I headed home extremely discouraged and frustrated, cursing Bryan for ruining my good mood and creating all this unnecessary drama when all he should be doing is pretending I don't exist, as he had done so many other times. I threw my purse in a corner of the room and jumped on the sofa, closing my eyes and feeling my body relax, although my head was torturing me with an unpleasant pain. Suddenly I remembered the day Bryan had spoken to me for the first time.
FLASHBACK
I stared exhausted at the third page of math exercises, feeling my wrist aching from writing, writing down, and erasing. I was sitting at a small table that I had placed on the veranda so that studying on hot days would be more pleasant. I had spent the whole afternoon studying, the last year of high school was extremely hard and I did my best to absorb all the subjects, since all I wanted was to go to college the following year. I rested my head on one of my hands and sighed, watching the night fall.
"I heard someone shouting and I straightened my posture, frowning and looking for where the voice was coming from. I noticed a friend of John's - Bryan, if I remembered correctly - looking around the place for something, until he noticed my presence there. He gave me a broad smile and approached me, sitting down next to me without asking permission. I stared at him strangely at his behavior and he kept his charming smile.
"Hi" he spoke.
"Hi... "I replied half hesitantly.
"Helena, right? I'm Bryan. I think you already know this, but let's start over, what do you think?" he boomed and questioned gallantly. I raised an eyebrow in doubt regarding his behavior.
"Okay..." I replied and saw his smile widen - more "Are you looking for something?"
"Not anymore. Would you like some help with that? I used to see this kind of thing a lot in high school" he offered and I denied.
"Thanks, but you don't have to. They're waiting for you, you should come back" I warned him.
"Pretend I'm looking for what they asked for - he winked - Come on, I see you once in a while and we never talk!"
I sighed again, defeated, and decided to talk to Bryan so that he would decide to get out of there and leave me alone again.
Little did I know that he would do that quite often.
END OF FLASHBACK
I took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling, still trying to understand John's latest actions, which were not at all in keeping with the attitudes of the people around him that I was used to dealing with. The most I thought he would do was stay in his place, as he always had been, although no provocation had ever gone so far as the one a few minutes ago that he had to intervene. Most of the time he just looked at me with that closed expression and ignored the whole situation, I didn't make any point of him saying anything at all since I knew and could manage on my own and never expected anything from him. My feelings towards John were always confused, I used to spend most of my time watching him immersed in his perfect life, however, I began to admire him when I realized that he was not empty as I thought. He was a very kind person, although almost always serious. The subtle polite smiles he would give me when greeting me made me feel like a jerk. I always watched him in each of his conquests, and all the while, I secretly cheered for him.
I do.
It was hard for me to admit that I had feelings for the son of my mother's boss, after all, we are like water and oil, totally different in our experiences. Everything got worse the moment he started dating. After this, I simply put away everything I felt and decided that my life could not stop because of a silly feeling, but I knew that rationalizing this whole situation would be useless, because, deep down, I never stopped loving John. Not really. I have been suffering in silence ever since, acting as if nothing affected me.
I don't know exactly how long I lay there staring at the ceiling and feeling distressed every time I tried to imagine what was happening in the Carter house, but the sound of the door opening caught my attention. My mother was present in the room and I immediately stood up, arranging my body on the sofa.
"Hi, daughter," she sat down next to me, smiling. I tried to smile back, however, something more like a grimace must have come out.
"Hi... How was today?" I asked uncertainly.
"It was fine, less tiring than other days. Everyone is going out tonight, so I'll be able to rest a lot" she answered, I noticed the cheerfulness in her voice. I stared at her suspiciously, having no idea what had happened right after I had come home and let John talk about God knows what to Miss Kyara. Daughter, did you slap Bryan? The boss's son's friend?" his speech was measured, and I sighed and shrugged my shoulders, checking the words before I spoke them.
"It was a very childish situation, but he crossed the line. I won't let anyone step on me or disrespect what you do," I justified.
My mother smiled tenderly and nodded.
"I understand you, but you need to control your temper, Lena. My job can't be at risk, we have nowhere else to go.
"Yes, I'm aware of that. I wasn't planning to slap him, it was involuntary," I begrudgingly confessed, and relaxed my body back against the back of the sofa.
"John defended you to Mistress Kyara, she was letting fire out of her mouth" - I turned around curious by this realization.
"What did he say?"
"I didn't listen very well, but he said it wasn't your fault and that Bryan was reckless. I thought it was a pretty righteous attitude," I nodded slowly, staring at some point in the room.
"Daughter, try to stay away from them, okay?" my mother asked me, touching my hands before standing up.
