The Secrets Hidden In The Scars

      But at some moment, Raquelle becomes the first one to decide to break the silence, still holding Terrence under the arm and pressing herself as close to him as possible with the hope of helping herself a little and supporting the man.       “Erm, hello…” Raquelle pronounces quietly and hesitantly. “We didn’t know you’d come…”       Edward pronounces something like “hi” very quietly and hesitantly. And Natalia talks more confidently, even if is super nervous and feels terribly awkward:       “Hi. I know we met two days ago, but…”       “It’s okay,” Raquelle cracks a smile. “Glad to see you, friend.”       A short silence settles in the air because Natalia says nothing. But later, Terrence breaks it, moving his tense gaze to Edward, who is nervous much more than the others.       “Glad to see you, Edward,” Terrence says very hesitantly. “I see you’ve decided to show up.”       “Well, I didn’t disappear…” Edward replies hesitantly, moving his eyes aside. “I didn’t even try…”       “But everybody thought you… You were kind of swallowed by the ground.”       “As you see, I wasn’t. I’m still here.”       Terrence says nothing more and sighs silently, starting to finger over with the hope to calm down a little, while Raquelle takes a word hesitantly:       “Did you… Come here by one? Ended up here… By chance?”       “Erm, not quite…” Natalia says hesitantly, biting her lip slightly and looking at Terrence and Raquelle a little scarily. “We came here… Together… Blair was supposed to tell you.”       “She said.”       “By the way, why are you standing so close to each other and…” Terrence asks a little hesitantly and unconsciously glances at the fingers of Edward and Natalia’s hands. “Holding each other's hands? It’s kinda… Weird… In your case…”       “Erm…” Edward stutters, moving his eyes aside. “Well…”       “There’s something we don’t know yet?”       “Yup… Sort of.”       “Speak then.”       “You will get it?” Natalia asks hesitantly.       “Sure, we will,” Raquelle shrugs with a shy smile.       “So, in this case… We’d like to…”       Silence settles in the air because Natalia falls into silence and purses her lips, moving her eyes down.       “Tell everything exactly and don’t pull a cat’s tail,” Terrence says quietly, crossing his arms over his chest. “Don’t make us guess.”       “I don’t know how you’d react to this piece of news, but…” Natalia says hesitantly, sometimes glancing at Edward. “Edward and I… How I can say it…”       “What?” Raquelle rounds her eyes.       “Natalia and I are together,” Edward says quietly, hesitantly moving his eyes to Raquelle and Terrence. “Became… A couple… Again…”       Even if Terrence and Raquelle guessed it, they are surprised anyway and do not know how to react.       “You…” Raquelle wonders. “What?”       “Are you together?” Terrence opens his eyes widely.       “Yes, Terrence,” Natalia nods. “Together.”       “Wow… What news…”       “I know you two may dislike it much, but…” Natalia glances at her hands for a second. “What’s out of a human’s power can’t be changed. If you’ve got feelings for someone and understand you can’t live without them, resisting is worthless. You’ll never get happier.”       “No matter how much we tried to hide our real emotions, we can’t change them,” Edward says quietly and hesitantly. “There are things that we… Can’t really change. We tried, but everything was brought to its place. However… We didn’t aim to fight… Though, we let ourselves dream that a miracle would happen and help us make… Our little wish come true…”       “Edward and I talked about everything quietly and decided that we didn’t wanna break up. We want to forget the past and start it all again. We know we’re gonna have to do a lot of work to make everything better, but… We wanna do it together. It’s gonna be a long and hard way, but we two are ready to take it.”       “And we eventually decided to give our relationship another chance and make each other happy, remembering all the mistakes. And I hope we will never break up. No tricks will break what we promised to take care of.”       “So, that’s how, friends,” Natalia shrugs. “Now you know what’s happening to our relationship. Well, you decide if you’re happy for us or not. We don’t ask you about it if you aren’t. It’s okay. Edward and I won’t get hurt.”       Terrence and Raquelle are not going to protest against Edward and Natalia’s reconciliation. Vice versa, they are happy for them, even if they do not show great happiness and seem a little cold and kind of indifferent.       “My gosh!” Raquelle exclaims with a slight smile. “That’s great! That’s great you decided to reconcile.”       “Actually, we weren’t gonna talk,” Natalia confesses. “We just met by chance and decided to talk.”       “Of course, it was awkward at first, but the situation got better later,” Edward adds quietly. “And we became less tense and insecure…”       “Great,” Raquelle replies softly. “I’m happy for you.”       “I’m happy for you, too,” Terrence says quietly. “That’s good everything’s been solved.”       “Thanks a lot,” Edward replies hesitantly.       “Yeah, thanks,” Natalia thanks quietly.       Even though Terrence and Raquelle said they were happy for them with slight smiles on their face, Natalia and Edward do not think so. They see that the lovers are too discreet and do not show great excitement about their reunion.       “Terrence and I told you that talking about everything and then deciding what to do would be much better,” Raquelle says quietly. “You should make a decision when you have no other way. When you talk about everything and realize there is no point in fighting for something.”       “I know, and you were right,” Natalia replies shyly. “Although I ignored all of your words, I took little notes for myself. And… I believed in a miracle… Let myself dream…”       “We’re glad to hear it,” Terrence cracks a smile. “I hope everything’s gonna be fine, and you won't make the same mistakes and miss your chance.”       “We’ll do our best,” Edward promises quietly. “To get happy.”       Terrence and Raquelle smile discreetly, making Natalia and Edward feel kind of awkward. At some moment, they even get the thought that the lovers are not happy about their reunion, even if they pretend that they see nothing. A much more awkward silence settles in the air that makes everybody wish to end this talk as soon as possible. And then Natalia decides to change the topic, so they do not stand and are not silent like fishes in the water.       “Hey, is something known about the trial?” Natalia asks hesitantly.       “We know nothing yet,” Raquelle shrugs with sadness on her face. “But I will tell you if I know something.”       “And is there no news about this case?”       “Yup. All the same.”       “I see…” Natalia pronounces thoughtfully and glances aside for a second. “And how did you and Terrence spend time with Mr. Cameron?”       “Good,” Terrence replies quietly. “We were at his home. We drank coffee and talked about the trial.”       “And before, we had gone to Kingston to the cemetery for my parents,” Raquelle adds.       “And what does your grandfather think about the trial?” Natalia asks thoughtfully.       “He’s worried, as well. And said he’d come to the court to support us.”       “That’s great. Luckily, so many people are standing by us. The realization of the fact that we aren’t alone makes me feel much better.”       “We feel much better, too,” Raquelle replies with a slight smile. “It’s nice that people, who don’t have to do with this case, are worried about us and ready to leave everything to support us.”       “That’s right.”       “It’s hard to fight for justice when there is nobody to support you,” Terrence notices quietly. “But when you’ve got people that are supporting you even at the distance, it makes you feel much better.”       “Agree,” Edward replies shyly. “While we’ll have the support of many people, the lawyer is gonna be the only one from the support group of Uncle Michael and his pals.”       “Agree, nobody’s gonna be by the side of Michael,” Raquelle agrees.       “He doesn’t need any support,” Terrence notices. “Though, I don’t think he’ll need it ‘cause everything is against him.”       “Yeah, we have no problems with proving his fault. The police cared about it earlier.”       “Do the other witnesses agree to testify?” Natalia asks.       “Agree. Mr. Johnson assured me that all the witnesses to Michael would be in the courtroom.”       “But even if he’s in prison now, it doesn’t mean Uncle can’t do anything to get off it again,” Edward notices. “If he does something or finds someone to make the events stay bad for us, we’ll be able to change nothing. We’ll only have to expect his death. This will be the only way to get off that man.”       “No, I don’t think it will happen. Besides, he’s kept under close attention, and they don’t move their eyes off him. They even sent someone to be at his meetings with the lawyer to make sure they won’t talk about suspicious things and give each other anything.”       “And if he found a lawyer that would be much better than ours, everything might happen as Edward said,” Natalia says hesitantly.       “Even if he tries to bribe someone or find a person to testify against us, he can do nothing,” Terrence replies confidently enough. “Uncle Michael and his lawyer are on the hook.”       “Exactly!” Raquelle exclaims. “As for Michael, we’ve got a great chance to put him in prison. And we’ll do it.”       “I wish it happened,” Natalia sighs quietly, embracing herself with both hands.       “The most important thing is to go to court and tell everything that happened to us. Everything we know. Hiding nothing.”       “I’m personally super nervous because of the trial,” Natalia confesses and swallows up nervously. “I don’t feel quiet.”       “It’s gonna be okay, friend. Nobody’s gonna hurt you.”       “I’m nervous much more because I’m gonna see that stinker…” Natalia embraces herself tightly with both arms. “I’m shaking when I think I’d be in the same room with him.”       “Don’t be afraid, Natalia, he’ll be able to do nothing to you,” Terrence replies confidently. “That man is gonna be under the view of policemen and court policemen. Nobody will let him touch you with a finger.”       “Moreover, I’m gonna have to remember the nightmare that changed my life for the worse. Separated it on before and after.”       “I’m sure you’ll be able to tell everything. Just remember that it’s gonna play an important role in making the decision. Your word will decide what sentence your offender and Uncle Michael, who was holding you at his house, are gonna get.”       “Oh, gosh, I can’t imagine how I’m gonna bear that unbearable torture.”       “We’re gonna be with you, sweetie,” Raquelle says softly. “Even your parents promised to leave their business and go to the court.”       “And I still have to tell them everything…” Natalia sighs heavily and puts her hands on her forehead. “Oh, God…”       “If you tell them everything, you’ll get much better. Don’t tell them everything. Just explain why it happened, how, and when.”       “No, I’m gonna have to tell them everything. I promised I’d no longer hide anything. Those memories give me unbearable pain, but I’ll try to overcome myself and go through hell two more times: at home with my parents and at the hearing in front of the court. I’d never find the courage to talk about it ‘cause it’s madly hurtful for me to recall it. But I understand I have to. Many things really depend on it.”       “Don’t worry, Natalia, you can do it,” Edward encourages softly. “We’re gonna support you. Support you, despite nothing. You need to do it for Uncle Michael and that sick bastard to pay for what they dared to do to you.”       “That’s why I wanna explain everything,” Natalia shakes her head. “I want justice, at last! So, in order to restore it, I need to tell the judge what happened.”       “You can do it. I know it.”       Natalia smiles shyly with sadness in her eyes, while Edward hugs the girl around the shoulders, knowing that she likes when he presses her to himself, and caresses her forearm tenderly. While all of them fall into silence, Raquelle looks at Terrence questioningly and frowns slightly, as well as he does, thinking that her friend and his brother came here not only to tell them about their reunion.       “Friends, say honesty, is your reconciliation not the only reason why you came here?” Terrence asks thoughtfully, crossing his arms over his chest and squinting his eyes slightly.       “Yes, do you want to say something else?” Raquelle asks quietly.       Natalia and Edward share a hesitant, little scared look and move it to Terrence and Raquelle.       “Actually, yes…” Natalia raises her head a little. “There’s something.”       “Damn, just don’t tell us you got in trouble that would be the reason why we might suffer seriously,” Terrence frowns strongly.       “Or you did something again,” Raquelle puts her hands on her lips.       “No, no, don’t worry, we didn’t get into anything,” Edward shakes his head and glances down for a second, clenching his hand into a fist with a heavy breath. “Erm… Actually, I want to say something. To you, Terrence. And you, Raquelle. I came here to talk to you about something.”       Terrence and Raquelle look at each other questioningly and frown slightly when they move their eyes to Edward.       “Erm, yeah, sure,” Raquelle shrugs. “Speak. What do you want to say?”       “Yes, we’re listening to you,” Terrence adds quietly.       The moment that Edward was afraid of to the shake in his body has come. That’s why the man gets much whiter from horror and starts pumping much air into his lungs frequently, pulling the sleeves of his coat nervously. At some moment, he slowly moves his widely open eyes to Natalia, who nods with a slight smile. The man swallows up nervously, but feels a little confident under her tender, warm gaze. At first, Edward caresses Natalia’s forearms with a slight smile, and then he steps back slowly and takes a few steps forward, leaving the girl behind. He hesitantly glances at Terrence and Raquelle, who are looking at him without aggression but a little gloomily, and exhales sharply before he starts to speak in a little shaking, higher voice:       “Terrence, Raquelle… I know I made many unforgivable mistakes. And I’m recognizing my fault. I understand I behaved meanly. I know I shouldn’t have hidden the story of Uncle Michael and my arrest. Fear is not an excuse. I don’t want to blame only that disgusting feeling. And as you know everything, I see no meaning in repeating it.”       Edward falls into silence for two seconds and shakes his head.       “I just wanted to get some attention,” Edward continues to say hesitantly. “I wanted to be a hero, at least for a while, and hear thankfulness for saving my family and what belonged to it. I think it sounds much truer than the fact that I was trying to protect you and was afraid that Uncle would tell you about my arrest. I understood the truth would come to light, early or late. And… I was afraid of it. Afraid that everything would go against me. That I would be made guilty of the murder. That you would turn your backs on me.”       Edward falls into silence again and exhales with a shake, fingering over nervously.       “But I was never gonna become a marionette of Uncle and dance attendance upon him,” Edward swears with pity in his eyes. “Even if he’d wanted to kill me or put me in prison, I would’ve never agreed to do it. Would’ve never become one of his henchmen, who loved him just because he paid them big money. I swear, I’ve never even thought of betraying my family. Betraying those I love. I didn’t want to harm anyone of you. All my actions were made for noble things. For justice. For a wish to fight for my rights. For what belonged to my family and me. I don't think money is more important to me, and I'm literally ready to kill for it. It’s not true! Yes, I have no money and home, but that’s not the reason to kill and rob my own family. I’m a homeless beggar! But I would not dare to get what doesn’t belong to me. I don’t need what’s not mine. But… After everything that happened, I don’t even need it.”       Literally making himself speak, even if it’s unbearably hard, Edward is breathing heavily enough, making long pauses, pulling words, fingering over nervously, and tightly locking his hands. He looks too excited and white enough, as he is scarily staring at Raquelle and Terrence, who are listening to him closely but still seem cold.       “I thought I’d deal with Uncle on my own, even if I did nothing good for it,” Edward says hesitantly. “I was silent because I wanted to prove that I didn’t need anyone’s help. However, it led to terrible mistakes, for which I’m gonna pay for a long time. And when I stayed all alone, without any support, I started to understand I couldn’t fight with it alone. I needed to ask someone for help, but there was nobody to help me. I had to fight against Uncle, who was trying to make me a real killer. A killer of my close person. But I would never do that because of love, fear, and hesitance. True love for my relative. Fear of a cold gun. A hesitation, which I’ve lived with all my life, and which doesn’t let me make decisions easily. I won’t do anything until I get kicks… Even now, I couldn’t find the courage to come here. But… A wish to try to solve everything got obsessed with me and… I told myself, ‘Stop! Stop being a coward!’ It’s time to fix my mistakes!”       Edward moves his sad eyes to Raquelle two seconds later and swallows up nervously.       “Raquelle, I’m madly grateful to you for saving all of us from Uncle. If not for you, we would’ve hardly been alive… You’re an amazing person with a big, pure heart. Kind, caring, and loyal to beloved people. Please, don’t be mad at me for everything I told you after fighting with Natalia. I know it sounds like an excuse, but I was so mad that I didn’t watch what I was saying and doing. If only you knew how ashamed I am to think of what happened. I want to forget that I behaved like a really sick psycho. It’s disgusting for me to think about how I got mad at the innocent girl because of the jealousy and the thought that…”       Edward stops speaking and, shaking his head sharply, waves a hand.       “Oh, I don’t even wanna think about it! Don’t wanna think about the reason why I became a monster. I swear, Raquelle, I’ve never thought you’re terrible, and I don’t think of you the way I said. I’ve treated you well since the day we met, and I have nothing against you. Even if you always treated me with a suspicion. I’m madly sorry about saying so many painful things and looking at you with contempt. As if you were guilty of what happened to me. You’re guilty of nothing. It was only my problem. The problems I was guilty of.”       Edward falls into silence for two seconds, shakes his head, and locks his fingers tightly, looking at Raquelle with pity in his eyes.       “Please, Raquelle, forgive me…” Edward apologizes, breathing a little heavily. “Forgive me for everything I told you. For behaving so disgustingly towards you. I really want to deserve your forgiveness and start to speak to you as closely as we did before. I swear, my apologies are absolutely true. Yes, now It’s madly hard for me to do it. But I understand that if I wanna fix everything, I must forget about my fear and hesitance and do what I should.”       Listening to Edward closely, Raquelle is getting softer and feels that the man is speaking truly. When he finishes speaking, she says nothing for a few seconds and just looks at him, making MacClife, Jr., nervous enough. But then the girl steps back from Terrence, lets his arm go and comes slowly to her fiancé’s brother, bending her arms at her elbows. While Terrence himself and Natalia are standing aside and watching what’s happening: one does it a little gloomily, and another does it with pity in her eyes.       “Edward, you behaved disgustingly,” Raquelle says quietly. “Disgustingly. You gave pain to those, who loved you… Made all of us disappointed in you and think you were pretending to be good.”       “I wasn’t myself during the fight with your friend,” Edward replies with pity in his eyes. “That was the dark side of mine. What I’ve never been. What I became when I let myself succumb to anger.”       “We cursed you and thought you were an egoist, who loved only himself and money. But now it’s clear that we really understood you wrongly. You never claimed the rights to what didn’t belong to you.”       “I don’t need what’s not mine. What belongs to my family will belong to it.”       “When you and I met, I treated you with suspicion at first. I was sure that you’d give us many problems. The fact that you suddenly came into Terrence’s life made me suspicious. But I decided not to start a war with you. For Terrence and Natalia. They were so happy you came into their life. And I didn’t wanna make them upset. But I won’t deny that you’ve become a close enough person to me over the past few months. Yes, I didn’t stop thinking you were suspicious. But I wanted to believe you weren’t so bad.”       “I know.”       “It was hurtful when you began to insult and humiliate me. I got mad at you because you hurt the innocent Natalia. And it was much more disgusting for me when you started to insult Terrence. It would’ve been okay if you’d insulted me – I would’ve closed my eyes to that. But you hurt my close people. So, that was what made me hate you.”       “I completely understand your feelings,” Edward replies with regret. “I swear, I didn’t wanna give anyone such pain. And I would’ve never done it if I hadn’t lost control of myself.”       “I don’t know if our talk at the café impacted you. But I think your feelings for my friend made you look at some things differently.”       “It really did. That talk made me think better. And… I was lucky Natalia told me the truth.”       “I got it.”       “I always felt ashamed of behaving so disgustingly. After I fought with all of you on that horrible day, I got obsessed with a sense of shame. I wanted to go back and apologize. But I understood I wasn’t allowed to come here. I decided to come here only when Natalia got into trouble.”       “Anyway, you started to get better after that case. You were trying to be good for us and did nothing to make us doubt your words.”       “Saying something was worthless. I could say thousands of words, but nobody would’ve believed me. I needed to prove my regret with my actions. And…” Edward shrugs. “I did everything I could.”       “And I highly appreciated it,” Raquelle smiles slightly. “You proved that you weren’t indifferent to your family and your girlfriend.”       “Don’t think I was doing all of that for pity or something else. I did it for my family that I love with all my heart. For the girl, instead of whom I can’t imagine anyone else.”       With these words, Edward glances at Natalia, who smiles truly at him and looks a little insecure because of the tense situation or something yet.       “I’ve gotta believe it,” Raquelle pronounces with a much wider smile. “I see you really love this girl.”       “Very much,” Edward smiles slightly.       “I think Natalia impacts you well. Thanks to her efforts, you got much better. When you found out the truth about her, you were kind of replaced. You were protecting her when you were surrounded and didn’t leave her after the kidnapping and…” Raquelle glances aside. “Didn’t shoot at her by her plea… And you got her back.”       “I didn’t believe it would happen.”       “Sometimes a miracle happens, there is a happy end even in real life, and heroes exist not only in books. Even despite your fears and doubts, you showed great courage and did your best to end this story.”       “Whoever else,” Edward shrugs. “Of course, I could do nothing in the case of Natalia’s kidnapping. But at least… I tried to be good to everybody and… Didn’t give you more reasons to doubt me. That was the only thing I could do.”       “But that’s very bad you were silent about many things and had hysterics.”       “If not for my arrest, I would’ve told you everything earlier,” Edward says hesitantly. “But I… Didn’t want everybody to consider me a killer and ignored me.”       “I know, but you should’ve told us the truth. Who knows, maybe, we would’ve helped you and found a way to solve all your problems.”       “I’m so sorry.” Edward swallows up nervously. “Sorry about making so many terrible mistakes.”       “But despite all the bad actions and words, I think you deserve forgiveness. At least mine.”       “Really?” Edward rounds his eyes.       “I see you speak truly. And when someone can regret something, they have something kind and light. Sometimes a person deserves a second chance. Because… It might happen that they do something wrong for the first time because of stupidity and a lack of experience.”       “It means…”       “I’m forgiving you, Edward,” Raquelle smiles shyly. “I’m giving you a chance to get better. Yes, I need some time to accept the fact that you’re Terrence’s younger brother. But I’m ready to accept you as a friend. As the one, who become close to us.”       Edward smiles much wider and exhales with relief, feeling much more confident.       “Are you really forgiving me?” Edward cannot believe what he hears.       “Yes,” Raquelle replies softly with a slight nod. “And I hope you’ll use your chance.”       “Thanks, Raquelle,” Edward thanks in a little shaking voice. “Many thanks… Thank you… You… You can’t imagine how much it means to me.”       “But remember, it’s your last chance. You’ll not have a third one. So, don’t make the same mistakes, and think about what you do and say. Because you may be not forgiven next time.”       “Yes, yes, I g-got it! I promise I shall do my best not to let it happen again! I will no longer dare to say a bad word about you and someone else.”       “Prove it by your actions. It’s gonna be much better than thousands of words and promises.”       “I will do it.” Edward smiles a little wider. “Thank you so much for giving me a powerful push in the back. I would’ve hardly gotten over my pride because of jealousy of Natalia if you hadn’t openly hinted that something wasn’t right about that story.”       “I would’ve told you everything, but I thought Natalia should’ve done it. It’s your relationship, and I don’t have to do with it. The only thing I could do was hint that everything wasn’t what you thought.”       “And I think you did it right. I’m very glad I found out everything from Natalia, not someone else. It would've been much fairer.”       “And I’m glad you figured out everything,” Raquelle replies with a slight smile. “You’re a wonderful couple that I’ve always liked. You looked so happy and proud next to Natalia. And she didn’t hide her smile and enjoyed your pretense.”       “It’s true,” Edward smiles widely. “Now I understand how lucky I am to meet such a wonderful girl that I wanna hug tightly, press to myself, and surround with love. Protect her from bad things. Do my best for her to feel happy.”       “I’m sure Natalia feels it. You want to see her like this and do your best to give my friend everything she needs.” Raquelle cracks a slight smile at Natalia. “And I see that girl is already happy. With you, she shines.”       Two seconds later, Natalia comes to Raquelle and Edward. The man hugs his cute blonde by the waist and the shoulders with a wide smile, and she presses herself to him with great pleasure, putting her hand on his chest and her head on his shoulder.       “She looks like I want,” Edward says with a smile and caresses Natalia’s head softly.       “And he looks like I want,” Natalia adds shyly.       “I got it,” Raquelle smiles shyly, paying attention to how fresh and beautiful Natalia looks, who decided to pick up more elegant clothes than jeans, t-shirts, denim jackets, and sneakers, and how much Edward changed, who no longer seems so tired and exhausted and removed the stubble that he had for one week.       “Thank you so much again,” Edward thanks truly. “You played a major role in our reconciliation.”       “Good luck to you two. Remember, I’ll always find your couple very cute, and I wish you the best. And… Try not to fight and shower each other with mud. Appreciate each other and don’t forget that your beloved person needs your attention.”       “I will not,” Natalia replies confidently. “Now I will no longer be so indifferent and will be taking care of Edward well.”       “Just like I will show how caring and careful I can be,” Edward promises confidently and caresses Natalia’s cheek cutely. “And I will not give anyone of you a reason to say something bad about me.”       “Well, I hope you won’t disappoint us again and will never treat your girlfriend the way you did,” Raquelle expresses hope. “And… I don’t wanna see both of you sad and depressed because of fights and breakups.”       “It’s gonna be okay now,” Edward replies confidently.       “I believe you, Edward.” Raquelle glances down for a second and looks at Edward a little guilty. “Ah, yeah… You also forgive me for being rude to you. I didn’t want to give you reasons to get mad at me.”       “Don’t apologize,” Edward says with a slight smile. “You treated me the way I deserved. I have no right to make you ask me for forgiveness.”       “So, we’re gonna live in peace now?”       “Sure.”       Raquelle smiles at Edward much wider, while he keeps tightly hugging Natalia, who is not hiding her wide smile. Two seconds later, the man steps back from his sweetheart and takes Terrence’s fiancée in an amicable hug with a sign of relief, and she accepts it with great pleasure. At some moment, MacClife, Jr., glances at Natalia, blinks at her with a slight smile on his face, and gets the same answer. A few seconds later, Edward steps back from Raquelle after clapping her on the back slightly, and shares a slight smile with her. And then the man glances at Terrence, who has been standing aside all this time with his arms crossed over his chest but a slight smile on his face.       Understanding that there is no way back, MacClife, Jr., moves his hesitant gaze to Natalia, who encourages him again with a tender gaze. He caresses her cheek with a shy smile, glances at Terrence again, and swallows up nervously with a heavy breath. And two seconds later, he comes to his older brother in a slow, hesitant step, while Raquelle and Natalia look at each other and start to watch what’s happening with a stopped heart. Edward rubs his sweaty hands and hesitates for two seconds before he swallows up nervously and starts speaking in a quiet, shaking voice:       “Terrence, I… I know you find me guilty of what happened. You think I’m a cowardly, pathetic boy, who ruined the life of his family… I know you and Raquelle blamed me for everything that happened to us. Maybe, you would’ve been mad at me much less if I hadn’t said bad things about Raquelle and you. You would’ve forgiven me for being silent and hiding my problems. With Uncle. With Natalia. With the law… I was silent about who I really was. I knew you were my brother but didn’t say it until the very end…”       Edward falls into silence for a second or two, starting to breathe heavily enough.       “And I completely understand your reaction. You had a reason to be mad at me. I don’t judge you. I can’t be mad at you for giving me a couple of slaps, attacking me with fists, and beating me strongly. So that my bruises were gone in a week… It’s okay, I would’ve done the same instead of you…”       Edward has to fall into silence for two seconds because it’s getting harder for him to breathe, and his stuttering gets much clearer.       “I’ve never even thought of killing you,” Edward confesses excitedly. “Never wanted it! Uncle Michael knew it well, but he kept insisting, reminding me that you were more successful, richer, and luckier. I couldn’t become a killer. I can’t stay cold by killing someone. Especially my close person. If that bastard has no shame and shamelessly destroyed anyone not to please him, I can’t do it. I’m not ready to step over people to reach my goal.”       Edward falls into silence and glances at his hands tightly locked for two seconds.       “Leaving this place after that fight, I understood I crossed the line. But I blamed Natalia, not me. She kind of made me enraged and made me fight with Raquelle and you. Sometimes I even wanted to go to your home and try to apologize. But I was afraid to look into your eyes and get kicked out of the house. Or much worse – being strongly beaten by you and… Ending up in a hospital or… Becoming… Disabled…”       Edward shakes his head and exhales slowly.       “But the case of Natalia made me forget about my fear. I didn’t care what you’d do to me and was ready to take anything, understanding that I deserved it. But I was lucky that Raquelle was near me and held you down somehow. You could refuse to help me and had the right to kick me out, despite your fiancée’s protests. But you agreed. Even if it looked like you did a favor. Be happy I gave in, kid!”       Edward swallows nervously and purses his lips for two seconds.       “But even in this case, I felt much easier. It was easier to survive what was happening. Maybe, you seemed cold, but you didn’t at least refuse to talk. Any talks made me feel a little relief and gave me the strength to bear all of that. And… I’m grateful to you for that. For helping me feel relief, even despite the offense. Maybe, you would've better choked yourself than comforted me, but you did it. And… You… Didn’t call me a betrayal when I…”       Edward exhales with a shake, feeling how every single muscle is squeezing from the strong tension, and it’s getting harder to pump air into his lungs.       “Tried to kill you,” Edward adds in a shaking voice. “I swear, Terrence, I didn’t want it! I didn’t wanna kill you, and I didn’t even think about it! I… I was shocked that I had a gold gun in my hands pointed at you. The fear and hesitation paralyzed me! I could do nothing to myself. Just because I’m a cowardly, insecure bastard, who can’t be called a man. And Natalia’s wish to take a risk brought me to the edge. I thought I was about to have a nervous breakdown. That was my limit. And I gave a fuck about everything that sick bastard might’ve done to me.”       Edward shakes his head, looking at Terrence with pity in his eyes and understanding that he starts shaking, and his throat is getting dry.       “Damn, I am madly ashamed of everything I did to you,” Edward pronounces a little louder. “I can’t pretend that I didn’t let that old bastard push me around. I’m still ashamed to show up for someone. I’m afraid to be judged. Afraid that everybody would start showering me with mud, cursing me, and wishing me to die. I’ve never in my fucking life felt as lousy as I do now. I’ve never wanted to die so badly. If I had had a choice: going to prison or killing someone, I would’ve preferred the first variant. If I’d died, it would’ve been okay! I wouldn’t have at least taken such a heavy burden!”       Edward exhales slowly, clenching his hands into fists tightly.       “You probably think I’m trying to excuse my actions. That’s not true! I’m really sorry about what happened! And I was terribly afraid to go here. I knew I’d love to change my mind and get out. But I understood that if I hadn’t done it, I would’ve been called a coward. I don’t want it, though! I don’t wanna keep acting like this. If I decided to come here with a certain goal, I must go until the end…”       Edward exhales sharply, moving his eyes down for two seconds, and then he looks at Terrence determinedly with great pity in his eyes.       “Terrence, please, forgive me…” Edward apologizes truly. “Forgive me for everything I said… For almost killing you. For acting like a brainless bastard. Yes, I’d hardly get off it by just saying, ‘sorry.’ But I really want to speak with you again. I don’t want to break our ties forever! You’re my best friend. My brother. The sibling that I could always ask for a piece of advice. You may not believe me, but I do like being your brother. I am proud to call myself the one. Proud to have such an amazing brother, with whom I’ve always loved spending time and talking about everything. To whom I got tightly attracted.”       Edward glances aside for two seconds.       “I’ve been thinking about what kind of relationship we would’ve had if our parents hadn’t separated us in childhood. Whether we would’ve been the implacable enemies, as Father and Uncle. But… After one of the talks with Mother, I started to doubt it… She said you were happy with my birth when I was a child. You tried to help them take care of me. Even if they had to change your diapers… Feed you with a spoon and help you pee. But I don’t exclude that we would’ve fought later… So… Maybe, that’s good we didn’t grow up together… Who knows what it would’ve led to…”       Edward glances down for a moment and falls into silence, trying to keep his emotions under control and not to act like a little, sensitive girl.       “I really want to become the best brother for you. I want you to accept me as a member of your family. So, I’m asking you to forgive me with all my heart and give me another chance. Asking for forgiveness is always hard. But forgiving someone, who gave you great pain, is much harder. But I’m ready to do my best to make amends. I understand it might take a lot of time. But I hope you’ll accept my apologies someday and… Call me your brother… Accept me not as a friend but as a person, who has the same parents as yours. It’s one of my dreams. Please, Terrence… Give me a chance…”       Edward inclines his head, literally stopping breathing, waiting for the reaction from Terrence and praying that he forgives him. Terrence himself was listening to him without emotions, not showing that his heart was squeezing stronger and stronger after every single word of the guy. At first, he doubted if he could forgive his brother, but now the man starts doubting it. Terrence wants it so badly. And Edward’s words sound so true. MacClife, Sr., says nothing, frowning slightly and thinking about everything he heard with pursed lips. But then Terrence exhales sharply and takes a word a little hesitantly:       “Edward, your actions have no excuse. You gave us great pain. We thought you were a nasty scumbag that we could only wish to die. Who thought only of the money that you allegedly wanted to steal from your close people.”       “I know,” Edward pronounces quietly.       “Your refusal of the money got me mad. And you didn’t rush to deny anything and acted like our wealth and money were supposed to belong to you. Why we were rich and happy, but you were a pathetic beggar that only had underwear and lived on someone’s account.”       “It’s true.”       “But it got me not as mad as the moment when you began to say bad things about Raquelle and me. And I also resented that you insulted Natalia in my own house.”       “I’m really sorry about what happened,” Edward replies with regret. “If I’d known the truth earlier, I would’ve never insulted Natalia like that. I was furious because I didn’t know what happened and thought she cheated on me.”       “But it’s half of everything. You can’t imagine how much you insulted me by saying that I deserved all my problems and should’ve suffered. You did know I was worried! But you spitted at my face. I felt like I was betrayed. I was wild and wanted to beat your face enough! And I feel disgusting because you knew the truth about our family ties all the time but were silent about it so hard.”       “It’s okay…” Edward glances down for a second. “I understand your feelings and would’ve done the same. I would’ve done something similar to Natalia if I had got much madder and had nobody to stop me. And I would’ve given a fuck that she was a girl.”       “Yes…” Terrence glances at his hands for a second. “I really wanted to kick you out when you came here. I was madly furious and didn’t want to hear any of your explanations or excuses. I didn’t care about it. And… Maybe, I wouldn’t have beaten you so that you ended up in a hospital or became disabled… But I wouldn’t have minded beating you strongly.”       “I get it,” Edward nods.       “And yeah…” Terrence falls into silence for two seconds, glancing aside. “You say I did a favor for you and Raquelle and succumbed to her by agreeing to help you?”       “It’s the truth, confess it,” Edward shrugs without emotions.       “No, Edward, I did it not because of that,” Terrence shakes his head.       “You didn’t wanna make Raquelle upset and were ready to get over you for Natalia. If not for the girls, you wouldn’t have moved a finger for me.”       “It’s actually otherwise.”       “Huh?”       “Somehow you asked me why I agreed to help you and forget all my offenses, at least for a while. I said I would explain nothing. But now I’m ready to do it.”       “Speak then.”       “I…” Terrence exhales sharply and looks at Edward confidently. “I agreed to help you because I really wanted. I wanted to help you end this story.”       “Don’t be afraid to hurt me, Terrence. Better tell me the truth. I won’t get mad, whatever you’d say.”       “I’m not lying to you. It’s the truth. If I was indifferent to you, I wouldn’t have agreed to do it, even for the girls. But I couldn’t give a fuck about you. I couldn’t ban myself from worrying about you and trying to find out if you were alright.”       “So, were you hiding it under a mask of indifference?”       “Yup. Just because I seemed cold to you doesn’t mean it was true. At heart, I was truly worried about you. And sometimes… I even let myself show some anxiety and care. As much as my pride let me. With the hope that… It would help you a little…”       “It really helped me.”       “No matter how hard I tried to forget about pity and a wish to try to understand you, I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t make myself become indifferent to you and give a fuck about everything about you.” Terrence chuckles guiltily. “I couldn’t even pretend well. And closer to the end, I forgot to think about our agreements and the fact that we were supposed to talk only about the business.”       “I got it. You started to be interested in my feelings and emotions at some moment.”       “Even if I was terribly mad, wanted to hear nothing about you, and even tried to pretend you were dead or had never been born, you were still my close person. The close person I truly love. To whom I’m still attracted tightly. I still can’t believe that you’re my brother. My younger brother. A part of my family. I could hardly strike you out of my life, no matter how much we fight. Despite our misunderstandings, you’ll always be my close person, who is literally the only one, to whom I could tell what I wouldn’t tell others.”       “Nice to hear it,” Edward smiles slightly.       “I don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t had you when Raquelle and I were about to break up. You literally saved me and helped me get through that hard time somehow. You could listen to me for hours. Bear the whining guy, who wanted to be with his beloved girl.”       “I wanted to do much more, but I didn’t know what. Everything was worthless. Only Raquelle’s forgiveness could give you back the meaning of life.”       “You did very much to help me. And I’m really grateful to you for it. Without your help, I would’ve broken down and drowned in that pool.”       “I didn’t think I’d hear something like this from such a strong man.”       “Strong but with weaknesses. That anyone has. Everybody fears something. Stupid things or something serious.”       “But now you’ve got no reason to be afraid. Raquelle is with you, loves you, and is gonna become your wife soon.”       “I didn’t think everything would be fine… But that situation inspired me to some creativity. For some lyrics for a song…”       “Really?”       “But I showed them to nobody because they’re too personal and…” Terrence bites his lip slightly. “Too depressive. They… Told what… Was really happening in my soul…”       “Erm… What were they about? At least a couple of two words!”       “Why do you need a couple of words?” Terrence wonders and crosses his arms over his chest. “You know what they are about.”       “Erm… Excuse me?”       “You read them. From start to end. So, what’s the point in telling about them?”       “What?” Edward rounds his eyes. “Erm… But… But… But how do you know I read those lines? I’ve never asked you about them!”       “You told Raquelle about it,” Terrence chuckles kindly.       “Me? Told Raquelle?”       “I heard the talk you had after I got nuts because of the fight with Raquelle and left.”       “Oh, shit, wow…” Edward opens his mouth slightly, while Raquelle opens her eyes widely. “But how? How? We weren't talking so loudly! How could you hear us if you went into the kitchen?”       “Well…” Terrence replies thoughtfully. “Actually, I was not in the kitchen. At first, I drank some water to calm down and decided to go back to you and Raquelle. But when I heard you were talking about me, I wondered if I could hear you. I stood near the door to the living room and started to listen.”       “Okay… And since when?”       “Since you talked about the relationship between Raquelle and me and about my condition at the period when we wanted to break up.”       “Wow… It seems like you heard much…”       “Enough to make some conclusions.”       “And when Daniel and Anna called the doorbell, did you leave the hideaway and go to open it?”       “Yup,” Terrence nods. “I thought I could hear something yet, but you said nothing more.”       “I just tried to calm her down and let her know she was unfair to you.”       “Not only that. I quickly realized you were speaking absolutely truly, with all your heart. And… It became one of the reasons why I treated you softly enough and sometimes let myself show my feelings and care. Those words changed my opinion of you. I didn’t show it, but I no longer wanted to think of being cold and senseless.”       “I’ve repeated what I said many times. So, it shouldn’t be a secret for you.”       “I know. But those words made me much softer toward you. And… Honestly, I didn’t notice how I started to forget about the anger. Seriously, I tried to do nothing about that! I was just doing what I should’ve done. Nothing was supposed to be changed… But… It was otherwise…”       “I get it…”       “I don’t know, maybe, the fact that we’re brothers, not just friends, played a role in it. The fact that we had had a good relationship before we fought. However, a fact is a fact: I must’ve confessed at least to myself that my attraction to you didn’t get weak. My heart squeezed when I saw you being depressed and broken. I saw everything, even if you were silent. However…” Terrence cracks a smile. “You could always be a fish in water. But I could easily understand what you thought about it. I kind of felt everything you did. Literally read you like a book. Yes, maybe, I couldn’t understand some things, but a bigger part of everything was literally on my palm.”       “And I feel your condition well,” Edward confesses with a slight smile. “I know when you feel bad or good. And sometimes I think it’s a special connection. The connection, thanks to which we may understand each other much better than anyone else.”       “I think so! We may be silent, but we know what happens to each other. Just like you did when we were waiting for the news about Natalia. But despite the wish to piss everything off and fall into depression, you braced yourself, didn’t give up, and went ‘till the end.”       “I should’ve done it.”       “I get it. Somehow, I helped Raquelle for the same reasons and have never denied it.”       “Now I understand you much better. I felt all of that on my skin.”       “Anyway, you behaved worthily. Someone would’ve hardly rated your attempt to leave the poor girl in trouble.”       “No, I couldn’t!” Edward exclaims. “I couldn’t leave Natalia! I knew she needed me and told myself to put all my fears and doubts in my ass.”       “That was what you should’ve done.”       “Honestly, I never thought I’d love a girl so much that I’d be ready to do anything for her. That I would be able to become brave for a while and hide all my fears.”       “I also never thought I’d love a girl so much that my life would seem empty without her.” Terrence falls into silence for two seconds. “That… I could’ve done something to myself if Raquelle hadn’t forgiven me.”       “No…” Edward shakes his head. “Don’t tell me you were thinking of… Of… Damn, I can’t say it!”       “I did, Edward. Life without Raquelle seemed deprived of the meaning.”       “Terrence…”       “Since you read those lines, and they made you think so, there’s no meaning to deny I could’ve really done that.”       “My gosh…” Edward pronounces with pity in his eyes, getting a little white from horror and understanding that it’s hard for him to breathe. “I can’t believe it…”       “Alas, there could’ve been Peter Rose 2.0 among us if I hadn’t had my beloved woman by my side,” Terrence shrugs.       “Gosh… I’m so sorry, Terrence. Really… I didn’t think you loved Raquelle so much that you wouldn’t give a chance to any other girl.”       “After her, any other girl seems boring and homely. Against the bright, alive Raquelle, who has much inside energy. The attraction of who gets anyone attracted like a magnet.”       “I get it.”       “But luckily, Raquelle and I established our relationship, and she didn’t leave me. And I doubt she’ll do it. Because I know that Cameron is tightly attracted to me.”       “I wouldn’t like to know something happened to you someday.”       “Just like I don’t want to know something happened to you. I truly wanted to help you survive the breakup with Natalia and was doing as much as my pride let me. I knew you needed someone to comfort you… Because you also looked like you could easily jump off a bridge at any time…”       “I had many reasons to,” Edward glances down. “But at first, I should’ve ended the started case and saved Natalia from that old bastard.”       “And you did it well,” Terrence smiles slightly. “I like the way you tried to protect her. When Uncle barely looked at her, you were ready to tear him apart.”       “It would’ve happened if he and his henchmen had touched her with a finger. And if they had dared to harm you somehow.”       “I prefer believing. You were also standing for me. And now I can confidently say I was madly grateful to you for being near me. And I was also proud of you, ‘cause you really behaved very worthily.”       “Yeah, and even if I was a bastard, you were standing for me and saving me from Uncle many times,” Edward says hesitantly with a slight smile and inclines his head for a second. “You even… Didn’t even let me make that shoot… At myself…”       “You thought I’d quietly watch that sick bastard trying to press on you? No! I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I hadn’t done my best to avoid it.”       “You did it after I almost killed you.”       “You aren’t a stranger to me, Edward. I do care about what’s happening to you. And even when you almost killed me, I didn’t change my mind. Moreover, I was ready for that ‘cause you warned me about it.”       “But I would’ve better insisted and made you sure to stay home with Raquelle.”       “So, that bastard dealt with you? No, I couldn’t let it happen! I went with you not only for Natalia and the wish to end this story, but also because I didn’t want to let you go alone from the fear that you wouldn’t leave that house. I mean, you’d do it, but… Dead.”       “But what I’m going to be ashamed of all my life wouldn’t have happened.”       “Don’t be. You didn’t wanna do it, and I ain’t gonna blame you. I saw your condition well. I saw you were shaking strongly when Uncle put the pistol in your hand. You were about to cry, ‘cause your eyes were wet. Something told me you wouldn’t dare to do something like that. And thanks to Natalia’s bravely and wish to risk, you pissed Uncle off.”       “I’ve never wanted to kill you and anyone else!” Edward exclaims with despair and pity in his eyes. “I swear, nobody! I’m not a killer! Not a killer!”       “I know, Edward, don’t be so nervous. You’ve already proved to us that you really planned nothing bad. And you did your best to prove that we understood you wrongly. Yes, you made many unforgivable mistakes and showed the worst side of yourself. But who doesn’t make mistakes? I’ve done something wrong millions of times and paid a high cost for it.”       “And what do you wanna say?” Edward frowns slightly.       “I want to say a person deserves a second chance to start it all again when they truly regret it,” Terrence replies quietly. “And when you can see it in their eyes. I wouldn’t say you did it accidentally because you did everything consciously. But all of them have an explanation. You didn’t try to give someone pain on purpose.”       “Oh…” Edward inclines his head guiltily, setting his eyes full of sadness down. “If I had a second chance, I’d really use it and never make mistakes, because of which I might lose what I don’t want to lose…”       Terrence watches Edward silently for a few seconds. But then he takes a step forward with a slight smile, takes his brother by the shoulders, and squeezes them.       “I’m ready to give you a chance,” Terrence says confidently. “Because I clearly see your regret about what happened. Because I can’t stop speaking to you. I can’t turn my back on you and pretend that you don’t exist. I tried, but I could not. And I no longer want to try to.”       “Really?” Edward asks a little hesitantly, moving his widely open eyes to Terrence. “Are you… Forgiving me? Giving me a chance to become a decent brother for you?”       “Actually, I forgave you a long time ago,” Terrence confesses with a slight smile and lowers his hands. “And I almost forgot we fought. I calmed down, thought about everything, and confessed that I could cross the line at times.”       “Thanks,” Edward smiles much wider. “Your words gave me great relief.”       “And yeah…” Terrence puts his hand on Edward’s shoulder, looking at him guiltily. “You also forgive me for screaming at you, hitting you, and attacking you with fists. For being too rude to you on the day of the reveal and the day of Natalia’s kidnapping. I shouldn’t have gone too far and beaten you shamelessly. Because… I could’ve harmed you. Though, I wouldn’t have forgiven myself for that.”       “Don’t think about it. If you’d wanted to beat, I would’ve taken it. Not the first time. I’ve been beaten so many years over the years… I can’t count…”       “Anyway, forgive me. I didn’t want to harm you. It would’ve been better to let you leave home before the fight started. Found an excuse to take you far from Natalia. And not to let you fight.”       “It’s true. I stopped being myself. My body – not my personality, so to say.”       “I get it. I was the same when fighting with Raquelle. If she wasn't by my side, I was quiet. But when we were in the same room and fighting, it was impossible to stay quiet.” Terrence chuckles quietly and waves his hand sharply. “Oh, c’mon! I can’t actually control my emotions when fighting with someone!”       “You say everybody makes mistakes, and nobody’s perfect.”       “Right. But the important thing is that everything ended well.”       “Agree,” Edward replies hesitantly. “I think what happened would be a good lesson for us.”       “At least, you and I didn’t become enemies, as Father and Uncle. And you didn’t raise a hand at your girlfriend. I didn't have time.”       “Oh, I’d never forgive myself for that…” Edward glances aside for a second. “But… Thank you so much for being near me and for not letting me do it. I’m really grateful to you for it.”       “I didn’t want you to make my mistake and become literally a violator for everyone. And if someone had been too mad, you would've been charged with beating a girl regularly. Just like it happened to me: some people started to slander me in anger and made everyone think I was allegedly beating Raquelle.”       “I got my ass kicked enough. Anyway, thank you so much, Terrence. From now on, I owe you forever. You can ask anything from me, and I’d do it.”       “Well…” Terrence rolls his eyes for two seconds with a slight smile. “Since you did stand for me many times when we were at Uncle’s home, didn’t kill me, and have always been my salvation from many thoughtless acts and a deep depression, I owe you forever, as well.”       “Listen, let’s not think about what happened? Especially, about how I almost killed you… It’s disgusting for me to think about the case when I wanted to shoot at myself from hate for myself.”       “Agree,” Terrence agrees. “Let’s also forget about our fight. It’s also disgusting for me to think about how I attacked my close person and nearly made him disabled.”       “You had a right to do it because I hurt you too much.”       “May it stay in the past. And we’ll live in the present and try not to do anything like that.”       “I will not. I promise.”       “But don’t forget what Raquelle said: you’ll hardly get a third chance if you do another mean thing.”       “I will not forget.”       “Good,” Terrence smiles slightly. “So, we agreed?”       “Sure,” Edward nods.       Meanwhile, Raquelle and Natalia standing not far smile shyly, understating that they can exhale with relief because the threat that their men would love to attack each other with fists is gone. Terrence and Edward just smile and say nothing for a few seconds. And then the younger of the MacClife brothers decides to break the silence shyly:       “So what… Peace?”       “Peace,” Terrence nods. “Brother…”       After hearing Terrence calling him a brother for the first time, Edward cannot hide his smile. Then the guys give a hand to each other and shake them tightly to conclude the final reconciliation. At first, they smile shyly enough, but then their smiles get wider. At some moment, the brothers take each other in a strong hug with a sign of relief, not hiding their happiness. Even if Edward is obsessed with emotions, he tries to hold himself down not to shed a tear. And Terrence is happy he got rid of the heavy burden and found the courage to accept the apologies of his close person. And Natalia and Raquelle smile widely and look at each other when they see Edward and Terrence confirm their reconciliation with a handshake and hug.       “It’s so nice to see it,” Raquelle says with a smile. “You can’t even imagine…”       “Agree, finally, these two have reconciled,” Natalia replies cheerfully.       “Yeah… A threat that they try to destroy the whole house and beat each other has been gone.”       “Edward came here not for that. He wanted to set up peace.” Natalia smiles kind of slyly. “And I can say I’m a little proud of myself ‘cause my mission has been completed.”       “What kind of mission?”       “To reconcile these pretty boys!”       “So, did the idea of visiting me and Terrence belong to you?” Raquelle wonders.       “Yup. Edward showed a wish to reconcile with you, but he was terribly afraid to come to you and look into your eyes. So… I slightly pushed him to take some actions. I decided to fix what was ruined because of me. Because… Edward fought with Terrence because of me… So… I should’ve fixed everything somehow.”       “And you went with him for that?”       “To support him. I thought it would be hard for him alone, or he would actually change his mind. Yesterday, Edward reconciled with the woman, with whom he lived, but today, we decided to reconcile him with Terrence and you.”       “That woman? Wow…” Raquelle frowns slightly. “I didn’t know they were in a fight…”       “Yeah, he didn’t wanna listen to what she told him… But yesterday, Edward was at her home literally until the evening.”       “If it’s true, I’m starting to believe you have a good influence on him. Edward does anything you tell him. And he finds the courage to do what he wouldn’t do by himself.”       “I’m just trying to make his life a little better. And make him much happier.” Natalia smiles shyly. “Standing on the right track, so to say.”       “And you’re doing it well, friend! MacClife, Jr., is changing before our eyes. Thanks to his love for you. It’s clear that he goes crazy over you.”       Raquelle pays attention to Terrence and Edward, who are talking about something with wide smiles on their faces, laughing quietly and clapping each other on the head slightly at the different time.       “Ah, honey…” Natalia smiles mysteriously, embracing Raquelle around the shoulders. “We go insane from the MacClife bros, too. Just like these two go crazy from us. And thanks to our efforts, they’re getting better every day.”       “Agree,” Raquelle smiles slightly. “Of course, they’ve always been good people, but now they got much better.”       “I hope what happened the last time will no longer happen.”       “I’d like to believe we learned some lessons.”       “I understood much!” Natalia exclaims with a smile. “Very much…”       “I believe. I see you’re trying to make amends to Edward for not giving him enough attention.”       “Now he’s gonna have as much attention as he needs. I’ll do my best for him to be happy and not to think that I might have another man.”       “With God’s help, sweetie.”       Raquelle and Natalia fall into silence for a few seconds and, smiling slightly, move their eyes to Edward and Terrence laughing quietly and playing the fool. And then the blonde breaks this silence, glancing at her friend:       “By the way, I’ve wanted to ask you for a long time…”       “What?” Raquelle asks.       “Say, is that true that you find yourself guilty of our fight and are sure that my problems started after that one?”       “Erm…” Raquelle stutters, getting a little white and moving her rounded eyes to Natalia. “Excuse me, what?”       “Are you blaming yourself for the fact that I was almost raped?” Natalia asks quietly.       “But… Why did you ask me about it?”       “Somehow, I talked to Anna, and she told me you screamed at Terrence with her pretense. Daniel confirmed it. They said you disliked that your fiancé didn’t wanna support you and said you were worried about stupid things. You were screaming at him. You wondered why you gave Terrence everything, while he didn’t wanna support you and understood that you were obsessed with a sense of shame for me…”       “Erm…” Raquelle glances down for a second, starting to breathe a little heavily. “Natalia… I…”       “Gosh, Raquelle, I can’t believe you’re blaming yourself for what you don’t have to do with.”       “You did say it when you decided to confess the rape attempt. It happened because you were in despair after our fight.”       “Yeah, but I’ve never blamed you for that. Why do you make it sound like I went to that place by your order?”       “Natalia…”       “It’s been so long since our conflict! We solved all the misunderstandings and reconciled. Why would you come back to what happened?”       “You said…”       “I say again, I’ve never had the wish to blame you for my problems,” Natalia replies confidently. “That was only my fault. I was a brainless idiot, who thought nobody knows about what when deciding to go to a desert place at a dark time.”       “But you thought about our fight.”       “It means nothing. Don’t try to find a connection where there is not one. It was, it is, and it will be only my mistake that I paid a high cost for. I was nearly raped and left nude on the street, and Edward almost left me and thought I was a prostitute that slept with all men.”       “You see, how much happened because I went to your home and blamed for nobody knows what,” Raquelle says with pity in her eyes and sniffs quietly with wet eyes. “I believed that stinker, Simon, who blamed you for agreeing against me.”       “You were just too depressed because Simon turned everybody against you. He started with Terrence, who believed in your betrayal. I completely get it. I understand you were ready to believe anything. And Simon used the situation and started to tell everyone you were allegedly mentally sick and dangerous to people.”       “I’m still super ashamed of Terrence and you because I believed those stupid things,” Raquelle says with pity in her eyes, feeling that tears are coming to her tears. “I didn’t appreciate my close people as much as I should’ve done…”       “Raquelle…”       “It’s not a secret to you that Terrence still regrets what happened between him and me. He’s still being chased by those terrible memories that don’t let him calm down. The same is happening to me… I can’t also stay quiet and do feel guilty about you. So much that I think… I wouldn’t make amends. No matter how many things I’d do for you.”       “Stop making yourself think about it, Cameron. By these thoughts, you just torture yourself and make others worry. You make it worse for you!”       “I’ll never forgive myself for that… Especially, now, when I know about the rape attempt that gave you a strong psychological trauma and led to terrible consequences.”       Raquelle inclines her head guiltily and glances at her hands. Natalia says nothing for a few seconds, watching her friend with pity. And then she takes the brunette by the shoulders and looks into her eyes confidently, saying softly:       “Raquelle, look at me, please. Look into my eyes.”       Raquelle slowly glances at Natalia and looks at her as if she did something terrible that her friend would hardly forgive her for.       “I want you to remember something,” Natalia says softly. “Yes, maybe, you didn’t show enough love for Terrence and became indifferent to him at some moment. But he isn’t also an angel and has done too many bad things. Though, I don’t wanna blame you two, and I understand that your fiancé has a short-tempered character and may easily get enraged.”       “I gave Terrence a reason to believe in what Simon told him about me,” Raquelle replies quietly and hesitantly.       “Yes, I don’t deny it. But you should know that jealousy is a terrible thing. I got into the same situation. Because of the lie and my reluctance to reveal the truth.”       “A fact is a fact. Blame or whitewash, but I’m guilty.”       “Oh, Cameron…” Natalia relaxes her shoulders slightly, exhaling quietly. “Remember, I didn’t blame you and ain’t going to blame you for all my problems because of our fight. The responsibility and fault are all mine. I consciously did that thing. I don’t want to cover it with despair. It’s not despair. It’s a stupid thing.”       “You’re just trying to calm me down.”       “Not at all. As you said to Edward, everyone mistakes and can’t be perfect. So, I also made a great mistake. I had no brain to understand that walking in those places could be dangerous. Mother and Father said it so many times, but I forgot their words.” Natalia chuckles shyly. “Yes, I’m a little sick in this case… And let’s not forget that I didn’t think too much when doing something.”       “But you’ve never gotten into such terrible situations. And it’s amazing ‘cause you were often at clubs, bars and dance pools where there were many people like Wainwright. And if they’re drunk, you can’t get off them easily.”       “I know, but I didn’t think much about it. And actually, I was different two years ago. Not the girl that’s standing in front of you now. The events that happened to me in the past few months changed me and made me look at some things differently.”       “Maybe, you’ve really changed,” Raquelle smiles shyly. “But you’re still loyal to those you love, always ready to help them and… You can easily sacrifice for them. Even despite great risk and fear, you think of your close people. Having such an amazing friend like you is a rare thing. I would be an absolute idiot if I lost you.”       “You will not do that, don’t worry,” Natalia replies amicably. “I’m also afraid to lose my friend that I’ve known for a bigger part of my life. Since we were eleven.”       “Fourteen years. I’ve known one of the best people for fourteen years. The one, who stayed by my side when everybody was against me. The girl, who dared to go against many people and be ready to become a victim of bullying.”       “I’ve always wanted to befriend true people, for whom friendship does matter. Not those, who pretend to be friends. Who just surround themselves with people and tell everybody how many friends they’ve got. Something like the number of friends on Facebook or followers on Instagram, but in real life.”       “You know…” Raquelle falls into silence for two seconds with a slight smile on her face. “I’ve said many times I have many friends. But I’ve always considered you my best friend. You and Anna. You two are the closest people that I love with all my heart.”       “You’ve always said it,” Natalia smiles shyly and takes Raquelle’s hands. “Thank you so much for everything you did for me. I’m madly lucky to have such a wonderful friend, who is also loyal to those she loves, helps them, and is always ready to do anything for them. And you proved it by bringing the police to the house of Michael, who kept me, Edward, and Terrence hostage.”       “I couldn’t leave you in trouble. I should’ve used a chance to save you when I got it. If I’d lost all of you, it would’ve been a strong hit for me. Because I love you very much.”       “Aw, sweetie, I love all of you, too! You’re like my family!”       “True love is the one that exists, despite nothing. The one that doesn’t lose its power in a hard situation and gets stronger when everything is fine.”       “That’s right,” Natalia nods with a slight smile. “Maybe, I don’t have so many friends, but I’m sure about them at one hundred percent.”       “As they say, best friends forever!”       “Yay!”       Natalia raises her hands with a wide smile with the plate turned to Raquelle. The girls give each other a five with a happy whoop and take each other in an amicable hug with a shy laugh. Meanwhile, Terrence and Edward are funnily talking about something and acting as if they have never had a conflict. The men get so busy with their talk that it seems like they forgot about their sweethearts. Nevertheless, after a short, funny fight, Edward and Terrence move their eyes to Natalia and Raquelle, who step away from each other and say something with wide smiles on their faces and some gloss in their eyes.       “They’re so happy,” Terrence notices.       “Yeah, acting like we aren’t here,” Edward replies thoughtfully.       “So, maybe, we meddle in their sweet talk?” Terrence throws a short, sly smile at Edward. “How could a talk happen without us? Without me!”       “Oh, bro, here you go again…” Edward shakes his head with a quiet chuckle.       “C’mon, let’s go before they get out somewhere.”       Not thinking long, Terrence and Edward confidently come to Raquelle and Natalia and stop their sweet talk, coming to them from behind and hugging them around the shoulders or waist.       “What are you talking about, beauties?” Terrence asks.       “Don’t worry, not about you,” Raquelle replies funnily.       “So, guys, as we see, did you conclude an amicable agreement?” Natalia asks with a sly smile.       “Sort of,” Edward replies confidently. “And I really hope the term of the agreement is gonna be endless.”       “Well, it depends on how well you’re gonna behave,” Raquelle says thoughtfully.       “I’ll be a very good boy,” Terrence promises confidently and hugs Raquelle tightly from behind, around the shoulders with both arms. “You’ll see.”       “And I promise to be good,” Edward says not less confidently, caressing Natalia’s head softly.       “M-m-m, it seems like our handsome guys have a good mood,” Natalia smiles mysteriously. “They don’t plan to castrate each other.”       “Thank God, I no longer wanna see these two…” Raquelle says confidently and points at Terrence. “Especially this peacock with a big tail… Destroy the whole living room and fight like buffaloes.”       “I swear solemnly, my darling, that it will not happen anymore,” Edward raises his hand.       “Oh, it’s gonna be much easier for us to overcome the court hearing. We wouldn’t feel embarrassed because of the pretense of each other.”       “Definitely, yes,” Natalia agrees and softly caresses Edward’s arm, with which he is hugging her around the shoulders. “We wouldn’t be so tense…”       “I’m upset that they can’t do it without our participation,” Terrence replies with sadness in his eyes. “It would be better to find lawyers that would be representing us.”       “No, I personally want to tell them about what that old bastard did,” Edward confesses confidently. “I shall do it with great pleasure. And I will not hide my happiness when I see him bringing in and bringing away under the arms in handcuffs.”       “Me too. But I’d love to forget that nightmare once and forever as soon as possible.”       “We all want it, buddy,” Natalia notices.       “But our word might impact the judge’s sentence,” Edward adds. “So, we must use it. I think if our lawyers went to the hearings for us, we would be much more nervous.”       “Agree,” Raquelle replies quietly. “But I’m sure we’ll win the case. Mr. Johnson doesn’t doubt the success and doesn’t even wanna think that Michael might be pronounced non-guilty.”       “Well, as you say it so confidently, doubting would be a sin,” Natalia replies confidently.       Everybody smiles shyly and says nothing for a few seconds. And then Terrence, looking at Raquelle, Edward, and Natalia, breaks the silence:       “You know, I still can’t believe we came here together. I thought it would never happen again after what happened.”       “I lost any hope in that,” Edward confesses. “I thought it was a goodbye to the old, good times.”       “Yeah, we just should’ve come here and asked for forgiveness,” Natalia says cheerfully.       “As it turned out, there is nothing impossible if you really want something.”       “After what happened here, there was no hope we'd spend time together the way we did before,” Raquelle says a word.       “I really miss the times when we were spending time together,” Natalia confesses shyly, looking at everybody with sad eyes. “I found some photos of us in my room. And… Tears came to my eyes when I thought it would never happen again.”       “Not just you, my sweetheart,” Edward replies, embracing Natalia by the shoulders with one arm and softly caressing her forearm with a free hand. “I was sometimes obsessed with yearning, too…”       “And I want to spend time with all of you. All four… Like a family. Although I ain’t one of the MacClifes, I felt like the one.”       “We are family, honey!” Raquelle smiles shyly. “Despite all the disagreements, we’ll always be a family.”       “I’ve always considered Natalia a part of my family,” Terrence confesses amicably. “She’s always been like my sister, whom I really love.”       “She’s my sis, too,” Raquelle adds with a slight smile.       “But I’m sure she’ll be a real member of our little crazy family someday,” Terrence smiles mysteriously. “We’ve definitely got a chance to get a new member in the MacClife family.”       “For me, it would be a great honor to become one of you,” Natalia laughs shyly.       “Think you are already one of us,” Raquelle says softly, putting her head on Terrence’s shoulder and her arms around his waist.       “In order for my girlfriend to feel good in our family, let’s do our best for it,” Edward suggests shyly. “Do our best to become as united as we were before.”       “No protests!”       “Moreover…” Edward falls into silence for a second. “I miss those times, too… They were one of the best in my life… One of the rare cases when I felt really happy.”       “I think we could easily make up for a lost time,” Raquelle assumes with a slight smile. “Because I’m really also missing those times. Hanging out with best friends and close people is always great.”       “And I’m gonna confess that I also lack our together hangouts,” Terrence confesses with a wide smile. “So, if nobody minds it, let’s forget about our misunderstandings and support each other, despite nothing.”       “Always share what happens to us with each other.”       “And never leave each other in trouble, no matter how serious and unsolved it is,” Natalia adds.       “And overcome the hearing together and forget it like a nightmare,” Edward says confidently.       “We can!” Raquelle exclaims, raising her head slightly.       “Undoubtedly!” Terrence agrees.       “Hooray!” Natalia gives a happy whoop. “We’re together again!”       “Forever!” Terrence, Raquelle, Edward, and Natalia pronounce.       The four take each other into a group hug with quiet chuckles. A few seconds later, Natalia, Raquelle, Terrence, and Edward step away and come to the sofa, on which the blonde leaves her purse.       “Hey, Edward, where have you been all this time?” Terrence asks. “Since you left this place after Natalia, nothing was known about you.”       “Well…” Edward pronounces thoughtfully, looking around the whole living room. “I stayed home, in my room, or just walked somewhere for the first three days… Wandering for nothing… And then, when I came to myself a little, I decided to visit my friend and spent a bigger part of the time with him.”       “Wow!” Terrence rounds his eyes. “I didn’t know you had friends.”       “I met that guy two months ago. He came to me outside and asked me to help him with something. And when I did it, we talked a little and found something to talk about.”       “Did he know who you were?”       “Nope. At first, I hid who I actually was from him. But when that guy saw the report, I had to tell him the truth and say I wasn’t the one, whom I was pretending.”       “You hid your real name?” Raquelle asks.       “Yup. I thought up an image of someone that doesn’t have to do with the MacClifes and kept it, hiding my first name, middle name, last name, and everything about my biography. I called myself Justin Ledger. And I might’ve also lied a little, using the real facts. For example, I said I lived all my life with Mother and met Father very late.”       “But why was it Justin Ledger?” Terrence asks.       “I dunno,” Edward shrugs. “This name was the first one to come to mind when my friend asked my name and introduced himself. Well… I didn’t wanna introduce myself as Edward Lockhart and called myself Justin.”       “I see…”       “And as I understand, does he know the truth about you now?” Raquelle frowns slightly.       “Yes. Now he knows everything about me. Even the worst.”       “And does he know about the trial?” Terrence asks.       “He promised to be there if he was able. If he comes, I will introduce that guy to you. Don’t worry, he’s a good dude, simple, and loves laughing and hanging out… Being with him gives me a lot of fun.”       “And did you spend all your time with him after Uncle’s arrest?”       “No, not all the time. He either worked or went on dates with girls that he picked up at clubs, bars, and dance pools. At a different time, we could go to a bar, drink a glass of something strong, listen to cool music, dance… In short, spend a cool time.”       “Oh, don’t drink too much, guy,” Terrence shakes his head. “If you wanna get lost and drink to the fuck, you won’t get better. Maybe, for a while. But then everything’s gonna start again.”       “Erm…” Edward stutters, biting his lip slightly, and shrugs. “I didn’t try to drink… Just… I wanted to relax a little… A couple of sips of strong alcohol have harmed nobody yet.”       Terrence says nothing more and exhales silently, while Edward recalls how he drank too much and made everybody laugh at him, hoping nobody would know it.       “Hey, let’s make it all clear and not come back to that…” Raquelle says thoughtfully and crosses her arms over her chest. “Tell us the truth about why you didn’t say you and Natalia broke up.”       “Yeah, bro, why were you silent?” Terrence asks quietly. “Maybe, you explain the motives of your actions, the meaning of which we don’t understand?”       “Oh…” Edward exhales sharply. “You really wanna know it?”       “We’d love. Your excuses about the wish to protect Natalia didn’t sound true, remembering how you treated her.”       “Okay, I’ll tell you everything…” Edward turns on Terrence and Raquelle. “If you mean why Natalia and I pretended, that idea belonged to me. Despite the great offense, I wanted to know why she did that. Moreover, when I stayed alone, I calmed down and understood I should’ve found out the truth. I wanted Natalia to confirm what I saw in those photos.”       “And how did you plan to find out the truth?” Raquelle asks, putting her hands on her hips.       “Erm… I decided to ask you to talk to her. I know that getting you involved in our relationship was stupid. But since I didn’t wanna talk to her personally, I needed help. And… Since talking to her parents would’ve been the worst way… At least because I would’ve had to get blushed when saying their daughter was naked in front of the stranger man… I had only one choice – to ask you and Terrence for help.”       “We don’t remember you asking us about it.”       “I didn’t find the courage to do it personally because I was afraid I’d get enraged and be able to explain nothing.” Edward locks his fingers tightly, shifting his weight from one foot to another. “That’s why I decided to drop hints. And… That dinner was a wonderful reason… There was only one problem – persuading Natalia to be silent and play along with me. But I couldn’t ask her about it personally… So… I did a bad thing… I said I’d show the erotic photos to you and all of her friends and relatives and make her… A prostitute… And… She agreed. I mean… I wasn’t gonna pretend on purpose. I just needed to get your attention on us and do something for you to see something wasn’t right with us… And… And my plan worked.”       Terrence and Raquelle say nothing for a second, reflecting on what Edward said, while Natalia frowns slightly while standing near the sofa.       “Yeah, Edward, you’ve really got mental issues,” Terrence shakes his head, stroking his hair. “An absolute idiot, not gonna be shy! How could you actually think about something like this?”       “I did,” Edward shrugs. “I thought you’d love to talk to Natalia and find out something you’d tell me. It… It could be the reason to reflect.”       “No, I would understand you if you’d personally come to us and asked us to talk to Natalia. But you chose a really weird way… I wouldn’t even think about it.”       “So, did you think Terrence and I would understand your hint and find out why Natalia did that to you?” Raquelle specifies quietly, putting her hands on her hips.       “Sort of,” Edward pronounces. “I knew you wouldn’t stay indifferent to this situation and decided to ask you for help.”       “Well, we wouldn’t have refused to do it,” Terrence says thoughtfully. “You could come to Raquelle and me and ask us to talk to Natalia if you were afraid to go to her parents.”       “And asking you about it made me ashamed, as well. Not because I didn’t wanna get you involved in my business. But because of the photos that nobody should’ve seen.”       “Maybe, you dropped a hint to help. But Natalia eventually told you everything, and you talked about everything and reconciled.”       “At least you gave her the support and did your best to get her out of the depression that she got because of me,” Edward replies with sadness in his eyes. “Natalia wouldn’t have gotten better on her own.”       “Don’t say so!” Natalia protests. “I was in depression not because of you! Mainly because of what happened to me.”       “Nevertheless, I will not stop thanking Terrence and Raquelle for helping you come to yourself and making you sure to tell them what made the situation clear.”       “Natalia just needed to talk to someone close and get support,” Raquelle notices with sadness in her eyes. “We needed to let her know that she could trust her close people and fear nothing.”       “That’s good we noticed something was wrong and didn’t let anything bad happen just in time,” Terrence adds and puts his hands on his hips.       “Agree…” Edward says in a broken voice. “I’m afraid to think everything could’ve been much worse if Natalia hadn’t had you, her parents, friends, and me…”       “C’mon, there’s no need to think about it,” Natalia says, waving a hand. “Now, I’m fine, and you know what I was worried about.”       “Yeah, thank God, everything ended well,” Raquelle smiles slightly. “We’re alive and healthy… Terrence and I reconciled with Edward… And you became his girlfriend again…”       Edward and Natalia glance at each other, and the girl pronounces something like “Erm” and starts biting her lip slightly.       “Erm, you see, guys…” Edward pronounces hesitantly. “When Natalia and I reconciled, we decided to pretend that… We didn’t break… We had just a big fight, but the end of the relationship never happened. We said it in anger.”       “That’s how!” Raquelle exclaims and crosses her arms over her chest. “So, are you gonna say you didn’t break up?”       “Yup, we’d love you to think we just had a fight,” Natalia replies shyly. “Moreover, we two didn’t feel like our relationship ended. At heart, I protested desperately when someone called Edward my ex. Or when it sounded out of my mouth.”       “Just like I did,” Edward meddles. “I couldn’t accept that Natalia was my ex-girlfriend. Sometimes I called her my real one, and then someone fixed me. You know how much I wanted to fret and fume when someone said it!”       “So, do you wanna pretend that nothing happened again?” Terrence asks, looking at Edward and Natalia gloomily, squinting his eyes slightly, and crossing his arms over his chest. “That you didn’t scare the whole house with your shouts, didn’t get the nearest neighborhood shocked. That you would’ve killed each other and destroyed my house to the fuck…”       “No, Terrence, you got it wrong,” Natalia replies quietly. “We ain’t gonna deny our fight. But we don’t want anyone to say we broke up. Edward and I want everybody to think our breakup was just our emotions. That it never happened.”       “And we’re doing it for the best,” Edward adds. “Yes, nobody can forget what we did. But please, let’s think I didn’t claim Natalia about the breakup.”       “Please, guys…” Natalia begs with pity in her eyes. “My sweeties… Give in to us…”       Terrence, keeping his arms crossed over his chest, moves his little gloomy gaze to Raquelle, near whom he is standing.       “So, what do ya think, Raquelle?” Terrence asks. “Playing along with these two and pretending that nothing happened?”       “Erm, I…” Raquelle pronounces thoughtfully, glances at Edward and Natalia, frowns slightly, and glances at Terrence. “You know, MacClife, I wouldn’t refuse the people that are looking at me with such puppy eyes… I can’t refuse when someone looks at me like this.”       “Hey, don’t look at us like dogs asking for food from people!” Terrence says with a quiet chuckle. “Guys! Guys, stop! Who I say! Stop!”       But resisting takes a little time. A few seconds later, Terrence and Raquelle give up under the view of the two pairs of puppy eyes full of pity.       “Oh, okay!” Terrence exhales sharply, lowering his hands. “Okay, we agree! But remember… If you two do something like that again and wish to get me and my close people involved in some shit, you will lose my trust once and forever. I will not help you, forgive you, and get my ass off the sofa or move my finger. I hope I said it clearly?”       “No, no, we’ll not do anything like that,” Edward jabs, raising his hands up. “Now you will know everything.”       “It does have to do with you first, kid.” Terrence points at Edward and glances at Natalia. “And your girlfriend got it all.”       “Okay, okay, I won’t do it again! I swear!”       “And yeah, I wanna tell you what I’ve wanted to say for a long time. You two are worthless actors. If you acted in a movie, everyone would start laughing at your talentless acting.”       “Gosh, MacClife, stop grumbling like a one-hundred-year-old man!” Natalia exclaims, comes to Terrence, and slightly hits her fist against his forearm. “Otherwise, you’ll get wrinkles. If you look in a mirror, you’ll have hysteria.”       “Yeah, bro, even if you’ve been deceived well several times, don’t find a trap about everything,” Edward adds and hugs Natalia around the shoulders when he comes to her. “This time, we’re speaking truly and aren’t pretending.”       “Okay, okay, lovebirds,” Terrence raises his hands. “I believe you. Raquelle believes you. Everybody believes you.”       “And yeah, congrats on reconciling again,” Raquelle smiles shyly. “I’m madly happy for you.”       “Now, it sounds much truer and softer,” Natalia replies thoughtfully and hugs Raquelle amicably when she comes to her. “And now I believe you’re happy for me more.”       “Even if I wasn’t, I’d support your choice. Because it’s your life, not mine.” Raquelle steps back from Natalia and hugs Edward amicably. “Maybe, our congratulations really were a little cold at first, but now I’m ready to share this happiness with you.”       “Thanks a lot, sweetie,” Edward thanks truly and steps back from Raquelle.       “I’m gonna be honest, I’ve always liked your couple and believed you fit each other well. You can make me smile when you just come together.”       “I think you’re gonna smile more often.” Edward hugs Natalia by the waist with a mysterious smile, while she puts her hand on his back. “Not rarer than your friend.”       “No hurts, guys, but I didn’t believe in your couple at first,” Terrence confesses shyly. “I thought you’d break up very soon, ‘cause you were only connected by the passing infatuation. But later, I changed my mind and started to find your couple too cute and beautiful.”       “It hurts,” Natalia pouts her lips.       “Yeah, Terrence, I didn’t expect to hear something like this from you…” Edward shakes his head.       “Ask anyone!” Terrence exclaims. “Everybody you know would say they were sure that your relationship wouldn’t last longer than one month.”       “That’s what you wanted to think,” Natalia says thoughtfully. “But your bro and I will prove how wrong you were.”       “That’s right!” Edward agrees. “We’ll see what kind of passing infatuation you meant.”       “Calm down, lovebirds, now I believe your relationship is much more serious than we thought,” Terrence raises his hands. “Now I’m by your side! My word!”       “Okay, okay, our honest guy, we got you,” Edward laughs quietly.       “Yeah, I congrats you on the reconciliation, too. With all my heart.” Terrence smiles amicably. “I absolutely agree with Raquelle: you look very cute together and always make people smile.”       “Thanks a lot,” Edward and Natalia thank, hugging each other.       Terrence smiles shyly and congratulates Natalia and Edward with an amicable hug that they accept with pleasure. Then silence settles in the air for a few seconds, which Raquelle breaks, putting a finger on her lip and smiling mysteriously:       “Hey, Edward, I thought about something… Don’t you wanna tell us how you became an Internet star and have received lots of praise from people around the world?”       “Erm…” Edward rounds his eyes, looking at Raquelle questioningly. “What kind of Internet star?”       “C’mon, MacClife, don’t be shy. If you decided to become a street musician, you can invite us to your show. We do like listening to good music.”       Terrence and Natalia being a little surprised by Raquelle’s words move their questioning look on the girl.       “Street musician?” Edward wonders.       “What?” Terrence puts his hands on his hips. “A show?”       “Yup, sweetie,” Raquelle smiles mysteriously. “While we were coming to ourselves after the story of Michael, your little brother was hanging out on the streets of New York and got surrounded by lots of people, who listened to his shows and admired them.”       “Gosh, Raquelle, what are you talking about?” Edward frowns slightly. “Me? Shows? Lots of people?”       “Ah, Edward…” Raquelle shakes her head with squinted eyes. “Just don’t pretend you don’t understand me. You know what I mean.”       “Sorry, but I don’t understand you,” Edward throws his hands up.       “So… Then I should freshen your memory and show you one interesting thing.”       “C’mon.”       “Come here.”       Raquelle comes to the armchair, sits down, moves her laptop placed on the coffee table closer to her, and turns it on, while Terrence, Natalia, and Edward surround the girl from behind and lean on the back of the armchair. She opens an Internet browser, types a link in the address line, opens a site, and finds the page that she needs.       “Here!” Raquelle pronounces. “Watch and enjoy, little star.”       Natalia, Terrence, and Edward set their surprised looks on the laptop screen. As it turned out, Raquelle opened a video that has many views and likes. At first, nobody cares about it because nothing is seen on it, and some people are talking behind the scene. But a few seconds later, the three hear a play on the guitar and the singing of a young man, whose voice seems so familiar. At least its owner recognizes himself in the video.       “What the hell?” Edward rounds his eyes and looks at himself singing along with a guitar in the poorly dark place. “What…”       “Edward…” Natalia pronounces thoughtfully, not moving her shocked eyes off the screen, and closes her mouth with a hand. “That guy… He’s similar to you… The image of you!”       “He is not similar, Natalia!” Terrence replies confidently. “That’s Edward! I’d recognize that shabby denim jacket anywhere.”       “So, it happened that someone recorded a video of me and posted it on the Internet?” Edward frowns strongly.       “That’s what I mean!” Raquelle exclaims. “While you’re talking to us, the Internet is excitedly discussing your talents and admiring them!”       “Wait…” Natalia frowns slightly. “This video’s title has a model of a phone or camera…”       “Yeah, the title is really weird… But I found this video in the list of popular videos.”       “My gosh…” Natalia shakes her head, rounding her eyes. “I recently found the same video!”       “Really?” Terrence wonders.       “Yeah, but I didn’t watch it ‘cause Mother called me, and I closed a tab.”       “My gosh…” Edward pronounces. “And how long ago did it happen?”       “About one week ago.”       “So, has this video been on the Internet for one week?”       “Wait, Natalia…” Raquelle frowns slightly, glancing at Natalia, and places her laptop on her laps. “Are you sure that’s the video?”       “I don’t doubt it,” Natalia replies confidently. “I opened the same site and saw this video with this weird title. But it had about one million views and one hundred thousand likes.”       “What a twist!” Terrence exclaims.       “Gosh, I didn’t even think Edward was in this video… And if Mother hadn’t called me, I would’ve surely watched it.”       “And I think I know when this video was posted,” Raquelle says thoughtfully.       “When?”       “I assume the video was filmed on the day of Michael’s arrest, judging the watch, which said it was almost ten hours o’clock.” Raquelle rewinds the video and points at something. “Here, look! This watch shows it. Moreover, Edward’s appearance was the same on that day as it is in this video.”       “So, was the video posted the next day after Michael’s arrest?”       “Yes. It was definitely posted on September, 24th. And Michael got arrested on September, 23rd.”       “It’s true,” Edward gives a voice quietly. “That’s really me in the video. And it was recorded on the day of Uncle Michael’s arrest.”       “Hey, minute, where’s it happening?” Natalia frowns slightly. “I can’t remember this place in our city.”       “It’s one of the underpasses in the center of the city.”       “Center of the city?” Terrence wonders, setting his questioning look on Edward. “What brought you to the center of the city at the underpass at such a late time?”       “Just walked to the city after I left this place. I went to the underpass and heard how the man from this video was playing guitar. Gave him two dollars that I had… And then people left, and we talked a little… But when I said I could play guitar, he suggested I play his one. I doubted, but I couldn’t resist.”       “Listen, Edward, I think that man is very similar to the one we met two days ago,” Natalia says thoughtfully, looking at the man from the video. “What’s his name? Vincent…”       “That’s him,” Edward confirms quietly. “That’s Vincent.”       “So, that’s where you met him… So, he meant that meeting…”       “Second, who is Vincent?” Raquelle wonders. “Who is he? And where did you meet him?”       “Vincent is the man from the video that we’re watching,” Edward replies, moving his eyes to the laptop screen, and points at the man that he sees at some moment. “That’s him! That’s him! Sitting next to me!”       “Him?” Raquelle frowns slightly. “Looks like a homeless.”       “I don’t know if he’s homeless, but he has money issues. Vincent said it to me.”       “Wait, did you two meet that man somewhere else?” Terrence asks.       “Yup, Edward and I met him two days ago,” Natalia replies. “He was playing with three more men on the square at the center of the city. They played very well. Lots of people surrounded them and left them a good amount of money. And when they began to count what they got, Vincent recognized Edward and came to him. They talked a little, and then he persuaded MacClife to play along with his friends. At first, Edward was shy, but then he started an incredible show there.”       “Oh…” Edward exhales quietly. “That’s right. Vincent’s friends are also good people. They earn for life by performing outside and have job issues.”       “Fine!” Terrence chuckles kindly, crossing his arms over his chest. “So, while we think you’re in depression and literally wanna jump off the roof, you had much more interesting business. You became a freaking musician!”       “Oh, c’mon, I played just once! What kind of freaking musician!”       “Don’t listen to him, Terrence, your brother played not just one song!” Natalia jabs with delight and starts actively gesticulating to show her admiration. “And you must’ve heard that! Edward got everybody overwhelmed! Literally hundreds of people surrounded him! They were listening to him with pleasure and leaving money. Gosh! What a song! What a voice! Damn! I got goosebumps on my back! And when your brother was singing a cappella, the people were whopping at the top of their lungs and didn’t wanna let him go! They clapped for about five minutes and asked him to sing something else. You see! One guy had such an UNFORGETTABLE show that everybody left, being nicely dumbfounded!”       “Shyer, sweetheart, shyer,” Edward says shyly and quietly, caressing Natalia’s shoulder. “Don’t whoop like this, please.”       “Yay, Edward, I see you didn’t waste your time and found something to do,” Raquelle smiles mysteriously.       “So, did lots of people really come there?” Terrence wonders. “And leave a lot of money?”       “I do swear!” Natalia exclaims, literally choking from excitement. “Everybody was dancing and singing along! There was not at least one person, who would leave no cent in the can. It seems like the people missed real talents! And Edward was signing, getting the crowd excited and dancing along with them. Oh, yay! That was REALLY cool! I’m sure people won’t forget that show soon! What your brother was doing was a bomb! That was unforgettable!”       “Quiet, Natalia, don’t get excited,” Edward says with a shy laugh, embracing Natalia with both arms and pressing her to himself, and caresses her head softly. “Control yourself.”       “Huh, hey, brother!” Terrence exclaims with a wide smile, clapping Edward on the shoulder. “You really rocked on! If so many people surrounded you in this video, I’m imagining how many people there were when Natalia was with you.”       “Seriously, MacClife, you’ve got a talent!” Raquelle says confidently with a wide smile. “People wouldn’t pay attention to something that didn't deserve it. The video has been added to the list of popular videos and has been in it for one week for the reason.”       “Yeah, but I didn’t think it would be on the Internet,” Edward throws his hands up. “I didn’t know someone would be recording me on a video…”       “Listen, but that’s really cool!” Terrence says with a wide smile. “Everybody doesn’t care about that man. They’re paying attention only to you. And he’s sitting there like a mouse and staring at everybody.”       “But it doesn’t mean that nobody likes his play. He said he was able to live on what people would give him. Not very much, but still…”       “I believe you could earn on it, as well,” Raquelle suggests. “Sit down with a guitar somewhere outside and start playing. People would come to you and start leaving money. You could earn as much as you’ve never gotten before for your whole life.”       “I was playing for pleasure, not money. Guitar play has always helped me relax and get lost for a while. And on that day, I felt so lousy that the suggestion of Vincent was very good for me. I thought a little and gave a damn about shyness and fear…”       “Hey, you better read the comments and check the quality of views and likes,” Terrence says, starting to scroll the page of the video with a touchpad on Raquelle’s laptop that he moves closer to himself. “That’s fantastic!”       “Almost five and a half million views and four hundred thousand likes,” Raquelle replies thoughtfully. “And about five hundred comments…”       “And they’re positive!” Natalia notices.       “Damn, Edward, it seems like you’ve become the Internet star!” Terrence chuckles. “Really! Why did I just hear about this video?”       “And it seems like people quickly recognized who Edward was. Here, look…”       Raquelle reads a few comments from the video aloud:       “That guy looks so familiar to the frontman of ‘Against The System’! Well, the sit-foot-tall handsome guy that got all girls crazy at the beginning of 2000. But I can’t remember the name of that band member or the name of his brother. I know that one of them has a rare name.”       “C’mon, girl! The guy from the video is Edward, and the other man is Terrence. Everyone is talking about them now! They say they’re brothers. I don’t care that people are talking much about a story that they have to do with. I have a crush on them anyway! Pur-r-r-r…”       After reading this comment, Edward smiles shyly, and Terrence raises his head proudly with a sly smile, not hiding his happiness from another piece of praise for him.       “Damn, both of them are freaking handsome guys and super talented musicians! Terrence and Edward both sing and play guitar incredibly!”       “Agree! Why doesn’t the guy from the video create his own band or join his brother’s band? That also has two more very sympathetic guys… I’m sorry that nothing is known about them. And sorry about that handsome blond, Peter… He’s my favorite member of the three, even if I also like Dan and Terry.”       “Oh, yeah, Rose is really hot! I do wanna eat that delicious pie! And why are there so fewer photos of him half-naked on the Internet? He’s got the body of Apollo! Just the view of it makes me hot! The girl (bitch) that would get such a handsome guy would be lucky.”       “I’m a fan of these guys. Terrence and Edward could create their own band. I’m sure they’ll be real stars and conquer many hearts! Of course, I also really like Peter and Daniel, but… #TedwardTeam”       “Then let’s cross our fingers that Edward joins “Against The System” or he and Terrence create a band. I wish the talent of that pretty boy wasn’t hidden! If he gets famous someday, I’m gonna be his biggest fan.”       “I’ve personally done that! I can’t wait to know something about the guys’ band. I often watch their videos of the covers and recently found a few videos from their shows of ‘The Loser Syndrome’s tour! Brad, Nate, Li, and Zach definitely told the world about truly talented people. P.S. Although I didn’t understand what the guy was singing about in this video, I thought it was about something he was worried about. Edward was signing with the soul, feelings… He literally lived every single line of the song…”       Raquelle decides not to read the following comments because they have almost the same meaning.       “Wow, I didn’t know I was so popular,” Edward says shyly, rounding his eyes. “I ain’t a famous persona, but I’ve got so many fans…”       “I imagine how many of them there would be if you got famous,” Natalia smiles mysteriously.       “You know, guys, those people just gave me two good thoughts,” Terrence confesses thoughtfully with a sly smile. “Making one of them come true would be possible if everything was okay. And I’m gonna keep another reserved in case everything ruins to the fuck.”       “Gosh, gosh!” Natalia jumps happily. “Don’t say you wanna suggest Edward join the band!”       “Why not? Honestly, I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. I’ve been obsessed with the thought that our band lacks something to be what I want to see it. I haven’t realized what, but… I don’t mind hearing how we’d sound if Edward played with us.”       “How it’s cool!” Natalia expresses happiness in a higher voice, putting her hands folded together to her mouth. “I’ve been dreaming about it! I want Edward to play with you someday.”       “I would’ve suggested he do it, but it didn’t happen due to the band issues. I had to forget about it ‘cause the two stubborn men named Daniel Perkins and Peter Rose fought every time they saw each other a few meters away from themselves. But now, despite their relationship, I could think about two turns of events… Even if the blond gets well and returns to the band, Edward could become the fourth member… Become, for example, a guitarist… Well, if we lose Rose, my bro and I could create a band. I would talk to George and agree about everything.”       “That’s a good idea!” Raquelle smiles widely. “Music is what Edward must work on! I’m sure he’ll perfectly fit your company.”       “Or our pretty boys could unite and conquer the music world together,” Natalia suggests proudly, putting her arms around Edward’s waist.       “I could complete a crash course in drums and pretend that Peter didn’t quit,” Edward replies funnily, thinking Terrence’s suggestion is a joke. “Put on a blond wig or dye my hair and bulk up a little, so nobody confuses my iron muscles with Rose’s ones. If I look like the blond, you and Daniel could take me instead of him.”       “If Peter is back in the band, you won’t have to learn to play drums,” Terrence says amicably. “A place for another guitarist is still free yet.”       “Okay, then I could replace you and let people know the lead vocalist is in the same place,” Edward suggests with a chuckle. “Nobody would see a difference from afar, ‘cause we’re very similar. So, it’s okay.”       “Don’t laugh, rugrat, I’m serious now. If the guys don’t mind my idea, get ready to play with us at least once.”       “And I am serious. If you need to cheer people up and warn them up before your show, I’m always at your service.”       “Oh, maybe, we wait for pieces of news about Peter first,” Natalia suggests tiredly.       “Yeah, nobody knows if Peter will wake up,” Raquelle adds quietly. “Now, it’s not the best time to talk about making the band bigger.”       “I don’t try to make grandiose plans for the future,” Terrence shrugs. “But I think the idea is wonderful.”       “I suggest we talk about the talent of someone to be able to give the band something new,” Natalia suggests.       “Or what the song Edward was signing in this video was about,” Raquelle adds.       “Yay, Edward!” Terrence exclaims. “The song isn’t in English. I understood nothing of what you were singing. Did you create a new language? You sing some nonsense, but people don’t understand it and do admire you anyway.”       “No, I created nothing, and there’s nothing special about the song,” Edward replies with a quiet chuckle. “It’s about love. About the only reason that makes someone live… About a wish to do everything for the reason to stay in their life. Nothing special. A story of love.”       “Your style, I must notice. You do love some sappy stuff and sentimental songs of love.”       “As if you don’t sing them.”       “Not as often as you do. But I must confess that I liked this song. I think it wouldn’t sound worse in English.”       “Maybe… Maybe…”       “Yeah, what language it is?”       “Spanish.”       “Spanish? Do you know it?”       “Sure. I could have a talk with a Spanish-language person.”       “Wow, I didn’t know you knew Spanish,” Raquelle says with a slight smile.       “What a twist!” Terrence exclaims. “And when did you learn it?”       “At school,” Edward shrugs. “My teacher lived in Madrid for many years and taught me to speak that language like a real Spaniard. Her lessons were always very interesting, and she could explain the material so that it was possible to understand it easily.”       “My gosh. As it turned out, you went to school not only to start affrays and laugh with guys. You remembered there were lessons there. Many lessons.”       “Yeah, I went there not only to show the beloved me and puff my gorgeous rooster tail on girls.”       “If you’re snapping, I will kick your ass.”       “So, bro, living without a shake-up was hard?” Edward chuckles, crossing his arms over his chest. “The poor boy felt bored, huh?”       “I won’t deny it,” Terrence smiles shyly and rubs his hands happily. “Oh, I’m gonna have fun! And since I know you’re my younger brother, it’s gonna give me much more pleasure. Not less than sex.”       “It’s clear you can’t wait for me to kick your gorgeous ass as soon as possible.”       “Dream, kid, dream. It’s harmed nobody yet. You always dream, though.”       “Oh, alright, stop!” Raquelle moans tiredly. “You just reconciled, but you already began to find out who was the best.”       “Who, who, me, obviously!” Terrence exclaims proudly.       “Yeah, you started from the song in Spanish but ended with a promise to kick each other’s ass,” Natalia shakes her head, crossing her arms over her chest.       “Yeah, cuties, I could give you a couple of lessons in Spanish,” Edward says confidently. “Actually, there is nothing hard. Some effort before you’re confidently speaking this truly beautiful language.”       “He’s right! If you have a good brain and a wonderful teacher, you will be able to teach Spanish very quickly.”       Edward, Terrence, and Raquelle set their gaze on Natalia, who smiles innocently.       “That’s true!” Natalia exclaims and puts a finger on her lip. “Ah, yeah, forgot to say I understood the meaning of the song that Edward was singing. And I think it’s definitely gonna be one of my favorites.”       “Really?” Raquelle wonders.       “Do you know Spanish, as well?” Terrence asks.       “Of course, I know it!” Natalia chuckles. “When Enrique, the late husband of my grandmother Adriana, was a Spaniard, and she’s still living in Mexico and is fluent in it.”       “Natalia, habla usted Español?” Edward speaks Spanish confidently with a sly smile.       “¡Si, mi amor!” Natalia replies confidently. “Hablo bien el Español.”       “Oh!” Edward nods. “Eres una muchacha encantadora, te quiero mi amor y el motivo de mi existir.”       “Muchas grasias por el cumplido. Yo también te quiero, la luz de mi vida!”       While Edward and Natalia completely understand each other and smile shyly, Terrence and Raquelle get a little confused.       “I understood nothing,” Raquelle frowns slightly.       “Me too,” Terrence replies and glances at Natalia and Edward. “Hey, lovebirds, tell us the meaning of your dialogue that Raquelle and I don’t get!”       “Just a couple of nice compliments for mi chica,” Edward smiles mysteriously. “I said es mi belleza favorita. I can explain it to someone not to be aware. Mi chica means my girl, but es mi belleza favorita means she is my beloved beauty.”       “Aw, c’est très romantique…” Raquelle pronounces with a cute smile.       “What?” Terrence wonders, staring at Raquelle amazingly. “Raquelle! Est-ce que tu parles Français?”       Raquelle slightly opens her mouth in surprise before she confidently answers:       “Oui, moi amour… Je parle Français…”       “Hey, which language do you speak?” Edward wonders.       “French,” Terrence replies. “But I didn’t know Raquelle knew it…”       “And I didn’t know he spoke it,” Raquelle confesses a little hesitantly.       “Wow!” Natalia smiles shyly. “You’ve never said it…”       “But how do you know French?” Edward wonders.       “I spent a lot of time in Paris for a fashion show…” Raquelle says quietly. “Very important people should’ve attended it, and all the models were getting ready two or three months before the one. Well, in my free time, I decided to educate myself and read a couple of books.”       “And I had to learn French for a role,” Terrence confesses. “My character spoke it very much, and I had a mission to have perfect pronunciation without an accent.”       “Sorry, dude, but you don’t look like a French man,” Edward replies with a chuckle.       “But I did what I should’ve done.” Terrence raises his head proudly with a sly smile. “However, nothing is amazing… Because I’m Terrence MacClife! Terrence MacClife always does everything perfectly. I do always say I do everything perfectly. Whatever I do, everything’s gonna be brilliant.”       “Well…” Edward crosses his arms over his chest with his eyes rolled. “You can do one thing really well… You really show up perfectly. I’m even a little jealous of how cool you can do it.”       “Ah, bro, if I start calling everything I can do, having my fingers won’t be enough,” Terrence replies with pride. “Singing, dancing, playing guitar, cooking, photographing, speaking French, running, swimming, working out… I’ve always been imitable at sex… I have acting experience, the skill of extreme driving… And it’s just a part of everything I can!”       “Yeah, MacClife, you called too much…” Natalia laughs shyly.       “I think he forgot to add one more thing: the perfect skill of showing up and praising himself to Gods,” Edward adds with a sly chuckle.       “Sorry, but I don’t hear some little rugrats,” Terrence smiles innocently.       “You will hear what you need. Compliments won’t surely fall off your ears.”       “That’s right,” Raquelle smiles slightly. “If you tell him he speaks French very well, this handsome guy is gonna show up and turn his nose up.”       “Thanks, babe, you’d always praise me,” Terrence purrs with a wide smile.       “Actually, that wasn’t praise.”       “No matter. The important thing is that you recognize my superiority and don’t doubt that nature didn’t deprive me of awesomeness, talents, and luck. Everybody confesses it, not everyone says it aloud.”       While Edward and Natalia laugh shyly, Raquelle exhales sharply with her eyes rolled up, and Terrence looks at the three with his head proudly raised.       “The one to be really talented in languages is my golden-haired beauty,” Edward says confidently with a slight smile, tightly hugging Natalia with both arms, while she presses herself to him as closely as possible and puts her hands on his chest. “What an accent! What a talk! I could listen to it forever!”       “And I’m delighted by your accent,” Natalia replies softly. “I would’ve thought I was talking to a Spaniard if I hadn’t known you and had heard this speech.”       “As I said, I had a wonderful teacher.”       “And how beautiful the song you sang in the video sounds… It’s magnificent… I’d be happy to listen to it again. And again. Again. Again. And again.”       “I’d perform it especially for you with pleasure.”       Meanwhile, Terrence and Raquelle watch Natalia and Edward, who are looking at each other with tender smiles, and they look at each other at some moment and smile much wider.       “Oh, okay, guys,” Raquelle pronounces thoughtfully, moving some hair off her forehead. “Since we’ve reconciled, I’m suggesting we celebrate it and go out somewhere together.”       “Yeah, or try to make a second attempt to have dinner,” Terrence adds thoughtfully.       “I’d prefer going out somewhere,” Natalia says.       “Agree,” Edward agrees. “It would be cool to go to the city.”       “So, we’ve decided!” Terrence claps his hands.       “Yeah!” Edward looks at Natalia, who nods. “We agree!”       “But you have to wait for me for a while,” Raquelle says hesitantly. “I need to carry my laptop to my room and put on something above.”       “Erm, yeah, I need to go to my room, too…” Terrence replies hesitantly. “I wouldn’t go outside without a phone. Wearing only a shirt and jeans. It’s cold outside…”       “No problem,” Natalia shrugs with a shy smile. “We’ll wait. You can go.”       “Yeah, go,” Edward smiles slyly, hugging Natalia by the waist. “We’ll sit down… Talk a little…”       “Don’t dare to break anything here,” Terrence threatens with a finger. “Otherwise, you’ll have to pay from your wallets.”       “Calm down, MacClife, nothing will happen to your brother,” Natalia promises confidently and slightly tickles Edward’s stomach, making him tense his muscles with a shy laugh and cover this area with a hand.       “Okay, we’ll be back now, lovebirds!” Raquelle shakes her head with a slight smile. “Don’t go anywhere.”       Terrence finds his iPad on the coffee table, and Raquelle closes the lid of her laptop and takes it with her. While Edward and Natalia watch them with slight smiles, the lovers come to the stairs and go up to the second floor quickly. And when they come to their room, the girl enters the room first, puts her laptop on the writing table, and comes to the door of the dressing room with her clothes, while the man puts his iPad on the table near his side of the bed.       “So, it seems like life is getting better,” Raquelle says cheerfully and opens the dressing room, where she starts looking for something.       “Yeah, now we won’t feel embarrassed when we’re in the same room,” Terrence replies thoughtfully.       “Agree.”       “And I’m so happy everything has been solved.”       “I’m glad, too,” Raquelle smiles shyly. “That’s great Edward found the courage to apologize to us and Natalia.”       “It was clear that he had to put in many efforts for that. Doing it was definitely hard for Edward.”       “But he’s a fine fellow. Recognizing your mistakes and apologizing for them requires great bravery.”       “And it would’ve been wrong to stay indifferent.”       “You doubted if you could forgive him.”       “Yeah, but… He was so true. He was speaking to me with such great pity that I didn’t wanna give him pain.” Terrence shakes his head. “I really lowered my hands. I realized I couldn’t refuse to accept his apologies. And… I wanted to start speaking to my brother again.”       “A brotherly love was stronger?”       “Sort of. Edward isn’t deprived of demons, but he’s a good man. By far not a stranger to me. He’s my brother, and I love him, no matter what he is. And now I understand why I’ve been attracted to him much more than any other friends of mine.”       “Glad to hear it,” Raquelle smiles slightly. “And I’m glad you reconciled.”       “I’m glad, too. Honestly, I missed him. His jokes, the pastime with him… Edward always knows what I need and can cheer me up or comfort me, depending on the situation.”       “I imagine how happy he is. Edward didn’t wanna fight with you, Natalia, and me.”       “The important thing is that he recognized his mistakes and apologized. We gave him a second chance – so, he can use it.”       “I think he will do. Edward heard everything we wanted to tell him and understood what would be waiting for him if he did something terrible again.”       “Let’s hope.”       Silence settles in the air for two seconds, after which Raquelle stops looking for something in the dressing room and glances at Terrence.       “Hey, did you really hear the talk between Edward and me?” Raquelle frowns slightly.       “Yes, I heard everything you said,” Terrence confirms quietly, still looking for something on the table near his side of the bed.       “And, as I understand, weren’t you disappointed?”       “Vice versa, pleased. Edward said many things that made me much softer toward him. I realized he was really very sorry. His words were true. They came up from the bottom of his heart.”       “I got it. Little by little, you really became more patient and even started to show care and anxiety about that guy.”       “I gave him what I could. It happened mainly because I saw Edward regretting everything he did. I started to find excuses for his actions and understand him.”       “And I’m not the only one to know you had the thought of doing something to yourself when we were about to break up.”       “Oh, I really got dumbfounded when I heard that. I made much more sure that Edward saw me through, knew what I felt, what I thought, and what I wanted… I can really say nothing, but he’d know something is not right with me.”       “Just like you see him through.”       “Right. I literally read his mind, too. I understand when he feels good or bad. When he needs support and comfort.”       “Just like a connection of twins. People say they feel each other like nobody else. It’s hard to explain it, but there is good proof of this theory.”       “Or, as they often say, it’s a theory of soul mates. Maybe, we aren’t twins, but we’re brothers.”       “Anyway, your brother knows everything that’s hidden in your gorgeous head. But I'm sure hiding your mood at that time was hard, no matter how hard you tried. Everybody saw your condition, but nobody knew how to help you.”       “That’s right. Hiding from everybody was impossible…”       “That’s why even genius acting skills can’t hide your real emotions. You may have a wide smile on your face, but sadness in your eyes.”       “Do you think Daniel and Peter could know something?” Terrence asks hesitantly, starting to check the little drawers on his table. “Or aren’t they able to understand my condition as well as Edward?”       “Maybe, they guessed something, but they tried not to talk about it not to give you pain.”       “I think so…” Terrence exhales sharply, rubbing his forehead slightly. “Oh… It seems like I’d have to tell them about it someday. Though, you know how much I don’t wanna seem weak.”       “Nobody’s gonna call you weak, sweetie,” Raquelle replies softly, leaning on the door of the dressing room with her side. “The one that’s always been strong would never get weak shortly.”       “Oh, I don’t know how I’m gonna talk about it when the time comes.”       “You don’t have to say it to everyone. You can say it to those you trust more than yourself.”       “Already did. You, the one, who means a lot to me. And Edward, the one, who showed true anxiety and wanted to help me somehow. And who I treat specially… Not like I treat my friends.”       “You can tell someone else about it.”       “I’ll think about it later. I don’t wanna talk about bad things again. At least, until the start of the trial.”       “Okay,” Raquelle shrugs. “I will no longer talk about it.”       Terrence says nothing, steps back from the table with a shy smile, and comes to the writing table, on which he tries to find something, while Raquelle is checking out the dressing room and picking up what to put on.       “I wonder what those two lovebirds in love are doing there,” Terrence says thoughtfully.       “At least, I hear no shouts yet,” Raquelle replies thoughtfully.       “We’ll find out what’s actually happening between them.”       “So, was going to the room an excuse to leave them alone?”       “Yes, to some extent. But we should’ve carried the tablet and the laptop to the room. And we need to dress up well. It’s fall outside, and it’s a little cold now…”       “We just need to take a coat and put on some boots or snicker.”       “You said it about me,” Terrence laughs amicably. “And you have to do very many things before going out somewhere. Hair, makeup… And you can pick up clothes for half an hour…”       “Everything’s fine about it.” Raquelle tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “The hair is fine, and I did makeup this morning… And I need only to pick up a coat.”       “Yeah, and when we decide to come to those two, you’ll say something is wrong, go back to the room, and stay in front of the mirror for nobody the hell knows how long.”       “Don’t grumble, Terrence, it won’t happen.” Raquelle glances at Terrence. “And you’ve got a nest on your head again. You could put your hair in order.”       “Why? I’m happy with everything!” Terrence runs his fingers through his hair with a proud look and ruffles it slightly. “I am an irresistibly handsome guy! In real life and on the red carpet in front of thousands of cameras.”       “As far as I remember, you weren’t even pleased to brush your hair after you woke up. You had the hair standing on different sides as if you got an electric shock, and you still do.”       “You see, I’m terribly handsome, even when I wake up.”       “You just start to open your eyes after taking a shower and a cup of strong coffee. So, you don’t see such ‘incredible beauty’ on your head.”       “Do you wanna find a reason to run after me with your hairbrush?”       “No, catching you is impossible!” Raquelle laughs shyly. “You run like crazy! If you run somewhere, someone should get into a car.”       “It’s one of my talents,” Terrence says with pride.       “Oh…” Raquelle exhales sharply. “Arguing with you about it is worthless.”       “Right, because there can’t be a different opinion.”       “Damn, Terrence, you’re unbearable…”       “This is me, baby,” Terrence shrugs with an innocent smile. “You chose such a handsome man.”       Raquelle puts her hand on her forehead with a quiet moan, while Terrence chuckles quietly and checks something on the writing table.       “Listen, have you seen my phone?” Terrence puts his hands on his hips. “I can’t find it! I searched everything, but I didn’t find it!”       “No, I haven’t done it,” Raquelle shakes her head. “But hearing you lost your phone is weird. Because you always keep it with you.”       “I know, but I really forgot where I left it.” Terrence looks around the whole room. “Where could I put it?”       “Maybe, let’s come back to the lovers and check the living room?” Raquelle takes a black leather jacket from the dressing room with a shy smile and closes the door. “We’d been there before they came.”       “Right!” Terrence claps himself on the forehead. “It must be there! I probably left it in the living room and forgot about it while checking my iPad.”       “We can go right now,” Raquelle replies, puts her jacket on, comes to the mirror, and fixes her hair, wrapping a few thin strands on her finger and letting them go. “I’m ready.”       “Yes, yes, go quickly,” Terrence rushes, taking his black leather jacket carefully placed on the back of the chair and putting it on. “Before my brother and your friend wish to destroy our house.”       Terrence cannot resist a wish to throw a proud look at his reflection in the mirror and smile slightly. At first, Raquelle chuckles quietly, and then she comes to the man, hugs him from behind with both arms that she puts around his waist, and presses herself against him.       “It seems like we’re dressed up similarly again,” Raquelle notices thoughtfully.       “What’s wrong?” Terrence smiles innocently. “I see nothing bad in it. Vice versa, I think it’s cool when lovers wear the same clothes.”       “Just stating the fact.”       Raquelle slowly steps back from Terrence two seconds later, and he turns on her, puts his arm around her neck, and kisses her on the top of her head.       “Hey, I forgot to say…” Raquelle pronounces thoughtfully, biting her lip slightly. “When I was leaving home after screaming at you, I heard everything you talked about with Anna, Daniel, and Edward.”       “You heard that talk?” Terrence opens his eyes widely.       “Yeah,” Raquelle moves her sad eyes down for two seconds. “When I was talking on the phone, I heard everything you said about me. And after I had to leave home, I didn't leave shortly. I stood behind the door to the living room for one minute or two.”       “I see…” Terrence steps back from Raquelle and locks his fingers tightly. “And… I’m really sorry about what happened. Sorry for devaluing the situation about your friend.”       “And I’m madly sorry for screaming at you,” Raquelle replies with regret. “I know it got you deeply shocked, but my nerves were wrecked. I was worried about Natalia and wanted her to be alright”       “It’s okay, my nerves were wrecked to the fuck. It was hard to stay calm when I got a few problems at the same time.”       “All of us were out of our minds.”       “At some moment, I thought I’d go crazy. I was literally on edge… If not for the support of my close people, it would’ve been very hard for me.”       “We were really so lucky that so many people supported us. Who were worried about us as if the case had to do with them, too.”       “And you gave me probably the greatest support. You did your best not to let me give up and fall into despair. You’ve been by my side through very hard times. And I’m madly grateful to you for that.”       “And thank you so much for the same,” Raquelle smiles shyly, looking into Terrence’s eyes. “For bearing my caprices and loving me for what I am. With all my demons.”       “For the love of you, I’m ready to bear any of your caprices.”       “And… I’d like to apologize to you for my hysterics and impertinence. Forgive me for sometimes being unbearable. I’ve never wanted to hurt you on purpose.”       “It’s okay, honey.” Terrence tenderly caresses Raquelle’s cheek, making her smile much wider. “I can’t be mad at you for these things. Moreover, I wasn’t also an innocent angel.”       “I was too exhausted and wanted to let my emotions out.”       “Letting emotions out is better than keeping everything inside and bringing yourself to a nervous breakdown. We should talk about what makes us restless.”       “Anyway, don’t be at me, please,” Raquelle replies guiltily, taking Terrence’s hands. “I promise I’ll try not to do anything like that.”       “You should be mad at me, ‘cause I did many bad things.”       “But I’m not mad at all.” Raquelle grabs Terrence’s face tenderly and caresses it with a shy smile, looking into the man’s eyes. “And I love you, despite all of your shortcomings.”       “Nice to hear it.”       “And as I said during the talk with Edward, you’re the best part of my life. And you will always be the one.”       “Well, as you heard from my talk with my brother, Anna, and Daniel, you’re the best part of my life,” Terrence smiles shyly. “The best thing that’s ever happened to me. And you will be the one, despite nothing. No matter what happens between us.”       Raquelle takes Terrence in a touching hug with a true, wide smile, putting her arms around his neck. He presses the girl to himself and caresses her back with both hands, while she strokes his hair. A few seconds later, the lovers step away from each other with slight smiles on their faces, running their hands over each other’s arms.       “Oh, okay…” Terrence exhales slowly. “Let’s come back to Edward and Natalia. I’m starting to get a little anxious. Those two might do anything.”       “And I think there’s no need to worry,” Raquelle replies thoughtfully. “They really made everything better. They looked happy when holding each other.”       “Agree, they looked real this time. Edward wouldn’t have shown such a happy face a couple of weeks ago.”       “And Natalia seems relaxed and isn’t afraid of that guy.”       Raquelle comes to the door, opens it, and wants to leave the room. When they are in the hall, Terrence closes the door and goes down the long, wide hall along with the girl.       “Nevertheless, it would be great to watch them a little to make sure everything is really fine,” Terrence says quietly.       “You don’t trust them?” Raquelle asks.       “Just wanna make sure we wouldn’t have to calm them down if they wanted to kill each other and destroy the whole house.”       “It would be better not to meddle in their relationship openly. They should learn to solve their conflicts and not to tell everyone about a breakup after every single fight or groundless hint of a betrayal.”       “That’s right! Although Edward made us pay attention to him and Natalia, they eventually solved everything by themselves.”       “Nevertheless, we did what your brother wanted – we found out what happened to Natalia and gave him a hint that he’d better find out everything from her.”       “You’re right…” Terrence pronounces thoughtfully. “Anyway, Edward got what he wanted. And now may that rugrat work on his relationship with Natalia. He dates her, not us.”       “Exactly! Our mission was to help them survive a hard time and reveal all their secrets. And I think we did it very well.”       “We did it incredibly!” Terrence smiles widely. “Now we know all of their secrets… The secrets hidden in the scars.”       “The secrets hidden in the scars?” Raquelle thinks for two seconds. “Well said! Almost everything that happened is united by one thing – the scars.”       “I do mean it. I just noticed that most of the problems were united not only by the fact that Uncle Michael was guilty of them, but also by the scars.”       “That’s right…”       “Hey, your grandfather was right about Edward. About the reasons why he started that show with his relationship with Natalia.”       “I thought Grandpa was wrong ‘till the end. But Edward confirmed it all.”       “That guy is a little crazy.”       “I don’t deny it. But the most important thing is that he confessed everything and explained his actions.”       “And now we only have to hope that Natalia or Edward won't find a reason to swear on each other.”       At this moment, Raquelle comes to the railing, where it’s possible to see what happens on the first floor in the living room. The girl looks from up to down and laughs shyly.       “I don’t think they’ll get a reason to fight at the nearest time,” Raquelle says, not moving her eyes off what’s happening on the first floor in the living room. “Look down…”       Terrence frowns slightly, comes to the railing, and looks down. Raquelle and he see Edward and Natalia, who are standing at some distance from the sofa and holding each other’s hands while talking about something with tender smiles on their faces. At some moment, they bring their faces close to one another and rub the points of their noses with a shy laugh. Terrence and Raquelle cannot hide their true smiles and exhale with relief from the thought that the furniture in their house will remain safe.       “Hey, I’m wondering…” Terrence pronounces thoughtfully. “How long ago did they reconcile? How long aren’t we gonna be able to tear them apart from each other?”       “Oh, these two won’t get off each other,” Raquelle replies confidently. “Until they go home.”       “Gosh, you just look at those lovebirds,” Terrence smiles slyly. “What a wonderful picture…”       “Here’s the passing infatuation… They kind of got a stronger love for each other and won’t even dare to think about having someone instead of them.”       “Yeah, we got a little wrong… But now we may not doubt their feelings. My bro is totally in love with your friend. He’s super happy! Smiling with all of his twenty-two teeth!”       “You know, my friend is also totally in love with your brother,” Raquelle smiles shyly, seeing Natalia smiling widely after Edward tucks a thick strand of hair behind her ear and says something to her. “The first guy that got a true love for her.”       “Let’s see what’s gonna happen out of it. Well, now I’m sure this relationship won’t be over so easily.” Terrence smiles mysteriously. “Who knows, maybe, they’d love to marry someday. What if my sweet bro comes up with this thought.”       “I’d be very happy for her. Natalia would become the official member of the MacClife family… And I’d be a little shocked that the girl I’ve known since school would become my relative.”       “Who knows whose wedding everybody should wait for soon. Not saying about the wedding of you and me. Maybe, Daniel and Anna would love to do it… Or maybe, our sentimental Edward and Natalia would get a wish.”       “Maybe, Anna doesn’t rush to marry, but Natalia has been talking about her wish to have a wedding for ages.”       “So, our Blondie got a chance. She got the guy!”       “As sentimental and sensitive as she.”       “Oh, yay, Edward has a very sensitive soul. He’s so sentimental that sometimes it makes me sick.”       “Oh, MacClife…” Raquelle laughs shyly.       “I wonder, was Father the same sentimental man?” Terrence frowns slightly. “If he wasn’t, why did my brother become so sensitive and tender?”       “Sometimes sentimentality wakes up inside you at times. You might get attracted to showing feelings and emotions openly.”       “Yeah, it happens… Maybe, that’s why I’ve always been attracted to creative professions. Not politics, justice, or something else. I’ve always seen myself in something related to creativity.”       “You know, I didn’t also wanna be a lawyer or politician,” Raquelle confesses thoughtfully. “If I hadn’t become a model, I would’ve tried to write a couple of books. And if I hadn’t become a writer, I would’ve found something related to literature.”       “And I wouldn’t have forgotten my love for music. I’ve never forgotten it. And I had hope to become a musician.”       “Hey, Natalia is also a creative persona. I think my friend would become a painter.”       “Really?” Terrence looks at Raquelle surprisingly. “Can Natalia paint?”       “Yup, she’s got great talent. She doesn’t like talking about it ‘cause she thinks her paintings are terrible. But you can trust me, I’ve seen many works of her and can say she does it well.”       “Wow… I didn’t know…”       “I didn’t also know it for a long time. I accidentally saw some paintings in her room and complimented her when she confessed shyly that those works were hers.”       “Great,” Terrence smiles slightly. “One picture would give her a lot of money.”       “And she could be a designer, ‘cause she knows much about fashion.”       “I see it thanks to her style. I think Natalia always looks very stylishly.”       “And she was studying everything about the fashion and work of designers at the university.”       “I’m sure she’ll create something really amazing and teach people to find their own style.”       “I think so…”       While Terrence and Raquelle are standing on the second floor, leaning on the railing with their hands, Edward and Natalia keep giving each other attention, still holding each other’s hands. The man says something in the girl’s ear, while she smiles widely and looks at him tenderly.       “Ah, Edward…” Terrence laughs quietly, shaking his head. “What do you tell Natalia that she can’t stop smiling? Did you decide to become Benjamin Parker number two, who has always been able to tell girls compliments and make them listen open-mouthed?”       “Edward doesn’t also stop smiling,” Raquelle notices with a shy smile. “Look at his face! I’ve never seen your brother so smiling.”       “Oh, yay, my brother does enjoy what he says to the blonde,” Terrence chuckles kindly.       “Natalia’s forgiveness breathed into him.”       “I have great hopes for Rochester.”       “I hope he won't be found guilty and put in prison. Otherwise, he will not survive there.”       “I’m even afraid to think about it. And I try to believe it’s gonna be okay.”       “Me too…” Raquelle sighs heavily. “But the trial is gonna be long and hard.”       Terrence glances at Raquelle, hugs her around the shoulders, and presses herself to himself, keeping watching what’s happening in the living room. Meanwhile, Edward caresses Natalia’s cheeks with both hands and hugs her tenderly and tightly, putting his arms around her waist, snuggling his face in her hair on the top of her head, and caressing her head. The blonde keeps her arms wrapped around the man’s neck, having her nose put in his shoulder and running her fingers through his hair and caressing it at some moment. Seeing this cute scene, Raquelle and Terrence do not even try to hide a smile. The girl puts her head on the man’s shoulder with a shy smile and wraps his arm with both arms, while he glances at her for two seconds and puts his hand on her cheek that he tenderly caresses.       “She looks so relaxed while my brother is hugging her,” Terrence notices thoughtfully. “Natalia definitely feels protected in his hugs. And Edward looks so calm and happy…”       “I think that’s what he lacked so badly,” Raquelle assumes. “And he found it in my friend. Who found a wonderful protector in him.”       “She definitely needs a protector. Natalia needs someone to make her feel like a little, protected girl. Who wouldn’t let anyone hurt her and would let her know that nothing would happen to her.”       “She’s like a little child that needs love, care, and protection. Natalia has lived with the love and care of her parents, who have deprived her of nothing. So, she looks for someone to be as caring and careful as they.”       “I think she’s already found,” Terrence smiles mysteriously. “Edward is the one to be ready to protect his little girl. He proved it when protecting her at Uncle Michael’s house.”       “Well, remembering him saying he’d crash her offender against the wall with pleasure, I can be quiet. Natalia is in the trustful hands of your brother.”       “I still remember how happy he was when Uncle’s people brought her to the office… And how happy she got… I’ll never forget those sad and happy faces…”       “I hope everything’s gonna really be fine this time,” Raquelle sighs with a slight smile. “I want to see them happy. Edward and Natalia deserve it.”       “They’ll be happy if they want it,” Terrence replies confidently.       “Yeah, sure…” Raquelle whispers.       Meanwhile, Edward and Natalia step away from each other but do not break the hug. The man still keeps his arms around the girl’s waist, and she keeps her hands on his shoulders but later puts them on his chest, through which she feels his frequent heartbeat. The lovers look into each other’s eyes for a few seconds with tender smiles on their faces. And then they shorten the distance confidently, rub the tips of their noses against one another, and get each other involved in a little shy kiss, barely touching each other’s lips and making it more confident and continuous later. Raquelle gets a little blushed and puts her nose in Terrence’s shoulder with a quiet laugh, while he moans tiredly with rolled eyes.       “Oh, shit…” Terrence pronounces quietly. “Guys… Not in my house…”       “You say, we should watch them?” Raquelle smiles mysteriously, stepping back from Terrence. “That they might destroy our whole house?”       “Yes, yes, I got it. Now I made sure that they didn’t need our help anymore. You just look at them!” Terrence glances at Edward and Natalia. “You should also lie on the sofa! And undress!”       “Snuggling on the sofa is better than screaming and destroying everything.”       “Well, yeah…” Terrence shrugs. “You’re right…”       “And as our lovebirds wanna spend some time with each other, we can give them this chance.”       With these words, Raquelle slowly gets her hand underneath Terrence’s shirt with a mysterious smile, runs her fingertips slowly across his spine, and slightly scratches his back with her nails. The man gets tense enough and glances at the girl, feeling that his breath is getting heavy.       “No…” Terrence pronounces in a low voice, shaking his head. “Aren’t you gonna do this now?”       “Why not?” Raquelle smiles slyly, running her hand tenderly over Terrence’s buttocks, squeezes them slightly, and leaves a couple of playful slaps on them. “Those two are busy with each other yet and won’t think about us for some time. So, you and I can play a little…”       “Don’t make me go crazy. Or you will regret it.”       “Oh, yay, babe, make me regret it.” Raquelle puts her hand between Terrence’s shoulder blades on his back and slowly caresses this area with her fingertips, tenderly running her lips over his ear and earlobe and leaving a short kiss on the curve of his neck closer to the nape of it. “I want you… Want you right in this place…”       A wide, happy smile appears on Terrence’s face, and he gets a little blushed, looking at Raquelle with eyes full of bright fire, who leaves a couple of tender kisses on the curve of his neck, while her hand gets underneath his shirt and caresses his back softly.       “Hey, I thought a little…” Raquelle says in a quiet, low voice. “When did you and I have a shower or bath together the last time? Maybe, we think about it? Stand under the warm water and go to the room, then…”       “Ar-r-r, you are a bitch,” Terrence groans with enjoyment. “You do ask for trouble and want me to fuck you right here.”       “Imagine how you’re undressing me slowly, with great pleasure… Taking off my skirt, a semi-transparent blouse… And there is my most beautiful and sexual underwear… Then I ban you from touching me and only letting you watch… While I caress myself a little and show my gorgeous body… And then I give some attention to yours… I could even tie up your eyes and hands, so you don’t even move… And when you feel it’s unbearable to bear this sweet torture, I keep doing it… Until I think I may set you free and fully give myself to you…”       While she is slowly saying it in a very low, seductive voice, Raquelle’s hand slowly slides over Terrence’s torso, gets underneath his shirt, and caresses the tough muscles of his stomach. That’s what literally drives the man insane and makes him breathe heavily enough, understand how fast his heartbeat is, and get much more excited after the fantasy that the girl describes to him. He barely holds himself down not to go too far with the pretense of Edward and Natalia, who, however, are busy with each other. And understanding that he is on edge, the man hugs the girl by the waist, saying in a hoarse, low voice:       “Listen, babe, let’s go out for a minute… Wanna talk to you about something…”       Terrence takes Raquelle aside quickly, while Edward and Natalia keep kissing in the living room with little breaks, not forgetting to use their hands to caress each other. While the man runs his fingers through the girl’s hair and keeps his free hand on the curve of her waist, she caresses his face or runs them slowly over his chest.       Terrence and Raquelle end up in a wide, well-lighted hall, through which it’s possible to go to their room, the servants’ rooms, or one of the guest rooms. All the doors are usually closed, and some windows are slightly open to let some fresh air in. While the girl seems absolutely quiet, the man looks tense and more blushed. At some moment, Terrence sharply presses Raquelle to one of the walls, stands very close to her, and raises her hands to her shoulder level, holding the wrists tightly and setting his gaze on the brunette with a heavy breath, who shakes but stays quiet and looks at her fiancé confidently, without a fear in her eyes.       “So, bitch, did you decide to play with me?” Terrence asks in a low, little hoarse voice with a wide smile, breathing heavily enough and understanding that the dizzying smell that Raquelle spreads drives him crazy and clouds his mind. “When we needed to go out, you decided to torture me!”       “What did I do?” Raquelle smiles innocently, rounding her eyes. “I was standing quietly and watching your brother and my friend. But you think of dirty things again.”       “Don’t pretend to be an idiot!”       “Relax, baby, why did you get so nervous? I ain’t running in only underwear or naked in front of you. I ain’t trying to get you excited with caress and kisses.”       “You know what will happen to your gorgeous body if I touch it, at least with a finger.”       “And what’s supposed to happen?”       “Don’t pretend to be an idiot.”       “Calm down, honey, your things will not work on me.”       Raquelle sharply moves her hands to set them free and step aside. But Terrence squeezes her wrist much tighter and gets much closer to her.       “Sh-h-h, quiet, babe, don’t move,” Terrence says in a low voice with a wide smile, running his lips over all parts of Raquelle’s face. “You will go nowhere until I tell you.”       “We will see it, pretty boy.”       Raquelle shows resistance on purpose again, but gets stopped shortly by Terrence, who starts to breathe much heavier than before.       “Don’t move, I said!” Terrence demands in a lower, ruder voice. “You will not get off me so easily!”       “Ar-r-r, how sexual you sound!” Raquelle growls playfully, closing her eyes for a second. “How sexual…”       “So, are you gonna be a good girl?” Terrence leaves a kiss on the area behind Raquelle’s ear that he caresses with his lips. “Or will you keep making me nervous? If you’re a good girl, I’ll give you all my tenderness. If you show resistance, I’ll fuck you so hard that you’ll remember it for a long time.”       “Sorry, sweetie, but you can’t undress and fuck me ‘cause we’ve gotta go.”       “Really?” Terrence rounds his eyes. “You think it would stop me?”       “Let me go,” Raquelle says with a sly smile, looking into Terrence’s eyes closely. “Let me go! Or you will regret it.”       “Who will regret it? Me?” Terrence leaves a kiss on Raquelle’s lips and a couple of kisses on the curve of her neck, smiling smugly when hearing her sensual sigh. “Really? You confused nothing, cutie?”       “No, pretty boy, I didn’t do.”       “It’s been so long, but you haven’t learned some things. You haven’t understood what you ask for by deciding to provoke me.”       “If you’re insolent, I shall hit you!”       “Try!” Terrence slightly bites the skin on Raquelle’s neck, making her shake strongly. “Hit me.”       “Ar-r-r, you’re an asshole…” Raquelle sighs sensually with rolled eyes, sticking her chest out.       “Said by the bitch,” Terrence leaves a kiss on Raquelle’s chin, grabs it with his mouth, and confidently looks into her eyes, letting her know that he is controlling the situation. “It’s okay, I can deal with such a non-educated girl like you. I shall tame you…”       “Let me go!” Raquelle demands, trying to get her hands out of Terrence’s strong grip. “You have three seconds to let us move on. You hear me, MacClife? MacClife! I am addressing you!”       “Aw, shit, how much I love that you get me excited and then start pretending to be hard to reach,” Terrence says with enjoyment, running his open mouth over the curve of Raquelle’s neck, kissing the area behind her ear tenderly, and feeling that the amazing flower smell gets into his nose. “I love the quests that you make me play.”       “Oh, yeah, I adore provoking you! I love making you nervous!”       “From the first meeting.”       “If you behaved well, nothing would…” Raquelle moves her hands with a sensual moan when Terrence leaves a couple of kisses on another curve of her neck. “M-m-m… Scumbag…”       “Did you say something, honey?” Terrence smiles innocently.       “I said, let me go now,” Raquelle growls irritably and tries to break free again.       “Quiet, quiet, Cameron, relax.” Terrence gets Raquelle involved in a continuous kiss on the lips that makes her heart stop for a moment. “It’s okay…”       “Lemme go, I said!”       “Ar-r-r, you’re waking up a bad boy inside me.”       “Actually, you’re always one!” Raquelle chuckles. “An insolent, shameless, and egoistic scumbag that must get his gorgeous ass kicked.”       “If you keep behaving like this, I’ll have to educate you and remind you who is the boss here. Who you must obey. Whose eyes you must look into. And whose order you must do immediately.”       “Did you forget we were playing by my rules? According to which, you must be a good boy and do whatever I say.”       “Huh, who told you that?” Terrence tenderly caresses Raquelle’s cheeks with both hands and grabs her by the hair with one of them sharply, strongly but not rudely. “Since when Terrence MacClife has been letting the girl play by her rules? It’s never happened! Ne-ver, babe.”       “You should stop thinking everybody must lie on your legs just because of your name,” Raquelle smiles slyly.       “I am your fiancé and lord.”       “And what? Fall on your leg, say, ‘Oh, my lord,’ and kiss them?”       “You can do not only that…” Terrence smiles mysteriously, running two fingers and then thumb over Raquelle’s lips. “I wouldn’t mind if you made me happy and worked with your beautiful mouth… You know how much I love it…”       “You better go to the ass, pervert!”       “Raquelle!”       “Better make my fantasy that I told you about come true,” Raquelle says with a sly smile, while her hand goes down to Terrence’s abdomen but then squeezes and caresses his penis tightly and tenderly, making him much tenser and feeling that he is breathing heavier. “And that would end with unforgettable, bright sex.”       “You’re crazy.”       “Tonight. When we go back home. And now you can just think about the delicious dessert that’s waiting for you… My body… My naked body, to which you may do anything you want. After you play my little game.”       “Don’t play with fire, baby,” Terrence replies in a hoarse voice with a heavy breath, running his half-closed mouth over the front of Raquelle’s neck and making her sigh sensually with closed eyes and her head leaned back. “Otherwise, you will regret it.”       “Don’t you want me?” Raquelle pretends to be surprised, opening a couple of buttons on her blouse to show her collarbones and a part of her breasts that she sticks out proudly. “Don’t you wanna play a little? A couple of minutes!”       “I am warning, you will not get off me if you don’t stop doing it,” Terrence warns, setting his widely open eyes on Raquelle’s breasts and collarbones. “I’m not kidding, you will ask for trouble…”       “I am doing nothing!” Raquelle bites her lip slightly with a mysterious smile, acting very playfully and looking at Terrence from head to foot with an eating look. “You can’t hold yourself down and do get excited after only one hint of sex.”       Raquelle wants to try to leave again just to tease Terrence a little. But he does not let her do it, pressing himself so close to her, so that she is absolutely motionless, and grabs the girl tightly by the throat with a heavy breath.       “No, cutie, you will not go away from me,” Terrence says confidently. “Until I want, you will stay here and do whatever I say.”       “Calm down, horse,” Raquelle smiles slyly. “I understand that you have lots of energy you should use somehow. But hold yourself down, please.”       “If I want, I can quietly undress you and fuck right here and now.” Terrence sharply kisses Raquelle on the lips, giving her a little rude, assertive kiss. “You belong only to me because I am your fiancé.”       “And I can piss you off quietly.”       “Oh, you’re such a changing girl…” Terrence purrs with a sly smile and runs his half-open mouth over the curve of Raquelle’s neck, breathing in the smell of her skin. “Oh, damn… Your smell drives me crazy… Resisting is impossible…”       “Try to hold yourself down.”       “How do you dare to suggest it to me?” Terrence wonders, runs his lips over Raquelle’s ears, and caresses tenderly the sensitive area behind them with the tip of his tongue, making her feel a strong shake in her body and exhale loudly. “And dare to play with such an important man like me…”       “Who are you to be happy with your attempts to feel me up and lick me?”       “Ah, Cameron, you, silly girl, don’t understand it.” Terrence runs his hands over the curves of Raquelle’s waist and puts them on her buttocks. “You must be happy that the lips and hands of Terrence MacClife himself caress your body.”       “Yeah, be happy that one bastard is doing what would cause the stop of my heart someday.” Raquelle moans quietly, while Terrence leaves a few tender kisses and a couple of slight bites on the curve of her neck. “Fucking bastard… Hate you… Hate… Ar-r-r…”       “This bastard is gonna show you everything he can do.”       Terrence gets Raquelle involved in a more continuous kiss on the lips, making it much ruder this time and kind of showing his control of her. His hands hold and caress her neck, but later slide to her breasts, which he caresses and squeezes tightly but softly with great pleasure. It makes her make quiet and loud, sensual sighs and start to bend backward strongly, breathing heavily enough, and understanding that her heart starts beating much faster, every single muscle gets tense, and a nice shake spreads all over the body. A smile from MacClife, Sr., gets much wider, and he keeps confidently squeezing the lady’s tough breasts and covering the brunette’s neck with tender and dry and aggressive and wet kisses, while she just keeps her hands on his shoulders.       “So, babe, like it?” Terrence asks with a sly smile, gets a hand underneath Raquelle’s blouse, and caresses her flat belly, as he runs his lips over the curves and front of her neck, slides to her collarbones, and leaves a few kisses on the open part of the lady’s chest. “You asked for it. So, minding is worthless.”       Terrence’s hand goes down Raquelle’s body, caressing every single part of it, and stops on her thighs and buttocks, which he squeezes tenderly. It makes the girl shake, grab his hair with her fingers, and sink her nails into the nape of his neck with a wish to moan loudly from pleasure.       “Quiet, quiet, baby, quiet…” Terrence whispers very quietly, closing his mouth with a hand. “It’s okay…”       Terrence runs his hand underneath Raquelle’s blouse and caresses her belly and back tenderly. That’s why she bends backward and makes a quiet, deaf moan when his fingers squeeze her breasts confidently.       “I understand that you feel very good and can’t hold yourself down. But remember, we aren’t alone in this house. And the servants may be in any of the rooms. But I don’t want them to hear you moaning.”       Terrence moves a hand off Raquelle’s mouth and does not let her say anything, tightly grabbing her by the throat and kissing her on the lips with a heavy breath. She gets sharply tense with a feeling that her heart stopped for a second, but quickly relaxes in his strong arms and gives the man a more sexual kiss, working her tongue in his mouth skillfully enough and making him moan quietly. At some moment, Terrence’s hands move to the curves of Raquelle’s waist, but then slide to her thighs and stay on her buttocks for a long time that they confidently caress. The girl also caresses the face of the man with both hands or holds him by the neck, on which she leaves a few kisses when they break the kiss for a second. That’s why her fiancé closes his eyes and feels that a nice warmth is spreading all over his body caused by the touches of the feminine lips on his most sensitive areas. And when she slightly bites the thin skin on the curve of his neck, he starts shaking, while he caresses and squeezes the lady’s breasts with both hands and stimulates her quite tough, big nipples with a thumb.       At some moment, Raquelle becomes an initiator of the passionate kiss, putting her arms around Terrence’s neck and starting to pull, bite and lick his top and bottom lips. Her warm, tender hands caress the man’s head, face, shoulders, and neck, slide over his tough torso, get underneath his clothes, and caress his naked back, stomach, and chest. While he caresses the brunette’s buttocks and thighs, keeping his back perfectly straight and his shoulders spread. A little later, Terrence, holding Raquelle’s face with one hand and slightly leaning her head back, covers her neck with exciting kisses, while another hand of his massages the lady’s breasts, gets underneath her shirt, and caresses tenderly her belly and the curves of her waist. That’s why the girl sighs sensually and smiles blissfully, feeling a little dizzy due to her obsession with emotions, and her weak legs can barely hold her. She presses herself to the man as closely as possible and holds him in a tight hug with the hope of holding on, getting her hands underneath his shirt, starting to scratch his back, and breathing in the incredible smell of the man’s skin that drives her crazy.       Understanding it, Terrence does not hide his smug smile and feels proud that he gave Raquelle pleasure for a few minutes. He does not leave any centimeter of her body without attention. He covers every single one with kisses. Leaves slight bites, pinches, and wet paths on every single one. Caresses every single one with his soft hands. At some moment, the man kisses the girl on the lips again and gives her a dizzying kiss, pressing his fiancée tighter to the wall and pressing himself to her, so that she can feel that his penis gets into her abdomen. Raquelle understands it but is more focused on kisses and caress, keeping her arms around Terrence’s neck, running his fingers through her hair, and pulling it with the feeling that her body temperature is getting higher.       Some time later, Terrence being a little powerless breaks the kiss with Raquelle with a heavy, uneven breath. But he does not step away, and holds her by the curves of her waist with both hands. The lovers’ foreheads contact, and they smile widely when looking into each other’s eyes. They say nothing for a few seconds, and then the girl breaks it, still feeling dizziness, which is the reason why it’s hard for her to stand on her feet:       “Oh… I feel bad… Hot…”       “Me too…” Terrence replies in a little hoarse voice with a smug smile. “I feel like I’m a little drunk, honestly…”       “Damn, you can bring me closer to a stop of the heart…” Raquelle says quietly, putting her hand on her heart, the crazy beat of which echoes in her head, and closes her eyes for two seconds, “And I feel dizzy…”       “You asked for trouble!” Terrence chuckles kindly. “It’s time to remember that if you provoke me, you won’t get off me so easily.”       “Stop being so attractive and sexual, and I’ll stop drooling over you.”       “And lose the attention of the freaking sexy hellcat, who gets me excited for two seconds? No! I don’t want! No! I won’t be able to live without your attention and your compliments.”       “Then don’t complain that I can’t go by you without thinking about wishing to play with you… Caress your body…” Raquelle runs her hands slowly over Terrence’s torso, biting her lip slightly. “Mock you a little… I do love this thing, you know…”       “Yeah, you’re such a bitch… I got it a long time ago.”       “Just like I understood that you were such a lusty male.”       “Ar-r-r, say these things more often! They sound so sexy from your wonderful mouth.”       “Oh, MacClife…” Raquelle laughs shyly, leaning on the wall with her back.       “Hey, do you know you have a red face?” Terrence asks with a quiet chuckle, leaning on the wall with a hand. “And have nobody know what's on your head!”       “Gonna take an example from you and walk outside with this hair,” Raquelle laughs shyly and glances at Terrence’s hair, which she strokes down a little. “And you get ready for mockeries, ‘cause your hair looks much worse than before.”       “I even know whose…” Terrence replies with a chuckle. “If we go down like this, Natalia and Edward will guess why we were left for too long.”       “They did let us stay here for a while,” Raquelle shrugs with a mysterious smile. “We just gave Edward and Natalia a chance to end their interesting business.”       “But we could’ve watched those lovers flirting. Lying on our sofa and snuggling. Maybe, even undress.”       “For you, it’d surely be a wonderful reason to laugh, at least at your brother.”       “What?” Terrence points at himself, rounding his eyes. “Gosh, Raquelle, what are you talking about? How do I dare to laugh at Edward?”       “Now you won’t miss even a small chance to mock him.”       “Well…” Terrence rolls his eyes. “Maybe, just a little. So the kid knows that he must listen to me. Because I’m older.”       “Make sure it doesn’t happen that he commands you,” Raquelle laughs shyly.       “It won’t happen!” Terrence replies confidently. “Edward can keep dreaming about having me on a short leash.”       “Sure?”       “Absolutely, my love.” Terrence runs his fingers through Raquelle’s hair and fixes it slightly. “Absolutely.”       Terrence grabs Raquelle’s face and gives her a short, tender kiss, to which she reacts positively, and one more continuous, while the girl puts her hands on his back and presses herself as close to him as possible. Maybe, the lovers would stay here for some time, but at some moment, they hear a loud voice of Edward makes them step away from each other:       “Hey, lovebirds, how long are ya gonna kiss there? C’mon, bring your asses here!”       “Serious, guys!” Natalia exclaims. “Are ya gonna come here by the evening? Or is sex more important to you?”       “If you don’t get down in two minutes, we’ll turn around and leave.”       Terrence and Raquelle give each other more space and pull their shirts and jackets down before the man breaks the silence with an innocent smile:       “Oops! We’ve been caught!”       “We’re coming!” Raquelle laughs shyly.       “Don’t go anywhere, we’re about to come,” Terrence whispers with a chuckle and leaves a few kisses on Raquelle’s neck, which makes her moan quietly and feel a shake all over her body and a slight dizziness. “Coming…”       Laughing shyly, Terrence hugs Raquelle around the shoulders, presses her to himself, and goes down the long hall. They cannot go by the place, from which there is a perfect view of the whole living room. Edward and Natalia know it and are now looking up with a slight smile, kind of knowing the soon-to-be spouses would go there. While the smiling young guy is standing behind his sweetheart, hugging her around the waist cutely and pressing her closer to himself, the girl puts her hand on his palms placed on her belly.       “Gosh, finally!” Natalia raises her hands. “Terrence MacClife and Raquelle Cameron made us happy with their appearance.”       “We started to think you weren’t gonna come to us,” Edward says with a laugh. “I almost accepted the blonde’s suggestion to prank you and pretend that we were fighting.”       “By the way, you promised you’d be back soon! But you left for twenty or thirty minutes.”       “C’mon?” Raquelle rounds her eyes. “Us? Twenty minutes?”       “We only left for five minutes,” Terrence smiles innocently.       “Aha, five minutes!” Natalia chuckles.       “Listen, guys, if you wanted to hug, you could say it,” Edward adds. “We wouldn’t have waited for you to be pleased to go down.”       “Well…” Terrence pronounces thoughtfully, rolling his eyes. “Maybe, you had some important business. So, we gave you a chance to finish them. We couldn’t break that amazing show.”       “Ha, did ya see what we were doing here?” Edward shakes his head with a shy laugh. “Yeah, brother?”       “No! We saw nothing!” Terrence glances at Raquelle. “Neither you hugging nor you kissing!”       “Huh, stop lying!”       “Yeah, Edward and I saw you there,” Natalia says confidently with a sly smile. “We saw you were watching us with interest.”       “My gosh…” Terrence slightly opens his mouth, leaning on the railing with his hands. “I thought you were so busy with each other that you forgot about Raquelle and me.”       “We were sure you’d be standing there and watching us,” Natalia confesses.       “And if a great passion hadn’t gotten obsessed with your mind, you would’ve been standing there until the end of our business,” Edward adds confidently.       “All questions go to her!” Terrence exclaims, pointing at Raquelle. “She’s a little playful today.”       “And you, pretty boy, couldn’t resist and decided to be a little playful, as well?” Natalia laughs shyly.       “How could I resist when such a stunning beauty is near me?” Terrence smiles slyly, hugging Raquelle by the waist.       “Oh, yeah, you constantly wipe your saliva off when seeing her,” Edward chuckles kindly.       “Just like you do when seeing your gorgeous blonde.”       “At least we made sure you didn’t need our help anymore,” Raquelle says with a slight smile, leaning on the railing with her hands. “What if we had to save one of you.”       “But as we see, it was very hot here in our absent,” Terrence adds with a mysterious smile.       “Not less hot than in your room,” Natalia smiles shyly. “Or where you were with Raquelle…”       “And now there is no doubt that you don’t need our help.”       “Calm down, MacClife, you and Cameron can relax and give each other some attention.”       “But don’t forget about us,” Edward adds, putting his arms around Natalia’s shoulder and rubbing his cheek against the top of her head. “We want attention, too.”       “We understand you’re obsessed with an incredibly strong passion, seeing what’s happening in your heads. But still…”       “Damn, I should’ve looked in the mirror before coming back here,” Terrence swears quietly, stroking down his disheveled hair.       “Yeah, guys, you’ve got chaos on your heads…” Edward laughs shyly. “Something very interesting happened between you… Maybe, you even had a quick sex that ended with a powerful orgasm.”       “Ha!” Terrence chuckles, looking at Edward’s little disheveled hair. “Bro, you better see your hair now! Did the birds build a nest on your head? Or… Ah, yeah! I forgot that it was your permanent hair! You get up from your bed and go without looking in the mirror and brushing it.”       “So, is that bad?” Edward runs his hand through his hair and fixes his standing fringe. “I think I look good! I’ve never doubted my attraction. And having this hair, I always look gorgeous.”       “Yeah?” Terrence laughs, crossing his arms over his chest. “And I think you look like a scarecrow!”       “There’s only one scarecrow. It’s you, bro.”       Terrence imitates the way Edward speaks, and his brother shakes his head with a sly chuckle.       “Hey, friend, Terrence and I are wondering…” Raquelle says thoughtfully. “How long ago did you reconcile with Edward? Won’t you share that information?”       “Yup,” Natalia smiles shyly. “On the day when I was at this house. When Ben came here.”       “The day before yesterday?” Terrence frowns slightly.       “Oh, Terrence, you’re a genius!” Edward exclaims with a chuckle. “Yes, we reconciled the day before yesterday.”       “So, our lovebirds have been admiring each other for two days…” Raquelle smiles slightly.       “Yeah. That’s correct.”       “Sometimes accidents lead to nice things,” Terrence notices.       Silence settles in the air for two seconds, after which a loud, monotonous melody starts ringing.       “Oh, shit…” Edward moans tiredly, running his hands over his face. “Someone, answer this fucking call… My head is tearing from this sound…”       “Hey, that’s my phone!” Terrence recognizes the melody.       “So, the loss has been found!” Raquelle exclaims with a slight smile. “I said you left it here.”       “It seems like someone needs you so badly, Terrence,” Natalia notices. “Someone has been calling you for the second or third time.”       “Really?” Terrence wonders, comes to the railing, and starts going down. “I wonder who does need me so badly?”       “You are a celebrity!” Edward laughs shyly. “Celebrities are always needed.”       While Raquelle just decides to go down, Terrence comes to the coffee table, takes the vibrating smartphone, and runs his finger over the screen.       “Hello,” Terrence says quietly.       Raquelle goes downstairs and stops when Terrence nods, saying:       “Yes, it’s me. Who am I talking to?”       Terrence comes quickly to the door leading to the back of the house, where he goes. Raquelle frowns slightly and then comes to Edward and Natalia standing next to each other and looking at her questioningly.       “Is the call so important?” Edward asks.       “I thought he got nervous,” Natalia says thoughtfully.       “Yeah, I thought so,” Raquelle agrees. “But I can’t say what happened…”       Natalia, Raquelle, and Edward move their eyes to Terrence talking on the phone with one ear closed and looking a little excited and anxious. Then the girl glances at the lovers with a slight smile and pays attention to the necklace of her friend.       “Natalia, say…” Raquelle frowns slightly. “The necklace you’re wearing… It’s…”       “My necklace?” Natalia smiles slightly, running her hand over her gilt necklace and the sparkling pendant in the form of the letter “N”.       “It seems similar to me, but I’ve never seen you wearing it.”       “Don’t you remember it?” Edward wonders. “I gifted this necklace to Natalia on her birthday.”       “You? Birthday?” Raquelle thinks for a few seconds, but then smiles shyly and nods with her finger put on her lips. “Ah! Right! But I’m wondering why this necklace seems familiar to me…”       “It’s true,” Natalia says shyly. “This necklace became something like a mascot to me. I really love it…”       “But you never wore it before!”       “I didn’t do it at first. But later, I started to wear it constantly.”       “Always?” Raquelle rounds her eyes.       “Yeah. People might’ve not seen it ‘cause I hid it underneath my clothes. Even when Edward and I were in a fight, I wore it or had it in my pocket.”       “C’mon?”       “Moreover, I started to wear that necklace after the fight with him. I… Felt kind of good when wearing it… I know it might sound stupid, but because I got this thing from the one, who meant so much to me, I felt something special when looking at it or holding it in my hand. I got hope that everything would be okay.”       “Really?”       “I don’t know, maybe, it’s just an auto-suggestion. But it helped me… That’s why I was afraid to lose it so much… I thought… Something would happen to me if I lost it.”       “I understand Natalia’s feelings,” Edward confesses. “Because I get the same feeling when I play the guitar of my father.”       “Guitar of your father?” Raquelle wonders.       “Yup. Somehow, I talked to Mother, and she said she had his guitar. And I asked her to show that instrument to me. By the way, the guitar is really beautiful… A cherry, literally new one. And it sounds incredible.”       “My gosh…”       “At that time, Father was pretending to be dead. I was sorry I hadn’t seen him before his… Death… And I hadn’t talked to him… But… Thanks to his guitar, I literally felt a connection with my father… As if he was somewhere near me and tried to say something. That’s a very nice feeling…”       “I didn’t think your father had a love for music.”       “Mother praised his talent for guitar play and said she always loved the way Father sang. Sadly, I can say nothing ‘cause I’ve never heard it. But I prefer believing my mother… Moreover, Uncle confirmed that Father played guitar all day long.”       “Hey, have you seen your father after Michael got arrested?”       “Nope, not even once,” Edward shakes his head with sadness in his eyes. “And I can’t even imagine where he is now.”       “Us too. And we don’t know when he’d love to show up.”       “Maybe, some time before the start of the trial.”       “But would you love to see and talk to him?” Natalia asks.       “I’d like to, but I’m not sure if the talk goes well. Because… I don’t wanna say anything bad about my father, but I can’t say I have no reason not to be mad at him.”       “The meeting would happen early or late.”       “Hey, what does Terrence think of meeting Father?”       “He wants, but isn’t ready yet,” Raquelle confesses. “He says he doesn’t know what he would talk to him about. And he’s ashamed of showing up to his father after believing he was a tyrant for a bigger part of his life.”       “I’ve never thought Father could do such a cruel thing to Mother. Of course, he is by far not a perfect person, but he’s not so shameless to raise a hand to the woman.”       “And you’re right, Terrence was cruelly deceived,” Natalia says thoughtfully. “Not someone but your own uncle.”       “Oh, Uncle… How much strength he’s taken from us over the past years… Because of one scumbag, so much happened… It’s hard to believe it.”       “But now I understand well why Mrs. MacClife often compared Terrence and his father,” Raquelle confesses. “They’re similar not only thanks to the appearance but also the character. The two were deceived and did the same thing that they regretted…”       “And I think they learned the lesson,” Natalia says thoughtfully. “His father probably became different. What happened definitely shook him up.”       “I think Terrence also got a strong shock,” Edward assumes.       “He’s really changed, Edward,” Raquelle replies quietly. “Terrence knows he can’t be called perfect and tries to fix it.”       “At least, he’s very perceptive,” Natalia notices. “Terrence can read emotions on your face and understands when someone’s sad or happy, or tells a true or a lie.”       “I think it helped me get his forgiveness,” Edward replies thoughtfully.       “He forgave you a long time ago,” Raquelle smiles slightly. “You’re his younger brother that he truly loves. Terrence kept worrying about you and was upset by what happened between you. Maybe, he didn’t show it openly at first, but it got clear later without words.”       “And Terrence saw everything you were doing to get better,” Natalia adds. “He highly rated it and took a note. It also helped you get his forgiveness.”       “I’m really lucky Terrence forgave me,” Edward smiles slightly. “I was terribly nervous when coming here and thought I could do nothing. But luckily, everything ended well.”       “I’m very glad you did it,” Raquelle smiles shyly, caressing Edward’s shoulder. “Good job, Edward.”       “Ah, my sweeties, let’s not talk about bad things, at least now,” Natalia sighs tiredly, hugging Edward and putting her hands on his back and her head on his shoulder. “I just relaxed after all the bad events, but we started talking about sad things again.”       “You’re right, Natalia. Let’s really think about good things. Right now – about where to celebrate our reconciliation. And yours, of course.”       “It would be good if Anna and Daniel joined us,” Natalia says with a slight smile.       “C’mon!” Edward chuckles. “They have many things to do! They’re about to have a wedding!”       “Oh, I see you’re aware that our imitable Mr. Perkins started to think about marrying his girlfriend,” Raquelle laughs amicably.       “Natalia told me about their wedding and the meeting with Anna’s father.”       “So, I won’t tell you how Daniel got scared.”       “And how your brother was laughing at him,” Natalia adds.       “So, as Anna’s father approved her relationship, I see no barriers to a wedding,” Edward says confidently. “Everything’s been getting closer to a proposal. Daniel can’t live without his red beauty and can’t imagine another girl instead of him.”       “It’s true,” Raquelle smiles slightly. “Daniel is totally in love with Anna. Just like she is in love with him.”       “Perfect couple!” Natalia claps her hands with a wide smile.       Raquelle and Edward smile slightly, and silence settles in the air for a few seconds. And then Terrence returns to the living room, looking much funnier and having a good mood.       “Guys, I have some wonderful news!” Terrence says happily.       “What’s wrong, pretty boy?” Raquelle shows interest. “Why are you so happy?”       “Because there is a reason.” Terrence comes to Raquelle and takes her by the shoulders from behind. “Well, I don’t know how good it is… But it gives me hope for the best…”       “My gosh…” Edward opens his mouth, putting his arms around Natalia’s neck from behind. “Did you get the first offer to act in a movie for the first time in a few years? Go to Hollywood and act in a thrilling blockbuster? In which you’d play a real man with a very interesting, tangled story, not a handsome guy that would be walking half-naked for half of the movie.”       “Or did the director of ‘If Today Was Your Last Day’ watch your interview, in which you showed a wish to work with him, and offer you a role in his new movie?” Natalia asks.       “Someday it might happen,” Terrence replies with a smile. “But I didn’t mean it. Something different, much cooler happened.”       “Speak then! What cheered you up?”       “Don’t waste time!” Raquelle exclaims. “Tell us your exciting news!”       “Okay!” Terrence waves a hand. “First, I got a call from the service center and was told I could finally get my car back.”       “C’mon!” Edward chuckles kindly. “Will you finally get your old trough?”       “You have an old trough, but my swallow is gonna kick everyone’s ass. Moreover, I decided to spend some money and change to something newer and better. So, my girl is like new. I’ll take it and be driving through the streets of the city with a proud look and music turned on at full volume.       “So, buddy, did you get sick of asking your fiancée to work as your personal driver and want to drive yourself?” Natalia laughs shyly, crossing her arms over her chest. “So, is that why you’re so happy?”       “Not only. There’s another piece of incredible news that you’d love to hear.”       “Would you ride all of us on your old thing?” Edward asks funnily.       “Not you, shabby cat.” Terrence falls into silence for two seconds and smiles much wider. “I got a call from the hospital where Peter is now. I mean, his doctor called me. And he told me that the blond finally woke up two hours ago.”       Raquelle, Edward, and Natalia slightly open their mouths with happy smiles, setting their widely open eyes on Terrence.       “What?” Raquelle, Edward, and Natalia wonder.       “Peter woke up?” Edward specifies.       “Gosh, it really happened?” Natalia rejoices.       “I can’t believe in this miracle, either!” Terrence replies cheerfully. “But that’s true – Lewis Todd, his doctor, called me personally and said Peter had finally woken up. He said the doctors lost hope for the best and even wanted to assure us to stop treating him. But Peter started to come to himself kind of quickly… Before, he woke up and lost consciousness again… But now he's finally come to himself, can speak, and understands what happened.”       “And how does he feel?” Raquelle asks.       “Lewis said Rose wasn’t happy when he woke up. But he’s under the close control of doctors, who don’t let him do anything bad.”       “Are we able to visit him?” Edward species. “I’d personally love to visit him.”       “No, the doctor said Peter was too weak to accept visitors. Nobody is allowed to visit him ‘till tomorrow. But tomorrow, after lunch, we could go to him. And we won’t probably be allowed to stay there for a long time.”       “That’s great!” Natalia exclaims happily with a slight smile. “Now you have a chance to find out why he did it and try to make him sure to come back to the band.”       “And I will undoubtedly use it!” Terrence replies confidently. “It’s a very good chance to find out another secret hidden in the scars. Find out who or what has to do with it.”       “And does Daniel know it?” Edward frowns slightly.       “The doctor said nothing about Daniel and Peter’s friends. But if Perkins had known it, he would’ve called me earlier than Todd.”       “If he doesn’t know, you must make him happy as soon as possible,” Raquelle says confidently.       “Of course. I’ll call our soon-to-be groom and tell him this happy piece of news. And try to call Rose’s friends.” Terrence smiles mysteriously. “One of them is gonna literally jump when hearing Peter has woken up.”       “Why?” Edward wonders. “Is she in love with him?”       “I don’t exclude it. That girl literally shook after every single piece of bad news about the blond, and cried when hearing something bad.”       “Natalia told me about that girl… And I don’t doubt she’s really not indifferent to him.”       “We all think so. But the question is whether her feelings are mutual. Maybe, she’s just a friend to Pete, and he doesn’t consider her a potential girlfriend.”       “Who knows… But since that girl really takes everything that happens to Peter so seriously and is literally ready to become his nanny, everything may be very serious.”       “Let’s not exclude it.”       Silence settles in the air for two seconds, which Terrence breaks, squeezing his smartphone in his hands:       “Okay, let me call Daniel and talk to him quickly. Unless he doesn’t wander around. If that romantic goes on a date with his Seymour, he will be the last one to know it.”       “He’ll find it out anyway: from you, the doctor, or those girls,” Natalia shrugs. “And be happy that Peter stayed alive after all.”       “And if he’s back in the band, it’ll be so cool. I don’t actually wanna disband the band…”       “I hope Peter will explain everything and agree to accept our help,” Raquelle expresses hope. “He definitely needs someone to help him solve his problems.”       “Oh, yeah!” Terrence claps himself on the forehead. “I also need to tell our manager about Rose. George is also waiting for news and asks us to keep him aware.”       “And your fans are gonna know it soon,” Edward replies cheerfully. “And as Rose is a favorite guy of the public, everybody’s gonna whoop from happiness when finding out he’s awake.”       “Oh, yay, peps do adore the blond. Everybody whopped when he started to sing or perform a drum solo.”       “Now fans will love him much more.”       Terrence says nothing and just smiles slightly while going aside, looking for something in his phone, but not leaving the living room and keeping being a part of the talk.       “So, guys, it seems like life is getting better,” Raquelle throws her hands up with a wide smile. “If everything keeps getting better, we’ll solve all the problems soon.”       “And I wanna notice it has to do with us and one of the servants at this house,” Edward replies with a mysterious smile.       “I believe you know some of the latest news.”       “Something.”       “By the way, Blair looked so happy when opening the door to us,” Natalia says thoughtfully. “The girl kinda fell in love.”       “The reason is simple,” Terrence smiles slyly after taking an attempt to call Daniel, but turns off the call because nobody answers. “Someone named Benjamin Parker confirmed that he was totally in love with her and ready to say goodbye to his status as the heartbreaker for her.”       “So, is that guy really in love with your servant?” Edward asks amazingly.       “Yeah, but he’s afraid to come and say it to her. I mean, he was afraid,” Terrence smiles slyly. “I don’t doubt that he did it after I helped him a little and gave him a kick on his ass that could make him overcome his hesitation.”       “I’m afraid to imagine what you made him do. Because anything may come into your stupid head.”       “I have a good head, and my brains work well. And thanks to my ingenuity, I had to do with the fact that another cute couple was born. Blair is walking so happily! And she probably went on a date with that fool.”       “Oh, shut up, our great matchmaker,” Natalia says with a laugh. “You always find reasons to laugh. The guy is afraid to confess his love, but you mock him.”       “Seriously, MacClife!” Raquelle exclaims, putting his hands on his hips. “For Ben, it might be a great stress, but you gave him much more pain.”       “What you’re talking about, girls!” Terrence wonders. “I just wanna help one of my best friends! My childhood friend, whom I’ve known since I was seven! Is helping your buddies bad?”       “And how are ya gonna do it?” Edward asks, crossing his arms over his chest.       “Easy! I just scared Benjamin. If he didn’t tell Blair that he liked her within two weeks, I would tell her about it or drop some hints. I set up a limit and gave him a little kick on his ass. So, here’s the result! Two more happy people!”       “That was cruel… I’m surprised that Parker didn’t kill you.”       “He threatened. But I don’t doubt that the soon-to-be former womanizer would go to my home, and thank me for such confident actions.”       “Aha, he would come with a baton. To hit you on the head for doing such a cruel thing to him.”       “It’s gonna be cool, bro,” Terrence replies confidently. “I regret nothing and ain’t gonna do ‘cause my idea would be good for Ben.”       “Yes, yes, it’s not a secret to us that you’re an insolent and shameless donkey,” Natalia says gloomily. “Good men invite girls on dates, woo them, and gift them something… But you began to feel Raquelle up right at your first meeting and tried to take her to your bed.”       “She liked it!”       “She did the right thing when she hit you in your gorgeous face. Someone like you must be educated and taught some manners.”       “Yeah? By the way, you told your friend that there was nothing wrong with it.”       “Yeah! But when we thought you spread the rumors about Raquelle, I understood that messing up with you would be a great mistake. So, Ben did a stupid thing when revealing his feelings to you.”       “Listen, Benjamin asked me to help, and I did it.” Terrence tears his eyes off the phone, on which he types a message to Daniel. “And when he starts to date Blair, I’ll have the pleasure to share the secrets of a perfect relationship. He would’ve been silent forever – until Blair found a more confident guy. So, I came up with a genius plan.”       “If I were instead of Ben, you’d ask for trouble,” Edward says confidently. “I’d kick your ass and cut your beautiful head.”       “Calm down, kid, everything’s gonna be cool,” Terrence says confidently with pride. “I bet my arm that the guy goes to my home very soon and says he did it.”       “I’m sure he hated you when doing it,” Raquelle assumes. “Very much.”       “It’s okay. But when he finds out everything and understands he has a chance to get the attention of our servant, he will say ‘thanks’ to me. And be ready to do anything for me, ‘cause he will owe me.”       “Yeah…” Edward shakes his head, laughing amicably. “It seems like my brother’s great self-confidence got much stronger after he got a white path in his life”       “It never disappeared.” Terrence glances at the phone and keeps typing a text. “I was an irresistible and confident man, and I am still the one. Whatever I do, everything brings me to success.”       “I wonder if there is just something in this world that could immediately kick the crown off your head?”       “It’s just impossible. And if I have to become a certain Cupid this time, I’m ready to shoot the hearts of my servant and my childhood friend with a love arrow.”       “Yeah, how do you know if Blair’s gonna consider Benjamin a potential boyfriend?” Natalia wonders. “She didn’t tell you she was in love with your friend! The fact that she likes him is just our guess.”       “She didn’t tell me.” Terrence tears his eyes off the phone and looks at Raquelle. “But Raquelle knows something.”       “Me?” Raquelle rounds her eyes. “What do I know?”       “It’s easy to guess that girls aim to look as good as possible when they like someone. And you, cutie, should understand it.”       “And what’s wrong? Any girl wanna look beautiful. But not every single one can show all of her dignity and get lots of compliments.”       “Yeah, and don’t forget that you recently gave Blair some pieces of advice, checked her clothes, and said something about hairstyles. I’m sure she asked you to help her dress up to conquer Parker. Blair is a very sympathetic girl, but Ben was right that if she were well-dressed and got makeup, she would be a cutie.”       “Stop, minute!” Raquelle shakes her head and puts her hand on her waist. “How do you know I talked to Blair about her appearance? I didn’t tell you that!”       “I just went by her room and heard you talking about girls’ secrets,” Terrence replies with an innocent smile. “Of course, you didn’t talk about seducing, but our servant asked you much about some fashion things, trends, and something like that.”       “And why do you care?” Edward wonders with a quiet chuckle. “Let the girls have their own secrets. What’s wrong with talking about clothes and hairstyles? You got kind of excited, I see.”       “I don’t care what they were talking about. I just need to know if Blair and Raquelle talked about Benjamin. But I guessed why she started to dress up and go to stores with Violetta in her free time.”       “Are you making conclusions by the way a girl looks?” Raquelle wonders.       “Oh, Raquelle, don’t pretend that you understand nothing. That girl should’ve told you why she needed it all. She does it not to show up for her mother or younger brother.”       “Gosh, Terrence, leave that girl alone!” Natalia says tiredly. “Let your friend figure out his relationship with her. And let her understand her feelings without your participation.”       “Yeah!” Raquelle exclaims. “We understood you liked playing a role of a matchmaker, but those two don’t need you anymore. Ben will need you when he needs pieces of advice about how to save and make a relationship stronger.”       “Oh, c’mon, you all!” Terrence waves a hand, setting his gaze on the phone. “You don’t understand!”       “So, brother?” Edward laughs, crossing his arms over his chest. Are you scared to recognize your loss in the wager that you and I made a long time ago?”       “What?” Terrence looks at Edward surprisingly. “What kind of wager?”       “I don’t remember you making a wager,” Raquelle shakes her head.       “Yeah, but Edward and I remember it very well,” Natalia replies with a mysterious smile.       “Aha,” Edward nods with a sly smile. “We remember you saying Parker wouldn’t stop being a womanizer if he fell in love with Blair. You were sure he wouldn’t stop changing girls like gloves.”       “And your brother offered you a wager that you agreed to make.”       “We bet for a wish: the loser does what the winner wants.” Edward smiles slyly and proudly raises his head. “In this case, I am the winner!”       “And you added that if you made the wager with Daniel and Peter, they would offer you something really mad. What would make you kill them. As well as Parker wants to kill you now.”       “Hey, lovebirds, what kind of bullshit are you talking about?” Terrence resents. “It’s cold outside to overheat under the sun. Or are you drunk from love?”       “Don’t you remember that at all?” Natalia smiles slyly.       “I don’t remember making that wager! And how could I remember what’s never happened?”       “It happened, my sweetie, happened. On the dinner, on which Edward and I were pretending that everything was okay.”       “But I remember something like that…” Raquelle confesses thoughtfully.       “So, Cameron has recalled it,” Natalia notices.       “And you, Terrence, probably lost it. Edward won.”       “So, I have a chance to keep Terrence on a leash and make him do what I want,” Edward smiles slyly, rubbing his hands happily.       “Listen, you three!” Terrence throws gloomily, getting a little nervous and shirting his weight from one foot to another. “Did you agree against me while I was talking with Peter’s doctor? You’re not allowed to stay alone!”       “MacClife is nervous, nervous…” Raquelle smiles slyly, crossing her arms over her chest.       “Why don’t you get off me? I don’t understand what you’re talking about!”       “And I think you understand it very well,” Edward bites his brother through with a sly smile, putting his hands on his hips. “You just don’t wanna make my wish come true and confess your loss to me. It’s gonna hurt your too high rate! What the fuck! I lost the wager over my little brother and would have to dance attendance upon this kid! That’s unbearable! Are you thinking about it now? I guessed?”       “Not true!”       “Ah, Terry… You can deny it as much as you want, but everything is clearly written on your gorgeous face. And don’t forget that I read you like an open book and can easily guess what’s on your mind.”       “You know, rutrag, I liked you much more when you were a quiet, shy boy.”       “Don’t worry, buddy, you’ll win somehow next time,” Natalia says with a slight smile, clapping Terrence on the shoulder. “Learn to recognize your loss and give in to winners.”       “You said everybody makes mistakes, and nobody is perfect,” Raquelle adds, caressing Terrence’s back.       “So, confess you’ve lost because Benjamin fell in love with Blair and showed the readiness to change for the best for that sweet girl.”       Terrence rolls his eyes, but then relaxes his shoulders sharply and moans tiredly, saying:       “Oh… Okay! Alright, I recognize my loss!”       “Good boy!” Edward smiles slyly. “You can do it when you want.”       “Shut up, little rat!”       “It’s time to make my wishes come true.”       “So, what do you want from me?”       “You should’ve said it earlier.”       “Don’t irritate me, Edward!”       “M-m-m…” Edward rolls his eyes with a sly smile, not hiding his little happiness. “You know… I think I will show mercy to you and won’t make a wish. Save my right to it for later. When I find a way to make you work hard to make me happy.”       “Oh, thank you so much for that!”       “Live and enjoy your life, tough guy!” Edward says cheerfully, claps Terrence on the back, and squeezes his shoulder. “Your bro won’t torture you right now. Wait for a while.”       “Get off me!” Terrence throws and goes aside.       Edward says nothing and just laughs slyly, putting his hands on his hips. Terrence runs his hand sharply over his hair, glances at the mobile phone in his hands, and frowns slightly.       “Damn, I did know that romantic disappeared with his girlfriend!” Terrence says confidently.       “Daniel doesn’t answer?” Raquelle asks.       “Neither a call nor a message. Neither a mobile number nor a home one.”       “Maybe, he will show up later?” Natalia assumes. “Raquelle and I could call Anna later and tell her this piece of news, and she would say it to Daniel later.”       “Oh, I don’t actually care if he'll show up or not,” Terrence exhales sharply. “I’ll go to the hospital tomorrow anyway and talk to Peter, no matter if Daniel is gonna do it. I’ll carefully try to find out the reasons why he wanted to kill himself.”       “And when will we be allowed to visit him?” Raquelle asks.       “Yeah, when?” Edward asks. “I wanna visit him and support him somehow. But I don’t know which hospital he is in.”       “Listen, guys, let me go to the hospital and check the situation first,” Terrence says. “If everything is okay, you’ll also be allowed to visit him. Though, I don’t think too many people would be allowed to visit him for some time. And I ain’t sure if I could talk to him tomorrow. What if Lewis says Peter is too weak to answer such hard questions.”       “It’s okay, I won’t be able to visit Peter tomorrow,” Raquelle confesses. “I have an important shooting. One of the last ones, after which I’m gonna take a break until the end of the trial. I’ve already talked to Serena about everything, and she promised to solve it.”       “I won’t also be able to go to the hospital ‘cause I’ll be meeting my parents at the airport,” Natalia says quietly. “Today in the morning, my mother called me and said she and my father would get on an airplane tomorrow in the early morning.”       “What?” Edward pronounces excitedly and moves his little scared eyes to Natalia. “Your parents are coming back tomorrow?”       “Yup. Their flight is gonna last for about four or five hours and is supposed to land in New York tomorrow after twelve o'clock. But they’ll spend some time taking their bags and working on some documents. I think it will take not less than half an hour or an hour.”       “So, it’s time to explain it all…”       “Are you ready to tell them what happened?” Raquelle asks with sadness in her eyes.       “Nope,” Natalia shakes her head. “But I’ll have to do it anyway. I promised. And I no longer want to lie. Father and Mother would better know the truth than guess and be mad at me for not trusting them.”       “I think they’ll understand you,” Edward says softly, embracing Natalia around the shoulders. “Your father and mother already know the fact of the rape attempt. And you don’t have to tell them everything those people did to you.”       “Anyway, it’s gonna be hard.”       “I get it. I’m also gonna have a hard talk with Mr. and Mrs. Rochester. I have to explain everything that happened between us. And… Make them sure not to create barriers for us.”       “And honestly, I’m a little nervous. If my parents don’t forgive you, they might really ban me from dating you.”       “I have to do a lot to make them sure to give me another chance and prove that I wouldn’t disappoint them.”       “Get ready that you’ll probably be talking with one of them face-to-face or Natalia’s mother and father at the same time,” Terrence says. “But knowing they treated you well, it would be good for you.”       “And it would be better if I solved this question as soon as possible. So, I stop worrying about one problem…”       “I was also nervous when Raquelle called me and said Mr. Cameron was about to go to my home and talk. I thought he’d insist on our breakup and not let her be with me. But no, everything ended very well.”       “I was also nervous because of that talk,” Raquelle confesses. “But not because I was afraid that Grandpa would start judging Terrence or reproaching him for something. I was just afraid he’d find out what happened between us.”       “I wouldn’t have told him about it anyway. Moreover, he left the hospital after the heart attack. Any excitement could bring him there again.”       “Wait, doesn’t Mr. Cameron still know about the slap?” Edward wonders.       “You won’t believe it, but no,” Raquelle replies confidently. “Grandpa doesn’t still know what happened between Terrence and me. He was surprised that I started to say terrible things about him, and said everything happened for a reason. And… I had to insist that he was just insulting and humiliating me.”       “And that’s good Alicia hasn’t betrayed us,” Terrence adds. “She was trying to make Mr. Cameron sure that the case was only about insulting. Though, that man suspected something bad anyway and wanted to find out the truth.”       “But thank God, he forgot it when he saw our relationship got better. And when we told him we wanted to get married.”       “Friends, forget about what happened,” Natalia says with sadness in her eyes. “It’s been so long, but you still torture yourself and each other.”       “Sadly, you won’t strike it out of your life, but if you start thinking about it less, you’ll forget it little by little,” Edward adds.       “Yeah, we’re trying to forget it and even asked each other to never talk about it,” Terrence confesses. “But some talks make us remember that terrible time. When I was a nasty stinker for everyone.”       “Hey, remember that it’s gonna also be hard for you to forget what happened between you,” Raquelle says with sadness in her eyes. “Sometimes you may think about it. No matter what, you’ll need time to finally establish your relationship.”       “We know,” Edward nods. “We talked about it and decided that we were ready to get over it together.”       “I think I’ll get better when the trial is over,” Natalia adds thoughtfully. “I’d tell them what happened the last time and then try to forget it like a nightmare. Try not to think about what happened not to torture me.”       “Of course, nobody says we'll get better shortly,” Raquelle says. “But as my aunt Alicia often says, nothing lasts forever, nothing stays the same. Time is an amazing thing that decides so much. It erases bad memories, weakens any pain, and even helps you find a solution to a problem.”       “At least I hope we won’t stop supporting each other. And…” Natalia bites her lip slightly. “I’m glad I wouldn’t have to tear myself between you. I thought it would happen after I reconciled with Edward. But that’s good everything has been solved.”       “Let’s just promise not to hide our problems. Especially if they have to do not only one of you, but also all of us. When we know everything, it’s easier to protect ourselves and find a chance to do something.”       “And not to try to solve a conflict with fits, fights, and insults,” Terrence adds confidently. “I don’t wanna fight with anyone anymore.”       “And to place our family and close friends in the first place,” Edward says.       “And to tell about our problems, even if it’s disgusting to remember it,” Natalia adds.       “And let’s not talk about what happened between us, at least until the start of the trial, and about what we experienced? Or at least try to talk about it as rarely as possible.”       “And finally go somewhere,” Terrence chuckles quietly, putting his phone in the pocket of his leather jacket. “Otherwise, you and I won’t get ready ‘till the evening.”       “What!” Natalia exclaims and takes her white purse from the sofa. “We’re ready! And you, guys?”       Natalia looks at Raquelle, who nods and blinks with a slight smile on her face. Then the brunette takes the keys from her car and her purse, in which she puts her phone, which is placed on the table near the sofa. Edward smiles shyly, fixes the collar of his coat, and strokes his hair down. Terrence chuckles quietly, shaking his head, and follows the three to the exit from the house. When the four people leave the house, MacClife, Sr., closes the door and hears that his mobile phone in the pocket makes a squeak, takes it, and checks something in it.       “Ha!” Terrence chuckles. “Hey, guys, guess, who’s been pleased to show up and let me know about himself!”       “Has Daniel shown up and sent you a greeting?” Edward wonders with a laugh.       “He just texted a message. He says his phone was turned off, and he was just pleased to turn it on.”       “Did you tell him about Peter?” Natalia asks. “How did he react?”       “No, I haven’t texted him. I shall better call that handsome guy. Wait for me for two minutes. I’ll talk to him quickly, and we’ll go.”       While Raquelle goes to her car with a shy smile, Edward standing next to Natalia aside smiles at her tenderly and takes her in his touching hug, snuggling his nose in her cheek and making her laugh shyly. And Terrence goes aside, types Daniel’s number, and puts the phone to his ear, quickly getting an answer from his friend, who has a wonderful mood.       “Hey, Terrence,” Daniel’s cheerful voice pronounces.       “Daniel Perkins, can you explain where you’re the fuck wandering around?” Terrence resents. “Where were you brought this time?”       “Wow, wow! Dude, why are you spitting with fire? Woke up on the wrong side of the bed? You’d better say hello, ask me how I was doing… But you attack like this!”       “I wanna tell you something! Otherwise, you will resent that I told you nothing.”       “So, buddy, do you need someone to open your heart to?” Daniel chuckles. “Well, I’m at your service!”       “Thanks, I don’t need your services. I just wanted to tell you something, but you the fuck turned off your mobile phone and didn’t answer my calls. And your home one is busy!”       “I just turned on my phone! I thought I did it this morning, but I didn’t do it. And the home phone is busy because Anna is talking on it.”       “Oh, stop lying!” Terrence chuckles. “Just say you had a date with your red-haired beauty, and you didn’t want me to bother you with your calls.”       “I went nowhere today! Anna and I are home now. If you want to talk about something so badly, you can come.”       “What I want to say doesn’t require my arrival at your modest place.”       “Oh, c’mon, MacClife, fuck you!” Daniel exhales sharply. “Speak out, what happened to you!”       “Something happened…” Terrence rolls his eyes with a wide smile. “What we’ve been waiting for for so long.”       “Listen, Terrence, stop pulling a cat’s tail and explain what you got into. I can’t help you or advise something if I don’t know what happened to you.”       “Get ready, Perkins, because your mood is gonna get many times better,” Terrence smiles widely. “A few minutes ago, I got a call from the hospital and heard some news.”       “The hospital?” Daniel gets excited. “Where Peter is? Fuck, something happened? The situation got worse?”       “Vice versa, dude!” Terrence exclaims cheerfully. “I just talked to Lewis Todd, and he told me that Peter woke up two hours ago.”       “C’mon!” Daniel wonders loudly. “Are you serious?”       “He had woken up for a short time, but now he is absolutely couscous.”       “I can’t believe it! Aren’t you really kidding now?”       “Not at all!” Terrence shakes his head with a wide smile. “Peter has survived!”       “Shit! So, are we finally able to visit him?”       “No, I was told Peter was too weak. Today, nobody will be allowed to visit him. But tomorrow, after lunch, only you and I and Helene and Jessica may enter. Well… I think so.”       “Holy shit! Did we get a real chance to talk to Peter and find out why he did it?”       “And we’ll use it. We won’t ask him about it openly, and we will prove that he could trust us at first. I think if he feels our support, he’ll wish to tell us everything. Maybe, Jessica and Helene will show their support… If we don’t press on him, Peter will explain the reasons for his actions.”       “And do those girls know it?”       “Not yet.”       “And George?”       “No, I’ve said nothing to George yet. I just found it out. Lewis called me literally a few minutes ago, and I decided to tell you about it.”       “If you want, I can talk to George and make him happy. And you tell Jessica and Helene. They’re gonna be thrilled! Especially Helene.”       “Deal! You say it to Smith, but I will talk to the girls.”       “Agreed then.”       “Hey, I also got a call from the service where my car is. They said I could take it.” Terrence puts a finger on his lip. “I’ll go to the service center tomorrow by the time of opening and go to the hospital somewhere after lunch. Talk to Lewis and ask him for permission to go to Peter’s room.”       “Hey, what about me?” Daniel resents. “I shall also go to the hospital! We’ll go to the hospital and talk to Rose together.”       “Okay, then I could take you out somewhere at half past twelve. Or by twelve. I dunno.”       “Great, deal!” Daniel exclaims cheerfully. “If you’re gonna get back your repaired old girl, I’ll give you the pleasure of working as a chauffeur and riding me.”       “If you call my swallow an old girl, I will cut off your head,” Terrence threatens with a sly smile. “My girl rocks on! Moreover, I decided to change some details to newer ones and improve it. It’s gonna serve me for ten more years.”       “Well, okay. I wish you didn't have a steering wheel in your hands somewhere on the desert road, or not to have the wheels off to the fuck. Knowing how old this car is, I don’t doubt it would happen.”       “Okay, stop saying bullshit! In short, we’ve decided: tomorrow, you’ll be waiting for me by or after half past twelve. I will come, and you and I will go to the hospital to visit Peter.”       “Alright, alright, Your Highness, the honorable Terrence James MacClife,” Daniel replies solemnly. “Everything will happen as you want.”       “Don’t sleep through my visit!” Terrence chuckles amicably. “Otherwise, you’ll go to the hospital wearing what you’re gonna sleep in. Even if you’re wearing only one underwear, I shall push you in the car and drive you to the hospital.”       “Only if you’re gonna wear what you were born. If I’m arrested for my inappropriate appearance, you will go with me.”       “No, I ain’t gonna stay in the same cell with you. Otherwise, I’ll kill you if I’m in the same tight room with such a plucked rooster like you.”       “Said by the plucked rooster with a great ego.”       “Oh, okay, I’ve got no time to deal with you!” Terrence sharply waves a hand and glances at Edward standing not far from the car, talking to Natalia cutely and keeping one hand on her buttocks. “I’ll better go. I have some grandiose plans for the rest of the day with some very good folks.”       “So, are ya gonna on a date with your sexy cutie, Raquelle?” Daniel chuckles. “Is the evening gonna be very hot?”       “It’s none of your business, bro.”       “Okay, okay, I got it. I don’t know where you wanna go, but I wish you to spend a cool time together.”       “Thanks, Perkins. Same to you if you wanna go out somewhere with your pretty girl, Anna.”       “Thanks with all my heart. See ya tomorrow.”       “Bye, tough guy,” Terrence says goodbye with a laugh.       Terrence turns off his call, puts his phone in the pocket of his jacket, and comes to Edward and Natalia, who are standing with Raquelle and laughing shyly at something.       “Yeah, my mission is completed!” Terrence says cheerfully. “I’ve gotta only tell Peter’s friends about this piece of news. As for the manager, Daniel promised to talk to George.”       “So, can we go then?” Raquelle asks.       “Yes. I’ll call Peter’s friends somewhere on the road.”       “But I don’t know where to go,” Natalia says thoughtfully.       “We’ll think up something on the way,” Edward replies confidently.       “I thought you’d say we could go somewhere to eat first,” Terrence says with a laugh. “To order something delicious.”       “Eating is about you. You’re the only one here to eat like a mammon.”       “Aha, as if you eat like a kitty! Or a little bird! You’re the only one to grab big pieces of cakes and add very much to your plate.”       “Oh, I’m surprised that you haven’t gotten fate from eating something constantly. Eating much.”       “I can say the same about you, brother,” Terrence carefully looks at Edward from head to foot. “You eat tons of sweet food but stay as dead as a worm.”       “Look, Terrence, if you don’t work on your body and do eat so much, girls will stop loving you and find another crush,” Edward says with his head proudly raised. “I do know how much it’s gonna hurt your ego. You’ll die of grief if you don’t hear at least one compliment from someone to praise you to the skies.”       “Okay, I think you started to talk too much!”       “Yeah… And how could the one, who considers himself so important, irresistible, and gorgeous, drive the car that almost turned ten years? You must buy a new car literally every year. Not drive an old horse that would crush somewhere on the road.”       “Oh…” Terrence moans tiredly. “He’s another guy, who’s insulting my swallow…”       “Listen, let’s save arguing for later, so we can finally go,” Natalia sighs with her arms crossed over her chest.       “Yeah, calm down and get into the car,” Raquelle orders, wrapping the keys around her fingers.       “You just see how he’s talking!” Terrence resents, pointing at Edward smiling innocently. “How this little kid is speaking about my gorgeous girl! The girl that’s been servicing me for so many years!”       “You meant your gorgeous old girl?” Edward asks with a laugh. “Or a gorgeous old horse?”       “One more word, rutrag, and I will kick your ass!”       “You’ll remember my words when you have a steering wheel in your hands, the wheels come off on the road, the door is thrown five hundred meters away, and your old thing is smoking.”       When Terrence sharply gives a start to slap Edward on the head, the guy jumps aside and runs in circles for a few seconds with a quiet laugh. But then the oldest of the MacClife brothers catches the guy, gives him a couple of slaps on the head, and uses a chokehold to hold him tightly and ruffle his hair a little, while MacClife, Jr., beats him with his hands on everything he sees. It is happening along with the quiet chuckles of Natalia and Raquelle, who look at each other and slightly shake their heads, standing near the car. At some moment, the brunette smiling slyly suggests her friend get into the car with a gesture. Then one sits in the driver’s seat, and the other sits in the backseat. When Terrence and Edward, hear the sound of the closed doors, MacClife, Jr, lets his brother go and runs to Raquelle’s car with shouts, “Hey, wait for me!”, while she presses slightly on the gas pedal. Not putting himself in order, MacClife, Sr., starts running after the girls. The brothers thrilling with laughter catch them quickly and jump into the car, while their sweethearts barely hold their quiet chuckles down.       

***

      Meanwhile, Anna is sitting at home and talking to her father Maximilian on the phone, not knowing about Peter because Daniel just finished the talk with Terrence and wants to tell his sweetheart this wonderful piece of news.       “It would be great if you went to my home for an hour or two,” Maximilian says. “You haven’t visited me since we met.”       “I’ll surely visit you, Daddy,” Anna replies with a slight smile, sitting in the living room with her legs put on the sofa and massaging her ankles slightly.       “Come, daughter. You and I would talk a little, drink a cup of tea or coffee, remember the old times… I would even put my business aside.”       “Okay, I’ll come someday.” Anna thinks for two seconds. “Hey, you said you moved into another apartment after splitting up with Mother… But I have no address…”       “Ah, right! I’ll text the address in a message later. If you don’t know how to reach it, let me know.”       “Thanks a lot, Dad,” Anna smiles shyly. “You have my mobile phone. So… I’m waiting for the message.”       “Sure, my sunshine.”       “Hey, how long do you and Mother have to wait for divorce?”       “Not very long. Soon, we’ll get a document that will confirm our divorce.”       “Okay…”       “Are you probably worried about our divorce, yeah?”       “I’m a little sad, not gonna hide.” Anna sighs and runs her hand through her hair. “But honestly, I ain’t surprised. Living in a marriage without love is very hard. I mean, it’s impossible. And you and Mother never had it.”       “Yeah, you’re right about love,” Maximilian replies thoughtfully. “Your mother and I didn’t love each other. But I hope you’ll be luckier with your boyfriend. And you’d know what real love is.”       “I don’t hope, Daddy, I do believe in it,” Anna replies confidently with a wider smile. “That’s the man I need. Who can give me what I would like to get.”       “Don’t lose him, Anna. Do your best for you two to be happy. Support him and be by his side at any time, and he’ll thank you and make any of your wishes come true.”       “I know. Daniel and I always support each other and do our best to be happy. We already know what we love and hate. And… We try to do our best for us to be happy.”       “That’s very good. I really like Daniel. I completely approve of your choice and want you to be with him.”       “Thanks a lot,” Anna thanks with a slight smile. “I’m very glad you liked Daniel.”       “If you’re happy, I am happy, too,” Maximilian replies amicably. “Your happiness does matter to me.”       “It would be great if Mother also approved of my choice and liked my sweetheart.”       “It will happen, my sweetheart. Your mother and I decided not to try to make you do what you dislike. I shall not meddle in your relationship, and Lilian will not do it.”       “Thanks, Daddy.”       Meanwhile, Daniel having a good mood goes downstairs to the living room. He stands in front of the girl and shows her some gestures that she does not understand.       “So, live quietly, daughter,” Maximilian says softly. “Be happy, get pleasure, and do what you want if you’re sure it wouldn’t be bad for you.”       “Don’t worry, Dad, I know what I want,” Anna replies confidently. “Now everything is wonderful in my life, and I can’t complain.”       “That’s wonderful!”       To get the attention, Daniel whispers that he has some pieces of news. Anna decides to end the talk with Maximilian because she sees her boyfriend cannot definitely wait to share something very interesting with her.       “Oh, listen, Daddy…” Anna pronounces thoughtfully, running her hand through her hair. “Sorry, but I’ve gotta say goodbye to you. I have a business… I wanted to do something today…”       “Okay, sweetie, I will not hold you,” Maximilian replies quietly. “But please, don’t forget me. Call me as often as possible and let me know when you’d love to visit me.”       “I’m waiting for a message with the address of your new home.”       “Sure.”       “Thanks, Daddy, I love you.”       “I love you too. Bye, sweetie.”       “Bye.”       Anna turns off the call with a slight smile, puts the wired phone in its place, and glances at Daniel, who does not stop smiling widely and is literally dying from a wish to share his happiness with her.       “Gosh, Daniel, what’s wrong?” Anna wonders with a slight smile. “Why are you so funny?”       “There’s a reason for that,” Daniel smiles mysteriously. “I have a good piece of news that I wanna share with you.”       “Speak then! I’m dying of curiosity!”       “That’s a wonderful piece of news, princess.” Daniel jumps onto the sofa Anna is sitting on and puts his hands on her laps. “I just talked to Terrence, and he told me something about Peter.”       “About Peter?” Anna rounds her eyes. “What happened to him?”       “Rejoice, Anna: Lewis, Peter’s doctor, called Terrence and said the blond finally woke up some time ago.”       “Really?” Anna smiles much wider and closes her open mouth with her hands. “Peter is awake?”       “Yes! Peter survived! He survived!”       “Wait, aren’t you kidding? Aren’t you lying to me?”       “No, sweetie, I’m not kidding!” Daniel shakes his head sharply and takes Anna’s hands with a wider smile. “The blond didn’t die! He’s alive!”       “Gosh, I can’t believe it!” Anna smiles much wider. “I’m so happy for him!”       “And you can’t imagine how happy I am! I didn’t want Pete to die.”       “And when are we allowed to visit him? I really wanna see Rose and support him.”       “MacClife said we wouldn’t be allowed to visit Peter today. And tomorrow, only Terrence, Rose’s friends, and I are gonna be able to visit him.”       “So, will you go to the hospital tomorrow?”       “I will surely do!” Daniel replies confidently. “The paleface dared to go without me, but I didn’t let him. In short, Terrence and I agreed that he’d take me out tomorrow by half past twelve on his car that he’s gonna take from the service in the early morning.”       “Wow! Has his car been fixed?”       “Yup, he got a call and was told he could take his old thing out.”       “Why not today?”       “He rushes on a date with Raquelle. He hinted that he had grandiose plans for the rest of the day.”       “Everything is clear about him…” Anna smiles slyly.       “So, beautiful, tomorrow, he’ll take his baby from the service and be driving in the city at full speed again.”       “And finally leave Raquelle’s car alone.”       “That’s right, Raquelle will no longer work as Terrence’s personal driver,” Daniel chuckles kindly. “And he’s gonna drive her. When he doesn’t wanna take her car.”       “And when he takes it, will you go to the hospital together?”       “Yup.”       “Hey, how’s Peter feeling?” Anna shows anxiety.       “Terrence didn’t tell me about it. He said only that Peter was weak and wasn’t allowed to accept visitors. I can say nothing more.”       “It’s clear he’s weak. Pete spent so much strength in the fight. And he was unconscious.”       “He wasn’t unconscious. He woke up from time to time, but he did only for a minute or two and then lost consciousness again. He had such a strong infection of his blood…”       “But thank God, he’s fine now.”       “And now we have a chance to find out why he did it. What made him take a suicide attempt.”       “I hope that guy will explain it.”       “I’m silent about the band yet. The main thing is to find out what pushed him to do that thing. Try to understand it… And to hope… He’d never do that terrible thing again…”       “I think your manager should know it.”       “Sure. I’ll talk to George a little later, and Terrence got a responsibility to tell Peter’s friends about it.”       “So, okay, then…” Anna pronounces thoughtfully. “I’m sure they’ll be very happy. Especially the girl that you talked about.”       “Agree,” Daniel smiles slightly. “And she’s probably gonna be terribly worried if we find out the reasons for Peter’s act.”       “But I think you shouldn’t make Peter explain everything by force. He’d hardly love to confess something if you pressed on him.”       “No, no, never! Terrence and I aren’t gonna press on him. Peter should make this decision. We’ll just support him and show that he can trust us and not be afraid of being judged.”       “It’s right. Just be soft and never press.”       “Not for anything. No pressure.”       “Good.”       Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which Daniel hugs Anna around the shoulder and caresses her hand with a free hand with a slight smile.       “I’m so happy everything is getting better,” Anna smiles shyly. “My father promised that Mother and he wouldn’t stand in our way, and he has nothing against you… And Peter has woken up.”       “I’m very happy, too,” Daniel replies with a slight smile. “I’m glad he accepted me warmly enough.”       “My daddy says very good things about you and thinks you’re a wonderful man.”       “I’m happy your father likes me, and I think he’s a very good man and a nice talker. Really. You’ve got a wonderful father.”       “And not a less wonderful boyfriend that I adore.”       “Aw, my beauty…”       Anna hugs Daniel touchingly with a sly smile, while he answers her back, putting his hands on her back and starting to slide them over it. At some moment, the girl starts to think that the man is kind of tense because of his thoughts. This feeling does not make her feel relaxed in his hug. She steps back from the man some time later and glances at his face.       “What’s wrong, Daniel?” Anna frowns slightly. “You’re kinda tense!”       “I am,” Daniel exhales sharply. “I’m… A little nervous…”       “Why? You have problems?”       “No, no, no problems. Just…” Daniel tightly locks his fingers and swallows up nervously. “I just don’t know what to expect from the visit to Peter. I don’t know how he’d react to my appearance… What he would say about me…”       “But Peter didn’t show aggression to you after the meeting with George.”       “I know, but… I’m anxious because of that… Peter and I quarreled so many times and even fought… And I was almost always the initiator of those fights. I was the one to provoke them after Rose got nuts for the first time.”       “Agree, I don’t also like that you fought with him. No matter what, you’ve known Rose and befriended him for ages. But one conflict immediately ruined everything you had.”       “And I’m terribly ashamed of Peter for my behavior. Ashamed of pressing on his hurt thing and joking at him ‘cause he didn’t have a girlfriend. Yes, I didn’t know about his relationship issues, but I could guess it when he asked me not to talk about it.”       “Do you think you’re guilty of the fact that Peter nearly died?”       “Yes, to some. And don’t forget that many people blamed me for Peter bringing himself to the wish to die. They said he suffered because of me, because of my bullying. They thought I didn’t consider him my friend and acted like a two-faced stinker: smiling at him but doing dirty tricks behind him. That’s not the truth, though! Peter has always been my friend. The best friend that understood me well and never refused to help.”       “But Peter said he blamed you for nothing, and all of his problems didn’t have to do with you.”       “I swear, Anna, I wouldn’t have done such a cruel thing to him if I’d known about Peter’s problems. I wouldn’t have been mad at him and thought of what George did. I wouldn’t have thought Rose felt a taste of fame after the tour and signing the contract with the studio. I… Started to think he got star-struck or something like that. He started to believe he’d need to do nothing to gain fame. Everybody would be done instead of him, and he’d just be awash in fame.”       “Didn’t you think that something could be wrong with him, at least for a second?”       “Never. I looked at him and thought Peter was incomparable to problems. I wouldn’t have thought that his positive mood was just a mask.”       “And why were you laughing because he dated nobody?”       “I just thought it couldn’t happen that the young, quite attractive guy dated nobody. For the years we’ve been speaking, he’s never gone on dates. I’ve never seen girls near him. And he shamelessly rejected those, who tried to get closer to him.”       “I know, but why did you behave like that?”       “I’ve said many times I’ve never had a bad thought about Peter, and my mockeries weren’t a way to humiliate and insult him,” Daniel excuses with pity in his eyes. “I thought about his problems for the first time when you asked me about it openly. And I realized you were right when Terrence, Peter, and I met George…”       Daniel glances aside and swallows up nervously, locking his fingers tightly.       “When I saw what Peter brought himself to, I just gave up,” Daniel confesses. “I got really scared. He looked terribly white, too skinny, depressed, and indifferent to everything. If his friend hadn’t brought Rose to the agency, he wouldn’t have gone there.”       “Didn’t you even try to find out what happened to him?”       “He was silent like a fish in the water, or he said everything was fine. Peter never said a word, but asked me not to talk about girls when I started talking about his relationship.”       “He gave a hint on what made him worried.”       “I know, but it’s too late to say something.”       “Listen, Daniel, I completely understand you’re nervous and afraid of this meeting,” Anna says softly, taking Daniel’s hand. “But you must do it. You’ve gotta end this conflict. Moreover, you know Peter has serious problems, and he said he blamed you for nothing.”       “I doubt Peter would forgive me for everything I’ve done and said to him,” Daniel replies in a depressed voice with sadness in his eyes. “He did feel so bad, but I made his condition worse. I don’t even repeat that I didn't know about his problems. I’m guilty of what happened to that guy.”       “But you said he had apologized to you before he decided to open his veins.”       “That was probably a moment of despair.”       “No, honey, that was true. Many people ask for forgiveness and regret something when they feel their death. So, Peter, knowing he would kill himself, apologized to you, Terrence, and his friends…”       “Oh, I don’t know, Anna…” Daniel sighs tiredly, running his hands over his face. “I think I was a terrible friend to him. I couldn’t help him when he needed it. I didn’t hear him when he asked me not to do what gave him pain. While Peter did everything for me and never left me in trouble, I didn’t do the same. I didn’t answer him back and thanked him for the support in such a disgusting way.”       “Daniel…”       “What kind of friend can I be if I almost sent the man to another world?” Daniel glances down and starts looking at his hands. “Sometimes, I think I’m a terrible friend to those, who know me. Bad man. Disgusting…”       “No, that’s not true!” Anna shakes her head sharply, looking at Daniel with pity in her eyes. “You’re an amazing man and a wonderful friend!”       “I can’t probably be a good boyfriend, as well,” Daniel replies in a little shaking voice and moves his eyes full of sadness to Anna. “How can you date such a horrible man, who did such a disgusting thing to the guy, who was guilty of nothing?”       “Don’t say so, sweetie, please,” Anna begs with pity in her eyes, caressing Daniel’s cheek tenderly. “Don’t give me pain.”       “It’s true, Anna. The people were partly right when blaming me for what happened to Peter.”       “Nobody just knew what happened between you. Because you said nothing, and Terrence told everybody you attacked Peter, you got the charges. But now we know that Rose isn’t also a holy angel. He wasn’t also right and did a bad thing to you.”       “No, it would be wrong to blame that guy for something. There’s only my fault for the fact that Peter tried to kill himself and barely survived.”       “He has tons of problems! Don’t make yourself feel a sense of shame. We know nothing about his past. Only the fact that he had terrible school years. I guess he had problems at that time. And you understand that it’s been a very long time. It means Pete has been trying to solve something for a long time.”       “If I had only known…” Daniel shakes his head, setting his dead eyes into the distance. “If I’d known he got problems, I would’ve done my best to help him… Why was I such a moron? Why didn’t I guess something wasn’t right with him?”       “I don’t doubt that if you and Terrence had known about Peter’s problems, you would’ve obliviously helped him. Even if he’d rejected your help. Whatever he would’ve done and said. Whatever someone would’ve said.”       “We tried to help him, but that was too late… We made a great mistake when running on different sides after that fight at the studio… And when MacClife and I started to speak again, we should’ve just gone to Rose’s home and talked to him. But we didn’t do it. Hesitation stopped us. Instead, we were pretending that we were trying to save him. But when Peter was gonna kill himself, we left everything and ran to him very, very fast.”       “And you did it just in time! If Terrence and you hadn’t wanted to go to Peter’s home or had gone much later, you could’ve lost him. But you did. You and MacClife got a chance, at least to give his support. Pete does need it so badly. He needs someone to talk with. He needs you two.”       “I know, but the case is not only the fact that I’m getting tortured by the disgusting sense of shame of Peter.”       “Really? But what’s the other problem?”       “I feel shame for Terrence, too.”       “For Terrence? What does he have to do with it? You didn’t fight with him and did nothing bad to him!”       “Yeah, but he was tearing apart between us for a long time and unsuccessfully trying to reconcile us and save the band and our friendship. He had many personal problems. And alongside that, Terrence was trying to save ‘Against The System’. He was the only one to be interested in it. And Peter and I forgot about it. We fought like cats and dogs and hated each other. He hated me for pressing on to his painful place. And I hated him for the irresponsibility and the refusal to work with the band business.”       “I think Terrence isn’t mad at you. Yes, he had a very hard time, but he didn’t stop in the middle of the way and was doing his best to solve the problems. The support of Raquelle, his mother, and his best friends makes that man stay strong. Thanks to their love, he’s survived at least a part of what’s waiting for him.”       “I don’t doubt MacClife has cursed Rose and me hundreds of times and regretted getting in touch with us. He probably thought he’d better start a solo career and depend on nobody. But he had to save the band alone. And George pressed on him…”       “Has Terrence ever said it openly? He blamed you for not making his dream?”       “I know he thought so.”       “And do you think he’d spend time with you if he was mad at you?”       “He did it for the band.”       “No, Daniel, he’s doing it not just for the band. Terrence is doing it for the friendship that he highly appreciates. He doesn’t wanna tear himself between you and Peter. Trust me, I do know what that is, ‘cause I had to tear myself between Raquelle and Natalia somehow.”       “What if we’ve never been friends? What if we just think so? What if we’re only united by the band? What if we don't communicate after the breakup? Because we won’t find any other common things!”       “Don’t say it, please.”       “That’s good I didn’t fight with Terrence and attack him with fists in anger. Otherwise, I would feel much lousier.”       “Daniel, please, stop blaming yourself for everything that happened,” Anna says softly and caresses Daniel’s cheeks with both hands, looking into his eyes full of sadness with pity. “I completely understand it’s very hard for you, but you can’t give up. Especially now, when you got a chance to fix your mistake.”       “You think I’ll make amends for Peter and Terrence? Do you think Rose will forgive me? And won’t MacClife be mad for framing him?”       “Of course, you would,” Anna replies confidently with a smile and moves some strands of Daniel’s hair off his forehead. “I believe in you and know you'll get what you want. Moreover, you’ve got a wish. When someone has a true wish, they’ve taken a bigger part of the way. Sometimes it’s enough to start to do something.”       “I don’t want anyone to consider me a stinker.”       “Nobody will do it. Calm down, please, and don’t make yourself think about it. Better listen to Peter first, and then we’ll decide how guilty you are.”       Daniel says nothing and just takes Anna in his strong hug, being mainly sad, not tense this time. At first, he caresses the girl’s back with slow movements and then starts doing it a little faster, hoping it will calm him down somehow. She caresses her boyfriend’s back and head tenderly and strokes his hair, trying to do it very softly to help him relax a little.       “It’s okay, sweetheart, it’s okay,” Anna whispers in Daniel’s ear, kisses him cutely on his temple, caresses the back of his head, and hugs him much tighter. “I’m with you… You can do anything. Absolutely anything. I believe in you. I know you’re strong and would do anything.”       “I don’t wanna seem like a weak boy, but shit…” Daniel replies in a little shaking voice, squeezing Anna’s top tube in his hands from nervousness and biting his lips strongly. “I really feel bad. Very bad. Please, help me! Please, Anna, do something! I know you can do it. Please, my sunshine… Please…”       “Of course, I’ll help you.” Anna kisses Daniel tenderly on the cheek and keeps caressing his head. “You have my support and me. I promise I’ll do anything you want to see you happy. Anything for you, honey.”       “Don’t let me break down and fall into depression. I don’t wanna be a whipping boy. I don’t want this stupid sense of shame to literally eat me. I don’t want…”       “Sh-h-h, quiet, quiet, sweetie, don’t be nervous. I’m here, with you, ready to support you.”       Daniel squeezes Anna much tighter in his hug with a heavy sigh, snuggling his face into her shoulder for some time. The girl does not stop caressing the man’s back softly and keeps whispering something into his ear, being ready to give him all the energy she has. At first, Daniel stays very tense, but Anna’s efforts bring good results some time later. He starts to calm down slowly and breathe deeper, relaxing a little in the hug of his beloved girl, who spreads kindness, a madly nice warmth, and positive energy.       At some moment, Daniel steps back from Anna and looks at the girl for a few seconds with his sad eyes, while she is caressing the inside of his wrist with pity in her eyes.       “Thanks a lot,” Daniel thanks quietly, making himself smile. “I feel much better.”       “Are you sure?” Anna shows anxiety.       “Yes, yes, it’s okay.”       “Remember, I’ll love you and stay by your side, no matter what happens.”       “I know. Anyway, don’t worry about me. I’ll bear it somehow. I’m terrified, but I must do it. And I will do.”       “You can do it. I know it.”       “Thank you, princess,” Daniel smiles slightly.       Anna smiles shyly with a feeling that cats are scratching inside her. Daniel kisses his sweetheart tenderly on the cheek, caresses her cheek with a slight smile, runs his fingertips smoothly over her arms, and takes her hand with both hands. The girl smiles much wider, as she feels a nice warmth that is spreading all over her body. However, the man feels the same and understands that he gets much better next to his girlfriend, who does everything that he highly appreciates.       

***

      Meanwhile, Jessica and Helene are walking together in a small, quiet park, slowly going on the straight path by people that come here alone, with some people, or with dogs. Someone rushes somewhere, and someone does not think about time and is just enjoying the good weather.       “The doctors lost hope for the best,” Helene says with some despair. “They’re thinking of stopping the therapy and letting Peter die.”       “But why?” Jessica wonders. “Why do the doctors wanna refuse to treat Peter?”       “Because they see no positive changes. Nothing has changed since they found out that he got his blood infected.”       “But he is alive! And he sometimes comes to himself! At least for a minute!”       “I know, but how do we convince them to continue therapy? I can’t let them stop fighting for Pete’s life! I can’t let him die!”       “Is your pretense not helping him at all?” Jessica wonders. “You visit him almost every single day!”       “Lewis says the machines or Peter react to my pretense in the room. But I think that’s not true.”       “And I think it happens for a reason. I’m sure it’s a sign!”       “Jess, don’t say stupid things!” Helene sighs tiredly. “Nothing changes when the sounds become less monotonous, or he starts saying something in delirium. There’s nothing special about it!”       “Ah, friend, friend…” Jessica shakes her head. “I do say this is the sign! Something tells me it might mean a positive reaction of Peter to your pretense.”       “Well, I dunno… Though, Lewis said that many unconscious people could hear the voices of someone and follow their sound to find the light at the end of the tunnel and wake up.”       “And Lewis is a doctor! The experienced doctor that has cured many people! He wouldn’t have said it for nothing!”       “I think he’s just trying to calm me down.”       “No, Marshall, he tells you the truth. And actually, I must confess that Peter got a very smart doctor, who knew his business well. And he knows psychology. That man reads you like a known book and can easily say what happens to you after looking at your face or listening to you.”       “It won’t help Peter get well,” Helene replies with sadness in her eyes.       “Oh, gosh, Helene, what a pessimist you are,” Jessica moans tiredly, putting her hand on her forehead. “You say you believe in Rose’s recovery and then literally bury him and think of getting money for a place at the cemetery.”       “But you got hope,” Helene chuckles without emotions on her face. “You’re sure that the blond would come to himself and no longer harm himself, early or late.”       “I can’t say I’m sure about it, but I wanna believe it would happen. Don’t think I ain’t worried about Peter. Vice versa, I worry about him and want him to get well soon. The poor guy didn’t deserve everything that happened to him. He’s not guilty that people may sometimes be shameless scumbags.”       “But sadly, he had to live among these people, who were bullying him for nothing for a long time. And here’s what it led to… Pete is in such a hard condition that the doctors start to give up.”       “Oh, friend…” Jessica sighs heavily and falls into silence for two seconds. “Okay, let’s stop talking about Rose. Otherwise, you’ll go crazy soon.”       “You know I can’t forget him.”       “I know, but I’ve told you many times not to make him the center of your Universe. Remember that you’ve got many other things to do.”       “Ah, Jessica, how can I think of something else when my close person is about to die?”       “He will not die! Peter is a tough, healthy guy that would get over it.”       “But Rose doesn’t want to do it. That guy doesn’t wanna fight for his life.”       “Well, as he still gives the signs of life, it means he understands he has a reason to live.”       “Gosh, what kind of reason?” Helene chuckles without emotions.       “Alright, stop thinking about it! You’re torturing yourself and not letting others stay quiet. I’m sure your grandmother is too anxious because you forgot about yourself and everything in the world after Peter got depression.”       “Yeah, but…”       “Stop, let’s talk about something different. For example, the reportage about a certain man, who got arrested more than a week ago, has been translated for one week.”       “You think I care about it?”       “They said that man wanted to kill his family for money and revenge on his brother. They showed photos of him, and that was an old man with evil eyes at the age of about sixty. It seems like the old man went insane in old age.”       “I don’t care about that man, and I haven’t watched TV or read news on the Internet for ages. And I used to do it very rarely.”       “No, you imagine, what’s the hell happening? They’re ready for anything for money! And he wanted to rob quite a provided relative: he had money, his business, and a gorgeous house… What greed leads you to! By the way, they say he’s gonna be on trial for the charge in many articles. The case is gonna be loud… At least because there is the last name of…”       “And why are you telling me that?” Helene stops her friend, staying absolutely indifferent. “I repeat, I don’t care who’s been arrested and for what. Now I think only about Peter. Other things can go to hell.”       “Gosh, distract yourself for a while! Do you think Rose needs your sacrifices? Do you think he wants you to give ALL of your strength to babysit him like a child? You’re acting like a woman, who gives herself to others and forgets about herself. You’re ready to forget about your grandmother and friends and even leave a job just to stay with Peter all day long. You even deprive yourself of the chance to meet a guy and go on a date.”       “Jessica, please, stop…”       “I’m telling you the truth, Helene. What’s gonna happen to you if Rose, heaven forbids, dies? You will be ready to hang yourself! And then Mr. Marshall will lose hope that your life will get better: no marriage, no grandchildren. I ain’t even sure if a psychologist would help you, ‘cause you wouldn’t love to change anything! You like suffering because of Peter!”       “If you care that I’m not married and haven’t become a mother, why don’t you think about it? Why don’t you go on dates with guys and date nobody?”       “You know that those guys, with whom I’ve ever gone on dates, were afraid of me. I don’t care! I’m not guilty that you’re afraid of strong girls, who could say a couple of rude words, be cruel, and dislike tenderness. I don't wanna be a feminine, weak girl. The one to wish to be with me would have to take it. Because I ain’t gonna change.”       “Then don’t tell me about it. It’s okay that Grandma Scarlett talks about it every single day. But how could you, the girl, who hasn’t gotten married, say it?”       “Sorry, Marshall, but you’ve lately been unbearable,” Jessica says gloomily. “You went crazy because of Peter!”       “Oh, Jess…”       “He will not rate such great sacrifices! He will have the pleasure to know you worry about him, but don’t forget about yourself and others. I understand you’re kind of in love with him and don’t wanna lose, but you are sure this love will stay one-sided. But fuck, that’s wrong! Acting like this because of one man is wrong!”       “When you’re in love, you’ll understand me and get ready to sacrifice yourself for your beloved man. If you have nobody, you won’t understand my actions. Understand what I’m doing for that man.”       “No, friend, I will never understand those, who give themselves to others. It’s like a mother, who gives her child everything but wears ripped clothes, literally counts her bones ‘cause she eats nothing, and sleeps on a walk due to the terrible tiredness. That’s wrong! You must think of yourself! How you’d have the strength when you give it to the other man!”       “Any loving mother would give anything for her child. As well as a loving woman would take care of her man and sacrifice anything for him.”       “Gosh, Marshall, you’re a smart girl but sometimes act like an idiot,” Jessica says gloomily. “You do the stupidest things! Fuck! You’re giving all your strength to babysitting the blond, and then what? Would we have to get you out of depression? Would you bring Peter to life and fade away yourself?”       “Anything for Peter to be happy and healthy.”       “Oh, shit, it’s impossible to…”       Jessica does not speak her mind because a sudden call rings on Helene's phone.       “Damn, who is that?” Helene moans quietly.       After stopping and going aside, Helene opens her purse, finds her mobile phone, and answers the call, not looking at the screen.       “Hello,” Helene says quietly.       “Good afternoon, Helene. It’s Terrence MacClife.”       “Terrence?”       Jessica immediately sets her rounded eyes on Helene, who gets a little confused.       “Oh…” Helene pronounces hesitantly. “Hey… I didn’t expect your call…”       “Don’t I bother you?” Terrence asks quietly. “I wanna talk to you about something.”       “No, no, it’s okay! You can speak. What happened?”       “Alright, but tell me, please, is Jessica with you now? If she is not, I will call her later!”       “Yes, yes, she is with me,” Helene glances at Jessica crossing her arms over her chest.       “Great! Then I want you to tell her what you will hear now. As soon as possible. It’s very important.”       “Yeah, sure, I will do…” Helene bites her lip slightly. “But… What happened? Something happened to Peter?”       “Yes, I have some news about Pete. But don’t worry, please. It’s good. Jessica and you are gonna be thrilled.”       “Really?” Helene gets a little nervous. “And what do you wanna say?”       “A few minutes ago, I got a call from Lewis Todd, and he said that Peter finally came to himself two hours ago.”       Helene getting sharply white rounds her eyes and opens her mouth slightly, understanding that it’s getting hard for her to breathe, and everything goes back for a second or two.       “W-what?” Helene pronounces quietly. “You… Aren’t you lying?”       “No, Helene, I’m telling you the truth,” Terrence replies confidently. “Peter came to himself and can speak. He survived. The doctors think it’s a real miracle ‘cause everything was coming to a tragic end.”       “Oh, my gosh…” Helene closes her mouth with a hand with half-wet eyes, while Jessica looks at her friend questioningly. “It’s a miracle… Gosh… Peter…”       “I can’t also believe Rose has come back to us,” Terrence says softly. “Nevertheless, that’s the truth. If you don’t believe me, call Lewis and ask him.”       “Say, Terrence, can we visit him right now? If we can, I’ll go to the hospital shortly!”       “No, no, don’t go to the hospital. We aren’t allowed to go. Peter is weak enough to accept guests. But tomorrow you, Jessica, Daniel, and I will probably be allowed to come in.”       “Does Daniel know it? Did Lewis talk to him?”       “Yes, I told him about it and agreed to meet him tomorrow after half past twelve. We will go there together and try to talk to Peter.”       “No, we will go all together!” Helene says confidently. “Jessica and I will go to the hospital, too! Talk to him and let him know we’re ready to give him our support.”       “Daniel and I can meet you and Jessica. I’ll go to his home at first, and then we could take you two out.”       “No, no, Terrence,” Helene refuses shyly. “Thanks for the suggestion, but Jessica and I will reach it in my car.”       “Don’t be shy, it’s gonna be easy for us. Just tell us where to go, and we’ll come shortly after I take him out.”       “Don’t do. Let’s meet in the hospital somewhere in the hall of the hospital on the first floor.”       “Okay, I don’t insist,” Terrence replies amicably. “So, we agreed: we’ll be meeting in the hospital tomorrow after twelve.”       “Great! Deal!”       “See you tomorrow, then.”       “Yeah, sure,” Helene smiles shyly. “See you tomorrow.”       Helene turns off the call and puts her phone in her purse, being a little shocked and looking quite white and excited. She says nothing for two seconds, while her widely open eyes are set into the distance. Only the fact that Jessica softly takes her by the shoulder and shakes her slightly makes the brunette come to herself.       “Helene, what did Terrence tell you?” Jessica asks excitedly. “What happened? Why are you so scared?”       “Jess, it’s a real miracle…” Helene says in a shaking voice with a shy smile. “I… I can’t believe it…”       “Hey, quiet, friend, quiet,” Jessica takes the excited Helene by the shoulders and rubs them softly but energetically. “Don’t dare to faint. You got too white and can barely stand.”       “It’s the best piece of news I’ve ever heard lately. Best! Best!”       “Breathe deeper, dear, breathe deeper. There are no fences around, and we can’t sit down. So, calm down, breathe in, and breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. I have nothing to wake you up with if you decide to lose consciousness.”       “Terrence told me the amazing piece of news!” Helene smiles much wider. “Jessica! He told me the amazing piece of news!”       “Damn, what did he tell you that you got so excited?”       “It’s a miracle! The miracle is the fact that Peter woke up! Literally two hours ago!”       “My gosh!” Jessica opens her mouth. “C’mon! Are you serious? Peter! Woke up?”       “Yes, friend!” Helene exclaims happily. “Pete managed to survive! He survived!”       “Holy shit!” Jessica closes her mouth with both hands with a wider smile. “What a piece of news!”       “Terrence said Lewis called him and said it,” Helene replies excitedly, literally choking from a lack of air. “He says it’s a real miracle! They had no hope for the best!”       “Gosh, I’m so happy! So happy he did that!”       “I can’t believe it, either!” Helene starts working with her hands actively. “When Terrence said it, everything went black for a moment. I could barely stand on my feet! I had a feeling that I was getting choked. Choked from the emotions that I felt.”       “And can we visit him? Let’s go to him right now? I’m absolutely free!”       “No, no, Terrence said we’d be able to do it tomorrow. The doctors don’t let anyone visit Peter ‘cause he’s too weak.”       “So, we’ll go tomorrow then!”       “Terrence and Daniel are supposed to go to the hospital after twelve. It means you and I should be there at the same time.”       “Wonderful then!” Jessica exclaims cheerfully. “Get up, have breakfast, meet, and go.”       “I’d come to him even at night! At any time! In any condition!” Helene looks at what surrounds her and smiles much wider, being literally ready to jump from happiness. “Oh, my God, I still can’t believe it! Jessica! It’s a real miracle! I was dreaming about it! I was praying that Peter woke up! And everything was worth it!”       “So, silly girl, what did I tell you?” Jessica smiles shyly, taking Helene by the shoulders. “I told you Peter would be fine! But you literally started to look for a place at the cemetery and save money for the funeral!”       “I can’t believe it… Can’t… It’s a real miracle!”       “I’m sure your pretense helped him well and gave him good motivation to survive. Pete had a reason to come back to this world – it’s you. A wish to make you stop grieving so hard. He’s attracted to you and won’t let you do anything horrible.”       “Thank you, God!” Helene thanks in a shaking voice. “Thanks! Thank you for not leaving such a close person with me. Thank you for bringing him back to me… Thank you…”       “You should thank not only God, but also yourself. Peter woke up because of you. He felt your pretense and heard your voice. He understood that he should’ve come back to the real world.”       “I swear I shall do what I promised. You remember I said I’d give help to someone if Peter survived.”       “But what did you decide to do?”       “I dunno yet. But I’ll help someone. Maybe, not even once… Donate money, give blood to someone, or buy something at an orphan house for children or pets. Today, I’ll check the information on the Internet and find out what someone needs.”       “I guess it’s your reward,” Jessica replies confidently with a smile. “The reward for all of your tears and suffering”       “I already got it. Peter woke up and didn’t leave me. I don’t need more.” Helene sniffs quietly. “I don’t dare to dream of mutual love. But even if my feelings aren’t mutual, I won’t leave such a close person. Never.”       “Now you’re one of the people, who could help him. Peter could reject my help or the help of Daniel and Terrence, but he will not do it to you. He’s too attracted to you not to let you take care of him. I can’t say about his feelings for you, but the blond’s affection for you is strong.”       “I know, but…” Helene moves her wet eyes to Jessica. “I won’t take it alone. I need help. Help in giving Peter support. It goes without saying, I’ll be doing my best, but getting him out of the hole on my own is gonna be hard for me.”       “Don’t worry, friend, we all will help you,” Jessica replies confidently with a wide smile. “MacClife, Perkins, and I will not leave him. We’ll help him even if he refuses and kicks us out.”       “This time, we shouldn’t let him start cutting himself and make another attempt to kill himself.” Helene shakes her head. “I don’t wanna lose him, Jess. I don’t wanna know about his attempt to kill himself. And especially hear about his death.”       “I’m sure if you let him know you’d be by his side, despite nothing, Pete will find the courage to stop harming himself.”       “Gosh, my throat got dry from excitement…” Helene confesses, grabbing her throat with a heavy breath. “I got so nervous after Terrence’s call…”       “It’s okay, we’ll find a café and eat and drink something sweet. I think there is something like that here…”       “I’m ready for anything for Peter. For my love for him. That I will no longer deny. May everybody see and know that I love that man very much. Literally more and more every day. No matter who I am for him. I don’t need a sexual relationship. I only need an emotional one. Just a friendly relationship.”       “Even if he doesn’t answer your feelings, I don’t doubt you’ll be by his side as the best and most loyal friend,” Jessica says softly with a slight smile. “You must do it. Because the blonde has nobody but his friends. He needs close people. He needs you. Because you mean a little more to him than the guys and me.”       “The most important thing is that he stayed alive, and I ain’t gonna leave him,” Helen notices confidently. “I’m ready to be by his side, even in case he doesn’t answer my feelings. It’s okay. I’ll bear it somehow. I’m ready to be just Peter’s friend. The best and most caring friend that would always come to help.”       “You only need to show your care and support that he needed during his depression and over his whole life. All these years, Peter has been lonely and hasn’t been able to ask for help. But now it’s over.”       “And we will not do.”       “Ah, Jess, friend…” Helene smiles much wider, starting to understand that tears are getting out of her eyes and rolling over her cheeks. “You can’t imagine what kind of relief I feel… You don’t know how long I was waiting for Terrence’s words. How much I was afraid that everything was worthless…”       “I completely understand your feelings, honey,” Jessica replies softly, taking Helene’s hands. “For me, it became a shock, too. A nice shock that I still can’t come to myself after. You know that I don’t wish Pete anything bad or death, and I don’t want him to suffer.”       “Gosh, I would’ve never thought I’d cry from happiness,” Helene says with a smile through tears, closing her mouth with her hands. “I think I’ve never been as happy as I am now.”       “Ah, Helene…” Jessica shakes her head with a wide smile on her face.       With these words, Jessica takes Helene in an amicable hug that the brunette accepts with pleasure, starting to sob on her friend’s shoulder at times. The blonde also starts to feel tears in her eyes, even if it rarely happens to her. She does not usually almost cry and does try to stay strong in any situation. But the news about Peter became one of the rarest cases when holding tears down was literally impossible.