CHAPTER 5

The woman was right; they were stuck in the middle of nowhere, and to get anywhere, they first had to get out of here. They set off, the sun beating down mercilessly, and they had to walk to the city. They took only the most important things from the car. Mia looked at the map. The nearest town was fifty kilometers away. At first, they managed, but as time went on, it only got worse. Finally, after a few hours, exhausted, they reached a small town. There were a few shops, a gas station, and some houses.

"Let's go get something to eat and drink, what do you think?

" "Great idea, I'm terribly thirsty. Do you have any money?

" "Sure," Martin showed his wallet. "Don't you?

" "No.

" "Oh. Okay, let's go."

They both went to the store to buy something to drink. Then they went to a clothing store to buy new clothes, because what they were wearing couldn't be called clothes anymore, more like rags—torn, sweaty, etc. Mia bought a short blue blouse, over which she layered a white short-sleeved T-shirt and a pair of short denim shorts. Martin wore a blue short-sleeved blouse, a green vest, and Texas pants. They then went to the nearest motel, the Butterfly, to stay for a few days. They waited at the front desk for the receptionist or receptionist to arrive. They waited for half an hour until the receptionist finally appeared. She was wearing a white blouse with a zipper unbuttoned to her bust and a red miniskirt. Her blond hair was tied in a bun with a black barrette. She attracted every man's attention.

"Can I help you?" she smiled at them, or rather at the boy.

"I'd like to book two rooms, one for me and my friend.

" "Of course, this one is for you," she handed him the key, "room number 22," and this one is for you." This time she handed the key to Mia, "room number 26.

" "Thank you," Martin smiled at her.

"You're welcome, it's my job, which I enjoy." She smiled at Martin again. The smile was flirtatious.

"I enjoy my job too, if you'll excuse me, I'll go to my room." He smiled and headed towards the room. Mia ran up to him and whispered,

"Don't you think she's trying to hit on you?

" "Yes.

" "Doesn't that bother you?

" "No. Maybe she'll give us a break," the man smiled.

"Definitely YOU. Couldn't you just say we were married, engaged, or something?

" "Excuse me? Are YOU feeling okay? Or do you have a fever? Would I sleep in the same bed with YOU? Are you kidding?

" "Why sleep together now? You'd sleep on the couch.

" "You know what, is it just me, or are YOU a little jealous of the receptionist?

" "Well, you know," the girl blushed slightly, "what would I be jealous of?

" "Well, maybe because she was successful in her flirting and you weren't?"

"Excuse me? When was I supposed to be flirting with you?"

"Always, ever since you knew I broke up with my fiancée and you dressed up a bit...

" "How? I'm listening. How?

" "...skimpily." Mia first stood still, then turned toward the door and ran out of the motel. Martin didn't stop her; maybe he was a bit overreacting with his accusations? Maybe he already thought everyone was after him? Or maybe he was right, and that's why she ran out? But Martin seemed more inclined to think it was the former and latter.

He stayed in his room the whole time, listening for footsteps. It was already after dark, and he hadn't heard anyone enter the Butterfly. He began to worry about her. Should he go look for her? What if he missed her then? Better to stay put. After a while, he decided to go to bed. When he woke up the next morning, he went straight to the girl's room and knocked. A moment later, he heard footsteps approaching the door. He breathed a sigh of relief; she was already in the room. The girl stood in the doorway, already dressed.

"Yes?" "

I wanted to see if you were here yet. I was worried about you.

" "Oh, really?

" "Mia, please. I came to you to apologize for what I said. I'm so sorry about that. Can't we just go down to breakfast together now, like we used to, like we used to?" Mia glanced at the man, then turned her head for a moment, and then turned it back to Martin. "Fine," she replied, though it was still a bit chilly.

So they both went down to the motel buffet together. They ate in silence until the woman finally spoke.

"You're probably more used to four-star restaurants, aren't you?

" "Yeah...

" "I don't care where I eat, as long as there's something to eat."

"I don't care. Where did you learn that it's important to have something to eat? Because, you know, I thought you were probably used to four-star restaurants, too.

