***
After spending a wonderful time with Edward, Natalia is coming back home. As long as the time gets closer to the evening, it’s getting darker and a little colder in the city. Someone goes on their feet, someone goes somewhere in a bus, and Natalia is driving her car on the half-empty roads and listening to good music on the radio. She thinks of something good and smiles a lot, singing along with her favorite songs at times but watching the road very closely. Some time later, the girl comes to the skyscraper where her parents’ apartment is, goes to the parking lot for everybody living in this building, leaves her car, and switches off the motor. After looking at herself quickly in the mirror, fixing her hair, and wiping up her eye stained with mascara, she takes her purse and keys from her car, gets out of the car, locks it, and goes where she needs to go in her sandals with thin heels. On the way, Natalia meets two or three people living on her floor, greets them, and finds out how they are doing. Later, she does the same when she sees a family couple living to the up. When she calls an elevator, and it comes and opens, some unfamiliar people, whom the blonde does not pay attention to, leave it, entering the cabin quietly and pressing the button on the floor that she needs. While the elevator rises up, she fixes slightly her light blue denim jacket that perfectly fits her white chiffon dress and leans on the wall with her back. At some moment, the girl moves her eyes to her favorite necklace that Edward gave her back today and smiles slightly, thinking about something nice that makes her mood much better. Later, the elevator comes to the right floor and makes a sound. The doors open, and Natalia leaves it. Then she goes to her apartment, watching some people talk or go somewhere. After coming to the right place, she takes the keys and opens the hall door of the apartment, believing that there is nobody at home and that her parents have not been back yet. The blonde opens and locks the door and looks around. She immediately hears a quiet laugh and realizes that it’s her parents. Not thinking too much, the girl decides to come to them and greet them. But after entering the living room, Natalia sees Letitia and Anthony here with Adriana, Rebecca, and Jamie. They are drinking something, eating sweet candies placed in the vase on the table, and having a talk about something with pleasure. The girl gets a little confused, but she relaxes quickly and comes confidently to everybody with a slight smile. “Hey, daughter,” Letitia greets with a slight smile, and then Anthony does the same. “Hi, my birdie,” Adriana pronounces softly. “Hey, Mom, Dad, Grandma,” Natalia waves her hand shyly, greets Letitia, Adriana, and Anthony by hugging them and kissing them on the cheek, and smiles amicably at Jamie and Rebecca. “Good afternoon, Mr. MacClife, Mrs. MacClife.” “Hello, Natalia,” Rebecca and Jamie greet at the different time. Natalia hugs Rebecca and Jamie with pleasure and shares an amicable kiss on the cheek with them. “Excuse me…” Natalia pronounces shyly. “I didn’t know someone would visit us.” “Oh, we didn’t also think it would happen,” Anthony waves his hand. “Your mother, grandmother, and I were doing our business and met Mr. and Mrs. MacClife on the way.” “We talked a little and invited them to visit us and drink tea,” Letitia adds. “And get to know your grandmother better.” “Yes. We always visit them at home. So to say, we must fix it.” “How long ago did you come back?” Natalia smiles slightly. “No, one or one and a half hours ago,” Anthony replies thoughtfully. “When we came here, there was nobody here,” Adriana adds and smiles mysteriously. “Did you have a date with your fiancé?” “Yup, sort of,” Natalia confesses hesitantly with a shy smile. “So, did Edward go home?” Jamie asks. “No, Edward received a call and was asked to come. Something related to the collaboration with artists. You know that he writes songs for them with pleasure.” “Does someone want him to be a co-author of a song again?” Rebecca wonders. “I don’t know, he didn’t say it. But I’d be happy if someone asked him to become a co-author of one more masterpiece.” “As he’s gotten enough offers for a half-year, there’s a reason to appreciate his talent,” Letitia replies confidently with a slight smile. “Wait, does Edward also write songs?” Adriana wonders. “He does, Mrs. Lascano!” Jamie exclaims. “Edward writes wonderful songs! And he receives incredible reviews for his work. Rebecca and I personally saw everything he did.” “Yes, as far as I know, someone has released the song written by Edward,” Rebecca adds with her head proudly raised. “And it’s receiving wonderful reviews. People listen, and critics praise.” “Wow, what a talented and versatile man!” Adriana admires. “H writes songs, plays guitar, and sings… Gosh, he is probably the gift of heaven!” “He is for me,” Natalia smiles shyly. “And the most important thing is that everybody always praises him, no matter what Edward does. I haven’t heard anyone criticizing his talents and, saying softly, tearing him to shreds. Everything he does is eventually incredible.” “I hope it will also have to do with male work. Well… Hammer a nail, fix something, or something like that.” “Don’t worry, Grandma, Edward does everything well. He’s now working on the repair of the house, in which we’re gonna live after the wedding. He asks no one for help. Everything on his own.” “And he always does everything we ask him about,” Jamie says confidently. “For example, we recently had a clog in the bath. So, Edward fixed everything quickly.” “He does a lot of homework,” Rebecca adds. “He can play the guitar well and surprise everybody by singing or speaking Spanish.” “Well, as they say, talented people are talented at everything,” Anthony notices with his head proudly raised. “And Edward is an amazing example of that.” “More than just amazing,” Natalia smiles wider. Silence settles in the air for two seconds, during which Natalia looks at everybody with a slight smile, and then Adriana calls her to come to her with a gesture and says: “Join us, darling. Let’s talk and drink tea with candies…” “With pleasure,” Natalia smiles shyly and sits down next to Adriana, who hugs her softly around the shoulders. “Listen, you’re so beautiful today,” Jamie expresses admiration. “Really, sweetie, you’re so gorgeous,” Rebecca agrees with a wide smile. “Thanks a lot,” Natalia thanks shyly. “By the way, Jamie and I must confess that you have a very good grandmother,” Rebecca confesses with a slight smile. “Mrs. Lascano is a wonderful woman.” “It’s true, Natalia,” Jamie confirms. “It’s nice for us to meet such a good person.” “I see that you got along well with my grandmother,” Natalia smiles shyly. “And we talked about many things while you weren’t here.” “By the way, when can I meet your old friends?” Adriana asks. “Do you mean Victor and Lydia Johnson?” Rebecca specifies. “Whenever you want! But Victor is working and is not always free.” “I get it… And I would love to meet Raquelle’s grandfather and aunt. I haven’t seen them for a thousand years.” “Wow, do you know Mr. Cameron and Mrs. Middleton?” Jamie wonders truly. “Of course, Mr. MacClife! I’ve known them since Natalia was a kid. I met them rarely, but we talked about the girls several times.” “And do you know the families of two more friends of Natalia?” Rebecca specifies. “I have talked to the grandfather and grandmother of Helene. The one, with whom Raquelle didn’t have a good relationship.” “Yes, we didn’t get on well with her,” Natalia confesses. “But it happened that we became friends. Thanks to our men.” “By the way, she became much more sympathetic, even if she remained a short and slim girl with dark hair. And Raquelle learned to show her beauty.” “As far as I understand, don’t you know Anna’s parents as well as we don’t?” Jamie asks. “No, sadly, Letitia, Anthony, and I have never seen her parents,” Adriana shakes her head. “But we know that girl very well. She’s very cute. Short and slim… Just like a dolly!” “Who knows, maybe you’ll get a chance to meet her,” Natalia expresses hope. “They’re good people and aren’t arrogant at all. The guys and I recently met them, spoke to them, and realized that we could get on well with them.” “Oh, it would be great. I really love meeting new people. I’m happy to talk to someone about everything in the world.” “Oh, yeah, Grandma, you’ve always been very talkative,” Natalia laughs shyly. “By the way, everyone says I’m very good at communicating. I believe my secret is that I can support any conservation and make a person trust me. Of course, I may not know something, but still…” “It’s really a pleasure for us to talk to you, Mrs. Lascano,” Rebecca replies amicably. “And you remind me of Edward thanks to the fact that you easily find a common language with people. He can make a totally stranger person his friend for two minutes.” “I know, I really liked to talk to your son. He’s so kind, gentle, and shy… Just a gem!” Adriana drinks some tea from her cup. “And how Edward looked at Natalia and treated her before my eyes! Gosh… I was so emotional!” “Edward can make people like him,” Anthony notices confidently. “A wonderful guy, well-educated, shy, intelligent…” “None of our daughter’s exes got us as well-impressed as he did,” Letitia adds with a slight smile. “I’m glad you all liked Edward,” Natalia says amicably. “You know, darling, you also gave us a good impression of you and proved that you could be a good partner for Edward,” Jamie replies confidently. “Thanks, Mr. MacClife, I’m so happy that you liked me.” Silence settles in the air for two seconds because Letitia, Rebecca, Jamie, and Adriana drink tea, and Natalia takes a fruit candy, unwraps it, and eats it. “And our family got another person, who speaks Spanish well,” Adriana notices. “Edward often loves to speak something in Spanish,” Rebecca confesses. “And he somehow tried to write a song in this language.” “There is a favorite song of his that he adores singing,” Jamie adds. “I don’t know what it is about, but it sounds very beautiful.” “Your son has a very beautiful accent, as if he lived with Spanish-speaking people for a long time.” Adriana smiles mysteriously. “Confess, Mr. MacClife. Mrs. MacClife! Did you send Edward to live abroad for a couple of months?” “No, no, Mrs. Lascano, Edward has never been abroad,” Jamie laughs amicably. “He was learning Spanish at school and was successful at it. He had a very good teacher, who lived abroad.” “You know, he speaks very well. I asked him a few questions in Spanish, and Edward answered perfectly.” “Oh, honestly, I didn’t think he’d get the love for Spanish and learn something on his own. I'm not going to be shy about saying that when Edward was a kid, he was a bonehead. He needed nothing. Yes, he studied more or less well, but he was irresponsible and a little lazy.” “Yeah, but he was the best in the lessons in Spanish,” Natalia notices confidently. “And lessons in chemistry.” “Yes, yes, he knew chemistry well. Anyway, I can’t call Edward a poor student. He was always a talented and smart guy.” “And he shows it openly now,” Rebecca adds. “A little bit of everything. A little bit of one, a little bit of another.” “Listen, what if he is your genius?” Letitia asks with a slight smile. “He has so many talents and hobbies! Everything he does is just amazing!” “Anything may happen, Mr. Rochester,” Jamie smiles mysteriously. “And I’m glad that Edward began to show it.” “Who knows, maybe, Edward will discover a couple of more talents and surprise all of us some time later,” Adriana assumes. “Edward is a smart man, who learns everything quickly,” Natalia replies with a slight smile. “And he’s purposeful. If he wants to learn something, he will go until the end and get what he wants.” “Anyway, I think he is only going to be focused on music in the near future,” Rebecca assumes. “The guys are coming back to their work and waiting for their manager’s return to discuss everything.” “The girls and I cannot wait to see them on stage again,” Natalia smiles widely. “They haven’t performed for ages.” “Do you think we don’t watch their performances when they are on TV?” Anthony wonders. “No, daughter, you’re wrong! We watched almost all the shows, on which they appeared, and it's a pleasure to listen to their song when it’s playing somewhere.” “And I will be watching their performances, too,” Adriana promises confidently. “I will let you know everything when I know something,” Natalia smiles slightly. “And I hope you’ll like their song.” “You better show your grandmother the music video for their song,” Rebecca suggests cheerfully. “It’s super positive and amazing! It’s impossible to dislike it!” “Yeah, it little reminds me of the time of my youth…” Jamie confesses thoughtfully. “I believe we were similar to all these guys at their age…” “I will surely watch the video,” Adriana promises with a wide smile. “Listening to you, I called the memories of my youth, which was the best time of my time.” “So, daughter, use every moment while you’re young and beautiful,” Anthony advises confidently. “Spend your time as interestingly as possible to remember a lot when you’re old.” “Ah, Dad, do you think I have a bad one?” Natalia sighs quietly with a slight smile. “Now I’m living the best years of my life and happy I have everything to be happy. Every single moment is like a party to me… For example, getting ready for my wedding is a party for me. I get pleasure from this process, even if it may sometimes be hard.” “It must happen, sweetie,” Adriana smiles shyly. “A wedding and the birth of your children and grandchildren are the most important things in the life of every human. Your excitement and wish to make everything perfect are fine because you want to remember this important moment for the rest of your life. Anyone wants it.” “And honestly, I still can’t believe I’m gonna get married soon. Sometimes I think it’s just a nice and exciting dream, and nothing is planned. And I don’t even have a boyfriend.” “No, Natalia, it’s not a dream,” Jamie replies confidently, bending to Natalia and caressing her hand. “Not only are you excited about the wedding, but also all of us. Your mother and father are going to experience what’s important to them as much as it is to you. Rebecca and I are also very excited. Moreover, two sons of ours are getting married.” “I know, Mr. MacClife… But it’s all so exciting that I sometimes get confused and don’t know what I want. It always happens when I choose a dress, look for dresses for the girls, or do some things.” “To Edward, it’s as important as it is to you, sweetie,” Rebecca says softly with a slight smile. “He also wants to remember this day all his life. Everything is happening to him for the first time, and my son is very nervous.” “Yes, I know, Mr. MacClife… I just shared what I’m worried about.” “The important thing is that you never forget you have those, who you can ask for help,” Letitia says confidently, caressing Natalia’s hand. “Your father, grandmother, your friends, and me… We will all help you with pleasure if you can’t decide something. The adult people have much more experience with it. And your friends could advise something and make you and Raquelle the most beautiful girls.” “The girls and I spent one week checking out literally all the stores in the city,” Natalia chuckles kindly. “There’s something good, but it’s not what we want…” “Don’t worry, my sunshine, you have a lot of time to choose what you like,” Anthony replies confidently. “Your friends will also choose something soon… And the grooms’ friends will help them with pleasure.” “I don’t know, Terrence and Edward don’t rush to pick up suits,” Jamie says. “But if they have a little time, we will have to hurry them up with a kick.” “Yeah, the boys don’t check out stores in search of suits as hard as the girls and me,” Natalia laughs shyly. “But I think they’ll quickly find what they need. The men will be much more collected,” “Don’t worry, Natalia, your fiancé is going to be irresistible on your wedding day,” Adriana replies confidently. “He’s very handsome, but his friends will make him and his brother more wonderful. And we all will admire the brides and the grooms and be happy for the future newborn family.” “I imagine him in a new suit and can’t describe my admiration. Besides, men are so handsome when they wear suits. It’s my weakness, to be honest.” “Your father and I will consider it a compliment.” Jamie laughs amicably. “Right, Mr. Rochester?” “Yes, Mr. MacClife,” Anthony nods confidently. “My daughter really loves men wearing suits.” “She has probably seen you wearing a suit many times and got such a strong love for them,” Adriana assumes with a slight smile. “I can’t deny it, Mrs. Lascano.” “But I must confess that I absolutely agree with my granddaughter. Men in suits are so irresistible. I personally melted when I saw Enrique in a jacket with a tie.” “You better find a girl or woman, who doesn’t like these men,” Rebecca laughs amicably. “It’s always nice to be next to a well-groomed man wearing these clothes.” “But Edward is gonna be irresistible anyway: in a suit or in shabby clothes and with tousled hair,” Natalia smiles shyly. “I love him anyway, no matter what he wears. He’s my gorgeous guy. My kind, tender, caring, careful, and handsome man.” “This is how we find true love,” Letitia notices cheerfully. “If you love, you accept any shortcomings and don’t lose interest in someone, who doesn’t look as what they seemed at first sight.” “Wonderful words, darling!” Adriana exclaims with a wide smile. “What’s right is right,” Rebecca smiles shyly. “But we can be sure that in the case of Edward and Natalia, their love is truly real,” Jamie replies with his head proudly raised. “The way to happiness was hard, but the young people passed it worthily and are going to be a family soon. And Terrence and Raquelle had a lot of barriers in their way. But they will go to the altar soon.” “To get something, you sometimes need to make some effort,” Anthony notices confidently. “I’ve gotten what I wanted, and I need nothing more,” Natalia smiles shyly. “Now I’m very happy and love the life that I’m living. If I had a chance to change something, I wouldn’t change a thing. I ain’t sure if I’d meet the love of my life if everything was different.” “Thanks to God, my sweetheart,” Adriana smiles widely. With these words, Adriana hugs and presses Natalia to herself with both arms, while the girl smiles much wider and looks at Rebecca, Anthony, Jamie, and Letitia, who answer her back, not hiding their happiness when they see the girl so smiling and truly happy.***
