Monsieur Louis, sitting in the very center of the stone room looked dejected. His old face bore all shades of sadness. His wrinkled hands trembled and tried to soothe each other. His face, distorted by old age, was the same as the stone wall, which was moldy in places. The marks of time were too deep.
Adelard's heart ached at the sight of the suffering that was his fault. It was hard for him to look at an overly old man who suddenly found himself behind bars. And yet freedom was in his blood. Perhaps Adelard thought too loudly, for Monsieur Louis looked up and froze.
In a matter of seconds, all the colors of hatred appeared on his face. He saw his worst enemy.
"Sit down and don't move! One move and you'll spend another ten years in here!" the gendarme shouted, hitting the bars with his stick.
"Please don't do that," Adelard said quietly. "Can I talk to him?"
"If I leave you here, I think they'll all just break the bars
"I came to see you," he said, convinced that she was the most beautiful thing in the world.Celeste, holding a basket of dirty laundry, looked too tired again. This only brought terrible pain to Adelard's heart."Why do you keep washing other people's things? You know you can use everything I have, don't you? Why do you go on living like this? You're my fiancée. I don't want you to live like that.""Adelard, I'm not used to it. I'm used to earning money by my own labor. And I don't think I'll ever get used to having you in my life. I love you very much, though.""Let's go home," Adelard said, snatching the heavy basket from her hands.A thin door that could break at any minute closed, leaving the whole world behind. In the dark room, where it was still winter itself, Adelard threw the basket to the floor and hugged Celeste sharply. In his arms, she seemed to disappear. Those arms were a fortress, a wall, wings.&
"Tell me everything. And don't try to hide the fact that you're not a boy anymore!" Jean said as soon as Adelard entered the house.Adelard didn't want to talk at all, and in fact, he came to this little house for one reason only. And that was to see Jean's wife, of whom he had spoken so little. Perhaps this was the first time Adelard had ever felt such curiosity about someone else's life. And the thought seemed to him too shameful and full of sin.This was noticed by Jean, who was already sitting next to him. Too close, too serious and impatient."Adelard! Tell me, did it happen?"In the cozy living room, where there were many flowers and small chairs and a white grand piano in the very center, Adelard clutched the fingers of his hands. There was a sly smile on his face. Such a smile only comes from someone who is up to something or who has stolen something.Jean, in a black robe and with wet hair, looked greedily int
The next morning, Adelard awoke to a strange noise. But he didn't have the strength to open his eyes and leave his bed; instead of curiosity, he chose sleep. But his sleep could not last, for the noise was louder and stronger. Grabbing his robe, he headed down the stairs."Nicholas, what's going on?""I don't know. They're probably talking about you again. I'm going to go check it out, but you stay inside.""Today, I'm supposed to be at a theater opening. So I'll be home late tonight," Adelard said, stopping Nicholas. "Wait, how did I end up here? I remember falling asleep on Jean's couch.""At three o'clock in the morning, Jean brought you in his arms. You were sleeping so soundly that I thought you had been given sleeping pills.""I slept so soundly?!" Adelard asked, remembering the reason for such relaxation."You're smiling. Is there something interesting going on?" Nicholas asked, knowing him too well
Adelard rose from his chair and holding his glass in his hand, smiled at everyone and then lowered his eyes. His gaze lingered far away, on the flowers that adorned the far corner of the room. His eyebrows relaxed, his mouth closed tightly and the tip of his nose trembled slightly, like a wild animal. He looked as if he was ready to cry at any second. But it was just emotionality, the result of being too much in love. He didn't have time to say anything. He didn't want to say anything.Instead, Esma said, "She's a very beautiful woman and you all know her." Like any actress, Esma decided to act and so, she said, "Monsieur Adelard Mars has offered me his hand and heart." Like any good actress, everyone believed her. And that was the second wave of the earthquake."What? But how is that possible?""Is it really you?!""Monsieur say something!"Grabbing his hand, Esma said, "You are all invited to our wedding!"
