John's POV
As I parked at the house, I turned to tell Helena that we had arrived, but she didn't utter a word. The image I saw practically forced me to remain silent as I stared at the sleeping figure of the girl with my dog on her lap, in a seemingly heavy sleep. She was wearing my coat" that looked huge on her body" and her calm breathing passed between her parted lips, expressing the peacefulness of her slumber. The tangled hair spread across her serene face, making the scene inexplicably charming. I frowned at my analysis and snapped out of my momentary daze. I removed my seat belt and stepped out of the car, walked around it and opened the car door, waking the German Shepherd, who stared at me as if cursing me for waking him. Helena was sleeping so soundly that I felt bad that I had to wake her up. I put half my body into the car and leaned over to reach her.
The next morning I was somewhere between fucked up and exhausted. I hadn't felt this tired since I decided to pursue a doctorate immediately after graduating from college, which required many sleepless nights. I had clearly lost that ability, as I found myself finished. As if I wasn't bad enough already, the stress had caught up with me as absolutely nothing was going right that day at the office. I had not been able to talk to Sandro Averbuck and I could not waste any more time, after all, the days were ticking by and my client's trial would not be long in coming. I leaned my elbows on the table and ran my hands over my face, totally exhausted and worried. Everyone at the party had already been called to testify and it was obvious that someone was lying, not knowing how to get to this someone made me anxious and only made it seem that I was not doing my job properly.Mason Zummack's killer had been
I don't know exactly how long I stayed reading, but I was awakened by the incessant ringing of the doorbell. Confused, I got up and followed it to the door, wondering at the desperation of whoever it was that was desperately pressing the bell. As I looked through the magic eye and realized that it was Cassie, I found it even more strange. I opened the door without understanding the reason for her presence and received an inexpressive look from the woman in front of me.Noticing my doubtful expression, she spoke up."I called your house and was told you weren't in, I figured you'd be here. Can I come in?", Cassie asked seriously and I pondered for a few seconds. I ran a hand down the back of my neck and opened the passage for her, who entered and positioned herself a few steps away from me. "Did something happen?" I inquired worriedly. She locked her cold eyes on me and denied with her head. "I texted you a few days ago. Thanks for the reply." Cassie sneered harshly and I took a deep
Helena's POV"I'm still shocked about this John and Cassie thing, they always passed off such a perfect image." Sophie said as she stirred her coffee on that icy afternoon. I nodded and sipped my hot chocolate, immediately feeling it tear down my sore throat. "You really never know what's going on in someone's life." I commented in a raspy voice due to my stuffy nose and Sophie agreed. "How are you feeling about all this? She asked looking at me thoughtfully and I shrugged. " We're close, but... I don't know." I snorted rubbing my hands over my face." I am afraid of confusing our closeness and seeing signs where there is nothing, I am an expert at this kind of thing. He just ended a relationship, I was sad for him and.... Argh, I don't know!" I grunted and mimicked my earlier gesture, hearing Sophie laugh weakly."Be honest. You weren't even a little bit happy about this breakup?" I sighed and pondered my answer for a moment. "Happy isn't exactly the word. It's complicated. It's
" Doctor Elish is coming." I identified my mother's voice echoing in agony still somewhat distant.A strong smell of alcohol entered my nostrils and I frowned, opening my eyes with some difficulty. Extremely confused and weak, I identified Judith with a cloth positioned next to my nose. I was lying on my bed, and as soon as she noticed my awakening, my mother approached me in anguish, sitting on the edge of the mattress." Lena, thank God!" She exclaimed, studying me restlessly. Slowly I remembered what had happened, and was startled to learn that I had fainted. I'll get you a glass of water. She warned, getting up like a rocket, leaving the room.Judith said something to someone else who was also there and followed her out. I turned my head and couldn't help my
John's POVSitting on the couch in the living room with a glass of whiskey in hand, I was reflecting on the last few months and also trying to lower my adrenaline after the scare Helena had given me. Seeing her suddenly faint right in front of me put me in a state of immediate apprehension, and at that moment the only thing that crossed my mind was to run to her and lift her into my arms, not caring about the conversation with Thompson and Stenfield. Perhaps the guilt of having a share of responsibility for her current state had caused such anguish in me, a feeling that had not yet completely ceased. I heard footsteps approaching and lifted my head to see my father approaching and quietly pouring himself a shot of whiskey. He sat down in the armchair in front of me and stared at me."How's the girl?" He asked without really sho
