***
It’s been two days. Because she felt good enough, Anna was allowed to go home. Lilian and Maximilian took the girl after lunch and drove her to the man’s apartment, still acting like a team and trying to support each other. The home condition used to make Anna depressed, but now she is even happy to be back home after a few days spent on an uncomfortable and hard bed surrounded by the smell of cures and white walls. “Here you’re home, daughter,” Maximilian says confidently, putting a small bag with some stuff on the sofa in the living room. “Yeah, home…” Anna pronounces thoughtfully, embracing herself with both arms, going into the living room slowly, and looking around. “I kind of missed home… At first, it was good in the hospital, but then I got sick. I got sick of being in the white walls and sniffing the smell of drugs.” “That’s good your father, your friends, and I visited you,” Lillian notices confidently, entering the living room. “And that sweet girl Cassidy didn’t let you feel bored.” “I know,” Anna smiles slightly. “She was my salvation. Cassidy amused me in all ways. And I tried to encourage her somehow.” “I wish everything was okay with that girl.” “That’s good I didn’t stay alone after she left the hospital yesterday. If I had had to spend a few more days in the hospital, I would’ve gone crazy from boredom.” “Since the doctors said you were fine, you will be getting well next to your mother and father.” “But if you want, I’m sure that Cassidy wouldn’t refuse to visit you alone or with your friends,” Maximilian adds confidently. “Yeah, but I don’t have her number. I dunno… Maybe, I shall take it from the girls or the men and call her. But not now. Now I wanna have some rest.” With these words, Anna comes to the sofa and sits on it, still embracing herself with both arms. Maximilian comes to his daughter two seconds later and sits next to her, while Lillian sorts out the things from the bag that is lying on the sofa. “Ask Daniel about it,” Maximilian suggests amicably. “He won’t mind if Cassidy visits you.” “No, Dad,” Anna cuts off sharply without emotions. “I shall only talk to Daniel about the business. I agreed to tolerate him for you and Mom. I don’t want to have anything in common with him.” “Not only for that, my sunshine,” Lillian says with a slight smile, distracting herself from her business. “You were waiting for his help. And you accepted it because you knew he wouldn’t have refused. Also, you still love him and want to know what that guy can do for you.” “Even if it’s true, it will change nothing. When the story of Julian ends, the ways of Daniel and me will be separated: I will live my life, he will live his life.” “Don’t run from your happiness, sweetie,” Maximilian advises, caressing Anna’s cheek. “Maybe, you will never meet a man like him.” “Why? He’s not the only man in the world! I shall surely meet another man!” “You can meet a hundred men, but the question is whether your heart trembles,” Lilian notices. “Just like it did when you met Daniel.” “I ain’t gonna doom myself to loneliness because of my love for the man, who cheated on me.” “Don’t you want to try to give him a chance?” Maximilian asks with sadness in his eyes. “I can’t forgive him, Dad,” Anna replies quietly. “I can’t trust him again. Yes, I understand that I did a bad thing when I left him at a hard time. I kind of regret it. But I ain’t sure if he’ll no longer cheat.” “At least don’t refuse to speak to him as a friend,” Lillian advises softly, sitting next to Anna and hugging her around the shoulders. “Try trust him and talk to him like a friend at first. You treat the other men as friends! So, do the same to Daniel. Speak to him like he’s your friend or good familiar.” “No, Mom…” Anna moves her eyes to the hands folded in front of her. “I can’t speak to the one I love as a friend… Who I wanna hug… Not as a friend… Kiss… No…” “Nobody makes you cry out about your love for him and hang on his neck with tears of happiness,” Maximilian replies confidently. “Daniel would get everything and wouldn’t mind talking to you amicably. He’d be happy to talk to you as a friend.” “It’s easy for you to say about a friendly talk,” Anna sighs heavily, looking at her hands. “You can easily talk to each other amicably because you didn’t betray each other. You never loved each other. You felt nothing. You don’t know what love is. A real love for a man or a woman… It’s something unknown to you.” Anna does not notice how Lillian and Maximilian get sad for two moments and think about something. But none of the ex-spouses sees it and suspects that their daughter’s words made them think about something that definitely bothers them. “Ah, daughter…” Lillian sighs quietly with sadness in her eyes, caressing Anna’s head. “Nobody really makes you come back to Daniel and live with him against your wish. Your father and I just advise you to start establishing your relationship. And the more you think of the dignities of that man, the sooner your offenses are gone.” “I’ve done the only thing I could do,” Anna replies quietly without emotions. “And then… We will see it.” “So, does Daniel have a chance to get better?” Maximilian specifies. “He can try if he wants to. But I shall think.” “Darling, we all know what you want now,” Lillian says confidently, fixing Anna’s hair with a slight smile. “Your friends shared some confessions that you told them with us.” “Just…” Anna cracks a smile. “Actually… You all see me through. I realized that denying something was worthless. And… Told my friends everything… And they understood me and supported me. They gave me a chance to speak and cry out.” “You did the right thing, sunshine,” Maximilian nods with a slight smile. “I believe you got better after all those confessions.” “I can’t deny it,” Anna replies thoughtfully. “But you know well what I need to be absolutely happy.” “We can and will help you get rid of Julian,” Lillian replies confidently. “But to get Daniel back, you should want it,” Maximilian adds softly, caressing Anna’s hand. “Everything depends on you. Your mother and I only have to accept your decision and support you.” “I know…” Anna pronounces thoughtfully, inclining her head with sadness in her eyes. Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which Maximilian and Lillian look at each other, and then the woman hugs her daughter around the shoulders, saying softly but confidently: “Okay, daughter, let’s talk about it later. Now it’s really a bad time. You better have some rest and put yourself in order.” “And get ready to meet Julian again, early or late,” Anna adds without emotions. “Maybe, you’ll have to,” Maximilian replies confidently, caressing Anna’s cheek. “But I promise that stinker will no longer dare to touch you with a finger.” “I doubt it. Julian might beat me again. And he and his father might do something to you or Mother. I… I’m afraid of that to death.” “It’s gonna be okay, darling. Julian won’t hurt any of us. Soon, he and his father will pay for everything they’ve done and no longer bother our family.” “And soon you’ll live a quiet life and speak to your friends,” Lillian adds with a slight smile. “I hope, Mom…” Anna smiles slightly. “Thank you for your love and support.” “Ah, Anna, my girl…” Lillian hugs Anna with a slight smile, and the girl answers it with pleasure. And when the girl steps back from her mother, Maximilian also hugs her touchingly and caresses her head tenderly. Then, the girl steps back from her father and smiles at her parents slightly, as if she is thanking them for being by her side at such a hard time. “Erm, okay, I’ll go to my room…” Anna says thoughtfully, running her hand through her hair. “To put myself in order…” “Sure, sunshine, go,” Lillian nods with a shy smile. “A little later, I’ll order something from food,” Maximilian adds. After looking at Lillian and Maximilian the last time, Anna gets up from the sofa and goes to her room, while her parents watch her with sad eyes. And when they hear how the door to their daughter’s room closes, the ex-spouses look at each other. “Christ, how much she is suffering…” Maximilian sighs heavily. “I see that Anna wants to be with Daniel so badly. She loves him.” “I know, but we can’t help her…” Lillian shrugs. “She’s gotta make the decision.” “Even if they are together again, she might remind him of that betrayer during a fight.” “Right. These memories will always be with her. Any wrong step of Daniel may make Anna doubt him and wish to reproach him for something.” “Oh…” Maximilian shakes his head, exhaling slowly and putting his hand on his forehead, gets up, and starts walking slowly in the living room. “I hope they will at least remain friends. She shouldn't reject the man, who gets so attracted to her and cares about our daughter.” “Thank God, she at least let him save her from Julian and Norman.” “Yeah, she realized that she could count on him.” “Daniel is a very good man. True. He’s more decent than the Potters.” “I actually liked him when we met for the first time. He’s a well-educated guy, with money and brains, and he speaks his mind clearly… He knows what he wants.” “You know, Max… I’m starting to understand that I’d like to have a son-in-law like him. Really. You know that it’s hard to impress me, but Daniel did it after the first attempt.” “I’d also love him to be my son-in-law…” Maximilian sighs with a slight smile. “I really like the fact that he is always true to his emotions and feelings. Daniel stays himself and doesn’t pretend.” “You’re right. Daniel is not the same as the Potters. Julian and Norman always overplay when trying to be good and innocent.” “No, Lillian, Daniel is not a fake,” Maximilian replies confidently. “I saw how he treated Anna and how she shined next to him. And our daughter wouldn’t have let him get closer to her if she had doubted him. If Anna liked someone, we have a deal with a good person.” “You’re right,” Lilian smiles shyly. “That man deserves our daughter. He deserves to be the father of our grandchildren.” “That guy keeps his promises! No matter how bad he feels, he goes and does what he should do.” “Ah, how I wish they were together!” Lilian closes her eyes and puts her hands together. “God, do Your best for my daughter to come back to Daniel. Please…” “Our daughter was always so funny and happy next to him. I couldn’t stop being happy for my girl!” “And Potter showed up like out of the blue.” Lillian sighs heavily, gets up from the sofa, and comes slowly to the window. “Bastard… Because of him, my daughter thinks she’s worthless and almost died after she was beaten.” “It’s madly hurtful for me to realize it…” Maximilian replies thoughtfully. “I never thought one nasty man could turn a funny, sanguine, and confident girl into an unhappy and timid one. Make her think she’s ugly…” “Gosh, why does Julian hate Anna so much? Why did he agree to dance attendance upon his father?” “He spent just a few days on it. I stopped recognizing my daughter in a few days.” “I still can’t believe it’s all really happening…” Lilian embraces herself with both arms. “It’s unbearable to think that my child is suffering. I’ve always wished Anna the best, and I’m ready for anything for her. Maybe, she didn’t believe it and thought I didn’t think of her. But my girl has always been in my mind.” “If Norman wants it, he can harm us. But we will not let him and his sick sonny, who must be in a mental hospital, hurt our daughter.” “I’m so scared, Max.” Lillian turns on Maximilian. “I’m afraid to think that Potter may get off, even if he got caught in a crime. Yes, we have proof that Julian mocked Anna, but Norman may easily do something to make everything good for him.” “At least, we’ll surely punish Julian,” Maximilian replies confidently. “The video Daniel and his friends gave us is going to be a great clue. Anna won’t deny that she wasn’t in it.” “I don’t know…” “Don’t worry, sweetie, it’s gonna be okay. Julian will go to prison. And we will put Normal in prison if Ryan finds something to prove that the stinker had to do with his mother’s death.” “Anyway, we can’t let Julian or Norman get closer to Anna. My heart will break if I watch my daughter beaten to half-death again.” “Don’t worry, Lillian, that stinker won’t touch her with a finger.” Maximilian comes to Lillian confidently and takes her softly by the shoulders. “Daniel and his friends won’t let it happen.” “I don’t know, Max…” Lillian sighs heavily with anxiety in her soul, putting her hand on her heart. “I’ve got a bad presentiment…” “It’s gonna be okay. We are not powerless.” “I don’t want to lose my child,” Lilian shakes her head. “Don’t want those scumbags to mock Anna again. I’d prefer suffering myself than watching her feel pain!” “If that motherfucker dares to hurt her again, I will take revenge on him personally.” “That’s bad we can’t help Anna avoid another meeting with Julian.” “Anna will not meet those snakes alone. Only with me and you. Only with the support of Daniel, his friends, and the police.” “What if they catch her somewhere just like Julian did on the day when she was beaten?” Lillian round her eyes full of horror. “And we don’t know it!” “While those people are free, Anna will be walking only with us or some of the men.” “What if they come here?” “They can do it. At least one of us will constantly be next to Anna. Those people will pretend to be good for us. So, our daughter will be safe.” “What are we gonna do if they stop pretending and reveal their nasty character someday?” “I believe everything is gonna be planned by that time. Julian and Norman haven’t shown up yet, but we will be careful and wait because they might give us bad surprises at any time.” “Oh, God…” Lillian puts her hand on her forehead and exhales slowly, looking around the whole living room. She and Maximilian fall into their thoughts, but a sudden call on the mobile phone makes them wake up a few seconds later. The man quickly recognizes a melody that is set up as a ringtone on his phone, and puts it to his ear after running his finger over the screen. “Hello,” Maximilian pronounces a little tensely. “Maximilian!” someone’s male voice exclaims. “It’s been a while!” “Erm… Excuse me… Who am I talking to?” “Buddy, do you not recognize me? It’s me, Norman!” “Norman?” Lillian quickly comes to Maximilian being a little confused. “Norman, is that you?” Maximilian frowns slightly. “Yes, yes, this is me, my dear friend,” Norman confirms with false happiness. “I finally got a free minute to call you! I wanted to do it a long time ago, but I was always busy with something.” “Oh, it’s alright… I… Have also been busy lately.” While Maximilian says it, he glances at Lillian and shakes his head, rolling his eyes up and clenching a free hand into a hard fist when he thinks: “So what… You showed up, scumbag. Are you going to pretend to be good, just like your nasty bastard? Alright, alright… You and your sonny will pay for what you did to my daughter. I will not leave it unnoticed. I swear!” “How are you doing there?” Norman asks cheerfully. “I’m fine,” Maximilian replies quietly. “How’s Lillian? I haven’t seen her for ages!” “Lillian is doing fine, too.” “Wonderful then!” “And you? How are you doing? What about your sons?” “I’m fine, as well,” Norman says with a smug smile. “And my sons are doing fine.” “So, I’m very glad.” “But…” Norman falls into silence for a second and exhales sharply. “I’m very upset that Ryan still can’t come to himself after the death of his mother.” “Really?” Maximilian shows a surprise. “He still misses her?” “It’s been so long, but Ryan keeps grieving for Genevieve. He even started to study much harder. This is the only cure for sadness for him.” “Yeah… Poor boy… Poor boy…” “Julian and I are also missing that amazing woman and often talk about her during dinners. But we accepted the loss more or less and kept living.” “I hope he will accept it someday,” Maximilian expresses hope in a low voice. “I know that a mother’s death is terrible, but you don’t have to be stuck on it.” “Oh, you know, honestly, I’m starting to be worried about him,” Norman confesses. “If it keeps happening, I will have to find a psychologist for Ryan. It’s not fine. And I’m worried that he studies all day long. I can’t remember when Ryan spent time with his friends the last time.” “Oh, God…” “I’m silent about relationships. Ryan doesn’t aim to meet a girl and go somewhere with her.” “I get it…” Maximilian pronounces thoughtfully. “But agree, studying is great. You have always said that Ryan loves to study and discover something new. And you know, brains are very important.” “Yes, Max, you’re absolutely right,” Norman laughs not quite truly. “But studying all the time is not fine, either. Even hard-working people need to have a rest and put their brains in order.” “I personally know many people, for whom studying is the meaning of life. They always learn and examine something new.” “Anyway, I am proud that my late wife gave birth to such a smart son. Who knows… Maybe, someday, I will admit him to my work after he graduates. I do need a smart helper.” “Look out, Norman, he could actually rule your business with his brains,” Maximilian replies confidently. “Come on, Max!” Norman laughs quietly. “Come on! I would be happy if Ryan started to rule my business someday. I always say that he took after me. An incredibly smart guy with an incredible taste for benefits. The important thing is that he learns fast.” “That’s right…” Maximilian rolls his eyes, literally burning with anger and barely holding himself down not to lose his temple, while Lillian watches him with rounded eyes, impatiently waiting for her ex-husband to say something interesting. “Oh, listen, Maximilian…” Norman pronounces thoughtfully. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you about… About something else… That makes me worried.” “Erm…” Maximilian stutters, biting his lips slightly. “Yes, yes, Norman, sure. I’m listening to you closely. Do you have problems?” “No, no, the problem is not me… I would like to talk to you about Julian and your daughter.” “My daughter?” “Yes. Can you talk now? Or do I call you later?” “Erm…” Maximilian turns on the speakerphone, so Lillian can hear the talk. “Yes, yes! I can!” “Oh, sorry, Max…” Norman pronounces thoughtfully. “I should have probably asked how Anna felt at the beginning of the talk.” “Don’t worry, Anna feels better. She left the hospital today.” “Already? But the girl was strongly beaten!” “Luckily, she is fine. The doctors are also surprised that they found nothing critical. Anna was unconscious for two days and is only suffering from pain in her whole body.” “Oh, thank God!” Norman exhales sharply. “I was scared that the poor girl was close to death.” “Right, she could have died. But thank God, she was lucky. Anna is quite a strong and enduring girl. She survives when others literally start to lose hope.” “Yes, yes, I know. She proved it when she was born. Everyone made you and Lilian sure to bury your daughter, but she surprised them.” “Yeah, my daughter aimed to live.” “I’m really happy that Anna is fine. That my son did not beat her to death accidentally.” Maximilian and Lillian, frowning strongly, look at each other, and the woman hums quietly, rolls her eyes, and crosses her arms over her chest. “Yeah, accidentally…” Lillian blunts. “Stinker,” Maximilian whispers and exhales sharply. “I want to hit his insolent face!” Maximilian says nothing for two seconds and puts his head on his forehead. “Wait!” Maximilian pretends that he knows nothing. “What do you mean, your son almost beat her?” “I’m sorry, Maximilian…” Norman shows regret. “It’s very hurtful for me to say it, but…” “Don’t tell me Julian did that!” “Sadly.” “Gosh…” Maximilian says nothing for two seconds. “My gosh… I can’t believe it.” “Listen, Max, I’m very ashamed of you because of Julian. What he did made me categorically resentful!” “But why? What did Anna do to him?” “I swear, I do not know what got obsessed with my son, and why Anna made him angry. But he never acted so disgustingly. Genevieve and I never taught our sons to raise a hand on a girl, and always said that was mean.” “No, Norman, excuse me, but I refuse to believe it! That Julian, who we’ve known and loved for so many years, beat my girl!” “I have told him everything I think about that unforgivable thing.” “Gosh…” Maximilian pronounces in a shaking voice, shaking his head. “But I always thought Julian was decent and gentle! That Lilian and I could completely trust him.” “I can assume Julian just overworked a little. He’s lately, really been nervous and tense. But the worst thing my son could do is to be mean. But to beat a girl… The girl, who he’s known for ages and loves with all his heart…” “If it’s the truth, I’m madly disappointed and don’t know how to treat him after that. Anna can’t even hurt a fly! She suffered for nothing!” “I swear, Max, I was also shocked when I found out what happened to Anna,” Norman assures. “You know that I love your daughter like my own.” “Wait, did Julian tell you about it?” “Yes, he did. He said one person was going by the place where my son was with Anna, beating her cruelly and insulting her. Thank God, that man meddled in time, calmed Julian down, and helped him drive that girl to the hospital. And then the two told the doctors the number of you and Lilian.” “Erm…” Maximilian thinks for a second, trying to think up what to answer to Norman's open lie , while Lillian starts breathing a little heavily, as she tightly clenches her hands into fists. “Yes… Yes, right! I really received a call from the hospital… I was told Anna ended up in the hospital… They kind of got my number from the one, who brought her there. I immediately left my business, called Lillian, and went to the hospital with her. But we did not see Julian there.” “He left the hospital because of shame for you,” Norman explains. “He went home. When I was back there, I quickly noticed that he was kind of suspicious. I asked him what happened, and he told me everything. At that moment, I felt like I was splashed with cold water. I was overwhelmed by what my son did. My boy, who did nothing bad to anyone. And I literally had to make Julian tell everything because he refused to speak at first.” “Oh, my God…” Maximilian puts his hand on his forehead and looks at Lillian, shaking his head. “Nothing to say…” Lilian whispers. “My hands do itch to do something to him.” “Listen, Maximilian, I do understand what you feel as a father,” Norman pretends to be sorry. “I even wanted to visit Anna at the hospital and apologize to her on behalf of Julian, but I could not find time. You know how much I am worried because of what happened!” “Your son should be worried, not you. He beat my daughter.” “I understand it, my friend! And I really want to make amends to you and Lilian.” “I did not expect anything like that from Julian,” Maximilian replies confidently. “He blames a mental breakdown and a hard day at work. Moreover, we just came to ourselves after a trip to another city. All of that gets you madly exhausted. You know it well because you often go to Washington or Chicago.” “Yes, but it’s not an excuse for your son’s act! Anna did nothing bad to Julian to be beaten to half-death.” “I know, but…” “What if she had died, heaven forbids?” Maximilian raises his voice. “Lillian and I would have died from grief! Do you know what we experienced while she was unconscious? Yes, the doctors said it would be alright, but we were sure that they tried to calm us down, but it was actually much worse.” “I’m very sorry, Max,” Norman expresses regret. “I swear I am categorically resented by the act of my son, who was never taught these things.” “I think Julian should say these things, not you.” “Julian is terribly ashamed of his act. He still can’t come to himself and is afraid to look into the eyes of you and Anna. You know how many times I’ve told my son to apologize to you, Anna, and Lilian! But he immediately starts hysteria and says he’s even afraid to talk to you on the phone.” “He should’ve thought better before doing something,” Maximilian replies gloomily. “If Julian hadn’t been shaking from fear and horror, I would’ve hardly pitied him. But I saw that he felt very bad. His eyes were shocked, and he could barely breathe. My son doesn’t even go to work! He sits at home all day long and regrets exploding after Anna said something harmless to him.” “Oh, what a liar!” Lillian resents in a whisper, rolling her eyes up. “False bastard! He does dare to lie openly and cover his son!” “I think you must understand that it’s going to be hard for me and Lillian to start to trust Julian again,” Maximilian says thoughtfully. “I mean… I actually doubt that we can treat him well.” “I completely get it,” Norman replies confidently. “I understand the pain of you and Lilian. I know how your daughter feels. But I don’t want our longtime friendship to end because of the act made when being in a state of affect.” “Anyway, your son nearly killed my daughter!” “I have already said I punished Julian and gave him a couple of lessons in education.” “Are you sure he will learn them?” “He promised! And I swear I shall make him stand on his knees and apologize to you. Grab him by the collar personally and bring him to your home. No excuses will help him.” “I cannot stand any kind of mockery toward girls and women. No matter how bad they are, a man has no right to raise a hand on them.” “Trust me, I’m also against violence towards girls and would never dare to do that. When Genevieve was alive, I treated her like a queen. And she thanked me by carrying two sons and giving all of us incredible and endless love. You know that I always wanted to have sons. And that amazing woman made my dream come true.” “Of course, that’s wonderful. But Genevieve’s care doesn’t have to do with what Julian did.” “But we can agree. We can resolve this little misunderstanding and forget it.” “Wow, what a little misunderstanding!” Maximilian throws in a low, rude voice. “Listen, Maximilian, let’s meet someday and talk about this situation? Lilian and you take Anna, and I take Julian. And the sooner we do it, the sooner we get rid of this heavy burden.” “Erm… Meet?” Maximilian throws a hesitant look at Lilian. “Agree,” Lilian whispers, as she nods confidently. “This is our chance! Agree!” “Oh…” Maximilian exhales sharply. “Alright, Norman… I agree. I think you’re right. And… We really better come together and resolve this question as soon as possible.” “Great, friend!” Norman exclaims happily. “I’m so glad you gave up on Julian and me.” “Yeah… Still… The Potters, the Seymours, and the Dickmans have been friends for ages. It would be hurtful if our longtime friendship was ruined.” “I do mean that!” “Alright! What about tomorrow?” “Oh, no, no! I cannot do this tomorrow. And I have so many business meetings, tying up a good deal, and a lot of work with papers in the office in the next two days. And I will be free in two days!” “In two days? Hm… Wait… I shall check out the list of businesses in my notebook… You know that I’m used to writing everything to forget nothing.” Maximilian falls into silence for a few seconds, pretending to check out his plans in his notebook, and looks at Lillian as if he wants to know her opinion. “Wonderful!” Lillian whispers. “We will have time to get ready. And Anna will have some rest.” “So, tomorrow?” Maximilian