Red was everywhere. That was the first thing Adelard realized when he opened his eyes. The second thing he realized was his weakness. He had no strength to move. And for a moment he thought he was dead, and now he was just looking at his body. But no, his heart was beating very fast, so fast that it hurt. Lifting his head to see where he was, he suddenly saw Celeste. But no sooner had he looked into her face than she immediately covered him with a kiss."Honey, it's me. It's okay," she said, kissing his forehead."Where am I?" Adelard was glad to see her, but his dizziness and choking prevented him from asking anything. And the next thing he felt was pleasure. Celeste, with her soft, snow-white skin, was quite frank in front of him. Her body moved slowly, causing Adelard to clench his hands into fists."What's going on?" he managed to ask, feeling all his desire gathered in one place, wanting to get out sooner."My darling, I love
As always, a man who is frightened wants to find tranquility and salvation in the arms of a woman. But what if that woman always disappears, leaving behind strange feelings? Adelard was torn apart. After all, he wanted to go to the hospital, to see the young man Gaspard, he wanted to visit Madame Lucy and her children, he wanted to apologize to that man named Louis, and also, he had so much to do. But nevertheless, he wished to see her and only then to continue his work. His thoughts were occupied only with this woman. In fact he had even stopped being himself and thinking the way he had always thought. He hadn't even noticed that it was raining and that his suit was already soaked to the skin. It was, perhaps, a frightening sight. The man was himself, and suddenly he was an echo of someone else's voice. Love, it brings happiness and takes away identity."Adelard!" That voice could have destroyed and saved him at the same time. He threw himself into her arms with all hi
After introducing Celeste properly, Adelard, like a boy in love, grabbed her hand and confessed again. Everything was naive and pure. He said what he was thinking. It was simple because, to him, love was simple. And he didn't want to complicate things at all. And the moment Nicholas wanted to say something, Adelard already knew what he was going to say and so he added, "I love her and nothing will change that." Everyone in the house was speechless. The two maids were too frightened. Andre the cook was surprised. And most importantly, Nicholas was full of doubt and excitement. Well, Celeste continued to stand beside Adelard. Her eyes were downcast, her cheeks were red with shame. She was completely oblivious to that bruise, which was what drew everyone's attention."Adelard, we need to talk. Let the young mistress rest for now," Nicholas said politely, pointing to the couch."She is cold. Bring a blanket and glass of milk," Adelard said, releasing her hand.&
A clear rainbow, with all the bright colors delighted all who took a break from their business. It was the bridge over which everyone's dreams ran. It was the gateway to that world from childhood that came back every time it rained. And at the sight of such beauty, even the coldest, most wicked man was transformed into an innocent child. For this was the power of nature. And maybe if there were always rainbows, sunny days, fruit and flowers in this world, there would be no bad people. Maybe it was always about rainbows, which connected not only the two parts of the town, but also the hearts of people.And two lovers could not tear themselves away from each other. They couldn't let go of each other's hands. Greed, that's what was between them. And that greed turned into passion, which Celeste ignited every time they were alone.On that day, which occupied a special place in Adelard's memory, Celeste, holding the flame of fire in her heart quickened time, and when th
The gratitude for everyone who contributed to his life was too strong for Adelard to ever say, "I'll never trust people again." No, he remained the same. And even then, when a new life met him and even when he opened the book about his life.It was a heavy book, like his life, with his face on the cover. It was a book that kept everything about his family and about him. It was also a history of humanity. More precisely, human nature. Namely, the nature of person, who always wants to destroy the kindness, to insult and make suffer the one who is willing to do anything for the good of others. This book is not only about a person who was able to remain human after all that people have done, but it is about the fact that people are still not ready for kindness.They are not ready for generosity, because once you give something to them, they immediately become greedy and don't appreciate it at all, until they lose it all. They are not ready for understanding. Af
Time passed quickly as Adelard watched his son run through the places where he himself had once run and played as well. He saw himself in him and the happiness was too strong to remember all the pain and anger. No, his heart had always remained pure, without resentment or hatred. And it was his strength that created wings on his back that could never break. A heart without resentment is wings.When evening finally came, Adelard entered the house and stopped in front of a picture of his parents. "Mom, Dad, thank you," he whispered and heard Percival's voice, "How do I look?" He was wearing a new white suit that perfectly described his new start in life. It was perfect to be true.But people brought the truth with them and when everyone he knew was gathered in the house, Adelard walked up to Percival and said to him alone, "White suits you very well."Then, returning his gaze and attention to his guests, who stood with sad faces, Adelard said lou
After suffering, one ceases to feel guilty about what happened and is happening. After tears, scars remain on the face that no longer want to hurt. Sometimes it seems that a person has to go through everything and experience everything in order to eventually understand their own truth. It is only when a person has experienced everything that life begins. But sometimes, there are those in life who choose the path of the beholder. And often, trials and sufferings fall on the shoulders of the most sincere and kind people. While the audience continues to watch and applaud when they deem it right.This time, the audience, that is, the society decided that Adelard deserved respect and everyone, putting on their masks again, began to smile at him. Everything was back to normal. The same streets with flowers, the same faces and smiles. And the words, "Monsieur Adelard, how are you? I'm so happy you're all right."They said it again and again and as Adelard walked p