It’s a new day. While some people were going somewhere or still lying in their beds, Helene went outside to walk with Sammy in the early morning. The dog does not give her any reason to punish him or deprive him of what he loves. Not so many people are outside at such an early time, and the roads are almost free. So, it’s possible to go anywhere, walk somewhere quietly, and spend time in silence. The sun shows up or hides behind the clouds, and the air is not as hot as before. Helene enjoys this weather as she keeps Sammy on a leash and walks slowly with him in a beautiful park. The dog would get loose from this hateful leash with pleasure and run somewhere, but he is following his owner obediently, sniffing every centimeter of the ground with interest, and watching what’s happening with glossy eyes. Sammy meets very sympathetic dogs on his way two times and even talks to them in the language of dogs. Though, he only has time to share half of his thoughts because their owners take their pets away quickly. Helene watches it with a slight smile and pets the doggy’s head when he meets another failure when trying to make a friend again and whines quietly. “Hey, don’t be upset, baby,” Helene pronounces softly. “Maybe, those people are just in a rush and can’t let their doggies talk to you.” Sammy whines quietly again and inclines his head slightly. “I’m sure that you’ll get a good friend or a sympathetic girlfriend someday,” Helene expresses hope with a slight smile. “Maybe, some of my friends will love to get a dog and introduce it to you. You’ll surely talk to them as much as you want.” Sammy stops slowly, looks at Helene with hope in his eyes, and barks quietly. The girl smiles shyly, squats down in front of the dog, and strokes his hair, while he wags his tail amicably. “Don’t be sad, Sammy, you’re gonna have very many friends,” Helene promises softly. “I promise I won’t ban you from communicating with a good doggy. Vice versa, I’ll be happy for you.” Sammy looks at Helene questioningly, as if he is asking, “Really? Am I gonna have as many friends as you do?” “I shall do my best for you to have friends,” Helene says confidently. “All dogs will befriend you with pleasure. Because it can’t be otherwise.” Sammy, getting much funnier, barks again and licks Helene’s nose shyly, while she laughs shyly, pets the dog’s head, and tweaks his ears softly. “Okay, my boy, let’s go home,” Helene laughs shyly. “I have some things to do. Today I should take my grandmother to the planned examination. C’mon, Sammy, let’s go.” Helene gets up on her feet and, holding the leash in her hands, keeps leading Sammy where they need to go. The dog follows his owner obediently and looks around sometimes, paying special attention to two little boys with backpacks, who are going somewhere and talking about something loudly and funnily. They do not react to the dog and his owner going by and keep talking excitedly. The girl does not stop smiling shyly when she watches Sammy looking around with interest and becoming cheerful and funny when seeing something interesting… For example, a couple of people flirting with each other, to whom he pays attention. Also, he barks when they share a tender kiss and hug each other tightly. That’s why Helene gets a little blushed and pets the dog’s head to calm him down with a feeling of awkwardness. “Quiet, Sammy, don’t bother them,” Helene says quietly. “Let them flirt.” Sammy falls into silence, but does not stop looking curiously at a couple of people until they hide somewhere. After this, the dog getting much funnier looks at Helene and barks quietly. “Oh, God, come on, lover of couples in love,” Helene laughs shyly. “C’mon, Sammy… Samuel!” Helene pulls the leash slightly on herself and calls Sammy by saying “Heel!”, and he keeps following her quietly. She just walks on the straight path with the dog for a half-minute or one minute, turns to the left, and keeps moving on. A little later, the girl ends up on a more lively street where there is a more bright and interesting life. People wake up slowly and go somewhere, stores are getting opened, and transport is going from one side to another at a fast speed. It’s too hard to watch what’s happening around because everything changes fast, and the brain can barely examine the information that it is getting. Helene comes to one of the traffic lights some time later and gets ready to cross the road and go to the other side of the street with fewer people. Sammy understands that it’s a red light, and he is not allowed to cross the road. That’s why he waits patiently for the sign along with a crowd of people being busy with something and not caring about him, his owner, and everybody near them. But one girl with light hair brushed in a careless bun pays attention to Helene keeping Sammy on the leash and looking at the traffic light or the road. The girl doubts if she knows her for two seconds, but later she makes sure about it and even recognizes the doggy that is watching cars go by with interest. “Erm, Helene?” the stranger girl pronounces hesitantly, coming closer to Helene. Helene moves her eyes to the girl, who called her, and recognizes her as her long-time friend Jessica. “Jessica?” Helene wonders. “Friend!” Jessica exclaims happily. Helene and Jessica hug each other amicably with a quiet whoop and a happy smile, not making this moment too long because the traffic light is about to turn green, judging by the big red numbers on the timer on the screen seen from afar. “Gosh, what a surprise!” “My gosh, I didn’t think that I’d meet you here,” Helene confesses happily. “Damn, you and I haven’t seen each other for ages! You forgot about me, Marshall!” “Sorry, Jess…” Helene apologizes shyly. “I had too much to do… I’ve just recently found the way to solve everything more or less.” “Okay…” At this moment, the traffic light turns from red to yellow and green. Cars stop at a pedestrian, and the crowd of people starts crossing the road. Helene and Jessica do the same, and the blonde moves her eyes to Sammy following his owner obediently in the middle of the way. “Oh, are you walking with Sammy?” Jessica smiles shyly. “Yeah, I walked with this naughty boy a little, and I’m going home,” Helene replies with a slight smile. “Right, Sammy?” Sammy makes a weird sound and hides behind Helene, trying not to leave her since he saw Jessica. “Hey, Sammy,” Jessica waves her hand shyly. “How are you doing, baby?” Sammy makes a weird sound again and looks at Jessica a little scarily, showing out from Helene’s legs. His owner herself laughs shyly, and her friend looks at the doggy with sadness in her eyes. “Still afraid…” Jessica sighs quietly. “Sammy, baby, why are you so scared?” Helene asks, moving her eyes to Sammy. “Jessica isn’t a ghost to run away from her. She’s very good and loves you truly.” “Don’t be afraid, buddy,” Jessica pronounces with a slight smile. “I will not do anything bad to you.” But Sammy keeps hiding behind Helene and looks scarily at Jessica. “So, wouldn’t you even let me pet you for a treat?” Jessica wonders. “Just a little!” Then Sammy thinks a little better, still hiding behind his owner. Helene laughs shyly and pets the head of the doggy hiding behind her when she says: “Okay, Jess, leave him. He’s a little afraid of you…” “Yeah, a little…” Jessica pouts, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m so nice to him, and he runs away from me like a hurricane.” “Just learn to hold down your happiness a little and be softer. Dogs love caress and tenderness. But when you hug Sammy, it seems like you strangle him.” “But you know that I’m not a lover of snot and tender feelings.” “Then… Don’t be surprised that Sammy is afraid of you. He’ll treat you differently if you get tender.” “This is the real me, Helene. Me is me.” “Okay, arguing with you is worthless,” Helene laughs shyly. By this moment, Helene laughs shyly and crosses the road along with Sammy, Jessica, and other people. Then she and her friend keep going on the straight path, while the traffic light turns red again after they get up on the sidewalk. “Hey, where are you gonna at such an early time?” Helene asks. “Well, I have some business,” Jessica shrugs. “I just left the hospital. I had an examination and made some samples.” “What?” Helene rounds her eyes. “Hospital? Are you sick?” “No, no, it’s okay. I was just asked to get some documents and the results of tests for my job. So, I woke up in the early morning to go to the hospital. Getting horrified at how much money I would have to pay for all of it.” “Did they need these documents for your job?” “Huh! I left my old job two weeks ago and found a new one.” “Left?” “Yup. I got sick. Sick of everything. The people got kind of nervous, and my salary was cut nobody the hell knows how much! Besides, I literally had to fight for such little money ‘cause they sometimes didn’t pay me for three or three months. So, I decided to turn around and wave my tail.” “I get it… Everyone at my job has also been nervous lately. It’s getting harder to work.” “Maybe, it's time for you to find a new job?” “I kind of like everything. And I don’t wanna get fired because someone suddenly went wild. I’ll hardly find a job with such a good salary.” “C’mon, Helene! If you want it, you will find it. You’ve got a high education and a great experience in your profession.” “Maybe. But I don’t think of leaving my job.” “Okay then… If you don’t want it, don’t do it.” After walking some distance, Jessica and Helene see a free bench placed a couple of meters from them. “Oh, let’s sit on the bench and talk?” Jessica suggests. “I wanna know everything that is happening in your life.” “Well, as we met, it would be a sin not to sit down,” Helene replies with a slight smile. Jessica and Helene come to the bench and sit on it. The brunette lets Sammy getting quiet enough out of the leash, while he sits down next to his owner and listens to her talk with one of her best friends. “So what, my dear Helene, tell me how you’re doing,” Jessica says cheerfully, folding her hands in front of herself. “Thank God, everything’s kind of solved and got better,” Helene replies amicably. “And how’s your beloved and imitable Peter doing?” “Fine, but he’s sick of fighting with the neighbor over her cats. He’s starting to think about moving more and more.” “Huh, he should’ve gotten outta that rat hole a long time ago!” Jessica exclaims with a loud chuckle. “He has a lot of money! He can buy any house and live like a king.” “Every day, Pete is getting more determined about this wish.” “That’s good. I was afraid that he’d live in that hell forever and listen to cats' lullabies at nights and cats' alarms in mornings.” “No, no, Jess,” Helene smiles shyly. “He won’t stay there and will move somewhere soon.” Meanwhile, Sammy yawls contagiously and looks around with interest. “Hey, I once met him in a supermarket,” Jessica confesses. “Pete was very upset because you were angry at him.” “Ah, yeah…” Helene sighs quietly, glancing aside hesitantly. “I guess he told you about my parents, about whom my grandmother and grandfather said nothing.” “Yes, I know everything…” Jessica caresses Helene’s shoulder softly with sadness in her eyes. “I’m really very sorry, Helene… Even if I really respect Mrs. Marshall, I can’t deny that she did a bad thing.” “It’s okay,” Helene smiles shyly. “We resolved everything, and I found the strength to confess that I wasn’t right and shouldn’t have been angry at those, who wished me the best.” “So, did you reconcile with Peter and Mrs. Marshall?” “Yup, everything’s alright now: Grandma promised to be open to me and hide nothing, and I give her much care and attention… Well, Peter doesn’t stop surprising me every day and making me sure that I’m very lucky to have him as my boyfriend.” “I see it on your face,” Jessica smiles mysteriously. “You’re smiling and shining from happiness. I have never seen you like this. You’ve changed for the better since Peter became your boyfriend. You started to pay much more attention to your appearance and put on something beautiful very rarely. Girly…” “Not just me, Jess,” Helene smiles shyly. “Didn’t you notice that Peter also changed since the moment when we tried to help him?” “Yeah, he’s now much more smiling and funnier. And more confident. Though, I think Pete has always been like that. He just showed himself now, when he realized that he found the real friends, who wouldn’t spit in his face.” “And he became very brave. Now taking a risk is super easy for him if something very important to him, his friends, and close people are at stake. Peter doesn’t incline his head with shame when someone hurts him, and doesn’t become an object for mockeries when a person wanna beat him.” “Cool!” Jessica exclaims cheerfully. “I’m so happy that he got through that hell, got happiness and peace, and discovered the other side of him. Of course, Rose has always been a cool guy, but I think he is much better now.” “I will never stop repeating how lucky I am to have him. He’s done so much for me… Thanks to Pete, I changed my opinion about many things. I was never as happy as I was when we decided to start dating.” “Your grandma definitely has excellent taste for good guys. Mrs. Marshall was right when she told you to pay attention to him as a man.” “Yeah, but I didn’t originally think Peter could be my man, and always considered him my friend. I looked at him in another way a long time later.” “You’re silly! You should’ve taken such a good guy immediately. Rose is freaking handsome, and many girls have always surrounded him. And if he hadn’t rejected them because he had a crush on you, you would’ve missed your happiness.” “But as you see, it happened otherwise.” “You were just madly lucky that you yawned and looked around at first, and then you saw that you had a handsome, kind, loyal, and caring man by your side.” “Yeah, I confess it.” “If your grandmother likes someone, you can believe her, ‘cause she is never mistaken. She liked Peter immediately. But now she literally cleans dust off him and cares about him as much as a chicken cares about an egg.” “It’s impossible to make someone fall in love, Jessica.” “It is possible! You did your best for Peter to fall in love with you totally, and he did the same thing, so you paid attention to him.” “I did nothing for that! And he did nothing! We were just friends for a long time and were always ready to come to help each other.” “Not just that, Marshall. Not just that.” “Ah, friend, when you’re in love with a man seriously, you’ll understand me better,” Helene sighs with a slight smile. “Now you don’t understand me.” “Not truth! I understand you very well! And don’t say it like I’ve never been in love. I’ve been in love. My affair didn’t just last for a too long time.” “I can’t remember them.” “Because you and I didn’t know each other.” “Ah! Come on!” “Don’t believe me if you want it!” Jessica shrugs with a slight smile. “I will show you a photo of my first love one day.” “Okay, I shall ask Rose about everything. He will surely tell me about all your admirers in case you had them.” “You may not ask him – I didn’t introduce the blond to my admirers. I only told him about them.” “Do you think he believed?” “Listen, Marshall, why don’t ya believe? Can’t I date men? Anyway, I am a girl! I’ve got boobs, an ass, and something like that!” “Okay, I’m silent!” Helene raises her hands. “Silent!” Meanwhile, Sammy finds a stone on the asphalt and starts sniffing and playing with it. “Oh, yeah, about your pretty boy!” Jessica exclaims and scratches the back of her head. “I always forget that I should give Peter money. I wanna visit him, but I either have something to do, or I forget it.” “Money?” Helene rounds her eyes. “Did you borrow money from Peter?” “E-e-e… Not quite… I mean… Kind of yes…” “Do you have problems with money?” “No! When Rose and I were in a supermarket and started to pay for our purchases, I found out that I had left my wallet at home. I checked my pockets and didn’t find it. The police would’ve probably taken me to the police station if Peter hadn’t paid the entire price of my purchases.” “And how much did he pay?” “Twenty-five dollars.” “Wow…” Helene chuckles kindly. “Do you forget your money at home now? It’s okay that you always forget your phone or other things. But money… When you know that you go to a store!” “But I thought I took it!” “My darling, why don’t you make sure you have a wallet when you leave home?” “I’m not the one to blame for having memory issues! Gosh, Helene, I can’t memorize absolutely everything! Forgetting something is absolutely fine.” “Yeah, but you forget everything all the time!” “I’m not guilty! That’s my mother. She’s had memory issues all her life.” “Be careful, friend, someday it may happen that you’ll have the situation where Peter can’t save you,” Helene laughs shyly. “I hope it will not happen. I was so scared when I realized that I wasn’t able to pay for my purchases. Maybe, I wouldn’t have been taken to the police ‘cause I stole nothing. But I would’ve been freaking ashamed…” “Yeah, Taylor… I don’t know what to say… You’re too young to have dementia!” “Hey, I don’t have dementia!” Jessica claps Helene on the hand. “Rose told me the same when we left the store!” “But that’s the truth,” Helene smiles innocently. “You were lucky then, but what would have happened if you’d been alone?” “I’m not helpless! And I can take care of me!” “I wouldn’t be surprised if you put something in your bag and forgot about it. If you went to the cash, security searched you, found what you took, and called the police.” “Don’t dramatize, Marshall! I’m not a thief and ain’t gonna steal anything.” “That’s why you need someone very careful, who would always walk with you and do what you forget.” “Well…” Jessica rolls her eyes up dreamily. “Actually, it would be great if a handsome guy saved me in an awkward situation and wished to talk to me.” “Yeah, but I’m afraid that the pretty boy might hide from you if he knew you were sharp and stubborn,” Helene laughs shyly. “Just like Sammy does it if he just hears your name.” “If he loves me, he’ll love me for what I am and won’t try to change me.” “If you’re deeply in love, you’ll wish to change and become different. And you won’t even notice it.” “I will not change!” Jessica says confidently. “I like the way I look, dress up, talk, and behave. Why should I change myself for one person and stop feeling comfortable?” “Yeah…” Helene sighs resignedly. “Peter is right when saying it’s worthless to explain something to you ‘cause you insist on what you think. He even told you his opinion as a man. And you, silly girl, don’t wanna understand it.” “Peter just likes caresses and care. He wants to be needed and beloved. And you do fit him so well. You, lovebirds, found each other.” “Any man loves care and love. Anyone wanna feel needed and beloved.” “It’s okay, someday I’ll also meet my beloved one, who will love the real me.” “You should take care of your man.” “Do you think I won’t do it? I will love him, pay him attention, and feed him well. You know that I cook very well. So, when a man tastes my food, he won’t be able to run away.” “I say it’s worthless to explain something to you because you don’t wanna hear anything.” Sammy barks two times, agreeing with Helene. “See, even Sammy agrees with me,” Helene notices confidently. “So, friend, if you wanna get your happiness, start by changing yourself first of all.” “Wait for a while, Helene,” Jessica pronounces proudly with a slight smile. “Someday, I will meet the one, who will go crazy for me. The real me. Then I will look at you and Pete. At your surprised faces and opened mouths.” “Oh, gosh, Jess…” Helene moans quietly, running her hands over her face. “Okay, do what you want! I give up.” “It’s okay, soon, I’ll also date a handsome guy and be happy that I am loved and adored. I’m gonna be like you at these moments when you talk about your handsome blond.” “What’s right is right…” Helene smiles shyly with a slight blush on her cheeks. “Peter is really handsome… It’s a rare case when a person is beautiful inside and outside.” “Be happy that you got such a cool guy,” Jessica replies cheerfully. “Maybe, I will hang out at your wedding soon. You’re gonna be a beauty in a long white dress, and the groom is gonna walk in a new suit… Ah, wonderful scene!” “I hope we will get married someday,” Helene expresses hope. “I’d be madly happy if I heard Peter proposing to me.” “He’s a smart guy, and he probably realized that he wouldn’t find anyone better than you.” “Anyway, it’s not gonna happen soon ‘cause Pete is thinking of moving. And we’re gonna celebrate a double wedding. My school friends are gonna get married.” “Really? Your school friend?” “Yes. Natalia and Raquelle.” “Ah, these are the girls, who you mocked at school, but who became your friends?” “Sort of.” “Cool! When’s a wedding day?” “I dunno yet,” Helene shrugs. “The grooms and the brides are still getting ready for it and picking up their wedding day. But the girls are looking for wedding dresses. With our help, surely. Besides, I’m gonna be one of the bridesmaids. And Peter’s gonna be one of the groomsmen. The best man.” “Oh, gosh, that’s so cool!” Jessica smiles widely. “I hope you and I will pick up a wedding dress someday. A beautiful one that will make Rose crazy for your beauty.” “Oh, Jess…” Helene laughs shyly. “I’m afraid that I have to ask for a blessing not only from my grandmother, who is waiting for my wedding, but also from Sammy.” Helene pets Sammy’s head, while the dog distracts himself from the stone that he is playing with and looks at his owner loyally with his tongue out. “Sammy?” Jessica wonders. “He’s terribly jealous of Peter and me and can’t quietly watch us hug and kiss,” Helene confesses shyly. “And one week ago, he broke the shelf at his home from jealousy when we asked him to let us stay alone.” Sammy whines quietly and inclines his head guiltily. “Gosh, Helene, he is joking!” Jessica exclaims. “Sammy adores Peter like the second owner and would be jumping with happiness if you got married to him.” “Maybe, he does,” Helene replies thoughtfully. “But sometimes Sammy’s jokes get out of the limit. That’s why he gives us a reason to punish him.” “Oh, c’mon!” Jessica waves her hand. “I’m assuring you that this fluffy boy would be the happiest boy if you and Pete had a wedding. And your grandmother sleeps and sees you wearing a wedding dress and standing in front of an altar next to the blond.” “I hope it will happen. But I’m gonna tell you that Sammy was terribly jealous of Peter and me at first and never let us stay together. But later, he got used to him and started to let him come to me.” “Yes, I agree about the first time… A new person… But now it’s alright! You don’t have to worry that Sammy will not accept Peter ‘cause he’s already done it. Your beloved man found the way to the heart of this cute doggy.” “I know,” Helene smiles shyly. “And it makes me happy.” Sammy barks quietly, as if he says he really adores Peter and dreams of seeing him as the husband of Helene one beautiful day. “Hey, Sammy, do you really love Peter?” Jessica addresses