From Selena's perspective
The days are passing like crazy. Since Felix was taken by Lucas, I have no contact with him, I don't even know what's going on with him. Now I'm sitting in my apartment, watching my best friend. I'm in a strange amok, because her confession makes me get a bang on the head.
I can't believe what she just told me. Eve confessed to me that she felt a fascination with Sebastian after she spent the night with him, first at a club, then at the river. Since then, she's been lying to Mike, sneaking off to meetings with her high school crush.
I feel like taking the heaviest object and hitting her in the stupid head.
- Do you expect me to start applauding you? - I attack her, piercing her with my eyes. - Behind your back you are dating Sebastian, you can say that you are cheating on a great guy with someone with whom you formed a toxic relationship in high school. Did you get bored with Mike so quickly? Your soulmate?
My words surprised the blonde girl. I don't think this is what she expected.
- I'm not cheating on Mike, Selena. What are you talking about?
- And what do you do? Secretly sneaking out with another guy, looks like betrayal. If you just want to be friends with him, then don't hide it from Mike, for God's sake.
Eve swallows her saliva nervously.
- You know very well that already in high school I was fascinated by Sebastian, only that then he was such an innocent noodle. Now he's a really cool guy....
Recent events make me emotionally unstable, so I start laughing nervously.
- Is that why you will go to bed with him? Because he's a cool guy now? Think about Mike and the child you have with him. Don't annoy me. I'm not desiring jokes.
- I'm talking to you seriously, Selena, I'm not joking," she claims, looking at me with intense eyes. - I love Mike, that will never change, but I feel a fascination towards Sebastian. I wanted to confide in someone about this, and you're fucking me up at every turn, instead of understanding me.
- Understand? - I repeat in a mocking voice. - And what is there to understand? Loving someone, it will not come to your mind to date another guy behind his back! I still love Felix, and although I can't be with him, I don't even think about dating another! I don't even want that! - I shout at her.
A friend looks at me with her mouth open, looking shocked.
- You love him, and at the same time you are fascinated by him. He is your first love, moreover, you can't be together. In my case, it is different. I have been in a relationship with Mike for many years, we have a child, so meeting Sebastian causes a feeling of desire in me. He has changed and I am curious about him.
- Eve, can you hear yourself? Do you want to ruin your life for a temporary adventure? I'm sure you will eventually succumb and sleep with Sebastian. Mike won't forgive you for this, you know it perfectly well. I remind you that you have a child. - I don't know how to translate to her mind that what she is doing is terrible. She's not just hurting her guy, she's hurting her child first and foremost, who would like to grow up in a full, happy family. - Think about Lily, please.
- Nevertheless...
- No, Eve, I would rather not hear it. Sebastian is disadvantaged by life, he himself doesn't know what he wants. Now he is on the target of Lucas, because he betrayed him. This man has changed a hundred and eighty degrees, he certainly does not think seriously about you. And I just want to tell you that I will be on Mike's side. He is also my friend, and he is loyal to you, he really loves you. Think it over and don't screw it up. That's all I have to say to you.
I rise from the couch and walk over to the kitchenette. I lean against the countertop with my hands, closing my eyelids.
Furthermore, I am furious with my friend and still can't digest what she confessed to me.
- I won't torment you any longer with my topic, I see that you yourself have a problem with Felix. You dropped everything for him, and you almost got into trouble with the law. As you can see, Lucas is capable of anything," she says while still sitting on the couch with my back to her. - I was really shocked when you called me that night and told me everything.
- It is no longer possible for me to get him back. My presence made him feel even worse without medication. Lucas will never let us be together. One thing is certain: he wants the best for him. I misunderstood him.
- There is indeed a serious issue with Felix. You should give him a break, I was honestly glad when you said you got back together.
I turn to face her, wrinkling my eyebrows.
- What do you have in mind?
- Mike told me that there was still a serious problem with Felix, and he regretted letting you leave with him. He became distressed about you.
- On what basis did he conclude that? - I ask, watching Eve nervously playing with her fingers. - Is it related to the fact that a woman called his grandparents' cottage in the middle of the night to warn me about Felix? Who was it? Mike must have given the phone number to someone.
The blonde girl bites her lip, avoiding an answer.
- You shouldn't think about it, it's just good that Lucas decided to take him in and continue to take care of him. You should stay away from him.
- Are you hiding something from me, why won't you tell me the truth?
- I think you will soon find out for yourself.
Eve gets up from the couch and walks over to me, placing her hand on my shoulder.
- I promise not to do any foolishness to destroy my family. Don't worry about it, I'm sorry if I upset you. You have your problems.
- Can you tell me what you mean? Who called in the middle of the night to warn me about Felix?
- I think it's best if you see it with your own eyes, then you'll believe that there is a serious issue with Felix and you need to stop fighting over him. - The blonde girl looks at me with sad eyes. - Take care. I'm going. I have to pick up Lily from kindergarten.