"I was the photographer at the party and may have some useful material for you. Can we meet?" Otto suggested. Despite finding it all very strange, I decided to take a risk. I couldn't refuse anything that would work in my favor."Sure. Are you available to come to the office now?" I asked, too curious to schedule an appointment."I can, yes," he agreed. A wave of excitement washed over me, and even though the situation was too strange, I wanted to see how it played out."I'll be there in about half an hour." I furrowed my brow, not understanding how he had set a specific time."Otto, do you have the office address?""I believe everyone knows where the Carter's office is located," he replied as if I had said something extremely foolish."I live nearby, so I shouldn't take long. See you." Without giving me a chance to respond, he ended the call. I stared at the phone in my hands, frowning in pure suspicion and doubt, unsure if this guy really wanted to help me. I dialed the receptionist's
"I believe so," I glanced at my watch and realized I had to return to the office. "I need to go.""Alright.""See you later," I said, receiving a nod in response."Goodbye."I ended the conversation and leaned back in my chair with a wide smile on my face. Things seemed to be clearing up in the Zummack case, as Sandro's testimony would be crucial in obtaining valuable information for my client's defense. I gathered my belongings, locked my office, bid farewell to some people who were there, and headed towards the exit of the building, feeling incredibly tired but also very satisfied.I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and answered without paying much attention to the screen."Hello, John. Did you miss me?" I abruptly stopped walking, a chilling coldness ran down my spine, freezing me completely. The robotic voice mocked on the other end of the call, and I quickly looked around in alert, with growing anger taking over me. I needed to regain my composure and stay calm."What do you wa
"I also found out recently, Russell, but I believe they will resolve it soon," I said. However, my father tried to ease the situation by giving me a stern look, and I raised my glass in a sarcastic gesture, shaking my head afterward, indicating that it wouldn't happen."I hope that happens. Business tends to thrive when everything else is going well, don't you think?" Russell spoke, and I narrowed my eyes. I wasn't sure who he thought he was since my family didn't need his for anything.I finished my drink and smiled politely at the two men. "I'm really exhausted. I'll go up to my room. Have a good night," I wished, cutting off any chance of continuing the conversation. "And it was a pleasure to see you, Mr. Privost," I concluded, hearing him reciprocate my words.I left the
I took his drawing out of my bag and the tears that I had held back throughout the day fell stubbornly down my face. I didn't make a point of holding them back. They flowed uninterruptedly with my full permission, as if the fact that I had omitted them worsened the intensity of the silent weeping.I analyzed the illustration, remembering his proud face as he finished his art. Benedict sprang up in front of me and I gave a start, bringing my attention to the German Shepherd sitting with his tail wagging frantically. I saw that the sash was no longer on his paw and smiled at him."Good boy, you have recovered nicely! "I stroked behind his arched ears.An extremely familiar scent invaded my sense of smell and I looked up only to confirm the veracity of such a characteristic aroma. John stopped in front of me and I quickly tried to wipe the traces of weeping from my face that surely gave away my tears. He moved closer and I cut off eye contact, focus
"Hold on, I'll get Trish! "He got up quickly and ran to the woman, who had been pulled by the hands to where I was standing. He spoke excitedly, pointing to the two freshly painted cards."Wow, I think we have a great artist here! Tell us about them. "Trish asked kindly."The first one is a dragon and a knight! " He explained, pointing to each stroke made.I noticed heavy lines and a few other details that caught my attention. I studied it and recognized emotional indicators throughout the figure."The second one I made for her! "He pointed at me and I smiled, surprised by his gesture. "It's a boat on the sea with a sailboat and a bunch of flowers! And it has a rainbow! " He demonstrated excitedly."Thank you so much, Archie! I love the present, I'll keep it in a very special place in my room. "I announced with a warm heart, and the little guy's face lit up." You swear?!""I swear! It's beautiful," I said, t
"Welcome again, Helena. How was your first experience here? We didn't get to talk last week, I'm sorry. I had a meeting and it messed up my schedule. "Magnolia, the director of the shelter, explained, sitting down on the chair behind the desk in her simple living room."I can imagine, don't worry, I loved it, the kids are great! "I said enthusiastically."I'm glad. They have left the class and are finishing their lunch, then they have a play activity*. Trish, our instructor, will tell you more about the whole process. You met her on your first day, didn't you? Any questions?"" No, it's all cleared up. Thank you for your willingness, Magnolia. "I stood up and shook her hand in greeting."Anything you need, you can come to me. "The woman smiled and I reciprocated.I excused myself and left the room, walking to the patio, paying attention to all the rustic details of the orphanage. I spotted a group of children running around in the