"Why did you kill Celeste?""I didn't kill her.""But you had the gun in your hands.""Yes. But I didn't kill her.""Monsieur Jean, do you hear me? Do you understand what I'm saying?""I'm sorry, but I have to go. I don't have time to be here with you.""You can't avoid what has happened and continues to happen. If you're playing, that's enough. Don't take up my time."Jean, feeling the pain in his hands, looked at his palms, which were covered in blood. He remembered nothing, he knew nothing. And with each second, it was hard for him to know who he was. With every second, he was losing himself. And as he lost himself, he became smaller. His shoulders slumped and he simply began to sink into the iron chair, which seemed like ice."Jean, you killed Celeste, and also wounded your friend. Also, you forged his signature on all the documents. You stole everything from him. I knew there
The past always walks behind a person. The past is always ready to replace the present and the future. The past is too strong and demands everything from a person. And sometimes, people just give up on the future for the sake of always remembering. Memory plays very important role in a person's destiny. Every object, every street of the city and music, everything around is a reflection of memory. Every detail of this world holds the memory of every human being. Just look at the tree, which seems to be very ordinary, but it may be that someone is associated with this tree almost his entire life. Or look at a house, a book, a letter, a painting, and you realize that someone has left his or her entire life in these objects. In the outline of flowers lovers leave their best memories, on the surface of the moon people leave their best dreams and hopes, which after a few years become a memory. Memory is everywhere. The past wants all the attention it can get. That's what happened to Adela
As he finished the book that had been the longest in his life, Percival wrote the last sentence and with his hand up, he closed his eyes and felt the moment as great as victory itself. He felt victorious. His heart was beating too fast. Because this feeling was stronger than falling in love. This feeling was stronger and more important than love. When he opened his eyes, he looked out the window, at the people passing by and at the sea that glistened far away and then, he looked at his papers. He had finished another of his books. But this book was different from the others. For each page held only one name - Adelard. Yes, he did write a book about him. It was his biography. From his childhood to his betrayal. All these three years he had worked on only one book. Every day of those three years he studied the town, the people and the history. He listened to people talk, he asked them about Adelard. He went to the library and read a lot. But he only had time at night. And so, for all
When Armand was already far into the woods, Adelard continued to stare in his wake until he sensed the passage of time. And yet in those three years, Adelard had changed too. He was already thirty-four and soon to be thirty-five. But his appearance hadn't changed in any way. What had changed was himself. Finally, he became a little more attentive to people. He understood the world and saw too many dangers. And all for the sake of keeping Armand safe. And every time the child left him alone, he felt weak from anxiety. He was afraid that Armand would let people hurt his heart too soon. That fear was the only feeling while Percival was not around. But with him, Adelard forgot everything. After all, the key to his world had long been in Percival's hands. While the key to Armand's world was in his hands.The thought of Armand growing up and beginning to understand everything frightened Adelard. But what could he do? Just keep working, make money, and keep making soap. Yes, h
Looking out the window, Adelard remembered Nicholas. Perhaps by chance, not so far away, somewhere on the steppe, Nicholas looked out the window and smiled. And so, the night with all the stars and the moon came to tell tales and remind everyone of dreams. Only now immersed in memories did Adelard remember everything. And again pain and sadness took their place in a heart that was just healing. But how quickly the heart can remember pain and break again. At times it seems that the heart only lives by pain and sadness, because how quickly it can forget the good things and absorb all the unpleasant feelings. After all, even love, also a kind of pain. And why does a person even remember everything? Isn't it always to feel pain? But what would be if a person remembered nothing and started each day anew? What would the heart do then? But the strangest thing in this world is that when the heart is sad, nature responds with sadness too. The sun turns to rain and it gets dark around you. Th
Adelard spent the next few hours by just contemplating the nature. He liked to look out the window of the train, just like when he was a child. He was flying through empty steppes, through forest, tunnel, and past mountainous terrain. His gaze clung to the Sun, which slowly let the Moon take its place. His attempts to stop time were naive, but still he continued to stare at the sun until the train finally stopped. Night had not yet fallen. There was a pleasant sunset all around and so, Adelard was happy. For he could clearly see Percival's face. Quickly leaving the train, he ran towards the town. He didn't even pay attention to the fact that the memories, like little birds, were trying to draw his attention to themselves. He didn't care that this was where he was born. He didn't care that every corner reminded him of something. After all, he had long since noticed a tall figure near the tree."Percival!""Adelard come. Hurry!""Where are