from his pocket, looks at the screen, and rolls his eyes with an irritated growl. But he presses a button and puts his phone to his ear. “What?” Edward asks gloomily in a low voice, rolling his eyes up. “Hello, Edward!” the stranger pronounces in a cheerful, little funny voice. “How are you doing? How are you doing, being a half orphan?” “I wish you had the same one. As terrible and disgusting as mine.” “Oh, do not worry about me, boy. My life is way better than yours. My perspectives are incredible. And I am going to live much better after I get what I have dreamed about for so long.” “I really hope all your plans will be ruined to the hell like a card house, and you will lose what allegedly belongs to you.” “Dream as much as you want and keep envying a more successful man, who will always have money, power, and trustful contacts. Unfortunately, you will never get it and become more powerful than me.” “Actually, you have nothing. We both know that everything you are insolently using belongs to other people, not you. Yes, maybe, you have many accomplices. But trust me, they will be trustworthy only for great money. They hardly care about where you get it. The important thing is that you pay them what you promise.” “Listen, guys, stop saying some bullshit. I do not care about what you think.” “But I do care about what you are going to do to know when I have to destroy you to the fuck.” “Wow, wow…” the stranger pronounces with a false quiet. “Easy, Edward, easy! Do not threaten me. And remember that I can use your own words against you.” “Yeah, who would believe you if you said something about my words?” Edward wonders. “You will not prove that I said one or another thing.” “You forgot – I have money and power. Thanks to that, I have a wonderful chance to ruin your life and destroy you like a little pea.” “I will not be silent, honorable! I will find proof that you robbed the honest people and are going to plan the murder of fewer people. I will find a way to prove it!” “Yeah?” the stranger laughs quietly, evilly. “I’d love to know how! I’d love to see how the little barking puppy that fears everything in the world and is terribly insecure would try to prove to the police that I want to kill someone.” “Your stolen money is not endless, and you will not always be able to bribe the people you need,” Edward says confidently. “Early or late, there will be someone to make you pay for all your dirty tricks. Especially, for the murder of my father.” “Ah, yeah, your father…” the stranger pronounces with a sly smile thoughtfully. “I see you feel very bad without that man and grieve because of him. You do care about your close person, my dear boy. As it turned out, sudden death can reconcile even the biggest enemies.” “Trust me, I loved my father even when we constantly had fights.” “Really? So, I will pretend that I believed your lie… And now I want to see what you are going to do when you lose all your close people. You do know that I am going to destroy them. I believe you got my message, in which I said that the time came.” “Don’t dare to hurt anyone else!” Edward groans irritably, clenching a free hand into a hard fist. “I swear you will regret it. I am ready to kill you for the murder of Father, but if you hurt someone else, you will have to pay a great cost.” “Then you will die in a rotted prison call.” “Maybe, I will die. But I will know that nothing threatens my close people.” “Sadly, you can do nothing. I am ready to repeat thousands of times that I will strike hits when you do not even guess it.” “No, this time, I will be more careful and will not miss an attempt of attacking someone.” “You are starting to make me much more irritated, fucking boy. You are making me do something to your beloved mommy. She will probably be the next one to go to heaven to your daddy.” “Don’t you dare, nasty bastard!” Edward shouts, breathing heavily enough because of nervousness and tightly clenching a hand into a fist. “Or you will be dead! And all your big guys will not stop me! Do not better wake up an animal inside me. Or I will not be responsible for my actions.” “Do not worry, Edward, I will get rid of your whole family. Maybe, they don’t know me yet, but I know them. Know who they are, what they do, who they are for each other, and something like that.” “I repeat: if you hurt my mother or someone else, you will regret it much. I WILL NOT LET YOU HURT THEM!” “Hey, do not shout on the phone again,” the stranger throws coldly. “I do not shout at you when talking. So, behave well, not like an ill-mannered boy.” “If you hurt at least someone, I will be shouting much louder and will get as mad as I have never done before. I WILL KILL YOU WITH MY OWN HANDS! YOU HEAR ME, I WILL KILL! IF I KNOW YOU ATTACKED SOMEONE! I EXPLAINED IT CLEARLY?” “SHUT THE FUCK UP AND STOP SHOUTING AT ME!” the stranger shouts at the top of his lungs irritably. “IF YOU ARE TOO BRAINLESS AND HAVE NOT UNDERSTOOD WHAT I WANT TO DO, I CAN SAY THAT MY WISHES WILL COME TRUE THOUSANDS OF TIMES.” “I have always been a quiet and discreet man. But I swear, if you make me angry and wake up an animal inside me, you will be dead.” “Listen, Edward, close your mouth… Think better, what could you do against me? No-thi-ng! When you try to do something to save your mommy, it will be too late to do something. No matter how hard you try to protect her and how many protectors she has, that woman will go to heaven after your father. I hate her as much as that bastard, because of whom my life was ruined.” “Yeah, I don’t know how to protect her and my close people yet. But be sure, I can foresee your next actions and take measures. Moreover, you ‘help’ me with great pleasure. Now I know you have a grudge against my mother. If it’s so, I will do my best to protect her from your dirty hands.” “You will not do. You are a brainless little boy that would not think of foreseeing all the possible events.” “I would have enough brains to find a way to defeat you!” “Listen, Edward, I completely understand that you like playing a hero. And I think it’s a perfect way to hide the fact that you’re a cowardly and insecure puppy. We both know that although you love looking for adventures and cannot sit still, you are afraid deep inside. Afraid that someone would kick your ass because of your wish to stick your nose into people’s business.” “I have to do it for the justice and the calm of my close people.” “Give a damn, my boy, nobody needs your pseudo-heroic actions. Do