Sammy. “Would you be happy if your owner became the wife of that pretty blond that she got in time?” Sammy barks confidently two times. “Are you afraid of me?” Jessica smiles slyly. Sammy looks at Jessica questioningly, turning his head to different sides, and then he presses himself against Helene’s legs with a quiet, weird sound. “Sammy…” Jessica pronounces with pity in her eyes. “Baby…” “Don’t be afraid, my boy,” Helene says amicably, petting Sammy’s head softly and pressing him to herself. “If Jess did something bad to you, I wouldn’t let you come to her. She’s very good. Yes, she’s a little rude and by far from soft, but she’s not evil.” “I love you so much, but you always run from me. Even if I’ve done nothing bad to you.” “Give her a chance to get your love. I promise, my friend will not hurt you.” “Hey, boy, do you want a treat?” Jessica asks with a mysterious smile. “I will give it to you with pleasure if you want it.” Sammy looking at Jessica with interest gets excited and starts wagging his tail much more actively. And Helene takes a packet of dog treats from her purse with a slight smile and gives it to her friend, who takes a couple of things and shows them to the doggy. “Sammy, look what I have,” Jessica teases. “Sammy… Look…” Sammy forgetting about his fear of Jessica starts to look at her with eyes full of gloss, still wagging his tail and literally jumping in front of the girls, who watch him with slight smiles on their faces. “Look how delicious they are, baby,” Jessica smiles slyly. “Look… Yummy, yummy! You want it, huh?” Sammy looks at these delicious treats in Jessica’s hands and licks himself multiple times, begging her to let him eat them with his eyes. However, the girl does torture the dog for a long time and gives him the food that he eats quickly. “So, Sammy, will you give Jessica a chance?” Helene asks with a slight smile, yanking Sammy softly by his ears. “Let’s be friends, baby?” Jessica asks. “I’ve never hidden that I’ve always adored you ‘cause you’re very cute and kind.” Sammy keeps licking himself after eating the delicious treat and looks at Helene and Jessica, as if he is thinking about whether he should give a chance to his owner’s friend. “I promise I won’t twist your tail around!” Jessica swears solemnly. “And kick you with my legs! And I won’t squeeze you like a judoka! I promise.” After thinking a little and looking at Helene smiling shyly, Sammy barks quietly two times a few seconds later, still wagging his tail amicably. “Does it mean, ‘yes?’” Jessica specifies. “You’re giving me a chance?” Sammy makes a quiet sound, comes to Jessica slowly and a little hesitantly, and sits down in front of her. “Can I at least pet you?” Jessica asks. “Your head. And yank you by the ears.” Sammy barks quietly, looking at Jessica amicably and wagging his tail. The girl smiles shyly and pets the dog’s head tenderly, being happy that he finally let her do it and gets pleasure from it. Helene watches what’s happening with a slight smile and also pets the doggy’s head. At some moment, Sammy starts pressing himself against Jessica and even puts his face on her laps. And she uses such a generous love for her and is happy to pay attention to the retriever, petting his head softly and yanking him by the ears.***
The early morning is gone. The afternoon has come. Anna did not finish the day by just going to Daniel's home for two hours. The girl stayed with him for a night with pleasure, being happy to have a chance not to sleep alone for the first time in a while. The sun has been shining in the city for one hour, and birds make everyone happy with their singing, fly somewhere, or try to find a small pool of water to swim a little. And the lovers are still sleeping and embracing each other on the comfortable, soft bed and being half-covered with a blanket. The girl is pressing herself close to the man, and her head and hand rest on his chest, while he is sleeping on his back without a t-shirt and holding his sweetheart with both arms. Since the shots of the sun get into Anna’s face, she opens her eyes slowly, blinks them quickly to see better, and looks around the whole room. She quickly realizes that she is now at home of Perkins lying next to her and looks at him, while he is sleeping as deeply as a baby. The girl quickly pays attention to the fact that the man is not wearing a t-shirt. It makes her shyly smile and get blushed, understanding why she felt so good, probably for the first time in a while. She cannot remember when she woke up with a feeling of calm, easiness in her heart, and a wide smile on her face the last time. Anna does not want to cry, scream, get sad, or think of bad things. She is very happy now and kind of has a reason to live. Some time ago, the girl literally wanted to die because of what she had to experience. But now she is held by the man’s strong arms, and she is lying on his body, which spreads a nice warmth. A little later, Anna raises herself slowly, rubs her eyes, blinks a little, and looks around again. Then the girl looks at herself and sees that she is wearing Daniel’s shirt, which is a few sizes bigger and looks like a short dress on her. The girl smiles unconsciously, grabs the edge of the cloth, and breathes in such a close and favorite smell that it still has. Anna smiles much wider, not knowing that she gets a slight blush on her cheeks, and raises herself again. Meanwhile, Daniel’s relaxed arm that was holding the girl falls on the bed, and his fingers barely move, but he does not wake up and just winces slightly. She watches the man for two seconds, not being able to believe that this man is with her again and making much more sure that her decision of forgiving the man and giving him a chance was right enough. At some moment, Anna looks at a small bottle of water and a clean glass. Realizing that she has a dry throat, she reaches the table, takes the bottle, opens it, fills the glass with water, and drinks it slowly, believing that this water is incredible. At some moment, she moves her eyes to one of her bruises that she got after getting beaten by Julian but turned brown-yellow. She has many similar bruises on her whole body, but they are fading away little by little. The girl exhales silently with great relief and smiles slightly because she realizes that this hell has ended. After thanking Daniel for that, Anna puts the empty glass on the table after drinking the water. Then she looks at the sleeping man again and smiles at him shyly. “God, he’s so cute when he’s sleeping!” Anna thinks unconsciously as she watches Daniel’s peaceful face with a shy smile. He also seems absolutely relaxed and quiet. It seems that the man is having nice dreams. If you look better, you can see that his eyes barely move as well as his lips. And if you listened to him better, you could hear a quiet, slow breath of Perkins. After watching him and looking at every single centimeter of such a beloved face, Anna’s hand slowly reaches his little tousled hair. The girl runs her fingers carefully through his chocolate strands, which are so soft that they are wanted to be touched over and over. And later, she succumbs to this temptation, stroking Daniel’s hair tenderly with a slight smile and caressing his head. But in order not to wake him up, the girl stops doing it when the man winces slightly, moans something, and moves some parts of his body, but keeps sleeping quietly and breathing evenly. At first, Anna listens to Daniel’s breath and smiles shyly, but then she moves her eyes to his half-naked body and gets stuck on it for some time. Maybe, the man does not have a perfect six-pack on his torso and wonderful muscles that are wanted to be touched again and again. Nevertheless, he has a nice enough body without fat. His bones are not sticking out. This man looks tough and healthy enough, despite not having such a perfect physical shape. However, the girl finds this body incredibly beautiful and sexual. Now she is even shy of staring at the half-naked Perkins openly and sliding her eyes over his chest, stomach, and tough arms. If she had seen the man like this or absolutely naked, Anna would have gotten blushed from embarrassment and ran away as fast as a bullet. But now she even likes to look at her beloved, shirtless man. At some moment, she lets her hand slide shyly over his torso, realizing that she would be happy to keep caressing the man’s body with pleasure and leave a couple of kisses on it. But Anna does not caress Daniel’s body for a long time because he barely moves at some moment with a slight smile on his face and moans something, as if he lets her know that he feels nice. She stops doing it immediately because she does not want to wake the man up and leans her back on the back of the bed, to which she also puts a pillow to feel comfortable. But the man, who is not probably sleeping so deeply, turns lazily on his hip on the girl, puts his arms tightly around her waist, and puts his head on her stomach, pressing himself to his sweetheart as close as possible with a wish to feel the warmth and tenderness of the one, whom he madly missed. Anna cannot leave it unnoticed, and she embraces Daniel with pleasure and caresses tenderly his head that rests somewhere between her chest and stomach. She laughs quietly when she hears the man moaning from pleasure at times and smiling cutely, while she caresses his head or cheek, strokes his hair with her fingers, lets her hand slide softly over his back or kisses tenderly his temple, forehead, the top or back of his head. Now Daniel looks like a little child, who terribly missed the attention and love of their mother and presses himself to her as close as possible with the hope of getting what he wants more than ever. The man madly missed Anna’s care and love, and he wants to be closer to her, wishing to feel the warmth and attention that he needs so badly. The girl understands it well and shows love for him with pleasure, not even thinking of rejecting the one, who gets attracted to her, and gives him what he wants so much. Daniel has never been probably as attracted to Anna as he is now. He needs her like the air. Like the meaning of life. Like a reason for his happiness and his wish to reach something. Like his beloved girl, who could take care of him as well as his mother. While Seymour hugs Perkins tightly, presses him to herself, and gives him the most tender caress, she gets horrified at the thought of what would have happened to the man if she had not agreed to come back to him. One thought is worse than another. They make her feel a slight shake and feel how her heart bleeds and squeezes. “Oh, God, what would’ve happened to him if I hadn’t forgiven him?” Anna thinks with sadness in her eyes. “How could I be such an idiot and give him no chance to fix everything? It was clear that he was regretting and grieving… And I was so aggressive toward him and wanted to hear nothing. And I left him at such a hard moment… Gosh, I was so stupid…” Anna sighs very quietly and kisses tenderly the top of Daniel’s head, which she also caresses softly. “I’m absolutely sure that I made the right decision and would never regret it,” Anna thinks with a slight smile and moves her eyes to Daniel, whose cheek she caresses with the back of her hand. “I swear, sweetie, I will do my best to make you truly happy. I will never leave you anymore. Just like you didn’t leave me in trouble… I promise. I will become perfect for you. Much better than the one you dreamed about.” Anna hugs Daniel tightly and rubs her cheek against the top of his head for a few seconds, treating him like he is the dearest thing that she has. And the man hugging the girl with a slight smile and moaning at times when she does something to his hair or caresses his head barely moves his body, opens his eyes slightly, and stares into the distance. Perkins immediately realizes how the girl’s tender hands still caress his head or back. Daniel enjoys this caress for a few more seconds with a slight smile and closed eyes, but then he moves his sleepy gaze to Anna, who caresses tenderly his cheek, on which she can feel small thorns that do not give her discomfort, while the man’s head is still lying on her stomach. “Hey,” Anna pronounces quietly and softly. “Hey,” Daniel smiles shyly. “Sorry, I didn’t want to wake you up. But you looked so cute that I couldn’t hold myself down.” “It was very nice to me.” “Anyway, sorry for waking you up.” “It’s okay… Listen… What time is it? Is it early now? Or not?” “I don’t know… I’ll find it out.” Anna reaches her hand to the table, on which her phone is placed, unlocks it, finds out the time, and puts her mobile phone aside. “Almost twelve o'clock.” “Twelve?” Daniel rounds his eyes. “Wow! I haven’t slept for long in a while…” “I got it.” Anna caresses Daniel’s cheek tenderly with a shy smile. “Now you look much better and fresher than before.” “Maybe,” Daniel pronounces in a little hoarse voice with a slight smile and puts his hand on Anna’s hand that caresses his face. “I really feel good now. I didn’t feel like this for a long time.” “Me too,” Anna smiles shyly. Daniel says nothing and just smiles widely. But then he puts his head lazily on the pillow and rolls onto his side to see Anna, who also turns on him. The man looks at his beloved girl with tenderness for two seconds and caresses her cheek tenderly. “Are you really with me now?” Daniel cannot believe what’s happening. “I still must be sleeping…” “I’d prefer not to wake up if I saw you in my dream, not in reality,” Anna confesses shyly. “Me too. Life without you is like torture.” “Yeah…” Anna caresses Daniel’s cheek tenderly with a slight smile. “Torture…” “I still can’t believe you’re with me now. It seems like I’m about to wake up and not to see you by my side, in my bed. And not to be able to hug my beloved girl.” “I felt so good when I woke up and saw you next to me.” “Now I know the reason why I felt like I got enough sleep.” “I think this is the first time I slept for such a long time. And the first time when I never woke up at night.” “Me too… At least, I can’t remember waking up in the morning. I went to bed with you and fell asleep quickly.” “Oh, gosh, I never got so exhausted. I never slept for such a long time. But now I feel wonderful.” “Yeah…” Daniel smiles widely, looking at Anna with tenderness in his eyes, and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I think this is the best morning so far… Or even in my whole life. It’s hard to remember when I felt as good and easy as I do now.” “You’re right…” Daniel says nothing and keeps looking at Anna silently. Then he takes the girl in his strong hug, kisses her cutely on the temple, and caresses her head tenderly. She answers the man back with pleasure and enjoys these magical moments, running her hands slowly over his back and nuzzling her nose in his shoulder and the curve of his neck, the smell of skin on which the girl breathes in. A little later, the lovers step away from each other, and Perkins looks at the bottle of water placed on the table on the side of his sweetheart. “Listen, sweetie, could you give me some water?” Daniel asks amicably. “My whistle is so dry.” “Sure…” Anna smiles shyly. Anna fills the glass with water for a few seconds and gives it to Daniel, who, sitting up and keeping his weight on one arm, drinks everything quickly with the feeling that his throat gets nicely wet. Either it’s really so delicious, or the man just wanted to drink so much that he would consider water something magnificent. “Oh, it’s so good…” Daniel exhales sharply. “I always wanna put the refrigerator right in this room and put tons of bottles of water in such hot weather.” “C’mon, I believe it's not so hot now,” Anna replies thoughtfully, glancing at the window. “It even got a little cold. Though, it got more or less better by yesterday’s evening.” “That’s good. Of course, I adore heat and the sun, but everything has limits. Honestly, I’m a little sick of this heat. I’m sick of drinking cold water, taking a shower, and sitting where an air conditioner is working.” “Agree. Of course, warmth is really good, but I’m done with the temperature being more than eighty degrees Fahrenheit.” “That’s what I mean.” Daniel gives the empty glass to Anna with a slight smile, and she puts it on the table. After this, she moves her eyes to the man, completely enjoying the paradisiacal moments of bliss and smiling cutely with a slight blush on her face, while the man’s brown eyes full of gloss look at her with true love. “Ah, what a good beginning of the day…” Anna pronounces with a slight smile, lying on her back and stretching herself out nicely. “Waking up with your beloved person is incredible!” “If only you knew how much I wanted it,” Daniel replies in a quiet, low voice, caressing Anna’s head tenderly as he keeps his weight on his elbow. “How much I wanted to wake up from feeling the tender fingers of my girl caress my head.” “It would be so great if any day began and ended in such a good way.” “Everything depends on your wish, princess.” Daniel moves some of the strands of Anna’s hair off her forehead with a mysterious smile. “I will give you everything you want.” “Everything?” “Even the impossible.” Daniel tenderly caresses Anna’s head and cheek, while she smiles widely. “Sounds good,” Anna purrs quietly. “Your wish is a law to me.” Daniel takes Anna in his strong hug, presses her close to himself, rubs the tip of his nose against her cheek, and does the same to his cheek, rolling onto his back at some moment. “I’m no longer going to lose what means so much to me.” “Don’t worry, baby, you’ll get everything you want,” Anna promises confidently with a slight smile. “I won’t refuse to make any of your wishes come true.” “Any, you say?” Daniel kisses the top of Anna’s head with a sly smile, slides down to her cheek with his lips, and leaves a tender kiss on it, moving a couple of strands off her face and caressing the girl’s shoulders. “Any of my wishes?” “Any of your wishes,” Anna smiles peacefully with closed eyes, feeling a nice warmth spreading all over her body faster and faster after every single slight touch or kiss from Daniel. “In this case, the baby wouldn’t mind getting a little bit of caress and love from his beloved beauty,” Daniel purrs in a low, nice voice. “Who still owns my heart.” “If you give me mine, I’ll give you yours,” Anna says confidently with a sly smile. “No, I want to give nothing!” Daniel kisses Anna’s shoulder tenderly and cannot contain himself from kissing her on the curve of her neck, moving her red hair aside. “Or I will lose the one, without whom I can’t live.” “So, you won’t get yours back,” Anna laughs shyly and caresses Daniel’s cheek after she steps back from him and sits up. “I don’t actually want it!” Daniel smiles slyly, sitting up quickly on the bed. “Why do I need it if I’m happy with everything?” “Don’t complain, then,” Anna shrugs with an innocent smile. “You’ve made your choice.” “The choice that made me madly happy.” Daniel hugs Anna tighter and puts his nose in the curve of her neck, getting pleasure from breathing in the smell of his beloved girlfriend. She completely enjoys what’s happening, focusing on an unreal quiet and a sense of absolute safety and infinite love that her beloved man is ready to share with her. “Gosh, you’re so warm…” Anna purrs with a slight, peaceful smile. “It’s so good… Quiet…” “I’m ready to give you anything for you to be happy,” Daniel replies softly, caressing Anna’s head tenderly. “All the best things are for you, sweetie.” “Daniel…” “Anna, sweetheart… My princess…” Daniel tenderly kisses Anna’s cheek with a wide smile and leaves a couple of kisses on the corners of her mouth, using the fact that he can hug and kiss the girl as much as he wants but watching her reaction and being a little afraid to do what might scare her somehow. However, the green-eyed beauty likes everything he does, completely trusts this person, and gives herself in his trustworthy hands with the thought that she will feel very, very good. “I’m warning you once: if you keep doing this, I will hardly be responsible for what’s gonna happen,” Anna says in a lower voice with a sly smile. “I haven’t been responsible for ages,” Daniel replies confidently in the same low voice and leaves a short kiss on every single part of Anna’s face, which he caresses with both hands. “Your smell drives me crazy…” “Oh, gosh, I kind of forgot what you did to me,” Anna smiles shyly while getting a little blush on her face. “I forgot what that was!” “Get used, baby.” Daniel caresses Anna’s shoulders tenderly and runs his hands over her arms, kissing her cutely on the cheek and going to whisper something in her ear. “Now I won’t be able to go by you without caressing. Without kissing… Without hugging…” “Hey, hey, Perkins, don’t get excited.” Anna shakes slightly with closed eyes. “I understand that you missed me, but