Furthermore, I watch her as she puts on her shoes, then leaves.
At this point, I'm already completely confused. I don't understand anything.
*
Drinking beer from a can, late at night I sit by the river, watching the water. I am immersed in my thoughts, so I am not interested in the people who pass by.
I still can't stop worrying about Felix. I wonder what is happening to him. When I first met him years later, it seemed to me that his condition had clearly improved, that he was definitely better and that he no longer needed treatment.
It turns out that without medication he can't function normally. The disease is not letting up, and his condition is getting worse.... and it's even worse, because he looks like he's depressed. Before my eyes I can still see his sad face and empty eyes. My presence in no way makes him happy, but only depresses him.
I have lost. I will never again get back the love I wanted to fight for.
It's sad, because for him, I took a risk and gave up my routine life. Ultimately — I was left without someone and a job.
Is this karma for a previous life? Why can't it work out for me, just now that Felix has returned after so many years? Why didn't he get a chance to heal and live a normal life? Why must he also suffer so much, living with a mental illness?
I refill my beer and crush the can, feeling tears gathering under my eyelids.
- I see that you are not the only one who likes to come here to drown your sorrows. - With glazed eyes I look at Hannah, who sits down next to me on the bench. She opens her beer and takes a sip. - I won't tell you how Felix is doing, because Lucas threw me out of the car in the middle of the street that night. I was without anything, I didn't know what to do with myself. It's a miracle that I managed to get to the apartment I'm renting.
- What were you even doing with him? Why were you with him? - I ask, watching her profile.
- The other night, when you decided to kidnap your prince, Mike asked me for help to hold Lucas. I succeeded, but he was not stupid and guessed that I was working with you. He forcefully took me to his house and held me there.
- Lucas kidnapped you? - I blanch in the face. - Nobody was looking for you?
- There was no one to look for me. I have no contact with my mother since I didn't go to college, I don't have someone, and the girl I rent an apartment with doesn't give a shit about me. She doesn't worry about me at all, she just lives her life," she replies, shrugging her shoulders. - I impressed him, so he took me to a party at his club, and there he offered that if I was on his side, I would get everything from him. I agreed, having no choice. I was afraid he would hurt me if I refused him, and he just threw me out in the middle of the street like a dog, claiming he was giving me freedom. I don't understand him. Are head problems a genetic issue with them? - Hannah crinkles her eyebrows. - Because he mentioned to me that Felix is his half-brother, his younger brother.
Good thing I didn't just take another sip, because I would have spit it all out.
- Lucas is Felix's older brother? - I repeat in a squeaky voice. - So Felix's suspicions were right. He suspected correctly...
- However, I don't know the details. All I know is this.
What puzzles me is why Lucas just got rid of Hannah like that, since he originally kidnapped her and wanted her to be by his side. Could it be that it was just to provide entertainment for himself while Felix was away? The moment his brother returned, he no longer needed her?
- Sorry to ask this, but did he tell you anything else?
Hannah looks at me with amused eyes.
- Why, do you want to draw dirt from me about him?
- You yourself approached me and started this topic.... - I reply epitomized.
- There is one more thing I discovered.... - I plunge into it with a curious yet terrified look. - Are Eve and Mike okay?
Chills run through my body. I have a bad feeling.
- Has he planned something for them? Please don't say yes, because I am distressed about Lily.
- Sebastian did not accidentally appear another time in your friend's life. All I know is that he got a second chance from Lucas and will end up miserably if he fails him.
I could guess that this is not a coincidence...
Although, the coincidence really exists, because currently I see my friend walking by Sebastian's side. I can't believe that she is still dating him!
I sprang to my feet, looking at them with furious eyes.
- Eve! - I shout, causing all the people besides them to look at me.
- Selena... - It's dark, but I notice that her face fades in the lamplight. - Hannah? - She adds, seeing her high school friend sitting next to me.
- Eve? Sebastian? - I tease her, coming closer. - I don't know which of you I'm more disappointed with," I add.
- Selena, seriously, we are just friends. - The blonde girl tries to defend herself, but I shift my angry gaze to Sebastian.
- I'm grateful to you for the many things you've done for me and Felix, and I know I'm the reason you're having problems with Lucas, but I won't forgive you if you mess up Eve and Mike's lives. They have a child.
Sebastian shifts his gaze to Hannah, who is sitting in the back.
- Did she tell you?
- And you, on the other hand, do not look surprised by the fact that he is no longer a prisoner of Lucas," I attack him.
- Someone explain to me what this is all about? - Eve looks confused.
- Since you have become friends with Sebastian, let him explain everything to you. I just hope he will tell you the main reason why he wants to break up your family. Don't cry if it's too late.
I walk away from them, intending to return home. In all of this, it is Mike and their child that I feel most sorry for.
This man doesn't deserve to suffer like this. First he lost his best friend, now he is yet to lose the woman he loves?
This could reflect badly on him.