you really hope to hear praises from someone and be called God or a hero?” “I hope for nothing, honorable. I just want to get what DOES NOT BELONG to you. All of that has another owner.” “ABSOLUTELY everything will belong to me very soon. After I destroy you and your family, I will get a chance to get much more and become powerful and unbelievably rich.” “I wish all your plans were ruined to the fuck!” Edward throws crossly, rudely. “Do not be rude to me, Edward,” the stranger replies quietly, confidently. “Do not forget that I can easily deprive you of a little part of what you have. You are living like a beggar, but you will have only your underwear and be walking on the streets of the city.” “Take everything from me because I have nothing to lose. But do not dare to hurt anyone of my close people. I swear on my father’s grave, I will not let you do it! I swore to him that I would take revenge on you and do my best to protect those, who were in danger.” “Holy shit, how many times will you say you will not let me do what I want?” the stranger growls crossly. “I hear it during every single talk of us several fucking times! Stop it! You annoyed me with this phrase! STOP! I AM SICK OF HEARING THAT! SI-I-I-I-I-CK!” “I am ready to say it thousands of times and not going to give up because of your threats,” Edward says confidently, raising his head. “Even if I have to serve my sentence for murdering you or die, I am ready to make this sacrifice. But I would be quiet that nobody would hurt my family.” “I’m afraid you will have to stay in prison all your life. No experienced lawyer will help you. Even if your mommy wants to spend all her money on a good lawyer, you will never get out of jail. Of course, if you have the courage to take the tortures that your cellmates would put you under.” “Are you sure you would bribe judges and policemen with money and make them blame me for a murder?” “I can do it. I can do my best for you to be put in prison for any crime: from theft or fraud to a cruel murder and mockery toward people. And in this case, all your close people would believe me and hate you. Because I would do my best for the police to prove your fault with hard evidence and many witnesses.” “Are you really so self-confident? A good lawyer can win even the hardest case, making a judge sure that their client is right.” “They will not do, my dear. And do not forget that you need to pay a lot of money to a lawyer, but you barely have money for food. So, be very careful when you say something. The phrase ‘I will kill you’ may be quite a good argument to start to suspect you. And the fact that you are envying your more successful relatives may also be a wonderful motive for any crime to get their money.” “My gosh, what an insolent and nasty man you are,” Edward shakes his head. “How did you get so much evil? You did not get on with one person, but you do want to kill all the people in his surroundings! What kind of psychological trauma did you get in childhood that you got so mad at the whole world and grew up with the thought that money would decide everything?” “Trust me, Edward, if you lived my life and got a chance to make all your wishes come true at the end of it, you would do your best not to let anyone deprive you of it,” the stranger says confidently. “I am going to destroy you and your family for my own interests.” “Oh, how lucky I am not your son. I have thanked Gods thousands of times for having a better father, who would have never done such disgusting things as you do.” “Ha, I would hang myself if you were my son, or I would destroy you before your birth,” the stranger snuffs contemptuously. “For me, calling the insecure and weak coward my son would be a punishment. If I had a child, I would not let them become a mollycoddle. A mammy’s boy, who always runs to his mother and cries like a girl on her shoulder.” “I am not going to hide behind anyone’s back, so she saves me,” Edward says irritably, clenching his free hand into a fist so strongly that its chuckles get white. “Don’t think I would be hiding behind someone’s backs. I am used to solving my problems, not running away from them.” “When you realize you can do nothing, you will prefer saving your ass and putting others in danger.” “Never!” Edward exclaims loudly. “I will not give you this pleasure and will not hide behind anyone’s backs. Especially my mother’s one.” “I think you will be hiding behind the back of your friend,” the stranger simpers. “Loved by all girls guy, Terrence MacClife.” “Do not dare to get my friend involved in this case. He does not have to do with all your tricks.” “Oh, he does! That idiot will not hide from me, and I will destroy him, as well. And he will have to know what has been hidden from him for ages.” “Do not dare to hurt him!” Edward hisses with evil in his eyes, nervously walking at the whole territory where he is, feeling how fast his heart starts beating, starting to breathe quite heavily, and not knowing where to put his free hand. “DO NOT DARE!” “By the way, I do even have a plan of terrifying him and letting them know what is waiting for him. Although I’m sure your friend suspects something, just like everybody from your circle, Terrence does not even imagine what you are trying to hide from him and his fiancée. He doesn’t know that you’ve got some very interesting information about his younger brother.” “I swear if I know you touched Terrence at least with a finger and told your people to do something to him, I…” “I will regret it!” the stranger rolls his eyes. “Stop, Edward, your threats will not scare me! Keep pretending to be a hero as much as you want. But you will not save your mommy and your brother, who you are envying so much deep inside.” “Close your dirty mouth!” Edward throws coldly. “And do not envy the one, who is more successful and happier. Who is not a nasty and egoistic bastard that must be burning in hell for everything he has done.” “Listen, you, little puppy, who are you to talk to me like this? I see your tongue became too long, and you became really insolent!” “But who are you, shameless thief and killer, to attack someone, kill innocent people and steal what belongs to them? First, my father, but who is going to be the next one? My brother and mother? Or someone else that is not related to you?” “You are right… I am going to defeat not only your mommy and older brother but also some other people. I will start to chase them very soon, and I will constantly remind