The Secrets Hidden In The Scars

      One week passed fast. It’s about half past twelve in the afternoon. Natalia is spending her time with Terrence and Raquelle. The three are sitting at the back of the house on a small table and drinking sweet drinks from high glasses. Today the weather is warm and almost cloudless, but a light wind is blowing outside. That’s why sitting in the back of the house and talking to friends would be a great chance to distract themselves from bad thoughts.       “It’s been a week, but we know nothing about the trial,” Natalia notices thoughtfully, leaning back in the chair and sometimes drinking something from her glass. “As if something prevents the process from moving off the dead point.”       “No, no, don’t worry, everything is fine so far,” Raquelle replies, leaning back and folding her hands on the table. “I recently talked to Mr. Johnson, and he said we’d have our first meeting with a lawyer that would be protecting us very soon.”       “And when’s gonna happen?”       “I dunno yet, but we’ll be told. He said the lawyer was good and experienced… Supposed to do his best for the judge to stand by our side…”       “Honestly, I’m nervous… But I understand I have to go to the hearing… We’ve gotta put an end to this story…”       “Not just you, dear. I’m also a little nervous. It’s gonna be hard when we’re called to testify… When lawyers and a judge ask us some questions, and someone is gonna protest.”       “That’s what scares me. It’s gonna be hard to resist this psychological pressure.”       “I get it. But we have to get over that. For our best.”       “I know. And I really want everything to end as soon as possible.”       “We want the same, but none of us is sure that process is gonna be easy and quick,” Terrence replies, sitting next to Raquelle, folding his hands on the table and sometimes looking around, while the girl drinks a little bit from her glass.       “I get goosebumps from thinking that day will come.”       “I get it. But as Raquelle said, we must get over it. But when the judge returns a verdict of our win and puts Uncle and his gang in prison, we will relax and exhale with relief.”       “Oh…” Natalia sighs quietly, moving a little strand of hair off her eyes. “You know, guys… Although it’s been a while since Michael got arrested, I haven’t gotten better. Yes, there’s definitely relief, but… I can’t say I feel happy now.”       “Still can’t come to yourself after the time you spent at Uncle’s house?”       “Partly… But I don’t mean I got psychological trauma. No… Just… Just… I want something that can cheer me up. The last week passed fast, but I still feel nothing… No happiness, no sadness… Nothing… I’m an amoeba…”       “I understand you, darling.” Terrence drinks a little from his glass. “The same is happening to me. I feel morally bad after what’s lately happened… It got me emptied and kind of took all my strength and wish to do something. Seriously… If I’m told to go to do something, I’ll hardly do it with pleasure.”       “I think there’s nothing strange about our condition,” Raquelle replies thoughtfully. “When something shocking happens multiple times, it’ll be very hard to come to yourself. Trust me, I also feel bad, but a little better than you two.”       “Because you didn’t have to overcome as much as we did,” Natalia replies quietly.       “Wrong, I was super worried about what happened. For example, I spent much of my nerves and strength helping the police organize the arrest of Michael and his gang. You know how bad I felt after that shake-up!”       “I don’t say you weren’t worried about us. But you really feel better now.”       “And I can imagine what you feel.”       “I think we’re lucky you’re able to make us hold on and not go crazy,” Terrence replies thoughtfully, spinning his finger around his glass and leaning back in the chair. “I wouldn’t take it all without your moral support for too long. All this week, I’ve felt more or less well ‘cause you’ve been by my side and distracted me.”       “I hope you didn’t think of arguing about something at such a hard moment,” Natalia wonders, holding her glass of a drink in her hand.       “No, no, it’s fine,” Terrence cracks a smile. “And actually, I must confess that our relationship has gotten much better, and we stopped arguing about stupid things.”       “So, you have harmony now?”       “I think we were really so tense that we couldn’t keep everything inside and took it out on each other.”       “We’re now trying to talk about what we’re worried about and give each other support,” Raquelle adds. “Though, I’m trying to do much more not to let Terrence go crazy. I do understand he’s still deeply shocked after what happened.”       “It’s the truth,” Terrence confirms and takes a sip of a drink. “Raquelle really helps me well. She makes me hold on. I mean, many people do it, but she does it much better. Your friend knows what key may open the way to the bottom of my heart.”       “I’m trying, honey,” Raquelle replies with a slight smile.       Natalia smiles shyly, looking at the friends sitting in front of her. Silence settles in the air for a few seconds, during which the three drink something from their glasses and look around, enjoying the warm, light wind that is blowing outside.       “And you two are helping me well,” Natalia says amicably. “I’d surely go crazy if I didn’t have your support.”       “We need friends not to go crazy and think we’re lonely,” Raquelle shrugs with a shy smile. “Real friends would share grief with you, be happy for your success, and support you in any situation.”       “Aw, guys…” Natalia sighs with sadness in her eyes and folds her hands on the table. “Sometimes I’m a little ashamed that you spend so much time with me and barely have it for each other.”       “Why do you think so?” Raquelle rounds her eyes.       “You’ve just lately given me so much attention. Because of what happened, I needed a lot of time to come to myself a little. And… you sacrificed your time and spent it with me, not each other.”       “Don’t worry, Natalia,” Terrence replies with a shy smile. “Raquelle and I always find time for each other, take care of you, and make sure you’re fine.”       “I know, but sometimes I’m really awkward for you. I don’t wanna bother you and make you babysit me like a child.”       “Natalia, don’t say stupid things,” Raquelle shakes her head. “You’ve never bothered us! Don’t say it as if we do all of that by force.”       “I don’t do. Just feel embarrassed for getting so much attention.”       “We’re your best friends, who must help you in any situation. Support and comfort you as much as you need.”       “We’re not doing this because we owe you,” Terrence adds amicably. “We’re doing it because you’re our friend. Our best friend that wouldn’t betray and would help at a hard moment.”       “Yeah, I know, guys,” Natalia replies with a slight smile. “Because I do many things for my friends not because I believe it’s my duty, but because I love them.”       “We know, Natalia,” Raquelle replies with a slight smile, softly caressing Natalia’s hand placed on the table.       Natalia smiles shyly and says nothing for a few seconds before she takes a sip of the drink.       “Hey, I met Anna a few days ago,” Natalia confesses and grabs her glass placed in front of her with both hands. “We agreed on a meeting when she texted me two days after the arrest of Michael. So, she came to me, and we spent time together.”       “Really?” Raquelle wonders.       “Yup… And… I told her what happened to me.”       “You told?”       “I promised to tell her everything. So, I hid nothing and told her about my kidnapping and… How I was almost… Raped…”       “Wow…” Terrence pronounces thoughtfully. “So, does Daniel know it, too?”       “They saw the reportage about Michael, in which they mentioned all of us. I had watched it two times before Anna texted me.”       “Wait, didn’t you tell her everything shortly after you came back home?”       “Nope. Honestly, I wanted to talk to nobody and was just lying on a sofa, eating, sleeping, watching TV, and checking some things. I was coming to myself, so to say…”       “That’s how,” Terrence pronounces and takes a sip from his glass.       “And…” Natalia falls into silence and thinks for two seconds with sadness in her eyes. “I told Seymour more about what happened between Edward and me.”       “Absolutely everything?” Raquelle rounds her eyes.       “Yup.”       “And did you get the courage to do that?” Terrence asks hesitantly.       “I thought there was no point in hiding the truth,” Natalia shrugs. “Early or late, she would’ve found it out. Moreover, Anna is my friend. She should know everything that happens to me. That girl was so worried about me for all those days. She calmed down only when I texted her back and talked to her the next day.”       “I can understand her,” Raquelle says quietly. “Because I wasn’t quiet, either.”       “Anna was deeply overwhelmed when I told her everything. The poor girl got white and didn’t literally breathe from horror. That story got her so shocked that I did even get ashamed. Ashamed of scaring her so much.”       “Poor girl…” Raquelle shakes her head and takes a little sip from her glass.       “Well, as Anna knows everything, there’s no point in telling Daniel everything,” Terrence says thoughtfully. “Because she will tell him about it.”       “He already knows everything,” Natalia replies. “I talked to Daniel two days ago when he decided to visit me at home and support me. Anna couldn’t come with him ‘cause she had a business, but Perkins kindly agreed to talk to me and drink a cup of coffee. And that handsome guy said he was aware of the situation thanks to my friend.”       “That guy was also worried about you,” Raquelle says softly. “When we told him and Anna about your kidnapping, he was also deeply shocked and wanted you to come back home as soon as possible.”       “I know,” Natalia replies with a slight smile. “I’m really very lucky to have such good friends. And yeah, Daniel and Anna both said they’d be supporting us on the trial whenever it took place. Father and Mother also showed a wish to come to the courthouse.”       “Really?” Raquelle smiles slightly. “That’s great!”       “Yeah, it’s nice to have so many supporters,” Terrence notices, leaning back in the chair and glancing aside for a second. “It would be very hard to fight without the support of friends or relatives.”       “I can’t disagree,” Raquelle nods. “I haven’t talked to Grandpa about it, but I’m sure he’ll wish to come to support us, as well.”       “I think he wouldn’t stay aside.”       Natalia thinks for two seconds and changes the topic, drinking some drink from her glass:       “Hey, about relatives… Did you know Anna recently met her father?”       “Her father?” Raquelle specifies, amazingly staring at Natalia.       “But she doesn’t speak to her parents!” Terrence exclaims.       “Anna accidentally ran into him outside during a walk with Daniel, who got her out of the home to help her calm down,” Natalia replies.       “My gosh…” Raquelle pronounces thoughtfully. “But when did they meet?”       “One week ago. On the day when Anna sent me a message.”       “And how was the meeting?”       “Yeah, how?” Terrence asks. “As far as I know, Anna didn’t wanna meet her parents.”       “Well, first, everything wasn’t well, saying softly.” Natalia chuckles quietly, closing her mouth with a hand. “Because at first, they thought Anna’s father would take my friend home, lock her in a room, and hit her boyfriend on the head with a bat.”       “Seriously?” Raquelle laughs shyly.       “Yup, although Anna got also terribly scared, she says we must’ve seen the face of Daniel when he realized he met her father. Seymour said that handsome guy got sharply white, could barely breathe, and literally forgot how to speak.”       “Oh, yeah…” Terrence laughs a little louder. “So, did Daniel put his tail between his legs after he met his future father-in-law face-to-face?”       “At first, yes, but then everything got better. Anna made her father sure that she wanted to live on her own and be with the one she loved. Well… It kind of got that man softer, and he slowly melted.”       “So easily?”       “Anna said it. I’m telling you what I heard from her.”       “So…” Terrence takes a sip from his glass. “Either your friend was exaggerating about her terrible life with her parents, and they weren’t really so terrible… Or… Something happened and definitely changed Seymour’s father’s point of view… Or maybe, even her mother…”       “I can say nothing about her mother, but her father turned out as an understanding man and didn’t take his daughter home by force and kill her boyfriend with a bat.”       “Yeah…” Terrence chuckles kindly. “I’d like to see his face at that moment… Maybe, nobody would’ve had to hit him on the head, ‘cause he would’ve passed out from the overdose of emotions.”       “Oh, MacClife, you always need to find a reason to laugh at your friends…” Raquelle sighs with a slight smile.       “C’mon, I completely understand him! The parents of your girlfriend don’t beat you on the head not every day.”       “Hey, there is another piece of news…” Natalia confesses, putting her glass on the table. “Anna told me that her father and mother decided to get divorced. She said they already filed for divorce and are waiting for the time they got to change their mind to be up.”       “C’mon?” Raquelle rounds her eyes, looking at Natalia amazingly. “Anna’s parents are getting divorced?”       “They are. But everything should be fine: Anna’s father said they wouldn’t share the property in court. Her parents shared everything and agreed on what they’d have.”       “My gosh…” Terrence pronounces thoughtfully.       “Nevertheless, those people remained friends and will even continue to work together. Anna said they had a joint business and decided to keep ruling it together.”       “Could they do?”       “Anna’s father said they could do it. They were always terrible husband and wife and kept their relationship just because of their parents, but they became wonderful colleagues. And now, when Anna’s grandfathers and grandmothers died, her parents don’t have a point in living together. They had some misunderstandings but solved them and decided that divorce would be the best decision. At least the father of my friend realized he wanted to live his life, not the one that his parents, mother-in-law, and father-in-law chose.”       “Oh, poor Anna…” Raquelle shakes her head. “It’s gonna be hard for her to accept her parents’ divorce…”       “C’mon, Raquelle, I believe she didn’t get upset,” Natalia smiles slightly. “Anna talked about the divorce with a smile on her face.”       “With a smile?”       “She openly said she was happy with their divorce. And I think Anna is right. She knew there was no love between her parents. Their relationship was concluded for some benefit. For the wish of their families. I think our friend got herself ready that her parents would fill for divorce early or late in childhood.”       “Do you think she isn’t upset at all?”       “No, our friend is really happy about it. And I think it would be better for her and both of them. If they got a chance to stop torturing each other, they should do it.”       “Hey, did Anna’s father approve of our imitable Daniel Perkins as her boyfriend and probably her fiancé?” Terrence asks with interest.       “Yes, he did! Anna’s father wanted to talk to Daniel and find out what he was, and Anna suggested they talk at their house.”       “C’mon, didn’t Perkins get cowardly?”       “As you see, no! They got on very well, and my friend’s father blessed that cute couple and promised not to meddle in their relationship.”       “I feel that rooster used the power of his, as he thinks, charming eyes and subdued that man,” Terrence chuckles quietly. “He’s sure that when people look into his eyes, they’re ready to fall to his knees.”       “At least, he’s got the official permission to date Anna. And her father wouldn’t mind if they got married. Daniel said it when he was at my home.”       “Well, the main problem of our friend has been solved,” Raquelle says confidently with a wide smile.       “And my buddy finally got a blessing and can start planning a wedding,” Terrence adds funnily. “He delayed, delayed… So, now he can start looking for a ring and picking up a place to propose to Anna to become engaged.”       “Are you waiting for that to happen?” Raquelle laughs shyly.       “Of course, I am! Perkins did promise to make me one of the groomsmen. And if I’m lucky, I’ll become the best man. And speak my speech when it’s time to say toasts, so everyone is delighted.”       “Oh, yeah, I’m afraid to imagine what you’d tell him,” Natalia crosses her arms over her chest with a chuckle.       “Don’t worry, girls, that guy is gonna be happy,” Terrence says confidently.       “You do really always find a reason to mock him,” Natalia frowns slightly. “You’d ruin his important day with your jokes.”       “I’m not mocking him! Why do you think so, friend?” Terrence does not hold down a quiet chuckle. “Just trying to imagine Daniel’s face when he saw Anna’s father, talked to him, and eventually got a long-awaited blessing.”       “You’d better support him than mock him like this! Daniel did experience stress after meeting the father of his girlfriend. A sudden one, I wanna notice. He wasn’t ready to meet that man during a walk with Anna.”       “What do I do?” Terrence points at himself with his fingers. “I completely understand him! I understand you might shake from thinking you’d get a good hit on the head from the one to be your possible soon-to-be father-in-law.”       “You better think of yourself when you met Raquelle’s family and tried to show the best side of you. How hard you cleaned yourself up, so your peacock tail looked incredible. You probably did your best to get the agreement of my friend’s grandfather and aunt on your wedding before proposing to her.”       “You hit the bullseye, friend!” Raquelle clicks the fingers of her hand with a shy smile. “Of course, my family would’ve agreed with our marriage ‘cause they wanted to see me in a wedding dress and knew that I had a husband. But MacClife definitely spent many nerves on that meeting.”       “Yeah, you said he was dumbfounded when leaving the apartment of your aunt when you were in England,” Natalia laughs shyly.       “Hey, don’t dream it up!” Terrence protests. “I didn’t doubt Raquelle’s family would accept me because everything couldn’t just be otherwise.”       “Oh, yeah, they didn’t just see how you behaved toward Cameron when you met her for the first time. Otherwise, you would’ve run away from their anger like a rabbit.”       “Remember, Natalia, Terrence MacClife will be accepted everywhere. Because he is perfect. An imitable, all-favorite, and handsome guy.”       “Oh, just don’t start praising yourself again and saying everybody must lie at your feet just because of your name.”       “Handsome and unique, by the way.” Terrence drinks some drink from his glass with a proud look. “Do you know many people with the same name as mine? No one! Daniel, Peter, Benjamin… It’s all common names. But Terrence! Terrence sounds proud!”       “Alright, close your wonderful mouth before I hit you on your perfect face with a brick!” Natalia takes her glass and drinks some drink from it. “You’re really an actor! When you had to meet Mr. Cameron and Alicia, you turned off the rooster mode and began to pretend to be the sweetest, most innocent, and most educated boy.”       “That’s right!” Raquelle laughs. “But when the meeting was over, our beloved Terrence turned on the peacock mode and went to call his friends to tell them how my relatives were charmed by him from the first seconds.”       “I did know it would happen!” Terrence says confidently. “I do always tell you, silly girls, that I’m used to getting what I want. But you always tease me! Rooster, peacock, donkey…”       “Okay, okay, our underrated rooster, we got you,” Natalia says with a chuckle, clapping Terrence on the hand. “We know nothing can get stupid things out of your beautiful head.”       “But okay – I admit that I was terribly nervous before meeting Raquelle’s family,” Terrence raises his hands. “Though, everything ended well.”       “You see, buddy, everything is repeating,” Natalia shrugs with an innocent smile. “So, stop mocking Daniel and understand him.”       “I’m not mocking him!” Terrence protests with a slight smile. “If I wanted to mock him, I’d call him and start laughing, ‘cause he became a coward when Anna’s father began to swear on her and almost killed her boyfriend.”       “You’re a donkey, MacClife! Raquelle has an angelic patience, ‘cause she, silly girl, is still living with you and even gonna marry you.”       “Not angelic patience, my dear, but great love. Respect and recognition of my importance. My uniqueness. Now, Cameron does completely understand that she owns the expensive brilliant that she must take care of well.”       “As they say, if you don’t praise yourself, nobody will do it,” Natalia chuckles.       “That’s right,” Raquelle shakes her head with a slight smile. “Let’s keep praising our handsome Terry and sometimes bring him back to the earth, so he is not too arrogant and remembers who he messed up with.”       “Such an important and wonderful man like me must not be Terry,” Terrence replies confidently and raises his head proudly. “I am Terrence! Only Terrence! You two must call such a gorgeous man only by his full name.”       “Oh, go to hell, donkey on the throne!” Natalia leans back in the chair and takes a couple of sins. “Here’s the freaking king…”       Raquelle laughs quietly, and Terrence says nothing and glances aside for a second, drinking something from his glass. Silence settles in the air for a few seconds, during which the girls look at each other with slight smiles.       “So, Anna’s father doesn’t mind her relationship with Daniel?” Raquelle changes the topic, looking at Natalia with a glass in her hand.       “He doesn’t,” Natalia replies. “And I’m really happy for Anna and Daniel. “Now they can fear no anger from the parents of our friend and walk outside quietly.”       “I think Anna will no longer be sorry for making her parents worried.”       “Oh, yeah, she definitely got rid of the heavy burden. Anna didn’t hide that she was madly happy. No wedding with someone, who she doesn’t love. No total control and attempts to make her what her mother and father wanted to see.”       “That’s right! From now on, nothing threats her relationship with the handsome Daniel.”       “I’m sure even her parents wouldn’t end their relationship,” Raquelle assumes confidently with a shy smile. “Anna adores Daniel and is living happily with him. And he won’t reject her, despite any bans.”       “That couple actually has a very stable relationship,” Terrence notices. “Although they argue at times, they solve everything quickly.”       “But if they decide to marry, they’ll know each other’s habits and preferences very well. You know how it happens: people marry, start to live together, and run into tons of problems and misunderstandings: clothes don’t lie in the right place, some crumbs are lying on the floor, or you take something without permission.”       “Agree,” Natalia agrees. “It’s the plus of living together before marriage. Daniel and Anna have been living together for a few months and have already understood what every one of them likes or dislikes. I think they won’t argue because of something that’s lying in the wrong place or someone’s habits that they don’t like.”       “I’m sure they have no time to argue,” Raquelle smiles shyly. “Anna and Daniel have endless romantic. They’re in love with each other like teenagers. And these two will feel something like this for a long time. And if they’re lucky, the romance will not end even through the years.”       “I hope it won’t be gone,” Natalia says with a slight smile. “They’re so cute and look good together. Maybe, everything was developing kind of fast. But their feelings are still strong, judging by the way their eyes shine when they talk about each other or share a gaze.”       “But they haven’t gone for five months,” Terrence notices. “And I believe everything may end with their wedding. At least, Perkins started to think of marrying and makes me sure he’ll marry Anna early or late.”       “I’d be happy for them,” Raquelle smiles shyly. “I like Daniel and believe he fits Anna well. She feels very good with him and gets attracted to him like a close person.”       “And that hazel-eyed handsome guy feels good with her,” Natalia adds. “He’d always be caressed, listened to, fed up, dressed up, taken care of… He couldn’t wish for more?”       “Oh, yeah, that girl conquered him entirely!” Terrence takes a couple of sins from his glass. “So, beauties, we’re gonna think of gifts for their wedding soon.”       “No, Terrence,” Natalia smiles shyly. “We’re gonna think of a wedding between Raquelle and you, not gifts. And the torture that’s waiting for us – the trial that will last nobody knows how long.”       “Oh, no…” Terrence moans quietly, leans back in the chair, and runs his hand over his face. “Please, don’t remind me of that hell… I feel bad from just one mention about that fucking trial.”       “Get used, Terrence,” Raquelle replies with sadness in her eyes, softly clapping Terrence on the shoulder. “You’re gonna hear it almost every day not only from us, our friends, and relatives, but also from reporters who will come to the courthouse and be waiting for us.”       “I don’t know what I’ll do after the process ends with our win,” Natalia says thoughtfully. “But it’s definitely gonna be something wild.”       “No risk for life, please,” Terrence says.       “Calm down, buddy, I ain’t gonna fall with my head first.”       “Don’t let any crazy thoughts get in your head.”       “I won’t do it, don’t worry.”       While Terrence strikes his hair down, Raquelle takes two sips of a drink before she asks Natalia:       “Hey, do your parents know what happened?”       “Yes, they know everything,” Natalia confirms. “They saw the reportage about Michael’s arrest. Two days ago, Mother called me and demanded an explanation, and Father decided to find out everything closer to the evening.”       “Hadn’t you called them before?” Raquelle asks with sadness in her eyes.       “No, I was so tired that I didn’t wanna talk to my friends and parents. I think if they hadn’t called me, I wouldn’t have done it at the nearest time.”       “Even if you really wanted, you couldn’t hide the fact of the kidnapping.”       “As we guessed, everybody is discussing it. It would’ve been worthless to deny something. And I don’t wanna lie to my parents anymore… They should know all the truth. I’m sick of being silent. And I don’t wanna fight with them because of my lie.”       “And how did they react when you told them everything?” Terrence asks quietly.       “They were shocked.” Natalia glances down. “Especially, Mother… But they’re glad everything ended well, and I’m alive and healthy.”       “So, do they know about the trial?”       “Yup. As I said, they showed a wish to come to support me.”       “And your grandmother?”       “She knows it, too. Father and Mother barely calmed her down. Grandma Adriana finally calmed down only when Father gave her a phone and let me talk to her. I told her I was fine, and she stopped being so nervous.”       “Did you tell them everything on the phone?” Raquelle asks.       “Yes, I told you about the situation with Michael on the phone. Not the whole story – only what the report is about.”       “Couldn’t you tell?”       “No, I wanna look into their eyes when I have to talk about that.” Natalia sighs heavily and looks at her hands with sadness in her eyes. “Though, Mother made me confess that I was almost raped.”       “Really?” Raquelle asks hesitantly.       “Yes, but I didn’t tell her everything. Mother asked me to hint – I hinted. I said Michael’s accomplice tried to rape me and later framed me along with that man. I’ll tell them more when my parents are back in New York. I won’t tell them what that man did to me, 'cause I’m gonna be ashamed. But I’ve gotta explain why it happened and when.”       “But when do they wanna return to New York?” Terrence asks, quietly knocking at the surface of the table.       “Two days ago, Mother called me and said she and Father would like to go back somewhere in two or three days or one week. But they’ll tell me a specific date today or tomorrow. They’re talking about it and finishing their business in Mexico. Father and Mother wanted to leave everything and come shortly, but I persuaded them to come back after finishing the business.”       “Are they gonna bring your grandmother here?” Raquelle asks. “Or will it happen next time?”       “Yeah, but I think they will bring her to another apartment, not our home. Somehow my grandfather and grandmother on the father lived there, but the apartment got free after their death. Dad did a major overhaul ‘cause the apartment was in a horrible condition and bought some furniture. But my parents didn’t know what to do with that apartment: sell it, rent it off, or let me live there. But Mother recently suggested that Dad and she drive Grandma there and visit her every day. And he liked that idea. So… When Grandma Adriana arrives in New York, she will move to that apartment.”       “Will she feel good there?”       “Of course! The apartment is small, but she will feel very good. And if they have to spend a night with her, my parents will think up something. Going to that apartment is much easier than going to Mexico, to another end of the world. One thing is getting into an airplane and flying to another country, but another thing is getting into a car and going by a few neighborhoods.”       “Agree, flights are always exhausting,” Terrence says thoughtfully and drinks some drink from his glass. “I often had to travel by airplane to other cities and countries to act in movies and shows. And I had to get all the documents much earlier. I made sure about it. I remember I somehow almost lost a role because I had some document issues when getting on the plane. That’s why I had to spend a few days solving everything to finally fly to Vancouver. The crew was terribly mad at me at first and blamed me for framing them. But you know that my name is Terrence MacClife, and I am the one, who gets what he wants.”       “And I somehow thought I forgot my foreign passport at home and almost disrupted a fashion show,” Raquelle laughs shyly. “I searched my whole bag but didn’t find it. I thought I wouldn’t fly to Milan, started to panic, got nervous, and was afraid to betray everybody… But I eventually found it in the inside pocket of my coat, where I put my passport. I was terribly nervous and wanted to make everything perfect… And I eventually forgot simple things.”       “You know, Cameron, I ain’t surprised,” Natalia smiles innocently, drinking some drink from her glass. “You were so obsessed with your career and ready to work for days and nights. Take pictures and walk on a runaway all day long. Of course, you’d start to get lost and barely understand what you do.”       “That fashion show was very important to me. It was my first experience of working abroad, and I was terribly afraid to mess up everything.”       “Oh, yeah, all the fashion shows and shoots were important to you. You worked like crazy for many years ‘till Terrence literally slapped you on the nose and made you realize you had to slow down.”       “I wasn’t just too picky and accepted any offers that I was getting. But I recently started to examine every single one.”       “You had a right to say, ‘no’ to someone.”       “But I didn’t want it.”       “I got it.”       Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which Natalia drinks a little from her glass, and Terrence strokes his disheveled hair with a slight smile. But then Raquelle sighs quietly and looks around.       “I believe the time is going kind of fast,” Raquelle says thoughtfully. “It seems like horrible things happened yesterday. Though, it’s actually been a little more than one week…”       “Ah, Raquelle, they started to happen a long time ago,” Natalia replies with sadness in her eyes. “At least, to me… It’s been a few months…”       “And everything started for me before my birth,” Terrence says thoughtfully. “Though, I didn’t know it… But if it hadn’t happened, who knows what the life of family and me would’ve been.”       “Only person is one to blame,” Raquelle replies quietly, setting her gaze on the glass placed in front of her. “Michael MacClife.”       “Right…” Terrence pronounces in a low voice. “Everything would’ve been otherwise if not for him. However, if Uncle hadn’t been in our lives, someone else would’ve been instead of him.”       “But that person would’ve only had a grudge against the one, for whom they felt a strong disgust,” Natalia assumes.       “And they wouldn’t have ruined the life of the one, whom they revenged for a long time,” Raquelle adds with sadness in her eyes. “And cursed that one since his or her birth…”       “Even if Uncle Michael had destroyed all of us, he wouldn’t have calmed down,” Terrence assumes. “That man would’ve found something else to get a benefit from. That’s why he would’ve gotten much more money. What would’ve helped him get much more henchmen that would’ve been running after him.”       “Yeah, you’re lucky with the relative…”       “Oh, yeah… I never thought I’d have that snake in my family.”       “Sadly, it happens. You can find a rotted fruit in any box with fresh ones.”       “Yeah… You’re right…”       Silence settles in the air for some time, which Natalia breaks hesitantly, glancing at everything she sees around:       “Hey, guys, have you met Jamie MacClife or Edward?”       “No,” Raquelle shakes her head. “I haven’t personally seen both of them.”       “I haven’t also seen them since the day Uncle Michael got arrested,” Terrence says quietly. “They were kind of swallowed up by the ground.”       “And haven’t you talked to your father?” Natalia asks quietly.       “Not even once.”       “And haven’t you met your mother?”       “Nope, I haven’t met Mother. The last time, she came here by herself to talk to me about what happened. It had happened before Uncle organized a kidnapping of yours.”       “Didn’t you wanna talk with them?”       “Yeah, honestly… I didn’t wanna go anywhere and talk to anyone. I didn’t meet friends and relatives…”       “Right, Terrence and I have been sitting home and watching TV all this time,” Raquelle confesses and takes a sip of a drink. “We decided to go to our favorite place only once.”       “We spent a great time, but that was a temporary relief. When we came back home, the euphoria was gone.”       “Nevertheless, it was great,” Raquelle notices with a slight smile.       “Agree, I was happy to be there. But I didn’t get great relief.”       The awkward pause settles in the air for two seconds, which Natalia breaks hesitantly with sadness in her eyes after she leans back in the chair and moves some strands of hair aside:       “Hey, Terrence, don’t you still wanna talk to your father? Or are you thinking about it?”       “Erm…” Terrence stutters, running his hand through his hair. “Honestly, I don’t know how to answer your question… Really… I kinda wanna talk to him, but I don’t have a wish to.”       “But you must understand that you won’t avoid the meeting forever,” Natalia notices, spinning her finger around her glass.       “I know, but I can’t make a final decision yet. I don’t have a strong offense, but I still have a bad feeling in my soul.”       “Pride?”       “Nope… Pain. Imagine what it’s like to live with the thought that the lie, which you heard in childhood, is the truth. I didn’t even think my uncle could turn me against my father.”       “We get it,” Raquelle says softly.       “It’s hard to believe it happened. Uncle got so many innocent people involved in his conflict with Father.” Terrence falls into silence and thinks for two seconds. “Damn, did he hate me so much just because of my strong resemblance to Father? He looked at me and saw his younger brother?”       “Not just you, Terrence. He hated all of us. Those, who had to do with the MacClife family. Being one of the MacClife was enough to become his enemy. The case had to do only with Michael and Jamie, but it happened that we got involved in this story against our will.”       “That’s right, but I’m happy everything got clear. Uncle and his gang are in prison and waiting for the trial.”       “We are all glad,” Natalia replies thoughtfully. “Though, we’re gonna spend a lot of time solving the consequences of what happened. Of course, if you can do this.”       “Maybe, I will find the courage to talk to Father and decide what to do, early or late. At heart, I understand I can’t keep ignoring Father. And I might probably regret it… For example, if Father was really dead, I would surely regret not talking to him.”       “Do you actually want it?”       “Yeah… I would love to do it. I wanna hope for nothing, but I need to find the courage for this talk.”       “Then try to do it ‘till the start of the trial. Maybe, you wouldn’t feel embarrassed because of his pretense.”       “It’s not easy to overcome yourself and find the courage to take the first step. But I completely understand that I should give Father a chance to explain everything. It would be bad to reject him after I found out the truth. I found out that he actually never treated Mother as bad as Uncle said.”       “Overcoming yourself is hard but possible,” Raquelle says with sadness in her eyes and caresses softly Terrence’s hand placed on the table near his glass. “You can do this! I know it. If you started to understand you want it, it’s a very good sign.”       “Raquelle is right, Terrence!” Natalia exclaims. “I’m also sure you can overcome yourself. Your father seemed a good man to me. Maybe, after talking a little, you could get on well.”       “We should just talk first,” Terrence notices.       “Yes, you’ll need time to get used to each other. But if you do get on well, it will be very easy for you. Maybe, someday, you will love your father the way you love your mother.”       Terrence says nothing and thinks about something for a few seconds. Raquelle looks at him with little sad eyes, sighs heavily, drinks a little bit from her glass, and glances at Natalia.       “And what about Edward?” Raquelle asks a little hesitantly. “Have you seen him at least once since that day?”       “No, I haven’t seen him since the day Michael got arrested,” Natalia shakes her head.       “Yeah… Not only did Mr. MacClife disappear, but also Edward…”       “Agree, they were swallowed by the ground,” Terrence agrees thoughtfully. “Father and Edward disappeared on the same day with a difference of a few hours.”       “Hasn’t Edward come here?” Natalia asks.       “No, not even once.”       “Wow…”       “That’s right…” Terrence runs his hand over his hair. “They do love showing up and disappearing suddenly…”       “I think this time, they’re hiding at their wish,” Raquelle assumes.       “I don’t understand why Father hides somewhere like a criminal in hiding. Everybody does know he’s alive, and Uncle and his pals don’t chase him.”       “Your father left so secretly on that day,” Natalia says quietly. “He suddenly showed up, told us all the truth, knocked Michael out, and disappeared like a mirage.”       “Well… That wasn’t a mirage. It was the real man. And we would’ve hardly stayed alive if Father hadn’t made a surprise for Uncle. I still remember how perfectly he knocked out that man with one hit.”       “Agree, a cruel fight started at the end. But that’s good it was over well and even beautiful.”       “You mean the fact that Father knocked Uncle out?”       “Exactly! That was really beautiful.”       “I guess Jamie wanted to knock Michael out or do a bad thing to him so badly,” Raquelle assumes with a slight smile. “And that time, he finally did it.”       “Well, remembering him having a smug face, I can assume the same,” Terrence replies thoughtfully.       “Huh, obviously, he had a smug face!” Natalia chuckles, crossing her arms over her chest. “His brother ruined his whole life and almost deprived him of everything he had. He harmed him since birth and never let him be happy. He didn’t wanna leave him alone. He did his best to humiliate and shower him with mud.”       “That’s why I ain’t surprised Father was so furious and didn’t pity Uncle Michael.”       “He got what he wanted.”       “Exactly!”       The three fall into silence for a few seconds, and then Raquelle breaks the silence, setting her sad gaze on her hands folded in front of her:       “I wonder where could Mr. MacClife and Edward be? Have they contacted someone after the day of Michael’s arrest? Are they gonna communicate with us someday?”       “Hard to say…” Terrence replies thoughtfully, leans on the table with an elbow, and starts stroking his chin. “But I think Father is at the apartment that Mr. Johnson talked about.”       “Maybe…”       “But as for Edward, I don’t even know what to think… Because that guy may end up anywhere. He is unpredictable. You never know what to expect from him.”       “At least, he isn’t allowed to leave the country. If Edward tries to do it, he will get arrested and have to wait for the trial in a prison cell.”       “I doubt he’ll leave the country ‘cause he doesn’t have money. He can’t find the money for new clothes and won’t especially earn it for a ticket.”       “So, I bet that he’s wandering somewhere here, in New York.”       “Or he decided to hide as well as Father. He found a hideaway and settled there. Became someone like a hermit.”       “Do you think he doesn’t stay home with his mother?”       “I doubt it. He has not the best relationship with Mother. And if she knows Edward did much more and might easily go to prison, I actually doubt that they’d be able to speak well.”       “She probably knows it,” Natalia assumes. “Either your father told her, or she watched a reportage.”       “I should talk to her someday and calm her down somehow. She’s also gonna go to the trial along with us.”       “I think Edward understands it and is afraid to look into his mother’s eyes,” Raquelle assumes. “He understands she’s gonna be disappointed in him if he is put in prison for the murder of Nicolas.”       “Maybe,” Terrence agrees. “But I know one thing: Edward will never stay in the same place. If he’s sitting in the same place, he feels terribly bored. That guy is a little coward, but he’s terribly curious.”       “Agree… Edward seems to be quiet at first sight, but there is a great hurricane inside him. His calm is a mask. If someone takes it off, you can see everything he actually feels.”       “You know…” Terrence takes a sip from his glass. “When he was at our home one week ago, there was hardly a hurricane inside him.”       “Nobody should’ve been surprised, ‘cause everybody was terribly exhausted.”       “Yeah, but… Looking at him, I thought he’d love to hang himself… From shame… From horror… From a wish to end the tortures. Maybe, Edward didn’t say it, but he definitely felt very hard. And…” Terrence swallows up nervously. “The worst thing is, it’s just the beginning. He’s gonna have to experience the worst things.”       “Really?” Natalia rounds her eyes, feeling something jammed inside her, and looking at Terrence with sad eyes.       “I felt truly sorry for him.” Terrence shakes his head. “Poor guy… He didn’t deserve it… He didn’t deserve what could’ve easily made him end his life.”       “Do you think he was so depressed that he wanted to kill himself?”       “He tried to do it when Uncle Michael suggested he shoot at himself. And trust me, Edward would’ve done that. To end all those tortures.”       “If only he didn’t do it, while we know nothing about him…” Natalia grabs her throat with a hand, feeling that it’s hard for her to breathe. “What if he doesn’t take all of that and wanna hang himself or cut his veins? Just like Peter did!”       “I’m even afraid to think about it,” Terrence confesses with anxiety and takes a little sip to wet his little dry throat. “But I understand it’s possible. After what has happened, he’s got very bad mental health. If something horrible happens, Edward may not survive it. He’s very vulnerable and sensitive to bad things.”       “I know…” Natalia sighs heavily. “And my heart bleeds when I think about it.”       “He was in such terrible condition when he was at our home on the day of Uncle’s arrest. When you left, he left the bathroom with half-wet hair, being terribly white and exhausted.”       “It’s the truth,” Raquelle confirms. “Terrence suggested he stay for a night, but Edward refused. He said goodbye to us and left. As if he was ashamed. As if he wanted to stop having to be blushed for us.”       “So ashamed that he didn’t almost look at us when speaking. He always hid his eyes, was terribly nervous, and felt very uncomfortable. It was clear he dreamed of running away from us and stopping feeling fear and shame for us.”       “He really looked terrible,” Raquelle adds with sadness in her eyes. “As if he was getting tortured for a very long time. As if he wasn’t sleeping for a few days.”       “Honestly, I didn’t look at him closely…” Natalia confesses. “I mean, I saw Edward looked bad. But I was too shocked to try to find out how someone looked.”       “But I saw his condition well,” Terrence replies and moves a few strands off his forehead. “I felt so sorry for him that I wanted to help him somehow.”       “And when he was leaving home, he said we’d meet on the trial,” Raquelle recalls. “He dropped a hint that he wasn’t gonna leave his hideaway ‘till the day of the trial.”       “Right… It seems like he really decided to hide until the start of the hearing. I don’t know where, but Edward won’t show up to us.”       “And Jamie doesn’t rush to show up.”       “Oh, who knows what those two have in their mind…” Terrence sighs tiredly, rubbing his forehead. “But I think they won’t disappear. Not little children, after all… They can take care of themselves.”       “I agree. The first and the second are used to surviving. Your brother has been wandering outside like a homeless man since an early age… Your father ended up outside after Michael deprived him of everything… This type of life won’t get them shocked.”       “I do mean that. Both are adult people and can decide what to do. Who are we to ban them from something?”       “Nevertheless, I’m sorry for them.”       “I didn’t say I wasn’t sorry for them. Vice versa, I’m very sorry for them! I would even love to help both of them!”       “But what about your offenses?” Natalia wonders. “Offense to your father? Offense on Edward?”       “Of course, I still have some offenses. I mean bad feelings caused by them. But now these feelings aren’t so strong to cloud my mind. I can think soberly and rate the situation when I know what actually happened. Who is actually guilty of all of this shit.”       “You mean the two or one of them?”       “Two.”       “And what about your attitude toward them? How do you treat them after what happened?”       “I don’t have any relationship with Father because we met for the first time at Uncle Michael’s house. And as for Edward, I can say only one thing: I’m not indifferent to him. I can’t stay cold when hearing something about him. Some time ago, the mention of him caused aggression inside me and a wish to kill the one to think of that guy. But now it’s gone. Though, I’m still trying to accept the fact that he’s my brother. I still can’t do this.”       “By itself?”       “I think time weakened my pain. Erased the bad memories from my mind. But I think the fact that Edward and I were a team had to do with it. When we decided to unite to save you. At first, it was very hard to hold myself down and not to take it out on him. I always reminded myself that I should’ve done it for a good thing. But the anger was gone by itself for a few days. The memories are still alive, but the pain is not so strong, and the anger doesn’t possess my mind.”       “I wanna notice that you did it just because I asked you,” Raquelle recalls.       “I did it because it was the only way to solve that problem. We should’ve been together to save Natalia and ourselves.”       “Yeah, but if I hadn’t been with you on that day, you would’ve attacked Edward again and kicked him out of the home. After beating his face and turning him into a half-alive disabled person. You would’ve harmed his mental health much more because, as he said, he was constantly beaten in prison.”       “They would’ve beaten him to death if he hadn’t left prison,” Natalia adds.       “I could’ve done it,” Terrence shrugs. “I won’t deny that I really wanted to do it. I would’ve beaten his pretty face and done my best for him to leave him home half-alive. Because that man dared to go to my home after what he had done the last time. I could’ve easily brought him to a hospital and turned him into a piece of meat. I could’ve done anything to him. But I did not do it.”       “And what stopped you?”       “I don’t know…” Terrence replies evasively, moving his eyes aside, and locks his fingers tightly. “Just… Something was just holding my hands and not letting me go too far… So, I could do nothing…”       “Oh, c’mon, MacClife!” Raquelle exclaims. “Confess that you didn’t kill Edward just because I was near you. And you agreed to help him because of my plea.”       Terrence says nothing and just looks at everything around him with dead eyes. While Raquelle and Natalia look at each other and shrug or shake their heads.       “Nevertheless, that was right,” Natalia says thoughtfully. “Beating faces and making people disabled is bad. You should resolve any conflicts peacefully. Verbally.”       “Now I can agree with you,” Terrence replies and drinks some drink from his half-empty glass. “And say I’m glad everything didn’t go too far. If Edward had become disabled or suffered because of me, I would’ve forgiven myself. I would’ve been terribly ashamed of him.”       “I get it. No matter how hard you try to forget it, Edward is your brother. Not just a buddy or a familiar person. And your mother probably feels hurt because you had such a big fight. When she knows he’s her son. I’m sure she wanted you to be friends and not to become enemies as well as your uncle and father.”       “I know, Natalia,” Terrence replies quietly. “It’s hurt for me that Edward and I fought like buffaloes, and Mother knows it. She was so happy we spoke well. And she had to hear about our conflict, the consequences of which we couldn’t hide. She saw the bruises on our faces and quickly understood everything.”       “Do you think you’ve got a chance to reconcile?”       “Hard to say…” Terrence rubs his hands first, but then tightly locks his fingers, folding his hands on the table in front of him. “I think the situation of Edward is almost the same as the situation of Father. I can’t say if we can keep communicating. In both cases, I need to think, calm down and understand if I wanna speak to those people. Maybe, I would’ve said I wanted to hear nothing about my father or brother some time ago, but everything is otherwise now.”       “I think it’s a good sign,” Raquelle smiles shyly.       “Yeah, you’re about to decide to tell them everything you have inside,” Natalia adds and drinks a little from her glass.       “Maybe,” Terrence shrugs. “But now I can say nothing. Moreover, I do care about what’s happening to those people… My father is a father, and Edward is my sibling… A younger brother. I feel my responsibility to him from the beginning. I understand that I must take care of him as an older brother and be the best at everything.”       “I think you’ve always been a wonderful brother, even if you didn’t realize it,” Raquelle says with a slight smile. “Despite the offense, you were by his side and didn’t even let him kill himself. Although I have no brothers and sisters, it’s easy for me to understand those feelings. Understand what you feel when something happens to your close person.”       “If Father or Edward were my friend or familiar person, I’d hardly care about them. I’d hardly ask myself where they are now, and what’s happening to them. But they are my family. The family that I don’t want to reject. That I will not reject.”       “That’s good you care about them,” Raquelle says with a slight smile, softly caressing Terrence’s hand placed on the table. “I think you shouldn’t give a damn about those people. Yes, they ain’t perfect and have made lots of mistakes. But they’ve proved their regret and made us sure they wanted to be better for us.”       “I can’t deny it,” Terrence smiles slightly. “They really behaved worthily.”       “I’m sure you’ll make a decision about that situation very soon.”       “And I don’t doubt Terrence will make the right decision,” Natalia says confidently with a slight smile, clapping Terrence on the shoulder.       “Giving a second chance to someone is very hard, but you can do it. If you overcome yourself and recall the good things they’ve done to you.”       “Thanks a lot for the support, girls,” Terrence smiles shyly. “It’s nice for me that you’re supporting me.”       “It couldn’t be otherwise, buddy,” Natalia replies amicably. “Whatever you decide, we’ll respect your decision.”       “Many thanks.”       Raquelle and Natalia smile at Terrence shyly. That’s why another pause settles in the air and lasts for two or three seconds.       “Okay, everything is more or less clear about MacClife,” Raquelle says thoughtfully, starting to wrap a strand of her hair around her finger and leaning on the surface of the table with her elbow. “What about you, Natalia? Did you decide something?”       “Ah, Raquelle…” Natalia sighs heavily and slowly leans back in the chair. “Honestly, I doubt everything about this situation… I’ve been thinking about what I’m gonna do. But I can’t make a choice.”       “That’s how!”       “Yes. I know I should do it, but I can do nothing. I have doubts and fears. I… I can’t…”       “We can impact our future by doing the right things in the present,” Terrence notices. “But the past is the past. We can’t change it. You can only get some lessons from it. And it teaches us not to make the same mistake twice in the present and the future.”       “You wanna say I should do something now, so my future becomes what I want to have?”       “I think you know what I’m talking about.”       “Erm… Excuse me, what?”       “He’s right, friend,” Raquelle agrees. “You should do something if you want to get the meaning of life back.”       “I…”       “Let’s be honest,” Terrence says quietly, looking at Natalia with sadness in his eyes. “Are you so pessimistic because of Edward? Is that why you’re not sure about your future?”       Natalia says nothing and just sighs heavily, looking at everything she sees in front of herself and moving her eyes to the hands folded together on the table. Raquelle looks at Terrence with sadness and then caresses the hands of her friends getting sad.       “You can say nothing,” Raquelle says softly. “We see everything clearly.”       “It’s hard for me to believe it’s all over,” Natalia replies in a little shaking voice. “I feel so bad from thinking Edward and I are no longer together. I do wanna wake up and realize it’s just my nightmare. But sadly, it’s reality.”       “Do you think you wouldn’t love another man?” Terrence asks. “Wouldn’t you find the strength to let someone get your love?”       “Maybe, I would do, but I’d need very much time. To forget Edward and get a stronger love for another man. But you know that I wasn’t lucky with men. Whoever I met, everybody needed only sex or a relationship without obligation.”       “Just don’t give up on yourself,” Raquelle says softly. “If your breakup with Edward is final, you’ll find someone to be much better and fall in love much stronger.”       “I don’t know… It might happen that I’d hardly meet the one, who I could marry. If I meet some men, they may have only one goal – to have fun. But I do look for a man for a serious relationship. I’m not a whore that fucks everyone.”       “Don’t get upset, Natalia,” Terrence replies with an encouraging smile. “You won’t stay single. You’re a young, beautiful girl, to whom men pay attention. If a man wants, he will see that there is something to talk to you about. That you aren’t an empty shell that thinks only of clothes and hairstyles. And who they could have sex with without obligation.”       “But Edward is the only one to see that. He was the only one to be with me not for beauty and youth, but for comfort and pleasure. He didn’t care about the sexual side of the relationship. That man wanted to find someone to be close to him mentally. To talk to him about everything. To support and comfort him.”       “You and Edward haven’t broken up yet,” Raquelle notices. “Your relationship is, so to say, just suspended. So, you have a little chance to get that man back.”       “Oh, I don’t know, Raquelle…” Natalia sighs quietly. “On the one hand, I wanna do my best to put everything in the right places, use another chance and give Edward what he didn’t get from me the last time.”       “If you hadn’t given Edward what he wanted, he would’ve hardly gotten so attracted to you. You did something to make him happy.”       “Maybe… But I could’ve given him much more if I hadn’t ruined everything because of the fears that I got after the rape attempt. Now it’s too late to change something ‘cause Edward left me. Left me because of my fault. I did ruin my happiness and have no right to blame anyone. Even him.”       “But there’s always a second chance. If you really wanted, you would be very happy.”       “Sadly, it’s impossible now.”       “Why is it impossible?”       “Because Edward and I don’t fit each other. If we broke up, that man isn’t my destiny. Not the one, who is destined to marry me.”       “Why don’t you fit each other?” Raquelle rounds her eyes.       “Because Edward needs another girl, who would make him happy. And as I wish him the best, I think I’d better let him become finally free and look for another girl.”       “I think you’re just finding some excuses,” Terrence replies thoughtfully. “I don’t personally think you and Edward are different people. You two are too sentimental, sensitive, romantic…”       “Yes, I don’t deny I felt very good with him, and there is something that makes us kind of similar,” Natalia says quietly. “But we can’t be together after everything that happened between us. Edward and I won’t forget everything we told each other in anger. If we decide to become a couple again, someday one of us may wish to talk about all of that.”       “If you really want, your relationship can get better,” Raquelle notices. “Yes, you will spend a lot of time on it, but if you have a wish, you can get anything.”       “Even if we speak, we can only do it as friends. I can’t say I wanna break contact with Edward forever and pretend that he doesn't exist in my life. No… I’ll always be grateful to him for everything he’s done for me and remember the time we’ve spent together. Anyway, it was the best in my life.”       “But you still can’t forget him. You still love Edward, despite nothing.”       “And honestly, I’m a little ashamed to confess it,” Natalia replies hesitantly, moving her eyes to her hands.       “Honey, why are you ashamed? Is that bad?”       “Bad. If I’m gonna let that man go and wait for someone to be better than him.”       “Listen, Natalia, I completely understand your feelings because I got over that somehow. And if I hadn’t had to experience a similar conflict with Terrence, I would’ve advised you to start a new life and strike Edward out. I wouldn’t have advised you to try to get him back and let yourself suffer. But I know well how hurt you’d be if you had to let someone you love go.”       “You and Terrence had a different situation,” Natalia replies without emotions. “You would’ve ended up together anyway. Yes, your relationship isn’t perfect, but being together is your destiny.”       “But I agree with Raquelle,” Terrence says confidently. “We don’t think you must break up with Edward once and forever and find another man. If there’s a chance to reconcile, you should try again. Only if the attempt fails, there’s no point in being together. You can always give and deserve a second chance.”       “I doubt Edward needs it. Maybe, he isn’t so mad at me now ‘cause he knows all the truth. But he still has a bad feeling. The thought that he was made to feel betrayed. At heart, he’s kind of mad at me and can’t forgive me for daring to give him a reason to doubt my loyalty.”       “If your feelings for Edward are too strong, you won’t get rid of them for one day. Especially if you’re sitting home, thinking of him all day long, and not letting yourself distract.”       “I’m gonna tell you more, MacClife: I ain’t trying…” Natalia shrugs. “I dunno, maybe, I really need much more time. Or maybe, I should meet someone to help me get rid of the thoughts about that man. I can’t say anything…”       “We’d love to help you, but sadly, we have no opportunity to. The only thing we can advise is to decide to talk to Edward openly. Say what you want… If you’re ready to fight for your love… Overcome all difficulties together… If you two wanna get each other back, you should work on it together. When only one loves and fights for their relationship, it’s not love, remember this.”       “It helped Terrence and me,” Raquelle says, folding her hands on the table. “We met and started talking about our relationship. We slowly broke the ice, and everything was getting better. Even if your talk is awkward and unlucky, you should actually have it. And who knows, maybe, everything gets so good that you and Edward won’t even think of leaving each other. The important thing is to start, and then everything may get better.”       “I don’t wanna make him be with me. Indeed, what’s the point in fighting for a relationship when only one wants it?”       “Everything’s in your hands, friend,” Terrence throws his hands up. “And in Edward’s hands, of course. One wish is enough to start doing that.”       “Yeah, but what can I do?” Natalia rounds her eyes. “What can I do and say? How do I impact him?”       “If you two feel the love and stop hiding it, you won’t have to do anything,” Raquelle replies confidently with a slight smile. “So to say, chemistry will decide everything for you. And you’ll just have to obey it and open your hearts and souls to each other.”       “Sounds easy and cool, but everything is gonna be much harder. If I’m powerless, I can hardly do something. I mean, I am powerless.”       “I don’t think so,” Terrence shakes his head. “You have a great influence on Edward, even if you may not guess it. He will listen to you if you tell him to do something.”       “Why?” Natalia chuckles quietly, running her hand through her hair and leaning on the surface of the table with her elbow. “Why do I have a great influence on him?”       “It’s the truth, Natalia. That guy could disobey anyone but you. For you, he’d do anything. Even if he can’t do it. Remember what happened at Uncle Michael’s home. If Edward listened to you and didn’t shoot at me and you, your word means a lot to him.”       “No, Terrence, it’s not true,” Natalia sighs heavily and glances aside. “I think he did it because not everyone wants to become a killer. And whoever people say, he truly loves his family. Edward has never denied it and always said he wouldn’t commit the murder of a close person. If Michael hadn't pressed on him, that guy wouldn’t have even taken a pistol.”       “Yes, you’re right about a killer. But I could bet that Edward did it only for his family. The case is not only about it, but also about his attitude toward you.”       “It’s just words to calm me down.”       “We aren’t trying to calm you down and are telling you the truth.”       “If you’d asked him to stop and put yourself in danger, Edward would’ve given up. He just needed a push that would’ve been much stronger and more painful than any humiliating words of Michael.”       “You said you wanted to suggest Edward a test,” Raquelle says softly. “If he’d refused to do what you said, he would’ve had something good for you and his family.”       “It’s true, but…”       “You suggested that Edward shoot at you, right?” Raquelle folds her hands on the table. “That guy shot at you? No, he didn’t! So, there’s a conclusion – that man isn’t still indifferent to you.”       “My mission was to save Terrence from death and Edward from standing in Michael’s way. And I think I did it. If my attempt had met a failure, MacClife would’ve hardly been sitting here, drinking his drink and enjoying the warm weather.”       “Isn’t it the proof that you can impact Edward?”       “He didn’t do that ‘cause he wouldn’t forgive himself for the murder and would prefer killing himself than going to prison, where they would’ve bitten him to death.”       “Ah, Natalia, stop finding explanations for what you know,” Raquelle sighs quietly. “Edward didn’t become a killer because you impacted him and made him think of his love for you and his family. You gave him great motivation and got him overwhelmed by the plea to shoot at you.”       “I already said not everyone wanted to be a killer.”       “Okay, Rochester, stop! You’re not a silly girl! You should understand everything.”       “And I’m gonna tell you more: Edward did say he wasn’t indifferent to you,” Terrence adds with a mysterious smile. “I applied some effort and made him talk about his attitude toward you. At first, that guy found excuses and refused to speak, but I got everything out of him.”       These words make Natalia round her eyes, which she sets on Terrence, and thinks a little, even if she does not want to comfort herself with hopes and illusions.       “Really?” Natalia asks hesitantly.       “My word!” Terrence exclaims. “Edward and I talked about it while going to Uncle’s house. He looked so bad that I decided to distract him with talks and get out all the truth about his attitude toward you. Otherwise, he would’ve withdrawn into himself and hardly resisted Uncle and his gang.”       “And… Did he really say he wasn’t indifferent to me?”       “You can believe me. I’ve never lied to you, and I am telling you the truth.”       “No, the case is not about whether you lied… The case is about whether Edward lied to you. He could say it, so that you don’t annoy him with these questions.”       “I doubt it. Edward said it with true sadness. I closely watched him and really believed him. He didn’t try to say it to get off me. That time, Edward was absolutely true. And actually, while Raquelle, he, and I were trying to find a way to help you and save ourselves, that guy behaved quite worthily and gave us no reason to doubt him. He hid nothing, did anything he should’ve done… Maybe, he had openly lied about everything and found excuses before, but then, everything was overwise.”       “Oh, I don’t know, Terrence…” Natalia sighs heavily and glances aside. “I don’t know…”       “You don’t believe me?”       “No, no, I believe you… Just…” Natalia takes a sip of her drink. “Everything just got so tangled… And I don’t know how to untangle this ball.”       “Don’t worry, Natalia, everything is gonna get better,” Raquelle encourages. “Yes, it’s hard for you. Hurt and lousy. I don’t doubt you regret many things. But it doesn’t mean everything is over, and you have no chance to fix everything.”       “It’s really very hard for me. So to say, a fight of my feelings and my mind is happening…”       “I understand. I think you have almost the same situation as Terrence. You’re struggling with pride, pain, and a wish to forget those you think about. But you’ve also got a wish to get everything back. You don’t wanna say goodbye to the one, who was very close to you. You’re tearing apart. It’s really hard to accept it, I know. But if you feel you’re ready to give someone a second chance, you should try. I don’t say you should run to reconcile with Edward. No! First, you should just talk! It’s the only thing you can do now. And next, time will show.”       “I said something similar to Edward when we were talking about his situation with Natalia,” Terrence confesses thoughtfully. “If you have a chance, you should use it. And you must not give up so easily.”       “I do wanna say it! Decide what you want and say it to Edward. Running away from a talk doesn’t make sense ‘cause you’ll have to do it early or late. And if you wanna solve this problem quickly, try not to delay the talk for a long time.”       “Don’t worry, sweetie, I will solve this situation. Talk to Father and Edward before the start of the trial.”       “Me too,” Natalia promises quietly. “Because… I wanna make this situation clear as soon as possible and know what to expect.”       “I hope,” Raquelle smiles slightly and puts her hand softly on Terrence’s shoulder. “So, my dears, think and make a decision. But whatever you decide, I will be by your side anyway.”       “Thanks…” Terrence and Natalia pronounce amicably at a different time.       While Raquelle smiles slightly and drinks something from her glass, Natalia and Terrence throw a slight smile at each other and move their eyes down or look around. And a few seconds later, while the three are drinking, Violetta shyly comes to the table, holding a little towel in her hands.       “Excuse me…” Violetta pronounces shyly.       “Yes, Violetta, what’s wrong?” Raquelle asks.       “Mr. MacClife, a visitor has come to you,” Violetta says quietly.       “Visitor?” Terrence arches his eyebrows. “Who?”       “Benjamin Parker. He is waiting for you in the living room.”       Raquelle and Natalia look at each other and then look at Terrence.       “Benjamin Parker?” Terrence frowns. “He is here?”       “He says he needs to talk to you,” Violetta replies without emotions.       “Oh… Alright… Tell him that I will come now.”       “As you want…” Violetta turns her back on Terrence and wants to leave, but recalls something at the last moment and turns on him again. “Erm, Mr. MacClife… I apologize for meddling in what I do not have to do with, but the case is that that man came here two times while you and Ms. Cameron were not home.”       “Benjamin was here two times?” Raquelle rounds her eyes.       “Yes. At first, it happened when you called the police and let me, Blair and Christiana go home. And he came for the second time about one week ago, but you two were not home.”       “Oh, did Benjamin come when the police were here?” Raquelle frowns slightly.       “He wanted to talk to Mr. MacClife, but the girls and I said he could not do that.”       “Wait…” Raquelle puts a finger on her lip, looking at Violetta questioningly. “How do you know he came here?”       “When the servants and I left this house, we ran into Mr. Parker. He asked if he could talk to Mr. MacClife, but we said he was not home. And as that man saw the police, we said we did not know what happened.”       “Alright…” Terrence pronounces thoughtfully. “And the second time?”       “When it happened for the second time, Christiana told him you and your fiancée were out. So, Mr. Parker said he’d come later.”       “See…” Terrence clears his throat quickly. “Alright, tell Benjamin I will come now. And if he wants to drink something, give him what he asks.”       “Alright, Mr. MacClife, as you want.”       Violetta quickly leaves to do her business, while Raquelle, Natalia, and Terrence look at each other questioningly.       “My gosh, the loss of the century has been found!” Raquelle claps her hands.       “Yeah, we haven’t heard anything about Parker for ages…” Natalia replies thoughtfully with a slight smile.       “I wonder where he has been all this time? Why didn’t he come here and even call?”       “I can say nothing about it,” Terrence replies thoughtfully. “But I have one thought… I can call the reason that could make him come here.”       “And what?”       “Raquelle knows what I mean.”       “Erm, what do I know?” Raquelle frowns slightly, looking at Terrence questioningly. “What do you mean?”       “I mean our servant Blair, who our dearest Benjamin Parker wants to woo.”       “And what?”       “I am ready to be that Parker came here to ask me how to pick up that young girl,” Terrence says confidently. “Finally, decided!”       “Can’t your friend just miss you and suggest you spend time together?” Natalia wonders with a quiet chuckle.       “As well. But trust me, he came here for a piece of advice on love things.”       “As if he doesn’t know what to do!” Raquelle chuckles kindly. “Parker is an incorrigible womanizer, who has had so many girlfriends.”       “Or he just decided to open his heart to his beloved friend Terry and share his emotions. The guy does know I’d support him and tell him how to surprise a girl, so she doesn’t reject him.”       “Yeah, knowing how you’re laughing at Daniel because he got scared after meeting Anna’s father, Ben shouldn’t expect anything good from you,” Natalia crosses her arms over her chest.       “You have a very bad opinion of me. Rochester. Very bad.”       “The truth is the truth, buddy.”       “Oh, c’mon, stop talking,” Raquelle says tiredly. “Go to talk to Ben. He may not catch you again.”       “And leave such beautiful girls alone?” Terrence wonders.       “Don’t worry about us, honey.” Raquelle touches Terrence’s forearm softly. “Natalia and I will talk a little, and then I wanna go to Grandpa’s home. We haven’t talked for ages, and I wanna fix it.”       “You wanna visit Mr. Cameron?”       “Yup, and I’m thinking of going to the cemetery in Kingston. To check my parents’ graves. I can’t remember when I was there the last time.”       “Okay, go.”       “Don’t you wanna join me?” Raquelle asks with a slight smile. “Go with me. We’d talk to Grandpa about something and drink coffee… I’m sure that he’ll be happy to see you ‘cause you haven’t met him for ages.”       “With pleasure,” Terrence smiles shyly. “For me, it’s gonna be a great honor to go with such a charming girl.”       “Oh, romantic, go to your friend now!” Natalia laughs shyly, while Raquelle cracks a smile with a little blushed face. “Don’t make my friend blush, and don’t make your friend wait for you.”       “Yeah, MacClife, go to the living room,” Raquelle says, clapping Terrence on the shoulder. “You forgot about your childhood friend and haven’t spoken to him for nobody the hell knows how long.”       “Okay, okay, beauties, I will go,” Terrence replies with a slight smile and drinks the rest of the drink from his glass. “So, sweet girls, I’m sorry I have to leave you alone. Don’t feel bored without me.”       Terrence gets up from the table, comes to the door leading to the living room, and goes inside, while Raquelle and Natalia smile shyly at the man.       “Yeah, although Terrence loves praising himself, he’s a cool man anyway,” Natalia says confidently with a slight smile.       “But sometimes he is a little obnoxious and asks for trouble,” Raquelle replies, leaning back in the chair.       “You should take care of this man. You won’t meet the same one anywhere. Anyway, MacClife is right: he is one in a million.”       “I don’t need another man.” Raquelle moves a strand of hair off her face. “I need only Terrence. He’s my first and last love. I wanna believe it. I want it to happen.”       “Yeah, you can rarely fall in love once and forever. Many fellows date so many people before a wedding. But you took the best and hit the bullseye.”       “Yeah, I won’t deny it,” Raquelle smiles mysteriously. “And for this man, I could make any sacrifices.”       “I know, I know that you’ve proved it many times. It’s impossible not to believe you’re ready for anything for that handsome guy.”       “Oh, yeah, everything.”       “And actually, I think you two have overcome so much… Many people don’t overcome as much for the years of a together life as you’ve experienced for just one year you’ve been living together.”       “But I think it’s not the end… Though, even if we have problems in the future, we will solve them and won’t bring everything to bad consequences.”       “Nevertheless, you still have something to reach. Because there is no limit to perfection.”       “Agree.”       Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which Raquelle and Natalia throw a look on different sides, enjoying the warm weather and a nice wind blowing their faces.       “Hey, when do you wanna visit Mr. Cameron?” Natalia asks. “Right now? Or later?”       “I was planning to go somewhere after lunch,” Raquelle replies thoughtfully. “But since Terrence wanted to go to the cemetery and visit Grandpa with me, everything will depend on how soon he will talk to Ben.”       “Oh, you’re gonna wait for a long time. The guys won’t say goodbye ‘till they talk about everything.”       “It’s okay, I will wait. I don’t rush and can go even in the evening.”       “Hey, did Benjamin really fall in love with your servant, Blair?”       “I don’t know about Parker, but Blair really starts to understand she likes that man. But even if this affair exists, it will hardly be long, ‘cause you know that Ben is a womanizer that changes girls like gloves.”       “It’s your assumptions?”       “No, Blair told me that when I somehow talked to her openly. I was home and didn’t know what to do, and she was cleaning the living room and asked me to talk to her.”       “So, isn’t that girl indifferent to MacClife’s friend?”       “Yeah… But she asked not to tell Terrence about that.”       “Why? She’s afraid of him?”       “No, Blair just sees Terrence doesn’t like it and doesn’t hide his dissatisfaction. And he doesn’t want her to fall in love with him and Ben to get a crush on her. He told her not to stand in his way, but it seems like that girl didn’t listen to him. She goes on dates with him, accepts his gifts, is always happy to get flowers…”       “But it’s her life. She can decide how to live. Yes, of course, Parker is a womanizer, but he isn’t actually such a bad guy. I personally like him.”       “You’re right. That girl just has a hard life. So, Terrence and I feel sorry for her, and we try to be as soft to her as possible. Blair didn’t deserve suffering because of family and love issues.”       “Oh… I see… Well, okay! If it’s so, I will not talk to Terrence about it. Of course, it doesn’t mean he wouldn’t find out anything. But if it’s so important to Blair, I can’t betray her.”       “Thanks, friend,” Raquelle thanks with a smile. “I hope you won't be so talkative this time.”       “I won’t, promise.”       “Okay, we agreed then.”       Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which the friends look at everything they see around them.       “Hey, do you have a business for today?” Raquelle asks.       “Actually, no,” Natalia shrugs. “After talking to you, I’m gonna go home, eat and walk or drive somewhere. I dunno… Maybe, go to a store. To buy something or just check what they’re selling.”       “I’d make a company for you, but sorry.”       “It’s okay, I will walk alone with pleasure. I was sitting at home and coming to myself during the whole last week. Today, I left home for the first time and wanna go somewhere. I’m sick of sitting at home, honestly… I wanna go on a public… Maybe, a little later, I will wish to go to a club and try to meet someone… I dunno…”       “Yeah, we can finally walk without fearing attacks and attempts by horrible people.” Raquelle falls into silence for two seconds, biting her lip slightly. “Well, no… We will meet someone on our way… Reporters, paparazzi… And Terrence and I will also meet our fans.”       “Of course, they’re annoying, but not all of them are dangerous.”       “Thank God, our fans are adequate, show respect for us, and don’t put our lives in danger.”       “That’s right.”       Raquelle says nothing and just smiles shyly, while Natalia glances aside, enjoying the way the warm weather is caressing her face nicely and blowing her loose hair.       