don’t act like a hungry lion. Do you hear what I say? Daniel!” “I hear you, my love,” Daniel rubs his cheek against Anna’s cheeks, while his fingertips caress the curves of her neck. “But I can’t stop. I don’t want to. I won’t do it.” “Oh, where’s my power of will?” Anna sighs with a slight smile. “It’s gone! I can’t resist anymore!” “I’m just doing what my heart tells me,” Daniel purrs with a wide smile, hiding his face in Anna’s tousled hair that has such a nice smell, and runs the tip of his nose slowly over it. “Now I understand how important the sound of your heart in some situations is.” “It seems like you decided to drive me crazy… Absolutely.” “I will do. Surely. Now nobody will stop me.” Daniel softly caresses Anna’s shoulders and her arms again, and kisses her tenderly on the temple and cheek. She smiles widely, already feeling a slight shake all over his whole body and breathing a little heavily. His hot and cold breath burns the lady’s skin and makes it get covered with goosebumps, and her heart starts beating like crazy. Not because of fear, but because of euphoria that is getting obsessed with her brains. For the first time in a while. “Oh, gosh, Daniel, what are you doing to me?” Anna asks quietly, softly. “I’m giving you pleasure,” Daniel purrs tenderly and takes Anna in a strong hug for a few seconds, caressing her head and running his hands over her back. “Making my beloved girl happy.” “Is this how you’re suggesting we wake up soon?” Anna laughs shyly. “Waking up like this is the best thing that may happen to you.” Daniel grabs Anna’s face and leaves a couple of short kisses on her lips. “It’s madly nice when you’re kissed and hugged by your beloved person in the morning…” “Yeah… It’s incredible…” “It’s one of the reasons today’s morning became the best one in my life.” “And the quietest one in a while.” Anna caresses Daniel’s cheeks tenderly with both hands. “No anxiety, no fears, no worries… Nothing that was the reason why it was hard to close my eyes at least for two minutes some time ago.” “Don’t think about it, sunshine,” Daniel hugs Anna tightly, presses her to himself for a few seconds, and kisses her confidently on the cheek. “No more anxieties and fears. Never.” “I believe you,” Anna says with a slight smile and rubs the tip of her nose against the nose of the smiling Daniel when their faces are very close to each other. “I always believe.” After being in the hug for a while and rubbing the tip of their noses against one another, Anna and Daniel step away and share a tender smile, looking into each other’s eyes as if they are asking if they can go further. At least, the girl would not mind getting something hotter than just hugs in bed and innocent kisses from her beloved man. Silence settles in the air for a few seconds, during which the lovers look at each other with a shy smile and rub the tips of their noses slightly against each other’s noses. But then Anna smiles much wider and caresses Daniel’s cheeks with both hands, saying shyly in a low voice at some moment: “Kiss me… The way you can… The way you’ve never done it before.” “With pleasure,” Daniel agrees confidently with a wide smile. “With great pleasure.” Daniel grabs Anna’s face and gives her a tender, continuous kiss on the lips without hesitation. She answers him immediately, putting her arm around his neck and just putting her hand on the man’s chest and later letting it slide over the entire torso. He definitely likes it, judging by the fact that he laughs shyly when stopping a kiss for a moment. After starting it tenderly and slowly, Daniel starts adding some heat and stops being too shy and insecure. The girl is also super determined, letting her hands slide confidently over the man’s torso and starting to moan quietly at some moment. For him, it becomes a sign that everything is going well, and he lets himself expand the zone of caresses but tries to hold himself down. During a more passionate kiss, he tenderly caresses Anna’s back, the curves of her waist, her face, and her arms and does something to her hair: either pulling it out slightly or running his fingers through it. At some moment, Daniel dares to slide underneath Anna’s t-shirt to look for areas, caressing which can drive her crazy and give her great pleasure. However, Anna already feels wonderful and behaves freely enough, being truly happy to get a little bit of love from her boyfriend like a child. Her body still remembers all the strong hits that she was getting for a long time, but it relaxed quietly enough thanks to the incredible caress of the one, who knows what to do to make it real. And whose body she likes to examine so badly in search of weaknesses. The fact that he is now half-naked wakes up a much stronger passion inside her and makes her feel a strong heat and slight dizziness. Daniel does not hide his wide smile and gets a gloss in his eyes when looking at Anna’s baby face, which looks very cute even without makeup when he sometimes steps back to catch some air. The girl easily drives the man crazy with her exciting kisses and unforgettable caresses of his body, paying enough attention to his torso, face, tough arms, and soft but ruffled hair. A little later, Daniel chooses a good moment and leaves a short kiss on the curve of Anna's swan neck. The girl starts shaking immediately, bends her back, sticks her breasts up, and leans her head back with the feeling that her heart stops for a moment and starts beating much faster. She sometimes makes a sensual moan full of enjoyment. The man smiles slyly, believing that it’s a wonderful sign, and leaves a couple of teasing kisses on the curve of his girlfriend's neck, who is breathing heavily and enjoying the way a wave of a shake possesses every single part of her relaxed body. At some moment, Perkins presses Seymour to himself, grabbing her by the waist, around which he puts his arms, and covers her neck with kisses generously. And he definitely rejoices every time she moans quietly and exhales heavily, keeping her arms tightly wrapped around his neck, running her fingers through his hair, and putting her head powerlessly on his shoulder with closed eyes. Later, the lovers lie down slowly. Daniel keeps covering Anna’s neck with kisses even when she is under him and puts her arms around the man’s waist, while he raises himself above her, breathing in the smell of the lady’s velvet skin that is so sensitive to all of his actions. Even if the man keeps holding himself down and does not act like someone, who is hungry for the ladies’ attention, he still proves that he can drive girls crazy with his dizzying kisses. However, in passion, Perkins leaves a slight, playful kiss on the curve of his girlfriend’s neck and tickles the front of it with the tip of his tongue, making her laugh shyly. Besides, he has the pleasure of caressing her arms, shoulders, the curves of her waist, belly, and legs, while the girl aims to press him as close to her as possible and scratches slightly the man’s naked back with her nails. After giving attention to all parts of her body, Daniel steps back from Anna slowly with a blissful smile and tries to catch a breath, feeling his fast heartbeat somewhere in his temples. The girl is also trying to come to herself with the thought that she has never felt as good as now. At some moment, the man lies down and stares at the ceiling for two seconds with a heavy breath and a peaceful smile. But then he looks at his sweetheart with his little blurry vision. Perkins opens his arms with a much wider smile, and Seymour presses herself close to him with pleasure, puts her head on his chest, hearing his fast heartbeat immediately, and wraps her arms around his waist. Daniel caresses Anna’s head or cheek tenderly, gives her a couple of cute and cute kisses on the top of her head or her forehead, and embraces his sweetheart as if she is something fragile and important that requires a lot of love. They say nothing for a few seconds and are just embracing each other, feeling a strong wave of emotions even after a short foreplay. “Maybe, this is really a dream?” Anna asks quietly with a slight smile, keeping her hand on Daniel’s chest. “I can’t believe that I’m not sleeping. Because everything is too wonderful…” “Honestly, I don’t care about it,” Daniel replies confidently with a wide smile, running his fingers through Anna’s hair. “The most important thing is that you’re with me. And I feel like I’m kind of reborn.” “Me too. I feel very good now… As good as never before.” “I know…” Daniel kisses Anna cutely on the top of her head, while she draws something on his chest with a finger. “I never appreciated these moments more than I do now.” “I’d be madly upset if these paradisiacal minutes were over after they barely started.” “No, sweetie, they’ll never be over,” Daniel replies confidently, presses Anna to himself, kisses the top of her head again, and caresses tenderly her head that rests on his chest. “It will last forever.” “I believe you, sweetie,” Anna smiles shyly. “I do…” Anna closes her eyes and presses herself close to Daniel with a blissful smile, while he strokes her hair and caresses her head, closely listening to the heavy breath of his little girl, next to whom he feels a feeling of calm that he lacked for a long time. “M-m-m, it’s so good and warm next to you…” Anna purrs with a smug smile. “So quiet…” “Me too…” Daniel pronounces in a low, quiet voice and caresses Anna’s cheek tenderly. “That’s what I missed all this time. I missed your love. Your care. Your pretense.” “I missed it so badly, too. I missed the love of my beloved man. This feeling can’t be compared with anything.” “We’re gonna have enough of it.” “Life without you was one of the worst tests in my life.” “I think we’ll quickly recover what we missed when we were separated.” Daniel runs his hand over Anna’s back and kisses her tenderly on the temple. “We’ll do our best for every moment that we spend together to be unforgettable.” “I believe we didn’t lose too much. Nothing has changed since that time. Vice versa, I believe being separated was very good for us.” “Couldn’t disagree. It let me understand how much you meant to me. And… I used to treat many things too easily. Without responsibility. Maybe… If not for everything that happened, I would’ve never realized the importance of everything I had.” “If you hadn’t been hit on your head?” Anna chuckles kindly. “Yup…” Daniel laughs shyly. “Sometimes you can find something good and nice even in the worst things.” “You’re right.” “Anyway, I learned a very good lesson and will do my best not to repeat my former mistakes.” “I will also try not to make them and to get better.” “For me, you will always be the best and most beloved girl. Whatever you do, I shall always support you and be by your side.” Anna says nothing and smiles much wider. Later, she hugs Daniel tightly as if he is a big soft pillow and keeps lying under his armpit with closed eyes, while her head is still resting on his naked chest. The man gives her enough caress and a lot of hugs and kisses, not thinking about anything bad next to this fragile, unprotected girl. “I don’t know what about you, but I refuse to get up,” Anna says confidently. “Refuse?” Daniel wonders. “Yes! I wanna do nothing and go nowhere! I just wanna lie and embrace you very tightly!” “I’d support you with pleasure.” Daniel caresses Anna’s forearm tenderly with his fingertips. “But first, I need to put on clothes and eat just something. And you, too.” “I feel so good that I don’t wanna eat. I don’t think about it.” “But you should. You shouldn’t forget about food.” “But, Daniel…” “No more protests!” Daniel exclaims. “I will watch you personally if I know you eat poorly or actually reject food.” “I shall surely eat, I promise. But let’s lie for a little longer.” “Anna…” “Five more minutes…” Anna moans quietly with pity in her eyes. “Please, sweetie… Please, please…” “Okay, okay! You won! But I should at least brush my hair. I look like a scarecrow.” “Not truth. You’re handsome!” “I know. But let me get up for some time.” “No, no, don’t leave!” Anna whines with pity, hugging Daniel tightly with both arms. “Don’t go!” “But, Anna…” “Stay with me. Please…” “Okay, okay, let me at least put on my t-shirt.” “You don’t need it.” Anna sits up and looks at the half-naked Daniel with an eating look, biting her lip slightly with a sly smile. “You look good.” “But I’m half naked!” “And what?” “Damn, I should’ve put it on before a sleep! I got used to sleeping without a T-shirt. Damn…” “That’s good you didn’t put it on,” Anna pronounces in a quiet, low voice. “Very good…” “Erm, what do you mean?” “Gosh…” Anna brings her face very close to Daniel’s face and looks confidently into his eyes. “I wouldn’t have thought you could be so attractive.” “Well, I’ve never doubted it,” Daniel raises his head proudly. “I’m a freaking attractive man.” “And freaking sexual…” Anna pronounces in a low, soft voice, running her hand slowly over Daniel’s chest. “I’m losing my mind… And I forget everything in the world…” “Wow… I don’t recognize you, Anna.” “I’m still the same. Your body just drives me crazy. Your smell drives me crazy.” “Hey, aren’t ya shy of me? I’m only wearing pants! No shirt!” “No, I am not.” Anna walks her fingers slowly over Daniel’s torso with a shy smile, sometimes drawing some figures on it with her fingertips. “I’m gonna say more: I’ve caught myself staring at your half-naked body many times. When I woke up, the first thing that caught my attention was your torso. So attractive and tough…” “Bloody hell…” “And I’m starting to realize that I wanna touch it so badly. Caress every part of your body. Give it as much attention as it wants.” “What did you do to the girl, who was always terribly shy when I was like this, and made me dress up?” “Nothing. Nothing at all.” Anna gives Daniel a short, teasing kiss on the lips and runs her hands over his chest and stomach, while he smiles widely, tensing all his muscles. “She just realized that she wasn’t right.” “That’s how?” “You have a gorgeous body, honey,” Anna says confidently with a slight smile. “And I was a silly girl when I didn’t notice it. Not appreciating it enough.” “But…” “I’m sorry about not appreciating what you were given by nature.” Anna grabs Daniel’s face and gives him a continuous kiss on the lips. “I promise I will fix it and give your body the caress that you will never forget.” “But, Anna, you used to be super shy when I was just walking shirtless in the house,” Daniel notices with a slight smile. “Why did everything change? Since when haven’t you been afraid to look at me being like this so confidently?” “Yeah, I used to be a little shy, ‘cause I had never seen a man like this,” Anna confesses shyly, slowly walking her fingers over Daniel’s stomach. “But now everything has changed.” “Well, I already got it…” “And now I will surely drive you crazy. I swear, Perkins,” Anna grabs Daniel by the chin and looks into his eyes closely. “You won’t get off me. You can’t even dream about it.” Anna gives Daniel another continuous, assertive kiss on the lips, to which he answers with pleasure, starting to run his hands over her back, while she runs her fingers through his hair, caresses his face and shoulders with both hands, and barely touches the curves of the man’s neck and the area behind his ears with her fingertips. And while he fully enjoys the attention of his sweetheart and reacts positively to anything she does, the girl leaves a short kiss on every part of his face and pays attention to his neck, on which she leaves multiple similar ones, knowing well that he really likes it. “Oh, Anna, what you…” Daniel pronounces with a blissful smile in a quiet, little hoarse voice. “Quiet, pretty boy, say nothing,” Anna whispers with a sly smile, putting her finger on Daniel’s lips. “Say nothing.” “But…” “Just relax. And I will make you feel good.” Anna leaves a few more tender, short kisses on the curves of Daniel’s back, and does the same to the front of it when he leans his head back with a heavy breath. She slowly slides to his collarbones and eventually reaches the man’s naked torso, which the girl covers with kisses and caresses with both hands. “Oh, shit…” Daniel exhales slowly. “Daniel, sweetheart…” Anna purrs with a slight smile, leaving short, tender kisses on Daniel’s abdomen and feeling that his muscles are tense, and barely seeing that the man’s face gets a little red. “I’d be madly happy if you showed your gorgeous body much more frequently. And gave me a chance to caress it often…” “M-m-m… I would be happy. Very… Happy…” “So, it’s going to happen.” Anna looks confidently into Daniel’s eyes, caresses tenderly his cheek covered with a slight blush, and runs her fingers through his disheveled hair. “I will do my best for my beloved man to be happy.” “I am already happy, princess,” Daniel smiles tenderly, putting his hand on Anna’s cheek. “Happy to have such a wonderful girl by my side.” “But I will make you much happier.” Anna leaves a short kiss on Daniel’s lips, running her fingers through his hair and running both hands over it. “Much happier.” “You’re changing, Anna, you are,” Daniel notices confidently. “You’re getting more freer and confident.” “I just trust you completely. With you, I’m not afraid to be not what I’ve always been.” “Don’t be. I don’t want you to be afraid. I want you to have confidence, the power of will, and a wish to live and get pleasure…” “I feel all of it next to you.” “I like the fact that you can be different.” “You’ve always liked it.” “Keep doing the same, beautiful. I know you can do it.” Anna just smiles shyly and caresses Daniel’s face with both hands. But two seconds later, she sits up and thinks about something that is the reason why she gets sadness in her eyes. Daniel notices it immediately, frowns slightly, and looks at his sad sweetheart with anxiety. “What’s wrong, sweetie?” Daniel shows anxiety. “Why did you get sad?” “It’s okay, I’m fine…” Anna pronounces in a lower voice. “I see that something bothers you.” “No, no, it doesn’t… I just…” Anna falls into silence and glances aside, swallowing up nervously. “Erm… I…” “Don’t be shy, princess. You can tell me anything.” “You know…” Anna pronounces hesitantly, glancing at Daniel. “It’s so weird… To hear something nice about me… To feel caress, hugs, and care… Sweetie, beloved, beauty, princess… I didn’t hear all of that for such a long time that I forgot… What people feel when getting these compliments.” “I get it. But I promise you’ll get much better soon.” “I’ve got a feeling that you say it all to someone else, not me. I… Don’t feel like these words are about me.” “Believe me, Anna, nobody will dare to hurt you anymore,” Daniel replies softly and confidently, taking Anna’s hands. “You have only those, who love you much and will never hurt you: your parents, your friends, and me…” “It’s even weird to hear my name… Without some terrible insults… Ugly, jerkoff, dummy, chicken… Sometimes I was a prostitute… I’ve heard these insults so many times that… I started to believe that it was really about me.” “No, no, sweetie, you’re not.” Daniel grabs Anna’s face softly and caresses it tenderly. “Don’t even think of what you heard before.” “What if it’s the truth? What if I’m really so worthless and able to do nothing?” “Listen, Anna, I completely understand that it’s very hard for you to forget that horror,” Daniel says softly with pity in his eyes. “But please, try not to think about it. Remember that your close people have never told you you’re worthless, know nothing, and can’t do anything. Forget everything you heard from those, who have mental issues. Who constantly heard mockeries, and who take it out on innocent people.” “What happened changed me so much, Daniel…” Anna confesses quietly with sadness in her eyes. “I stopped feeling like what I had been before the story of the Potters. Now I don’t feel beautiful and confident, even though I never suffered from a lack of confidence. I always liked myself and tried to find something in everything. I was so positive and sanguine… I didn’t notice how I began to change… Become the one, who believes that she doesn’t have any goals but to make her parents happy. Not to let them forget that they’ve got an alive, healthy child…” “Anna…” “Julian was criticizing and humiliating me since the first day I met him after breaking up with you. He didn’t like everything I was doing. When I said nothing, he screamed and swore. When I was rude and said something, he beat me and pulled my hair. When I looked wrongly or didn’t listen to him, he literally shot me. When I talked to someone, he made me go through this hell multiple times.” “My girl…” “I literally began to be afraid of everything.” Anna sniffs quietly, fighting with a wish to cry so hard. “I sometimes wanted to stop breathing not to make him wild. I didn’t know how to behave, ‘cause he disliked everything. You know