them that they will be dead very soon. And when I am sick of that, I will defeat them by one.” “And what would you get? What? Did you decide to kill them just for money? Maybe, it’s enough? You have robbed my father – it’s quite enough!” “Don’t worry, my dear, you will know everything soon. Now I will not say everything, so you don’t get shocked. Your mental health is tender, and you are my very sensitive boy. You may not take it if you knew what I am going to do, how, and when.” “What a shameless and greedy bastard you are! I’m truly sorry for your parents, who got such a disgusting and nasty son. I think they have turned in their graves one hundred times, seeing what horrible things you do.” “Do not get those, who do not have to do with you and I, involved in it,” the stranger growls on the phone with evil. “However, not only you and me, but also all your close people.” “If my child was such a cad, I would definitely reject them and forget about their father.” “Well, knowing your failures in your personal life, I’m sure you will not become a father soon. And you have never wanted to get married. So, you will hardly get a chance to babysit your children.” “My whole life lies in front of me, but you missed your chance,” Edward says confidently. “You will never get married and have children because you are too old and have a disgusting character. As I’ve said, no good girl would take such a disgusting and nasty man.” “Ar-r-r, alright, I am done with talking to you,” the stranger throws rudely, exhaling sharply. “If I talk to you for two more minutes, I will lose my temple.” “I know it’s unpleasant to hear it, and you are unhappy deep inside because you did not manage to feel truly happy. But you are the one to blame for it. If you were much kinder and better, everything would be otherwise.” “ALRIGHT, I NO LONGER WANT TO HEAR YOU! I will contact you a little later to tell you more. And never forget that I am starting to make my plan come true, and your close people will be dead soon. All the best, you, annoying boy.” The stranger turns off the call – that’s why Edward hears only beeps. The man, looking into the distance with dumbfounded eyes, slowly puts his phone in the pocket of his coat. He starts to panic because he does not know what to do not to let bad things happen. The man wants to pull his hair out, even though he does his best to keep calm and not to go crazy from despair and hopelessness. “No, no, he won’t do it!” Edward thinks with anxiety, breathing heavily enough, as his eyes are chaotically running from one side to another. “That bastard shouldn’t find my mother and my brother and hurt anyone in my circle. If he does it, something horrible will happen soon. And I don’t know how to save them from a threat! I don’t know what to do not to let them know about that bastard.” Edward sharply exhales and runs his hands through his hair, looking around the whole desert territory with eyes full of horror. “Fuck, it seems like I’m losing control of this situation…” Edward thinks. “That man is right: I am not able to save my close people from terrible things. It seems like I’d have to tell them what I’m hiding, early or late. If one of them meets the people of that bastard, they will think I have to do with all of that. I won’t be able to hide the truth from them forever.” Edward grabs his throat and exhales slowly, looking into the distance with dumbfounded eyes, breathing heavily enough and understanding he is shaking strongly from the excitement. The fear that something terrible might happen at the nearest time and hurt his close people somehow.***
It’s about six o'clock. Some time ago, Terrence left Daniel’s house after spending a few hours with him. Despite the threats in the letters and a piece of advice to look around, Terrence decides to walk alone and go where he has always liked to be with Raquelle. Where they reconciled a few months ago. After leaving his car not far from the road, on which it’s possible to go to the city, Terrence comes slowly to the ocean water and walks across the coast, watching the big waves that come and go. The strong but warm gusts of warm air blow up his hair and clothes, but he does not care about it. He keeps walking on the light, friable sand, sometimes raising it up with his legs or getting his hand underneath the cold ocean water. But some time later, he gets sick of walking and sits on the sand in front of the perfect view of the ocean, bending his legs at the knees and setting his little sad, thoughtful gaze to the truly beautiful sky, on which it’s possible to see lots of warm shades. “Although I won’t give up on my goal to save the band, I think it’s all worthless,” Terrence thinks with sadness in his eyes. “I doubt we would save the band from the breakup and make our dream to perform in front of people with our songs come true.” Terrence sighs with sadness in his eyes and shifts his weight on his arms, with which he leans on the sand. “On the one hand, I don’t believe in miracles and think I need to rate the situation soberly,” Terrence thinks. “But on the other hand, I don’t wanna give up on a chance to make music. I’ve dreamed about it since childhood! After so many refusals and lies, I finally got a real chance to get into the musical world. I have no right to give up, no matter how hard it is… Moreover, I wouldn’t like to make Raquelle think I wanna do nothing and would let my band break up to the fuck. I want to make her proud of me. But how do I do it when I think I need to give a fuck about my dreams?” Terrence glances aside for two seconds and moves some strands of hair off his eyes. “She’s one of those, who inspires me to do my best to get what I want, stay strong, and be confident in my abilities,” Terrence thinks. “That girl is the meaning of my life. I wanna live and do something for her. Raquelle will always be my greatest motivation and the one to always support life inside me and make me feel alive.” Terrence raises his head to the sky and closes his eyes for two seconds, breathing in some fresh air and feeling the wind blowing his face nicely. “Maybe, some feelings may be gone later, but everything is vice versa in Raquelle’s case,” Terrence thinks. “Every single day, I get much more attracted to her and don’t wanna see anyone but her by my side. Now I understand that I love her so badly. But when we just met, I considered her just a stunning beauty that drove me crazy and woke up all the craziest emotions. But now