asks in a whisper. “Yes. Agree.” “Erm…” Maximilian clears his throat quickly. “Wonderful day! In two days, I will be absolutely free.” “Great!” Norman smiles slyly. “So, in two days!” “I can't say anything about the time yet. And I can’t say where we’d better meet. But we can talk after tomorrow and decide it.” “Alright, I shall call you after tomorrow in the evening.” “I hope we can resolve everything.” “I wish it happened.” Norman falls into silent for a second and strokes his chin. “So, see you in two days, friend.” “Sure,” Maximilian nods. “Now, excuse me, I have to talk to Lillian and go to the business meetings. A very good deal is at stake…” “Then I will no longer bother you. Goodbye, Max.” “Goodbye, Norman.” Maximilian ends the call, throws his phone on the sofa, exhales sharply, and runs his hands over his face. “Oh, gosh…” Maximilian moans quietly. “I thought I would’ve broken down at some moment and told everything to that asshole.” “How insolent he is!” Lillian resents crossing her arms over her chest and frowning strongly. “Ha… Allegedly accidentally…” “Yeah, that bastard dreamed up too much! I will never believe that he treated Genevieve like a queen and loves Ryan so much.” “Gosh, what did that woman find in that stinker? Genevieve deserved the best! Why did she choose Norman?” “Sadly, we will never know it…” Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which Maximilian and Lillian being excited think about something. “So, do we have two days?” Lillian asks hesitantly. “We need to tell Daniel and his friends to be ready,” Maximilian replies confidently. “And we need to talk to Mr. Johnson.” “But I think your apartment is not the best place to catch them,” Lillian looks around the whole living room slowly. “There’s not enough place… My home is also bad for it…” “We need to talk to Mr. Johnson about it.” A few seconds later, Anna being a little scared enters the living room hesitantly, wearing different clothes and having her hair brushed and gathered. “You talked to Julian?” Anna asks tensely. “No, daughter, that was Norman,” Lillian replies quietly. “We’re gonna get a chance to give caught to him and Julian and end this nightmare in two days. Once and forever.” “What?” Anna opens her eyes widely. “I have to meet them?” “We have to,” Maximilian specifies. “Norman will take Julian and meet your mother, you, and me to apologize to you allegedly. “Julian will never apologize. As well as Mr. Potter!” “We know, sunlight,” Lillian says softly, putting her hand on Anna’s shoulder. “For them, it’s an excuse to destroy us. And for us, it’s an excuse to put them in prison.” “But how do we do it?” Anna throws her hands up. “How are the police gonna catch them?” “We are going to talk to Mr. Johnson, Daniel, and his friends about it,” Maximilian replies confidently. “We have two days to plan everything.” “What if we can’t do this?” Anna asks excitedly with widely open eyes, breathing a little heavily. “What if they harm someone? I don’t want anyone to be a victim and suffer!” “Daughter, please, calm down,” Maximilian says quietly, caressing Anna’s shoulders. “Nobody’s gonna suffer. Everybody will be safe and sound after this story. We have wonderful support, which will help us get what we want.” “And what do we do?” “First of all, your father and I need to contact the men and Mr. Johnson.” “I’m not sure if it will help us,” Anna shows anxiety. “If the Potters see the police, they will get wild. If Julian sees the men again, he’ll kill them. He won’t pity them!” “Don’t worry, Anna, the men are strong and tough guys. They will get their attention and protect you, so Julian and Norman do not harm you.” “Gosh…” Anna sighs heavily. “I feel terribly embarrassed… It’s all craziness! The girls will go crazy if something happens to the men.” “Those men know the danger. And they did that at their wish.” “They shouldn’t have meddled in it. No. And you shouldn't have asked for help. We would’ve solved it on our own.” “The men do it for their friendship,” Maximilian notices. “But real friends don’t leave in trouble.” “I know. But I don’t want Peter, Edward, and Terrence to put themselves in danger… And… I don’t want Daniel to suffer. He’s done with the story of the man, who pushed him under the car and almost killed his sister. I… I will not bear it if something happens to him…” “It’s gonna be fine, Anna, trust your mother and me.” Maximilian caresses Anna’s cheek tenderly, while she barely holds the tears down. “Everybody’s gonna be safe and sound.” “Yeah, but what about you and mom? Who will protect you?” “Your friends and the police will be protecting not just you, honey,” Lillian replies softly. “They will not forget us.” “But what if we can do nothing?” “We will do it, daughter,” Maximilian says confidently. “The most important thing is to do everything you’re told. If we work as a team, this story will have a happy ending.” Anna says nothing, just sighs heavily, and shrugs with sadness in her eyes. Lillian and Maximilian watch her for two seconds and hug her by one to calm their excited daughter down. Honestly, the ex-spouses are also super excited and afraid that something may go wrong. But they are ready for anything to punish the offenders of the girl and give her a chance to live a happy and quiet life.***
Meanwhile, Terrence, Peter, Edward, Raquelle, Natalia, and Helene went to the home of Daniel to spend some time with him and Cassidy, who left the hospital yesterday and started to get used to the housing of her older brother. Sitting comfortably on the sofas, they have the pleasure of spending time with Sammy, who gets the love of the sister of the owner of the house and answers the young girl back. “Oh, gosh, he’s so cute!” Cassidy whoops like a baby with a wide smile, scratching Sammy’s hair. “I’ve never met such a smart doggy.” “He liked you,” Helene notices with a slight smile. “Sammy did forget about us and doesn’t step away from you.” “If she gives him something tasty, you can think Sammy has a different owner,” Daniel chuckles kindly. “Oh, c’mon!” Cassidy throws. “Dogs have only one owner! They’re loyal to someone to educate them.” “Oh, no, girl, the fluffy will stand by your side if you feed him,” Edward laughs amicably. “I somehow offered Sammy something, and he was following me around and looking into my eyes for two hours.” “So, do you love the one, who feeds you?” Cassidy asks, caressing Sammy’s head. “Yeah, buddy?” Sammy barks two times. “Let’s do a small experiment,” Peter suggests. “You’ll see everything now.” Peter puts his hand in the pocket of his jeans waistcoat and looks for something but does not do it. He moves his eyes to Helene, who takes the small packet from her purse and gives it to the blond. “Try to feed him with these things. He goes crazy from it.” Cassidy takes the packet from Peter’s hands, opens it, and looks at what’s inside. “Oh, I know these things!” Cassidy exclaims. “My Chelsea loved them and could walk on her hind legs for them.” “But the smell of them is not good, of course,” Daniel winces, waving his hand in front of his nose. While Sammy wags his tail energetically, Cassidy takes a couple of treats from the packet and offers them to the dog. “Hey, boy, look what I have,” Cassidy smiles shyly. “Yummy, yummy…” Cassidy teases Sammy a little, laughing shyly when he does a few commands that he knows without someone’s order. Then she lets him eat the treat from her hands and pets Sammy with a slight smile, while he bites the treat with enjoyment. “Good doggy, good,” Cassidy praises and pets Sammy’s head, and he nuzzles his nose in her hand, making the girl laugh shyly. “He liked you,” Natalia notices with a slight smile. “He’s wagging his tail so hard!” “And he’s gonna like you more if you give him something tasty,” Peter adds cheerfully. “The way to a dog's heart is through tasty food?” Cassidy chuckles kindly. “The way to Sammy’s heart is through tasty food,” Terrence specifies confidently. “The long-eared one looks into our eyes when we feed him something delicious. No matter what it is: a dog’s treat or a pork bone.” Sammy barks quietly, licks himself after hearing about the pork bone, and sits on the floor next to Cassidy, who yanks him by the ears. “So, do you love eating?” Cassidy smiles mysteriously. “You’re kind of a glutton?” “If you don’t watch his diet, he can easily get fat,” Helene notices shyly. “Sammy is omnivorous and eats everything people give him. But, as well as all dogs, he loves meat much more.” Sammy barks much louder. “C’mon, stop talking about meat!” Daniel exclaims, raising his hand. “Or the fluffy’s gonna check out my refrigerator! Where’s a lot of it!” “And don’t actually talk about food with Sammy!” Edward adds. “It’s as dangerous as talking about food with my brother, who wouldn’t get fed up after eating an elephant!” “As well as a talk about sweet food with my brother, who, to my surprise, hasn’t grown a fat ass and a big stomach,” Terrence snaps with a sly smile. Edward decides to say nothing and just imitates Terrence, who shows him a fist with a threatening look. “Okay, guys, let’s change the subject before these two get excited!” Raquelle raises her hands. “Cassidy, you better tell us how you’re living with your brother.” “Wonderful!” Cassidy exclaims. “I like this house more and more?” “Did you get used?” “Why did I have to? I knew every single corner of this house. I was here when I was a kid, and Daniel was a teenager.” “Has something changed here since that time?” Helene asks. “Yup, it has!” Cassidy glances at the kitchen and frowns slightly. “For example, there was a partition between the living room and the kitchen. And the stairs were different.” “I broke the partition ‘cause I thought the kitchen was very small,” Daniel explains. “I wanted to watch TV when cooking something. Erm… Trying to cook something.” “Why didn’t you like the old stairs?” Terrence asks. “Because anyone could’ve fallen from it with their head down,” Peter replies confidently. “I dislocated my arm one day.” “Really?” Edward rounds his eyes. “Aha! I couldn’t play drums for two or three months. And I was lucky because I could’ve hit my head and lied in a bed with brain damage for nobody knows how long. With the same amnesia that our tough guy had.” “It happened with my pretense,” Daniel confesses. “I also fell down several times but got only bruises. But after what happened to Peter, I decided not to risk it and replaced them.” “You could do it earlier!” Cassidy exclaims. “Not to wait for your close people and friends to end up in the hospital with fractures.” “I wanted to! But I was very busy!” “Oh, yeah…” “The most important thing is that everybody stayed safe,” Terrence says confidently. “Trust me, walking in a cast and with crutches is disgusting.” “As I see, you already tested it,” Natalia laughs shyly. “I did.” Terrence puts his arm on the back of the sofa, spreading his legs a little. “I was a little boy… Somehow, my friends and I played tag… At some moment, I started running up too fast and noticed nothing under my legs. Well… I ran to the stairs and fell down…” “I ain’t personally surprised,” Edward chuckles kindly. “I thought I’d only get a minor sprain, but I was eventually diagnosed with a fracture. I had to lie at first to get my leg to work as little as possible. And then I started to walk carefully with crutches. And later, the time came, and I threw those stupid sticks aside with pleasure and ran like a sprinter.” “Oh, yeah, you ran to make Mom nervous again,” Edward laughs shyly. “She told me about that case and said she was very scared. Again.” “You’ve been playing on everyone’s nerves all your life.” “You described everything well. I agree with all of that.” “Anyway, you should pay for the consequences, my dear,” Raquelle replies confidently, clapping Terrence on the shoulder. “Next time, you’re gonna watch out before running like that.” “Oh, c’mon, Raquelle!” Daniel waves a hand. “No matter how hard you kick Terrence on the head, he never understands anything. He sees a goal – he runs to it, seeing nothing in his way.” “I’d watch you fall down the stairs and double over from pain,” Terrence replies with an innocent smile. “With broken bones!” “And I wouldn’t mind knowing how our piggy Terry whined.” Daniel raises his hands and starts to speak in a little squeaky, loud voice: “Everyone, everyone! Help me! Help! I’m dying! Oh, oh, oh! Where are you, people. Hey? I’m dying from pain! Oh, oh!” “The rooster is crowing,” Terrence blunts with both arms crossed over his chest. “Actually, I’m at home!” Daniel leans back in the sofa with his head proudly raised and spreads his legs. “I do and say what I want. And I advise you to close your mouth. Otherwise, you will fly faster than a champagne cork.” “You’re starting to irritate me.” “Don’t pay attention, Terrence,” Cassidy says amicably, caresses Daniel’s head, and claps him on it. “Dan loves showing off.” “We’re used!” Natalia chuckles shyly. “If the boys don’t snap at each other, a day will be lived for nothing.” “We’re always impatiently waiting for Edward and Terrence to start to fight,” Raquelle smiles innocently. “C’mon, all brothers and sisters are the same!” Cassidy waves her hand. “I also love kicking the ass of my brother and am already thinking about what to do to him.” “Without jokes, fun, and tricks, our boys aren’t themselves,” Helene notices. “I think you will stop being surprised if you see the four adult men playing like little babies.” “Ha, it can’t surprise me!” Cassidy chuckles shyly. “Daniel always went crazy with his friends and became a little baby. He tried to make everybody sure that he was a tough adult, but he was actually a pain in the ass.” “Do you mean yourself?” Daniel smiles innocently. “No, bro, you!” “I think you’ve always been a pain in the ass!” “Don’t pretend that you were an innocent boy.” “Much better than you.” “Let me ask you, why? You are stupid!” “What? You are!” “You were a brainless fool, and you are still the same.” “I agree,” Edward smiles slyly. “Oh, MacClife, shut up!” Daniel chuckles kindly. “Underneath your angelic appearance, real chaos is happening.” “I’m the sweetest and most innocent one of all of us!” “Oh, yeah, you’re so innocent that I wanna grab a belt and kick your ass.” “Your mom would kick you.” “That’s right!” Cassidy laughs shyly. “I think someone madly wants me to tell about all of her tricks,” Daniel smiles slyly. “Oh, c’mon!” Cassidy exclaims with rolled eyes. “I can tell much more about you!” “Hey, Cassidy, you promised you’d tell us something interesting about your brother,” Peter recalls with a sly smile. “Yes, yes, girl, we’re still waiting,” Terrence rubs his hands. “Maybe, we’ll take a note of something,” Edward adds with a quiet chuckle. “Don’t listen to her, guys!” Daniel exclaims cheerfully. “My sister loves showing off.” “Come on, plucked rooster!” Cassidy says loudly. “You only need a crown!” “Alas, MacClife, Sr., took it,” Natalia smiles innocently. “He thinks he’s a king.” “Isn’t that the truth?” Terrence throws his hands up. “I’d smash a skillet against the king’s face,” Edward says. “Or better use a big pan.” “Ar-r-r, God, is there at least one sweet and obedient younger brother or sister in the world? Why do all of them irritate people with just one look?” “Are older siblings good?” Edward and Cassidy resent without agreeing. “Yes!” Terrence and Daniel pronounce with a smug smile. “Yeah, especially, you, bro,” Cassidy crosses her arms over her chest. “How much Mom and Dad suffered because of you! And they only knew half of your tricks. But if they had known everything, they would’ve kicked your ass.” “To your happiness!” Daniel replies. “You always laughed quietly when our parents kicked me. And when you blamed me for your tricks, there was no limit to your gloating.” “Mom and Dad would’ve hardly liked the fact that you took your drunk pal at our home.” “Do you think I was supposed to leave him outside when he felt like that? He was drunk as fuck and could barely stand on his feet! He barely understood what was happening and wanted to start a riot. And some time before we came to the hall door, he passed out!” “You were madly lucky that our parents weren’t at home, ‘cause they left somewhere for a few days. In the opposite case, you would’ve been in your room, gone nowhere but school, started to study, and fixed your terrible scores.” “Oh, oh, better say nothing about scores!” Daniel chuckles kindly. “Mother often talked to your teachers about your terrible scores and disgusting behavior.” “Yeah, as if you were an innocent angel! She got sick of talking to your teachers regularly and persuading them not to punish you for your nasty behavior or kick you outta school.” “But you were often suspended! And you were thrilled, ‘cause you thought it was your chance to spend more time with your friends.” “Huh, it was impossible to make you go to school even for money! You went there, started an affray, got suspended for a couple of weeks, and gave a damn about your studies. It could lead to the moments when our parents personally drove you and me to school.” “Yeah, Mother didn’t make you a sweet and shy girl and wean you away from stealing the clothes of Father and mine. Thank God, you had a shower! Or you would’ve smelled worse than a skunk.” “I don’t freaking care about ruffles, heels, and other girls’ stuff. And if you dare to buy me a fucking pink dress, I swear I shall put it on you personally.” “You’d look good. And be beautiful.” “And yeah, remember how Mom swore when you sorted her cosmetics out and tried to find something to put concealer on your pizza face.” “And Father never allowed you to take his stuff.” “But he had such cool jeans and jackets that he wore in his youth. I could take everything! But our parents hid any male clothes from me. And they forced me to wear stupid dresses with ruffles or clothes with photos of Barbie or Disney princesses.” “You are a girl!” “C’mon, Danny, don’t be an annoying teacher!” “It’s okay, sis, shall make you a beautiful girl,” Daniel says confidently. “When you’re released from the clinic, I shall work on your education and appearance.” “You better work on your self-education! So, people aren’t surprised that you graduated from school, despite having poor knowledge. I’m still overwhelmed that the ‘permanent client’ of the head teacher didn’t fail exams and received his diploma in that gorgeous black academic dress.” “I am not as stupid as you think,” Daniel says with his head proudly raised. “Ask the men?” “They can confirm it!” Daniel looks at Edward, Peter, and Terrence and shows a fist to them. “Right?” “Right!” Peter, Edward, and Terrence pronounce. Sammy barks confidently, still sitting next to Cassidy, who sometimes pets his head and strokes down his soft-to-touch hair. “But your brother still can’t learn to take or add numbers,” Terrence smiles slyly. “I’m silent about division and multiplication.” “And the lads and I have to count the charge, so he doesn’t get deceived,” Edward adds. “So, he gives the correct amount and doesn't make a great donation to a store accidentally. Grant assistance to the business.” “Oh, Dan has never befriended math!” Cassidy waves a hand. “While other children knew the multiplication table by heart, this creature couldn’t even solve an easy exercise with his fingers.” “It’s okay!” Daniel raises his head proudly. “But I sing beautifully. I play guitar. I write songs. I’m bad at math, but I’m a genius at music!” “And your writing is like a chicken’s scratch! And you can make three mistakes in just one word.” “Oh, yeah!” Peter exclaims. “I literally can’t figure out his writing. Though, he doesn’t understand them, either! You know how many times it happened when we worked at the studio! Instead of working on songs, the lads and I were figuring out what your brother wrote.” “Yeah, we’d speak Chinese or Arabic sooner than understand his works,” Edward laughs shyly. “Hey, what about one for all and one for all?” Daniel resents. “You see, pretty boy!” Cassidy throws her hands up. “The men confirmed everything! And your teachers always swore at you! One of them gave lessons to my class and somehow said that nobody else wrote as terribly as you for the years of his work.” “I have a good handwriting! Stop annoying me!” “Ha! The one to sort your writing out from start to end must get the title of a hero!” “The girls and I have to agree with you, Cassidy,” Natalia laughs shyly. “Sometimes we don’t also understand what he writes.” “Yeah, we saw his handwriting,” Helene confirms confidently. “I’m gonna say a handwriting like this is a pain for the one, who got lessons of calligraphy.” “And for the eyes of the one, who is used to something gracious,” Edward adds. “I love you, too, bro.” Cassidy hugs Daniel around his shoulders, kisses him on the top of the head, and caresses his head, while the others laugh shyly, and Sammy barks quietly. “Hey, about the drunk pal…” Terrence pronounces thoughtfully. “Cassidy, why didn’t you tell your parents that your brother took that guy home? You had such a wonderful chance to kick his ass!” “Well…” Cassidy rolls her eyes with a sly smile. “I could say my bro bribed me…” “He promised to keep silent if you had done something bad?” Raquelle specifies. “Well… Sort of… And he also gifted me his music player. My friends and I loved it! We downloaded tons of cool tracks and danced so hard.” “Minute, I didn’t gift it!” Daniel protests loudly. “You cadged the player from me in exchange for silence! And you made me buy a chocolate bar for you!” “And you agreed!” “I would have never given that to you. Because I adored it! It was my favorite thing after my first guitar, my first mobile phone with tons of features, a skateboard, rollers, and skates.” “Yeah, call everything you had! Everything you made our parents buy!” “For your information, I was waiting for one year for my parents to give the player to me. I had a crush on it for one year after watching the commercial and seeing the pictures in magazines! And I used it for a while because you took it away. And you lost it two months later.” “That’s not me! That’s my pal! He lost it somewhere!” “Do you know how much it costed then? Our parents said they’d buy it only on my birthday, and I was impatiently waiting for that moment.” “Oh, Dan, why did you need it? You were busy hanging out with your friends and thinking about how to have a cool time at a party of a sassy boy or a girl. And after growing up, you started to learn to pick girls up and get your hands underneath their knickers without a threat to get a strong slap in your face.” “Why did you need it? You used it two or three times! Your friends always asked you to give it to them and could not give it back to you for weeks!” “I said I always liked everything our parents gifted you! I never got such cool gadgets from them! Dolls and dresses only!” “By the way, I wasn’t allowed to use a computer and other gadgets before a certain age. And when I went to school, they bought a simple mobile phone. With buttons. Which could only make calls and send SMS.” “But then you got loose and started to order something new. Phones, players, laptop…” “You were too little to get expensive phones and computers. I’m surprised that you persuaded our parents to buy a disposable photocamera and give you Father’s videocamera.” “Mom and Dad knew I wanted a cool photocamera and a good videocamera! I always said it. And I got sick of saying that I didn’t want dolls and girls’ stuff.” “And trust me, if our parents had known you took my player, they would’ve taken it because you were banned from using gadgets.” “You said you would’ve given me anything for Mom and Dad not to find out that your drunk pal was at our home.” “And you, sly girl, used it! You took my favorite thing!” “Oh, you had much more favorite things than Mom’s cosmetics! Or Dad’s suits!” “Hey, didn’t your parents find it out?” Edward asks. “No, they didn’t,” Daniel replies quietly. “My sis kept her promise and said nothing. Well, I didn’t tell our parents that I gave my player to Cass. And when they somehow asked where it was, I lied that I lost it. Yes, they read me a lecture, but it was kind of okay.” “I couldn’t betray my beloved older bro,” Cassidy smiles slyly, puts her head on Daniel’s shoulder for a second, and pinches his cheek softly. “Could not!” “Yeah, Daniel, you’re lucky with your sister,” Natalia notices with a slight smile. “To some extent,” Daniel replies thoughtfully. “But Cass gave me more problems than good things.” “Huh, you hear it, guys?” Cassidy chuckles kindly. “I covered his precious ass a million times for our parents! I didn’t want them to swear at Danny! And this is how he thanks me.” “Yeah, do I say how many times I covered you and paid for your tricks?” Daniel suggests. “I know it’s easier to hide behind your older brother’s back and put him in danger. But you should take responsibility for what you do.” “I did! As well as you! You had to pay when your friends, and you played soccer at the back of the house and broke the big window in the living room with a ball.” “Really?” Terrence wonders. “Aha! He strongly hit his leg against the ball… Mom had to take pieces in the whole living room for two hours, while Dad agreed with someone on installing a new glass in the window.” “Yeah, it happened…” Daniel confirms hesitantly, running his hand through his hair. My parents scolded me freaking severely. I thought they’d kill me… But instead, they just stopped giving me money and took my phone and computer. Father personally drove me to school and went to work, and Mom took me. I wasn’t even allowed to walk with my friends. I could at least speak to them at school.” “But you became such a good boy!” Cassidy exclaims with a sly smile. “You went to school, examined books, did something at home, and stopped doing tricks! You didn’t even hurt me!” “And of course, he didn’t learn any lessons?” Edward asks. “He didn’t!” “Hey, I broke the glass accidentally!” Daniel exclaims. “My friends and I tried to play carefully.” “But you were scared and decided to quit soccer not to break something else and hurt someone,” Peter assumes confidently. “I quit soccer ‘cause I just lost interest in it. Because my trainer didn’t notice me! And my head was busy with different things.” “I know what kind of,” Cassidy smiles slyly. “That’s good it was the window in your house, not in the house of a cantankerous man or a woman, who is always not happy with something,” Terrence notices cheerfully. “I am glad!” Daniel replies. “If I’d crushed a window of someone, I wouldn’t have gotten away from that easily!” “Yeah, you would’ve had to pay your parents only,” Edward notices confidently. “No, I don’t wanna even think about it!” Daniel jabs, raising his hands up. “What my parents did was enough for me!” Sammy barks quietly and raises his paw up, as if he expresses pity to Daniel, who glances at the dog and reaches his hand to pet his head. “Hey, does Sammy suck up after he does a bad thing?” Cassidy asks. “Oh, come on!” Helene exclaims. “If you try to threat that you’re gonna punish him, he’ll suck up and whine.” “There are two types of his worst punishment,” Peter shows two fingers. “First, depriving of toys and treats. And second, a trip to a friend of Helene and mine, who’s always been… Not a too soft and tender lady. He doesn’t even resist being