Did he really kiss her?
It hurts so bitterly in my heart.
I can do nothing to stop my lover from kissing another woman, but simply stand there like an onlooker.
Is there anything more painful than this?
What if Hilda goes even further? Will he meet her desire?
Everything before me is so cruel and overwhelming.
Please stop!
I repeat this over and over again silently, with my fists clenched, only to find it useless to ease my pain.
It seems that Frances could hear me, as he halts.
He looks as if he attempts to pull away, but then he’s held even tighter by her.
The kiss lasts for two minutes before it finally ends.
I am fighting back tears, forcing myself not to shed one.
With the end of the intentional kiss show comes the hustle and bustle of the ball.
Two men who ask me for a dance are both rejected.
I’m here only because I want to see Frances, except which nothing else will appeal to me.
As the couple are dancing elegantly in the hall, I seat myself somewhere unnoticeable, staring at
Frances.
How is his investigation going?
How long does he have to keep acting as Hilda’s man?
I totally have no idea of how long I can stand all this.
If not for seeing him for a little longer, I think I must be no longer on the thorns.
But my irresistible longing for him prevents me from leaving during the whole party.
I don’t leave the seat until I have become the last guest staying there.
I don’t know when I can see him again.
Or, is it even possible for us to meet again?
What if he gets into troubles?
I don’t dare to think it over.
He has never looked steadily at me during the whole party.
Perhaps, he is doing his utmost to avoid triggering any doubt from Hilda.
As the guests depart, Frances and Hilda go upstairs.
On this very night, will they have sex?
The thought of this makes me smile bitterly.
Can I make any difference even if they do?
Out of the villa, I am too distressed to hail a taxi, with my feet dragging me forward on the street without
any purpose.
At that moment, my phone vibrates in my handbag.
There is a message.
It’s sent by Frances.
“Stay there and wait for me.”
Wait for him?
Where is he?
I look around but fail to grasp a hint of him.
But now that he asks, I will do it for sure.
Against the bowling winds, I am left alone in the chilly night for an hour, still unable to be rescued by
him.
But I believe in him, who will do as he tells me.
All I need to do is stay and wait.
Just when I think that he will not turn up, his figure seems to emerge.
“I can’t stay long. Come with me.”
With a couple of steps he comes to me and holds my hand to lead me.
We don’t stop walking until we reach somewhere perhaps he thought it is safe. He asks me harshly,
“Why are you here in America? I told you to wait for my return.”
“I missed you. The thought that I can’t even see you when you’re in extremis took me here. Easy. I
won’t spoil your plan. I just want to stay closer to you. And I have already worked out a convincing
excuse to deal with Hilda.”
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