they've turned to true love. I see her not only as the one to wish to have sex with, but also as an amazing and understanding friend, who I could talk to about anything. Going home, I always know that Raquelle will always help me relax and listen to me from the start ‘till the end. Now, the place where I’m living is the home of my dream… The home of the dream that is like a paradise… Everything would’ve been otherwise if we hadn’t reconciled at this wonderful place, I hadn’t asked her to come back to me, and every one of us hadn’t let us get much closer to each other and make our relationship much stronger.” Terrence glances down for two seconds and then sets his eyes on the horizons across the endless ocean. “So, I must fight for our band ‘till the end…” Terrence thinks. “At least for Raquelle… For the one, for whom I’m ready to do anything. And at heart, I also madly want to save the band and help Peter get out of the depression. We should do it… All together… Should…” Terrence sits in front of the ocean for some time and watches the wind brings up and brings away big waves. But when the man understands that he feels a little relief after walking in this quiet place and hearing the calming sounds of tidal waves, he decides to go back home. He exhales sharply, gets up on his feet quickly, and shakes the sand that got sticky to his light blue jeans off himself after a few minutes of sitting on the friable sand. MacClife also fixes his disheveled hair that lost its first look because of the strong wind. But after making sure everything is fine, the man quietly goes to his car, putting his hands in his pockets. When he comes to it, the brunet takes the keys and wants to leave. But Terrence suddenly hears someone with a rude voice calling him. He does not hear it because he thinks about something. But when he puts the key into the locker at the driver's door, Terrence gets a very strong push in the back. His face literally meets the door of the car, barely standing on his feet. Luckily, he reacts in time and leans on the car with his hands not to hit his head and break his face, lip, or something else. Terrence sharply gets straight, turns on the one to stand behind him, and sees a non-emotional man in all black and wearing dark glasses. He is a little lower than the almost six-foot-tall black-haired man. But at first look, both have almost the same physical training. “Hey, what’s wrong?” Terrence resents, hiding the fact that he is a little scared by what happened. “Why did you push me? Have not enough place?” “Well, hello, fucking peacock,” the stranger pronounces with an evil sneer in a very low, unpleasant voice, looking at Terrence from head to foot. “It’s clear that people are right when they say you are too self-confident. I just came, but you began to be mean.” “Listen, I don’t know what you forgot here, but I have no time to listen to what I do not care about.” When Terrence turns forty-five degrees to his car, the stranger sharply grabs him by the arm and turns him on himself, setting his eyes full of hate on him. “No, no, stinker,” the stranger hisses with evil in his eyes. “I was watching you since you went to the café to eat and then went here for the reason.” “What do you need from me?” Terrence sharply gets his arm out of the stranger’s grip. “Who the fuck are you?” “I think you are the one I need. Now I do not doubt it…” the stranger simpers slyly. “Terrence MacClife…” “Erm, how do you know my name?” Terrence frowns slightly. “Well, at least because you are kind of an actor and the all-favorite guy of all little girls. But I do not care about your pseudo-success and know you from different sources.” “Wow…” Terrence crosses his arms over his chest. “My haters decided to chase me everywhere and try to hurt my feelings. But you are doing this for nothing, respectful. I do care about my fans’ opinion.” “Even your haters would not waste their time for the talentless actor, whose star faded away a long time ago.” “You cannot know if it faded away.” “Oh, trust me, I know very much about you and your family. I literally can get into your head and find out all your thoughts and fears.” “Alright, let’s stop this worthless talk!” Terrence throws sharply, putting his hand with his palm turned on the stranger. “Just tell me what you want, you will get it, and we will quietly go our separate ways. I do not need problems, and I think you do not do, either.” “Do you want to know what I need? I will say!” the stranger crosses his arms over his chest, looking at Terrence with his eyes full of hate and contempt. “I need your skin and the skin of someone you know very well.” “Who is that someone?” Terrence frowns slightly. “What are you the fuck talking about? What do you need from me?” “M-m-m, so, I did know you knew nothing about what happened,” the stranger smirks evilly. “So, alright, I believe everything you will have to know will be a great shock for you.” “Holy shit, what kind of bullshit are you talking about? Why do I waste my time on you? I need to go! I have more important business than a talk with the one I see for the first time.” Terrence half turns on the car and is going to unlock it. But the stranger grabs him under his arms much tighter and, setting his contemptuous eyes on him, keeps holding them while saying coldly: “I advise you not to move, bastard. Or it will be worse for you. You will die before you should do.” “Hey, let me go immediately!” Terrence demands rudely, getting out of the stranger’s grip sharply. “Your threats don’t scare me! You can say anything as much as you want, but it will be empty words.” “Don’t be so confident, MacClife. You don’t know that the people, who are surrounding you are hiding many secrets. And they are trying too hard not to let you know them.” “The people, who are surrounding me, are hiding nothing,” Terrence says crossly. “Stop saying some bullshit!” “You are wrong, MacClife, it’s not bullshit, it’s the truth,” the stranger shakes his head with a sneer. “You are probably just blind and too stupid to see you have the one, who started all of this, is by your side.” “I do not know what you are talking about. And I swear, if you do not leave me alone, I will immediately go to the police and tell them about your threats.” “Try, but you will not get anything anyway. Remember, stinker, all your close people and you will be dead soon. You’ll die with tortures.” “Will be dead?” Terrence frowns slightly. “Yes, brainless sheep, dead! And I advise