washed in a bathroom as much as both of the punishments.” Sammy barks a little louder, moving his eyes to Peter and making everybody laugh shyly. “Don’t worry, Sammy, don’t worry!” Helene exclaims. “Nobody’s gonna leave you with Jessica!” “For a while,” Peter smiles slyly. “If you steal my butter from a table, I shall leave you with Taylor.” Sammy runs to Peter quickly and, putting his front paws on his laps, starts to nuzzle his nose in his face, while the others laugh shyly. “Okay, okay, my boy, leave him,” Helene laughs shyly, petting Sammy’s head. “Sammy! Stop! Stop! Samuel!” “Sammy, come to me!” Cassidy exclaims funnily and claps her hands on the laps. “C’mon, baby! Let me scratch your neck.” Sammy decides to leave Peter alone and comes to Cassidy again, who pets the dog’s head with pleasure. “Listen, the long-eared one is lucky!” Daniel laughs shyly, putting his arm on the back of the sofa. “He can show puppy eyes and whine a little to get what he wants! It rarely worked in my case.” “Not all the tricks of Sammy will work on me!” Helene says confidently. “If he does a serious thing, he’s gonna get a punishment.” Sammy barks quietly, and Daniel pets his head with a slight smile after the dog comes closer to him and brings his face to get a bit of caress. “So, I guess everybody has realized that Cassidy and Daniel were never good children,” Natalia assumes with a slight smile. “But Daniel deserved the title of the worst bully more,” Raquelle chuckles kindly. “Oh, I’ve told you a little part of everything,” Cassidy replies funnily. “I haven’t told you about all of his fears. What made him scream like a girl.” “What fears?” Daniel frowns strongly. “I fear nothing!” “Yeah, nothing…” Cassidy smiles mysteriously. “Hey, have you told the guys you have a ‘wonderful’ relationship with human blood?” “We do know it!” Edward waves his hand. “Aha,” Terrence smiles slyly. “But your brother denies that he fears blood and doesn’t recognize that he faints when seeing it.” “Yeah, he does,” Cassidy replies thoughtfully. “When my bro sees a small blood track, he gets worse. And if there is a pool of blood, Dan will surely lose consciousness.” “Hey, Cassidy, don’t you know how long he’s feared blood?” Peter asks. “And what caused that fear?” “Oh, here we go again…” Daniel blunts, rolling his eyes up. “Ah, Dad scared him when I was six!” Cassidy waves his hand, while Daniel sighs quietly and glances aside. “My family, our good familiar, and friends, and I celebrated Halloween, which we really loved. We worked hard on our looks every year and did our best for one suit to be more horrible than another. So, Dad decided to become a zombie at that time. It looked super true but terrible. He also bought fake blood and put it on his face, hands, and clothes. He even covered his teeth with that blood.” “And then Dan saw his father and got overwhelmed?” Edward asks funnily. “Sorta. Mom wasn’t scared ‘cause she helped him put on blood. And I got used to it and even put it on my clothes. But when Daniel entered the room, he screamed at the whole house like crazy.” Cassidy laughs shyly. “He blunted something and could barely speak. And Dad decided to make a fool of him and started to come to him as a zombie, showing his bloody teeth and growling quietly. So, my bro's heart couldn’t take it, and he fainted. And the scared Mother and Father tried to wake him up.” “And this talkative hooligan stood near and laughed like a horse all the time,” Daniel confesses with both arms crossed over his chest. “And while I was coming back to life, this crazy girl took the pack of fake blood, put it on her face and hands, and came to me. She started to make terrifying sounds and tried to dirty me with that blood. And she made me sniff that shit that smelled super disgusting. I still feel nausea from the smell that I shall never forget.” “I dunno, I liked that moment!” Cassidy smiles innocently and looks at everybody. “You must’ve seen the eyes of my bro when Dad started to scare him, and when I decided to have some fun.” “So, has Perkins been stuck since that?” Terrence specifies. “Aha! Even having to give samples of blood from a finger at a hospital was torture for him. Doctors literally walked around him with ammonia ‘cause he started to roll his eyes up when he saw a nurse getting a needle in his finger or vein. And my bro didn’t wear red clothes. He had multiple red t-shirts and something else, but after that case, he gave everything to his pals or let me wear them after persuading him for a long time.” “He doesn’t wear red clothes now…” Peter notices thoughtfully. “At least, I can’t remember your brother wearing something like that for five years.” “There were cases when he asked his friends and ex-girlfriends not to wear red clothes with his pretense, excusing it with his hate for that color.” “Did someone else from your family fear blood?” Raquelle asks. “I can say nothing. Maybe, someone from Dad’s family did. But I can’t say exactly.” “Excuse me, but your father did a bad thing by scaring his child to the loss of consciousness,” Helene notices hesitantly. “Yeah, but Dad had picked up terrifying clothes for Halloween before, which never made Daniel pee his pants. And he picked up what scared everybody. At a young age, Dan loved watching scary movies. He wasn’t afraid of them. But he felt bad when he saw blood on the faces and hands of the actors.” “Hey, talkative, aren’t you sick of talking?” Daniel asks. “Have some rest!” “Actually, the people are asking me questions!” “Okay, you said everything? Now be pleased to say nothing! Go to play with Sammy outside, and I shall talk to my friends!” “No, I feel good here!” Cassidy says cheerfully. “Besides, I haven't told them how you had braces on your teeth for one and a half years for a Hollywood smile. And you were terribly shy ‘cause braces on your teeth ruined your image as a tough macho. So, you tried not to smile and rarely speak ‘cause you couldn’t speak properly.” “Hey, really?” Peter wonders. “Aha! My bro had an overbite and teeth of different sizes. Wide and thin… And when he was thirteen or fourteen, Dan persuaded our parents to give him beautiful teeth. And they took him to the dentist. But they did many things to his teeth ‘cause they were in a terrible condition. And someday, after suffering for one and a half years, this hooligan went home with a stunning smile and perfectly straight teeth. And he started to show off for his pals and girls, as if he finally got tons of muscles and a desired six-pack on his stomach.” Cassidy chuckles kindly. “Which my bro has never had, though.” “Wow!” Peter exclaims with a wide smile. “I didn’t know… But I’d admire this pretty boy with braces.” “Hey, I wanna specify, there are no photos of that time!” Daniel raises his index finger. “I refused to take photos, talked to my friends much more rarely, and decided to date nobody! Got it, men? You will make me ashamed for our fans by posing this dirt on me under someone’s name.” “We didn’t try!” Edward exclaims. “No, we didn’t even think,” Terrence shakes his head. “Oh, who we’re lying to!” Peter adds funnily. “Of course, we thought!” While Edward, Peter, and Terrence laugh shyly, Sammy barks quietly. “Yay, dude, it really surprised me,” Peter confesses. “The thing I could never imagine is you having braces on your teeth.” “Listen, guys, we’re discovering the other side of Perkins,” Terrence notices cheerfully. “Every day, we discover something new.” “Thanks to Cass,” Edward notices confidently. “Yeah, Danny is pretending to be tough,” Cassidy smiles widely, hugging Daniel by the shoulders. “He’s actually our sensitive boy.” “Listen, don’t ya have a headache from her talk?” Daniel asks with both arms crossed over his chest. “Oh, oh, you don’t like that I told the truth about you. Yeah, I get it. Now think about what I felt when you made jokes about me almost every single day. When you laughed at me like a horse, I always wanted to strangle you or hit you on your empty head.” “It’s so familiar to us,” Peter smiles slyly, putting his arms on the back of the sofa. “And when Dan does bad tricks, he puts his hands in front of himself and smiles at us innocently.” “Hey, I forgot to say that when Dan brought his drunk pal home, this idiot took him to my room! And he let him sleep on my bed. My soft, clean, and comfortable bed!” “Should I have taken him to my room?” Daniel rounds his eyes. “That was your pal! You should’ve lied next to him!” “My bed? My big, soft bed?” “No, mine!” Cassidy resents loudly. “I didn’t invite my friends to your room and let them sleep in your clean bed with dirty shoes!” “Hey, he went there and fell on your bed, fell asleep deeply, and started to snore.” “Oh, yeah, snoring was too loud! I didn’t know what to do! It was heard in the whole house!” “I dunno, I slept like a baby. And that’s why I allowed you to sleep in my room.” “Aha, you lied on your bed in the pose of a star and put a blanket on the floor for me!” “Ha, did you think I’d sleep with you in the same bed?” Daniel scoffs loudly. “You would’ve pushed me off!” “I should’ve gone to our parents’ room. I would’ve rather slept alone, but on a bed. Soft. Big. And comfortable.” “Why didn’t ya like my gorgeous room? My room was the best place in the house!” “Yeah, wonderful!” Cassidy chuckles kindly, crossing her arms over her chest. “You always had a mess there! If Mom hadn’t kicked your ass, you would’ve drowned in that chaos. You didn’t wipe the dust off and didn’t sort your things out! You were too lazy to put your clothes in a washing machine and threw them on a bed or a table.” “Nothing has changed…” Terrence shrugs with a slight smile. “Go to his room now and see what’s going on there.” “I saw! It’s clear that a woman is missing here! Woman’s kicks on his ass, which would make this tough guy put his home in order. Especially, his wonderful room.” “Listen, Cass, don’t ya think you speak much more than we all together?” Daniel chuckles kindly. “Doesn’t your tongue hurt?” “No, it doesn’t!” “Take a breath, chatter, be silent.” Daniel caresses Cassidy’s head. “You weren’t as talkative in childhood as you are now.” “Your friends and this sweet doggy don’t mind me talking and listen to me with pleasure.” Sammy barks loudly, wagging his tail amicably, presses himself to Cassidy, and puts his face on her laps, while she yanks his ears with a slight smile. “Oh, you do want me to say a word about you,” Daniel smiles slyly. “Go!” Cassidy smiles innocently. “I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of and hide! You’re full of secrets!” “Which you’ve revealed!” “I’m just answering questions from the girls and the men.” While Daniel growls with rolled eyes, the others chuckle kindly, and Sammy barks quietly. “Eh, I love watching fights between brothers and sisters so much?” Peter leans back on the sofa and puts his arms behind it. “You can watch fire, water, and the fights of the MacClifes and the Perkins fight forever.” “I guess Sammy likes it, too,” Helene assumes, watching Sammy with a slight smile. “Judging the way his eyes full of interest and the way he moves his head.” “Why not?” Terrence smiles slyly. “What if the Perkins advised me how to mock my little bro!” “I see Raquelle hasn’t kicked you with a whip for ages,” Edward crosses his arms over his chest. “I can do this if you love provoking everyone so much.” “I’m sorry that you’ll keep feeling with your head first even when you’re an old, shabby man.” “You will be an old man with tons of wrinkles. But I will be a gorgeous man in my old age, who will become more handsome through the years, just like good wine.” “Calm down, Eddy, it will not threaten you.” “And you will not become the sexiest man in the world again. Because I reserved this title.” Edward raises his head proudly. “How couldn’t someone get excited from such an incredible creature? Who will look like he’s twenty when he’s actually fifty.” “Aha, like he’s ten!” While Terrence thrills with a laugh and claps his hands, Edward wants to throw a pillow at him, but he decides not to do this because he does not want to get into Raquelle sitting next to his brother. She smiles shyly with her mouth closed with a hand and looks at the chuckling Natalia. Sammy barks quietly, comes to MacClife, Jr., and his fiancée, and brings his face closer, so they give him some caress. “Hey, do you know how this bully got revenge on me for leaving my friend in her room?” Daniel asks, hugging Cassidy around the shoulders. “How?” Terrence asks. “She brought her pals and started a riot in your jungle?” “Nope. She put mustard in my sneakers for physical education at school. And I noticed it two minutes before the lesson!” “I guess your sis knew well that it was the only lesson you visited at your wish,” Peter smiles slyly. “Though, it didn’t help your physical data.” “Huh, that’s all?” Edward chuckles kindly. “I thought there would be something better!” “Yeah?” Daniel pronounces surprisingly. “Did I tell you that my PE teacher was terribly mean and nervous? It was impossible to agree with him! We were all afraid of him to death and tried not to miss his lessons and do everything he said. But it didn’t make him kinder. He sometimes went nuts for nothing. Girls did a sit-up ‘till pain in the stomach, and boys did a push-up ‘till their arms got numb. After his lessons, we always barely crept on our knees! That man is the reason the thing I hate much more is a push-up. I do hate it!” “I agree,” Cassidy agrees. “I also went to his lessons. Later, he was replaced. But how much we took from him! That PE teacher was really a monster! Honestly, I’ve never been good at sports. And that idiot made me work much harder. I still remember him screaming, ‘Come on, Perkins, work out! Stop growing your ass! You’re a young girl, but you can’t even run a mile! You’re the same as your stupid brother!’” “It’s true, but the case is not about it.” Daniel clears his throat quickly. “So… When I changed clothes and put on my sneakers, I felt that my feet were dirty. I took off my sneakers and saw that my socks were covered with mustard! Two minutes before the lesson. And later, I found out that my sneakers were torn. I mean, someone cut them.” “Erm, yeah, mustard in the sinkers was my work,” Cassidy says, rounding her eyes. “But I didn’t cut them!” “They had been in a good condition before. And they would’ve been! If you hadn’t stuck your nose in the bag with my clothes for physical education.” “You always searched for something in my stuff!” Cassidy resents with both arms crossed over her chest. “So, why couldn’t I check out yours?” “Checking someone’s stuff is bad, my darling.” Daniel claps Cassidy’s nose with a finger with a sly smile. “Mom always told you about it! And I kicked you outta my room a million times?” “Oh, c’mon, old man, stop grumbling! You found a way to solve that problem!” “Yes, I was madly lucky that my classmate rolled his leg when he was running to the gym class and was too late at the last moment. So, as he had snickers of my size, I borrowed them and promised to bring them to his home after lessons.” “I’m surprised that there was another guy with the same big shoe size,” Peter says funnily. “Otherwise, you would’ve had to go in socks. Or actually without.” “It’s okay!” Cassidy chuckles kindly. “He wouldn’t have broken. Though, he hardly understood that he must’ve asked me for permission to enter my personal borders.” “Seriously?” Daniel wonders. “Should I ask for permission from my little sister?” “Am I not a human? Not a personality?” “Actually, I’m older and can do whatever I want! And you are a child and must listen to me.” “I ain’t a child! I’m gonna be twenty soon!” “Child. The child that is gonna be under my view.” “Dude, I’ve grown up!” “You’re a child!” “Ah, you! I shall kick your ass now!” Cassidy takes a pillow from the sofa and starts to hit Daniel on the head with it. At first, he closes it with both arms but later tries to take the pillow from his sister and hits her two times with a loud chuckle, while the others laugh shyly, and Sammy jumps happily near the Perkins, wishing to join their game. “Oh, gosh, what children…” Raquelle shakes her head. “The bro didn’t go too far from the sis,” Natalia laughs shyly. “As well as the MacClifes,” Helene says confidently. “Well…” Edward says thoughtfully with a sly smile. “I can’t be sure that I’d be covered the way Cassidy covered Daniel.” “Hey, when did I betray you?” Terrence rounds his eyes. “Ah, Terrence, Terrence…” Edward leans back in the sofa and hugs Natalia tighter, putting his arms around her neck, while she kisses him on the cheek with a shy smile. “First, I didn’t call any names. And second… Did you forget that you and I have two more brothers?” “What do they have to do with it? We don’t speak to them!” “But I was done with communicating with those brainless idiots. Who always framed me. When something happened, I was always guilty. Jeremy and William were holy and innocent, and Edward was bad and thankless. I had to pay for my tricks and their tricks. Those idiots used the fact that ‘they were kids and should’ve played the fool, but you’re an adult man that must have some brains.’” “Did you have them?” Terrence wonders. “Your brain is as small as a pearl.” “And yours is as small as a nanoparticle.” “You’ve got an ego the size of the universe.” “Hey, I shall kick you on your ass!” “Don’t act like I’m a child.” “You are a child! The youngest child of Mother.” “But the middle child of Father.” “And I am the eldest!” Terrence says with pride. “I have the proud title of a firstborn.” “If you, firstborn, had lived with Father and me, I would’ve made your life sweet. You would’ve obeyed me.” “Huh, you couldn’t deal with William and Jeremy!” Terrence laughs loudly. “And you wouldn’t have surely dealt with me!” “Why couldn’t I?” Edward falls into silence for a second and smiles slyly with his head proudly raised, while Cassidy stops hitting Daniel on his arms, and he puts the pillow he hit his sister with aside. “One day, they did what would’ve made Father very mad. If he’d known it, their asses would’ve been as red as your gorgeous face after a foreplay with Raquelle.” “Oh, yeah, the great achievement of the little rutrag!” Terrence chuckles with both arms crossed over his chest. “Stop, stop, lemme guess what happened!” Raquelle jabs, raising her index finger up. “Erm… Your brothers bribed you?” “Almost!” Edward clicks his fingers. “When I wanted to go to tell Father everything and get pleasure from watching their asses getting kicked, those two started to beg me to say nothing. And at first, I refused. But then I remembered how I couldn’t sit for one week after he slapped me strongly and felt kind of sorry for the boys. So, I told them I’d say nothing if they gave me everything they had stolen from me. And Jer and Will were so scared that they’d do anything. They immediately gave me almost all my things. They lost and ruined something, but I was happy anyway.” “Huh, I thought I’d hear something interesting!” Terrence exclaims. “Oh… I am disappointed.” “Don’t worry, bro, I have the craziest punishments for you.” “Huh, what would you do to me? Threaten me with a finger?” “I have ‘all the best things’ for you!” “You’re a rag,” Terrence chuckles, leaning back and putting his arms on the back of the sofa. “But since I’m a kind boy, you can agree with me,” Edward smiles slyly. “Something expensive from your closet before I’m as silent as a fish in the water.” “Aha! Keep dreaming!” “You’ve got very cool clothes. Some of which you haven’t worn for a hundred years.” “I ain’t a charitable foundation that gives my clothes to some rutrags.” “You’re a pain in my ass.” “Hey, stop already!” Natalia sighs tiredly. “Sit quietly!” “C’mon, let them continue!” Daniel waves his hand. “I adore watching them argue! What if we discover something new about them?” “As if we don’t know that one thinks he’s more irresistible than another,” Helene crosses her arms over her chest. “Huh, I am a thousand times more handsome and much sexier of us two!” Edward says with his head proudly raised. “Natalia is the only one to think so,” Terrence protests. “Any girl would sell her soul for me.” “I don’t know those, who would love to do it.” “My familiar girls have never heard your name!” Sammy barks loudly and confidently, making everybody pay attention to him and laugh shyly. “Thanks, Sammy,” Raquelle thanks, petting Sammy’s head. “Otherwise, they wouldn’t have calmed down until the evening.” “My baby can tell all of you who spreads a lot of sex,” Terrence replies in a low voice with his head proudly raised, presses Raquelle closely to himself and cutely kisses her on the nose. “And my queen doesn’t know yet that she’s gonna be the wife of the new sex symbol of the entire world,” Edward says confidently, pressing Natalia to himself, scratching her under the elbow, and putting his hand on her lap. “Dream, Edward… Dream, my boy… Do what you can do much better.” Sammy barks loudly again two times, while Raquelle keeps petting his head and yanks him softly by the ears. “Gosh, guys, you’re all so funny,” Cassidy says with a slight smile. “The boys I spoke with weren’t like this. They made me feel cool, but feel much better with you.” “Thanks, Cassidy,” Helene thanks amicably. “You’re also very sweet and funny.” “Yeah, just like your bro,” Natalia adds. “No, I ain’t similar to my bro,” Cassidy protests confidently. “I’m a good girl, but he’s insolent, self-confident, and annoying.” “Huh, come on!” Daniel scoffs loudly. “I hear it from the stubborn hothead, who has loved looking for trouble since childhood.” “You only gave tons of problems to Mom and Dad!” “And they didn’t have problems with you!” “Alright, kid, stop talking!” Daniel glances at the white snapback on Cassidy’s head. “And yeah, gimme this snapback! It’s mine!” Daniel takes the snapback from Cassidy’s head and puts it on himself. “In case you didn’t know, people usually take off headdresses in a room.” “Ha, Daniel said and put the snapback on his head with a smug smile,” Peter chuckles with both arms crossed over his chest. Everybody laughs quietly, and Sammy barks shyly. “Yay, Perkins, how could you teach your sis something good if you’re so wrong?” Terrence wonders. “I’m older and can do anything I want,” Daniel says confidently. “Since we don’t have parents, I shall educate this talkative hooligan.” “I wish someone educated you!” Cassidy chuckles kindly and looks at all the men. “Boys, maybe, you will?” “Well, I think you and I can tame our brothers,” Edward smiles slyly. “You four must be constantly educated!” Helene exclaims. “Hey, why should I be?” Peter resents. “I’m so sweet! The shyest and sweetest one of these four folks!” “Aha…” Daniel chuckles. “But when you take photos of the half-naked you, you aren’t shy.” “Truly breathtaking beauty must be photographed.” “Hey, blond, lemme try your bandana on?” “No, me,” Cassidy says shyly. “I like it so much!” Sammy barks loudly, as if he is showing a wish to try on Peter’s blue bandana, which is put on his head as a headband. “And then gimme,” Edward says confidently. “I do adore bandanas and chokers!” “No, me!” Terrence exclaims. “It’s gonna look incredible on me.” “Hey, don’t dare to reserve your places!” Peter chuckles kindly. “Nobody had cared about my bandana, but when Perkins put an eye on the one, you stood up behind him.” “Please, Pete…” Cassidy begs with pity in her eyes. “I will just check how it will look on me. Please, please, please…” Peter exhales sharply, takes the bandana off his head, and gives it to Cassidy, who puts it on, while the blond fixes his hair. “Gosh, Cassidy,” Natalia approves with a slight smile. “You look good.” “You look nice,” Raquelle adds confidently. “Wow, it’s so cool!” Cassidy admires, coming to the mirror hanging in the living room and looking at it. “I really like it!” Sammy barks happily, wagging his tail amicably. “Thanks, puffy,” Cassidy smiles shyly. “I’m glad you like it.” Cassidy admires herself in the mirror for a few seconds before Daniel, taking the snapback off and putting it on the sofa near him, comes to his sister confidently and says: “Okay, stop admiring yourself!” Daniel takes the bandana off Cassidy’s head and puts it on himself. “Now it’s my time!” “Hey, I wanna wear it for a while!” Cassidy resents. “Hello, don’t tear it while fighting there!” Peter exclaims. “Okay, guys, solve it there,” Terrence says cheerfully. “But we’ll try on the snapback.” Terrence takes the snapback, puts it on, and raises his head proudly, feeling more than just confident. “No, no, no, no,” Edward shakes his head in disapproval. “Take the snapback off and never wear it again.” “Why?” Terrence rounds his eyes. “I think I’m handsome!” “Don’t insult my aesthetic feelings.” “You’re just jealous of me!” Terrence gets up from the sofa and comes to the mirror in the living room. “Everything fits me! I’d be perfect in any look!” “Edward’s right, MacClife, snapbacks aren’t made for you,” Daniel replies confidently, putting his hands on his hips. “You look ugly with them.” “I support you,” Peter agrees. “Sorry, Terrence.” “Yeah, not very good, honestly…” Helene frowns slightly. “A on your head is a pain for the eyes of the one, who loves fashion,” Natalia says confidently. Sammy barks confidently. “So what, Terrence, what I told you!” Raquelle clicks the fingers of her hands. “Even the men and the girls said they aren’t for you! But you didn’t believe me.” “You don’t understand!” Terrence exclaims with his head proudly raised. “Nothing can make me worse! Because I’m perfect! Nature was very nice to me and gave me all the best that a man could have.” “Come back down to earth, Terrence MacClife!” Natalia exclaims. “Don’t act like you're the God of Beauty!” “Isn’t that the truth, Blondie? I am a standard of male beauty! I’m like Aphrodite or Venera! A male version!” “Gosh, what a high self-rating…” Helene exhales sharply. “Damn, every time I look at myself, I fall in love with me more and more.” Terrence raises his head proudly, strokes his hair down, pulls down his t-shirt, and raises his jeans. “And my age doesn’t make me worse. Vice versa, I get hotter and sexier every year. Jesus, I’m gonna break the hearts of old ladies and young girls when I’m eighty!” “Gosh, who am I gonna get married to?” Raquelle sighs tiredly. “Wasn’t someone to be shyer on the list of my admirers?” “Damn, MacClife, take the snapback off!” Natalia exclaims. “Stop making you ashamed!” “Hey, why do you all annoy me?” Terrence resents. “Be jealous silently!” “Huh, if only we had a reason!” Edward chuckles with both arms crossed over his chest. “I’m not guilty of the fact that my parents gave me the best, so I conquered the whole world with my eternal beauty.” “You didn’t conquer it even with your six-pack and genitals.” Edward comes to Terrence confidently and takes the snapback off him. “But everyone dreams of sex with me!” Edward puts the snapback on with pride and hears Sammy barking in approval. “So?” Edward pronounces, looking at himself in the mirror, and turns on the others. “What do y'all think?” “I like it,” Natalia approves with a slight smile. “You look much better with it.” “Should something have changed?” Terrence frowns. “You were a rag, and you still are.” “I believe it’s very good,” Raquelle smiles shyly. “Edward is really cute with a snapback.” “A pretty face decides