how much I was shaking when meeting him! How I was afraid of everything he could do to me… I was even terribly afraid of steps or slight noises… I became paranoid! Stutterer… I… I… It drove me insane…” “You’ve got nothing to be afraid of, darling,” Daniel tries to calm down in a quiet, soft voice, listening to Anna closely and sometimes caressing her head or fixing her hair. “Julian got what he deserved. As well as his father. They will no longer hurt you or do what they did.” “He didn’t like absolutely everything,” Anna sniffs quietly, wiping off tears under her eyes. “He called my clothes tatters and threatened to throw them off… Sometimes he wanted to take scissors and cut off my hair, which also made him mad. And when I cried, Julian made me sure that… I was too tender. I wasn’t used to cruelty. I was kind of always treated tenderly.” “I get it.” “Okay, I agree with it. I wasn’t really ready for someone to behave like that. Because I’m used to being loved, respected, and appreciated. But I was made nothing, made to shut up rudely, and got tons of slaps in the face. I only heard that just because I was born a girl, I should’ve accepted the fact that a woman was nobody. A disfranchised creature without the right to a voice. Nobody had treated me so terribly. Nobody! But that man made me start to doubt me for just a few days.” “Julian is just a sick man. A sick man with his psychological traumas and offenses. Who will never confess it. For people like him, recognizing their weakness is like a hit on the abdomen.” “He made me lie and play an act… Pretend that we were a perfect couple. Though, it was terribly hard for me to do it. I couldn’t even pretend that I wasn’t shaking from horror when he was near me. But I always felt that he was near me and watching me.” Anna sniffs quietly. “That’s why I always had to pay for not being able to hide my fear of his icy eyes, wild shout, and strong hand. I… I’m actually surprised that I managed to survive after everything he had done to me. He was heartless…” Anna says nothing for two seconds to sniff again and wipe off tears under her eyes, while Daniel tucks a strand of hair behind her ear with sadness in his eyes. “I wanted to die more and more every day,” Anna confesses in a shaking voice. “I was literally ready to kill myself not to hear those insults… Not to tolerate unbearably strong hits that made everything about my body hurt.” “No, my sunshine, don’t say it,” Daniel shakes his head, presses Anna closer to himself tightly but tenderly, and caresses her head softly, while she lets her emotions out and starts to cry bitterly. “Don’t talk about death. Especially yours. Please…” “I changed a lot because of him…” Anna confesses in a much more shaking voice. “I stopped to recognize myself in the mirror, asking myself who I saw. I started to complain about everything that had to do with my appearance. I stopped loving everything! I could be sitting in front of the mirror for hours and finding a reason to criticize myself. And when I found something that was a weakness for me, I looked into my eyes and said, ‘How ugly you are! How can you live in this world? Worthless and brainless idiot!’ I could repeat it multiple times like a robot, and I believed that it was the truth more and more.” “No, Anna, that’s not the truth.” “My father and mother always called me beautiful and cute and said I was too categorical to me. But I insisted that it wasn’t true. I found thousands of reasons to prove that they were deeply wrong.” “No, no, you’re not ugly and stupid,” Daniel protests softly and confidently, caressing Anna’s head tenderly, and kisses the top of it cutely. “For all of us, you’re a beautiful and smart girl, who has many talents. Nobody thinks you’re the one, who that sick man called you.” “Gosh… How stupid I was… A stupid, brainless idiot, who naively thought Julian would change, looking at his false hysterics and attempts to shed at least one tear. Somehow, I thought I could change him and make him softer. But it was my stupidest mistake.” “You’re not guilty of it, Anna. It’s hard to see a person like Potter. He’s gonna smile at you, be gentle to you, and be a man of the dream for everyone. But at some moment, he is gonna get wild. That man is gonna start to insult, humiliate, and even beat you.” “But I quickly realized that he was a cad. That’s why I ran from him and his family for ages. But… I succumbed to despair and Father’s pleas and… I got in touch with him. With a plan of revenge…” “You would’ve done nothing. And you’re not guilty of his madness.” “But he hated me because I rejected him.” “Maybe. But he had been furious before. For example, because of the story of the bullying due to his overweight. And his father added fuel to the fire. It all had been happening before he decided to tell you that he loved you.” “I’m such an idiot, ‘cause I believed I could fall in love with him… Could make you angry… I was obsessed with a wish to take revenge on you for your ‘betrayal.’ And…” Anna sniffs quietly again. “Because of my stubbornness, I experienced the real hell… From which I was magically rescued alive but different. With a changed mind.” “Anna, please, stop blaming yourself for everything,” Daniel begs with sadness in her eyes, still pressing Anna close to himself, caressing her head tenderly, and putting his hand on her cheek while she is shaking slightly and crying quietly. “You’re guilty of nothing.” “What have I done?” Anna makes a quiet sob, steps back from Daniel, closes her face with both hands for a second, and runs them over her hair. “Why? Why was it me?” “Don’t find a reason. You just became a victim. That man came into your life at the wrong time.” “It’s unbearable…” Anna puts her head on Daniel’s laps, which she starts caressing with a shaking sob. “Unbearable. I’m in despair.” “It’s gonna be okay, my girl,” Daniel promises confidently, stroking Anna’s hair. “Don’t cry.” “How do I become me again?” Anna asks in a quiet, shaking voice full of despair. “How, Daniel? What do I do?” “I promise you will get much better someday.” “I wanna be me again. I wanna believe in me and my beauty… Get confidence… I wanna believe that those, who call me beautiful and talented… And be sure that I’ll be able to give something nice to people.” Anna makes a quiet sob. “I don’t want to be afraid of my reflection, recall those terrible hits, which almost brought me to death, and be afraid that someone might slap me in my face again, hit my head against something, or hit me in my stomach or back with legs…” “It will no longer happen again. You experienced something like that for the first last time.” “I don’t want to live in fear anymore! I don’t want to! I’m sick! Sick! Sick!” “Quiet, quiet, baby, don’t cry…” Daniel calms down softly, putting his hand on the back of Anna’s head and caressing her back softly. “It’s okay, nobody will dare to insult to beat you. We won’t let anyone hurt you, and I will tear anyone to give you mild pain.” “I’m still shaking… And I’m afraid that I might get an insult or slap again. Get beaten cruelly. You know how unbearable it is to live with fear and always look around to find out if there’s Julian close.” “Don’t be afraid. That man is in prison and won’t leave it for a long time.” “I’m afraid… Very much… I’m scared…” “So, are you afraid of me, too?” “I’m ashamed of confessing it… But… Yes… I’m afraid.” Anna sniffs again. “Afraid.” “Anna, sweetheart…” “It’s true, Daniel. I’m afraid. I mean… I’m not afraid of you… You… Don’t think of anything bad… It just might happen that you can get wild and attack me… I’m shaking at the thought that someone else may wish to do the same as Julian.” “No, Anna, what are you talking about?” Daniel shakes his head and caresses Anna’s shoulder softly. “Me beating a girl or raising a hand on her? My parents would’ve rejected me if they had known it! You know how they swore at me, even when I just pulled girls by the hair as a child. When I wanted to get the attention of a sympathetic girl.” “I know, sweetie. I know… And… Despite all of that, I trust you… And those you know… My heart tells me that I’m gonna feel good with you.” “Please, don’t say you’re afraid of me. You hurt me so badly by saying these words.” “I guess I’m actually supposed to be afraid of all men and stop trusting them after the story of Julian. But I am not. I am not afraid of you and the lads… You made me sure that I could trust you… Though I’ve never been afraid of you… I know you’re all wonderful guys.” “You’ve got no reason to be afraid of me and my friends, princess,” Daniel replies confidently, running the back of his hand tenderly over Anna’s cheek. “I trust the lads as much as I trust myself. I know what they are and consider them my brothers. If at least one of them was dangerous to you, I wouldn’t let you come to them.” “I know… I know…” By this moment, Anna stops holding herself down and starts crying much more bitterly, still not being able to think quietly about all the terrible things that she had to overcome when she was alone and unprotected. “You must forget that nightmare, Anna,” Daniel says softly, kissing the top of Anna’s head and moving a couple of strands off her eyes. “You should strike it out of your memory. I completely understand that it’s gonna be hard, but I know you can do this. You’re my warrior. My tough soldier. You have a wonderful power of will. You can get anything if you really want it. Because you’re a purposeful girl.” “I was the one,” Anna pronounces in a strongly shaking voice. “But now I am not. I’m weak, cowardly, and insecure.” “A weak person wouldn’t have survived when everybody was sure that they would’ve died. When they were a newborn baby… They wouldn’t have survived after such cruel hits. A cowardly person wouldn’t have found the courage to snap and protect themselves when they had nobody to count on.” “I don’t believe it…” Anna sits up slowly. “Don’t believe I could become the same. Though, I want it so badly. I wanna look at me in the mirror with pleasure and see a happy girl with a gloss in her eyes and a smile on her face.” “It will happen, sweetheart,” Daniel promises confidently, caressing Anna’s head tenderly. “Yes, it’s gonna take time, but everything will get better soon. I promise you.” “Help me, Daniel,” Anna begs with despair, sobbing loudly and looking at Daniel with pity in her wet eyes and a shake in her whole body. “Help me forget that horror once and forever! Help me fall in love with me again. Teach me to look in a mirror confidently and enjoy my own reflection.” “Sure, my sunshine, I…” “I’m begging you, do something!” Anna begs a little louder with a greater despair. “You’re the only one, who can help me end this hell.” “Anna, listen…” “Please, sweetheart…” Anna tightly takes Daniel’s hands. “You’re my last hope! Please, help me… Now I need you like never before. I wanna love me. I wanna think I’m beautiful and special. And stop being afraid that someone might attack me at any time. I don’t wanna be a terrified paranoid! I don’t want!” While Anna keeps crying in a heartbreaking way and shaking strongly, Daniel takes her in his strong hug, feeling how his heart squeezes painfully when hearing the loud sobs of his girlfriend, who snuggles in his shoulder and squeezes the man tightly as if she is madly afraid to let him go. “S-h-h-h, it’s okay, don’t cry,” Daniel pronounces softly, caressing Anna’s head tenderly. “I will do my best for you to believe in you again and forget that horror once and forever.” “Really?” Anna sniffs quietly. “You’re gonna love your reflection in the mirror and shine with happiness soon. And love yourself as much as before this story.” “I want it so badly.” “I will do the possible and the impossible.” Daniel kisses Anna cutely on the top of her head. “And first of all, remember one thing: you’ll always be a beauty to me, and I’ve never doubted your talents and abilities.” “But I doubt it.” “Don’t dare to believe what those two sick men told you. You shouldn’t care what they think about you and your close people. They’re sick people. They’re unhappy with their lives.” Anna says nothing and just makes two sobs as she hugs Daniel tightly and hides her face somewhere in his chest. “Don’t say anything,” Daniel says softly. “Just listen to me and remember my words.” “It’s insane,” Anna pronounces in a strongly shaking voice. “I feel I’m going crazy.” “I’ve always loved you for what you are. I liked everything about you when we just began to speak. And I don’t want you to change yourself to please someone. I don’t want you to torture yourself to become different. You should always be yourself – the one you feel comfortable to be.” “I didn’t wanna change… But I was made. I was made to forget who I was. I became different.” “Now you can be yourself again. And nobody will reproach you for it and try to change you.” “And will I no longer hear mockeries? Hear that I’m a worthless and talentless ugly, who must not live in this world?” “No, Anna, I want to hear nothing about it. Remember and take a note: you are a beauty! A beauty that has many talents!” “But…” “It’s out of the discussion!” Daniel pronounces harshly. “If someone dares to protect it and say it’s a lie, I don’t know what I’m gonna do. My girlfriend is beautiful outside and inside. Talented, caring, kindest, educated, smart, and intelligent… I can spend a lot of time calling your dignity.” “Really?” “Never forget what you were taught and what good features your parents gave you. And always remain what you are now. No matter what people say. One of the stupidest things you can do is trying to change yourself to please someone and make all their wishes come true, even if it makes you feel super uncomfortable.” “I know…” Daniel silently spends a few seconds trying to comfort Anna, caressing her head softly, pressing her close to himself, and sometimes kissing her on the top of her head, temple, or cheek. “You promise to help me?” Anna asks in a shaking voice and makes a quiet sob. “Promise to do just something for me to stop feeling like a worthless and brainless freak?” “I promise, my sweetheart, I do,” Daniel replies softly and caresses Anna’s cheek tenderly. “But please, stop crying. It’s hurtful for me to watch you like this. My heart bleeds as well as it did when you were unconscious in the hospital.” “Do what you want, but help me. Please… I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to become the former Anna.” “Everything’s gonna get better.” “If you help me become the same, you can ask me anything. I swear, Daniel, I will do even the impossible for you.” “I’m doing this for my love for you. For a wish to see you happy.” “I will always be by your side… And never leave you. Never! Even if you forget everything, and someone uses it and ‘makes’ you ‘betray’ me! I will not make that mistake. I swear, Daniel!” “I know, sweetie, I know.” Daniel kisses Anna cutely on the top of her head. “Just trust me and let me do everything I need. Be sure that you will not remember what happened very soon. It will stay in the past for you.” “I want to forget that hell and believe those, who tell me nice things so badly.” “It will happen, my love, I promise…” Daniel comforts Anna for some time like a little child, letting her hug him tightly for as long as she wants, while she presses herself to him like he is something important. And it should be noticed that his tender caress and nice words said in a very soft and quiet voice impact the girl in a good way, and she later stops crying bitterly. “It’s okay, baby, calm down,” Daniel says softly. “Calm down… Remember how happy you were a few minutes ago. I was so happy to see you like this. I was happy to see a smile on your face. Make me happy now. Please…” Before answering something, Anna steps back slowly from Daniel and sniffs quietly, looking down for a second and tucking some strands of hair behind her ears. “It’s so sweet, you know…” Anna smiles cutely through her tears. “To hear… Someone calling you a baby…” “Because you are a baby,” Daniel smiles shyly, caressing Anna’s cheek. “My beloved and dearest baby, whom I love so much.” “Daniel…” Anna gets blushed with a wider smile. “I adore! I love you with all my heart. I love my amazingly kind, incredibly caring, and incredibly beautiful girl.” “I listen to all of it and can’t believe it. I feel like it’s a dream.” “No, sweetie, it’s not a dream.” Daniel leaves a short kiss on Anna’s lips. “You’re here, with me. At my home. In safety. Surrounded by love and care.” Anna says nothing and closes her mouth with a hand with a quiet sob. “And yeah, there’s something I don’t wanna see,” Daniel says confidently, takes Anna by the chin, raises her face, and wipes tears carefully off her cheek and under her eyes. “Don’t cry. I don’t like when you cry and suffer. Because I suffer and wanna cry along with you.” “Sorry…” Anna pronounces in a quiet, shaking voice. “I… Can do nothing.” “I get it, but it’s madly hurtful for me to see you like this. Don’t you want me to suffer? Huh?” “Of course, not…” Anna shakes her head with a shy smile. “I suffer, too… When I see you upset. When I see you suffer.” “You’d make me happy if you smiled much more frequently. If you always had a good mood.” “I ain’t sure if I could do this…” “You can do this, princess,” Daniel hugs Anna with a slight smile and kisses her cutely on the eyes. “You’re my strong girl. You can take anything. Get through everything.” “Okay…” Anna pronounces with a slight smile and sniffs quietly, wiping off the tears that she still has on her face. “I’ll try… I promise…” “It’s gonna be fine, sunshine, I’m here.” Daniel kisses Anna on the cheek. “And I will always be.” “I wanna believe it…” Anna glances at her arm with bruises and sighs quietly. “I hope these bruises will be gone soon. So, I don’t have a reason to remember that horror. When I look at them, I recall everything that happened. My body shakes when I think of being beaten harshly with legs and hands.” “Nothing will be left from them soon,” Daniel promises confidently, caresses Anna’s cheek with the back of his hand. “The bruises have become light. So, they will be gone soon.” “At least, I don’t feel pain when someone touches them.” “It’s okay, sweetie,” Daniel takes Anna’s hand softly, caresses it tenderly from all sides, and touches some of her bruises carefully. “In order for them to be gone sooner, I will be kissing and caressing them.” Daniel kisses tenderly the bruise placed on Anna’s hand, paying attention to the scare that she got after being attacked by the dog. “Daniel…” Anna smiles shyly and sniffs quietly, wiping the tears under her eyes. Daniel silently kisses a couple of more bruises on Anna’s wrist and opens his arms when he says: “Come to me, princess.” When Anna moves closer to Daniel, he hugs her tenderly, gives her a cute kiss on her forehead, and caresses her head. While she runs her hands slowly over his back with a feeling of quiet and enjoyment, puts her head on his shoulder, and smiles much wider, making much more sure that she did the right thing by deciding to stay with this man and letting him take care of her. “I love you so much, sweetie,” Anna whispers softly with a slight smile. “I love you very much, too, my beauty,” Daniel replies confidently with a wide smile. After being in each other’s arms for a few seconds, Anna and Daniel step slowly away. The man kisses the girl on the nose, tucks the red strand behind her ear, and runs the back of his hand over her cheek, while she looks at him tenderly and ruffles his hair a little. Then he looks at the girl’s shoulder, from which a sleeve of his t-shirt falls down. It also has a couple of bruises that he kisses with great tenderness and love, making her smile shyly. And after hesitating a little, Perkins leaves a short, tender kiss on every bruise that he sees on her shoulders, neck, chest, and arms. Additionally, he gives some caress to her slightly skinned knees, silently admiring the beauty of the lady’s slim legs, the bruises on which get enough attention from him. Anna smiles wider and wider and sometimes laughs from shyness, while she gets blushes on her cheeks, and her eyes are red and cried out but happy and full of gloss. She feels truly happy and loved by her beloved man, on whom she puts great hopes, for the first time in a while. But she really loves seeing her boyfriend happy and funny, who no longer looks as depressed as some time ago. And when Daniel kisses every bruise of hers, he looks at Anna tenderly, showing his true, wide smile, and rubs the tip of his nose playfully against her nose, while she cannot hold down her laugh. At some moment, the two get frozen and look into each other’s eyes with a slight smile. And a little later, the man teases the girl by getting sharply closer to her to kiss, but then getting back suddenly. At first, she does not react to his provocation, but later she gives him a continuous kiss on the lips