you to look around because you might meet someone to wish to kill the former favorite boy of all the little girls.” “Wait…” Terrence thinks for two seconds. “So, did you send me the letter with threats for me and my family?” “Oh, yeah, Terrence, your brains don’t work at all,” the stranger crosses his arms over his chest with a contemptuous sneer. “If you just understood it, accept my condolences. You are really brainless. Just like one of those, who are near you. You two are worth each other. Because you have sawdust in your heads.” “So, do you confess that the letter was written by you?” “You see, mate, the case is that the letter was sent to you not by me but the one I am working on. And I want to notice that there should be two letters, not one.” “I got it, too. And I’ve already found out someone definitely has a grudge against me, knowing they say I should be careful when walking on the streets.” “So, did you make sure about it? You understood that you got serious problems?” “I don’t know who I hurt so much. But I do know I did nothing bad to anyone to make someone send me those fucking letters.” “My boss knows everything about you and your family. Maybe, you do not know him, but he knows you very well. I will tell you more – that person knew you when you were sleeping in your mommy’s arms and sucking a pacifier.” “And how does he know me?” Terrence smirks contemptuously, putting his hands on his hips. “You will know everything you should know soon.” “Then, maybe, you say what that idiot needs from me? Why does he the fuck send me letters with threats and tell his pals to scare me?” “That man will tell you everything when he wants. The only thing I can say is that my boss has great plans for you and your family.” “Ha, how did we hurt him to make him wish to destroy us?” “You hurt him by your birth!” the stranger throws rudely. “If you had not been born, he would have lived much better. Not only you but also your whole family that he wants to destroy at the nearest time. So you don’t make the air dirty.” “Do not dare to hurt at least one of my family!” Terrence hisses, setting his cold and contemptuous gaze full of evil on the stranger and threatening him with a finger. “I swear you will regret it! I will turn you into dust! You and the bastard, who you are working on! If you think you will make me silent, you are deeply wrong. I will go to the police and report you. And if one of you dares at least to touch any of my relatives with a finger, I will strangle you with my own hands. I swear, scumbag, you will pay me!” “Calm down, MacClife!” the stranger exclaims in a rude, low voice. “I know you are a hysterical boy, who gets mad for any reason and could kick anyone without warning. But I advise you to take care of your broken nerves. I think you will need them when you are grieving the loss of your parents and beloved fiancée. If you do not die earlier, of course.” “What did you say?” Terrence clenches his hands tightly into fists and starts breathing too heavily from the evil and excitement he gets obsessed with. “Tell me what you said again!” “What you heard!” the stranger smiles slyly. “Those people will be dead. I don’t care about your daddy and mommy, but I’m sorry that such a sexual cutie like your fiancée will have to die. That hellcat can make any man excited with just one gaze. Who knows, maybe, I’d also manage to play with her a little before my boss tells me to kill her. I would fuck her with great pleasure.” The furious Terrence comes sharply closer to the stranger and slaps him in the face as strongly as possible. His opponent turns aside, and then he shortly grabs him by the collar, setting his smoldering eyes on him. “Do not dare to come to her,” Terrence hisses with evil in his eyes. “Or I, asshole, will beat you so hard that you will forget your name! YOU GOT IT, BASTARD? DO NOT EVEN DARE TO COME TO MY FIANCÉE!” “Stop shouting, hysterical boy!” the stranger demands loudly, pushing Terrence off rudely. “You must definitely get therapy for your nerves! Your eyes are about to pop out of your head.” “I said everything, asshole! If you just look at my fiancée and think of mocking her, I swear you will be dead. I WILL PERSONALLY STRANGLE YOU WITH MY OWN HANDS! AND I WILL BE AS CRAZY AS I HAVE NEVER BEEN BEFORE.” “I think you have suffered from rabies since the early years. You probably got bitten by a dog with rabies when you were a child. Well… Or you just had the hysterical mommy and daddy and took after them. Everybody knows an apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” “I give a fuck about what you think of me. But remember, you will surely make me crazy in case you dare to come to my fiancée. I will skin you over if I know you just looked at her or especially tried to rape her and satisfy your dirty needs.” “I doubt you will protect her when I wish to play with her a little with my boss’ permission. Because I do not doubt you will die much earlier, so nobody stops him from getting such a stunning and sexy beauty out of his way,” the stranger smiles slyly. “Who he would not mind having fun with. And finding out how good she is at sex: fatal and confident or absolutely talentless.” Terrence, getting literally kind of green from the anger, wants to slap the stranger in the face much stronger and attack him with fists. But the criminal immediately reacts, sharply avoiding the hit, and beats MacClife in the face as strongly as possible. That’s why Terrence sharply turns upon and grabs his cheek, which starts burning after such a strong slap. “So, will you try to slap me again, bastard?” the stranger asks rudely, crossing his arms over his chest and looking at Terrence with his cold eyes. “Try! You can even attack me with your fists! But remember, the more you do that, the higher the chance that I want to beat your face. And give a fuck about my boss’ order not to kill you much earlier and just to scare you and let you know you will be dead soon.” Terrence, still holding his cheek that just got a slap, turns on the stranger and looks at him with cold eyes full of hatred. “Don’t dare to come to my fiancée and do something to her,” Terrence hisses. “I SWEAR, I WILL CUT THE THROAT OF YOU AND THE ONE YOU ARE SERVING!” “I completely understand you are playing a brave hero and ready to kill anyone for that attractive chick. But keep yourself under control. If you keep behaving like a hysterical girl, someone will bring you to a mental hospital, so you can recover