everything,” Daniel says, fixing the bandana. “Tell me I’m terrific with this snapback, and you’re gonna hear you look good with this bandana,” Edward replies confidently with a sly smile. “Yeah, I’m really terrific!” Daniel pulls his t-shirt down with his head proudly raised. “Maybe, I’m not smart enough, but the percent of my attractiveness is one million of one hundred.” “You’re as far from me as the moon,” Terrence says. “Peter’s clothes were literally made for me.” Daniel glances at the reflection in the mirror for a second. “From you three, he’s got the best clothes, bracelets, bandages, and other stuff.” “Ah, that’s why you love stealing clothes from me!” Peter chuckles kindly. “You think they fit you!” “Don’t be shy, blond, say you’re delighted by the way I look with your bandana.” Sammy barks confidently two times, amicably wagging his tail and watching Daniel. “Well, I like it,” Helene shrugs with a slight smile. “I’d like to joke, but I don’t know how,” Cassidy says thoughtfully. “No matter what, I’ve always considered my bro handsome.” “Thanks, sis,” Daniel smiles widely, comes to Cassidy with a proud look, and kisses her on the top of the head. “You’re just a gem.” “Don’t say it to your brother too often,” Edward advises, takes the snapback off, and puts it on the back of the sofa. “Or we’re gonna have one more narcissist that would compare himself with goddesses of beauty.” “Everything’s clear in my case,” Terrence says with his head proudly raised. “Terrence MacClife was born to make girls happy and make men jealous.” “You were born as an ugly and shriveled bundle that was screaming at the whole hospital and became the reason why many doctors decided to leave their job to the fuck.” At first, Terrence claps Edward on the head from behind, and then he, not waiting for the reaction, uses a chokehold on him and ruffles his hair strongly, while the guy squeaks quietly and beats his brother on everything he sees, and the others laugh shyly. “Ha, you say the MacClife brothers are friendly…” Cassidy says thoughtfully with a sly smile. “Don’t worry, Cass, it’s fine with them,” Raquelle laughs shyly. “A day will be lived for nothing if they don’t kick each other’s asses and share a couple of snaps.” “This is a type of their love,” Natalia adds funnily. “Idyll!” “But when they have to, they will tear down anyone to insult or harm one of them,” Peter adds confidently. “They could mock each other in all ways but are ready to kill the others for that.” “Cool!” Cassidy pronounces. “I wouldn’t also let anyone hurt Dan. I’m the only one to be able to kick the ass of my bro.” “And I have a unique right to mock my sister,” Daniel says confidently. “Nobody else dares to hurt her.” Sammy barks confidently, and then Daniel looks at him and thinks about something for two seconds. “Hey, Sammy…” Daniel pronounces. “Come here! C’mon, buddy, come to me!” While Sammy comes to Daniel, the man takes off the bandana and unties it. Then he squats down and ties it up on the dog as a collar. “Sammy, my boy!” Helene exclaims with true admiration, gets up from the sofa, comes to Sammy, and runs her hand over his hair. “How handsome you are! And charming!” “I didn’t know he’d look so good with bandanas,” Raquelle says with a slight smile, gets up from the sofa at the same time as Natalia, comes to Sammy, and bends at him. “You’re a sweetheart, Sammy.” “Everything fits Sammy!” Cassidy exclaims and pets Sammy’s head. “Nothing can make him look worse!” Sammy barks with a proud look, wagging his tail amicably and looking at everybody, while Edward and Terrence come to everybody. “Wow, Sammy!” Edward smiles widely, pulling Terrence after him, around whose neck his arm is wrapped tightly. “You’re handsome!” “Really cool!” Terrence exclaims cheerfully, moves Edward’s arm off his neck, and strokes down his hair. “Okay, Sammy, you’re gonna be the most handsome dog!” “So what, boy, are you ready to steal the hearts of beautiful female dogs?” Peter asks, who took off the snapback from the back of the sofa and put it on. “All female dogs are gonna drool when they see such an irresistible doggy!” Sammy barks confidently two times and jumps happily on his hint paws, making everybody laugh quietly. A little later, Terrence comes to the dog and puts the snapback on his head. The friends give approving cheers and quietly clap their hands, while the doggy walks in front of them with a proud look, showing himself from all sides. Some time later, everybody sits on the sofa again and gives the bandana to Peter after all of them try it on alongside the snapback that Daniel just puts aside. “By the way, someone promised us to sing something,” Raquelle says with a mysterious smile. “Yeah, guys!” Natalia exclaims. “Maybe, you will make us happy with a little show?” “Yes, guys,” Helene adds confidently. “You’re all together, and your instruments are near.” “So, lads, let’s sing for our beauties?” Terrence asks confidently, looking at Edward, Daniel, and Peter. “With pleasure!” Edward exclaims cheerfully. “I’m ready!” Peter says confidently. “Like never ever!” Daniel agrees. “We’ve wanted to play all together for nobody the hell knows how long!” “Hey, I can show you how I can play guitar!” Cassidy says cheerfully. “But I kind of forgot everything…” Sammy barks happily two times. “Okay, guys, get ready, but I will find guitars,” Daniel says confidently. “They’re somewhere here.” Before Daniel gets up from the sofa, Sammy gives a start sharply and goes somewhere quickly. “Hurry up!” Raquelle exclaims. “Sammy can’t wait to howl.” “Sammy!” Daniel pronounces, looking at where Sammy ran. “Sammy, wait! Don’t throw anything!” Daniel quickly goes where Sammy is examining something, sniffing it, and touching it with his paw. While the others watch him closely, not doubting that his emotions are not one hundred percent true. “Hey, did you notice he hadn’t mentioned Anna?” Cassidy frowns slightly. “And he’s rarely talked about her in the past two days.” “I think we shouldn't start,” Terrence replies confidently. “Or Daniel’s gonna be gloomier than a cloud.” “Daniel can say nothing, but he’s worried,” Natalia says with sadness in her eyes. “Now Perkins is having fun, but when we leave, he will lock himself in the room and torture himself with the memories of Seymour.” “Yeah, but what can we do?” Helene throws her hands up. “They should want to start it again. I mean, Anna should.” “And now, since Anna left the hospital, they won’t meet,” Raquelle adds thoughtfully. “But now we know where to find her,” Peter notices quietly. “That’s right,” Edward agrees. “And I think she’s gonna reply to our messages, call us, invite us to her home, and meet us.” “I think so,” Natalia nods confidently. “Anna confesses that she got much better after she started to speak to us again.” “Oh, I can’t wait for us to deal with Potter, so she meets us quietly,” Helene sighs quietly. Silence settles in the air for a few seconds, during which everybody looks at each other. Then the happy Sammy returns to them with a quiet bark, and Daniel follows him with a guitar in his hands. “The second guitar is in my room, but I’m too lazy to find it,” Daniel says quietly, sitting on the sofa and placing his guitar comfortably in front of himself. “Sorry.” “Are you gonna play this guitar?” Terrence asks with a sly smile and his arms crossed over his chest. “Obviously,” Daniel smiles innocently. “Maybe, you’ll give it to me?” Edward suggests. “I’m a lead guitarist.” “No, give it to me!” Terrence exclaims. “I shall show you an imitable play of Terrence MacClife.” “No, I will play today,” Peter says confidently. “Girls always whoop with happiness when I take a guitar and start to play. They whoop at everything I do.” “Settle down, pretty boys!” Daniel chuckles kindly. “I will be playing the guitar! And you will be singing along with me.” “And then let me play!” Cassidy exclaims. “You promised to allow me to play your guitar!” “Don’t worry, sis. When the lads and I play, you can play something for us.” “Honestly, we don’t even know if we’re gonna sing today…” Edward says thoughtfully, running his hand through his hair. “Yeah…” Peter adds with a sly smile and clears his throat quickly. “Today… I’m a little bit out of my tune…” “Let Perkins sing for us,” Terrence adds thoughtfully, cracking his knuckles. “Alongside his sister.” “Aha, keep dreaming!” Daniel exclaims. “You all will be singing! And I’ll make sure that you’re singing, not just opening your mouth.” “Listen, gentlemen, will you play today or not?” Natalia asks gloomily, crossing her arms over her chest. “Yeah, are you gonna do any stupid things but sing?” Raquelle resents. “Faster, boys!” Helene adds. “We’re waiting!” Sammy barks loudly and confidently, wagging his tail and looking amicably at Daniel, Terrence, Peter, and Daniel while they look at each other. “Why are you staring?” Daniel rounds his eyes. “What are we gonna sing?” “Well, as you didn’t wanna bring a second guitar here, then…” Peter replies thoughtfully and waves his hand. “Pick up a song!” “But if you play the song, which Peter and you annoyed Edward and me with, I shall break this guitar against your head,” Terrence says, threatening Daniel with a finger. “What song, if it’s not a secret?” Cassidy asks. “I won’t say it,” Edward replies quietly. “Or we won’t shut your brother and the blond up.” “I’m sure you’re gonna love it, Cass,” Daniel promises with a slight smile. “When we heard it, it was a recent one.” “Would you play it for me?” Cassidy asks. “Yup, but not now. Now, I don’t wanna irritate the MacClife brothers.” “Oh, thank you so much!” Terrence and Edward say at the same time, raising their hands up. Sammy barks quietly, and Raquelle glances at the dog, leans back on the sofa, and crosses her arms over her chest, asking tiredly: “Oh, God, are you gonna play something today?” “Yeah, even Sammy is sick of waiting for you, talkative folks, to decide something,” Cassidy says gloomily. Sammy barks loudly in approval again. “Don’t worry, girls, we’re ready to start,” Daniel says with a slight smile. “I know what we’re gonna play.” “Start then!” Helene exclaims. Daniel thinks for two seconds with a slight smile, looks at everybody – including Sammy, – and starts performing a short, quiet melody on his guitar, plucking the strings and striking the chords confidently. A little later, the man shaking slightly starts to sing, making the girls smile shyly. Cassidy barely holds her tears down after hearing her older brother sing for the first time in many years, the men look at each other in approval, and Sammy listens to every single word and note closely, while Helene pets his head. After catching a good moment, Terrence, Peter, and Edward join Daniel, not being shy of showing their strong, high-pitched voices, forgetting all the bad things, and being happy that they are singing together again. Raquelle, Helene, and Natalia share a tender gaze with their men and press themselves close to them, Cassidy does not miss a chance to play the fool on Daniel by slapping him on the nose, ruffling his hair, or just showing some funny faces, and the man himself seems more relaxed and proves that he can really sing and play guitar. And Sammy sometimes howls, barks loudly, and comes to one or another person, getting a little bit of tenderness from everybody. Three or four minutes later, Terrence, Daniel, Peter, and Edward sing the last chorus all together and finish their performance with slight smiles on their faces. Then the girls applaud loudly and whoop happily, hugging and kissing their sweethearts, and the dog jumps from one side to another and barks loudly and jumps. “Oh, my gosh, guys, you were incredible!” Cassidy admires with a wide smile. “You sound much better in real life than on the record!” “Good job, lads!” Terrence exclaims cheerfully with a slight smile. “You still rock!” “Our boys were imitable!” Natalia says confidently. “They didn’t lose their skills.” “Why should they lose them if they played guitar and sang all day at home?” Raquelle wonders. “Yes, we finally came together and sang!” Peter exclaims cheerfully. “For the first time after our latest show!” “It’s been kind of forever,” Edward confesses. “Yeah… Singing alone in a shower is not as cool as singing with my friends.” “Ah, I can’t wait to perform again…” Edward leans back in the sofa and puts his hands behind his head. “Take my guitar, go on the stage, and play something for the whooping people.” “It’s okay, men, we’re gonna hang out at the stages of the whole world soon,” Daniel replies cheerfully with a wide smile, pressing his guitar to himself. “And we can walk in the city.” “Take tons of photos and videos…” Peter adds. “Taste foreign food…” “Hey, will you find a place for me?” Cassidy asks. “I also wanna visit some countries, as well! Mom and Dad promised to organize a trip to Europe for Dan and me! But sadly, they didn’t do…” “It’s okay, Cass, you’re gonna have a chance to see the world,” Helene assures. “Maybe, Daniel will take you somewhere.” “We’ll think about it when she finishes therapy at the clinic,” Daniel promises with a slight smile. “And don’t forget that you must reserve a place for me on your show,” Cassidy replies confidently, pointing at Daniel with her finger. “Preferably, in the first line!” “Don’t worry, Cassidy, the lads promised to reserve places for the girls and me,” Raquelle replies amicably. “They’ll find a place for you, too.” “If they don’t, we’ll do our best for you to admire your brother, sitting with us in the first line,” Natalia adds confidently. “Don’t worry, sweet beauties,” Edward replies with his head proudly raised, hugging Natalia tightly with both arms and pressing her to himself. “If we promised, it would happen.” “You know that we keep our promises,” Peter adds amicably. “As real men!” “Yeah, we’ll find the best places for you,” Terrence says confidently and glances at Daniel, Edward, and Peter. “Right, bros?” “We promise!” Daniel exclaims. “It would be a pleasure if my little sissy managed to watch me on the show.” “Okay, tough guy, I shall remember,” Cassidy says confidently. Sammy barks confidently two times. “You’re gonna be a witness, sweet fluffy,” Cassidy says, pointing at Sammy. “Won’t ya betray?” Sammy barks loudly again, making everybody laugh shyly. “Okay, now it’s my time to play the guitar!” Cassidy breaks the silence and takes Daniel’s guitar from him. “Give it to me, bro!” “Yeah, how are you gonna play if you forgot almost everything?” Daniel asks. “That’s why I wanna play,” Cassidy replies, placing the guitar comfortably. “To remember what’s forgotten and show your friends thanks to who you taught to play guitar.” “I said you didn’t have to do with it. The fact that you showed me a couple of chords changes nothing.” “I will keep telling everybody that you learned to play thanks to my efforts.” “Hey, Cassidy, did you learn to play by yourself?” Helene asks. “Or did someone teach you?” “Actually, our parents found a teacher and bought a guitar when I was a baby. I can’t remember what my age was… But I started to play very early.” “And how did you get love for a guitar?” Peter asks. “I just saw a man playing guitar skillfully on a TV. He was in a rock band. I don’t know it, but I madly liked the way that man played. And I madly wanted to learn it.” “Did your parents support you?” Raquelle asks. “Mom and Dad didn’t mind me having this hobby. But when I told them I wanted to play guitar, they were sure that I’d get sick of it. And… So to say… They didn’t care about it so much. But everything changed later. I asked Mom or Dad to find chords on the Internet and print them and learned new songs for hours in my free time.” “Did you never have a wish to stop doing that?” Terrence wonders. “No, I’ve always loved playing guitar,” Cassidy confesses, still working on the guitar. “But I also love painting and photographing.” “That’s how…” “By the way, my talent for playing the guitar wasn’t unnoticed. I performed on some shows many times. Sometimes I played along with some guys, who sang… And I sometimes performed a solo.” “And your bro?” Edward asks. “Did Daniel support your hobby?” “At first, he didn’t care. Daniel was interested in hanging out with friends and having sex with beautiful girls more. But one beautiful day, my bro went to my room and asked me to play something… Show him how to play.” “I’ve always loved to sing something and have done that whenever I could,” Daniel confesses. “And I was too lazy to learn to play an instrument. But when I saw how skillfully Cassidy played, I also wanted to learn to play.” “Yeah, but he gave up on this multiple times when he couldn’t do it. But Danny brought this case to an end and started to play even better than me.” “Sometimes the result is worth your efforts.” “Everybody starts with something,” Terrence notices confidently. “As if I could do anything immediately.” “Oh, you didn’t have to apply any effort!” Daniel waves his hand. “You and your brother have been able to sing and play since you were babies!” “I know, buddy!” Terrence smiles slyly. “If I had a chance, I would’ve started to sing at the age of two or three.” “You know, Terry, I’m really surprised that you didn't scream at the top of your lungs when Father and Mother stopped giving you attention and took care of me,” Edward says confidently. “You were supposed to be madly jealous and wake up with a cold sweat at the thought that your parents would come to you and say you’d have a brother or sister soon.” “No, I shall never regret it. Having a little bro is cool! There is always someone, who I could blame for everything in case I wanna pay for nothing. Your birth gave me a great benefit.” “As if you don’t do this to your friends.” “Of course, I do. But knowing your bro’s ass would be kicked, not yours, is much nicer. You know how good I feel when I do a dirty trick to you!” “Oh, how good I feel!” Edward purrs. “Between bitter chocolate and a chance to put your face in the mud, I prefer the second variant.” “If I choose who irritates me more between you and Raquelle, you’re the winner.” “I’d strangle you if you put an eye on my toys in childhood. Especially, my xylophone. That was my favorite toy.” “Ha, I had the same toy! I loved my xylophone and couldn’t live without it and a couple of toy cars that I somehow lost. I can’t remember how I got it, but I guess that Mr. Johnson could give it to me. My mom didn’t buy it.” “And I got mine from Isabella. We always had a good relationship, but I never considered her a close person and never called her a mother. But I’m still grateful to her for that gift,” Edward exhales sharply. “But one day, Jeremy found that and broke it… It was a great grief to me… I did take care of my only toy, but that idiot broke that to the fuck.” “I believe Mother still has my xylophone. I know for sure that she didn’t throw it. She actually never threw away my toys or my clothes that became too small for me. When I visit her and Father at home, I’ll ask her about it… Maybe, I’ll take something with me…” “Hey, I had a xylophone, too!” Daniel confesses. “And then Mom gave it to Cassidy, who madly liked that thing. My sister could knock on those colorful plates all day. And it irritated me when I wanted to be in silence.” “Yes, yes, I remember!” Cassidy exclaims with a wide smile. “I really, madly liked it!” “And I had a small drum with a belt. I loved putting it on my neck, walking in the house, and beating on that with sticks.” “Ah!” Peter chuckles, crossing his arms over his chest. “That’s why you always wrap around my drums and aim to take the place of the drummer.” “I just wanna play drums! But you are greedy!” “Aha, I let you sit on the drums one day. You broke the drumsticks and drums and played so terribly that my ears were bleeding. It was madly hurt for me, the drummer, to hear that play.” “C’mon, you constantly break drumsticks and drums and complain that you’ve got nothing to play with.” “At least, I don’t give His Highness a task to go to a store and buy a new couple of drumsticks, and I buy them personally. And I order drums on the Internet for my money.” “Oh, thank you, my sweet friend!” “But the sweet friend buys the strings for the guitar of one super insolent, lazy guy.” “Me too!” Terrence exclaims. “He should pay me for the gasoline that I spent!” “Oh, yeah, chickens are crowing!” Daniel jabs. “I can’t remember when you bought something for your guitar by yourself,” Peter says. “Thank God, you don’t ask us for money!” “Real friends don’t refuse to help! When my friends ask me something, I do everything for them.” “Hey, boys, turn the sound off!” Cassidy exclaims cheerfully, plucking the strings of the guitar quietly. “I’ve remembered how to play one song… It was the first one that Daniel learned to play.” Sammy barks confidently two times. “Yeah, Cassidy, play something for us,” Raquelle says amicably. “Or these idiots are gonna argue ‘till the evening.” “Look, how much Sammy wanna hear it,” Natalia adds, petting Sammy’s head. Cassidy starts playing a quiet and nice melody much more confidently and louder. Despite a long-time lack of practice, the girl kept her skills and is now playing very well. Not worse than Daniel, who starts shaking his head with a wide smile on his face and clicking his fingers with the rhythm. “Hey, girl, you play very well!” Helene admires. “Thanks, Helene!” Cassidy thanks with a shy smile. “Now we know who we should thank for the discovered star,” Terrence adds confidently. “Listen, the song is old enough…” Edward says thoughtfully, shaking his head. “I heard it when I was a kid…” “It’s true,” Daniel confirms with a slight smile. “It was released when Mother and Father were young.” “Isabella loved it very much. Every time this song played on the radio, and a music video was shown on TV, she danced.” “It reminds me of the times that I spent in the house of my parents. My sister and I often heard that song since we were kids. Our parents also danced along with it. They even bought a vinyl with that song. I still have it, but I can’t play it ‘cause I don’t have a player. The old one was broken a long time ago.” “Mom and Dad said this song reminded them of their youth,” Cassidy says, as she keeps playing guitar. “They loved telling us how they went to a dancepool and danced along with this song. And when I learned to play it, there was no limit to their happiness. They constantly asked me to play it. And I liked it, too. Especially now.” “I think I also heard it when I was a child,” Natalia says thoughtfully. “And Enrique, the late husband of my grandmother, loved it so much.” “And I heard it!” Peter exclaims. “They played that song on the radio so often that I learned it by heart. At first, it irritated me, but later I liked it.” “And I heard it, too,” Peter confesses. “This song was played on the radio so often that I learned it heart-by-heart. At first, it got me irritated, but later, I kinda liked it.” “Daniel hated it at first,” Cassidy laughs shyly. “But later, he liked it and learned to play the guitar first.” “Hey, let’s sing it?” Daniel suggests. “No!” Cassidy sharply cuts off. “I won’t sing! I sing terribly and don’t like it. You know it.” “C’mon, Cass! You’ve always sung well, and you did the wrong thing by refusing to get vocal lessons.” “No, Dan, don’t even ask. I can’t sing at all.” “Stop, sis.” “I’d rather just play. And you can sing.” “Are you shy of the guys?” “No, I am not. I just don’t wanna show what I can’t do.” Sammy whining quietly comes to Cassidy and puts his face on her laps, as if he is trying to make her sing. “No, Sammy,” Cassidy shakes her head. “Sorry, I won’t be singing. That’s not for me.” “C’mon, Cassidy,” Peter says amicably. “Sing with your brother.” “Do you think we’d laugh at you if you couldn’t do something?” Natalia wonders. “The girls and I don’t also sing well, but sometimes we do it with pleasure,” Helene adds. “C’mon, Cassidy, sing something for us,” Terrence encourages with a slight smile. “No, guys, don’t persuade,” Cassidy refuses. “Listen, Cassidy…” Edward pronounces thoughtfully. “Can you play it again?” “Again? Erm-h… Well… Okay… If you want…” Cassidy starts playing the song from the beginning much more confidently, understanding that she remembers everything. At some moment, Edward decides to sing the first verse along with the nice melody that fits his soft voice so well. Later, Peter makes his friends happy with his little hoarse, low signing and signs the chorus along with MacClife, Jr, while the others clap their hands, and Sammy barks and howls quietly. The men sing more than half of the song together, and somewhere in the end, Terrence and Daniel join them, and the girls try to sing along with them shyly. When the song ends, Cassidy inclines her head with a shy smile, while the others clap quietly, and Sammy jumps happily with a loud bark. “Cool!” Helene exclaims. “You did it well!” “Yeah, as it turned out, I forgot nothing,” Cassidy notices. “My fingers remember everything!” “You play well, Cassidy!” Terrence replies cheerfully. “You did it well!” “The girls and I also believe you do it well,” Raquelle adds confidently. “Thanks a lot, guys,” Cassidy gets blushed, looking down for a second. “You all are so nice to me.” “I’m sure that you sing as well as you play guitar,” Natalia says amicably. “No, Natalia, singing isn’t mine. In this case, Daniel is more talented than me. He’s always had a wonderful ear. Even our parents said that if he wanted, he’d get successful as a singer.” “She’s shy, guys!” Daniel protests confidently. “Cassidy signs very well! I’ve heard her many times! You know how well she sang this song for our parents! They literally cried!” “Mom and Dad always cried when hearing this song. They even listened to covers with pleasure!” “Sing it for us, then!” Peter suggests amicably. “Okay, guys, leave Cassidy!” Helene exclaims, clapping Peter on his hand. “If she doesn’t wanna sing, don’t make her.” Sammy barks confidently two times. “Listen, guys, let’s go to the garage?” Daniel suggests cheerfully. “I haven’t been there for ages!” “Why?” Cassidy wonders. “To admire your car?” “No, we have a paradise there,” Daniel smiles mysteriously. “The paradise where we’d be forever.” “The paradise, which I’d exchange my apartment to…” Peter says confidently. “The paradise you’re gonna love,” Raquelle says with a slight smile. “What’s special about it?” Cassidy frowns. “There are instruments the lads and I play for us, our girls, and our friends,” Terrence replies with a shy smile. “Aha, drums, three guitars, and three microphones,” Edward nods with a mysterious smile. “Come on!” Cassidy pronounces with admiration and glances at Daniel. “This asshole didn’t say it!” “Now you know it,” Peter shrugs. Sammy barks confidently two times. “Hey, can I sit on the drums and play them?” Cassidy asks cheerfully. “Just a little!” “Ask the drummer,” Daniel replies confidently. “Peter doesn’t allow anyone to play the drums. Even if they’re on my territory.” “Please, Pete, let me, let me…” “You can,” Peter smiles shyly. “Because I like you and think you’re a cool girl.” “Oh, thanks, blond!” Cassidy gives Peter an air kiss. “You’re beautiful inside and outside!” “Then if it’s happening, make an exclusion for us,” Edward suggests confidently. “Yeah, Rose!” Daniel exclaims. “Don’t be a greedy man at least only one time. We’re