" "At home. My dad was a drunk, and my mom was a drug addict. We never had anything to eat. Honestly, I went from store to store and stole food to survive. My parents didn't care about me, so when I turned sixteen, I ran away and came here. I started distributing flyers, living in a motel similar to this one, only it was much worse. One day I bought a few notebooks and started writing stories in them, which turned out to be my own scripts. Of course, I didn't know it at the time; my friends advised me to come to you, so I did. My friends were always right, and they were right this time. At least now I won't have to live in a motel, nor will I have to distributing flyers when I get the money." And I enjoy writing scripts, so I won't bother with work. That's the whole story." The man looked at her with a sympathetic look.

"I sympathize...

" "Because of what?

" "Your life.

" "Thanks to him, I learned a lot, and you should benefit from it too." Martin smiled slightly. She was right. At first, he didn't want to accept any of her projects, even though they were very good. He only wanted to spend as little money as possible on filmmaking, and her scripts require a large investment. "You're probably right." Mia looked surprised. "I didn't think you'd say that."

"I come from a wealthy family, the company is passed down from generation to generation. I don't know what it's like to live in such conditions (he looked around "Butterfly") or worse." He added. "Maybe if I'd lived through what you've lived through, I'd be a better person today." He smiled.

"I don't think you're a bad person, maybe a little self-righteous." She smiled.

"You've comforted me," the boy smiled back.

"Always speak honestly, even if the truth hurts." People will respect you for this. They'll get to know you better.

"I'll remember this forever, now let's go.

" "Where?

" "To the car.

" "Are we supposed to walk fifty kilometers again?!

"No, I have a surprise. Close your eyes, take my hand, and when I give you the signal, you'll open them.

" "OK." Mia did everything according to Martin's instructions. They stopped in front of the building, and when she heard the signal to open her eyes, she opened them immediately. In front of them stood a brand new red convertible; it was much better than the old one. "You bought a new one!" the girl threw her arms around the boy's neck.

"I knew you'd be happy, but I didn't think you'd be this happy. Here are the keys to YOUR new car." Martin handed Mia the keys. "Shall we go?"

"Thanks a lot, but you didn't have to. I mean, no...

" "It was because of me that you lost your car. So are we going?

" "Sure." Mia grabbed the keys and quickly jumped into the car, and in a moment they were on their way to Ashley's. "Do you have a plan?

" "A plan," what do you mean?

" "Well, how are you going to steal the bride?

" "I'm not going to steal her. You've watched too many movies.

" "So, are you just going to let her leave you?

" "It's her choice.

" "I don't think so.

" "What do you mean?

" "Never mind, you'll find out when you talk to her. Call her on her cell and tell her you'll be there tomorrow.

" "Okay." Martin picked up his cell and dialed his fiancée's number (if you can still call her that). "Ashley? Hi, it's Martin, I wanted to tell you I'll be there tomorrow. " "

Don't come.

" "What!?

" "You're not going to do anything anyway.

" "What's this wedding all about? You just wanted me to come." – He looked at Mia for a moment and remembered how they had talked: "(...) it's her choice. In my opinion, no."

- Ashley, I want to ask one question and I want to hear the answer, then I'll leave you alone. Okay?

- What question is that?

- Do you want this wedding? - For a moment, only the girl's breathing could be heard on the phone, but after a moment she answered - No - and after these words she immediately hung up.

- What, she hung up? - Mia looked at Martin, who just nodded - So?

- ​​What, so?

- Do you have a plan?

- No. I don't even know what to do.

- If I were you, I would save her.

- Saved her? She's not kidnapped!

- That's it!

- What? - The boy looked at the girl in surprise.

- You'll kidnap her!

- Are you crazy?

- No. Do you love her or not?

- Yes, I love her very much.

- So? Are we making a plan?

- Fine.

- Not that I will, only you have to want it. Do you want it?

- Yes, I do. Better? So what's the plan?

"Do you remember my first script?

" "I think so. The one that ended with him taking her on a motorcycle, or something like that?

" "Exactly. I have a plan.

" "I'm listening carefully," Martin leaned against the window.

"We'll go there, you'll learn to ride a motorcycle, then we'll practice taking the bride on a motorcycle...

" "Wait a minute... I understand I'm supposed to kidnap her?

" "Call it that if you want.

" "Where did you get that idea?"

"I took part of my script, so I reminded you of it. How you are sometimes... Now let me finish. So where did I end up? Oh yes! Then when you learn this, you'll shave, we'll buy you a nice suit, and we'll start our plan.

" "You think I'm a stuntman?"

"If you learn this, you can become one," Mia smiled at Martin, who just sighed.