***

      Terrence goes to the living room, where Benjamin is waiting for him. After entering the living room, he sees his friend, who is standing with his back turned to him and thinking about something with his arms crossed over his chest. MacClife, Sr., looks at him from far for two seconds, and then he confidently comes closer, happily exclaiming with his hands raised in front of him:       “Wow! Who I see!”       Benjamin turns to the voice of Terrence, lowers his hands, and smiles at his friend amicably.       “Hey, Terrence!” Benjamin greets. “I’m glad to see you, too.”       “Hello, Benjamin Parker. Hello, my disappeared friend.”       “I’ve finally caught you at home. I was coming here without the hope of meeting you. And I thought your servants would tell me you weren’t home again.”       “But as you see, I’m home and ready to accept you with pleasure.”       Terrence and Benjamin share a handshake with slight smiles on their faces, hug each other amicably, and slightly clap each other on the back.       “Hey, where have you been?” Terrence asks, stepping back from Benjamin, and chuckles quietly. “I started to think you were abducted by aliens.”       “You know I don’t believe in this shit,” Benjamin shakes his head. “No aliens exist.”       “Be careful, ‘cause they may hear it and come to the Earth just to prove to you that it’s not the truth. Well… And make some scientific experiments on you…” Terrence chuckles quietly. “Make you a pregnant daddy. And you’re gonna have an alien child.”       “Ah, MacClife…” Benjamin laughs quietly. “You don’t change at all, buddy… You loved pretending to be a witty joker and keep doing this.”       “I’m not kidding! Seriously, Parker, I did really start to worry about you ‘cause you didn’t come to visit me and let me know about you. You used to often come to me to drink beer, but now you were swallowed by the ground.”       “Sorry, I couldn’t find the time. I was a little busy and couldn’t find time to visit you. But when I got time, I couldn’t catch you, and your servants always told me you weren’t home.”       “Yeah, my blame… But don’t worry, I had a business, as well. I had no time to hang out at a bar with a bottle of beer or a glass of port wine.”       “I get it…”       “Erm…” Terrence falls into silence for two seconds and glances at the sofa. “Oh, why are we standing? Feel free, buddy!”       Benjamin shrugs and sits on the sofa, while Terrence joins him and leans back.       “Hey, I tried to call you many times, but your phone was always turned off,” Benjamin says. “I even sent you messages on your mobile and WhatsApp…”       “You sent something?” Terrence frowns slightly.       “Yes, tons of messages!”       “It’s weird… I didn’t see them… I can’t remember getting at least one message or one call from you…”       “I started to think you were ignoring me on purpose, even if I did nothing to you.”       “C’mon, Parker! If I got at least one call from you, I would surely call and send you a couple of messages.”       “But I did call and text you many times! Your phone was unavailable every time I typed your number.”       “I guess I had so many notifications on my phone that notifications about missed calls and messages got lost.”       “Well, I don’t know,” Benjamin throws his hands up. “Maybe, I just chose bad moments and texted when your number was unavailable. Who knows…”       “Maybe… But I swear, I would’ve replied to you if I’d seen you trying to contact me.”       “Okay, buddy, fuck it! The important thing is that I caught you home.”       “I apologize if it happened. I think my head was full of different things…”       “It’s okay, man, don’t worry.”       Silence settles in the air for two seconds, and then Benjamin closely looks at Terrence.       “Hey, you look white and exhausted,” Benjamin frowns. “It’s clear that something made you nervous.”       “Ah, Ben…” Terrence exhales quietly and runs his hand through his hair. “Don’t better ask me anything… So much has lately happened…”       “Don’t wanna tell me?”       “Honestly, I don’t know where to start from…”       “You can start from any part,” Benjamin says quietly. “I’ll get it and support you.”       “Erm…”       “Hey…” Benjamin falls into silence for two seconds, putting a finger on his lip. “Why were there the police near your house one week ago? When I came to your house, I saw Raquelle talking to some men and leaving with one of them in a very cool car. What does it mean?”       “It’s gonna be hard to explain everything because you don’t know the story,” Terrence replies without emotions. “But I’m afraid you’ll know everything, early or late.”       “Well… Actually, I know something…” Benjamin slightly bites a bottom lip, rubbing his hands. “I recently saw a reportage, in which they mentioned a certain Michael. They said that man got arrested for fraud and the attempt to kill his family. And the members of his family were you, Edward, your mother, and a certain Jamie. Even said something about Raquelle and Natalia, as I remember.”       “I’m not surprised.” Terrence chuckles without emotions on his face. “I think everybody has seen that reportage. It’s shown on all channels almost every day.”       “Sorry for my curiosity, Terrence, but tell me, please, if it’s true that Edward is your brother?”       “Yes, true. Edward Lockhart is actually Edward MacClife.”       “Wow…”       “And he always knew that I was his brother, and my mother was his mother, too.”       “Then I’m starting to understand why he the fuck imposed himself on you. Lockhart imposed his friendship on you for a reason.”       “Yeah, now we know what he was going to do.”       “Hey, who’s Michael?” Benjamin asks carefully. “And what do you have to do with him? And who is Jamie?”       “Michael is my uncle.”       “Your uncle? So, a brother of your father?”       “You’re a genius, dude!” Terrence chuckles kindly. “Yes, that’s the older brother of my father, whose name is Jamie.”       “And what didn’t they share? The reportage said they kind of had claims.”       “Uncle Michael has madly hated Father since childhood and has been harming him and ruining his life. Because of jealousy over their parents. Father got all their love and care, and Uncle was an empty shell for them.”       “Well, knowing that man tried to kill your father and brother, I ain’t surprised,” Benjamin says thoughtfully.       “Yeah, but the first and the second literally have nine lives like cats. Do you know how they were tried to be killed?”       “I do, the report explained everything.”       “Luckily, Father and Edward stayed alive and made everybody believe that they were dead for some time.”       “And you, too?”       “Me too.”       “They’re lucky… I can imagine how hard it was for everybody to know about their death and then suddenly see them alive.”       “I confess that it’s really hard,” Terrence nods. “But it happened that I didn’t know what happened to Edward. And I learned about my father at the last moment. I only believed in Father’s death, but I didn’t know Edward was tried to be killed before he told us the story of Uncle Michael.”       “What do you mean?” Benjamin frowns slightly.       “I mean, Edward was hiding the truth from everybody for a long time. Everything happened when he suddenly disappeared one and a half or two months ago. I think I told you that… And I learned about Father from my brother, who somehow had to tell us everything.”       “My gosh… That’s where your brother disappeared… He was wounded…”       “I know, it’s shocking, but I’m telling the truth. The reportage also told the truth, but that’s just a part of what happened to us.”       “Hey, as I remember, you hate your father. You believe he mocked your mother.”       “Now I doubt it…”       “What? Why?”       “Because I had to learn something that changed my mind.”       “Oh, buddy, what bite you?” Benjamin wonders. “You wanted to hear nothing about that man and excitedly reacted to any mention of him. But now you talk about him so quietly.”       “Did I tell you why I hate him?”       “Yes, you believe he mocked your mother.”       “So…” Terrence gets sharply straight. “As it turned out, that was the insolent lie that my own uncle told me.”       “Erm…” Benjamin pronounces, opening his eyes widely. “What? Your uncle?”       “Yes. Because of him, I hated Father and ignored him for almost ten years. Uncle did turn me against him.”       “What a twist…”       “If Uncle hadn’t told me, a six-year-old baby, who believed everything he heard, that Daddy didn’t love Mommy and was beating her even when she was pregnant with me, everything would’ve been otherwise.”       “Holy shit…” Benjamin shakes his head, closing his mouth with a hand. “But wait! How do you know it? Who told you your uncle turned you against your father?”       “That stinker told me that,” Terrence replies quietly. “On the day of his arrest. He confessed everything he had done. That old bastard did very much…”       “So, it happened that you didn’t know it?”       “I knew someone told me that, but I couldn’t remember who. The words about Father’s behavior just got stuck in my head and made me hate him wildly. But when Uncle said he made me think so, I recalled the face of that man.”       “And how did he find you?”       “He said his pal, who was the neighbor of me and Mother, gave him our address. And then he went home, got into the apartment, locked himself with me in the room where I was playing, and told me everything. While Mother was knocking at the door and threatening to call the police.”       “So, she knew why you hated Father?”       “She knew. And she insisted on my meeting with him to let him explain everything. Even if he didn’t know that I hated him because of Uncle.”       “My gosh…” Benjamin frowns slightly and starts stroking his chin.       “He didn’t beat her, but he raised a hand somehow. Father didn’t try to deny it. And then his friend confirmed it, who knew the situation of their family.”       “Now I understand why your mother forgave that man.”       “Nobody understood my mother. Everybody asked why she forgave Father so easily. But now we started to understand that Mother forgave him for many reasons. At least for the love for him. If she had no feelings for him, she would’ve tried to start an affair or gone on two or three dates. But Mother never thought about it. She didn’t notice any other men except my father.”       “Oh, so, did he slap her?”       “Just like I slapped Raquelle somehow,” Terrence recalls with sadness in his eyes. “We two have always been compared. People often said we were very similar. And now I’m starting to understand it. After I found out the truth about Father.”       “Well… At least he didn’t beat her… Raising a hand on a woman even once is terrible, but not so terrible as beating her regularly.”       “I’m still shocked and can’t believe I was deceived so cruelly. I started to think about whether there was a part of the truth about it too late. And I’m terribly ashamed of Father for believing the lie, running away from him, and refusing to call myself his son…”       “Oh, Terrence, I don’t even know what to say,” Benjamin replies with sadness in his eyes and claps Terrence on the shoulder. “It’s kind of great everything got clear. But you feel lousy.”       “Yeah. I’d probably wish to be swallowed up by the ground if I met Father somewhere outside.”       “Early or late, you’ll have to meet him. You can’t run away from him anymore.”       “I know, but I ain’t ready for that yet. I can’t say anything to him… I dunno… I have nothing to say.”       “Now I understand why you’re so gloomy.”       “The problem is not only about that situation… While you and I didn’t meet, very many things happened: the problems with the band, the tense relationship with Edward, his breakup with Natalia, my conflicts with Raquelle, a few attempts to kill me…”       “Wow!” Benjamin arches his eyebrows. “Aren’t you kidding?”       “Oh, Ben, it’s only the main events! If I expand the list of what happened and tell you more about every single event, you’ll hardly listen to my long speech.”       “Much more happened?”       “There are problems in my family and also my band.”       “You know, Terrence, I recently read one article on a site on the Internet,” Benjamin says hesitantly, massaging his wrist. “They said something about an attempt of Peter Rose, the drummer of your band ‘Against The System’, kill himself… Say, is that the truth? Or is the media making a sensation out of a little thing?”       “Yes, it’s the truth.” Terrence runs his hand over his face without emotions. “Peter is still in the hospital in a bad condition. Everything happened suddenly. None of us thought he had problems that made him kill himself. We knew about his depression and tried to help him, but he refused to open his heart… Before the suicide attempt, he called Daniel and me, said goodbye, sent a couple of messages to his friends, and left a death note. Who knows if he stayed alive if Perkins and I hadn’t come to him just in time.”       “My gosh…” Benjamin says with sadness in his eyes. “How’s Peter doing now?”       “Bad. At first, we were told he lost a lot of blood and needed a blood transfusion. He got it, but there were some problems during this process, and his condition got sharply worse. Nobody knows if he has a chance to wake up. The situation is very hard… Nothing depends on us, to our great sadness.”       “How awful…” Benjamin shakes his head with horror in his eyes. “I used to think men didn’t almost commit suicide attempts. I thought girls did that more often.”       “No, Ben, you are wrong. Men can also do those things. Peter is wonderful proof of that. Besides, he had been cutting himself before he committed a suicide attempt.”       “I’m shocked… I’ve never had friends, who would cut themselves and try to kill themselves.”       “That’s horrible. Perkins and I were overwhelmed when it happened.”       “Sorry, buddy. Really sorry.”       “Thanks.”       Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which Benjamin thinks about what he heard.       “And as I understand, many things happened, except Rose’s suicide attempt,” Benjamin says thoughtfully. “You said you had a conflict with Edward and arguments with Raquelle.”       “It’s the truth,” Terrence replies gloomily. “But sadly, there are situations when you can’t do without them.”       “Well, knowing about your hot temper, I ain't surprised you often fight with someone. I do know you entirely ‘cause I’ve seen what you are since childhood.”       “Oh, I’m not happy that I may sometimes be furious.” Terrence runs his hand through his hair with a quiet sigh. “Mother never denied that Father could also show aggression, and it’s very easy to make him furious and provoke him for a conflict or fight.”       “I don’t know what about your father, but you’re really a psycho. You may get so nuts that being with you might be dangerous.”       “Sometimes I’m afraid of myself,” Terrence chuckles quietly. “Do something and curse me for a long time…”       “Was your fight with Raquelle and Edward so big?”       “Of course, Raquelle and I argued about something, but we quickly found a compromise. And we fought because we were excited about what happened, and we kept many things inside us. But now, when the worst things are over, our relationship got much better.”       “And what about Edward?”       “And I really had a big fight with Edward. That kid got me very enraged and got what he asked for.”       “Damn, why did you do it?”       “There was a reason why I got furious and beat him.”       “Is everything so bad?”       “I’d say so.” Terrence starts clicking his fingers, believing it will help him calm down. “Somehow, Edward got so enraged that he started to say offensive things about me. I was kind of a bastard, who deserved what was happening to me… Added that he’d always judge me for what I did to Raquelle… He said much… That’s why I got wild.”       “My gosh…” Benjamin shakes his head with rounded eyes. “I thought you got on well…”       “At that moment, I forgot I treated him well. At first, Edward tried to excuse himself and say his words were a lie, but he eventually got so excited that he went nuts. So, I slapped him strongly and attacked him with fists. We fought like two furious tigers before the eyes of Raquelle and Natalia.”       “Did you really fight with your brother?”       “Do you think I should’ve caressed his head because he was letting us know he wanted to kill his rich family and get all of our wealth?”       “He said that?”       “No, he didn’t say it exactly, but I didn’t care then. But now I’m starting to understand that Edward didn’t even think about it. When we calmed down, we started to realize what we did wrong, who was right, and who was guilty.”       “What business…” Benjamin pronounces thoughtfully with sadness in his eyes. “Of course, he crossed the line this time…”       “He was just furious because of the breakup with Natalia and the thought that she betrayed him. They broke up with a scandal.”       “Really? So, aren’t they together now?”       “Nope, and they hardly will be. At least, we think so. Hearing how they insulted and humiliated each other was enough. I mean, the way Edward humiliated Natalia. Raquelle and I heard how he said so much to the poor girl that we got our hair stand. During that fight, Edward stopped watching his mouth and said some shit about us.”       “Do you wanna say Natalia made him enraged?”       “I could say so. And I can’t even protect her ‘cause she is partly guilty of making him so furious and leaving her. She lied to him about something and made him believe what was far from the truth.”       “That’s how…”       “On the one hand, not asking Natalia to visit us next time when Edward was here was a mistake. But on the other hand, I’m afraid we would’ve hardly found out what happened to them. Because… They told us everything in anger.”       “I hope you and Raquelle weren’t gonna throw them against each other, so they tell you all their secrets?”       “No, no, we didn’t even think about it. It happened! Edward came to tell us about Uncle, and Natalia wanted to talk to us. So, those two fought, shared lots of mutual insults, and almost attacked each other with fists. Then, Raquelle and I fought with Edward. As I said, that kid got me furious and made me attack him.”       “But you know, Terrence, you shouldn’t have attacked him. I understand you felt hurt, but sorry, you’d get nothing if you waved your hands. It doesn’t matter if you fight with a relative or a stranger. You should solve a problem verbally.”       “Agree…” Terrence glances aside and crosses his arms over his chest. “I crossed the line, as well. But I couldn’t leave it unnoticed. Edward disappointed me and made me feel betrayed. You know that I was attracted to Lockhart. But he shamelessly spit in my face and let me know he cared about my wealth and high status. He kind of hoped I’d help him with a job and get him out of poverty. And when he thought I wasn’t gonna help him, he pissed me off and revealed his real face.”       “Weren’t you gonna help him with a job?”       “If he’d asked me about it, I would’ve found something. I wouldn’t have pissed Edward off. I’d hardly promote him to the show business, but I could ask my familiar people about a job for him.”       “I completely understand you, buddy,” Benjamin expresses sympathy. “I’m very sorry Edward turned out to be a stinker.”       “It’s hard for me to say if he really thinks so, but Edward has lately shown the best side of him. He hasn’t given us reasons to make absolutely sure he is such a nasty bastard.”       “Don’t you probably wanna see and hear him?”       “I didn’t want. But later, we had to unite and forget about the offense to make Uncle Michael pay for everything he did to us.”       “So, did you kind of support him after you had beaten each other’s faces?”       “Yes. We had to unite. Because we could end this story together.”       “And you agreed so easily?” Benjamin opens his eyes widely. “C’mon, dude!”       “I didn’t actually want it and didn’t think I’d love to hear and see him someday. And I would’ve kept hating that guy and cursing him. But one day, Edward came here and wanted to tell Raquelle about the kidnapping of Natalia.”       “Yes, yes, the reportage mentioned it.”       “So, Edward couldn’t stop Uncle Michael’s people. When she was taken away, he went to the home of Raquelle and me and asked for help.”       “So, he got down on his knees and started to beg you to help him with pity in his eyes?”       “Sort of. I demanded that Edward leave my home on his feet. After he refused, I attacked him again and beat that guy, who had already been in blood and was half alive. But Raquelle meddled and told me to forget about my offense for some time. And… I had to do it. I agreed to tolerate Edward ‘till Uncle showed up and told us two to come to him.”       “So, did you do it for Raquelle? And for Natalia, who got in trouble?”       “Yes, to some extent. For these girls, I was ready to overcome pride. Though, I gave some conditions that we should’ve followed, and Edward accepted them. And he was a good boy and did everything he was told all the time. He behaved as quietly as a mouse.”       “I must confess that you showed the wonder of endurance,” Benjamin notices. “I was sure you would’ve made Edward disabled or beaten him to death.”       “Yeah, I can’t deny… But since Raquelle didn’t let me do that, Edward was madly lucky.”       “Oh, Edward must say ‘thank you’ to Raquelle ‘till the end of his life! Otherwise, his older brother would’ve done something that he wouldn’t have seen in his nightmares.”       “Don’t make a monster. Although I’m hot-tempered and can’t control myself, I’m not so horrible and dangerous.”       “Aha, if your brother had gotten you enraged, you would’ve forgotten about decency and beaten him strongly. You wouldn’t have remembered who he was and would’ve felt no sorry for your mother, who would’ve felt pain from realizing that her babies fought like buffaloes. Well… When she knows that she’s had her son near her all this time.”       “Sorry, Ben, but he was the one,” Terrence replies quietly. “He shouldn’t have been silent and pretended that everything was fine. Hiding that he had problems in his relationship with Natalia. Making me and Raquelle meddle in their business and try to find out what happened between them. Edward knew our investigation would’ve led to finding out about his tricks and secrets that he was hiding so hard.”       “Hey, why did Edward and Natalia break up? And how long?”       “A little more than one month ago. And Uncle Mickey had to do with it.”       “Wow, your uncle had to do with it?”       “Yup. I won’t tell you everything, but he made my brother believe in the betrayal of Natalia, who didn’t actually do it. That man framed the poor girl and turned Edward against her. Besides, he knew those two were pretending that everything was fine between them. But as a man with great experience, I’m gonna say they’re terrible actors. They didn’t even try to show something like calm and didn’t hide their emotions.”       “But what was the point in pretending?” Benjamin asks amazingly.       “Edward said if Natalia had been by his side, it would’ve been easier for him to protect her from Uncle. But honestly, I don’t believe in it. I think he said it for me to get off him and not to ask him about it. It didn’t kind of sound true…”       “Agree, that explanation sounds false.”       “Oh, it’s hard to understand what that man has in his mind…” Terrence sighs tiredly, running his hand over his face. “Because of people like Edward, I start to doubt unnoticeable and quiet people. Because you may expect anything from them. They’re kind of sweet, fluffy, and innocent, but they may have hidden something…”       “Yeah, Edward is a very dark persona,” Benjamin says thoughtfully. “Though, at first sight, he seemed a good and shy guy.”       “Maybe, he isn’t so bad. And if you and I had met earlier, I would’ve called Edward a scumbag, cursed him, and even wished him to die. But now I can’t do this. Because I calmed down and can rate the situation soberly, not being obsessed with emotions.”       “You forgave him?”       “Not quite. But talking about him is much easier for me now. If I had to be in the same room with him, it wouldn’t give me problems. But I still can’t accept the thought that he’s my brother. I’m trying to accept it, but it’s unsuccessful yet.”       “And why did you suddenly get softer toward him?”       “The time is gone. The pain got weaker. The emotions got weaker. Well… And I can partly understand Edward. Understand why he behaved so. One of the reasons is the fact that he had a secret that he was afraid to tell.”       “Isn’t the fact that he became a suspect in the murder and may get a sentence?”       “Yes. If Edward doesn’t prove his innocence, he will be charged with murder and put in prison. Now he’s free under the undertaking not to leave, but the charges will not be dropped off if something to prove his innocence is not found.”       “Isn’t he really guilty of the murder?”       “No, Edward killed nobody. He just saw Nicolas being killed. He promised to find his friend, who was with him on that day, and saw it, as well. He ran away at the plea of my brother, but that man can now give Edward a chance to get the charges dropped off.”       “Yeah, I heard about it.”       “Uncle Michael knows about that event and truly believed that Edward was the killer. He used it when threatening my brother to tell his relatives the truth and do his best to put him in prison. And if he’s back there, they may easily make his mental health worse. Just like it happened when he got arrested.”       “So, really?” Benjamin rounds his eyes.       “Yes. He said he left prison half-alive because he was always getting beaten, insulted, and humiliated. If Uncle Michael hadn’t made bail for him, those beasties would’ve brought him to death.”       “My gosh…” Benjamin closes his mouth with a hand. “Now I’m really sorry for that guy.”       “And I believe it’s the truth. Edward was shaking when telling us what those stinkers did to him. And if Uncle had known it, he would’ve definitely preferred leaving him in prison and letting them kill him at all. And he wouldn’t have had to blackmail him…” Terrence swallows up nervously and shakes his head. “He wouldn’t have had to make him kill me, saying if he hadn’t done it, everybody would’ve known about that murder.”       “What, what?” Benjamin jabs, opening his dumbfounded eyes widely. “Kill? Your uncle? Made Edward kill you?”       “That cad did his best for the relationship between Edward and me to be the same as his relationship with Father. That guy was always told that I was one hundred successful, richer, happier, confident, and better. My parents kind of always loved me and never needed my brother. And when I met Uncle, he told me Edward was terribly jealous of me and hated me for having everything. Uncle Michael found weaknesses and pressed on them strongly.”       “My gosh!” Benjamin shakes his head. “But I hope Edward wasn’t such a brainless idiot to succumb to his provocations.”       “Sadly, he was too sensitive to them. Uncle knew it and used it with pleasure. And he did make him dance attendance upon him for some time. But luckily, Edward stopped in time.”       “So, didn’t Edward try to kill you?”       “Don’t worry, bro,” Terrence says with a slight smile. “If my brother had really wanted to kill me, he would’ve done it when we were at Uncle’s house. But, as you see, I’m alive, sitting on the sofa and talking to you.”       “Well, at least, he got the brains not to do it,” Benjamin replies thoughtfully.       “I’m just a lucky man!” Terrence says confidently with pride. “You know it! Even if someone wanna hit me on the head or do something to me, I always get off it.”       “Yeah, I doubt you remembered that you were born as an arrogant peacock with great self-confidence and the thought that there was nobody much more unique than you.”       “I was scared, I can’t deny it. But in general, I was quiet ‘cause I knew it would happen. Edward warned me about it before going to Uncle’s home. He confidently said he didn’t want it and wouldn’t have done it. And I really believed him. I made much more sure about it when I saw the horrible condition he had when Uncle put a pistol in his hand and pointed it at me. He was shaking strongly. He was terribly ashamed. That’s good Natalia saved the situation and helped him overcome the fear of Uncle and stop dancing attendance upon him.”       “Natalia saved?”       “Yes. She was even ready to sacrifice herself. Edward didn’t want it, but after her suggestion to shoot at her, he finally gave up and pissed Uncle off.”       “Oh, holy shit!” Benjamin hums and crosses his arms over his chest. “Are you saying it so quietly? You were almost killed by your own brother, but you’re smiling! You are crazy, MacClife! You’ve always had something from a psycho.”       “Why should I have been surprised if I knew what could happen? Edward warned me and even tried to stop me from going to Uncle’s home. But I did it! Because I wanted to deal with him and rescue Natalia.”       “Fuck, are you ready to forgive him so easily for saying nobody the hell knows what about you, beating you, and trying to kill you?”       “I won’t deny I’m still mad at him,” Terrence replies quietly. “But as I said, I can speak to him quietly.”       “And what does it mean? Will you stop speaking to Edward? Or is there a chance that you’re gonna communicate again?”       “I can say nothing yet. And now I don’t wanna think about it. Yes, a common business united us and helped us get on. But it doesn’t mean I forgot everything Edward did and said so easily. He did a disgusting thing, and I can’t deny it and say I treat him well.”       “And when will you decide what to do?”       “I dunno, Ben, ask me nothing. I’m gonna say just one thing: no matter what, I can’t give a fuck about that man.”       “Are you still worried about him?”       “Yes, I still wonder what’s happening in his life. Despite nothing, I wish him happiness and don’t want him to suffer. Yes, of course, Edward is a scumbag, but he doesn’t deserve what happened to him, and what he’s gonna experience.”       “Are you kind of tearing between two opposite feelings that prevent you from deciding what to do to Edward?”       “It’s a bad thing for me. But everything is the same about my father: the offense hasn’t been gone, but there is no wild hate. Moreover, after what I found out that he didn’t do what I believed in for so many years.”       “But is there a chance that you may forgive them if they wanna speak to you and apologize?”       “I think there is. Definitely there is. And I don’t wanna say I wanna strike them out of my life and forget they’re my relatives. No, I can’t do it.” Terrence falls into silence for two seconds and glances aside, seeing Christiana holding a big basket of dirty clothes and Blair carrying another one and sweetly talking about something with her colleague. “They’re a part of my family, Ben. I love my family and really appreciate it. The only exclusion is Uncle Michael, who almost killed all of us because of jealousy.”       “And when are ya gonna solve this situation?”       “I’ll try to do it before the start of the trial.”       “Okay,” Benjamin replies quietly. “But I’d be careful with Edward. Of course, I don’t have anything against him, at least because he’s done nothing bad to me, but I don’t like what he did. And who knows what that guy hides…”       “Well, we kind of know all the secrets he was hiding,” Terrence shrugs. “We even know that he still loves the girl that he left.”       “But why did he leave her?” Benjamin frowns slightly. “It would’ve been okay if they’d fought, I could get it… But that…”       “Oh, Parker, honestly, it’s a very hard story… And quite delicate… It would be better if only some people knew it. If someone wants, they can tell you about it.”       “Is everything so horrible?”       “Horrible. I can say it exactly. And after the truth was revealed, Edward started to regret leaving Natalia and believing the lie his uncle told him.”       “Won’t you even give a little hint?”       “Better talk to Natalia. May she tell you everything if she wants it. That girl won’t get mad if we talk about it, but since you aren’t very close to her, we should let her decide if you should know it.”       “Oh…” Benjamin runs his hand through his hair, being a little thoughtful. “Listen, MacClife, I don’t even know what to say… I’m really shocked… Got dumbfounded when I turned on the TV and saw the reportage about your family… And now I can’t accept what you told me.”       “You’ve gotta do, buddy. I told you the truth.”       “Yeah… I used to think nothing could be worse than the case of Simon Ringer, Raquelle, and you. But it seems like, the story of your uncle is much crueler…”       “You know, the case of Ringer also got us super exhausted,” Terrence notices. “That bastard almost ruined my relationship and deprived me of my beloved woman. But now he’s serving the sentence and can do nothing without someone’s help due to the disability.”       “You aren’t lucky, bro… You’ve been chased by misfortunes over the past few years: you got problems with your acting career, your relationship was almost ruined, your family was almost killed, you were almost killed, and the guy from your band ended up in the hospital…”       “But I’ve solved almost everything. This time, it was much harder ‘cause too many problems came into our lives at the same time. We weren’t ready for such a strong hit.”       “But now, is everything finally over?”       “Almost everything. Uncle Michael got arrested and will be waiting for the trial in prison And… Raquelle, Natalia, Edward, my parents, some people, and I should be at the hearing and be heard as witnesses. And as you know, Edward is gonna also be a defendant.”       “I hope you have a lawyer?”       “Yes, Raquelle is working on it and talking to the person from the police staff, who keeps her informed about everything. She said they found a good lawyer, with whom we’re gonna meet soon.”       “That’s good.” Benjamin clears his throat. “And even if I won’t be allowed to be in the courtroom, I will be supporting you and your family in my mind.”       “Thanks a lot, buddy,” Terrence thanks with a slight smile. “I knew you wouldn’t stay aside.”       “Hold on, Terrence, everything is gonna be cool!” Benjamin smiles amicably and claps Terrence on the shoulder. “And if your uncle is put in prison, you and I will go somewhere to celebrate it. You and I haven’t gone anywhere for ages. Though, I wanna recall the old times when you and I were hanging around everywhere.”       “Deal, Parker, you and I will talk about it. I did want to suggest we hang out somewhere and drink a glass.”       “I’ll remember what you promised!” Benjamin threatens Terrence with a finger.       “Okay,” Terrence laughs shyly.       Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which Benjamin and Terrence laugh quietly. But then MacClife, Sr., leans back in the chair and crosses his arms over his chest, saying:       “Hey, why I only talk about me. You better tell me something about yourself! How are you doing? What’s new? Maybe, there is something I don’t know yet?”       “Well, everything is kind of fine,” Benjamin replies thoughtfully, scratching the back of his head. “Nothing has changed…”       “Nothing at all?” Terrence smiles mysteriously. “I believe you’ve got something to share with me.”       “Well…” Benjamin pronounces hesitantly. “Actually, yes… I’d like to ask you for a piece of advice on what you have enough experience with.”       “M-m-m…” Terrence squints with a sly smile. “Since you have such a diffident look, you have something to say.”       “Yes, I… Need to tell you something… Something important.”       “Speak, I’m listening. If I can help, I’ll do my best.”       “But please, promise that you won’t kill me. Don’t get enraged after I’m gonna tell you.”       “Oh…” Terrence moans quietly, rolling his eyes. “Speak out about what kind of story you got into! Did you get attracted to adventures as well as my crazy brother, who can’t stay in the same place?”       “No, no, I got into nothing, don’t worry.”       “But what’s your problem?”       “I really hope for your understanding,” Benjamin replies quietly.       “Ar-r-r…” Terrence growls quietly and crosses his arms over his chest. “Listen, stop pulling a cat’s tail, and just tell me what’s going on. Don’t act like a girl, who loves being shy and making someone guess everything with hits and looks.”       “The thing that is happening, MacClife, is the fact that I like the girl that’s working as a servant at your house,” Benjamin confesses in one breath.       To be honest, Terrence is not too surprised by what he heard and assumed he would hear something like this early or late.       “Erm…” Terrence stutters. “Excuse me, what?”       “I love your servant, what, what!” Benjamin exclaims.       “Minute…” Terrence gets sharply straight. “So, do you wanna say you like Blair? You got a crush on her?”       “Really like,” Benjamin replies with sadness in his eyes. “Now I finally realize it. Realize that I lose my head because of that girl.”       Terrence says nothing and starts laughing quietly. Kindly. Without a bad thought. But Benjamin does not like it and looks at MacClife, Sr., as if he would be happy to hit him with something heavy.       “Hey, what are you laughing like a horse, idiot?” Benjamin resents. “What’s the fuck funny?”       “Damn, if I’d known I’d hear it someday, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Terrence replies with a laugh. “Who would’ve thought, Benjamin Joshua Parker, a habitual womanizer, suddenly fell in love with a quiet, shy girl, who wasn’t similar to any girl he drooled over before!”       “I know you think love and I are incomparable things. But you must confess that it’s the truth. I’m in love with Blair and don’t wanna deny it anymore.”       “Sorry, buddy, but these things are really incomparable.” Terrence stops laughing and coughs loudly before he continues to speak. “I know how you replaced one girl with another. How you jumped from one bed to another. You needed only sex from girls! You dated them just to fuck them.”       “I just followed the voice of nature. Any healthy man wants regular sex! Including me! So, I picked up sympathetic dolls, who agreed to invite me to their homes or visit my place and drink some wine with pleasure.”       “Are you gonna do the same to Blair? Use her young body touched by nobody and piss her off? Do you know what kind of pain the young girl, who has no experience in dating men, would feel?”       “No, I’m attracted to Blair not because of her young, untouched body. Spending time with her is just cool. I can talk to her about anything, listen to what she tells me with pleasure, and don’t refuse to tell her something. If you talk to Blair longer, she seems so interesting. Very smart, decent, and nice girl…”       “Stop lying! When have you liked brains about girls? It’s never happened!”       “I’m not lying, I swear!” Benjamin protests. “You must not give someone false hope and play with their feelings that have never existed. If you feel nothing for someone, you should say it openly, not give false hope and make them suffer.”       “M-m-m, that’s what you say…”       “Believe it or not, but I’ve been restless for a long time. I always think of your young servant… Blair is special, you see… Not what everybody is. She is the first girl, with whom I could talk forever. Not fuck her all night long, but talk to her. You know how it’s cool! How it’s cool to meet someone, who understands you so well. The girls I had before were only good in bed, but were bad talkers. I forgot someone the next day… And there were such stupid chickens, who said such stupid thing that couldn’t make me hard.”       “But does your penis stand up when you talk to Blair?”       “Well… She’s a very cute girl… I can’t deny it. A cute face, a good body… No tons of cosmetics and hundreds of plastic surgeries… And actually, every single girl is beautiful in her own way. To be stunning, she doesn't have to have long legs, wear short skirts, and do thick makeup. Yes, it's attractive, but love is born because of different things.”       “You know…” Terrence pronounces thoughtfully. “Of course, I have nothing against you not being indifferent to Blair. But I wouldn’t like you to hurt the girl and use her. Have her wrapped around a finger and cut her wings. You know that Blair is too tender, shy, and timid.”       “I know. But honestly, I like her shyness. Blair is very smart, kind, shy… She doesn’t try to make anyone like her or speak to her. Talking and spending time with her are fascinating. If I have a chance, I use it. I may even get off work earlier to invite her somewhere.”       “That’s how?! Well, I don’t even know what to say…”       “If Blair asked me for help at least once, I’d run to her. At any time – even at night. It’s not hard for me. The important thing is that she feels good.”       “Yeah…” Terrence falls into silence for two seconds. “Say, why did you spend time with stupid but beautiful girls and eventually get a crush on the quiet, shy, and decent girl, who could hardly be called a stunning cutie but is very sympathetic, in my opinion?”       “I did tell you, the sound of nature! I wanted sex and chose the best from what was ‘suggested’ to me. Somehow, I did it when being sober. And somehow, I drank too much and fucked girls when I was drunk. Erm… Somehow, I suggested a cutie to have fun with. And somehow, they hung on my neck, taking off their bras and knickers and shaking their naked boobs in front of me.”       “And do you think you can get over it? Struggle with a wish to follow the sound of nature and fuck girls that you barely know!”       “Sure! If I had a permanent girlfriend or a wife, I’d have sex with her. I fuck others ‘cause I have nobody. And I don't wanna and will not act like a virgin, who would give herself to a man only after a wedding.”       “But you understand that it’s gonna be hard to wean away from former habits. Your eyes would stop on any short skirt, and your girlfriend may dislike it.”       “I get it, but I’m gonna tell you a secret, I haven’t gone to striptease bars and put money into girl’s knickers for ages. All my thoughts are about Blair. I can’t fuck someone when I think of your servant.”       “So, you grew up?” Terrence chuckles.       “Maybe,” Benjamin shrugs. “But don’t think I liked it! No, I’ve never aimed to be a horndog that would get slaps from all his exes, catching me cheating. I’ve always liked the opposite girls: smart, sweet, decent, and shy. And your servant perfectly fits my taste. I can talk to her about something, she isn’t deprived of beauty and acts like a real tender, feminine girl.”       “So, are you pretending to be a lover of good girls?”       “I’ve always been the one. Just… Going against nature is impossible… Well… If there is nobody to fuck, I can masturbate in a toilet…”       “Okay…” Terrence frowns slightly. “And do you want me to tell you what to do?”       “It would be great. You have enough experience with loving things. Of course, knowing how insolently you accosted Cameron on your first meeting, I should better give up. Nevertheless, I think you wouldn’t advise your friend to feel the girl up insolently and press her to the wall with a wish to kiss and fuck her.”       “Why should I teach you?” Terrence chuckles kindly. “You aren’t a little boy, but an adult man!”       “I know, but I can only tell you everything about sex, poses, foreplay, masturbation, and something like that. But I’m worthless at soul things. I haven’t almost had permanent girlfriends. I dated someone for at least one month and then broke up with them.”       “C’mon, Parker, don’t pretend to be an idiot. Your love career is much longer than mine, ‘cause you started to pick up girls literally since you were born.”       “Haven’t you done? Yes, maybe, you have never fucked everyone and have been picky. Chosen only the sexiest and hottest cuties. But you don’t have less experience.”       “Alright, what do you want from me? What should I advise you?”       “Tell me what to do! A little piece of advice from my best friend would be very good for me. I’m really confused and don’t know what to do. Advise me something, dude, help me solve this situation!”       “Well, don’t you wanna tell Blair about your feelings? Huh? Haven’t you thought about it?”       “I’m afraid to tell,” Benjamin confesses hesitantly.       “Why? Afraid that Blair would reject you?”       “Exactly! What if she doesn’t wanna date anyone? What if she doesn’t care about me? What if my pretense makes her bored, and she speaks to me just to show curiosity?”       “Are you gonna be a coward ‘till someone else takes her? If you wanna get her, you must do it fast.”       “I know, but I’m afraid… Afraid to tell her that I feel sympathy for her.”       “And how long ago did you realize it?”       “Well… Actually, I liked Blair after seeing her on the day when she opened the door for me. When I came to you to reconcile.”       “Didn’t you notice her before?”       “It happened! Only Violetta or Christiana talked to me, but Blair opened the door and brought me to the living room for the first time.”       “Okay… And when did you start feeling sympathy for her?”       “Somewhere several weeks ago… I began to catch myself thinking I liked that girl. I could think of her for hours… At work, I often fall into my thoughts and think of her. Only the voice of a client, a resentful boss, or colleagues laughing loudly brings me back to reality.”       “You say, you think much of her?”       “Very much,” Benjamin nods. “I don’t even notice how the day is gone…”       “So, guy, congratulation!” Terrence claps his hands with a quiet chuckle. “You’ve joined the men in love! I mean, the list of my friends and close people, who are in love with some girls!”       “Why are you laughing again?” Benjamin throws gloomily.       “Am I laughing?” Terrence rounds his eyes. “C’mon, Ben! How you dare to say it!”       “It’s funny for you, Terrence, but it is not for me,” Benjamin crosses his arms over his chest. “I don’t know what to do, but you’re sitting and mocking me. Yeah, MacClife, you’re a fucking good pal!”       “Hey, I’m not mocking!”       “I know you weren’t afraid to openly tell Raquelle you wanted to fuck her. You weren’t shaking like a scared bunny and forgot that you shouldn’t have behaved like this toward girls. But I don’t the fuck want to do the same.”       “I just wanna support you! Comfort you and help you!”       “If you wanna help and support – tell me what to do.”       “First, tell Blair everything. Or just hint at your feelings.”       “What? Are you kidding me?”       “It’s life, man. If you wanna get something, you’ve gotta fight, not sitting with your tail between your legs and hoping everything will be solved by itself.”       “So I get depression from the one-sided love?” Benjamin chuckles loudly. “I’d better go to hang myself not to know that girl doesn’t need me!”       “No, no, don’t hang yourself!” Terrence shakes his head with widely open eyes. “Having one suicidal friend is enough for me! Having you as the one would be too much!”       “I won’t take the refusal of the girl that I like!”       “Why do you think so? You confessed your love to someone, and it was okay! You stayed alive! Why did you get stuck now?”       “It happened a long time ago, and I forgot what to do! How to behave, what to say… One wrong step before I get a strong slap!”       “Don’t be afraid. Say it exactly, don’t give hints. At first, you can tell the girl a couple of compliments, help her relax, let her get used to you… Couldn’t you do something for Blair to listen to you with her mouth open?”       “I’m one hundred percent gonna forget everything when it’s time to confess my sympathy for Blair!”       “Damn, you’re a professional at that! Saying a compliment to a girl is super easy for you! You always make compliments for Raquelle, Natalia, or Anna, and they roll their eyes and purr.”       “About compliments…” Benjamin thinks for two seconds. “Haven’t you noticed how much Blair has lately changed? She was very cute, but now the beauty blossomed like the most wonderful flower in the world.”       “Yeah, she’s really changed,” Terrence replies thoughtfully and smiles mysteriously. “Very much… I like it…”       “Seriously, when I met her on the day when Raquelle called the police here, I was nicely surprised. I don’t understand how such a cute girl may hide her beauty! A cute dress, loose hair, and nude makeup can make her a real beauty.”       “Hey, tell her she blossomed like the most wonderful flower in the world. I’m sure it’s gonna be the best compliment for her. And the more you praise her and say good things with all your heart, the sooner she will realize she must show her beauty, not hide it.”       “I don’t wanna be a guy, who acts like a cowardly girl, but I’m scared. Really scared, Terrence! It seems like I forgot everything I could do! If only I didn’t forget how to have sex with girls from fear.”       “You won’t do, calm down,” Terrence replies confidently, clapping Benjamin on the shoulder. “The hardest thing is to find the courage and start. But when you take this step, it will be much easier. Words will come to your mind, and you will feel more confident. And when it’s time, you’ll show everything you can to give a girl happiness.”       “I don’t wanna lose that girl so badly… She’s the first one, with whom I feel fantastic. And if Blair learns to be much opener, I’ll definitely be delighted by her.”       “You know, Benjamin…” Terrence smiles mysteriously, putting his finger on his lip, which he bites slightly later. “Something tells me Blair has changed lately for the reason… For the real one…”       “Why?” Benjamin frowns slightly, tears his back off the sofa, and sets his confused gaze on Terrence. “What do you wanna say?”       “Do you know, my friend, that when girls see someone they like, they aim to look as good as possible?”       “So, do you wanna say Blair has changed to give me a good impression about her?” Benjamin wonders.       “Yes, you’ve finally got it!” Terrence claps his hands loudly. “You’re twenty-seven, but you’ve got a chicken’s brain. You must understand such little things!”       “Don’t judge everything by Raquelle and you,” Benjamin says quietly. “Your beauty must fit her status as one of the sexiest women in the world. And she should make you happy… So, she takes care of her and stays desired.”       “I didn’t try,” Terrence smiles innocently. “But a fact is a fact: girls really aim to look as good as possible if they want to show the best side of themselves.”       “What if it’s not the truth? What if she wants to give a good impression to someone else? Or she just decided to change to love her reflection in the mirror?”       “Oh…” Terrence exhales sharply and puts his hand on his forehead for a second. “What if, what if… Damn! Just come to Blair and tell her everything. And then all of your ‘what if’ may be gone, and you may stop being a coward and asking yourself why Blair takes care of herself so hard.”       “What if they aren’t gone?”       “Oh, alright!” Terrence shows his hand with the palm turned on Benjamin. “I am sick of your whining! Since you don’t have the courage to do it by yourself, I’ll have to push you to confessing your feelings to that girl.”       “What?” Benjamin starts getting nervous, while his eyes are running from one side to another, and his face sharply gets white, and grabs Terrence tightly by the wrist. “Hey! Erm, not now! I ain’t ready for that! Don’t dare to call her here! No, MacClife, I can’t do it now!”       “Calm down, buddy, I ain’t gonna make you do it right now,” Terrence replies quietly. “You have two weeks to confess your feelings to Blair.”       “What? Two weeks?”       “I’m giving you time to get ready and open your heart to that girl. Maybe, you’d move your ass faster if you knew you had limited time.”       “What’s gonna happen if I don’t do it?”       “Nothing, I will just tell her about it,” Terrence says confidently with a sly smile.       “What?” Benjamin sets his gaze full of horror on Terrence, starting to breathe heavily. “You’re an idiot? Went nuts?”       “What’s up? If you don’t say it by yourself, I’ll complete your mission and openly tell Blair you have a crush on her.”       “Don’t dare to do this!” Benjamin throws a little louder. “Don’t even dream! Hear me, MacClife! I swear, I will cut your head if you say at least one word to Blair!”       “Oh, why are you threatening me?” Terrence smiles innocently, being quiet and confident, and crosses his arms over his chest. “I just wanna help you a little. You asked me for help. So, I’m helping you. And giving you a choice: either you tell Blair everything, or Raquelle and I do it.”       “I said, don’t dare to open your mouth!” Benjamin threatens Terrence with a finger. “Otherwise, I’ll shave your head! I’ll cut your head to the fuck!”       “Calm down, dude, why did you get so nervous?” Terrence chuckles, clapping Benjamin on the back. “Want me to call Blair and ask her to give you a glass of water? Maybe, it would calm you down a little!”       “You’re an asshole, MacClife! Just an insolent, self-confident asshole!” Benjamin hums with rolled eyes. “Don’t try to suggest we bet!”       “No, I won’t have a bet with you. But I can give you a good kick to your ass. And I will do it. So, you finally stop pretending to be an innocent boy that has only touched a girl by her pigtail.”       “You’re a very insidious man, Terrence… Insidious, insolent, and self-confident idiot! You don’t imagine how much I hate you!”       “It’s temporary, my dear friend,” Terrence replies confidently with a slight smile. “I’m sure you will say ‘thank you’ to me for making the condition that gave you the limits.”       “Say ‘thank you’?” Benjamin chuckles loudly and grabs a little pillow placed on the sofa near him. “I will beat you now! Your ass will be red!”       “But what kind of pleasure you will feel when you hear your feelings are mutual!”       “I am warning you, Terrence MacClife: if I know Blair isn’t interested in me and screw it up for her, I swear you will regret starting this fucking game,” Benjamin threatens quietly and sharply throws the pillow on the sofa. “It’s not a joke, Terrence! I will kick your ass so that you will think many times before messing up with me.”       “I’ve got no reason to fear, ‘cause I’m sure about my rightness,” Terrence replies confidently.       “Your great self-confidence will play a cruel joke on you someday. Someday, someone will do something that you will forget that you always consider yourself an irresistible, lucky, and selfish rooster, who believes he’d get off everything.”       “Well, hope, Parker, hope. And I’ll be impatiently waiting for the news about your affair with my servant.”       “See, see,” Benjamin chuckles quietly. “I will quickly take a crowd off your head if everything is against me.”       “And I will rid you of a wish to look at any other girl if you start wooing Blair,” Terrence promises confidently. “Make you a family man that would be loyal only to the one he would date.”       “You may not doubt my loyalty. As well as the fact that I will kick your ass if Blair rejects me.”       “Don’t worry, my friend, someday you will stop being a horndog. I will care about it.”       “Yeah, MacClife…” Benjamin laughs amicably, shaking his head. “The thing nobody can steal from you is your great confidence in yourself and your success. Even if everything is lousy in your life, you will not stop being an insolent peacock with a big tail. That touches everything you pass by.”       “I learned it from you,” Terrence replies confidently with a sly chuckle. “You do also love yourself and always show your tail to any girl.”       “Oh, I’m so far from you, the great star!” Benjamin waves a hand, leaning back in the sofa. “Among all my familiar people, there is not such a self-confident and insolent turkey like you.”       “Remember, Benjamin Parker, you have two weeks to find the courage to tell Blair everything. Otherwise, I will do what I promised.”       “Okay, okay, I got it,” Benjamin raises his hands at his shoulder level. “Okay, wait for two weeks. Wait for the day when I will kick your gorgeous ass.”       “I’m impatiently waiting for the news.”       “Oh, MacClife…” Benjamin chuckles again.       Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which Benjamin looks around and glances at Terrence.       “Hey, where’s Raquelle?” Benjamin asks thoughtfully. “Where did ya lose your sexy cutie? Where did this gorgeous butterfly leave this time?”       “The gorgeous butterfly went to the back of the house, where she’s cutely talking with her friend,” Terrence replies with a laugh.       “Natalia?”       “Well, yeah.”       “So, you decided to leave them alone, so they gossip a little. Talk about how big your peacock tail is!”       “Actually, I had talked to them before you came. Natalia went to our home two hours ago, and we accepted her with pleasure.”       “You prefer a company of girls over a company of men? The company, in which everybody would praise you forever!”       “Actually, the girls and I were talking about the upcoming judging hearing, and the problem of my relationship with Father and Edward. And… The relationship of Natalia with my restless brother, whose ass got well kicked.”       “Oh, that’s how…” Benjamin chuckles quietly. “I started to think you were talking to them about expensive clothes, beautiful hairstyles, nails, and other girls’ things.”       “You should always say something!” Terrence shakes his head sharply, crossing his arms over his chest. “They can talk not only about clothes and hairstyles, but also give support to their close people and know how to help someone relax.”       “Hold on, buddy, don’t stand in this way. I understand it’s very hard when you’re surrounded by lots of beauties, but still.”       “Alright, close your mouth! When you don’t know what to say, you better be silent. If you don’t want me to kick your ass and make a nest on your gorgeous head.”       “Gonna take an example from you and say I’ll be irresistible even when I’m having my hair standing and wearing a dirty potato sack,” Benjamin says with his head proudly raised, stroking down his hair.       “Self-confidence leads to success.”       “Don’t think you’re the only one to be able to praise yourself. I understand your tail got much puffier after you got Raquelle Cameron, whom all men in the world drool over, as your fiancée. But still, buddy, you should be shyer. At least sometimes. I repeat, self-confidence may sometimes play a cruel joke on you.”       “Alright, stop!” Terrence waves a hand. “Arguing with you is worthless! I don’t even wanna start trying to get something into your head. Trying to wash the brains of someone to be completely in love.”       “You can quickly close the subject when you feel you may get a kick on the head,” Benjamin replies with a quiet chuckle.       “Touching it is not allowed,” Terrence replies confidently, stroking down his hair with pride. “My head is worth its weight in gold, as well as my whole body. Valuable and imitable.”       “Oh, alright, MacClife, shut up!”       With these words, Benjamin grabs a pillow and throws it on Terrence, who turns aside, takes another one that is placed near him, and throws it right in his face. They do it several times with a quiet chuckle before MacClife, Sr., gives his friend a couple of slaps on the head. Then he gets the same answer from Parker and makes a quiet squeak when the man slightly grabs him by the hair. After this, the friends, who stood up by this time, try to use a neck grip on each other, destroy each other’s hair with a free hand, or just fight hand in hand as a joke, thrilling with a loud, contagious laugh.       