your nerves.” “I will bring you and all your pals and bosses to a hospital if you touch my fiancée, at least with a finger. Not only her. If I, scumbag, know that someone has harmed my mother, you will also have to pay for that. I swear, I am not going to be silent and leave it unnoticed.” “I doubt that you will get protection and help from the authorities,” the stranger smirks evilly, still keeping his arms crossed over his chest. “My boss has many contacts in all spheres. If he is told you reported him or his helpers, the case will be closed quickly, and you will have to pay a lot for it. He can sentence the one that was loved by all little girls, who did not know what a scumbag their idol was.” “Yeah, how is he going to do that?” Terrence looks at the stranger insolently. “Leave drugs in my car or house? Bribe someone from the media, so they write a false article about me? Or choose a more interesting way?” “Trust me, he will easily turn your life into hell and prove that you should not stand in his way.” “Oh, oh, I’m so scared!” Terrence rolls his eyes. “You should not stand in my way. Or I will destroy all of you. And you and your pals do not better wake up an animal inside me and do not even look at my fiancée and mother. In this case, I will not be responsible for my actions.” “My boss will surely reach for your gorgeous fiancée and beloved mommy. Not just them… But also your friend and even his girlfriend. By the way, she’s also a wonderful candy that is definitely, madly delicious…” “What? Did you put an eye on the girlfriend of my friend? What does she have to do with all of it? Or does your boss want to deal with her because he needs to satisfy his needs and seduce good girls?” “Well, at least because she has to do with your pathetic family to some extent. And she has a crush on the one you should blame for this trouble. If not for that brainless, little boy, your ass would have been safe.” “That girl has a crush only on my friend, whom she is dating. She does not have another man if you try to hint that she is not loyal to him.” “Actually, I do mean your friend, stupid! Your friend, Edward Lockhart. You and your gorgeous fiancée are getting all these threats just because that snotty idiot loves meddling in someone’s business. And he probably plans something bad against you.” “What do you mean? What does Edward have to do with the threats that your boss is sending?” “He does, MacClife, he does. I think your friend is hiding very much and could tell you everything about my boss. But the one, who Lockhart knows so well, doubts that the puppy will open his mouth. Because he wants to get off him alone and pretend to be a hero, who can defeat such a powerful man.” “You are trying to slander him!” Terrence exclaims. “I will not believe that Edward has to do with those threats and your boss. My friend is too decent to get in touch with the one to be a rare bastard.” “Believe it or not, but Lockhart has to do with those threats and is closely connected with my boss. Of course, you can ask your friend about what connects them, but I think he will deny everything and not wish to admit it. But if you are not as brainless as that bastard is, you will realize it’s true after just looking into his eyes.” “And how would you prove that Edward has to do with the bullshit your boss started?” Terrence asks, understanding the stranger may tell him the truth. “Blaming someone without proof is very easy. But you kind of forgot you needed to prove your words somehow.” “Is the fact that Edward is silent like a partisan and says nothing about his life not a good enough argument to start to suspect him for something bad?” the stranger wonders truly. “My boss is well aware that your friend is hiding a big part of the information about his life, and does not say he is not the one to pretend to be.” “What are you talking about?” “And yeah, it may be a shock for you, but that kid has some very interesting information about your missing younger brother. Who, to my surprise, was also named Edward. Edward Robert MacClife.” “Information about my brother?” “Yes, MacClife! Your friend knows about him very well and can say who he is.” “And as I understand, do you know something about him, too?” “Maybe…” the stranger smiles mysteriously. “Tell me then!” “No, buddy, I will say nothing to you!” “Speak! Or I will make you do this!” “Ask Lockhart about it. He will answer you. If he wants it, of course.” “I think you’re just trying to slander that guy. You found a victim and decided to blame him for everything.” “Edward is not innocent and sweet, Terrence. Trust me when you and your family know who he actually is, and what secrets he is hiding, you will immediately lose your trust in him.” “Do not dare to slander my friend!” Terrence throws coldly and rudely. “Your boss should not think he could blame Edward for all his tricks and get it off. I don’t know why that man and all his pathetic accomplices try to do it, but whatever you say, we will never believe that such a wonderful, shy, and decent man could be a bastard like you.” “Alright, but when you know the truth, don’t say I did not warn you about who Edward Lockhart actually was,” the stranger smirks contemptuously. “Close your mouth, asshole!” “Remember, Terrence, since now, your life and the lives of your friend and your family will turn into real hell! My boss will do his best to destroy you two and get your parents and beloved girl out of his way.” “Do not even dare to hurt the girls!” Terrence hisses, starting to threaten the stranger with a finger and keeping his cold and contemptuous gaze on him. “Don’t dare even try to get closer to my mother and fiancée and my friend’s girlfriend. Or I will personally kill you and the accomplices of that scum. And I do give a fuck about that fucking law and what type of contacts that stinker has.” “You and Lockhart are the same,” the stranger snuffs and crosses his arms over his chest, looking at Terrence with contempt in his eyes from head to foot as if he’s something disgusting. “One is worth another… Both of you love snapping and do it perfectly… The first one turned into a hysterical girl with broken mental health, which got much worse because of fame. And the second one has always been terribly cowardly but is hiding it hard by getting problems at his wish and pretending to be a hero that saves everyone and gets lots of thanks. I guess it’s his way to build his self-rate that went so down mainly because of his