brothers!” “I dunno, I dunno…” Peter thinks, rolling his eyes up. “Maybe, I really need to give you a chance to sit on the drums… Take a guitar and show you how to play…” “You think about it,” Terrence replies confidently. “But now let’s go to the garage.” “Let’s go then, gang!” Daniel exclaims cheerfully. Sammy barks confidently two times and goes to the exit from the house first. A little later, Daniel, Edward, Peter, and Terrence get up, and then Natalia, Helene, and Cassidy do the same. But Raquelle keeps sitting on the sofa, thinking about something with sadness in her eyes and kind of finding the courage to do or say something. “Are you coming, Raquelle?” Natalia frowns slightly. “Erm, yeah, sure…” Raquelle replies hesitantly, looking around the living room. Terrence, Edward, Daniel, and Peter stop and look at each other. “Are you okay, Raquelle?” Daniel expresses anxiety. “Guys…” Raquelle pronounces hesitantly, looking at everybody with sad eyes and locking her fingers tightly. “I know it’s not the best time, but… I… I want to tell you something…” “Tell?” Cassidy specifies with sadness in her eyes. “I should tell you something very important and want you to listen to me.” “Of course, we will,” Peter says amicably. “You can tell us anything.” “Let’s talk about what you want at first and then go to the garage,” Daniel suggests confidently. “It,” Raquelle pronounces hesitantly. “It has to do with me, but should know it, too.” While Sammy comes to Raquelle and whines quietly, Terrence and Edward frown slightly and look at each other, knowing what is going on. “She’s gonna tell them about the child?” Edward asks in a whisper. “I don’t doubt it,” Terrence replies confidently. “Then we’ll reveal ourselves, too. As we agreed.” “Yeah, sure.” Two seconds later, Raquelle gets up and moves her eyes hesitantly to Terrence and Edward, who nod confidently, as if they are letting her know that she can tell everything. The girl moves her eyes aside and thinks about something for a few seconds. Then the MacClife brothers come closer to her: Edward caresses Raquelle’s shoulder, and Terrence hugs her with the hope that it will help her. “Gosh, Raquelle, you’re so scared,” Natalia gets horrified, coming to Raquelle to caress her on the shoulder. “What’s going on?” “Oh, you see…” Raquelle pronounces hesitantly, moving her eyes aside. “I…” “Don’t be afraid, Raquelle,” Peter says softly. “You can fear nothing. If you have problems, we’ll try to help you.” Sammy barks quietly and touches Raquelle’s hand with his paw, making her pay attention to him for two seconds. “Guys…” Raquelle pronounces hesitantly in a shaking voice, barely holding her tears down. “Is that really something horrible if you’re so nervous?” Cassidy asks with sadness in her eyes. “Yup, it’s really horrible… You should know… Know what has tortured me all this time.” “Sure, speak,” Helene says softly. “We’re listening to you.” Feeling that she can trust all these people, Raquelle exhales slowly with closed eyes and starts to speak a little hesitantly, while Terrence is hugging her tightly: “You see… There’s something… I’ve been hiding for a long time… Any truth would be revealed early or late. So… I think… It’s time to reveal my secret.” “Speak,” Daniel nods. “Erm… The case is that I…” But Raquelle does not say what she wants because a call on a landline makes her fall into silence. Daniel, frowning slightly, wants to come to it, but Sammy barks, runs to the phone, takes it carefully with his mouth, and gives it to the man. “Oh, thanks, buddy,” Daniel thanks, takes the phone, and looks at his friends. “Sorry, guys.” Daniel goes aside, while the others come to the sofas and sit on them. “Hello,” Daniel says quietly. “Hello, Daniel,” the man greets. “It’s Maximilian Seymour.” “Yes, yes, hello, Mr. Seymour.” “Lillian is with me and can hear you.” “Hello, Daniel,” Lillian’s voice sounds. “Hello, Mrs. Seymour,” Daniel pronounces, running his hand through his hair. “Sorry for bothering you, but we need to talk to you,” Maximilian says quietly. “It’s alright, Mr. Seymour,” Daniel says confidently. “What’s wrong? Any problems?” “There’s something you should know.” “Erm, sorry for stopping you, but was Anna really released from the hospital?” “Yes, really,” Maximilian confirms. “Lilian and I took her out and drove her to my home. She’s having a rest and putting herself in order.” “I see… My friends and I just wanted to visit her today, but we were told that your daughter had been released.” “Yes, yes, don’t worry, Anna is at home.” “How does she feel?” “Thank God, she’s fine.” “Alright. I’m happy she is alright.” “Listen, Daniel, Lilian and I need to talk to you about her.” “To be clear, about her and Julian,” Lillian specifies. “Julian?” Daniel rounds his eyes. “Did he show up?” “He did, Daniel.” “Damn… Did that man do something to your daughter again?” “No, no, thank God,” Lillian says quietly. “Maximilian and I just want to tell you that we have a chance to make Julian and his father pay for what they did.” “Really?” Daniel wonders. “But how?” “Two hours ago, I received a call from Norman Potter, Julian’s father,” Maximilian says. “He asked me, Lillian, and Anna about a meeting.” “A meeting? Both of them will come?” “Yes, Norman said he’d make Julian come and make him apologize for beating Anna. And he’s also going to make us sure that it happened accidentally.” “Did you tell the police?” “Yes, we’ve already talked to Mr. Johnson. He and the police have a plan we should talk about with you and your friends.” “Do we have time? When are you and Norman going to meet?” “In two days,” Lillian replies quietly. “Two days?” “We have time to get ready for it.” “So…” Daniel falls into silence for two seconds and thinks about something, feeling a little anxious. “Do we have to come all together?” “Yes,” Maximilian pronounces. “And it would be great to solve everything today.” “Erm… Yeah… Sure, I’m ready. Just tell me what I should do, where to go, and something like that.” “We talked to Mr. Johnson, and he suggested we come all together to your house,” Lillian replies thoughtfully. “Will you not mind if we go to your home?” “And Anna is going to be with you?” “Sure! She should know how to behave with Norman and Julian. Yes, my daughter is a little weak yet, but Anna says if she has to do it, she is ready.” “Alright,” Daniel nods, running his hand through his hair. “I don’t mind it. And I’m ready to accept you at any time.” “We are planning to meet somewhere at seven or eight o'clock,” Maximilian says confidently. “Great, I’m happy with it!” “Wonderful!” Lilian exclaims. “Then, we’re going to call Mr. Johnson and say you agreed. And you contact your friends and ask them to come.” “They’re with me now. They… They’ll wait for you to come.” “Good, when Lillian, Anna, and I are on the way, we will call you,” Maximilian promises quietly. “I will be waiting,” Daniel pronounces gently. “Remember, Daniel, we really count on you,” Lillian says confidently. “You’re the only one to be able to help Anna get rid of that snake, Julian.” “I will not betray you, Mrs. Seymour,” Daniel promises confidently. “I’m doing what I must. What I promised. And I never refuse my promises.” “Good…” Lillian pronounces thoughtfully. “Then see you tonight.” “See you,” Daniel nods. When Maximilian turns off the call, Daniel hears monotonous beeps. The man looks into the distance with dead eyes for two seconds, then slowly comes to the table near the sofa and puts the phone on it. “Who was that, Daniel?” Cassidy asks. “You got a little white…” Edward frowns slightly. “Don’t waste time!” Raquelle exclaims. “Speak!” Daniel says nothing for two seconds, turns on the others slowly, and comes closer to them. “It was Anna’s mother and father,” Daniel says quietly. “They said there’s a chance to catch Potter and his father in crime.” “A chance?” Helene wonders. “But now?” “Norman called Anna’s father and asked the Seymours about the meeting. That man and his older sonny would come.” “is that snake gonna be there, too?” Terrence specifies. “Christ, what if he beats Anna again?” Natalia gets anxious with horror in her eyes. “She might not survive it!” “No, guys, it won’t happen!” Daniel says confidently and stands with his face turned on everybody sitting on the sofa. “Mr. Johnson knows about the meeting and has a plan that will help us catch this motherfucker and his daddy.” “Really?” Raquelle rounds her eyes. “Really. And yeah… Terrence, Edward, Peter… You all have to stay here ‘till seven or eight o'clock. Mr. Johnson and his colleagues will come here. To talk about the plan.” “Anna will come, too?” Helene specifies. “Yup, with her parents. And we have two days to get ready.” “So, is the meeting of the Seymours and the Potters gonna happen in two days?” Peter concludes. “I think it’s quite enough to get ready.” Sammy whines quietly, looking at everybody with sadness in his eyes. “Are you sure you can do this?” Raquelle asks with anxiety in the soul. “Those men get wild when they know about you and the police! Remember, they easily learned about Anna’s visits to the hospital and her parents’ trip to the police! And the poor girl paid for that.” “What if they do something to you?” Natalia round her eyes full of horror. “It all may be bad for you, Anna, and her parents.” “Don’t worry, sweet girls, it’s gonna be okay,” Edward replies quietly and confidently, hugging Natalia around the shoulders. “The men and I are confident about our strength and know we can deal with that bastard and his father.” “What if something really gets wrong?” Cassidy expresses anxiety. “What if someone suffers? That man is definitely super dangerous and is gonna call in the big guns as his father.” “And you said if Julian got a gun, it would lead to some sad consequences,” Helene adds. “We know it’s risky,” Daniel replies confidently. “But we have no choice if we wanna save Anna. That’s my main goal. The promise I gave the Seymours. I can’t betray them. I can’t go back.” “I guess this meeting is very important to the Potters,” Terrence frowns slightly. “They may harm Anna and her parents. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was something like a trap.” “Yeah, just like Uncle Michael did it when he tricked us into coming to him,” Edward notices thoughtfully. “If the Potters believe nobody knows about their meeting with the Seymours, it’s definitely gonna be a great chance for them to deal with Anna and her parents.” “I’m also sure that the main goal of those bastards is dealing with Anna and her parents,” Daniel replies confidently. “So, it means this meeting shouldn’t happen without us.” “Excuse or not – it doesn’t matter!” Peter exclaims. “Those snakes must pay for everything they’ve done!” “Who said I’d let that scumbag deal with them?” Daniel hums, crossing his arms over his chest. “I will turn Julian to dust when I see him in front of me! He will have the same bruises that Anna has now!” “Aren’t you afraid that Potter may beat you or one of the lads?” Cassidy asks with anxiety, keeping her hand on her heart. “You saw how strongly Anna was beaten. To do it, he’s supposed to have a great strength that you might not take.” “Ha, I can surely deal with that man!” Daniel scoffs contemptuously. “I swear Potter will pay me for what he did with Anna. He will stand on his knees and beg her for forgiveness with tears. Truly. Not pretend to be a fucking actor.” “Don’t be so confident, Daniel,” Helene shakes her head. “That man may be more dangerous than you think. This time, Julian is gonna be much madder. He won’t forgive you and the men for dealing with him so easily the last time.” “I’m not afraid of him, Helene,” Daniel says confidently. “When a case is about Anna, I fear nothing.” “Indeed, Daniel, don’t underestimate the Potters and overestimate your strength,” Natalia advises. “Now I got a great chance to end it. And I will do it.” Sammy barks loudly, as if he is letting Daniel know that he should not forget about him. “We will do it,” Daniel fixes himself. “You’re in, too, Sammy.” Peter, Edward, and Terrence look at each other, move their eyes to Daniel, nod confidently, get up from the sofa, and come to their friend. “He’s gonna beg for mercy after what we do to him,” Peter says confidently. “He will fall on the legs of Anna and her parents and beg for forgiveness,” Edward adds. “He and his father can get ready to lose!” Terrence exclaims. “The one to wish to harm us and our close people will regret it.” Sammy barks so confidently as if he says, “That stinker will not run away! I will catch him and bite him!” “Your friend will live as she wants soon, girls,” Daniel promises confidently with a slight smile. “I want it so badly…” Natalia sighs with sadness in her eyes. “Just trust us,” Edward says confidently. “We know what to do.” “Do everything you can do,” Helene says. “Please, guys, save our friend.” “And for God’s sake, guys, be very careful,” Raquelle begs with despair. “Nobody knows what those men wanna do. Be ready for everything and watch out. This time, the level of this game is going to be harder.” “Please, don’t let those stinkers deal with Anna and her parents,” Cassidy adds with sadness in her eyes. “They’re very good people, who don’t deserve this nightmare.” “We will be the winners of this game,” Daniel replies confidently. “We promise.” At some moment, Edward, Terrence, and Peter hug Natalia, Raquelle, and Helene to calm them down, Daniel presses Cassidy to himself, and Sammy literally tears himself between everybody, letting them pet him with the hope that all of them will feel a little better.***
Julian is now at one of the small cafés in the city with his father, Norman. Not getting people’s attention, they are talking about something with a cup of aromatic coffee in the fresh air and enjoying a nice wind that warms up but gets a little cold. They are the members of the Potter family. The older man is very similar to his son and looks well-groomed, and any owner of thick hair or a bald, glossy head could envy his luxuriant dark fullness. Cold gray eyes, a gas full of evil, and a shy, by far not true smile… There is something repulsive about him that can make anyone anxious and scared. “Yes, everything is fine,” Norman says with a smug smile. “He agreed to meet us.” “So, will we do what we want in two days?” Julian asks with a sly smile, leaning back in the chair. “Yes, the Seymours will be defeated in two days. It’s time to revenge on them for what they did to us.” “Great…” Julian raises his head proudly. “I cannot wait!” “What we’ve been waiting for so long will happen soon.” “By the way, did Maximilian say something about his beloved daughter? How is she doing after getting a hit on her head for being too sassy?” “He said she was released from the hospital. She’s at his home.” “So, the shorty did not die… Sorry! There would’ve been minus one bitch!” “Max said that the doctors found nothing serious. She only got bruises and a little scare.” “Yeah, that little bitch has always been lucky!” Julian throws a gloomy look aside and hums with both arms crossed over his chest. “She did not die the last time because that fucking deadbeat and his gang messed up everything! I did want to deal with that girl so badly, but that bastard decided to play a hero!” “Do not worry, sonny, you will have a chance to show her who decides everything,” Norman replies confidently. “In two days, the gal will be in your arms, and you will be able to do anything you want to her. I don’t want to deal with her, but I will have the pleasure of destroying her brainless parents.” “A-r-r, how much their family irritates me!” Julian groans, taking a sip of coffee and putting his cup on the table. “They pretend to be angels, but they are actually snakes.” “Yeah, the Seymours sucked much blood out of us… And almost left us in underwear! Those two idiots! Lilian and Maximilian! Because of them, we almost lost everything!” “I know… I cannot wait to skin that scumbag. So, she dies and stops hurting my eyes!” “Patience, Julian, patience,” Norman replies quietly, steepling his hands together to make a rooftop. “Wait for a while before you have a lot of fun.” “But I am sick of taking it, Father!” Julian clenches his hands tightly into fists. “Sick of taking that worthless bitch!” “Be patient. Otherwise, our plans will be ruined.” “Why is she actually living? To make her mommy and daddy happy? What can that idiot do? Even if the Seymours got her married, her hubby would die of hunger and drown in the dirt in his own house! And nobody must trust their children to her! That shorty would kill them! She can do nothing! She can only speak to women about clothes and hair and waste the money of her parents!” “Right, that chicken cannot become a perfect wife. When you control her and show your fist, she starts crying and squeaking.” “I could have strangled her much earlier because of her tears. I do hate women’s whining and tears! Those chickens believe that they can pity me if they start hysteria and cry. It irritates me so badly!” “I agree.” Norman takes a sip of coffee and steeples his hands together again, looking at Julian a little gloomily. “But I must confess that I do not approve of what you did to Anna.” “What?” Julian rounds his eyes. “What do you mean?” “Yes, both of us dislike that gal, but you shouldn’t have done that to her.” “But you wanted me to get her exhausted and make her pee her underwear from fear!” Julian recalls. “Make her afraid to lose her mother and father!” “Yeah, but I did not ask you to beat her to half-death!” Norman says rudely. “Your mission was terrifying Seymour and making her believe her parents would die if she did something we disliked. Did you the fuck listen to me?” “You know that I wanted it for a long time. I wanted to get control of that little shorty and teach her to obey older people and respect men. Since her family did not do it and let her run with that bastard, she would have immediately become obedient with me.” “You are very lucky that she stayed alive after what you did. Otherwise, her daddy and mommy would’ve immediately gone to the police to report you. If their daughter had died because of you, they would’ve been afraid of no one and would’ve done their best to put you in prison. And if everything had happened before the eyes of that deadbeat and his pals, they would have told the cops everything. And I would’ve hardly covered you.” “I don’t regret anything!” Julian drinks some coffee from his cup. “At least, I had some fun! I showed her where she belonged and told her who she was. A stupid, worthless, and ugly gal that loves fucking some sheep.” “I understand you, but you should control yourself. Don’t forget that we need that girl alive. Without her, we can do nothing. Maximilian and Lilian would do anything for their daughter Anna. For her well-being. For her safety.” “Huh, those idiots will one hundred percent go to the police!” Julian scoffs contemptuously. “Blame me for the attack of that worthless petite shorty.” “It’s okay,” Norman waves his hand. “Now it does not make sense for us. We almost got what we wanted.” “I don’t know, Father…” Julian exhales sharply. “I doubt that Maximilian will put his tail between his legs and will not go to the police. And Lillian is actually a coward! Making her faint is as easy as sitting down and standing up. I wouldn’t be surprised if it had happened after she saw her daughter after my lesson on education.” “Anyway, Maximilian, Lillian, and Anna are in our hands,” Norman replies confidently. “We can do anything we want to them. Destroy their family and let them know that if someone stands in the way of Norman Potter and harms him, they will regret it.” “I especially want to deal with that worthless and ugly Anna. Hit her head against something strongly, so she dies immediately!” “Do not dare, Julian!” Norman orders rudely. “When it’s time, you will do what you want to her. Kill, rape, or marry her – I give a fuck! But now, do not even try to find her. You hear me, idiot? Do not dare!” “I will not do that!” Julian cuts off sharply. “I cannot do this anyway! I do not doubt that the Seymours will protect their daughter from me too hard. They will go everywhere with her and ask that deadbeat and his pals for help.” “So, do not show up if you do not want that bastard to beat your face or make you disabled.” “I shall make a piece of meat out of him if I see him! I will never forgive that motherfucker and his pals for beating me like that!” “You will deal with that bastard later. Now keep hiding and playing the role of someone to suffer and regrets what he did. We’ve got so much to do at work – so, you and I will get busy with it.” “I shall never regret it!” Julian crosses his arms over his chest. “Seymour is guilty of being beaten by me. She should not have irritated me with her whining, tears, and stupidity!” “Anna has never been a good girl. Maybe, she was kept on the leash in childhood, but when she became a teenager, she got loose. Her late grandparents put great hopes in her and wanted their granddaughter to be an educated lady, who could cook, wash, clean, be silent, be obedient, and please a man.” “But she brilliantly learned to cry and whine!” “All women have been able to do this since birth.” “She was the fuck lucky to stay alive… As if she has nine lives like cats! Ugh!” Julian hits the table with a fist. “Who is praying for her so hard?” “Be happy she is alive! We need that gal like never ever. If she dies, our plan will be crushed like a card house.” “I know, but I madly want to kick her ass again! Besides…” Julian drinks some coffee. “She is still attractive to me psychically, and I often think that I wanna fuck her. Even if I understand that the girl will be a log in the bed, and I will have to do everything.” “It’s okay, sonny, wait for two more days.” “I hate that gal, but I understand she wakes up many emotions inside me. Which I did not get from any other girl I knew.” “Yeah, I don’t understand how you can get attracted to that stupid, non-educated dead fish. Flat ass, small boobs… And she spreads her legs for some deadbeats.” “I don’t know… But when I imagine her being naked, I do wanna get into her deeply.” “A lady’s beauty does not matter, sonny. You need the one, who will be quiet and open her mouth when she is told. Who does not even think about being smarter than a man.” “And Seymour loses in all these cases. I am even ashamed of going in public with that stupid gal.” “Alas, Julian, when someone is born without brains, they can’t get them by getting beaten. You only have to keep a gal on a short leash and make her afraid of you. So, she doesn’t dare to take a step without you.” “Anyway, Seymour truly believed in her worthlessness and ugliness.” “A word is your key to controlling the lady’s mind. Everything you say stays in her mind, and she thinks about it over and over. If you sound very true, you can only spend a few seconds making any confident gal put her tail between her legs and feel ugly. The brain usually memorizes bad things and words. If you call a woman ugly once, she will remember that forever.” “I know, Father…” Julian moves his eyes aside, breathes sharply, and drinks some coffee from his cup. “But I completed my mission.” “The deadbeat helped us a little by not letting you kill the gal. That’s why I am even grateful to him.” “You know well that I have always hated that gal! Yes, I had liked her for some time, but her disgusting behavior made me see that the shorty would drink a lot of my blood.” “You know, sonny… Honestly, I am also happy you didn’t marry her. Seymour would have never been a perfect wife and mother. That girl would have kept going to clubs with her friends, talking to them about stupid shit and having fun with other men.” “I am insulted. Insulted because that fucking short whore with a snail’s brain dared to reject me! Me, Father! Julian Potter himself!” “I know she hurt your dignity,” Norman replies confidently. “But you must not suffer because of that stupid chicken. You had much better girls than that kind of smart honor student, who forgot everything she learned at school and university.” “Right… I don’t understand how I could get a crush on her! Ugh!” Julian snuffs contemptuously. “She is even worse than a lady that constantly washes a man’s brain with her ‘I want jewelry, I want clothes, I wanna get married, I want a baby, and one hundred and one reasons for whining.’” “Women never appreciate everything men do for them. It’s always not enough for them! They want more!” “I’ve always rolled my eyes up when Lillian and Maximilian praised Anna’s successes: oh, she is our honor student, beauty, she passes all exams well, she can do anything, she has so many talents…” “Yeah, the girl is too overpraised.” Norman drinks some coffee from his cup. “She must only know one thing – a woman had no rights. She is the property of a man and must do anything he says. Because he is the head of the home and makes all the decisions.” “Right! Tell me, why do I the fuck have to sit and listen to her boring playing on the piano? Who the fuck needs it? I get sick of the classic music that Lilian plays and makes her worthless daughter play!” “Lilian should better teach her daughter to cook and watch a house! Comparing these two, her mother does something good. That one can be a lady, shut up in time, and used to be a good girl. But she taught her daughter nothing! Or she is just too stupid.” “The food of the shorty is super tasteless!” Julian resents. “I get sick of the coffee she makes! Maximilian has always said Anna cooks well, but I laughed at it silently. And I wanted to clean my stomach when she brought what she cooked.” “Hey, do you remember how the girl put salt in our cups of tea?” Norman scoffs contemptuously. “Huh, she always does it! You see what a mentally retarded idiot she is! She cannot differentiate between salt and sugar! How has she not poisoned her relatives or that deadbeat with what she cooks.” “I am surprised, too.” “And when will she the fuck remember that I do not drink tea or coffee with sugar? I have said a million times, but she keeps putting it!” “Did you see the faces of her mommy and daddy when they heard about salt? I thought they would’ve gotten a heart attack!” “Yeah, Lillian and Maximilian have always been terrible parents,” Julian sneers evilly and takes a sip from his cup. “Their daughter cannot even make just coffee! What is going to happen when she gets married?” “Oh, if she does not burn down a house, it will be very good!” “No, that stupid chicken must not be allowed to watch a house! She must also not give birth because she would not make a boy a man and would not make a girl a woman!” “But she knows everything about the new trends of this season and would have the pleasure of talking about hair, clothes, jewelry, and other women’s shit.” “The important thing is that this bitch is unsinkable! Lucky as fuck!” “It’s okay, Julian,” Norman pronounces confidently. “Soon, you will wash the brains of that bitch and do what you think she deserves.” “I cannot wait!” “I cannot also wait to destroy her parents. Revenge on them for almost ending up outside in my underwear because of them. Norman Potter doesn’t forget offenses and punishes those, who dare to go against him.” “Nothing will help them!” Julian smirks evilly. “The Seymours are living their last days.” “Yeah…” Norman