"I always have," I said, ignoring the guilt that came over me; after all, I knew I wasn't always successful in my attempts.
I watched her walk to her room and closed my eyes for a few moments, longing for the quiet I had craved all day. I turned on the TV while I prepared something for my mother and me to eat, deciding to make a macaroni and bolognese. I was distractedly watching some movie until the ringing of my cell phone rang. I ran to the counter and picked up the phone, seeing Sophie's name on the screen.
"Hello!" her excited voice hummed on the other end of the line making me laugh.
"Wow, how cheerful is that?" I inquired as I stirred the noodles.
"Cheerful from someone who has a subpoena for you. I won't take no for an answer, Helena Muller," I breathed out, already expecting some miraculous proposal from my friend.
"I'll take anything as long as it doesn't involve leaving the house," I warned, hearing a grumble from her.
"Sweetheart, I already told you that you don't have a choice. Enough of this doldrums on the weekends! Paolo Herzog has organized a wonderful party at his triplex, you're coming with me even if I have to drag you.
"Sophie, I don't have the facilities to host this event," she laughed, "which means I don't have the right clothes. And I don't even know this guy, only you.
"You're my company, silly. Relax, he won't mind. And about the clothes... Don't be that way! I'll come over in twenty minutes and you can get ready here at home."
"You won't give up, will you?"
"Never."
"Okay" I gave in and had to take my cell phone out of my ear due to her fervent celebration.
"Bye-bye, I'll be out in front of the condo in a little while."
"All right, annoying little thing " my persistent friend let out a curse and hung up.
I hurried to finish preparing the noodles and knocked on my mother's bedroom door, hearing a "come in" in response.
"Mom, the pasta will be ready soon," I poked my head into the room, watching her read some book I couldn't identify.
"Hmm you made your specialty in the kitchen? The bolognese pasta?" she questioned giggling and I rolled my eyes, laughing too.
"Specialty because it's the only thing I know how to do right?"
"That's you talking," I stared at her in fake amazement.
"Sophie's picking me up in a little while, she wants me to go with her to a party" I wrinkled my nose "Is it okay if I go?"
"But of course, daughter! You'll have fun" she smiled sweetly and I did the same, leaving the room immediately.
I turned off the macaroni and ran to my room, choosing some clothes to go to Sophie's house, putting my toiletry bag and some other things I would need into my purse and headed towards my mother's room to say goodbye.
"I'll be right there, Sophie will be here in a minute" I walked in and planted a kiss on her cheek "the noodles are ready, by the way.
"Thank you, daughter. Take care."
"I waved my hands and left, grabbing my purse and walking hurriedly out the door.
After minutes of walking I could see the girl's car waving frantically in my direction. I went to meet her and got into the vehicle, automatically feeling joy at her excitement as she started it.
John's POV I felt extremely out of patience. What was supposed to be a pleasant day in the company of my friends had turned into a stress that could have - and should have - been avoided, if not for Bryan and his childishness. Talking to Helena that way was despicable, she had become unstructured and I was bothered by the sorrow on her features while listening to my friend's provocations, so I decided to intervene, although it was too late considering the slap the girl gave him. To be honest, I was amazed at her courage in speaking so confidently. I usually saw Bryan's provocations directed at her, and she always fought back with dignity, and all I did was observe her behavior in front of my friend's immature behavior - behavior that I disapproved of completely - I had thought of reprimanding him several times, however, Helena usually took the reins of the situation and defended herself very well, it was interesting to know that a girl who seemed so serene had such a sharp tongue.
