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.
Today, however, the situation got out of control, and Bryan had definitely crossed the line. I wanted to understand why he picked on her so much, after all, this had been going on for a long time. With all the fighting, I ended up arguing with my mother. I spent about two hours trying to convince her that Bryan had caused all that fuss and that I would talk to Helena later to get her attention.
Of course I wouldn't.
As if that wasn't enough, Cassie and I argued for the exact same reason. She didn't like my intrusion into the argument and drained what little good humor I had left, ignoring me for the rest of the day and answering my calls in the early evening only because we had a party to go to. I was driving to the venue with my girlfriend sulking beside me even after numerous attempts on my part to get us to be okay again. I glared at her and sighed, annoyed to see her closed expression.
"Cassie, we've already talked. How long are you going to keep this up?" I questioned, trying, for the thousandth time, to get her to stop doing that.
"As long as I want to stay. I still don't understand why you meddled in that little show." Her tone of voice was rude and I was tired of repeating the same thing a thousand times.
"I lost my patience again, watching her stare at me dumbfounded "I couldn't let the fight happen in my house. And even less could I allow someone to be mistreated like that."
"That's not the point, but what was that little talk you two had? It sounded like you were friends," I let out a long sigh, trying to remain calm.
"We're not, but I don't see anything wrong with having a good relationship with her, after all, her mother has worked in my house for years, and whether you like it or not, she lives there. She's not the one who should listen, Cassie. Just because my mother pays her mother's salary and offered them both a house doesn't mean she has to be treated badly. My girlfriend now stared at me in disbelief at what I had said and, knowing that expression, she was furious.
"Hello?" her tone of voice rose "I'm sorry, I don't think I understood correctly. Did you just say you want to be friends with the maid?" I felt her gaze burn over me. I clenched my hands on the steering wheel, losing count of how many times I took a deep breath and stared at her, serious.
"Cassie, I'm done. I'm not going to talk about this anymore and I'm not going to wear myself out," I finished, getting out of the car next. Cassie did the same, but slammed the door. We entered the elevator like two strangers, I was getting more and more impatient with the climate between us.
We arrived at the floor of my friend's incredible apartment and I rang the doorbell, revealing, a few seconds later, an already cheerful Paolo with a huge smile on his face. He raised his arms almost making his drink spill out of the glass, coming towards me and giving me a half hug and patting me on the back.
"Well, if it isn't the admirable John Carter and the beautiful Cassie Privost! The most illustrious of couples!" he greeted in a slurred voice and I laughed. Cassie gave a yellow smile.
"What's up, Herzog? All this time without seeing me and you get me drunk? You're a piece of shit, huh?" Paolo smiled drunkenly and showed his middle finger, giving us passage to enter.
The party was to celebrate his moving into the triplex that he had recently bought. The place was already full of people, many of them also known to me. We walked up to the penthouse, which was as crowded as the one inside the apartment, with a wide view of a good part of the city. Loud and lively music took over the environment, some people were enjoying the heated pool and, at the bar, some bartenders were doing acrobatics with drinks.
"I'm going to get something to drink," Cassie warned and left without even waiting for my response. I ran my hands through my hair impatiently.
"Did you see? Sophie brought that friend of hers. The one who lives in the Carter house" I heard someone say my last name and turned around, realizing that the conversation was coming from a group of girls behind me.
"John! Hi!" one of them greeted me.
I nodded and Cassie came up beside me looking excited by their presence. They immediately struck up a lively conversation going somewhere else and I realized that I would be ignored all fucking night. I grabbed something from the bar and leaned over there, chatting with one person or another and watching my girlfriend pretend I didn't exist. I looked around the place sipping my drink nonchalantly, until I stopped at someone familiar. I narrowed my gaze and recognized Helena along with a girl I occasionally saw with her, a friend from college if I remembered correctly. Paolo was chatting excitedly with his friend and she was just watching, clearly trying to keep up with them. I frowned, clearly confused. Where did they know each other from?
My eyes involuntarily hovered on Helena's figure and I raised my eyebrow slightly as I analyzed her.
She was wearing a long skirt that came up to her stomach and was open on one side of her leg, showing. The hem of her long-sleeved blouse reached close to the beginning of the skirt and allowed her neck to show as well. Like her clothes, her heels were also black. Her makeup was stronger than she usually wears, and her lipstick was an almost wine red. As if noticing that someone was watching her, Helena suddenly looked away and her gaze collided with mine, leaving me in an awkward situation. Not having much choice, I nodded my head in a sort of greeting. She returned it with a brief smile and disappeared from my field of vision as soon as her friend pulled her inside. I took another sip of my drink and ran my free hand down the back of my neck, caught by surprise by staring for a few seconds at the girl who had previously been in front of me.
The party was getting livelier, the pool was more crowded, the music was loud, and I had probably talked to half of the people there.
But I was fucked for life.
Very fucked up.
Cassie practically pretended that she didn't know me and ignored me every time I tried to talk to her. It was surreal. She had a right to be angry, I couldn't change that, however, that tantrum attitude exceeded all limits. I was leaning against the glass balcony and I guessed that my expression was not the best, because Paolo came to ask me if everything was okay every five minutes, even though I said so every time. I saw Cassie approaching me and followed her with my gaze as she approached.
"I'm going away with Suzi and I'll sleep over at her place," she warned as if it was no big deal, flashing me a petulant smile.
I laughed derisively and looked at her incredulously.
"You're not serious."
"You bet I am" she retorted with the smile lingering on her face.
"What the fuck, Cassie! Cut the crap, it's over. Look at what you're doing," I said, trying to control my tone of voice, even though I knew my expression oozed irritation.
My girlfriend looked at me with her arms crossed and one eyebrow arched, seemingly undeterred.
"I've made up my mind, John. I just came to warn you. I'm not going to your place," I took a deep breath and rubbed my hands over my face in a clear sign of weariness. I looked at her and nodded slowly, looking away with a skeptical smile and then back at her again.
"Do what you want, I'm tired, really. I'm amazed at your childish behavior," I finished speaking and didn't even wait for her response. I turned my back on her and walked towards the bar, ordering a Negroni* from the bartender. I looked back and Cassie was no longer there.
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.
I shook my head to push those memories away and laughed humorlessly as I remembered how stupid I was. At first, being with Bryan did not involve anything outside of attraction, however, our involvement began to evolve. From kissing, to making out. From kissing, to cuddling, to sex. From sex, to affectionate moments of hugging and sleeping together. As time went by, I acquired feelings for him, and was even able to forget the uncertainty I had about John. I didn't notice that I was made a fool of, I didn't notice that he always had an excuse not to go out with me in public, I didn't notice that he never introduced me to his friends because he was ashamed of me. Ashamed to admit that I was dating the daughter of the maid of one of his friends. I got off the bus and entered the condominium, greeting the doorman and heading towards the mansion. I noticed unfamiliar cars in the garage and frowned, trying to remember if there were any events at the Carter residence. I left my books o