smiles slyly and looks at Julian gloomily. “It’s going to be alright if you don’t take a step without me within two days.” “Yes, yes, Father, I got it,” Julian raises his hands up. “I will not harm that gal. Let her get ready to die.” “I hope! In two days, you will do anything you want to her. But now don’t dare to do anything. You got it?” “Got it…” Julian throws a disgruntled, gloomy look aside and hums quietly, while Norman drinks coffee from his cup and watches his son with squinted eyes. “I could have killed her that time,” Julian says irritably. “And even if she had not died after what I wanted to do to her, she would have been where her mommy and daddy would not have found her.” “Don’t tell me you wanted to kidnap her.” “No, not kidnap, but to take her somewhere and rape her. At some moment, I got nuts from a wish to fuck that gal. Undress her and spread her legs! And I gave a fuck about whether she wanted it.” “So, sonny, as I see, a long life without sex impacted you,” Norman laughs amicably. “Maybe. I’ve dated nobody for a long time. I’m too busy with my job. And those little bitches want young, fucking handsome multimillionaires.” “Oh, they don’t know what they want! At first, they pretend to be shy girls, but then they start to make claims. Not enough attention, cheap gifts, or something else…” “That’s why it’s easier for me to pay a prostitute, who would suck me one hundred times for a lot of money.” “Those fallen gals only have to stand on their knees in front of men.” “Although Seymour is frigid, I imagine her as a fateful lady standing naked on her knees and doing me a breathtaking blowjob. M-m-m…” Julian smiles slyly and twirls nervously in the chair. “Oh, it’s getting stronger in my pants!” “Dreams and fantasies can be destructive.” “I know. But I can’t hold myself down. I was obsessed with a wish to get rid of tension! But no, the fuck!” Julian hits the table with a fist in anger. “One bastard wanted to mess up everything! He, his pals, and their dirty dog that tore a sleeve of my shirt! Ar-r-r-r… Bastards! I will kill all of them if they stand in my way!” “Yeah…” Norman laughs evilly. “It seems like the deadbeat decided to get his sweetheart back. He got sick of getting his dick into other women!” “He definitely knows that Seymour believes in tales and still lives her dreams. The poor, unhappy girl got ready for her death, but then her ex showed up from nowhere and started to act like a fucking hero. And then his pals and the disgusting dog came there.” “Yeah, the bodyguards of the deadbeat and the gal.” “It’s disgusting to say it, but they fought well. Even too well. I could do nothing against them.” “You know, Julian, I suspected that the bastard would show up someday. To ruin all our plans again.” “And he will not give up so easily. The deadbeat loves that girl. You know how green he got from evil when I kissed Seymour before his eyes! Though, I should’ve gotten my penis into her ass. So, he died for sure!” “If the deadbeat had not come into the life of that gal, she would’ve gotten married to whom she was supposed to.” “Yeah, but you remember how Lillian literally stood on her knees and begged you to get Anna and Ryan married.” “It wouldn’t have happened,” Norman says confidently. “I would’ve done my best for you to become the husband of that girl. As her grandfathers and grandmothers wanted.” “Seymour’s mother has never loved me and has always tried not to let Anna talk to me.” Julian groans irritably. “But she literally dances attendance upon Ryan.” “I must confess that Lilian has always been a very smart and perspective lady. And she knows people very well.” “We shouldn’t have introduced my brother to the Seymours. That little yobbo messed up everything! Even if the kid sleeps with his books and does not let them go when he eats, he harmed us anyway.” “Ah, Julian, you know me too bad,” Norman smiles slyly, folding his hands on the table. “I always have a reserve plan for any case. The Seymours think I am stupid and non-educated because I don’t have a school education. But Norman Donald Potter is not an idiot. He is slier and smarter than everyone thinks.” “Anyway, I will not get married to that stupid shorty and waste my time educating her,” Julian exhales sharply and drinks some coffee. “Now, we better focus on destroying the Seymours.” “That’s my main goal. The most wanted revenge that I’ve ever committed.” “A feeling of a victory is so awesome…” Julian smiles slyly. “It’s so warming…” “Yeah, I would not also forget about that mangy deadbeat and his gang. We should deal with them.” “Leave it to me, Father,” Julian replies confidently. “I swear, when I meet that motherfucker, I will bury him alive. If he thinks he can defeat me, I will disappoint him shortly. And this time, I will be much crueler and more heartless.” “You said he was our victim of amnesia.” “Yes, Seymour and her father washed my brains about what happened to him.” “So, did the deadbeat cheat on the gal when he remembered nothing?” “Sort of.” “I see…” Norman drinks some coffee and puts his cup on the table. “Describe that pauper and his pals. Did you memorize one of them?” “Huh, what should I describe?” Julian scoffs contemptuously. “There’s nothing special about the deadbeat. A tall, self-confident man with dark hair. Rude, insolent… He acted like Seymour still belonged to him. He attacked me with fists first…” “Alright… What about his pals?” “There were three. One of them was a very insolent blond with two sticks instead of legs. He turned out to be much sassier than the deadbeat.” “Isn’t that the blond-haired one with glasses, who you met at a shop?” “He is! But that idiot didn’t wear glasses that time. And he behaved otherwise! Though, he looked quiet and harmless at the stop. I think the blond would befriend Ryan. They’re the same type. My brother is a nerd, and that idiot is the same.” “Maybe…” Norman laughs quietly and drinks some coffee from his cup he later puts on the table. “And the other two?” “Yeah… There were two black-haired men. As I understand, they are brothers because they are very similar.” “And how do they look?” “One of them is a six-foot-tall column. That man is too sure about his awesomeness. And he definitely has mental issues. He is definitely a permanent client of the mental hospital.” “And second?” “The second one is a snotty boy! Shorter than him. He talks a lot and has a long tongue. He is likely about eighteen because he has a pretty face. While his brother looks like a more adult man.” “And they are similar?” “Yeah, they have many common things. If they were dressed in the same way, people would not realize who was who immediately.” “You say, they’re black-haired…” Norman pronounces thoughtfully, stroking his chin. “Well, yeah,” Julian shrugs. “But why?” “I think I know who that deadbeat and his pals are…” Norman drinks some coffee from his cup. “They are from a music band. Those four guys fit your description well.” “It’s correct. That’s the worthless band that has lately gained popularity.” “I know that they have a one-role actor.” “They do.” Julian drinks some coffee. “Terrence MacClife, or whatever his name is…” “Wait, is that the actor, on whom all little girls had a crush at the beginning of the 00s?” “He is! He played in a movie for little girls. He was half-naked in for half of the movie.” “Right! I remember him! A daughter of one of our partners loved him! Her father said she dinged into his ears about him.” “I recognized that actor immediately.” “There are rumors that he has great mental issues. He could start hysteria for nothing. And he pronounces himself literally Apollo.” “Oh, yeah, that psycho feels high because of himself.” “Listen, are you sure that the blond is a four-eye one, whom Anna talked with at the shopping center?” “I am, Father, I am! But I did not recognize him without glasses, but later I realized that his face was familiar to me. And he did not deny it at all.” “That’s how!” Norman smiles slyly. “So, is that four-eyed guy two-faced?” “I quickly realized that he was afraid of me. His voice was shaking, and he seemed tense and looked at me with widely open eyes. He was shaking in front of me like a nerd would do in front of many sassy boys at school. But on the day of the beating, the blond suddenly became brave and threatened to deal with me.” “And knowing something interesting about him, I am much more surprised.” “What do you mean?” “Didn’t you know? The drummer of that band tried to kill himself one day.” “And what?” “Don’t be stupid, Julian!” Norman raises his voice. “That’s the blond you are talking about.” “Really?” Julian rounds his eyes. “He wanted to die?” “I heard he was in a hard condition for a long time, but later he got well quickly. I don’t know what kind of miracle that was, but everything is possible.” “Is the blond as lucky as Seymour, who was born underdeveloped?” “Yeah, bastards are lucky sometimes…” “Yeah, what a piece of news!” “By the way, people say that the band’s bassist brought the drummer to the suicide attempt.” “Bass guitarist?” “The deadbeat.” “Ha, did those motherfuckers have some ups and downs?” “It was rumored that the deadbeat was jealous of the blond, mocked him regularly, wished him to die, and tried to kick him out of the band in any way. But now the two shout that it’s all a lie and deny that they have ever fought. They are kind of the best friends!” “Damn, I should often check out celebrity gossip news…” Julian replies thoughtfully. “Yeah, you’ve missed a lot. But I often check the news portals. You could talk to men about politics, but women would have the pleasure of discussing the rumors of the show business.” “I’ve gotta fix it! I am starting to feel like a black sheep.” “C’mon, sonny, do not leave me behind! Yes, you and I give a fuck about these pieces of news, but you should be able to support a talk with any person.” “You’re right, as always, Father.” Julian drinks some coffee from his cup. “Hey, do you know something else about the scandal between the blond and the deadbeat?” “They’ve said nothing about it lately. But when the rumors about the one to bring the drummer to the wish to die were spread, everyone started bullying the pauper. They wanted him to die.” “Is this a fight for justice? Or the blond has so many fans?” “Not less than Terrence MacClife. Though, they all do not leave each other behind! Everybody praises the blond, the little baby is their favorite guy, and even the deadbeat has admirers!” “They probably love them because they are young and can run half-naked in front of cameras. If they were old, ugly, and without a status, no little girl would need them.” “That’s right,” Norman sneers evilly. “Anyway, little girls praise those idiots!” “Yeah…” Julian smiles slyly, stroking his chin. “Little girls do not even look at real men. They fear them. They give a fuck that he is a beggar without a job! The important thing is that he is fucking handsome!” “But women put their brains in order through the years and pay attention to adult men. Who, however, give a fuck about women at the age of thirty or forty.” “There is someone like Seymour, who truly believes in tales and is waiting for her prince!” “Seymour is a baby, she’s only twenty-four. At this age, all women live their illusions.” “She’d better learn to cook, wash, clean and be a good wife and mother than do some bullshit,” Julian throws gloomily. “Or that idiot is going to stay alone. No good man will marry that brainless doll.” “Why! The deadbeat found something about her! So, there are idiots among men, who need that stupid, lazy gal.” “Maybe, you are right. As far as I know, that actor is engaged to a second-rate model. I really doubt that she can keep a house in order, take care of the man, and get ready to educate children.” “Yeah, I know that gal. Seems like, Raquelle Cameron… Anna talked about her. That model is her friend.” “I’m not surprised. Seymour has always loved some rabble. The deadbeat, his pals, her friends… The model and the blonde, who is a fiancée of MacClife’s brother, are both stupid, worthless chickens.” “But I must confess that the blonde is beautiful. Big breasts, gorgeous hair, thin waist, tall height, long slim legs…” “Yeah… There’s something about that Barbie… But I would not hang out with her for a long time. Maybe, I’d just fuck her. She’d be good for that.” “Those idiots choose only lazy gals or whores,” Norman throws gloomily. “How could someone marry the model, who has probably slept with hundreds of men for her career? Who has always pretended to be a virgin, who would give herself only to her hubby.” “Aha, a twenty-three-years-old woman, who has never slept with a man or fallen in love!” Julian laughs contemptuously. “It’s so hilarious! By her age, Seymour has fucked a lot of men! She changed men like gloves, and they didn’t get a blessing from her family.” “I don’t believe in these tales, either. It would be okay if she was a nerd and thought about her studies, just like your brother does. But that gal is a model. In the 00s, she was the same sex symbol as her fiancé. Though, she still drives the men crazy.” “And I don’t understand it, honestly. I would prefer the blond to the board that has small boobs and a flat ass. Just a fish!” “C’mon, Seymour is the same fish! That shorty doesn’t have boobs and an ass. And the girlfriend of the blond is not flat. I saw the photos of her and cannot say she is anorexic.” “I agree. She doesn’t have as big breasts as the blonde’s, but you can grab it. And she is the only one, who seems a smart and careful woman.” “By the way, I remembered that the actor and the model almost broke up some time ago. People say that MacClife was often noticed in bars where he drank a lot. And he was caught with a woman, for whom he bought expensive gifts when he officially dated Cameron.” “Hey, is that true the career of the anorexic gal was almost ruined?” “True. Everyone attacked the gal as well as the deadbeat. They blamed her for insulting everyone and suffering from star-struck. But someone ended that scandal, and everyone apologized to her. They kind of believed the lie of fake newspapers. And MacClife defended her from the beginning. He never said a bad word about her. And that gal insolently used the fact that a word of that actor had a great influence.” “That six-foot-tall one has a crush on that empty shell,” Julian smirks evilly. “You know how wild he got when I told him the truth about that model! Not less than his brother, when I said the same about his blonde!” “Does the blonde like the fact that she is going to get married to the little boy?” Norman smiles slyly. “Or did she fuck all the adult men and pay attention to schoolboys?” “Or she got attracted to him, knowing that he was a relative of the celebrity.” Julian drinks some coffee. “Who would reject a chance to become a family of celebrities?” “Yeah, but the puppy is by far not perfect. He is sweet and fluffy at first sight, but everything is not so easy. But do you know the kid was in prison for some time?” “In prison?” Julian wonders loudly, rounding his eyes. “Come on? The kid was in prison?” “He was arrested on the charge of murdering the man in January 2010. He was in prison for two weeks, but then his uncle made a deposit for him. The boy was released, but the charges weren’t dropped. And he would’ve gone to prison if the investigation hadn’t been suspended for a few years. It was restarted last year.” “So, was the puppy found not guilty if he is still free?” “They found kind of a real killer. But the boy was on trial as a defendant. All the charges were dropped, and that man was put in prison. The relatives and the fiancée worked hard. I heard they defended him all together and were witnesses.” “But how did they prove that the kid was not guilty? Or did his brother pay someone, so the innocent person was sentenced?” “I heard the kid found a witness, who saw that man being killed. It was his pal.” “Ah, I got it! They just covered him!” “Anyway, the boy avoided the punishment. Though, he could’ve gone to prison for many years. Fifteen or twenty years. But his uncle is now serving his sentence.” “What did he do?” “He allegedly mishandled money and stole something from someone. And I know that he ordered to kidnap that stupid blonde.” “Interesting…” “And he was terribly afraid of his uncle and almost killed his brother under his pressure.” “Come on?” Julian scoffs loudly. “But our Barbie instantly became a heroine and asked him to kill her with the hope of saving the actor. So, the kid was scared.” “Listen, Father, the more I listen to you, the more I get surprised. As I see, we can get some dirt on those idiots!” “But despite all the sins, little girls go crazy from them.” “Oh, do you think they care about it? They see a picture and admire it!” “Hey, do you know that the actor almost died?” “I know it! He had a fight with a certain man, who recently ran away from prison.” “That’s the accomplice of his uncle. He died after falling from the abyss and taking many drugs.” “What did that man do to the actor?” “He injected a big dose of sedative. I heard he was close to death for a few days, but he survived. Little girls grieved, the media buried him, and many men rubbed their hands because they thought they’d get the fiancé of MacClife.” “Sorry,” Julian throws gloomily. “Not so much to lose.” “Don’t worry, sonny, their fame will be gone soon. Their destiny is to be idols for little girls and boys, who are educated as girls. They will never get the love of adult people. Their stars will fade away soon.” “I don’t even want to know what they’re singing about.” “I somehow listened to their debut song and was puking. I got my ears bleeding!” “You heard that bullshit?” “I wish I hadn’t done that. I would prefer listening to the boring play of Seymour or her mother on the piano!” “I do not want to hear it! And I do not understand how people can actually admire that?” “And the music video for the song is more terrible! I would look at the director, who filmed that shit! Those idiots filmed their women! They showed idyll, and MacClife and his fiancée ran naked in front of cameras and fucked. They called it passion, you know!” “Damn, Father, I’m begging you, don’t lower yourself to listening to that shit! You’re a respectful man!” “I just took an interest in what the youth loved. And the further, the worse. The younger people are, the worse their preferences, thoughts, dreams, and something like that get.” “I wish their fucking band was broken up to the fuck! I wish everyone forgot them the way they discovered them.” “They will, you will see,” Norman replies confidently. “Those idiots will not go so far.” “When those little girls grow up, they will realize that they chose the wrong idols.” “If the actor keeps trying to do everything, even his most loyal fans will get sick of him.” “That rooster obviously slept with someone to get promoted so hard.” “His star died a long time ago, Julian. He hasn’t acted for ages, and he will not be successful in the music business. Moreover, that actor is no longer a hot young boy of eighteen. Girls will lose any interest in him soon. And people, who are growing up now, will not care about that idiot.” “Even if we don’t decide if we wish to deal with those idiots, their fame will not last for too long – for two or three years.” “Oh, let them do what they want,” Norman waves a hand. “Let’s leave alone now if they don’t meddle in our business. But if the deadbeat and his pals dare to ruin our plans, we will have to deal with them. Deal with them first.” “We need to think about it,” Julian smiles slyly. “But now I care only about that gal. I want to deal with her.” “You will, sonny. If those idiots do not meddle, you will quietly do anything you want to the girl.” “But I will have the pleasure of dealing with those bastards. And the deadbeat is going to be my first victim. I have wanted to deal with that bastard face-to-face for a long time.” “And their beloved girls will stay alone,” Norman smirks evilly. “They will never know what it’s like to be married.” “I don’t know what about the gals, but that model goes crazy for that actor. She always looks at him like a lord! Like an idol! As if she is ready to do anything he tells her. And she makes such touching posts on social networks!” “Yeah, the gal praises the actor,” Julian replies thoughtfully, stroking his chin. “Does she really like that unstable idiot? Everyone knows about his unrestrained character and excessive demands for himself!” “I see just one explanation – she is also sick and selfish.” “She clearly loves scandals and rude sex. I guess she is not as boring as Anna. And she’d get pleasure from getting slaps in the face.” “Hey, don’t you want to think of their gals after we defeat the Seymours, the deadbeat, and his gang?” “Maybe…” Julian drinks some coffee with a sly smile. “They could be perfect for sex. At least, the blonde. I do not consider her a permanent lover and wifey, but she could be a girl for one-time sex.” “I’m sure she’s a professional in that. She would not pretend to be shy and would suck you like a real whore.” “Yeah, but…” Julian looks around, while Norman thinks about something, as he frowns slightly. “There is something that bothers me…” “It’s about the Seymours? Or those idiots?” “No, no, the case is not about them. Ryan. It’s about him.” “What’s wrong with him?” “What if that punk does something against us and rats out our plans to Maximilian and Lillian?” “Ryan? No! He never meddles in our business! He does not care about us! He only thinks of studying. And he suffers for his late mommy during short breaks.” “What if his studies are an excuse to spy on us?” “Ryan is too cowardly and afraid of you and me,” Norman says confidently. “He will not meddle in our business because he knows what we can do to him. And what kind of hero could that little coward be? It’s alright that the deadbeat and his pals show off. But Ryan…” “You’re wrong, Father. Don’t underestimate my brother. Someday, Ryan may do something that we don’t expect.” “He will not do. He’s never been able to fight, and be cruel and powerful. Your mother gave birth to a girl, not a boy. He must be ashamed of calling himself a man. Your brother is a wuss! A nerd, who has a crush on formulas, equations, math problems, and other bullshit.” “But that boy is not stupid and understands everything.” “And what? Brains will not help him stop us!” “Are you sure he is not dangerous to us?” “Oh, when could he meddle in our business? Ryan spends hours at his fucking university all day long! You and I do not almost see him!” “I do not trust quiet people like him. This type of person could be two-faced.” “Ryan will always be invisible to us. You and I will hardly know that he took his stuff and got out of our home.” “I would be very glad if he finally got out! I do not understand why you still pay for his studies at the university? Why don’t you kick that freak out?” “Ryan will get out after he graduates from the university. He’s looking for a job and examining the advertisements of renting apartments.” “I can’t wait! That fucking smarty annoyed me! I thought I’d have a good brother, but he is a nerd! A tender boy!” “Thank your mommy for that!” Norman throws gloomily. “She educated that milksop!” “She literally licked his ass. And she gave a fuck about me. She always had Ryan in the first place. Ryan! Ryan! Ryan! All her attention was on him! And I did not exist!” “Don’t be upset, sonny.” Norman claps Julian on the shoulder with a slight smile. “You have me. Your father will always be by your side and support you. You can always ask me for help, and I will do anything for you.” “It’s fine, Father,” Julian flashes a smile. “I am not upset that my mother gave me no attention.” “She never loved you and me. But she had the pleasure of using my money: to buy clothes and jewelry, go to beauty salons and beauticians… She even gave a lot of money for a couple of plastic surgeries!” “Yeah, she spared no money for herself…” “That woman never let me be a leader at my home,” Norman replies gloomily. “We always had to obey her and live as she wanted. When we minded, she opened her mouth and started to scream like an army general.” “She was the daughter of a general! Grandfather gave half of his life to the army! So, Mother watched him and got his habits.” “I thought her father would kick her and teach her to behave, but not! He let her become a man in a skirt.” “We can’t expect anything else from the one, who was raised by her father. My grandmother died when she was young!” “I cannot tolerate someone, who tells me what to do. And I especially hate, when a woman controls me. When a stupid chicken without rights thinks she is the commander, I do want to slap her in the face strongly.” “Maybe, Mother controlled me somehow and decided everything for us, but I swear I shall never let a woman do that. I will not! I will regularly beat her on her ass with a belt and educate her! Even if she does everything right. So, she always knows where she belongs!” “That’s right, sonny! A woman’s business is cooking, cleaning, taking care of her husband, giving birth to children, taking care of them, keeping silent, listening, and doing everything after the first command of her man. No more! She must care about nothing else! Your mother always meddled in everything and aimed to command. She knew the fuck nothing about my work, but she tried to prove something to me.” “She thought she was super smart, but she was actually an idiot. She only learned to scream and order! Every time I protested and refused to do something, she made me do homework or something like that. Imagine? I did a WOMAN’S work!” “Oh, yeah! You know how humiliating it was to stand in front of a cooker and cook something or clean the floors at the house! And iron clothes! Buy food! I was terribly ashamed of men. How would they have looked at me if I’d said I was doing a woman’s work? I was ready to be swallowed up by the ground from shame caused by acting like a whipped one, who let his wife control him!” “You and I were her servants. But her beloved Ryan did anything he wanted, and Mommy always praised him, hugged him, and kissed him.” “And she never swore at him! Even when he must have gotten a good hit on the ass with a belt or a strong slap in the face!” “Mother always defended him and let us say no bad word about her. Even an attempt to call him an idiot made her wild.” “Be happy that we are now free from Genevieve’s control and can do whatever we want.” “I am madly happy that I will never have to hear that woman’s lectures. And serve her punishments!” “That’s why you must show who is the head of the home and never let your woman open her mouth. If you let go of the leash, she will make you a joke.” “Do not worry, Father, I will not let any chicken control me. If a woman gets married to me, she will live by my rules. If I want to eat, she will cook delicious food. If I need my shirt to be washed, she will immediately do it. And if I want to have sex, she will undress and spread her legs.” “Good boy, sonny! I’m so proud of you! A horse must ride you, not you!” “My woman will not even educate my children without me. If I say, ‘no’ to them, but she says, ‘yes,’ I will immediately smash my fist against her face.” “I swear, no woman will push me around!” Norman says confidently, raising his index