" He said, "I'm fucking with his head! " I exclaimed falteringly. The sentence in question was making my mind go round and round endlessly towards nowhere."Wow... "" And there's more! We almost... Well, we made out today. "I said, trying to sound as unassuming as possible, but ended up sounding stammering."My friend practically screamed, and again I had to hold the cell phone away from my ear with a grimace on my face. " Everything we talk about becomes ambiguous, it's like we can't stay close to each other without a weird vibe arising, you know?"" I usually call it sexual tension." Sophie deduced and I laughed, finding the term very fitting to the circumstance."Whatever it is, it's driving us crazy. We only didn't go all the way because, guess what? Bryan showed up. " I said, allowing boredom to take over my sentence."I can't believe it! What was that asshole doing there?"" He went to get something, I didn't qu
"He really knows how to give a welcome. " I commented, laughing at Benedict's indecision as he looked at John and me, not knowing who to play with. " His paw is fine now."" Yes. I'm taking him to the vet before he rips the band off by himself."" I'm surprised that hasn't happened yet. " I said laughing."I'm glad he's spending some of his energy on you. " She spoke with the serene smile that remained after her succession of giggles."And I always end up on the floor. John stood up and took my hands, helping me up. We stared at each other for a few seconds and I decided it was time to go home. "Thanks again for yesterday," I smiled crookedly and he denied it with his head."Not at all. "I stroked Benedict's fur one last time and nodded, seeing the dog and his owner standing side by side looking at me.I turned my back and hurried out of the garage, running through a thunderstorm that did not cease for a moment.The
It was all so unbelievable, I had never even considered the possibility that one day I would be in the situation I was in: confused about getting involved with John beyond what could be considered normal, if you keep in mind the fact that he had always seemed unattainable to me. I didn't know whether to enjoy the moment, or rationalize about the problems that this unusual involvement would bring. I hardly knew if I could risk calling...this involvement.As much as it hurt to admit, Bryan was right. John had just gotten out of a long relationship, and although I did not know what had occurred for the breakup to take place, I knew that getting rid of the fragments of a relationship was not usually that easy. A few minutes later, John reappeared in the room with damp hair, and the unmistakable scent of his perfume wafted into the room before he had even finished coming down the stairs as he shook out his newly wet hair. He raised his eyes and found me staring like a perfect
"I think you'd better... " I began, bewildered." É. I'll get that. "He added visibly stunned, releasing my thighs and helping me down from his lap.The feeling of incompleteness hit me full force and I was thankful that John was still supporting me, for my wobbly legs were not enough to support my trembling body, which was extremely vulnerable to the touch of the man, who was staring at me seriously. I withdrew my hands from the back of his neck and he turned away, walking to the door.I ran my trembling hands over my face with my heart racing to the point that I forced myself to breathe in and out several times in order to calm him at least a little, not believing what was happening. What was about to happen. John pulled the knob and ruffled his hair, greeting the person in front of him and I immediately closed my eyes and wished I didn't hear what I heard at that minute.It couldn't be true.Bryan's voice resonated a
"And what would that context be, John?" I asked, forcing naivety.He finished his cigarette and left it in an ashtray nearby, all in the utmost tranquility. He turned his shameless eyes to my cynically innocent figure and ran them through mine to the point of sparking. A strong gust of wind hit us, and I cringed, though I felt warm inside. John stood up without saying a word and nodded for me to follow him; I did so. He gave me room to pass first, and then walked into the room, closing the window. I was already feeling like a complete jerk for playing his game, but when his presence was felt just behind me, a warning bell sounded that this was not going to be left out in the open like the situations between John and me used to be."I'm not sure I'm good at explaining. "The deep voice sounded too close. His warm breath bumped against my ear and I shuddered. I turned and faced him, who was watching me precisely."I'm good at understan
"Good afternoon. "I replied, totally dull, standing there like a mummy."Are you feeling well?" he asked.I wrinkled my nose and moved uncomfortably, nodding even though I was certain that my face revealed my deplorable state. As I expected, John made an expression of not believing a word I said."You're greener than this plant, Helena. You're greener than that plant, Helena," he said, referring to the fern located near the barbecue grill.He stood up, and I stopped myself from biting my lip at seeing it all revealed like that, just after waking up. His pants were just a few fingers below his waist, leaving the bar of his black underwear showing as if it were an underwear commercial or one of those mindless advertisements for imported perfumes, in which the beautiful people only play the role of embellishing the scene, which, to my mind, made no sense at all."I'm fine," I remembered saying when I saw him a few ste