without any warning, running her hand through her sweetheart’s hair and starting to caress the nape of his neck softly. He answers her back with pleasure, puts his hand on the back of her head, and caresses the lady’s shoulders tenderly, feeling how a wave of heat spreads slowly all over his body. A little later, Daniel does not refuse a wish to caress Anna’s neck and cover it with exciting and tender kisses, which make every single muscle of her body shake and make her heart beat much faster. In order to thank him, the girl gives the man one more continuous kiss on the lips, to which he answers immediately, locking his fingers with her fingers. A little later, the lovers start to caress each other’s faces, play with each other’s hair, and pull or squeeze the lips of their beloved person, making quiet moans at times, breathing heavily enough, and feeling a slight dizziness. “Hey, stop it!” Anna laughs shyly when Daniel tickles her neck with his nose. “You’re tickling me!” “I’m not the one to blame,” Daniel smiles slyly. “My feelings for you control me.” “Ah, you!” Anna bites playfully the most sensitive area on the curve of Daniel’s neck. “Hey, are ya gonna leave a hickey on me?” Daniel asks with a shy laugh. “Are ya gonna kill me by tickling?” Anna asks, while Daniel tickles her neck with his fingertips, even if she tries to withdraw it. “Perkins! Perkins, stop!” “Gimme your neck,” Daniel pronounces in a lower, quieter voice. “Where’s your tender neck?” “Get off!” “Gimme your neck, I say.” Daniel runs the tip of his nose against Anna’s nose and bites it slightly. “I want your neck…” “You’d better kiss me, so I go crazy! But you decided to play!” “I wanna play! You know how long I haven’t played!” “You are a child!” “C’mon, beauty, don’t be mean.” When Daniel moves Anna’s hair aside and opens the view of the curve of her neck, she claps him slightly on the hand several times and starts tickling him on everything she sees. He immediately squeezes and laughs loudly and contagiously and tries to close the most sensitive areas of his body. “Hey, stop!” Daniel exclaims, covering his chest with both hands, while Anna wants to tickle it. “I feel a tickling! Stop! Anna! Don’t do this!” “You’ll think before you do something,” Anna says with a sly smile. “Ah, you! Okay, dolly! When I catch you, I shall tickle you!” The young people start to play the fool, laughing louder and louder every second, fighting with each other with their legs and hands funnily, and trying to ruffle each other’s unbrushed hair. The girl sometimes claps the man slightly on everything she sees and kicks him with her legs, and he does not give up on trying to tickle her. Everything could probably be over with a fight with pillows, but at some moment, Daniel easily strikes Anna down to the bed with a sly smile, raises her hands above her head, and presses them to the bed, while she makes a quiet squeak. Then he gives her a continuous kiss on the lips. Although she answers him, she moans quietly and tries to break free for some time. However, the man does it so delightfully that her heart stops for a moment, and she gives herself to him without resistance with a sense of the heat. And when Perkins leaves a few short, exciting kisses on the curve of his sweetheart’s neck, Seymour makes a few quiet, sensual moans with closed eyes, bending her back graciously. A little later, Daniel steps back from Anna and just caresses her head tenderly, while she looks at him with a wide smile, fixing the hair of the man breathing heavily at some moment, and caressing his cheek that has a slight blush. “You’re still imitable,” Anna confesses in a quiet, low voice. “You can still drive me crazy.” “It couldn’t be otherwise,” Daniel replies in a quiet, low voice. “But you could do much more.” “M-m-m, how impatient you are.” “I can’t resist when I have such an attractive man by my side.” “I get it, princess. Nobody can resist my charms. Nobody…” Daniel gives Anna an exciting, continuous kiss on the lips, to which she answers without resistance, putting one arm around his neck and putting another arm around his waist and starting to run her hand confidently over his back, the skin on which she scratches slightly. But when the man leaves a couple of kisses on another curve of her neck, the lovers hear a weird sound that makes them shake slightly. Perkins steps back from the girl quickly, moves his eyes to the bedside table placed on his side of the bed, and finds out that his mobile phone is vibrating. “Oh, no…” Daniel sighs disappointedly with rolled eyes. “Wrong time…” Daniel has nothing but to reach the table, take his phone, and look at the screen. “As always, my friends don’t let me feel bored,” Daniel chuckles kindly, seeing the familiar number. “And sleep.” “It’s one of the men?” Anna specifies. “Who else can’t live without me for more than one day?” Daniel lies down with a slight smile and puts his head on the pillow. “Okay… I’ll pretend that I’m sleeping.” Daniel runs his finger over the sensor screen of the phone with a tired moan, while Anna runs her soft, warm hand over his stomach with a sly smile. “Yeah, what?” Daniel asks tiredly, putting his hand on his forehead. “Perkins, could at least you explain where you’re hanging around?” the familiar man resents. “Do I have to do everything instead of you three?” “Terrence? Is that you?” “No, it’s Brianna Armstrong!” Terrence exclaims ironically. “It’s so funny! You don’t sound like Brianna!” “So what? Will you say when I see you?” “So, MacClife, did ya already miss me?” Daniel smiles slyly. “Stop joking! You better take your ass here and don’t make me nervous. As well as those two boneheads!” “Oh…” Daniel pronounces in a little hoarse voice and rolls on the side lazily, not having to pretend that he does not understand anything. “Dude, speak slowly. I’ve just woken up and can’t understand anything from what you’re jabbing.” “What?” Terrence wonders. “Daniel, are you serious? Are you still sleeping?” “What’s wrong? I have the right!” “Fuck! Do you know what time it is now?” “Well, tell me.” “Fifteen past twelve.” “Fine!” “Fine? Is that okay we’ve gotta meet George?” “What? Meet George?” Daniel quickly sits up and looks into the distance surprisingly, while Anna watches him with interest, puts her arms around his neck, and leaves a couple of kisses on his shoulder. “What are you talking about, Terrence? George hasn’t come back to the city!” “Actually, I sent a message on WhatsApp to you three, in which I said he called me this early morning and announced that he came back yesterday and asked us to meet him today at one hour PM.” “You sent a message?” “Ah, yeah, sorry. I forgot that you were sleeping with your stomach up to the ceiling.” “Erm, when did you do it?” “At nine AM.” “Nine AM?” Daniel chuckles kindly. “Seriously, MacClife? I’m sleeping deeply at nine AM! I would never wake up at this time unless I’ve gotta go somewhere.” “I do mean the same!” “Oh, damn…” Daniel runs his hand over his face with a tired sigh. “Because of sleepyheads like you, I called Edward and Peter and told them everything I texted. And I tried to call you, but I didn’t hope you’d please me with your answer.” “It’s time to remember that I ain’t an early bird,” Daniel runs his fingers through his hair. “You’ve known me for ages, but you still can’t remember.” “Okay, fuck it!” Terrence exhales sharply. “In short, Daniel, I have no time to explain everything. Just get your lazy ass up from the bed, dress up, and go to the meeting.” “So, right now?” “Yes, now! Smith asked us to come by one hour PM.” “What? One hour PM? Are you serious?” “And I’m warning: if you three don’t show up at the nearest time, I don’t know what I’m gonna do to you. I shall surely get you outta your bed when I am at your home. I swear, I will take you with me anyway, even if you only wear your underwear.” “Hey, haven’t Edward and Peter arrived?” “Nope, they’re hanging around somewhere! And it seems like Rose woke up on the wrong side of the bed again. He was terribly nervous and shouted at me. And he swore at someone. And that little rutrag is walking somewhere! I can’t reach him!” “Isn’t he home?” “Nope, I called there, but Father said Edward got out somewhere in the morning.” “I dunno, then. I haven’t talked to him.” “Oh, wait…” Terrence says nothing for two seconds. “No, here comes my brother! Coming here happy and cheerful… In my leather jacket? When did he steal it?” “Oh…” Daniel clears his throat quickly and runs his hand over his face. “Okay, I got it. I will try to come soon. But tell me where to go. Or do I find you by the satellite in space?” “I wrote everything on WhatsApp. I have no time to explain everything. I still need to find out where Peter is and hurry him up, ‘cause I got nothing outta him.” “Okay, okay, I got it. I’m on my way.” “You better hurry up.” “Yeah, hasn’t George come?” “No yet. But you’ve got a little time. Move your ass.” “Okay, I’m coming. See you soon.” Daniel turns off the call, leaves the phone on the table, puts his head on a pillow, and exhales sharply, running his hands over his face. “That was Terrence?” Anna asks with interest. “Yup, himself,” Daniel confirms. “And what does he need?” “The lads and I should meet George at one hour PM.” “George? But you said he was gonna return tomorrow!” “As it turned it, he came back yesterday. And today, he called Terrence to ask us to come together.” “That’s how…” “By the way, he said he wrote the message…” Daniel sits up again, opens his WhatsApp quickly, and checks out all messages in a group chat of him, Terrence, Peter, and Edward, holding his weight on one arm. “Yeah, MacClife really did it. At nine AM. And I didn’t surely hear it.” “Smith could tell about the meeting earlier, not two or three hours before it,” Anna replies thoughtfully. “Agree. But I’m surprised that he didn’t call us a few minutes before one hour PM.” “Yeah,” Anna laughs shyly. “Hey, we’re meeting in the summer café that is not so far from my house. If I’m lucky, I’ll go there for ten or fifteen minutes.” “Do you need to go right now?” “Yup… I’m really sorry, princess, but our pastime is over.” “So…” Anna shrugs with a sad smile. “If you need it, go to the meeting with the lads and George.” “Believe me, it’s also sad for me that we can’t be together for a little longer,” Daniel smiles shyly. “But we’re gonna have hundreds of meetings. This is not the last time we meet.” “I know… Go to the meeting. And I’ll get ready to go home.” “This house will always be your home. You are the one, whom I’m always happy to see here. You can stay here for as long as you want and take anything.” “Thanks, sweetheart. It’s very nice on your part.” “Have breakfast here and then go to your parents. If you need it, I can leave money for a taxi.” “Oh, no, thanks, I’ve got money. Don’t worry.” “Okay. But please, don’t refuse to have breakfast. My refrigerator is full, and you can take anything you want. And when you wanna leave, just close the hall door with the reserved keys and leave them under the rug.” “Are you gonna eat something? Maybe, I will have time to cook something quickly?” “No, I will only drink coffee. And eat something at the café. The lads and I are meeting there.” “Okay then.” “Okay, I’ll go to clean myself up. Teeth, shower, hair, clothes…” “And I will turn on a kettle.” “Okay.” Daniel gives Anna a tender, continuous kiss on the lips with a shy smile, holding her face in his hands, kisses her forehead, and caresses her cheeks. After this, the man sits lazily on the edge of the bed, turns his neck, and stretches himself up for some time. The girl being behind him and admiring the view of the male muscles succumbs to the temptation, massaging tenderly his wide shoulders and back and leaving a few kisses on his scapula to tease him a little. And it makes Perkins smile widely and feels a slight shake and a tormenting tension somewhere in his groin. “Hey, I’ve gotta do,” Daniel laughs shyly. “Just a little bit,” Anna smiles innocently, leaves a short on Daniel’s scapula, runs her hands over his spine, and slides her fingertips over his back. “I can’t control myself…” “If I don’t come in time, MacClife, Sr.,’s gonna eat me.” “He will not, don’t worry.” Anna leaves a few kisses on the curve of Daniel’s neck and the area behind his ear, placing her hands on his chest. “Okay, Anna, let me go. Let me go before I give a damn about everything and stay with you.” “A little bit more…” Anna whines quietly and runs her lips over the ear of Daniel, who gets a little tense, while the girl’s hot breath burns his skin. “The men are waiting for me…” Daniel swallows up nervously with a heavy breath. “And Smith…” “Oh, okay then.” Anna steps back from Daniel and kisses him cutely on the cheek. “Okay. I’ll pay attention to your gorgeous body next time. And you will be mine.” “Ar-r, my hungry tiger.” “Okay, you better go,” Anna smiles cutely and leaves a short kiss on Daniel’s lips. “I don’t want the lads to kick your head.” “Wait for me in the kitchen.” Two seconds later, Daniel finally gets up and leaves the room, pulling up his pants hanging off on the way. Anna watches the man with a wide smile and catches herself scanning his half-naked body without shyness and admiring it. It makes her smile shyly at herself, and she feels how her cheeks start literally burning. At some moment, Anna breathes in the smell of the t-shirt that looks like an extremely short dress, not being able to believe that all these kisses and hugs were not her beautiful dream.***
Daniel quickly managed to come to the right place where he was supposed to meet Terrence, Edward, Peter, and George. Listening to his favorite songs, singing along with them with pleasure, and knocking on the steering wheel with his fingers, the man drives on the empty roads at high speed without getting into traffic jams. He sees a small parking lot that is located far from the café, goes to it, and places his car in one of the many free places. After looking around, switching off the motor, turning off the radio, and taking his mobile phone that he puts in the pocket of his black denim jacket, the man leaves the car and locks it with one press of the button on his key. Daniel sees many people in the parking lot, who go to the café or leave it with many packs, and notices the familiar cars, which belong to Terrence, Peter, and Edward, far from himself. “Fuck, am I late?” Daniel says quietly under his nose. “The three are here…” Daniel decides to hurry up and goes to the café quickly and confidently. By this time, the clouds closed the sun again, and it got gloomy outside. But it does not impact the man’s wonderful mood because he eventually reconciled with Anna. Despite his wish to share this happiness literally with the whole world, the man prefers to behave discreetly, even if he does not stop thinking about how the girl and he were lying in his bed and spending a wonderful time together. That’s why Perkins does not notice how he almost comes to the café where his friends and manager are supposed to be waiting for him. At some moment, he sees a small tent with some sweet food, drinks, and something like that. After coming closer to it, the man sees a very familiar person with light hair, who is definitely unhappy with something and is arguing with the seller. As it turns out, that’s Peter. Daniel decides to come and greet him, exhaling with relief because he is not the only one to be late. But when he gets close enough to the tent, he stops and listens to the blond talking irritably to the seller and gesticulating actively. “I do not understand, is it hard for you to exchange one thing for another?” Peter resents. “It is overdue!” “Young man, I tell you again that I’m not going to exchange anything,” the seller of the tent says coldly. “If you want to buy something, pay money. This is not a charitable foundation!” “Are you serious? What if all your items are overdue? Do I have to put my money in your piggy bank, so you get richer? How do you the hell call it?” “Hey, stop screaming at me and swearing! Is something unclear to you? I can explain again! Nobody is going to exchange anything!” “You must exchange my purchase if it has a bad quality!” “For your information, we got all these items yesterday, and they are very recent.” “Oh, come on!” “Don’t try to get more for less money. There will not be anything like ‘two in one’ stocks!” “Do not fool me, woman! I know my rights and can easily exchange any item and give anything back to the store.” “Did you come here to read me a lecture? Do you have nothing to do?” “Besides, you did not even give me a paycheck. Do you do this on purpose, so people do not give you claims?” “I say again, if you need an item, pay for it. Every single item is important, and I count all the money very closely.” “So, do you refuse to exchange my overdue item for a recent one?” “I have said it a million times.” “Alright. Give me my money back for the bad item. I will not take your shit and will get the full cost of what you try to give me.” “Listen, young man, leave me alone and let me work quietly.” “Ah yeah? Alright! Then I shall report you! And I really hope that your rent will be closed after a close check. You give no paychecks, even if you must do it. You decided not to give a tip. You are selling overdue products.” “There will be a line here soon! But I cannot serve them because I have to explain something to such stupid and brainless people like you.” “Oh, yeah, the line is big!” Peter exclaims loudly, rolling his eyes. “Everybody pushes each other! Everybody wants to get your shit in any way.” “Listen, instead of pretending to be smart and sassy, you’d better do something nice. Get a job and start to give just something from what our country needs! Don’t we have a job? Or did young people become insolent? Do they want to be bosses? Do they want to do the hell nothing and earn a lot of money! They stopped appreciating hard work!” “Do you advise it to all of your fewer clients?” “You wander here and do nothing, but the country suffers because of such idlers like you. Normal people work from the morning until the evening and earn money, but some rude people do nothing and do not let people live. You can only teach everyone, even if you have reached nothing!” “Why do you say it to me?” “You must go to work, boy, to work!” the seller says loudly. “A young, healthy man that swims like shit in the pool! People like you could only praise themselves, fuck girls, and make as many children as cats! You learned it! When the case is about working, fewer people do something good. Where are miners, welders, builders, stevedores, and everybody, who the country needs? Everyone wants to the hell nobody! Maybe, only work with papers! Waving their hand at someone, smiling, or shaking the ass!” “You know what, go to hell!” Peter demonstratively throws something from what he bought at this tent in a trash can before the eyes of the arrogant seller. “If you treat your clients so meanly, nobody will actually come to you soon.” “Do not show off here! You have not lived enough, but dare to teach older people! When you have your children, you will read them lectures! And I am an adult woman and am not going to dance attendance upon some snotty idlers.” “Alright, I am done,” Peter pronounces coldly. “I will never come to your tent! I wish it was closed! Though, I am sure it would happen, knowing that you are selling overdue products.” Peter turns around sharply and leaves with his head proudly raised, while the seller gets out of the small window and shouts at the blond: “It’s alright! You know how many clients I have every day! You will puff up for your friends and girls! If you, asshole, come here again, I will kick your ass so much that you will immediately get soft! And you will start doing nice things for your country! These young, worthless people got really loose! They stopped respecting older people and appreciating their motherland! GO TO STUDY AND WORK, YOU ALL! You gave birth to a lot of idlers and brutes! The government only wastes money on you! They must give idlers nothing! Everyone can only take, but nobody wants to pay their debts. FUCKING CONSUMERS! IDIOTS! EGOISTS!” Peter hears this whole lecture very well but says nothing, just snuffs quietly, and rolls his eyes, looking so tense that he is ready to take it out on anyone, who stands in his way. “Here’s one more lover of teaching how to live,” Peter says under his nose. “Fuck, how sick I am of all of you…” Peter goes where he needs in a quick, sharp step and does not notice how he accidentally runs into Daniel at some moment and almost strikes him down. “Sorry,” Peter throws coldly. While Peter keeps going on, Daniel stares at him surprisingly, asks himself what bit the guy, and decides to call the blond, still standing in the same place where he is. “Hey, where are you hurrying?” Daniel asks. Peter stops sharply, turns around, and moves