finger up. “No! Norman Potter will not give in to a woman! I am a man! When I say, it will happen!” “I will never bend under a creature without rights that has depended on a man all the time in history: father, brother, husband, uncle, grandfather…” “Everything would’ve been right if some feminists and other sheep hadn’t shown up. The Seymours must have brought Anna to us to be educated. They forgot about her once, and she thought she could do anything. Instead of learning to be a decent mother and wife, Seymour read tales of love and changed men like gloves.” “Yeah, she’s fucked half of the city… Maximilian and Lilian told us that their daughter met another man every week. Besides, she offered her to some of them. She kissed them first and sucked them at her wish…” “That idiot only learned to fuck men!” Julian throws gloomily. “She probably ran naked in front of her deadbeat a million times when they lived together. Being unmarried!” “If not for his amnesia, the gal would’ve kept pleasing her sweetheart. And she waited for him to propose to her until the end of her life.” “Anyway, they would’ve broken up early or late. Seymour would’ve gotten sick of waiting for the wedding and gone to find another idiot.” “Yeah, she will not calm down until she finds a man. She will be jumping from one bed to another. And wonder why nobody wants to get married to her. Ha! Because a woman must belong to her husband! But that petite bitch has been touched by hundreds of men. Or more!” “It’s alright, Father, I gave her a good lesson.” “We will see how you've completed your missions. You will choose her destiny. The girl hurt you, and you will deal with her.” “Even if I let her live for a little longer, I will keep educating Seymour. Educating her like a dog.” “I have never liked that gal. And I wasn’t happy that she would be your wife.” “At least, there’s a chance to educate her somehow while she is a kid.” “That’s right. Educating someone to be older than thirty is a waste of time because they’ve got a character and habits.” “That’s what I mean!” “Anyway, you will choose her fate. I’m giving you freedom of action.” “I can’t wait to deal with her.” “In two days, you will be able to make her obey you hundreds of times,” Norman smiles slyly. “The gal will be yours.” “Thanks, Father…” Julian smiles mysteriously. Silence settles into the conversation for a few seconds, during which Julian and Norman drink some coffee from their cups. “Still, let’s talk about everything one more time,” Norman says confidently. “What do we talk about?” Julian wonders. “Everything is planned well! We’ve got nothing to worry about, even if the deadbeat and his pals or the nerd Ryan meddled.” “Ah! I cannot wait to see the Seymours’ faces when we reveal all of our plans,” Norman smiles slyly and widely. “When they start to squeak from fear.” “If only you knew how much pleasure I get from mocking Anna. I love watching her suffer. I love the way she falls on my legs and looks at me in a begging way, as if she says, ‘Pity me! I’d do anything you said! But don’t hurt me!’” “I will feel all the same when Lillian and Maximilian beg me to pity them and Anna,” Norman smirks evilly. “When those two sheep at least beg us to save the life of their daughter.” “And when their daughter begs us not to kill her parents.” “She will be able to do nothing. My revenge will come true. I shall never forgive the Seymours. Because of them, I had to make many efforts not to sell my business. Not to get into debt. Our family could have become poor! I don’t want it! I don’t want to beg outside!” “It’s alright, Father, luck will be by our side,” Julian replies confidently. “I don’t doubt it.” “They don’t know whose way they stood in, sonny,” Norman smiles slyly. “We played a little and tortured the gal, and it was enough. It’s time to eat the dessert.” “I believe in you, Father!” Julian replies with his head proudly raised. “You can do this!” “No, Julian, we can do it!” Norman exclaims. “We will do it together. I can’t do this without you.” “I shall surely help you.” Julian sneers evilly. “You know you can count on me for everything.” “In two days, everything will finally end,” Norman smiles smugly. “Two days, son! Two!” “Let’s get busy with something, so the time flies fast.” “Oh, yeah…” Norman glances at a couple of young people going not far from them. “I need to call Maximilian or Lillian later again. To agree on the time and place of the meeting. I forgot to ask.” “Yeah, call…” Julian pronounces thoughtfully with a sly smile. Norman and Julian sit in the café for some time and talk about their plan, which they think is supposed to work very well, not doubting that nothing and nobody will stop them.***
The meeting with Victor Johnson and his colleagues is taking place at Daniel’s home. While Peter, Edward, and Terrence have been here for a long time, the captain of the police is on the way, and Anna, Lillian, and Maximilian came here some time ago. While the former spouses are talking to the owner of the house, the girl gets the support of her friends and has the pleasure of giving some attention to Sammy, who does not leave her alone. “I’m not quiet, guys…” Anna expresses anxiety, embracing herself with both arms. “This plan is gonna be bad for one of us.” “It’s gonna be fine, Anna, we keep it under control,” Terrence replies confidently. “I feel bad at the thought that I’ll have to be next to the man, who makes me shake like a cowardly bunny. I wanna run as far as possible when I see Julian. I get obsessed with panic…” “This time, you have nothing to be afraid of,” Peter replies confidently. “We’ll be next to you and protect you if that man wanna do something bad to you again.” “And my parents? What about them?” “We’ll protect your parents as well, don’t worry,” Edward promises. “Please, don’t worry about you, your parents, Daniel, the lads, or me. We are stronger together.” Sammy standing between Peter and Anna barks confidently. “I dunno…” Anna sighs heavily. “I can’t calm down…” “Now you’ve got no reason to fear,” Terrence notices softly. “We’re just talking about the plan. And we have two days to get ready.” “Oh, two days or five… I shall never be ready to see that horrible man and his father again.” “You can trust us,” Peter says quietly, caressing Anna’s shoulder. “It would be okay if you were alone, without protection. But now you have us. We won’t let anyone hurt you.” “Listen, guys… Maybe, you will not meddle in this business? You don’t have to do with this case, and you shouldn’t suffer.” “No, Anna, we will not leave you in trouble,” Edward refuses confidently. “Please, give up before it’s too late. At least for the girls! They’re now worried about you and afraid even more than I am.” “Yes, the girls are worried,” Terrence confirms. “But they trust us. They understand we should do this.” “The Potters won’t let you stay alive if they know you’re trying to help me and my parents.” “And what?” Peter wonders. “Do you think we’ll be afraid?” “We won’t let Daniel deal with that man alone,” Edward says confidently. “He won’t do it alone. And Julian’s gonna take his father. You know that it’s almost impossible to win in this case.” “This time, Julian is gonna be ruthless and won’t let you do what you did on that day,” Anna notices with horror in her eyes. “We’ll be ready for anything.” “With our help, it’s gonna be easier for him, you, and your parents,” Terrence adds confidently. “We will do our best to end this story.” “Yes, we know it’s gonna be hard,” Peter says amicably. “But friendship and unity are gonna be stronger.” Sammy barks confidently two times, and Anna sighs heavily and throws a sad aside. “Okay, I give up…” Anna says quietly. “Changing the minds of you and my parents doesn’t make sense.” “We’re doing this for your best,” Terrence replies with a slight smile, caressing Anna’s shoulder. “So, you stop being afraid that the sick man may show up and start to beat you.” “I will be madly grateful to you if you can do this… If you save my parents.” “We will, don’t doubt,” Edward replies amicably, caressing Anna’s shoulder with a slight smile. Sammy barks quietly, getting the attention of Anna, who pets his head with a slight smile. “By the way, your friends asked us to say hello to you and tell you not to worry,” Peter says with a slight smile. “Where are they now?” Anna asks. “The girls were with you!” “They decided not to bother us and to walk,” Edward replies. “Okay… Where’s Cassidy?” “Daniel asked the girls to walk with her,” Peter explains. “They agreed to be with Cassidy while we got busy with the important things.” “I’m sorry that nobody stayed…” “But they’ll come back and drive Cassidy here,” Terrence promises. “You can stay and talk to them.” “No, I shall go home after this talk. Honestly, I haven’t come to myself yet.” “Do you really feel better now?” “Yes, much. The doctor said I was okay and told me to get enough rest. And go to the hospital immediately in case I feel bad.” “Okay, as you want,” Peter shrugs. “But at least call us and the girls. We’re missing you.” “If you want, you can go to the home of Father,” Anna smiles shyly. “He won’t mind it.” “Okay, we’ll take you up on that!” Edward exclaims. Sammy whines quietly and nuzzles his nose into Anna’s hand, and the girl pets him with pleasure. While Peter, Edward, and Terrence watch her and barely look at Daniel standing in the other corner of the living room and talking to Lillian and Maximilian, looking collected but feeling discomfort because of the pretense of his ex-girlfriend, who does not even look at him. “He really came up with this story?” Daniel hums with both arms crossed over his chest. “His sonny beat her accidentally!” “I barely held myself down not to tell him everything I thought of him,” Maximilian confesses confidently, clenching his hand into a fist tightly. “My daughter almost died, but he dares to cover that bastard and say she provoked him.” “Snake, just a snake,” Lillian confesses with both arms crossed over her chest. “I’m truly surprised that he got such a good son like Ryan. In this case, the mother’s genes were stronger.” “Yeah, it’s hard to remain an angel among many demons.” “Hey, does Ryan know about the meeting?” Daniel asks. “Yeah, we told him about it,” Maximilian nods. “I mean, he called Lilian.” “Ryan said his brother and father went somewhere together,” Lilian adds. “And he decided to use the moment and find out what was happening to us.” “Will he join the meeting?” Daniel asks. “Hardly. He will be busy at the university in two days. Ryan has lately spent a lot of time there.” “Besides, he said he was looking for a job and an apartment to rent,” Maximilian adds. “He says he’s planning to move after graduating from the university.” “I see…” Daniel pronounces thoughtfully. “But the important thing is that he doesn’t betray us to Norman and Julian.” “No, Daniel, don’t worry, Ryan will not go against us,” Lillian replies confidently. “I completely trust that guy.” “I believe you, Mrs. Seymour. That guy seemed good to me. He’s amicable and adequate.” “Comparing him with Julian, Ryan is an innocent angel,” Maximilian replies confidently. Silence settles in the air, during which Daniel glances aside, exhaling slowly with a shake. “It’s okay, Daniel, don’t be so nervous,” Maximilian says softly, clapping Daniel on the shoulder. “Yes, Daniel, try to calm down,” Lillian says quietly, putting a hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “Or you may do something wrong.” “Yeah, I know…” Daniel replies hesitantly. “I just feel embarrassed because Anna is her.” “We understand it, dear, but you should focus.” “She is not happy that you took her here.” “Maybe,” Maximilian nods. “But Anna understands that we’re doing this for her well-being.” “Yeah, but she still does not want to accept my help.” “No, Daniel, you are wrong. Vice versa! Anna really wants you to help her. She confessed it to Lilian and me, her friends, and even your sister.” “When everything ends, she will not remember that I saved her from the Potters.” “Listen, now you should put aside the thoughts about your relationship with her for a while and think only about saving her from the Potters. At the moment, it’s more important to us.” “I know, Mr. Seymour,” Daniel nods. “I think about it as much as Cassidy’s therapy.” “That’s wonderful, then,” Lillian pronounces amicably. Daniel glances hesitantly at Anna talking to Edward, Terrence, and Peter at ease with a slight smile on her face, and they try to cheer her up a little. “Erm, excuse me, I will leave you,” Daniel says thoughtfully. “I need to talk to the men.” Lillian and Maximilian nod silently, and Daniel comes to the men. And when Anna sees him, she stops smiling and gets sharply gloomy. “Excuse me, guys, I wanna leave,” Anna throws quickly. After clapping Peter on the shoulder, Anna leaves the men quickly and comes to her parents. While Sammy watches her with eyes full of pity and whines quietly, and Daniel, whom she does not even look at, swallows up nervously, applying a lot of effort to pretend that it does not hurt him. “It’s okay, Sammy,” Daniel says in a low voice, yanking Sammy by the ears. “Don’t whine.” “Don’t be upset, buddy,” Terrence tries to comfort with a slight smile. “It won’t last forever.” “Her silence is killing me. And she keeps pretending that I’m an invisible.” “Be happy that she doesn’t throw everything at you.” “Oh, it seems like Anna did me a favor,” Daniel crosses his arms over his chest. “The Seymours made her do it. Without them, she would’ve fucked me up.” “A favor or no, but she agreed,” Edward smiles slightly. “She won’t even remember that I gave her a chance to live a normal life.” “She will remember. Girls always memorize these things.” “Of course, I’m not doing this for thankfulness, but I’d feel hurt if she didn’t really care about all my efforts.” “We understand you, dude, but it doesn’t matter now,” Peter replies confidently. “Just do it and think of nothing.” “I know… But at heart, I’d like her to appreciate it at least by saying the simple ‘thank you’. Even if it sounded sneaky. By the order of her parents.” “Don’t rush, Daniel,” Terrence replies confidently. “She’ll surely say, ‘thank you’, you’ll see it. When I helped Raquelle get rid of Ringer, she thanked me.” “Natalia wasn’t also indifferent when I helped her,” Edward notices with a slight smile. “Even if we felt terribly embarrassed, every one of us heard the simple and true ‘thank you’.” “You think Anna will thank me?” Daniel frowns slightly. “Anna will surely thank you for her politeness. She is not a girl, who can’t be grateful. Besides, she was well-educated.” “If it were so…” Daniel exhales sharply. “It’d be great to know my efforts are gonna be worth it.” “It’s gonna be okay,” Peter replies confidently. “Just think about how you’ll kick his ass and give him a couple of lessons in manners.” Sammy barks confidently two times. “Look, Sammy’s ready!” Peter exclaims, petting Sammy’s head. “Take an example from the fluffy, Daniel. He will never give in.” Sammy barks again with a proud look, and Daniel chuckles quietly and raises his head slightly. “Bring that motherfucker to me now!” Daniel sneers evilly and knocks the knuckles of his fingers against each other. “He doesn’t know what Daniel Perkins could do when any bastard gets him wild.” “It’s better!” Terrence exclaims cheerfully with a wide smile, clapping Daniel on the shoulder. “Shake up, tough guy!” “Don’t worry, guys. Whatever happens to me and Anna, I will not give up. When I promise, I do it. A man says, a man does.” “That’s right! If you wanna get a victory, be like a tank!” “And falling doesn’t mean a loss,” Edward adds confidently. “If you fall down – get up, shake up, and attack again. Heroes never give up. Heroes fight until the end. Even if nobody believes in them. Even if the situation seems hard, and luck is on the side of your opponent.” Sammy barks confidently two times. “Oh, guys you know how to make me smile,” Daniel smiles shyly. “In the next two days, we’re gonna focus on it,” Peter promises cheerfully. “Right, lads?” “And don’t dare to doubt yourself and give up in the middle of the way,” Terrence threatens with his finger. “Hey, man, shake up!” Edward exclaims cheerfully and claps Daniel on the shoulders. “You’re strong, sassy, and unbreakable!” Sammy barks again, but Daniel pets the head of the dog, who wags his tail with his tongue out, and moves his eyes to the men. “Thank you, guys,” Daniel says with a slight smile. “Thank you, Sammy.” Edward, Terrence, and Peter say nothing and just smile shyly. And a few seconds later, someone calls the door ring. While everybody stays in their places, Daniel goes to open the door and sees Victor Johnson being confident, as always, and two tall members of the police staff in uniform with dark hair. “Good afternoon, Mr. Johnson,” Daniel says gently and lets Victor and his colleagues come in. “Hello, Daniel,” Victor replies and shakes Daniel by the hand to greet him. “Did everybody come?” “Yes, everybody has come,” Daniel nods confidently. “We were waiting only for you. Come to the living room.” Victor and his colleagues go confidently to the living room where they see Daniel’s friends and the Seymour family. “Good afternoon, everyone,” Victor greets confidently, looking at everybody. “Terrence, Edward, Peter… Anna, Mr. Seymour, Mrs. Seymour. I’m sorry about making you wait.” “Hello, Mr. Johnson,” everybody pronounces. Sammy also barks quietly, while Victor shakes everybody in the living room by the hand. “Oh, what a good doggy,” Victor notices with a slight smile. “Whose is this?” “Helene,” Peter pronounces. “It’s her dog. But I watch him sometimes.” “I believe this dog is going to help us?” “That’s true,” Daniel replies after coming to the living room and pets Sammy’s head. “By the way, his name is Samuel, but you can call him Sammy. He likes it more.” “So, I will call Sammy.” Victor moves his eyes to Sammy. “Do you agree, doggy?” Sammy sits down and barks confidently, trying to be very gentle and shy. And while Victor lets him sniff his hand and pets the dog carefully, one of his coworkers looks around, and another comes to Terrence and Edward, whom he recognizes quickly. “Oh, old acquaintances,” the man pronounces with a slight smile. “Happy to see you, young men.” “Hello, Mr. Austin,” Terrence nods. “Good afternoon,” Edward says thoughtfully. “Erm, do you know him?” Peter frowns. “Yes,” Terrence pronounces confidently. “This is Darwin Austin, Raquelle’s friend, who helped her and Mr. Johnson get Uncle Michael and his gang arrested.” “It’s true,” Darwin confirms. “That’s what…” Peter pronounces thoughtfully. “So, nice to meet you, Mr. Austin.” Peter shakes Darwin by the hand and moves his eyes to Sammy, whose collar he decides to fix. “So, are you still working with Mr. Johnson?” Edward asks. “Of course, I am!” Darwin shrugs. “But I’m a lieutenant now, not a sergeant.” “That’s how?” Terrence wonders. “You got a higher title?” “Yeah, recently. Though, they promised it a long time ago.” “Good,” Edward smiles slightly. “Congratulations.” “Thanks, Mr. MacClife.” “And the one, who came with you…” Terrence pronounces thoughtfully, throwing a short look at Victor’s second colleague. “He did not work with you before.” “Right, he is a newbie. Officer. Mr. Johnson and I recently started to work with him. He is not very experienced, but he is very responsible.” “I see. By the way, do you know how our uncle and his accomplices are doing in prison?” “They are in different prisons, as far as I know.” “Uncle hasn’t died there yet?” Edward asks gloomily. “No, but I heard he had health issues shortly after he got arrested. Doctors visit Michael regularly. The heart, the pain in the legs, or something else.” “It’s okay, he has a little time.” “Anyway, you should not worry. Those people are under a close view. Besides, control under them got stronger after Eugene Wainwright’s escape.” “That man will no longer harm anyone,” Terrence says confidently. “Yes, yes, I know about his death,” Darwin nods. “And I know what he did to you, Mr. MacClife. I’m very sorry.” “Luckily, it ended well. As you see, I am fine now.” “It’s the important thing,” Darwin smiles slightly. “I am very happy you survived.” “Thanks, Mr. Austin.” “And what about your girls?” “Natalia is fine,” Edward replies. “She was nervous due to Wainwright’s escape, but now she calmed down.” “By the way, congratulations on your upcoming wedding. I found out about it from the news on the Internet. People are talking about you and your brother as the members of the music band.” “Thanks a lot, Mr. Austin,” Edward thanks. “Natalia and I will get married on the same day as Terrence and Raquelle.” “Good,” Darwin flashes a smile. “I’m glad you and Ms. Rochester reconciled.” “By the way, if you want, you can come to our wedding.” “If I don’t work on the day you choose, I will come with pleasure.” “The guys and I will send you an invitation, and you will decide if you will come.” “Anyway, I shall just send you a gift.” “As you wish.” “Well, what about Raquelle?” Darwin asks. “How is she doing? I haven’t seen her since your uncle got arrested.” “Raquelle is fine, too,” Terrence smiles slightly. “Of course, we have problems at times, but it’s fine for any couple.” “Sadly, you can’t avoid it,” Darwin laughs shyly. “I’m going to find out what this is soon.” “What do you mean? Are you going to get married?” “Yes, I will get married soon,” Darwin says with his head proudly raised. “I realized it was time for my girlfriend and me to become a husband and wife.” “Wow!” Terrence exclaims with a slight smile. “We’re so happy for you!” “And I have lately been very lucky. A higher title, an engagement, a forthcoming fatherhood…” “Forthcoming fatherhood?” “Yes. Some time later after my proposal, we found out that my fiancée was expecting a child. So, gentlemen, I am getting married and becoming a father.” “Wow, that’s awesome!” Edward smiles widely. “You’re so lucky!” Terrence exclaims cheerfully. “Congratulations, Mr. Austin! I’m very happy for you.” “Accept my congratulations. I wish your child was born healthy, and your marriage did not disappoint you.” “Thank you so much, gentlemen,” Darwin smiles with a slight smile, shaking Edward and Terrence by the hand. “Although my mother says you shouldn’t tell everyone about your happiness because someone may jinx you, I think you should share it.” “You just should share your happiness with the right people,” Edward notices, “Those, who love and respect you.” “By the way, when are you going to marry: before or after the wedding?” Terrence asks. “After, I think. My fiancée and I need time to get ready for the wedding.” “And what about the period of pregnancy of your fiancée?” “Two months only. And we found out about the child accidentally, when she went to get examined at the hospital. My fiancée does it every year. And she didn’t think she was expecting a child because there were no signs. She’s still funny, cheerful, and positive. Well, maybe, her food preferences changed and…” Darwin does not speak his mind because Victor stops him, clapping his colleague on the shoulder: “Hey, Darwin, tell the men about a child and a wedding later. We have a more important business.” “Yes, yes, I’m sorry, Mr. Johnson,” Darwin nods. “I just wanted to know how they were doing.” “Well…” Daniel pronounces thoughtfully and points at the sofas. “Let’s sit down…” Daniel, Peter, Edward, and Terrence sit on one sofa together, Sammy sits next to them on the floor, Victor, Darwin, and their second colleague sit on another one, and Anna, Maximilian, and Lillian sit against the men. The former lovers feel a strong discomfort and get much tenser when their eyes stop on each other for a moment. It impacts the others, who sometimes look at each other a little hesitantly. Nevertheless, they literally make themselves focus on their goal of this meeting, and Daniel and Anna try to look around and whisper about something with those, who are sitting next to them. “Alright, ladies and gentlemen…” Victor pronounces quietly and determinedly. “I understand that someone feels discomfort. But we should be together to do what we want.” “Let’s not waste time and start talking about the plan that my colleagues and I made,” Darwin adds confidently. “Yeah, but first, I will introduce my colleagues to those, who do not know them yet.” Victor points at Darwin and his second colleague. “On the right, the lieutenant, Darwin Austin, is sitting. And the officer, Oliver Laurence, is sitting on the left.” Darwin and Oliver nod confidently when Victor calls their names. “Alright, now we can start.”