***

      It’s about three o'clock. Rebecca, who does not usually leave her home often, is going to a small café where fewer people actually come. The tax, in which the woman is, just arrived at the café. Being absolutely quiet, she pays the driver, thanks him for the trip, leaves the yellow car, looks around quickly, and confidently comes to the entry. And when Rebecca comes to the door, she sees that a man with jet black hair is sitting on the left on the table placed outside, wearing dark sunglasses, a black coat and pants, and a simple gray, little shabby shirt. She quickly recognizes that man as her husband, Jamie, and goes to the table, at which he is sitting. When the woman comes to the table, he glances at her, takes his sunglasses off, and gets up from the table.       “Hi,” Jamie greets gently with a slight smile. “Glad to see you.”       “Hi,” Rebecca replies amicably. “Me too.”       Rebecca and Jamie share a kiss on the cheek, hugging each other amicably. Then the man points to the table and sits on it along with the woman. She puts her little purse on the back of the chair, while the man sitting in front of her fixes the sleeves of his old, little shabby coat.       “You can say nothing, I’ve seen the reportage and know what happened to Michael,” Rebecca says quietly, folding her hands on the table.       “That cad has been arrested,” Jamie confirms. “But you know half of what happened. Actually, there is much more than the media has found out yet.”       “I got it… Will you tell me?”       “Sure,” Jamie nods confidently and glances at his glass with yellow sparkling water. “Hey, don’t you wanna drink anything? Go to buy something, and I will wait for you.”       “Maybe, I’ll buy something later, but I don’t want anything now.”       “Well, okay…” Jamie shrugs and drinks some sparkling water from his glass. “As you wish…”       “So, did Michael get arrested one and a half weeks ago?” Rebecca asks, tightly locking her fingers.       “Yes, the plan of Mr. Johnson and me came true. We caught my brother just in time.”       “Isn’t that stinker a threat to us?”       “No, don’t worry, Michael is now kept under very close control. The cad is sitting in prison and waiting for the trial, where all the members of this story will be invited on: from you and me to our sons and their girls.”       “Will we be witnesses?”       “Yes, we need to tell the judge everything that happened.”       “I’ll surely go and tell them everything your brother did to our family,” Rebecca promises confidently. “He will pay for his sins.”       “The most important thing is hiding nothing. Telling the truth. The more the judge and jury know, the higher the chance that he will get a long sentence.”       “And what about lawyers?”       “I talked to Victor about it. He said he found a good lawyer, who could make the judge sure to be by our side. That man is quite experienced and has had much harder cases. He’s saved many innocent people and put criminals in prison.”       “It makes me happy.”       “He already has all the materials and is examining them closely. Looking for ways to prove our rightness and fault of Michael and his pals.”       “Oh…” Rebecca sighs quietly. “I’m afraid Michael may get a benefit from this situation again. Find a lawyer, who will save him from prison. In this case, we will never make that man pay for everything. We will have only to wait for your brother to die. Someone like him usually lives for a very long time.”       “Trust me, he has very little time. I saw Michael and can confidently say he looked very bad. Although that man didn’t show it and started a fight, his health isn’t the best. He even limps much more than before.”       “Do you think he will not live long?”       “I do. Even if he gets a great sentence, he will probably die in prison. Stay in a cell for two or three years and pass away.”       “And what about Michael’s lawyer? Does he have the one?”       “Yes, he does. But as far as I know, that man can’t protect that stinker because he doesn’t have enough experience. A young guy that recently got a diploma.”       “A newbie?”       “Sort of. But they say he is a sellout. He would sell his soul for money.”       “That’s bad.”       “Don’t worry, Rebecca, Michael can do nothing and pay that guy to win the case. There is nothing that could help him. All the clues are against him. Yes, my brother may promise him gold mountains or something like that, but his lawyer will get nothing.”       “So, will we have no problems?”       “No, our lawyer is way stronger. Victor personally vouched for him and says everything would be alright.”       “Well, as Victor himself says it…”       While Jamie drinks the sparkling water, Rebecca glances aside for a second and starts twirling a thin necklace on her neck, saying with anxiety:       “But something doesn’t make me quiet… Everything is kind of for us, but I’m afraid something might go wrong.”       “I’m also a little afraid, but I believe everything is gonna be okay,” Jamie replies quietly.       “The process is gonna last not for one week or even one month. We will have to have patience.”       “Nobody said it would end quickly. We will really have to apply many efforts not to go crazy.”       “And when’s the first hearing starting?”       “I don’t know yet. Victor said we’d be supposed to know the date at the nearest time. And he’d tell me when he got the information.”       “As I understand, will a few cases, with which Michael and his pals have to do, be examined?”       “Yes, the judge will be examining a few cases. The case of attempting Edward and me, the planned attempt on the others… Fraud, theft… The violence toward the friend of Edward and her kidnapping… They will even examine the case of the murder of Nicolas.”       “Ah, yeah…” Rebecca sighs heavily. “I’m so sorry for that girl, who they mocked so hard.”       “My brother decided to do a lot. Even if that girl isn’t connected with our family, Michael decided to deal with her anyway.”       “My heart bleeds when I think about it. The girl is very good: sweet, kind, educated, tender… And her parents are wonderful… Although I’ve spoken to them a couple of times, I already liked them.”       “And I got a good first impression of her. Thank God, she is fine, and Michael didn’t give her to his pals, who were waiting for that. Especially her offender, who almost raped the poor girl.”       “Oh, don’t remind me about it,” Rebecca shakes slightly. “I feel bad when I think about it.”       “Yeah, poor girl…”       “How could Michael actually live? He’s done so many things, but he is still alive. As if nothing happened.”       “Yeah… He almost killed all of us and probably gave the order to kill Nick…”       “Oh… The situation of the murder of Nicolas is killing me.”       “Because Michael charged Edward for the murder?” Jamie asks hesitantly.       “Exactly! The boy, who was near me all this time and became so close to me, turned out to be my missing son and a criminal.”       “Yeah, Edward Lockhart really turned out to be Edward MacClife and fooled everyone with a wig and lenses.”       “Now I understand why I felt such tender and warm feelings for him. Hugging Edward and talking to him, I couldn’t get rid of the thought that he could be my son. Though, I should’ve guessed that something was wrong Because… There were so many coincidences…”       “You know… I almost believed when Michael said it because Edward didn’t rush to deny it. As if he silently confirmed he committed the crime.”       “No, I don’t wanna believe my son is a killer,” Rebecca shakes her head. “My children can’t do this.”       “I doubt it, too. Moreover, Edward explained what happened on that day. And I’m more than sure Michael gave the order to kill Nicolas. They didn’t have a good relationship, even if they rarely met.”       “Michael has just never liked those, who you befriend and speak with. Everybody, who surrounds you, was automatically added to the list of his enemies that he should defeat.”       “That’s why I wouldn’t be surprised if my brother had to do with the murder.”       “For which he wanted to blame Edward…”       “Exactly,” Jamie pronounces thoughtfully. “Edward even got arrested on the charge of murder. The poor guy was in prison, where he had to experience what I don’t even wanna talk about. He was getting beaten and tortured… They treated him like a doormat. It’s not amazing that he wanted to forget everything and even changed his name in all of his docments.”       “Oh, God, I’m frightened to think those scumbags beat him…”       “They would’ve brought him to death if ‘the kind wizard’ Michael hadn’t come and saved Edward by making bail for him. But they did not drop the charges off, and our son will have to stand trial.”       “But he is guilty of nothing…”       “They don’t care. They have nobody else to blame – so, they decided to ruin the life of the young guy, who just saw Nicolas being killed and tried to help the police.”       “Yeah…” Rebecca pronounces quietly and thoughtfully. “But it’s very weird that the police didn’t believe his words about watching the murder. Yes, he grabbed the pistol, but there were the fingerprints of someone else! Did nobody want to check them?”       “If the case had been investigated by a good person without mental issues, they would’ve found a real killer. Instead of trying to make the innocent person confess what he didn’t do by threatening, terrifying, and beating.”       “How did they let him work for the police? That’s an abuse of authority!”       “When I asked Victor about it, he told me the investigator was highly valued for investigating hundreds of cases. He didn’t get kicked out only thanks to his merits. But he eventually went so far that covering his actions was impossible. I don’t know… Either he took a bribe or used force… I can’t remember… I only know that he no longer works for the police.”       “Thank God! If he had started investigating the case again, Edward would’ve been dead.”       “No, Victor is personally working on all the cases of Michael and his pals. The investigation of the murder of Nicolas was suspended for a few years because Michael paid that investigator. Furthermore, they found out something new… For example, Edward charged the main accomplice of my brother with the murder.”       “Eric Brown, as I remember from the reportage?”       “Yes, Brown…” Jamie drinks some sparkling water from his glass. “A rare cad. As nasty as my brother. A sellout asshole. He’s ready for anything to please his lord, as he’s always called that sick bastard. He literally licked Michael’s ass and looked into his eyes.”       “All men from his company were the same.”       “Agree, but that one is the worst snake. I don’t know where they met, but I think Eric didn’t have a good life, and Michael got him out of the shit and took him under his wing.”       “Do you think he could kill Nicolas?” Rebecca frowns slightly.       “Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Eric had killed Nicolas by himself, without the order of his lord.”       “Do you think he had some claims against him?”       “Maybe, but I can’t imagine what kind of business the people, who have a big age difference could have. Nicolas and Eric were nobody to each other! What could connect them?”       “Anything could happen.”       “That’s right…” Jamie exhales slowly and leans back in the chair, running his hands over his face. “Oh, I can’t wait for Michael to get his punishment… You can’t imagine how much I want him to go to prison… I am sick of that stinker, who ruined all my life and almost deprived me of the most important thing I have. He dared to put an eye on the untouchable things!”       “That cad ruined the lives of all of us,” Rebecca replies with sadness in her eyes. “He did his best to ruin your family and get you to fight with everybody. Deprive you of the closest people.”       “Yes, he got me to fight with everybody.” Jamie leans on the table with his elbow and runs his fingers through his hair. “It would’ve been okay if he’d only dealt with me. But that scumbag attempted on those, who surrounded me. I was ready to forget his attitude toward me. But I’m not going to forget what he did to my close people. After that, I do not even want to think we could reconcile.”       “No, no, Jamie, don’t dare!” Rebecca exclaims. “Michael doesn’t deserve forgiveness! What he did is unforgivable! You have no right to forgive him and believe that the man will get better. Even being close to death, your brother will be cursing everyone and hate those, who are allegedly guilty of the fact that nobody paid attention to him.”       “Never! That man killed my best friend, who was like my brother, and almost deprived me of my sons. I will cut his throat for my children. Crush him like a pea.”       “That man turned both of them against you so skillfully. Terrence still believes you treated me badly, and Edward says you’ve never needed him… He believes just because we weren’t expecting his birth, he’s never been our favorite child.”       “Terrence already knows the information he knew is a lie. Michael told him everything.”       “Aware?”       “Yes. And I was ready to kill Michael when I found out Terrence hated me because of him.”       “I’m sorry about not telling you what happened. I know what Michael told Terrence when he was a baby. I remember Michael getting into our home, locked himself with my child in a room, and told him these things…”       “I didn’t know it, but I suspected that Michael could have to do with it.”       “But I’m very glad Terrence knows the truth and found out you had never put me in violence and beaten me during my pregnancy.”       “And I calmed down a little. Because Terrence has a reason to think.”       “Though, I’m upset Terrence heard everything from Michael, not you. It would’ve been better if you’d told him the truth.”       “At least, the one, who turned my son against me, did it. So, I’m kind of happy he heard everything from Michael.”       “You’re actually right. But I think you better talk about something like this with someone to blame for that.”       “It doesn’t matter now. Terrence knows who washed his brains.” Jamie glances aside for a second and sighs quietly. “I worry about something else… The situation of Edward. How do I make him sure I love him? How do I make him believe he’s never been our hated child, despite being born at a bad time?”       “Yeah, it makes me upset, as well… But I’m quiet because Edward has nothing against you. He thinks he’s kind of guilty of not getting enough love from a father.”       “And I’m ashamed of not giving it,” Jamie replies with sadness in his eyes, folding his hands on the table and starting to look at them. “He needed care when he was a child and teenager. It’s such a hard time in the life of every person. I should’ve given him much more attention, talked to him, and advised him something. What kind of father am I if I didn’t teach my child anything and made him learn everything from his friends?”       “Don’t blame yourself, Jamie,” Rebecca says softly. “Edward isn’t stupid and understands everything.”       “I’m really ashamed of him… I’ll always regret not giving him enough attention and taking it out on him often. God… What a shame! It’s a shame that a parent gives nothing to their child but screams at them often, and makes them nice! If I’d been more careful with him, he wouldn’t have looked for adventures and tried to get attention in any way.”       “I’m sure he could forgive you and forget the past. You just need to talk to him and explain everything.”       “Yeah, but would he listen to me? What if he starts running away from me as well as his older singling?”       “Reconciling with Edward is gonna be a little easier. His offense was caused by a different reason – a lack of attention.”       “It’s not better than a belief that I dared to beat you. Even if Terrence knows that information was false, he won’t forget it so easily.”       “But that’s good Terrence knows everything. And Edward heard what he should’ve heard. The guys will surely think about it and will someday wish to talk to you at their wishes.”       “It’s my dream…” Jamie sighs quietly with sadness in his eyes. “I want to hug my children and tell them I love them, despite nothing.”       “I’m sure you’ll get this chance. Just wait for a while. May the guys think a little, come to themselves, and calm down. They’ve experienced too much.”       “I still can’t forget the moment when I saw them at Michael’s house… I saw how much they changed and grew up… I remembered Edward being a young teenager with naive big eyes, but I saw Terrence being a little baby.”       “And I memorized Edward being a baby when I saw him the last time. I was thinking about what he’d become, and who he’d be similar to… And my son grew up into a very sympathetic boy.”       “Terrence grew up into a handsome man, as well.” Jamie cracks a smile. “You know, Rebecca… When I looked at him, I saw myself at the age of twenty-seven. When I was a married father… Edward is also very similar to me and his brother… But Terrence is my absolute image.”       “Couldn’t disagree,” Rebecca smiles shyly and leans on her chin with her hand. “When I look at Terrence, I see you at a much younger age.”       “I think Terrence got your blue eyes. And when Edward was a kid and smiled, I thought he got your smile.”       “Maybe… But your genes were definitely much stronger because our boys are your absolute images. And I often compare your character with Terrence’s. They’re really similar. Your son often does the same things you did somehow.”       “The apple doesn’t fall far, as they say.”       “That’s right.”       “Nevertheless, I think Terrence became a wonderful man,” Jamie replies proudly. “I saw how confident he was when being at Michael’s house. He protected his close people and wasn’t afraid to start a conflict or fight with his sick uncle. He didn’t act like a coward and hide behind the backs and the bookshelves.”       “No, Terrence never hides behind someone’s back. He bravely does anything. Especially when a case is about his close people. That man has proved it and shown his bravery many times.”       “They say a boy needs a father to become a real boy. But you made Terrence a real man even without my help.”       “Somehow, I was soft, but somehow I was several – here’s the secret,” Rebecca smiles shyly. “I gave him as much attention as I could. I tried not to get him too attracted to me not to let him hope I would do anything for him. Yes, I was ready for anything for him, but he should’ve made decisions and solved his problems by himself.”       “You did it right. Though, I’m really sorry I wasn’t near him when he was a teenager. Anyway, Terrence needed his father’s care. Having a mother’s one wasn’t enough…”       “That’s right…” Rebecca agrees thoughtfully. “Maybe, Terrence and Edward already grew up, but they still need our support, love, and care.”       “Ah, if only I could give it…” Jamie sighs quietly and drinks some drink from his glass. “How could I support them if both of them don’t want to see me?”       “I’m sure they will forgive you and proudly call you a father someday,” Rebecca replies confidently with a slight smile. “As I said, they need time to understand if they can forgive you.”       “It makes me so sad… You can’t imagine how terrible I feel because of not being able to be next to my children. I was kind of deprived of a part of my soul, you see…”       “I know, honey, I know. I do also worry that our children don’t speak to their father that they need anyway.” Rebecca glances at the hands folded in front of her. “But I also worry about the situation that happened between them.”       “Really? What happened?”       “They fought. Some time ago, Terrence and Edward had a big fight and told each other many bad things. It ended with a fight and lots of bruises on the whole body.”       “Fought?” Jamie opens his dumbfounded eyes wider. “But why?”       “Because of the inheritance,” Rebecca replies quietly with sadness in her eyes. “I mean, the situation.”       “My gosh…”       “Terrence wants to hear nothing about his brother. As he said, Edward said that he needed his wealth and was terribly jealous of him.”       “Is that the truth?”       “Who knows. But when I talked to Edward about it, he denied nothing and acted like he only needed the money from his family. But after Natalia ended up at Michael’s house, he started to deny everything and said he never claimed it openly.”       “Do you want to say they fought because of that?”       “They beat each other, Jamie! I saw all the bruises on their bodies! And while Edward didn’t say he got them from his brother, Terrence confessed everything when I someday decided to go to his home and talk about their conflict.”       “Hm…” Jamie frowns slightly and thinks for two seconds. “It’s weird… When we were at Michael’s house, they acted as if nothing happened between them… I didn’t see that they acted like they had a conflict. I wouldn’t have thought about it.”       “They reconciled?”       “Who knows. But Edward and Terrence protected each other many times and saved from something terrible.”       “My gosh…” Rebecca thinks for two seconds. “I wonder if this is the final reconciliation? Or did the guys just forget the offenses for some time?”       “I think as they calmed down and were a team all that time, the boys will reconcile someday.”       “Maybe, Edward will deserve forgiveness. He did many terrible things, but he proved that he was sorry about it. That guy was doing something. He was doing his best to prove his innocence and the fact that he was understood wrongly.”       “And if it’s the truth, everybody started to realize it. I thought Terrence expressed true anxiety about Edward and wasn’t pretending. And Edward didn’t look like he wanted to rob his brother as well as Michael did to me.”       “That scumbag Michael almost made them enemies. He wanted them to be the same as you two are.”       “Yeah, I know. But I believe that cad got nothing, and the guys still treat each other warmly.”       “They aren’t strangers to each other, Jamie,” Rebecca notices. “Terrence and Edward completely understand that even if they fight and want to refuse to speak to each other or actually pretend they aren’t relatives, they will be siblings forever. So, as the boys befriended quickly and got very close after they met, they will not stay indifferent to each other’s problems. Yes, Terrence will need time to accept that Edward is his brother. But if danger threatens, a certain instinct inside them will always work. When one feels bad, another will try to do his best to help him. When danger threatens one, another will immediately come to save him.”       “I guess it worked this time. Worked so that I believed they really had a strong brotherly relationship.”       “And I was so happy they got on well. I was worried about how Terrence would accept Edward if he knew about his existence. But they got on much better than I thought. The boys were very close and spend time together with pleasure. But I wouldn’t have even imagined that the new friend of my son would be the one, who I wanted to see.”       “But as you said that Terrence and all his friends treated him with suspicious.”       “Yes. Although Terrence was still close to Edward, everybody saw that he had something to hide. And every day, they got much more suspicions. And one day, I learned about their serious conflict, the witness to which Raquelle and Natalia became.”       “Yeah, Edward has always loved adventures and couldn’t stay in the same place…” Jamie exhales sharply, running his hands over his face. “So, he went so far that Michael’s people tried to kill him…”       “Oh, yeah…” Rebecca leans back in the chair and wallows up nervously. “I still can’t believe it’s the truth… When Edward suddenly disappeared for one month, I wouldn’t have thought he was in the hospital and fighting for his life.”       “I got shocked when Victor told me about it.”       “I still feel bad from thinking I could’ve lost my child because of your sick brother. He could do anything to me, but attempting on one of my children is too much. That’s unforgivable!”       “Michael has always hated Edward to death. While I was at his house, that bastard insulted and humiliated him a hundred times. He put him under psychological pressure and made him feel terrible two hundred times. And Edward didn’t experience it once. Many times. Very many times. When he showed up on the doorstep, my brother pronounced a whole insulting speech and humiliated my son too hard.”       “I can imagine what he had to tolerate from that man.”       “Michael was probably happy when he thought he killed Edward and sent me to another world… But his brainless friends met a failure and didn’t kill us…”       “Thank God, he didn’t reach Terrence. He just sent him the letter that you talked about.”       “Michael could’ve reached and even killed him…” Jamie replies hesitantly. “Not by himself… And not with the help of his pals… But with the help of Edward.”       “With the help of Edward?” Rebecca looks at Jamie with widely open eyes. “What are you talking about, Jamie? What do you mean, he tried to kill him with the help of Edward?”       “It’s easy. Michael tried to make Edward kill Terrence by blackmailing him. If he didn’t do it and agreed to become of his henchmen, he would be either killed or put in prison for the murder of Nicolas, where he would be brought to death. And everybody would find out that my son killed the person. My best friend.”       “Oh, God…” Rebecca shakes her head, closing her mouth with a hand.       “Sadly, Edward succumbed to provocations and pointed the pistol at Terrence. But later, he put himself together and stopped being the marionette of his uncle, who used his favorite thing – showing his weakness and reminding him of being weak, unlucky, cowardly, and worthless. And he used the fact that he knew about Edward’s fear to let someone know about his arrest.”       After hearing all of it, Rebecca gets a little white and opens her eyes widely, becoming speechless for a few seconds and feeling that her heart is squeezing badly.       “No…” Rebecca pronounces in a shaking voice. “No, I can’t believe it… Edward couldn’t do it… No…”       “I’m very sorry, Rebecca, but I’m telling you the truth,” Jamie says with sadness in his eyes.       “I can’t believe it, I can’t… How could Edward do such a mean thing? To point a cold gun at Terrence! His own brother!”       “This thought makes me feel worse, too. But I’m happy Edward killed nobody. He didn’t do what people wouldn't forgive him for.”       “Yeah… But… Edward… One child of mine tried to kill another! God!” Rebecca closes her mouth with a hand and shakes her head. “I never thought I’d hear something like this!”       “I completely understand you, honey,” Jamie replies softly and gives Rebecca his glass of sparkling water. “Take it, drink a little.”       “I can’t…” Rebecca takes two big sips of sweet water that wets her dry throat and leaves a nice aftertaste in her mouth. “It’s madness! Because of that stinker, Michael! I wish he burned in hell!”       “My brother just wanted Edward to do the same thing to Terrence that he did to me,” Jamie assumes. “But luckily, his plan met a failure, and he didn’t watch one of our children die, and another became a killer for the happiness of that bastard.”       “No, if something happens to my children, I will not take it,” Rebecca replies in a shaking voice, carefully wiping off tears under her eyes. “No…”       “Calm down, Rebecca, don’t be so nervous.” Jamie takes Rebecca’s hand softly and looks at her confidently. “Our children are alive and healthy. Nobody killed anyone. Michael didn’t make them enemies, didn’t kill one, and didn’t make another a killer.”       “Yeah…” Rebecca sniffs quietly. “Maybe, you’re right… The most important thing is that the guys are fine. That Edward changed his mind… Though, his actions disappointed me… I didn’t expect anything like this from him. I thought he wouldn’t hurt a fly… But that guy did what made my hair stand”       “I can’t deny that Edward is by far not perfect. But could we ban ourselves from loving him if he didn’t do anything horrible and already regretted his past actions?”       “That’s probably why Edward has been so depressed and broken.”       “Really?”       “He’s been very withdrawn, doesn’t almost talk to anyone, and thinks about something all the time. Edward looks so unhappy that I'm really sorry for him. I wanna help him, but I don’t know how.”       “My gosh…” Jamie pronounces anxiously, shaking his head. “I’m worried about him, too.”       “He is grieving because of the current situation… Moreover, Edward is also worried about the breakup with his girlfriend. And his conflict with Terrence. He didn’t clearly wanna fight with him, but he was so mad because of Natalia’s alleged betrayal that he understood nothing.”       “That girl cheated on him?”       “No, she was framed. That girl was tried to be raped, but someone made it look so that Edward thought Natalia cheated on him. And as the offender was one of Michael’s accomplices, he suspects that his uncle did it.”       “So, that’s really him! If there is at least a little suspicion of Michael, my brother put his fucking nose in it.”       “It doesn’t matter now. Edward and Natalia broke up probably forever.” Rebecca sighs heavily and glances aside for a second. “Though, my son still loves her and suffers because he lost that girl… And I guess why he’s so depressed and withdrawn from everyone.”       “I believe that’s the first girl that he liked so much.”       “I think he fell in love seriously. Edward even cried, as he was talking about her on the day when she was kidnapped. About loving her… Being afraid that Michael would do something to her… He blamed himself for not saving her and believing in her betrayal easily.”       “Cried?”       “Yup… He wasn’t crying bitterly, of course, but he wasn’t holding tears down. He wanted to cry – he cried.”       “Poor guy… In this case, everything is really serious… And it’s gonna be hard for him to forget that girl.”       “I will be very sad if such a good girl doesn’t date him,” Rebecca confesses with sadness in her eyes. “I’ve known Natalia for a very long time and talked to her very warmly. That girl is so sweet, shy, friendly… She is a school friend of Raquelle, whom I love like my own daughter. You could only dream about daughters-in-law like them.”       “Haven’t you tried to talk to him? Talk to him about his relationship with that girl? Edward will go crazy if he keeps withdrawing into himself.”       “The last time when I talked to him, was on the day when his ex-girlfriend was kidnapped by Michael’s friends. He showed his real feelings for her and said he found out the truth about the rape attempt. And he realized he was stupid and naive.”       “No more later?”       “I tried to talk to him after the arrest of Michael, but he said he wanted to be alone. Or he could actually leave home and come back somewhere in the evening and explain nothing.”       “I hope he doesn't go to bars and drink something alcoholic.”       “I guess no. At least I’ve never felt he smells alcohol. But I can’t be sure Edward doesn’t want to drink a couple of glasses.”       “And did you learn about his conflict with Terrence and his alleged jealousy of his brother? Before or after?”       “Before. We argued some time before. I believed that money was more important to Edward than his close people. He didn’t even try to deny it, but he never said it openly.”       “But how did he make everybody think so?”       “Refused to fight for your inheritance, explaining it with a wish to live well and the right to be as rich as Terrence. He thought he’d get the money easily and live in luxury.”       “He wanted to get his piece or everything?”       “Edward didn’t say it openly, but he said he wanted to get what belonged to him by law. So… I think we could make the conclusion that Edward didn’t try to put an eye on someone’s wealth. And we all understood him wrongly and believed he needed everything.”       “So, did Terrence get mad at him because of that?”       “It’s one of the reasons. As I said, Terrence thought Edward betrayed him and was terribly jealous of his status, wealth, and gorgeous life. Also, our younger son told his brother he deserved everything that happened to him. He said he would always despise him for what he did to his fiancée.”       “Wow!” Jamie reflects on what he heard for a few seconds, running his hand over his face. “Anyway, Edward isn’t actually so innocent.”       “It happened after he fought with Natalia. As he said, that girl got him furious and was kind of guilty of the fact that he lost control with the pretense of Terrence and Raquelle.”       “Now I understand Terrence. Understand why he got mad at Edward. That guy did a very bad thing. It doesn’t matter if it was done when you were obsessed with aggression. He can’t be excused.”       “Agree, that was really mean. But his attempts to take it out on me were not less mean.”       “What? What do you mean?”       “He gave me some claims, was rude, blamed me for not thinking of him when we were apart… When I barely mentioned Natalia, he was kind of replaced. Edward, who was usually quiet and shy, suddenly became a rude man… He blamed me for loving Terrence more than him. He was mad that everybody loved only his brother. The world of everybody went around Terrence. Everybody gave a damn about Edward… He was sure his brother got all the best, and he was the favorite child of you and me.”       “Oh, Edward…” Jamie moans tiredly. “He always gives us problems… No sparking helped us calm him down and make him quiet and obedient.”       “You know, how hurt it was for me to hear it. Edward split in my face. My own child gave me such strong pain. I was crying in my room for the rest of the evening.”       “Yeah… But when he realized he had done a stupid thing, he ran to his mother to seek support and comfort.”       “That’s right…” Rebecca agrees with sadness in her eyes. “I had been bad before, but when he needed help, Mother became good.”       “I know…”       “Hearing something from the one to be important to you is terrible.”       “I completely understand you, honey,” Jamie replies with sympathy, takes Rebecca’s hand, and softly caresses it. “No matter how much we love Edward, none of us can close our eyes to his unforgivable mistakes.”       “And it’s the hardest thing. You love your child with all your heart and wanna help them, but you get mad at them for being a scumbag, saying rudely. Parents would sell a soul for their child, but sometimes it’s very hard to do it, knowing about their unforgivable mistakes.”       “It’s a parent issue – we tear between the endless love and a wish to judge for terrible acts. Anyway, Edward calmed down and realized his mistakes.”       “Yeah, but for a few months, Edward hasn’t gotten as attracted to me as I would like,” Rebecca notices with sadness in her eyes. “We spoke well, but sometimes I thought my child wasn’t close to me. I don’t know why… I’ve always tried to be a good mother for him and talked to him when he wanted it. But… Something wasn’t right… I feel it because Terrence has always been tightly attracted to me.”       “I think he hasn’t just gotten used to you. Edward met you a few months ago and hasn’t realized that he has a mother. A little later, that guy will be attracted to you as well as Terrence.”       “Oh, I don’t know, Jamie…” Rebecca sighs heavily. “Edward doesn’t almost talk to me. He always answers with simple phrases when I try to ask him something. And as I’ve said, my son may easily leave home for the whole day and come back in the late evening, night, or actually morning.”       “Doesn’t he actually say where he goes?”       “He doesn’t,” Rebecca shakes her head. “Of course, I’m not going to walk with him and hold his hand and closely watch his movements. But I can’t stay quiet if I don’t know where my child goes in the middle of the night. One day before our argument, Edward left home in the early morning and didn’t come back in the evening or night. He showed up at lunchtime the next day. I called him on his mobile phone, but nobody answered me, and I started to think of the worst. But when I decided to call all his friends, Edward came back home and said he spent a night with a guy, who had problems. Though, I didn’t believe it.”       “Well, at least, he said where he was…” Jamie shrugs. “Sometimes I didn’t actually know where he was or with whom… Edward always loved going somewhere all day long. I know he had older friends and spent time with them. It’s alright, but I didn’t like that they did some extreme things and weren’t decent people. They couldn’t spend quiet time, just like all normal people do.”       “Familiar situation. Terrence also loved disappearing somewhere with his friends all day long, but he never spent a night with them. He always went home. Even in the late evening. That guy also loved doing extreme things and couldn’t stay in the same place. Of course, Terrence got a little quieter through the years, but he still has a love for the extreme. Sometimes he needs to shake up somehow…”       “And Edward rarely fought with someone, but he always had a good tongue. He always knew what to say and preferred defending himself verbally. Though, he can stand for himself with fists. When he had to, Edward undoubtedly started a fight.”       “Everything’s otherwise in Terrence’s case,” Rebecca smiles slightly. “That guy often fought with someone. Making him angry is super easy: even one slap may get him so excited that he will attack his offender with fists and have no regret. He has a good tongue, too, but he doesn’t often protect himself verbally. Terrence used to be very short-tempered, but now he got quieter and learned to control himself a little.”       “It’s amazing…” Jamie thinks for two seconds. “The guys are so similar but so different… Terrence is short-tempered and easily starts a fight, and Edward is quiet and waves his hands only when he is put to the edge.”       “Though, they have many common things.”       “For example, love for music…” Jamie smiles slightly.       “Which they got from you,” Rebecca notices with a slight smile. “You’ve always played guitar and sang amazingly. Believe me, I heard the boys playing and singing. My heart stops when Edward or Terrence starts performing something. Both are very talented. Just like their father.”       “Nice to hear it,” Jamie gets a little blushed, raising his head proudly and spreading his shoulders. “I don’t know what about Terrence, but Edward really plays guitar amazingly, and his voice is incredible. It’s so strong, sonorous, and melodic… And very soft and nice…”       “Agree with you,” Rebecca replies thoughtfully. “But the problem is that Edward is insecure. He is super shy. He doesn’t show his talent because of fearing that someone will dislike it. Afraid that he might play something wrong.”       “Yeah, he has this problem. Edward is unbelievably talented, but he terribly lacks self-confidence. If he was a little braver, his play would be much better.”       “I’m sorry that he doesn’t show his talent. Edward could get great success in a music career if he decided to go after his brother.”       “Agree… And what about Terrence?”       “Terrence is unbelievably talented and shows it. That guy has always been very confident and never doubted himself or his skills. He does know he has a great talent and uses it. Also, Terrence has an incredible, sonorous, and strong voice… But his timbre is much lower than Edward’s one.”       “Yeah… I noticed… Terrence’s voice is much lower than Edward’s one, but it’s very beautiful and soft.”       “Their voices would sound together just incredibly. You know, sometimes there are people, whose voices sound very harmonic. So, it’s about the case of Terrence and Edward.”       “Have you ever heard them together?”       “A couple of times. I persuaded them to sing something because I wanted to hear the way they sounded together.”       “I’d like to hear Terrence and remember how Edward sounds.”       “I hope you’re gonna have the opportunity,” Rebecca smiles shyly. “You’ll hug your children and hear them play and sing. I really want them to start speaking to their father. I’ve always thought children must communicate with both of their parents.”       “Ah, Rebecca…” Jamie sighs quietly and leans back in the chair. “I’m not sure if it’s possible… You’ve been trying to make Terrence sure at least to talk to me for almost ten years, but he doesn’t want it. And Edward doesn’t wish to see me and would hardly forgive me for being so unfair to him.”       “Now the guys know the truth that we wanted to tell them. And I have a little hope that it will love just to talk to you early or late.”       “I don’t know… I was a terrible father… And I will have to spend a lot of time begging my children for forgiveness and a chance to prove that I can be much better.”       “Don’t lose hope, Jamie. And don’t call yourself a terrible father because that's not the truth. There are no perfect parents! Even I sometimes made mistakes in educating Terrence. I couldn’t change something, I somehow didn’t watch him, and I sometimes did wrong things.”       “But you made him a decent man. And I let Edward grow up on his own and learn everything from his friends.”       “Don’t say it, honey.”       “Gosh, what an idiot I was…” Jamie shakes his head, running his hand over his face. “I ruined and lost almost everything… I never would’ve thought I’d make so many mistakes, because of which I’d lose my family.”       “You have a family,” Rebecca replies softly, taking Jamie’s hand. “You have the children. Don’t say it as if they died or were never born. And if you’re lucky, you’ll have grandchildren someday. While your sons are alive, you will not be alone in this world.”       “So many mistakes… So many mistakes because of my stupidity… I couldn’t protect my family from my sick brother… God, why was I such an idiot? Why? Everything would’ve been alright if I had been able to protect what belonged to me…”       “You know, you remind me of Terrence now…” Rebecca confesses, looking at the depressed Jamie with sadness in her eyes. “He also hated himself and blamed him for being stupid and naive…”       “Why?”       “Since Terrence always believed you were mocking me, he started to draw a parallel between that case and the serious conflict that happened between him and his fiancée. After he confessed that he remembered the day of the conflict between you and me, we started to talk a lot about it.”       “Gosh…” Jamie gets horrified. “Did they have something like that?”       “Almost. But the reason for their conflict was not about money or stress. They were entirely in love with each other and decided to live together too early. Raquelle’s relatives were literally jumping when she told them about her affair. They were worried she’d never find a husband. She hadn’t dated anyone before – Terrence became the first man in her life.”       “I get it…”       “And their obsession with a career was the one to blame. Raquelle worked on shootings and walked on runaways, and Terrence was busy with an idea to become a musician. They didn’t almost see each other and got colder. I mean, Raquelle got cold first, and Terrence did it when he started to understand that his fiancée stopped loving him. That’s why our son believed Raquelle cheated on him with another man.”       “But didn’t she cheat?”       “No, of course! Raquelle had too many problems… One man threatened to ruin her life and started to get her to fight with all her close people. Including Terrence. He was the one to make our son sure that his fiancée wasn’t loyal to him.”       “And the proof? He should have proven it somehow! Seen it with his eyes, taken a photo, recorded a video…”       “If Raquelle hadn’t been so cold to him and started to treat him so badly, Terrence wouldn’t have believed in her betrayal. But since she behaved like that, he had a reason to suspect she had someone else.”       “Actually, I understand him… But if he didn’t talk to her, as I understand, that was wrong.”       “I told him that, and he regretted it only when he realized that wasn’t the truth. And before, Terrence had been very aggressive toward Raquelle. They were fighting, insulting, and humiliating each other for a few weeks. But one fateful day left no doubt… They had such a big fight that Terrence slapped Raquelle in the face.”       “What?” Jamie opens his eyes widely. “Terrence? Raised a hand on Raquelle?”       “Yes. He said she brought him to that with her insults and humiliations.”       “My gosh…” Jamie glances down and swallows up nervously. “He had the same situation as mine…”       “Terrence really regretted what he did,” Rebecca confesses with sadness in her eyes. “He still regrets it.”       “And, as I understand, didn’t they break up?”       “No, they didn’t. Otherwise, Terrence would’ve gone insane from grief. He looked so depressed and was sad that all his friends turned their backs on him at some moment. And the breakup would’ve actually killed him. I saw that Terrence still loved Raquelle and didn’t want a breakup. He was ready for anything to get her back… Luckily, he reconciled with Raquelle and saved their relationship. Now they’re living very well. My son is very happy and complains about nothing, and that girl realized her mistakes and began to fix them. After that conflict, they literally fell in love with each other again. They realized that they shouldn’t have put a career above their family. And a little later, the guys told us about their engagement and that they would become a family soon.”       “I’m very glad for them,” Jamie smiles shyly with sadness in his eyes. “Glad they realized their mistakes and fixed them just in time.”       “I’m happy, too. Raquelle is a very good girl, kind, gentle, and caring. When I met her, I quickly realized that Terrence made a good choice. And her grandfather and aunt are amazing.”       “I can imagine how many efforts she had to make to forgive Terrence for what he did. And how long he had to beg her for forgiveness for all the bad things.”       “If they broke up, it would have been their great mistake. Raquelle and Terrence can’t do without each other. Really… Our son didn’t look so good with any other girl that he dated. All of his exes weren’t too good. I had nothing against them, though. I just… I thought they didn’t fit him. But everything is otherwise about Raquelle… That girl is kind of special…”       “If Terrence is happy with her, why we should make barriers. Tearing apart those, who are too in love, is worthless.”       “The important thing is that they don’t have a big fight and think of a breakup again.”       “Oh, honestly, I shake when hearing something about a breakup,” Jamie sighs quietly and shakes his head. “Probably, because I experienced it… I didn’t want my marriage to be ruined…”       “Jamie…”       “It’s the truth, honey.” Jamie looks at Rebecca with pity in his eyes. “I’m still ashamed of you for what happened on that horrible day. I still hate myself for being a coward and thinking of nothing better than running away and leaving my eldest child and my wife on their own. Especially in such a hard situation…”       “Stop blaming yourself, Jamie,” Rebecca says softly, caressing Jamie’s hand tenderly. “I know you didn’t want to do that.”       “If I weren’t such a brainless stinker, everything would’ve been otherwise. My family wouldn’t have been ruined… Our children wouldn’t have been separated because of their stupid dad, who didn’t keep any of the pledges that he gave during the wedding ceremony.”       “Yes, maybe, that wasn’t the best act of yours. I don’t deny you did a very bad thing and put me in a hard situation. But you truly regret it and wanted to do your best to make amends. So, I gave you that chance.”       “I know you’ve never been unforgiving and always forgiven people easily,” Jamie cracks a smile. “And that’s kind of right because when you live with offenses against someone all your life, you feel bad.”       “I just loved you too much to be mad. I would’ve forgiven you on the day when you slapped me, left me, and took my younger child. I swear, Jamie, I wouldn’t have left you.”       “I know, honey,” Jamie softly takes Rebecca’s hand with his hands and caresses it tenderly. “Even when I was far away, I never stopped thinking of you and my sons. Even when I married for the second time and educated two more children.”       “I was ready to forgive you even for that.”       “I know. I know you would’ve accepted me if I had changed my mind and come back home. Despite being a stinker.”       “A stinker is your brother. But you just became his victim. Michael must be blamed for everything that happened to us. If not for him, our family would be together now: Edward and Terrence would’ve thought of their personal lives, and you and I would’ve expected grandchildren.”       “I shall hate Michael all my life. But I will also not forgive myself. For letting everything happen. Leaving my first family and deceiving the second one. Deceiving my second wife when I didn’t say I didn’t cancel my first marriage. I don’t know what I was thinking of when deciding to use the fact that I lost all my documents… Though, I did know the lie would be out…”       “Oh, yeah…” Rebecca laughs shyly. “Of course, you surprised me when saying it. I thought you’d do everything, but it didn’t happen.”       “I was so obsessed with finding a home for Edward and me that I forgot I was still married to you. I didn’t think of getting the document that would confirm a divorce between you and me.”       “Same about me. I was so busy educating my child that I forgot I was still married. And it’s amazing that Victor didn’t even remind me about it, even if he was by my side as well as Lydia.”       “I think that’s good,” Jamie replies thoughtfully and smiles slightly. “For me, our divorce would’ve been a great mistake that I would’ve regretted all my life.”       “That would’ve been a great hit for me, as well. I’ll not take the loss of my children and the divorce between you and me. Never.”       “Just like I will not do.”       “You’ve always been as important to me as our sons. I’ve never stopped loving you. Nothing has changed for more than twenty years. I’m still closely attracted to you and can do anything to make you happy. I didn’t even think I could meet another man and get married for the second time.”       “Aw, my sweetheart…” Jamie smiles shyly, taking Rebecca’s hands and looking at her tenderly. “I’ve also always loved you. I still do. All those years, I missed the comfort you kept when we lived together. I missed your care, your attention, your incredible food… Missed the times we talked until a night… Yes, it rarely happened. Especially after Terrence and Edward’s birth. But now I understand how valuable those moments were.”       “I often think of that time…” Rebecca confesses with a slight smile. “Recall our first meeting, our first dates… The time we spent together, forgetting about any cares and problems. When we were truly happy…”       “I’m sorry that time is gone… Sadly, we are no longer young to have dates under the moon and walk in a night city, watching the stars. Though, it doesn’t mean we can’t have a modest dinner…”       “Oh, honestly, I forgot what it meant to go on dates and spend time with someone you loved,” Rebecca confesses shyly. “My last date happened more than twenty years ago. All this time, my only care was Terrence and his well-being.”       “But now Terrence is an adult and wanna marry a good girl. So, you can think of yourself.”       “But there is also Edward. I worry about his life. Will he marry someday? Is he planning to have children? Or will he be running from one side to another?”       “I hope he isn’t gonna spend his life alone. Edward should know that it’s very hard to live alone in this world. Early or late, he will realize he should create his own family and live on his own. Fortunately, he doesn’t say he isn’t gonna marry. But sometimes I think he’ll hardly be a good husband or a wonderful father. He isn’t ready for it. I guess he doesn’t know what he actually wants to get from life.”       “He should just meet a good girl.” Rebecca smiles shyly. “I wouldn’t have thought I’d get married at the age of twenty. I thought I’d do it closer to twenty-five. And I wasn’t planning to become a mother at twenty-one. I thought I’d give birth closer to thirty. But my consciousness turned upside down when I met with you. I forgot to think of my plans and was ready to get married and give birth. I didn’t often go on dates and sometimes didn’t wanna do it. But when you invited me, I was ready to come to you even at night…”       “I still remember all of our dates,” Jamie replies thoughtfully with a smile. “It was the best time in my life… As wonderful as the wedding of you and me and the birth of our children. Those moments were so exciting and amazing… I will always remember them with a tremble. Until the death.”       “Despite nothing, I don’t regret anything about you and me. If I had a chance, I’d definitely live those moments again. I’d be back to youth, meet you and feel like a queen next to my beloved man, who was always nice to me.”       “I believe we passed all the stages of the relationships and can confidently say the hardest things are in the past.”       “Yeah… The honeymoon phase, the overabundance of emotions, the first understandings, irritation, fights, stress…” Rebecca sighs quietly. “Ah, how much we’ve experienced! We went a long way from the time when we wore pink glasses to serious conflicts, reconciliation, and respect for each other. Maybe, it’s not everything, but I think we survived the crisis, which only a fewer people can survive.”       “For you, I’d survive anything. For my children. For my family. I’m no longer afraid of anything. I fear no death, no pain, no failures… Nothing! But the loss of my close people. It’s the only fear of mine.”       “Even if it was hard at times, and almost nobody helped us, any time I spent with you was truly wonderful for me. We would’ve rather fought like a cat and a dog but been together than lived apart and regretted not saving our marriage.”       “You said everything I feel now,” Jamie replies with a slight smile.       “Sweetheart…” Rebecca sheds a tear that slowly rolls over her cheek with a shy smile, tenderly caressing Jamie’s cheek, who smiles very widely and does not stop looking at his beloved woman with a tender gaze full of admiration.       “I wanted to hear it for more than twenty years.”       Silence settles in the air for a few seconds, during which Rebecca and Jamie keep sharing a tender, ogle gaze and a true smile, holding each other’s hands and paying no attention to what’s happening around them. As if they are the only people in this world. But later, the woman decides to break this silence, moving her eyes down for a second:       “Hey, how are your children from the second marriage doing?”       “I hope they’re fine,” Jamie expresses hope with sadness in his eyes. “I’d like to know they are living well and need nothing.”       “Why do you say it? Don’t you meet William and Jeremy?”       “Sadly, I don’t speak to them… I haven’t seen them since Isabella won the case, my second marriage was annulled, and the judge banned me from speaking to the youngest children. She didn’t forgive me for the lie about being a bigamist and got our children into this case, banning them from just calling my name.”       “Don’t you know what they think about that situation?”       “Ah, Rebecca, if I knew… I am not allowed to speak to them until they become legal. But the guys haven’t contacted me and tried to find me yet.”       “And what’s their age?”       “Jeremy is gonna turn twenty-two, and William is gonna be twenty-one. They are five and four years younger than Terrence and three and two years younger than Edward.”       “Adult guys…”       “I’d like to see how much they’ve changed. If they became similar to me or took everything from their mother. When Jeremy and William were kids, they were the image of Isabella and didn’t take much from me. At least, they had the same hair color as mine.”       “It’s amazing: Terrence and Edward are your absolute images, and Jeremy and William are not similar to you…”       “Yeah, anything happens… You never know who your children will be similar to… They may take something from a mother and something from a father… And sometimes they take half of everything.”       “I think you will someday have a chance to see them. Those guys may show a wish to find you. You said they were very close to you and hardly treated you badly.”       “I wish it happened. I really want to know what’s happening in their lives. Maybe, they got girlfriends, maybe, they got a good job, or maybe, they are still studying… I want to be a part of their lives. They are the same sons of mine as Edward and Terrence.”       “Who knows, maybe, you’ll be lucky one beautiful day. And if they saw the report about Michael, they will probably get interested. Maybe, they will even know where the hearing will take place and wish to come.”       “Most likely…” Jamie replies thoughtfully, scratching the back of his head. “I have a feeling that the reportage has been watched by everyone. And I always catch the looks of people when I go by them. As if they try to recognize me as Jamie MacClife. It’s okay, but sometimes I feel really awkward.”       “You’re right, sometimes everyone looks at me strangely, as well. But I’m not very surprised because young girls and boys, who recognized me as Terrence’s mother, often came to me.”       “Oh, these reporters… It seems like they’ve already examined Terrence’s family generations and know all of his relatives.”       “If Terrence and Raquelle weren’t known, this case wouldn’t have become so popular. Such a great interest in this story is caused by their appearance in it.”       “And before the start of the hearing, they will get much more attention. They will not literally be able to leave home because they’ll be annoyed by questions about Michael.”       “I feel they won’t let us enter the courthouse quietly. Journalists and reporters will surround it when the hearing starts. If they are not allowed to go inside, they will be waiting outside and annoy them with questions shortly after we show up.”       “You’re right, it’s gonna be hard,” Jamie agrees thoughtfully. “But I only want Michael and his pals to get the punishment they deserve. I’m ready to experience anything for that poisoned snake to be put in prison for years. God shall not let him be excused! Otherwise, we will be dead! Nothing will stop Michael!”       “Michael must pay for everything. After what he has done, I’m starting to be afraid of that man because he is really very dangerous.”       “It’s alright, we will fight until the end, until Michael gets the sentence that would please all of us. And all of his henchmen must pay for their tricks. May they go to prison and stay there for twenty years.”       “Yeah, what happened to the house where he lived? The wealth, the money, and everything he insolently used for so many years! To the company, at last!”       “On the day of Michael’s arrest, the police sealed off the house and confiscated everything. He has nothing now. Even if he is excused in the worst case, the only thing he will have is his underwear. The company has temporarily suspended its work. Now all the archives from the accounting were pulled, and specialists are closely examining them to check if documents are not false. Find out if Michael cheated when sitting on the chair of the manager. They are also examining the proof that I gave. I have the real documents, in which Michael cheated to deprive me of the job. Victor gave them the flash drive and the list of the passwords for the documents.”       “And what’s next? Will they give it back to you? You are the real owner of everything! That’s your house, your wealth, your money! Your everything!”       “I don’t need to get back everything I had. I want to restore the justice I’ve been looking for for so many years. To put my brother in prison and make him die in a cell. I will calm down when I hear a sentence for that bastard.”       “And what? What’s gonna happen after Michael's trial ends? Will you be hiding in Victor’s apartment until the end of your life? Or live somewhere like a hermit?”       “I can say nothing yet… Soon, I shall leave the apartment of Victor’s parents. And I will be without his help.”       “But why, Jamie? I don’t want you to go so far and live for pennies.”       “Sadly, it’s my destiny,” Jamie shrugs. “Since I became a beggar because of Michael, I’ve gotta take it. Take the fact that I have nothing.”       “But you can get back the house and the company. Nobody has said you lose the rights to what Michael stole from you.”       “Now I don’t need it. The important thing is that Michael is put in prison. And I will think about a home and a job. At least I still have the rights to the bank account that is supposed to belong to Terrence and Edward in case of my death. Four million dollars that Michael doesn’t have to do with. I can go to the bank and get as much as I need. Just like you.”       “But the money is not endless!” Rebecca exclaims. “You can’t live with it until the end of your life.”       “I know. But it’s enough for some time. Before I find a job and housing. Now it’s the only thing I have.”       “Why is it only? And the company? There is a part of the stocks that still belongs to me! If you want, I can easily give all of them to you.”       “Honestly, I don’t know what to do with those stocks. Maybe, I’ll even have to sell that part and lose all the rights to the company.”       “The rights to it still belong to you, not Michael. There is a chance to fight for that! You have proof of the fact that Michael faked documents! You can use it and try to get your company back. And I'm sure you will get it back!”       “I don’t know if I should keep fighting for it. As I said, I need justice, not a fight for what Michael stole from me. Maybe, if my brother gets a sentence, I will wish to fight for it. But now I don’t care about it.”       “You must fight for yours, Jamie,” Rebecca says determinedly. “You can forget about the house that you sold Michael and find a buyer if the judge gives it back to you. But you shouldn’t refuse the company. You should keep working on the business of your father, who made you his successor. He put great hopes on you, and you must meet his expectations.”       “Yeah, but who will be after me?” Jamie throws his hands up with sadness in his eyes. “Terrence will not wish to rule it because he has different interests. Edward could hardly rule the company. Yes, he could be taught everything and get a chance. But I don’t know if it would lead to something good. That guy knows nothing about my job and would hardly love to get it.”       “And if you found the children from the second marriage? Maybe, William and Jeremy are wonderful candidates?”       “Oh, I don’t know… I could prepare them if I spoke to them and knew about their wish to work for the firm. But that’s barely possible… So, as I have nobody to make my successor, I must admit that the company may be down if I want to leave the job as the manager.”       “You don’t have to make one of your children a successor. Maybe, there are workers, who deserve it. Or someone would show themselves in the future when other people come to work at the company.”       “I will think about it later. Now I want to stop Michael, and then I could think about my future life.”       “And then? What are you planning to do after it all ends?”       “I’m thinking of living on the money that I have in my account. I could rent an apartment for some time and buy everything I need. And I hope I'll find a job, even with a little salary. I don’t actually need too much: I’m a simple man and don’t need luxury and awesomeness.”       “Yeah, but…” Rebecca pronounces quietly, getting a little sad after Jamie’s words. “You can move into my house if you want.”       “What?” Jamie gets sharply straight and moves his surprised look on Rebecca. “Your home?”       “Why are you so surprised? Do you think I’m kidding? No, honey, I’m really suggesting you live with me.”       “No, no, Rebecca, what are you talking about? I’d feel uncomfortable! It’s your house, not mine! I can’t live on your account. Moreover, Terrence provides you fully. He would hardly agree to pay for my wishes as well. No, no, I can’t accept this suggestion.”       “Don’t forget that you and I are still married. So, we should live together.”       “We would live. If I had my own house. But I don’t have it. And I can’t let you live in a small apartment in terrible condition.”       “Do you want to leave me again?” Rebecca wonders with wet eyes. “You want to forget me and pretend that there was and there is nothing between us?”       “No, no, don’t say it, please! I will never forget you and am not going to leave you. I will visit you with pleasure and not refuse to stay for a night or go somewhere. But living on your account would make me feel embarrassed. I mean, Terrence’s account.”       “You haven’t asked him. Yes, maybe, he minded, but I think Terrence may agree now. And if you reconcile, he will probably suggest you live in my house.”       “I can’t do it, Rebecca, sorry,” Jamie shakes his head.       “Don’t refuse, Jamie. Think about my suggestion. If you want to move, I will be happy. I haven’t gotten used to living alone in a big house. Edward’s movement made me stop feeling lonely for some time. But since he’s now disappearing somewhere all day long, I feel lonely again. I have nobody to talk to at dinner or before sleep.”       “Okay, sweetie,” Jamie smiles slightly. “I promise to think about it and give you my answer in a few days.”       “I really hope you’ll agree.”       “I promise nothing. I’m only gonna say I will no longer break my contact with you and will meet you as often as possible.”       “Yes, please, honey, don’t leave me anymore,” Rebecca begs with pity in her eyes, taking Jamie’s hands. “I don’t want to lose contact with you again and secretly support it at the distance for a few years, being afraid that Michael would do something to tear us apart.”       “I promise I will not disappear anymore. From now on, we’ve got no reason to be afraid and hide from everyone. And I think our children wouldn’t mind our meetings.”       “Of course, they will not. And they could hardly stop us.”       “So from now on, we can often meet and spend as much time together as we want.”       “That’s right,” Rebecca replies with a tender smile. “It finally became possible more than twenty years later.”       Jamie smiles widely, holding Rebecca’s hands and looking into her eyes with a tender gaze. Now the man does not look as tense as he was a few days ago. He is madly happy that he is finally able to meet the woman that he has loved all his life. She is the shoot of the sun that made him smile and feel happy even in the darkest times. Rebecca is the one to give Jamie the strength to hold on and do his best for his family to finally get the peace that they have been dreaming about for so many years.       

***

      It’s about five o'clock. It’s slowly getting dark. The light day ends, but the dark evening is coming. The sun hid, and the sky got covered with gray clouds. That’s why it’s now gloomy and cloudy outside. To have some fun, Natalia decided to walk a little after leaving Terrence and Raquelle’s house a few hours ago. Wearing dark blue jeans, a blue shirt, black boots with small heels, and a black leather jacket with many zippers, clasps, and rivets, the girl is slowly walking in the center of the city, visiting stores or somewhere else, examining posters and watching the performances of street artists and musicians, for some of whom she leaves a couple of dollars.       But later, Natalia gets sick of walking in a popular place where there are many people, and transports are in kind of endless traffic jams. She decides to go to a quiet, picturesque place with a small, crystal clear lake and many green plantings where fewer people are walking. It’s possible to hear the singing of birds and see doves flying around or walking on the ground in small crowds. And the wind is cold but still has a little bit of warmth.       Natalia walks in this place for some time, enjoying the beauty of it and thinking about how to solve her current problems. But some time later, she has to come back to reality because of the quiet melody that her phone plays, letting her know about the incoming call. The girl slows down a step, takes her phone from a little black purse hanging on her shoulder, and answers the call. Her father, Anthony, called her to ask how she was doing and told her something about the return to New York.       “In three days?” Natalia asks with a slight smile, slowly walking on the asphalt path.       “Yes, honey, we will return to New York in three days,” Anthony replies confidently. “The tickets have been ordered, and your mother and I solved everything.”       “Okay, I got it. I’ll be waiting for you with impatience.”       “We can’t wait to find out what’s happening to you. And as your mother and I are horrified by what you’ve already told us, we’re afraid to imagine what we’re gonna hear soon.”       “I promised I’d tell you everything. No more secrets.”       “Yes, yes, Natalia, I believe you,” Anthony replies a little excitedly. “We’re just still thinking about the reportage that they show several times per day.”       “Don’t worry, Dad, I’m fine,” Natalia replies confidently. “Now there is no reason to worry about me.”       “We will not calm down until we see you.”       “I already have wonderful support. At first, it was hard for me, but now I feel much better. I’m lucky to have good friends, who will always be by my side. If not for them, I’d really go crazy.”       “I know,” Anthony smiles shyly. “Letitia and I will thank your friends when we’re back in New York for getting you out of the depressed condition that you were in.”       “Yeah, you’re right.” Natalia embraces herself with one arm. “But please, don’t worry about me so much. You and Mom have too much to care about.”       “Why shouldn’t we worry about you?” Anthony wonders. “Daughter, come on! You are our daughter. We need to know if you’re fine, and whether we can help you.”       “I’d like you to solve your problems before solving mine.”       “Your mother and I should care about our problem, not you. You don’t have to do with them. And our business will not stop us from solving your problems and helping you.”       “Don’t take on too many responsibilities, Dad. It won’t end in a good way. I know it personally and saw how it was literally killing some people.”       “I’m very glad you care about us and understand we aren’t robots. But remember, you shouldn’t be silent about your problems because it might lead to health issues and make a relationship with some people worse.”       “You mean my relationship with Edward?”       “Not only. You could have easily taken it out on anyone and made your relationship with them worse.”       “I know, but it didn’t happen, luckily,” Natalia replies with a slight smile. “And I think my friends wouldn’t leave me even if I was destroying everything in my way and wishing to strangle someone.”       “That’s good if it’s so. But I hope you will no longer bring yourself to such a horrible condition.”       “Sure, Daddy, I…”       Natalia stops in front of the lake that was mentioned before, looks somewhere aside, and opens her eyes wider. Somewhere far away, the girl sees a man. To be clear, his wide back and jet black hair that seems too familiar to her and is now slightly blown by the strong wind. There is a wide wooden bridge that reaches the middle of the lake from the coast. A familiar guy is sitting on the edge of it all alone and looking at something in his hands or down. The girl looks at him for two moments and then recognizes him as Edward. That’s why she feels that her heart starts beating faster, and her breath is getting heavier. Natalia thinks of turning to another side, but a few seconds later, she changes her mind and keeps standing in the same place and watching the young guy with the slouched back with widely open eyes. She would keep staring at him if she did not hear the anxious voice of Anthony on the phone:       “Natalia? Natalia, are you okay there?”       Natalia wakes up quickly enough, turns to another side, and coughs quickly before she says hesitantly:       “Oh… Yeah, sure… It’s okay. I just thought about something.”       “Are you really fine?”       “Yes, yes, I swear!” Natalia says more confidently and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear nervously. “Just looked at something and thought.”       “Oh, okay then…” Anthony falls into silence for two seconds. “Oh… I’m sorry, Natalia, but I have to say goodbye to you. Your mother is asking me to come to her.”       “Yes, okay,” Natalia says with a slight smile. “Give her my greetings. And Grandma.”       “Sure. They are missing you and kissing you. As well as your dad.”       “Thanks… Me too… I will be waiting for you to come.”       “See you later. Bye.”       “Bye, Daddy.”       Natalia locks her phone and puts it in the purse hanging on her shoulder. Then she looks around and remembers that she saw Edward a few seconds ago. This thought makes the girl slowly turn on the lake and start looking at the man sitting on the edge of the bridge with his back slouched, and his head inclined much better. His hair color and hairstyle do not change day by day. And he is wearing a dark beige open coat. Besides, it’s possible to see that Edward is wearing dark blue jeans that lost their original color a long time ago.       Natalia looks at Edward for some time, not being able to move off her eyes full of sadness, not happiness, sometimes shifting her weight from one foot to another, and lowering her hands. The blonde feels something jammed inside her, and a certain feeling tells her to stay here until the end. It does not make her run and feel some fear. Vice versa, something makes her let the man know about her pretense. And Natalia succumbs to it some time later. She starts slowly coming to the bridge above the small lake. The girl hesitantly steps on the edge of it. That’s what causes a quiet but clear sound.       Edward hears it and slowly turns on the sound. His eyes round, and every single muscle of his gets tense when seeing Natalia. The heart starts beating much faster, and the body gets obsessed with a little hot flash. While the girl looks at him carefully with a heavy enough breath, not caring about the wind blowing her hair. The man getting sharply white dreams of leaving at some moment because of fear and shame, but he gets rid of these thoughts at the last moment. It lasts for a few seconds before MacClife, Jr., decides to get up slowly and hesitantly, continuing to keep his scared gaze on the cute blonde, who does not look less scared and white. He shifts his weight from one foot to another and later decides to come to the girl. A certain power makes him forget about any awkwardness and let himself get closer to the one, who is still able to make his heart tremble nicely.       The closer they come, the more they get obsessed with a sense of awkwardness. At some moments, they put on a slight smile, as if the former lovers want to say they are happy to see each other. But they try to keep their emotions inside and not to show that they would be happy to hug each other as tightly as possible. When Edward and Natalia finally come to each other, they say nothing for a few seconds and closely look into each other’s eyes, not knowing what to do and say and sometimes moving their eyes down or aside.