his eyes to Daniel. “Oh, Daniel, that’s you…” Peter pronounces much quieter. “Sorry, I didn’t notice you.” “Fuck it, it’s okay,” Daniel waves his hand with a slight smile. Daniel and Peter greet each other, hugging each other amicably with slight smiles and sharing a clap on the shoulder. “Did Terrence reach you and tell you about George, at last?” Peter asks. “He sent me a message and called me in the early morning.” “Yup, he called me after twelve…” Daniel replies thoughtfully. “I woke up because of his call.” “I didn’t expect the meeting to happen today. As it turned out, George came back yesterday.” “Yes, Terrence told me everything,” Daniel smiles slyly. “Daddy is waiting for us in the café and definitely wanna kick our asses ‘cause we’re a little late.” “I was sure I’d come to the café last.” “Me too. I saw the cars of you three and thought you were only waiting for me.” “I haven’t personally met Edward yet. He’s probably also wandering somewhere. So, I don’t exclude that it might happen that we’re gonna wait for him.” “No, no, Edward arrived when I was talking to Terrence. He blunted that his brother was coming. And he said something about a leather jacket that MacClife, Jr., stole from his bro.” “Okay, let’s go then. Otherwise, MacClife is really gonna kick our asses. He isn’t too quiet today.” Peter and Daniel go where they need to, and Perkins chuckles quietly two seconds later. “I see you aren’t peaceful, too,” Daniel notices. “I am,” Peter agrees quietly. “Today, I’m super nervous and wild. So, don’t be mad if I’m screaming and waving my hands. And don’t take it seriously.” “And why did you harass the seller from the tent? Argued with her and proved something…” “A-r-r-r, I thought I would’ve strangled that mean lady,” Peter throws irritably. “She didn’t give me a big part of the change, sold an overdue item, and refused to exchange it. And she read me a great lecture! She called me an idler, who must go to work and do good things for the country.” “And why did you start a scandal because of that and get yourself nervous? You would’ve bought another item, and everything would’ve been fine!” “Do you think I want to give my money to such sellers as her? That insolent lady refused to give me the money even if I returned the overdue item. And she didn’t give me a paycheck! On purpose, I guess.” “It’s not a supermarket, Peter! It’s just a temp that probably has document issues.” “I don’t doubt it.” “You know how many tents like this there are around! Check all of them, and at least one may have an overdue item.” “Here’s my advice for you, Dan. Never come to that tent, and don’t buy anything there. All of their items are overdue, but they can sell them for months.” Peter closely looks at the expiration date of the opened chocolate bar that does not look tasty, sees that it has passed, and throws it in the trash can that he sees in his way. “They’ve been selling simple bars for nobody the fuck knows how long and are covered with some shit,” Peter resents. “I hoped this one would be fine.” “Wow…” Daniel pronounces thoughtfully. “Ha, that insolent lady with big boobs thought I’d eat it! No, thanks! I’d better be hungry than clean my stomach from getting poisoned by this shit for a week.” “Yeah, why did you the fuck buy something if we planned to go to the café?” Daniel chuckles kindly. “I just couldn’t wait. When I saw that fucking tent, I decided to eat a little.” “Oh, forget about that tent and the woman, who screamed at you,” Daniel waves his hand with a slight smile. “She started to insult me!” “I guess that lady is just unhappy with her life and wanna teach everyone. Just like Marta. Her life wasn’t good, and she’s jealous of those, who have a cool one.” “Ar-r-r, all these lectures are starting to irritate me!” Peter confesses irritably. “It seems like I really look like an idler! A bad scholar or the one, who doesn’t work or study. Why does everyone think they should tell me to get a job and work for hours? They believe you’d better get pennies but die from working for a whole day.” “Oh, give a fuck about them, Peter! Judging by the words of these ladies, we are all idlers! Because we work to make the people, who like us, happy.” “Fuck, how much some people love to pretend that they know everything! How some of them love to teach anyone how to live and make them do what they think is right! Besides, even if you live well, those people will find a reason to criticize you.” “Hey, since when have you started to react to all those people like this?” Daniel wonders. “You kind of never paid attention to them, but now you kind of explore when talking about them.” “I’m sick of all of it!” Peter throws irritably and loudly. “You know, sick! Everybody believes that reading a lecture about the right life and what to do not to waste it for nothing is their duty.” “Hey, hey, calm down, buddy, calm down,” Daniel replies quietly. “I understand that the seller made your mood much worse, but don’t get so excited.” “How I wish to yell at someone and hit them strongly. And I will surely do it if another person passes by me and decides to tell me that I should get a job, get married, have children, and something like that.” “Hey, why are you so nervous? Are you gonna take it out on everybody? Terrence was right when he said that you screamed at him because of something.” “Oh…” Peter exhales sharply, running his hands over his face. “Sorry… Sorry… I’m really nervous today. Though, I’ve warned you.” “Did that seller make you so wild?” “Not just. My whole life. You’d hardly be quiet if you lived the same life.” “Second, let me guess…” Daniel thinks, putting his finger on his lip. “Didn’t Sammy let you and Helene spend an unforgettable night of love again?” “He’d rather do it! Sammy doesn’t get me as irritated as all those people!” “But why are you so mad? You’re about to explode like a firework!” “I’ve actually had a bad day. After I had an incredible time yesterday.” “But what happened?” “The same as always. Marta. Her fucking cats and she annoyed me. And it continued when they turned off the power at my home. I could only eat something from dry food ‘cause I couldn’t use a plate or microwave. And just drink water, ‘cause I couldn’t boil a kettle.” “So, did they really turn off the power?” “Really. But it’s okay I wasn’t the only one. The whole building. Some of the neighbors called an electrician, and they’re now trying to find out the reason and fix everything.” “Okay. And what about your neighbor? Did you fight with her because of her ‘sweet cats’ again?” “Again. Those fucking cats started to scream and woke me up at six in the morning.” “Six in the morning?” “I thought they would’ve been screaming for two minutes and calmed down, but no – that show lasted for one hour. And when I lost my temple, I went to Marta and told her to calm her cats down. But that crazy lady started to yell at me and teach me how to live again. She said I’d rather go to work and do something nice for the country. Called me an idler. Started to say that an alcoholic mother wouldn’t get a good child, hinting at the fact that my mother didn’t care about me. And when I lost my patience and started to scream at her, Marta kicked me out by force, adding that her ‘sweet cats’ did nothing bad. Nobody but me kind of complains about them.” “Oh, shit…” “And you wonder why I’m so nervous! How could I be quiet when I live in the hell where it’s always loud?” “I don’t understand, why do those cats scream all the time?” Daniel wonders and kindly chuckles. “Is it time for mating season?” “Who the fuck knows!” Peter throws gloomily. “But it can’t happen anymore. Because of those hysterical pets, I couldn’t fall asleep. While visiting Marta, going to bed, and trying to relax as well as a fish in a skillet, my sleep was gone. So, I had to get up so early.” “So, have you been awake since six AM?” “Yup. And I really wanna sleep. If I’m lucky, I’ll go home and take a nap for at least two hours.” Meanwhile, a young boy drives a bike by Daniel and Peter and hides somewhere on the corner. “Yeah, I’m sorry about ya, dude,” Daniel shows sympathy, clapping Peter on the shoulder. “Thanks, but it’s not gonna help me,” Peter exhales sharply. “Hey, why do your neighbors tolerate all of it? Aren’t they sick of this?” “Almost all of them are deaf! Including Marta. She believes her cats don’t make noises ‘cause she can barely hear.” “And Mrs. Larson, or what’s her name? The one, to whom you speak well! Isn’t she sick of all of that?” “She tried to do something, but something is not right with the mind of that lover of cats,” Peter replies gloomily. “Marta doesn’t care about people. She forgot that she lived in a place where there were very many people.” “Bloody hell…” “When she dies, the whole building will probably exhale with relief, ‘cause those cats will surely be taken away. But to enter Marta’s apartment, you’ve gotta put on a gas mask ‘cause it smells urine.” “Oh, that old woman is gonna live for a long time.” “I know, I’d get older sooner than she dies.” “So, you better get out of there much earlier. Otherwise, your life won’t be quiet.” “I will do it.” “You know, Rose, you’ve said it nobody the fuck knows how many times.” “No, Perkins, I will do this! Yes, I’ve lost my patience! Today, I’m starting to look for new housing. I delayed it and didn’t rush, but today’s morning was what reached all the limits.” “Huh, did I finally hear it?” Daniel chuckles kindly. “Now I will focus on looking for a new place to live.” “That’s awesome! You’d have a place where you could take Helene!” “First, I need to find this place. And I need time to do it anyway.” “Listen, dude, I’ve got an idea!” Daniel exclaims cheerfully. “Don’t you wanna become my neighbor and move into the house placed in my neighborhood?” “Your neighbor?” Peter frowns slightly. “Is someone selling a house in your neighborhood?” “Aha. I recently met my neighbor. He lives two houses down mine. My neighbor invited me to drink coffee, and I agreed. We talked a little and discussed our lives… And later, he said he wanted to sell his house and move into another. So, he put his house on sale.” “Sounds nice…” Peter replies thoughtfully with a slight smile. “Is the house good?” “Magnificent! It’s almost the same size as mine, but it’s a little smaller. Though it’s a very cool one: a large living room, kitchen, two bedrooms, the back of the house, a pool, a garage… No need to repair it ‘cause everything is in a perfect condition.” “And how much money does he want to get for that beauty?” “Erm, I don’t know it…” Daniel shrugs, biting his lip for a second. “But if you want, I can introduce you to him. So, you discuss everything and look at the house if you are interested.” “Great, I will take a note of it. If that house is similar to yours, I’ll definitely keep an eye on it ‘cause your place is just awesome.” “But you should think faster, buddy. The house is really fantastic. That man recently posted the advertisement. And someone might get it faster while you blink your eyes with your mouth open.” “I think I’ll check out a few more variants. And examine the house in your neighborhood if I choose nothing.” “When you’re ready, let me know it.” “Okay. It would be cool if we really were neighbors.” “I agree,” Daniel smiles slyly. “It would be easier to take your clothes. And steal your food from a refrigerator. Or just invite you to my home as my personal cooker.” “Ha, that’s why you suggested that I move into your neighborhood!” Peter chuckles kindly. “Why? To visit each other, drink beer, and fill our stomachs with food while watching a movie or a soccer match!” “I got it, I got it! You’ve just got nobody to feed you! And nobody to clean your house!” “You could even go to my home and play my instruments!” “Hey, who said they were yours? We bought them together!” “But they are in my territory.” “It’s okay, I will steal at least the drums soon.” “We’ve talked about it, Rose. You will not take any instruments from my garage.” “We will see it.” “Okay, dude, fuck it off! You better tell me when you're going to move. When do the guys and I wait for your housewarming? We wanna hang out and celebrate it!” “Oh, Perkins…” Peter chuckles kindly. “You always find a reason to hang out and drink. You still can’t forget your old habits.” “Not only do the lads and I want you to move. The girls also want it! Especially, Helene. And how thrilled Sammy would be! He’d definitely move into your house if he liked your new place. He wouldn’t like to come back to Marshall’s home.” “Anyway, I don’t promise it will happen soon. I said I needed time to get out of that hole.” “We should’ve kicked you out of that hell a long time ago. You would now be lying on a couch in front of the pool, warming yourself up under the sun on the back of your new wonderful house, and drinking cold, sweet water.” “Don’t need to kick me. I’m running away from it.” “That’s right!” Daniel exclaims cheerfully. “Run away from there very fast!” “When I have a chance.” “Run, blondie, run…” Daniel sings funnily. “Oh, Perkins…” Daniel sings quietly a few more lines that are not connected with one another with a wide smile, while Peter laughs shyly and looks at him questioningly. “Settle down, people are watching you,” Peter says with a quiet laugh and claps Daniel on the shoulder. “You hear me, Perkins, stop singing songs!” “Oh, I give a fuck!” Daniel exclaims funnily. “Fuck, you only need to dance!” “I shall dance!” “If you start to do it, I shall pretend that I don’t know you.” “Fuck everything off!” Daniel pronounces funnily. “I wanna sing! Wanna dance! Wanna drink! Wanna have fun! A lot!” “You will have fun on our show.” “Don’t forget that we’re a part of the band, the members of which do what they want and go against any rules.” “Yeah, but it doesn’t mean you should pretend to be an idiot in the middle of the street where people are.” “I want to be an idiot!” Daniel replies confidently with a wide smile and runs his hands over his hair. “Have fun and enjoy my life!” “Yeah, buddy, sometimes you’re really crazy. Just crazy.” “And what? I just feel very good now!” “Oh yeah, I see.” “Enjoy your life, Pete!” Daniel exclaims cheerfully and claps Peter on the back. “It’s beautiful! Stop making everyone’s mood worse with your gloomy face.” “But you have a too good mood.” “Right!” Daniel pulls his raised t-shirt down. “It’s just incredible!” Daniel sings the same lines that he sang before under his nose, not hiding his wide smile. While Peter gets too suspicious because of his friend's behavior. At some moment, he stops and looks at Perkins questioningly, while the man makes a step slower and turns on the blond. “Hey, Daniel, are you okay?” Peter frowns slightly. “Yes, I’m fine,” Daniel throws his hands up with a slight smile. “Why are you so funny today?” “My mood is just good.” “And why is it good? Some time ago, you were gloomy and had fun only when you were invited to join the conservation or were somehow entrained. But now you've become a kind of walking positive, as Terrence loves saying about Edward.” “Maybe, it’s true.” Daniel smiles mysteriously. “But today, nothing will make my wonderful mood worse.” “Okay, Daniel, I believe you’re hiding something,” Peter assumes, crossing his arms over his chest and frowning slightly. “Speak up what happened to you.” “Nothing happened,” Daniel replies cheerfully, still smiling innocently. “I just got enough sleep for the first time in a while.” “Got enough sleep?” “I barely slept and woke up several times during the night. And today I slept like a baby. I lay in my bed, fell asleep, and slept ‘till the morning. And I give a fuck about MacClife, who woke me up by calling me.” “Well, I dunno… It’s kind of suspicious.” “Don’t find a catch, buddy. You better be happy along with me.” “No, Perkins, something isn’t right about you. I know you too well and can understand when you don’t say everything. Or when you actually lie. Everything’s written on your face.” “Hey, nothing happened to me! You all just got used to seeing me tired! You also forgot how I look when I feel great and sleep for a long time.” “You’re muddying the waters, Daniel…” Peter frowns slightly. “Oh, you really are…” “I’m absolutely fine.” “I dunno, I dunno…” Peter looks at Daniel much more closely and suspiciously, stroking his chin. “Something changed about you… Suddenly enough. For sure. But I can’t understand what…” “I got enough sleep – that’s what changed!” Daniel excuses himself with an innocent smile. “Maybe, you got sick?” “Got sick?” Daniel chuckles kindly. “No! I’m absolutely healthy!” “But what’s wrong then?” “Get used to the new me, Rose. Now I’m always gonna have a wonderful mood.” “Speak out what you’re hiding!” “Nope, I’m hiding nothing,” Daniel finds excuses. “If I had something, I would surely tell you.” “It’s okay, Perkins, if you don’t confess everything, the lads and I will be torturing you until we get your confession.” “C’mon, Peter, get off! Why do you annoy me?” Daniel turns around and continues his way to the summer café, while Peter follows him, still hoping to get something out of him. “At least, drop a hint on what made you so funny,” Peter says with pity in his eyes. “Nothing made me fun!” Daniel laughs quietly. “Perkins, stop acting like a girl. Speak up about what happened to you now! We didn’t meet for one day, but the difference is great!” “Get off!” “But I wanna know!” “I said, get off!” “Ar-r-r, why do I have to get everything outta you by force?” Peter growls quietly. “You better focus on other things. For example, the band’s business.” “You’re a mean, stubborn donkey! We should tell you everything, but you’re as silent as a partisan!” “Okay, Rose, stop talking! We’re late for the meeting. The MacClifes and Smith are probably there, but you’re showing yourself like you’re at a fashion show. And you’re moving slower than a snail.” “You hardly think about the band now.” “Okay, beauty, close your mouth and move your ass!” Daniel exclaims loudly, pushing Peter in the back. “Move, I said!” “If you avoid talking about it, you surely have something to say,” Peter says confidently with a sly smile. “You’re very curious, Rose. Those, who put their noses in all the holes, get tons of slaps on it.” “I shall find out what you’re hiding. You will tell me everything. Because I’m your old friend.” “I’m gonna say what Terrence often says about Edward: I liked you much more when you were a quiet, shy guy.” “And I’m gonna answer as Edward: that guy no longer exists and won’t exist. He stayed in the past.” “I got it.” “Okay, chocolate head, don’t avoid the answer. Speak out what happened to you.” “Ar-r-r, here you go again!” “Okay! If you don’t wanna speak, I will annoy you. Until you confess everything.” “Fuck, Rose, get off me!” Daniel gives Peter a slight clap on the back of his head, but the blond answers his friend with the same thing. Then the men start pushing each other aside, trying to ruffle each other’s hair and using a chokehold, thrilling with a loud laugh, saying something funnily, and being happy that there is nobody around, who may look at the two adult men, who decided to play the fool on the way to the café.***