. “So, ladies and gentlemen, a few hours ago, we received a call from Mr. Seymour, who told us that he talked to Norman Potter,” Oliver recalls. “And for us, it’s a wonderful chance to catch that man and his son in a crime.” “Mr. Johnson, Mr. Laurence, our colleagues, and I came up with the plan that could help us with it,” Darwin adds. “We will explain everything now.” “Excuse me, officer…” Anna pronounces hesitantly. “But is there a risk that someone may suffer?” “There is a risk of suffering if you take the wrong step.” Anna shakes her head with sadness in her eyes, while Maximilian hugs her around the shoulders, and Lillian takes her hand. “Mr. Seymour, Mrs. Seymour,” Victor pronounces confidently. “To make our plan come true, you should meet the Potters at your home. No parks or something like that. And you must not agree to meet them at those people’s homes.” “We haven’t decided where we’ll meet,” Maximilian confesses. “But if they ask us to go to their home, we will persuade them to go to our territory.” “And you will come there not only with your daughter Anna. Daniel and his friends must be near you and hide for some time.” “So, should my friends and I watch what’s happening and meddle when danger is threatening them?” Daniel specifies. “Yes, Daniel. The Seymours could hardly protect themselves and each other alone.” “We are sure that Julian Potter may do what he did to Ms. Seymour again,” Oliver adds confidently. “At any moment.” “Do you think he could do that even with her mother and father’s pretense?” Lilian gets horrified with widely open eyes. “Yes, when they reveal their real faces.” “You said that Mr. Potter revealed himself one day,” Victor adds. “So, his father will reveal himself this time.” “Do you suspect they have a specific goal?” Maximilian frowns slightly. “For example, to kill us?” “That’s why they’re doing all of that. And if they’re sure that nobody can stop them, Mrs. Seymour, your daughter, and you will be in great danger.” “A wish to apologize to you and your daughter for beating her is definitely an excuse,” Darwin adds confidently. “You understand that they would not openly say they want to meet you to kill you.” “You’re right,” Terrence nods. “A man like Julian Potter will never ask for forgiveness truly.” “That man and his father have played this game for many years,” Victor recalls. “But now they lost their patience and would reveal their real faces. And the case of Anna is proof of it.” “I think I understand what you are suggesting,” Edward frowns slightly. “But when are the police going to appear in the house of the Seymours? If you come later, how long will we have to play time?” “When the Potters come to the meeting, we will secretly surround the house or close the exit from the apartment. Even if they want to run away through the window, they will not leave.” “But it should not happen immediately,” Oliver adds confidently. “At first, the atmosphere should be quiet. You should not be suspicious. Accept the visitors, give them tea or coffee, talk about something, talk about what Julian Potter did…” “Well…” Anna pronounces thoughtfully, biting her lip. “I doubt that it will be easy for us to act at ease.” “We completely understand you, Anna,” Victor replies quietly with sadness in his eyes. “We know it’s going to be much harder for you. But you should brace yourself and be quiet. Any wrong gesture may make the Potters angry, so our chance of completing the mission successfully gets lower. But we don’t need victims.” “Yes, sure… I get it…” “I think Anna doesn’t have to pretend that everything is fine,” Peter says thoughtfully. “As for Mr. and Mrs. Seymour, yes, they should act at ease and support a talk with the Potters to relax them. But Anna may not cover her fear.” “Yes, Peter, you are right,” Victor nods, stroking his chin. “But Anna needs to support a talk and not to be as silent as a fish. At least with the father of her offender. She doesn’t have to smile with all her teeth. She can just answer his questions, ask something, and stop resisting if he wants to hug her or take her hand.” “Don’t worry, Mr. Johnson,” Anna pronounces quietly. “I will not frame you. I will be behaving as quietly as I can. The fact that I will not be alone will calm me down.” “I think Maximilian and I should do our best for Anna to speak as little as possible,” Lillian suggests. “My ex-husband and I can easily find what to talk to them about. And we can give them a cup of tea or coffee. As it should be.” “Alright!” Victor approves and slightly fixes his glasses. “Do what you think is right. But please, do your best to be at ease. It will be especially important at first.” “Don’t doubt it, Mr. Johnson,” Maximilian pronounces confidently. “We will find something to talk about. And we will help Anna act at ease.” “Alright, this question is resolved, then. Now let’s talk about what everybody should do.” Victor clears his throat quickly. “Let’s talk about you, men. Daniel, I think you know that you will have to take on a bigger part of the responsibility. Many things will depend on you.” “I know,” Daniel says confidently. “And I am ready for anything to defend Anna and her parents.” “You should find a good place, hide, and watch what’s happening. And when danger threatens the Seymours, you will show yourself. We will also need a sign from you and your friends. One call on my mobile phone before we do everything.” “I got it. Watching what’s happening, showing myself if danger is coming, and giving you a sign.” “Yes, that’s correct.” “I can do everything. Though, I do not exclude that we may have some difficulties. Potter is going to be very angry this time.” “It’s alright, Daniel, we will solve everything. You are a young, strong guy… If you have to fight with that man, I think you will do it. But if something goes wrong, you will have the help of your friends.” “Don’t worry, Mr. Johnson. I will do it anyway. And I will not let those people harm Anna or her parents.” “Remember that we count on you.” “I will not betray you.” “Alright, the question about you is solved.” Daniel inclines his head, thinking about something and not noticing that Anna watches him with pity in her eyes and struggles with a wish to sit down next to him and hug him tightly. “Edward, Terrence, Peter, as for you,” Victor says confidently. “Your mission is defending Daniel, Anna, and her parents against the Potters. Remember that it’s not a street fight.” “Don’t worry, Mr. Johnson,” Terrence replies quietly. “We’re not going to attack without a reason. Only when we have to protect someone.” “And yeah!” Victor raises his index finger up, looking at Peter, Edward, and Terrence harshly. “I hope that what happened between you and Wainwright will not happen again! It especially has to do with you, Terrence, and Edward.” “It will not happen, Mr. Johnson, we promise,” Edward assures confidently. “Remember, this time, you three just help Daniel, not try to catch a dangerous criminal alone. It’s the police’s mission. Your mission is helping your friend and the Seymours and not suffering.” “We will not betray, Mr. Johnson,” Peter replies confidently. “You can count on us.” “Don’t forget about yourself, gentlemen. You have the girls, who are afraid to lose you. Don’t get into trouble, at least for them and their calm.” “We will complete our mission,” Edward says determinedly. “It’s all for our friends. For their quiet life.” “I hope you heard me and will not do stupid things.” “By the way…” Darwin pronounces thoughtfully, looking at Sammy. “This dog could help us a lot. His eyes are very smart. It’s clear that he has been well-educated.” “We want him to help us,” Peter confirms confidently. “Be sure, Samuel will show himself as a brilliant protector.” “Great!” Oliver exclaims. “I think his sharp teeth and great reaction will help us catch a criminal.” “This dog will become our great helper,” Daniel replies confidently. “So, doggy, will you help us?” Victor asks Sammy. “Are you ready to catch the dangerous man?” With these words, Victor points his hand to Sammy, who barks confidently and gives him a paw that the man shakes. “Excellent, then,” Victor says confidently. “You will defend these people and yourself. You got it?” Sammy barks confidently. “Good boy!” Victor smiles slightly. “So, we have to solve the last question,” Darwin says thoughtfully. “When and where will the meeting take place?” “Not in the apartments of Maximilian and me,” Lillian shakes her head. “Yes, they are too small for so many people and located on high floors,” Maximilian specifies. “We should find a different place. But I can’t offer anything.” “Listen, why don’t we start an operation here?” Victor suggests. “Here?” Daniel rounds his eyes. “My house?” “I believe it’s a good idea,” Oliver approves. “The house is good, big… Many people could easily be in the living room, and it would be easy to surround it.” “What if Julian or Mr. Potter finds something that belongs to Daniel and realizes that we caught them in the trap?” Anna expresses anxiety. “They will not, because he will move his things off here, and Mr. and Mrs. Seymour will pretend that it’s their house,” Terrence replies confidently. “Mr. MacClife is right, ladies and gentlemen,” Darwin agrees. “Mr. Perkins can move off everything that may point at the owner of the house and let the Seymours rule it.” “Yes, Daniel, I think they are right,” Maximilian says confidently. “Your house is a good place for this meeting.” “Erm…” Daniel stutters. “I don’t know… What if the Potters suspect something? You lived in your apartment, but suddenly moved into this house!” “We can just say that my ex-wife or I moved here and sold or let someone rent an apartment.” “They will hardly care about it,” Lilian assumes. “They will care about defeating us.” “Yeah, but…” Daniel pronounces hesitantly. “I’m afraid you have no choice, Mr. Perkins,” Oliver shakes his head. “You will have to agree.” “I’m not sure if it’s a good idea…” “We are sure,” Darwin replies confidently. “What if it doesn’t work?” “Listen, Daniel, I understand that you’re afraid that the Potters might break or ruin something,” Victor replies confidently. “But the lives of the people are at stake. You said you were ready for anything to save them.” “The case is not about it, Mr. Johnson… I’m just afraid that it might make the Potters suspect something.” “They will know that it’s your house when the police press them to the wall,” Terrence notices confidently. “I know, but…” “Agree, Daniel!” Peter exclaims. “You’d better sacrifice the house than let those snakes kill the Seymours! We can help you with repairs just in case!” “But what about my sister?” Daniel throws his hands up. “Where would I drive her? Who would watch Cassidy?” “Don’t worry about your sister!” Edward exclaims. “You can drive Cassidy to the home of Raquelle, Natalia, or Helene. The girls would be happy to watch her.” “Drive Cassidy to the home of Raquelle and me!” Terrence suggests. “The servants would be near and help her if she needed it.” “And you can leave your car, for example, near Terrence and Raquelle’s house. Potter likely memorized it and would understand everything if he saw your car.” “Agree, Mr. Perkins,” Darwin advises confidently. “Your friend is right: you’d better sacrifice your house than let the Potters harm the Seymours.” Before answering, Daniel thinks silently for a few seconds, but then he swallows up nervously, throwing a short look at Anna, who looks at her hands. “Alright, I agree…” Daniel agrees. “You can organize everything at my house.” “Awesome!” Victor says confidently, while the others smile as if they approve of Daniel’s decision. “There are many places where we could hide.” “In this case, Lillian and I will tell the Potters that our meeting will take place here,” Maximilian replies confidently. “What about meeting at two or three hours?” “Great,” Daniel nods. “Invite them by three hours. And come here by one o'clock. I will show you the entire house quickly and tell you where everything is. Tea, coffee, sugar, sweet food – you will have it all.” “Alright,” Darwin replies confidently. “I think we will do everything by three.” “And yeah, even if we have a plan, we are not saved from sudden failures,” Victor recalls. “But even in this case, we should not give up and must always look for a solution.” “We will not give up, even if our plan breaks down like a card house,” Lilian says determinedly. “It’s time to end this!” Those people must pay for everything they have done to us.” “They will,” Oliver promises confidently. “Catching criminals is our job.” “They will no longer walk unpunished after the day of the meeting,” Daniel says with his head proudly raised. “They will no longer harm the Seymours. I will give my everything to make it happen.” “But don’t forget about yourself and don’t let them hurt you,” Victor advises. “Nobody wants you to suffer. You suffered enough some time ago.” “If I have to, I am ready to sacrifice and suffer. Even give my life for the Seymours to live a quiet life.” After hearing these words, Anna rounds her eyes immediately and glances at Daniel, who sounds too true and serious. Watching these two, Sammy whines quietly and gets some love from Edward, who pets his head. “I hope we will have no victims after this operation,” Victor expresses hope. “We do want this so badly,” Anna says quietly. “Much…” “I advise you to have a good rest and get ready for it. It’s not going to be as easy as we want.” “Yeah, sure…” Silence settles in the air for a few seconds, during which someone looks at each other, and Sammy watches everybody with sadness in his eyes. “Oh, alright, folks…” Victor says thoughtfully. “Now excuse us, but my colleagues and I have to go back to work.” “But you can always call us if you have questions or problems,” Darwin adds. “And if something changes, let us know about it. It’s very important.” “Yeah, sure,” Daniel replies. “Thank you so much for agreeing to help us.” “See you in two days,” Victor says quietly. Victor, Oliver, and Darwin get up quietly from the sofa and take their stuff from the coffee table. “Anna, Maximilian, and I will go, too,” Lillian says thoughtfully. “Maximilian and I have some things to do, and our daughter should have enough rest.” “I will walk you out,” Daniel replies quietly. While Maximilian and Lillian, take their stuff and shake Daniel by the hand, Anna says goodbye to Peter, Edward, and Terrence, who hug her tightly and share an amicable kiss on the cheek, and pets the head of Sammy, who makes the girl smile by nuzzling his little wet nose to her hand. After saying goodbye to the policemen and ignoring Daniel, who accepts it much quieter, Anna goes aside and waits for her parents. Though, her eyes full of pity and sadness sometimes stop on the man, who is talking about something with everybody, doing his best not to show that he feels terribly uncomfortable. “Oh, God, give me the strength…” Anna begs silently with sadness in her eyes. “I do wanna give a damn about everything, hug him tightly, and say how much I love him. It’s so hurtful for me to see him so broken… My heart is bleeding when I see that man like this. But I can do nothing due to my offense, mistrust, and fear. Gosh, help me… If Julian does something to Daniel, I will not bear it…” Anna falls into her thoughts and gets so busy staring at Daniel, who feels her eyes on his back and looks at her a couple of times, that she does not notice how Maximilian and Lillian come to her. “Let’s go, sunshine,” Lillian says softly, hugging Anna around the shoulders. “We’ve gotta go home.” “C’mon, daughter,” Maximilian adds. “You will eat enough and go to sleep.” “Yeah…” Anna pronounces quietly, clears her throat, and tucks thin strands of hair behind her ears, looking at her parents without emotions. “Let’s go!” One minute or one and a half minutes later, Anna, Maximilian, Lillian, Victor, Darwin, and Oliver leave the house of Daniel, who closes the door. Then, he returns to the living room and feels the sad looks of Peter, Edward, and Terrence on himself. “Oh…” Daniel exhales slowly, running his hand through his hair. “Finally… I can relax…” “It’s all because of Anna?” Edward specifies. “I think I never felt more embarrassed.” Sammy whines quietly, looking at Daniel with pity in his eyes. “You, guys, can’t even imagine how many efforts I had to make to take it all. Not to give a fuck about everything and hug her…” “We get it,” Terrence nods. “I was so sorry for her…” Daniel sits on the sofa tiredly and leans back, raising his head up, while Sammy comes to him, puts his face on his laps, and closes his eyes when he pets his head. “She looks so unhappy… As if she needs tight hugs so badly…” “Right, she wants your hugs,” Peter replies confidently and sits on the sofa in front of Daniel. “Hardly…” “Seriously?” While Sammy sits on the floor next to Peter, Terrence and Edward sit on two different sofas on both hands of their friends. “She did look at you all the time!” Peter exclaims. “And he definitely wanted you to hug her!” “Does it matter?” Daniel asks without emotions. “Anna won’t let me get close to her. And if I start to kiss or hug her again, I may get one more slap in the face.” “Don’t accost her like a maniac on the street,” Terrence chuckles quietly. “Obviously, you’d get a hit on your balls if you started to feel a girl up without her permission. Just offer a hug and a simple talk. It may not mean you’ll end up together. It’s just a gesture of friendly support…” “No, Terrence, I don’t wanna ask for trouble. And I won’t do it. If she wants, she’ll let me know she wants hugs. But I will no longer do it by myself. Moreover, I promised myself not to touch her when I kissed her and got a slap in my face.” “As you wish. But Peter’s right… Anna really looked at you all the time after she crossed the doorstep. I saw her watching you with pity in her eyes and was sure she wanted to offer you support.” “And how scared she got when you said you were ready to sacrifice yourself!” Edward exclaims with a mysterious smile. “I thought she would’ve given a fuck about all of her offenses and attacked you with hugs.” “Aha, your words scared her, man!” Peter adds confidently. “When you said it, Anna raised her head, as if someone had woken her up sharply. She was quiet and looked at her hands, but then she jumped like a kettle.” “Trouble unites people, Peter,” Daniel replies without emotions, looking into the distance. “Anna’s just nervous and worried… She won't remember that it was my merit when those two assholes go to prison.” “We aren’t blind, Perkins. The MacClifes and I clearly saw all the emotions on Anna’s face. We saw that she was struggling with herself. Anna confessed to the men, the girls, and me that she still loved you, but she couldn’t forgive you and was afraid that you’d betray her again. Though, Seymour really wants it ‘cause she feels bad without you. As well as you feel bad without her.” “Now, Anna doesn’t hide her feelings for you,” Terrence notices. “And she doesn’t deny them.” “She loves you, brother. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t look at you with eyes full of pity literally every minute.” “I dunno…” Daniel shakes his head. “I didn’t notice it.” “Right, because you looked aside when she looked at you. And she looked aside when you looked at her.” “Anyway, this meeting is your unique chance to win her trust,” Edward adds confidently. “Do what you need to become her hero.” “You’re dreaming too much, MacClife,” Daniel says in a low voice. “Wake up, at last! We aren’t living in a movie or book!” “Oh, gosh, Perkins, stop pretending that you don’t have to do with it,” Edward moans tiredly. “That you don’t care about your breakup with her.” “I don’t deny that I love her and want to get her back. And I don’t hide it. I just don’t wanna comfort myself with illusions, and I try to look at everything soberly. Not through pink glasses.” “So, do you wanna say a miracle didn’t happen to Edward and me when we got Natalia and Raquelle back?” Terrence wonders. “Remember, both of us had such a big fight with the girls that they had a right to fuck us off. But as you see, these beauties are gonna be our wives soon.” “Yeah, I know,” Daniel doubles over, leaning on his knees with his elbows and locking his fingers. “I don’t wanna talk about my future with Anna, to be honest.” “Don’t try to run away from this talk,” Peter says confidently. “You’ll have to come back to that, early or late.” “I know. But let’s not get stuck on it. Let it happen as it wants – I’ll accept it and keep living. Yes, maybe, I’ll need time to come to myself. But I will get through it.” “Ah, Daniel…” Edward exhales slowly, putting his arm on the back of the sofa and leaning on the hand with his head. “You know… I’m watching you and seeing myself. I was in the same state when I had problems with Natalia. I wanted to do what I promised and forget everything as soon as possible. And you know that I fought with almost everybody and stayed all alone. That’s why it was much harder.” “If a sense of responsibility didn’t choke me, I’d fuck everything off and tell the other people to solve my problems.” “Knowing my experience, I’m gonna confidently say that you wouldn’t get better after dealing with the Potters. Yes, you’re gonna have relief, but you won’t get a real happiness. Getting used doesn’t mean accepting the situation and getting happy. It’s adapting to certain circumstances, deciding to go with the flow, and not thinking about where you may end up.” “I am used. I’ve accepted what happened. At first, I felt super lousy, but then it got a little better. I told myself I cheated on my beloved girl and lost her. I accepted the fact that I could change nothing.” “And would you live with it if nothing changed?” Terrence asks. “I’ll have no choice,” Daniel replies without emotions. “Life doesn’t stop… We’ve gotta keep moving on. I can’t lock myself in a room and suffer because of losing Anna.” “Of course, you’ll get better little by little. A breakup is not the end of the world. But it will take a lot of time. And… You’ll have to get rid of everything that reminds you of her. Otherwise, the memories will keep torturing you.” “It’s okay, I’ll overcome it,” Daniel clears his throat quickly. “As I managed to hold on when I stayed alone, lonely, hungry, and almost naked, I would do this now. At least, I won’t be ashamed. Because I will try to make amends and help.” Sammy sitting next to the young men whines quietly. “Okay, there’s no point in talking about it…” Daniel exhales sharply. “I’ll do what I need and live my life. Let’s focus on the way to kick the ass of that nasty bastard.” “The case is gonna be hard,” Peter notices thoughtfully. “Potter’s gonna come with his daddy. He may be much worse than his sonny.” “I won’t deny that I’m a little nervous,” Daniel replies, looking aside with dead eyes. “Yes, we have a plan. We have help… But sometimes something always goes wrong.” “Right. But we can be sure about one thing: Potter and his father won’t do anything to Anna and her parents while we’re there.” “That bastard is probably dreaming of destroying Anna and kicking me. And his daddy can’t wait to revenge the Seymours.” “Ha, he can try!” Edward says confidently with his head proudly raised. “He won’t have time to realize how we’ll beat his face.” “Moreover, we have Mr. Johnson’s help,” Terrence adds confidently. “He treats his work more than just well.” Sammy barks in approval two times, and Peter yanks him softly by the ears. “I’m sorry, guys…” Daniel pronounces quietly, gets up from the sofa lazily, steps back from it, and looks at his friends and Sammy with sadness in his eyes. “I’m sorry for dragging you into this story…” “You shouldn’t apologize,” Terrence replies confidently. “People don’t ask their friends for forgiveness for a wish to help.” “Listen, guys…” Daniel locks his fingers tightly. “Erm…” “No, Daniel, we will not…” Edward wants to say. “Don’t meddle in this case. Let me deal with that bastard alone.” “What?” Peter wonders. “You’re serious?” “Absolutely.” Daniel raises his head, looking at Edward, Peter, and Terrence confidently. “I don’t want you three to be a part of this operation.” “But we’ve decided it!” Edward exclaims. “We decided to do it together!” “It’s not too late to change your mind.” “No, Daniel!” Peter says determinedly. “You will not deal with those scumbags alone!” “That’s my duty! I must bring the case to an end.” “We will do this together!” “Please, guys, don’t do this,” Daniel says confidently. “It’s too risky. But I don’t wanna risk your lives.” “We won’t let you deal with Potter on your own. Even if you wanna fight with us on purpose. Those snakes are strong enough for you alone.” “The Potters will defeat you.” “Do you think it will scare us?” Terrence wonders. “We’re men! We fear nothing and keep our promises!” “Excuse me, I do mind you being a part of this operation.” “Alright, Perkins, shut up! And never dare to talk about something like that!” “If something happens to you, I will never forgive myself for that. I will consider myself guilty.” “And we will not forgive ourselves if we let you meet those bastards face-to-face,” Peter says confidently. “Please, men…” “Now it’s not time to play a superhero. The lives of three people are at stake. The quiet lives of three people.” “Remember what happened to Wainwright and us,” Terrence adds. “We could’ve been dead or hurt if we’d dealt with him alone. And Potter is also dangerous and crazy. Besides, he’s had a grudge against you for a long time. He wanted to deal with you when you didn’t know about him.” “I know it’s gonna be hard for me,” Daniel replies confidently. “But that’s my duty. I made a promise to the Seymours. I made a promise to myself. I made a promise to my parents. I want them to see that I’m no longer a snotty, irresponsible bonehead, who wanted to pay for nothing.” “You can’t do this without our help.” “We know the risks,” Edward says confidently. “But we’re ready for them. We’re ready to protect our best friends.” Sammy barks confidently two times, while Daniel glances at his hands. “Are you sure you want it?” Daniel asks hesitantly. “Think better! Think of the girls. They’ll go crazy from grief if they lose you.” “We’ve thought,” Terrence says confidently, gets up from the sofa, and comes closer to Daniel. “The girls know we’re doing this to save their best friend. Our best friend.” “I dunno, guys…” Daniel exhales sharply, crossing his arms over his chest. “I don’t like it all…” “We’re stronger together, buddy,” Edward says confidently, getting up from the sofa and coming to Daniel. “We’re united by our work in the band as well as our friendship. But real friends would go through fire and water for you.” “We’ve got what Potter and his father don’t have,” Peter adds confidently, coming to Terrence and Edward, clapping them on the shoulder, and hugging amicably. “The power of four. Unity. A team spirit.” Sammy comes to the men and barks loudly two times. “Sorry, the power of five,” Edward says amicably. “You’re one of us, long-eared,” Terrence adds, petting Sammy’s head. Daniel comes to Sammy and pets his head with a slight smile, while the dog wags his tail amicably and brings his face closer to him. “Thank you so much, lads,” Daniel thanks, looking at Peter, Edward, and Terrence. “Thanks for being in my life. Sometimes I don’t believe I’ve got such cool friends.” “We’ll always be by your side,” Peter promises amicably with a slight smile, hugging Daniel by the shoulders. “Whatever happens.” “I’m glad to hear it.” “Anyway, don’t give up,” Terrence smiles slightly. “Anna is giving you signs. If you don’t ignore them, she will forgive you.” “I don’t hope for it,” Daniel shrugs. “I’m just trying to feel relief. My goal is not to be a hero but to save lives.” “You’re on the right track, bro,” Edward puts his hands on his hips. “I don’t doubt that your story is gonna have a happy ending.” “Let’s not talk about it now. We better focus on the operation of getting the Potters arrested. I need to get ready for the meeting.” “Not you, Perkins, but us,” Peter fixes confidently. “Do what you want,” Daniel replies quietly. “But remember, I mind your participation in this operation.” “No, Daniel, we will end it together,” Edward says confidently. “And don’t even try to stop us.” “Yeah, someone wanted to deal with one bastard alone,” Terrence recalls. “And it led to nothing good.” “At least I tried to make you run.” “Okay, okay, you won!” Daniel raises his hands. “Arguing with you is a waste of time!” “You’ve finally got some smart thoughts!” Peter exclaims cheerfully. “So, my bros…” Daniel puts his hands on the shoulders of Peter and Terrence standing next to him. “Let’s focus on kicking the asses of Julian Potter and Norman Potter.” Sammy barks loudly two times, kind of letting them know that he is the game. “Let’s think Sammy said, ‘I’m ready to kick the ass of those bastards right now!’” Terrence says thoughtfully. “Wow, look, he wanna fight more than all of us,” Peter laughs shyly. “We’re gonna need his sharp teeth,” Edward replies confidently, yanking Sammy wagging his tail by the ears. “As Potter fears dogs, it’s gonna be his greater enemy than Daniel.” Sammy barks two times again. “Oh, Sammy’s ready to destroy the Potters now,” Daniel laughs shyly. “Together, we will get rid of our enemies quickly,” Terrence assures, putting his hands on his hips. “Everything will be over in two days,” Edward adds confidently. “We have time…” Peter shrugs. “We can decide what we can get busy with to do not to go crazy from a tormenting suspense,” Terrence suggests. Sammy barks confidently, still wagging his tail. “Oh, men…” Daniel smiles much wider. “What I would do without ya!” Terrence, Peter, and Edward say nothing and just laugh shyly. Daniel raises his hands, gives a five to his friends, and squats down in front of Sammy to pet him. At some moment, the dog gives him a paw, which the man shakes with pleasure, and licks him shyly on the tip of the nose, making Perkins smile shyly with the thought that he will no longer stay alone with his problems.