father, who was constantly humiliating, insulting, and hating his sonny. While his pal has a too high one and calls himself literally God that everybody must praise.” “Why are you saying it?” Terrence puts his hands on his hips. “Do you think I care about everything said by the stinker, who is probably so corrupt that he is ready to dance attendance upon his boss? Maybe, you say how much money you get from that bastard? So, some rabbles help him do his dirty tricks and threaten those, who did NOTHING bad to him!” “Stop showing off, you, shabby peacock!” the stranger roars, sharply waving his hands. “You’re an adult man, but you have as little brains as a chicken. Or that little, nasty puppy, who really annoyed my boss by just living in this world.” “Yeah, I would bet who has as many brains as a chicken does. I’m talking to a more brainless idiot, who reacts to great money as well as a cat reacts to melt or catnip. Well, or a man to a sexual cutie…” The furious stranger gives Terrence another very strong slap in the face and instantly gets the same back. It makes the criminal much angrier. He sharply grabs MacClife by the collar and strongly throws him on the hood of his own car. Terrence does not react in time and falls on the hood, hitting his forehead and nose strongly against the windshield. Feeling quite a strong pain, the man, however, quickly gets off the car and gives his opponent a tough hit in the yawl with a fist. So, the criminal sharply grabs him by the hair and pushes him so strongly that he falls on the sand, feeling a searing pain in his arms as he hits his elbows when falling. Terrence gets really wild. He gets up on his foot with a quiet growl and instantly attacks the opponent with fists, grabbing him by the collar, striking him down on the sand, falling over him, and starting to give strong hits with fists on the face, head, stomach, and other very vulnerable areas. However, the stranger does not let himself be a victim and starts to beat MacClife cruelly with great pleasure after he strikes him down at some moment. None of them has an advantage over each other since they have the same good psychical education and a strong hit. One beats another for some time, and another tries to get off and answer back, and then they change their places and keep fighting cruelly. For one or two minutes of the fight, the stranger leaves a few bruises on Terrence’s body and a big one under his eye and hits him on the nose so strongly that a little flow of red blood starts to get out of it. And MacClife answers him back by hitting his opponent in the yawl several times, feeling not sorry for his hands that get hurt enough and even bleed. Moreover, the man also kicks out the criminal’s teeth and breaks his lip a little, on which bright red tracks appear. Both of them feel strong pain in the whole body after the tough hits and are covered with friable sand after rolling on it several times, and their hair is scraggly and has lost its first look. They answer to every single slap and every single hit on the face as aggressively as possible. Nobody lets themselves become a victim, but it’s getting harder to do it because they start to get a little tired after such a cruel fight. Nevertheless, this fight continues for two more minutes, during which they attack each other, strike down, give very strong hits with their legs and hands, and even throw some sand into the eyes to get a chance to beat him much more. At some moment, it betrays Terrence, who gets sand into his eyes and loses an opportunity to see for some time. The stranger hums quietly, watches him for two seconds, rudely throws his opponent on the sand, and gives him a few more slaps and strong hits in his abdomen with his fists. MacClife does not answer, but doubles over and makes torturing moans. And when the crime gets sick of beating him, he sharply gets up and shakes the sand off, holding his little swollen yawl and his bleeding lip. A little later, he moves his cold gaze to Terrence lying on the sand, holding his strongly bleeding nose, and moaning quietly from the pain in his whole body. “ASSHOLE!” the stranger screams at the top of his lungs, breathing a little heavily. “I HATE YOU, BASTARD! I would kill you right here with pleasure. But today you are very lucky: my boss told me not to kill you early. My goal was just to scare you and let you know that your family got great problems!” The stranger hits Terrence strongly in the stomach with a leg. That’s why MacClife winces strongly and barely holds down his wish to scream from the burning pain. “I repeat, you, shabby dog, you are very lucky today,” the stranger says loudly and rudely with evil in his eyes, threatening Terrence with a finger. “VERY LUCKY! But next time, I will turn you into a BIG PIECE OF MELT. My boss will not let you and your pathetic family live. But if you understood nothing, I advise you to ask your friend about what he is hiding. I am sure that you will be shocked by what he tells you. Farewell, MacClife, see you on the day my boss tells me to kill you. I will do it with great pleasure.” The stranger gives Terrence a strong slap in the face and strikes him down, while he can barely sit. “And yeah, I will tell you one thing,” the stranger adds. “Your younger brother is much closer to you than you think. And Lockhart knows it very well. He knows where you can find that guy. So, if you really want to meet him, I advise you to get the confession out of your pal.” After this, the stranger turns around sharply and goes somewhere, leaving Terrence alone and hiding somewhere a few minutes later. The man is lying on the sand, making quiet moans and breathing a little heavily. He is suffering from strong pain in his whole body after the tough hits. He also got a slight headache after the hit against the windshield. And a little flow of blood is still getting out of his nose, touching of which is literally hurt. Almost his whole face and some places on his light clothes are covered with blood. Terrence feels such a strong weakness that he does not almost have the energy to get up and go to the car, where he always has a first aid kit. Now he needs it so badly to stop his nose bleeding and treat all the wounds he got after the fight with the stranger. The man lies on the sand for some time, quietly moaning from the pain and grabbing his head, nose, or something else, and tries to catch his heavy breath. But then Terrence finds the strength to get up, even though