Terrence and Edward are waiting for Daniel, Peter, and George while sitting on one of the tables that are placed outside near the entry of the café. The men bought some drinks for themselves and are now drinking them while talking about the current situation and enjoying the way the warm wind is blowing their faces and clothes nicely. “Yes, I talked to those two,” Terrence says quietly, knocking at his glass with his fingers. “Rose definitely got up on the wrong side of the bed ‘cause he screamed at me. And Perkins had been sleeping and hadn’t known about my message before I called him.” “But will they come?” Edward asks, leaning back in the chair and drinking something from his glass at times. “Or do we have to cover them?” “No, luckily, the two said they’d come soon. But if they’d decided to refuse, I would’ve kicked their asses strongly.” “But I must say that George could have warned us about the meeting yesterday. Why did he the fuck tell us about it two or three hours earlier? What if we had something to do? I was gonna work on repairing my house and spend a whole day on it.” “Agree… I was thinking about visiting Mr. Cameron, Alicia, and Amanda and spending some time with them.” “Without Raquelle?” “She wanted to go to stores first and then visit them.” “You kind of said Alicia and Amanda were at your home.” “Yes, but I couldn’t stay with them ‘cause I had to leave for my business. I came back very late. The two went home.” “So, did Raquelle have to entertain Amanda?” “Why she? The servants were also happy to play with her and show her the whole house. Amanda wanted to see it, and Violetta and Blair did it.” “Good.” Edward drinks some drink from his glass. “Hey, do you know Father and Mother met Natalia’s grandmother yesterday? And I saw her, too!” “Really?” Terrence wonders. “Did the Rochesters visit our parents and take Natalia’s grandmother with them?” “No, vice versa, our parents visited them. I visited them in the morning, and our parents did in the evening. They talked to the Rochesters, drank tea, ate candies, and even talked to Natalia… In short, Mother and Father came back home too late. I even started to be worried. But they came back happy and funny.” “I guess they had a good time.” “Very good.” “Okay.” Terrence drinks some drink from his glass. “What about you? How was your meeting with Natalia’s grandmother? Did you pass the last level of face control before getting married?” “Everything was swimmingly, dude,” Edward replies confidently with his head proudly raised. “That woman couldn’t resist the power of my charm and accepted me immediately. A half an hour of a nice talk before she literally fell in love with me.” “So, brother, I can congratulate you: you’ve officially gotten a blessing on your marriage with Natalia and almost joined their family.” “It couldn’t be otherwise. I see no reason not to love me.” “Just looking at your pretty face was enough for her to melt.” “Actually, Mrs. Lascano has adored me since she heard about me. She accepted me even when she didn’t know me.” “Lascano? Is this a Spanish last name?” “Yup, her husband was a Spaniard. But sadly, he died.” “Spaniard?” “Aha. Thanks to him, the Rochesters are fluent in Spanish.” “Oh, are you gonna get married to the blondie of the Spanish descent?” Terrence smiles mysteriously. “No, that was the second husband of Mrs. Lascano and a stepfather of Mrs. Rochester. He was not Natalia’s grandfather.” “But what about her real grandfather?” “The Rochesters don’t like to talk about him, and he doesn’t care about the lives of his daughter and granddaughter. Mrs. Lascano said her daughter fought with her father over something and stopped speaking to him. And she called Enrique, the Spaniard, a father.” “Wow, Natalia has never said that! And I heard nothing like this from the girls.” “Yes, I also used to think that the Spaniard was Natalia’s grandfather. Though, I remember her calling him by his name multiple times. But everything came back in its place. And we know how she learned Spanish, which she is almost fluent in.” “And you’re a perfect addition to their family.” “Me?” “You pretend to be a hot Spaniard and often speak Spanish with your fiancée,” Terrence drinks some drink from his glass. “So, Eddy, you fit their family very well.” “If there’s someone I could practice with, why not. I can’t improve my Spanish with you!” “Well, if you help me learn it, I will be a very nice talker.” “Of course, I can teach you something. But if you ask me well. You could show off for Raquelle with a puffy peacock tail and pretend to be a Spanish pretty boy, who only knows two or three words.” “Okay, you won,” Terrence waves his hand and fixes his hair proudly with a slight smile. “You’re gonna be a Spanish stud, and I’m gonna be a French macho.” “Why is it French? Why is it not Italian or Brazilian?” “Because I speak French very well.” “Aha, well! You know just a couple of words, but you show off like you’re fluent in it.” “Yeah, not fluently, but I speak very well. And tu ne comprendras pas ce que j'ai dit, ma petit frère.” “I’m gonna pretend that I’m impressed.” “When I talked to French people during my visit to Paris, everybody praised my accent. They didn’t believe I was a stranger.” “You know, people admire mine, too. Mrs. Lascano didn’t wanna believe that I didn’t live among Spanish people ‘cause only those, who have practice, could speak so well.” “And you puffed your tail!” Terrence laughs shyly. “Blush on your cheeks, gloss in your eyes…” “¡Si, mi hermano, me gusta sentirme o algo ais!” “Let’s think you gave me a compliment.” “Your assumption isn’t close to the meaning of what I said.” “Oh, okay, kid, I got it,” Terrence smiles shyly. “You admire me and consider me the best. Though… Everyone adores me.” “Be shier, Terrence,” Edward chuckles quietly. “Not everyone loves such self-confident narcissists like you. I mean, nobody loves.” “Nobody loves me? Huh! I am the most adored and most honorable man in the world!” “Yeah? And what did your opinion change?” “Much!” “Say, did you also puff your tail when you met Raquelle’s relatives? Or did you decide to come back to the earth and be a good boy at least once in your life?” “I’ve always been good.” “Come on!” Edward chuckles kindly. “Very good. Unlike you. You’ve always looked for trouble.” “I’d be shyer than you. But I was much shyer for my meeting with the Rochesters. What’s the result? They literally fell in love with me from the first minute and said I was a very sweet, shy, and well-educated guy.” “Yeah, but when the Rochesters aren’t near, you’ll turn on the ‘charming turkey’ mode and tell everyone about your handsomeness. Or Mom or Dad will unconsciously tell them all your secrets and say you’re a pain in the ass that only gives people problems.” “No, brother, you’re the turkey among us two. The turkey named Terrence MacClife. And our parents said everything about you. Though, you did it, not even thinking of pretending to be shy.” “And what?” Terrence drinks some drink from his glass. “When I have to, I can become anyone: a nice guy or a heartless stinker.” “Hey, could narcissus be good?” “I ain’t a narcissus!” “You are! The crown of whom will be seen from Neptune soon.” “I want to remind you that the turkey named Terrence MacClife is respected by everyone. Everyone finds his opinion important.” “Wait, I’ll tear a little piece of a paycheck and give it to you. So, you can write a ‘long’ list of what Terrence MacClife has changed over the years of his career.” “Well, I could write what you’ve reached on my nails. One nail.” “Everything’s waiting for me,” Edward says confidently and drinks some drink from his glass. “I’m just saving the world so far. With love. And I’m giving people happiness and positive emotions.” “Hey, generous kid, you better focus on the band’s business. There are people, who could save the world.” “It’s one of my most important things.” “And I’m actually mad that I have to do everything on my own. Someone must be caught to be made to do just something.” “Actually, I was awake when you called me and sent a message. And as you see, I’m here. Sitting on the table, drinking a drink, the name of which I didn’t memorize, and listening to your excellent speech.” “Yeah, but where are two more fools?” Terrence resents and drinks some drink from his glass. “Who are hanging around nobody know where? Did they warm themselves up under the sun and get so relaxed that they’re too lazy to do something?” “Oh, c’mon, bro,” Edward replies and checks out the time on his watch. “It’s only forty past one! George hasn’t also come yet, even if he’s usually never late.” “I want everybody to come earlier. Not to wait for anyone. Though, when did we come together in time? We’re always waiting for at least one!” “Settle down, old man, those two will come now.” “I really hope so. Otherwise, I’ll get them under from the ground if I don’t see the blond and the chocolate head sitting in front of me in the nearest time.” “They’ll have no choice. I’m assuring you.” Silence settles in the air for a few seconds, during which Edward and Terrence drink their drinks and look around. “Hey, why did Peter scream at you?” Edward frowns slightly. “I don’t know, the cats probably annoyed him,” Terrence shrugs. “Or Sammy didn’t let him sleep with Helene again, and he keeps being jealous.” “Oh, when is he gonna buy a good place to live?” Edward sighs tiredly. “He could at least start searching and asking someone about the possible variants.” “I believe he just needs to be kicked enough to start to move his ass. Or Marta and her cats are supposed to annoy Peter too much to make him run away from there.” “It seems like we need to do everything and look for variants of housing for Rose,” Edward chuckles quietly. “As they say, friends always come to help.” “We could try to talk to Chris. He knows someone, who’s selling something. We’d find out everything and agree on everything.” “I’m afraid that we’ll really have to work on it if our friend doesn’t start working on it in the nearest time.” “It’s okay, brother, we’ll make this process faster and are gonna be hanging out at his housewarming along with the guys.” “That’s right, we’ll surely celebrate such an important event in Pete’s life.” “Let’s not forget about yours. We haven’t celebrated the buying of your house.” “We will do it. I should only finish the repair. And get married. I’m gonna live not alone.” “Yeah, but first, we need to solve the band’s business and get ready for our, so to speak, triumphant return to the stage after the unplanned break.” “What should we solve?” Edward asks cheerfully, putting his glass aside, leaning back in the chair, and spreading his legs slightly. “We could appear on any show and play our single at any time.” “Now is a perfect time for our comeback. All the scandals that we were involved in got faded. And people calmed down and realized everything.” “The most amazing thing is that everything ended by itself. We didn’t almost meddle in those scandals. Well… Commented something a couple of times, but we were mainly silent.” “Sometimes the best way to stop a scandal is just to keep silent. And when people calm down, you can explain everything quietly and put it in the right place.” “Who knows, maybe, George also had to do with it. He knew our situation and promised to solve everything. And I think that man completed his mission very well. Even if he was in a different city.” “I think Smith’s gonna tell us everything. And we’ll ask him about the situation with Connor.” “Yeah, Connor…” Edward throws a short, thoughtful look at the company of boys and girls going by. “Do you think we can trust him? Maybe, we could believe in the story of his twin brother. But would he work honestly? Would he keep his promise?” “I don’t know, Edward,” Terrence pronounces thoughtfully, leaning back in the chair, takes a sip of the drink, and puts the glass on the table. “But I think we should give him a chance if he wants it. Everybody deserves a second chance. If that boy doesn’t meet our expectations and starts to insult us again, we can easily kick him out and hire another person. Moreover, we have a perfect candidature.” “But we shouldn’t trust him completely.” “We aren’t going to. He can work if he wants. His main mission is to do everything well and behave worthily. I think Connor will be sweet and nice, at least for the good salary that he earns.” “Yeah, money is the most important thing in this case. Connor can do nothing. He will not get a job if we kick him out. In the best case, he could go to work as a seller or a cleaner of restrooms. But they earn pennies. It means he can forget about drinks and fun.” “We gave him a chance to work with us, not become friends. He’s gonna deserve it. He should prove that he wanna befriend us.” “Well, I actually don’t mind it. I just think we shouldn’t trust him. Ask him to do something very important. He can do something that doesn’t depend on him too much. He’s always bought food for us – so, he can keep doing this.” “I’m not also gonna forget all his insults and trust him easily.” Terrence glances aside. “I just feel sorry for the boy. Connor has experienced so much for nineteen years of his life.” “I also feel truly sorry for him, not thinking that he’s a cad. And this is the only thing that makes me treat him more or less well.” “Okay, let’s not make enemies. Moreover, George believed him, too. Since he gave him Daniel’s home address, he found something that made him believe Connor’s words. Smith is a great judge of character.” “Okay, there’s no need to talk about it. Since we told Connor that he could work, he can work.” Terrence says nothing, looks around, and knocks at the table with his fingers, while Edward drinks some drink from his glass with a thoughtful face. “Oh, fuck, those two snails get ready for as long as girls…” Terrence pronounces gloomily in a lower voice. “Is it so hard to put on a t-shirt, jacket, jeans, and sneakers, brush your hair, get into your car, and come here? Those boneheads probably saw a food store and decided to fill their stomachs.” “Well, you wouldn’t surely go by and would buy lots of food,” Edward chuckles kindly. “Actually, we didn't come here to eat. Not to drink tea, coffee, or other drinks.” “Hey, why did you buy nothing now? Diet, bro? Your favorite jeans don’t fit you, and you can’t zip your coat because of fat on your stomach?” “What kind of fucking good! We’ve gotta solve so much, but you’re dreaming of food!” “Okay, but you’ll fill your stomach later when we discuss everything. Then you’ll have much fun and eat two or even three lunches.” “Oh, come on!” Terrence chuckles kindly. “I bet that you, Perkins, and Rose wouldn’t miss a chance to eat a tasty piece of the cake or steal a couple of chocolate bars.” “You would not?” “Oh, sorry, I forgot that sweet food was your weakness. You eat literally half of all the sweet food you see. For example, when Mother cooks a cake for fewer people, you eventually spend two minutes eating half of it.” “Ha, you’d lick a whole plate if Mother cooked for you. You are ready for anything for her food. Just like Sammy is ready for anything for a treat or caress.” “Doesn’t it have to do with you? You’re first in the line, and you give up on nobody like a stubborn donkey when Mother wants to cook something sweet!” “The youngest one always gets the biggest and most delicious piece,” Edward smiles slyly. “Aha, does the eldest one have to get leavings?” Terrence wonders with both arms crossed over his chest. “You’re on a diet. You must watch your body.” “Listen, kid, stop dreaming of seeing me fat. I’ve always been slim and able to eat as much as I want without consequences. I’m not genetically predisposed to fatness.” “I’m sure that girls would love you anyway. Of course, not every one of them would sleep with a cute, fat guy, who would easily squeeze a girl with his stomach. But they would always love to pinch your cheeks. And many people would love to tickle your fat stomach.” “You’re risking a lot by trying to say these things to me, a VIP persona, who gets all the best out of the line. Even the biggest and most delicious piece of cake.” “Just because you were an actor, and all the girls drooled over you and finished it when viewing photos of yours?” “I’ve actually never said I left the acting career. There are just no roles for such an irresistible and perfect man as me. I’m so sorry that the creators of the movies don’t understand that they’re losing a real treasure. Even though I could play anyone.” “Oh, shut up, Terrence…” Edward crosses his arms over his chest. “But it’s the truth, bro!” Terrence throws his hands up. “Nobody wants to notice my great talent. Everybody only sees the boy that I played. But I’m too old to play these roles, and I’m not eighteen anymore. Playing Mason was cool, but that time is gone.” “It’s okay, my faded little star, someday your incredible talent will be noticed by a famous director, who will offer you a role that you will not be able to decline.” “Someday it will happen,” Terrence dreams with a slight smile. “I’d be happy to play something new and prove that I could be different.” “Only if you take off your crown of handsomeness and come back from heaven to earth,” Edward snaps with an innocent smile. “Hey, kid!” Terrence pushes Edward on the hand. “Stop crushing my dreams!” “You start to annoy me when I dream of something. So, why can’t I do it?” “You always have your head in the clouds.” “And you never take your crown off. It’s stuck to your gorgeous head.” “Be careful, ‘cause I might hit yours.” “Dude, I’ve taught you so many times: be shyer,” Edward recalls confidently. “Shyness is a good thing in any situation.” “I’ve already said I could be anyone.” “Remember the important thing – nobody loves narcissists. As well as lovers of showing off.” “Hey, stop calling me a narcissus!” Terrence exclaims. “I ain’t a narcissus! I am a confident man, who knows that he’s irresistible and gorgeous.” “And who wants people to praise him to the sky all the time.” “Since when does a person become a narcissus when they don’t have shortcomings and are happy with their appearance?” “You just don’t need to cry about it everywhere. We all know well how irresistible and imitable you are, but you don’t need to remind people about it and your uniqueness all the time.” “By the way, you’ve been doing the same since a certain time! You talk about your charm with such love…” “I’ve actually never doubted that I’m sexy and attractive.” “You just repeat it after me and try to outstand me.” “Oh, yeah, outstand!” Edward laughs quietly. “I haven’t met a man, who would brag as well as you. Or actually outstand you.” “I am imitable, bro. Nobody can be better than I. Even you, your pretty face and your great charm, which gets people attracted and makes them literally fall in love with you.” “Are you jealous that I can make new acquaintances so easily?” “Why should I be jealous if everything is perfect about me, and I can also charm anyone?” “Well, we don’t doubt it at all.” Edward leans back and leans on the arms of the chair, shaking his head to move a strand of his hair off after it gets into his eyes because of the wind. “Even roosters don’t show as much as you.” “You better watch your sharp tongue, kid,” Terrence smiles slyly. “Otherwise, I’m gonna punish you.” “You know that I speak what I think about.” “Do you have something that lets you think?” “Unlike someone.” “Yeah, do you know you’re wearing the leather jacket, which you stole from me a long time ago?” “What? This jacket fits me too well!” Edward fixes the shoulders of the leather jacket that he is wearing with a proud look. “So beautiful and very comfortable.” “How could I actually forget that you had one of the best leather jackets of mine?” “To be honest, I thought you gifted me this jacket.” “Aha, keep dreaming!” Terrence scoffs loudly. “You can wear my clothes only temporarily.” “Ha, are you able to steal mine? Forever!” “To be honest, I’ve lately been a little sick of a harsh style. I want something more relaxed…” “Don’t you have money to buy new stuff?” “I do. But I don’t like to walk in stores. And I don’t have time to check out clothes online.” “You better learn from girls. They walk to stores with big packets for a whole day – and that’s fine. They’re alive and healthy.” “You’re talking too much, bro… You can’t close your mouth!” “Oh, Terrence, don’t be so mean,” Edward replies cheerfully with a slight smile. “Smile, look around… Why do you have such a gloomy face, as if you ate a whole lemon?” “I see you’re too relaxed and funny,” Terrence laughs quietly. “You’ve had a wonderful mood for a few days!” “Yeah, I’m having fun,” Edward says confidently. “So, does your beloved blonde keep coming up with new ways to make you finish every day?” “It’s none of your business, bro.” “M-m-m, excellent sex is your key to a good mood for a whole day,” Terrence smiles mysteriously. “I said it’s none of your business.” “C’mon, rutrag, I know everything about my favorite couple.” “Favorite couple?” “I’m the biggest fan of Etalia! I adore your couple much more than all of your fans!” “I’ll accept it as a compliment.” “That’s how…” Terrence pronounces with a sly chuckle. “I thought you’d say you’re a big fan of the couple of Raquelle and me.” “A couple of two sex symbols are one of my favorites. Tequelle forever, as some of your fans say.” “I’m sorry that I hear it so rarely.” “It would be good if you heard a compliment not more than once per month.” “It would be good if you got your ass kicked every day. For a reason and without.” “You’ve got the brilliant skill of starting to irritate me five or ten minutes later.” “I’d also be happy to hit you in the face with a pan.” Edward and Terrence chuckle quietly and drink something from their glasses. And two seconds later, two young men come hesitantly to their table with backpacks on their backs, who look similar to each other and the MacClife brothers thanks to some features. “Erm, Edward?” the lower man pronounces hesitantly. Edward moves his eyes to the men and opens his eyes widely, recognizing these two as those, whom he expected to see less than anyone else. “Jeremy?” Edward moves his eyes to the second man, who is taller. “William?” While Terrence watches what’s happening, Edward gets a little confused and does not know how to react to the meeting with those, whom he, so to say, did not love so much. A little tense, awkward settles in the air for a few seconds, during which Jeremy and William look at MacClife, Jr., who does not know what to expect now, and Terrence just looks at the three questioningly and is impatiently waiting for one of them to make the situation clearer.