Helena's POVIt was after three o'clock in the morning, I could feel my feet hurting from the high heels, and the atmosphere made me uncomfortable because of some of the dirty looks I was getting. The party was great, I couldn't deny that, but it wasn't my world. All that luxury was surreal! Really, who buys a triplex to live alone? I would never understand, but who am I to argue, right? Sophie was chatting with a guy and it was noticeable that they were flirting with each other, so I signaled to her that I would take a walk with the obvious intention of leaving the two of them alone. I walked around the stunning apartment, contemplating all the refinement of the place, from the furniture that was certainly worth millions, to an extensive glass wall. I stopped there admiring the enchanting landscape of the city at dawn, marveling at the lights forming small bright spots seen from up here."Did you see it? I think Carter and Cassie had a fight" I heard the instant two girls approach
Silence settled over the room and I glanced over at him, seeing that he, like me, was gazing at the view lost in thought. I don't know how long we remained like this, but the stillness was broken by the sound of his cell phone ringing. Still with a little difficulty, he took the phone from his pants pocket and answered without even seeing who it was."Hello? Hello?" he repeated. Seeing that he was not answered, he stared at the cell phone screen and frowned, putting it away soon after.The silence was again present, and although it was not at all uncomfortable, it still made me uneasy."I know it's none of my business, but I don't think it's a good idea for you to drive home," he turned his attention away from the view ahead and stared at me, his gaze meeting mine, which stared back at him. The half-light illuminated his face, and his opaque eyes seemed to want to unravel mine through the absence of sound. For a few moments I felt disconcerted, his curious and silent analysis made so
"Helena, I can't take it anymore!" Sophie exclaimed, resting her head on top of the numerous sheets scattered across the desk. It was about five o'clock in the afternoon and we were working on our senior thesis project.I had had enough sleep, unlike the girl in front of me, who was the personification of disaster. After a restless night with Adrian, he took her home and, according to her, she had slept for only three hours, then came to get her car and bring my things that were at his place. Taking advantage of this, we decided to advance some topics of our project. Sure enough, we lost a good few hours before actually starting it, since I made her tell me - almost - everything about the previous night.And so did she.And when I say also, it is because she made me talk about my late-night companion: John Carter."Staying up all night having fun with the party cat, you can handle that, can't you?" I gave her a mischievous look, and she returned it with her middle finger."Let's not m
John's POVDuring my childhood, I loved watching action movies and seeing the characters run, fight, and make the most unbelievable escapes. I loved the way the twists and turns occurred, I saw the villains' schemes and the victory of the good guys, and although I didn't understand much, I found it all very interesting. Now, as an adult, I realize that nothing is as wonderful as it seems. Since the moment I took over the Zummarck case, I have been receiving strange calls from a private number, and they happen at various times of the day. The last one occurred in the early hours of the morning. I wasn't sure if I was just paranoid, but as I was in the car with Helena, I had the impression of seeing a motorcycle a little behind us. I stared intently at my cell phone screen, pondering the reasons why someone would spy on me, already having an idea.I would wait for the next move of whoever it was and take the appropriate measures for this type of situation. No one could frighten me. I
John’s POVDinner night had arrived and my mood was terrible. My parents, Cassie's parents, and the two of us were seated at an abundant table, and the atmosphere was filled with the most explicit sucking and kissing. This kind of situation was commonplace, but that night it was out of bounds. The subject of "engagement" had been brought up countless times, and now my mother and my girlfriend's mother were excitedly showing a wedding dress magazine to Cassie, who looked as uncomfortable as I was. "Okay, that's enough. You're going to scare her," I forced a smile and pulled her close to me, who almost celebrated with relief."Imagine that, son. We were just looking. I have to say, Cassie, you would look magnificent in a Mauro Adami, dear," my mother said, smiling vainly. "That would be in great taste, we should certainly arrange that when the time comes," my girlfriend's father complemented. I took my champagne in one gulp, receiving a scolding look from my father and even Cassie.
John’s POV At the end of dinner, we said goodbye to Cassie and her family. My father made mention of speaking to me, however, and I raised my hand in mute request that he not proceed."I don't want to hear any more. I did the shit you guys wanted, so just for today, I ask.... Don't.talk.to.me." he said slowly, turning away with the intention of walking out of there."Is that manners, John?" my father scolded me. I turned and faced them, impatience expressed on my face."I just wanted to know something.... "I spun on my heel, facing them again. "How old do you think I am? You want to decide when I'm going to get married, what it's going to be like, what I'm going to do... That's it!" I exclaimed. I felt another twinge of pain in my head. "Mom, what was that ridiculous scene with Helena? You have exceeded all limits of common sense! I haven't left here yet because of YOU, because when Dad travels, I'm afraid to leave you alone because of your fainting spells. My apartment is there, loc
"Have a nice afternoon, Ms. Harnett." I said goodbye to my last internship patient in college and sighed tiredly, throwing my arms on the table in front of me and resting my head on them. I really loved my chosen profession, I couldn't wait to receive my diploma and do all the things necessary to finally perform my role as a professional, but the tiredness of graduating joined with the tiredness of exams, papers, TCC project, internship appointments, work at the Carter's house, and my part-time job on Saturdays, resulting in a cumulative exhaustion.I grabbed my things and hurriedly left the room, as I still had to meet Sophie at the library to finish a paper. When I arrived at the ressinto I saw her sitting at a table reading something on her cell phone, concentrating. I approached her and sat down next to her, startling her."Do you want to kill me from the heart? I didn't even see you arrive!" she said with her hand under her chest from the recent fright. I laughed and denied it.