he literally makes himself do this. He slowly, barely comes to the car, opens the driver's door, and finds a little red box in the glove box with everything he needs in case someone needs first aid. There are closed packs of bandages, gauze, band-aids, bottles, scissors, tweezers, and some tablets. But Terrence does not need it all and takes only a bottle of peroxide, a pack of cotton, and a couple of clean napkins to wipe the blood off his face. After putting the first-aid kit on the passenger seat, he starts to treat his wounds. Five minutes later, Terrence gets to stop the nose bleeding and treat some little wounds. Although his head stopped hurting so much, he can still feel a light pain somewhere far. When applying a cold bottle of water to his quite noticeable bruise under his eyes, the man tries to put everything in the right places and realize what just happened. “Damn, it seems like Raquelle was right when she didn’t wanna let me go,” Terrence whispers, leaning back in the driver's seat. “She kind of knew that the bastard would’ve attacked me. That was one of the cases when she was absolutely right, and her intuition didn’t betray her again. Damn, I’m really sorry for not listening to that girl and thinking her suspicion was bullshit. It wasn’t bullshit. A bastard just attacked me and beat me strongly… My whole body hurts now…” Terrence sighs heavily and leans back, closing his eyes for a moment and slightly touching one of the pieces of cotton wetted with peroxide and put in his nostrils to stop the blood. “But now I know that this is the end of our quiet life,” Terrence says quietly. “Those letters aren’t nonsense. Someone really wanna harm us. As that bastard said, maybe, we don’t know someone, but they know us… Hm… I wonder what it means. Who could know about me and what’s happening in my life so well? And know my home address… That only my closest people have… And…” Then Terrence calls the memories about the words of the stranger, who openly said Edward had to do with it and advised him to ask his friend about it. “Of course!” Terrence shakes slightly. “Raquelle assumed that the threats in the letters could have to do with what Edward or Natalia were hiding. It seems like, she was right! That man said my friend could tell me much and was sure he was connected with the one, who sent us those letters. I don’t wanna believe it’s true, but I’m afraid I have to admit that guy is really not as sweet and fluffy as it seems. Raquelle did begin to suspect Edward from the beginning, and she was absolutely right. And Daniel wasn’t wrong when he thought that her theory was possible…” Terrence shakes his head, setting his eyes into the distance. “I wonder if he really knows something about my brother? Does Lockhart know him? He knows where he’s living? And what does it mean my brother is much closer to me than I think? Is it someone from my circle? But who could it be? As I understand, he’s supposed to be similar to me. But there is nobody similar to me in my circle.” Terrence touches the bruise under his eye and slightly winces as it hurts after a slight touch. “Oh, it’s clear why he’s been so strange…” Terrence says quietly. “I can’t confidently say Edward doesn’t have to do with it. That guy is definitely hiding his problems with his relationship with Natalia and the problems he got into. Holy shit, he got into such great trouble that a certain man decided to destroy us. Who is he actually? How is my friend connected with it? Is he one of those, who serve him? So, I could assume Edward told the ‘boss’ where to find Raquelle and me? But if it’s true, why did he do that? What did we do to make him decide to do it to us? We all treated him well! Too well!” Terrence makes a quiet moan, running his hands over his face. “No!” Terrence exclaims and tightly grabs the steering wheel. “I will no longer let Lockhart be silent. If I wanna know everything that man needs from Raquelle and me, I must question Edward immediately and reveal him. I guess I need to listen to that bastard and make that guy speak. Now he’s the only one to be able to explain what’s the hell going on. The only one, who can help me find the missing son of my brother.” Terrence thinks for two seconds and nods with slightly squinted eyes. “You’ve been bitten through,” Terrence says confidently. “And now, dear friend, you will tell me all your secrets. Even if I have to get the information out of you by force. I shall find a way to make you speak, Edward Lockhart, I swear. Even if I have to be cruel and press you to the wall, I will do it. To find out what you and that bastard want to do. And this time, you will not talk me down. Either you tell me everything at your wish, or I have to forget about my good relationship with you and be cruel. Anyway, my suspicions about your wish to harm me already make me lose respect for you. But I swear, if it’s true, I will no longer speak to you. If you, scumbag, came into my life and won the trust of us to destroy Raquelle, Mother, me, and even Natalia, I will not give you this pleasure. Now I will not get off you and will be torturing you until I hear all the confessions. I swear, Lockhart. If it’s really your name, of course. What if you’re hiding under a different name.” While Terrence thinks, he grabs the steering wheel tightly and holds down his anger that wakes up inside him at the thought that Edward really decided to harm him. “Raquelle must know what that bastard told me about my friend,” Terrence says confidently. “And I will have no choice ‘cause she’ll see the bruise on my face and want me to explain everything. We should find a way to find out all the plans that Edward has for us. I don’t think that bastard would be lying and slandering my friend. As if he surely knew it. So, I have to think Edward is a prime suspect ‘till he proves it’s not true. Terrence sits in the driver's seat for some time and thinks about the current situation, coming to himself after the fight with the stranger, who made him doubt Edward was the one he wanted to be. But then the man exhales sharply, closes the door of the auto that was open all this time, quickly puts the first aid kit in the glove box, starts the motor, and goes on the road without problems. MacClife swears to do his best to find out everything Edward knows. He does not know if it has to do with the secret that Natalia is hiding. But he does not doubt that the lives of his parents, Raquelle, Natalia, and he are in great danger.