Daniel walked around the bar, greeting Beverly, who was handing out free drinks to new customers. He stopped by Anna. She was finishing getting ready. She applied light makeup and then put her cosmetics in a bag she had slung over her shoulder. She smiled when she saw him.
"Punctual as always." She kissed him lightly on the cheek, causing him to blush slightly.
"Ready to go?
" "Absolutely."
They left the restaurant, passing several people entering. They walked down a narrow street, where a few people were milling about.
It had cooled down a bit, so Anna added a leather jacket and shoved her hands in her pockets.
Daniel looked at her in surprise; Sam was wearing only a thin T-shirt and long, baggy pants.
"Aren't you overdoing it a bit? It's not winter. It's stifling."
She smiled at him, took her hands out of her pockets, and let them slap against her body in time with her stride.
"I don't know, I just got a little chilly." She paused for a moment, then added with a seductive smile. "I know you'd love to see me naked."
He laughed loudly and decided to hit the ball:
"Nothing I haven't seen before!"
Anna's mouth and eyes widened, and this time she was the one to laugh, while he remained serious.
"You didn't! We might have been together for five minutes, but we didn't go any further than a few innocent kisses. You haven't seen me naked."
Daniel suddenly snorted and stopped for a moment, giggling.
"Who used to run naked in my garden when we were kids?" He gasped suddenly and laughed even harder.
"That was very funny." She slapped him lightly on the back and continued walking. "Since when are you so witty, huh?"
The boy caught up and fell into step with her. They'd seen each other every day for the past two weeks. Daniel always picked her up from work, and then they'd come up with some activities to get through the day. As usual, Anna asked what they were going to do that evening.
"You know, we won't be as bored today as we were yesterday.
" "I hope so," she interjected. "I'm not looking forward to sitting around watching the boats leave the harbor again.
" "No, no. We're going to Arthur's party tonight.
" Anna jumped with delight.
"To Whopper, the richest guy in town?
" "Yes." He admitted reluctantly. "He invited us on his yacht tonight, but don't expect a big party. It'll just be a small gathering with friends.
" "Great!" she exclaimed, jumping even higher.
"You better pack more things. We're leaving port for three days."
At these words, Anna was euphoric. Her mood changed from good to excellent. Daniel, on the other hand, began to wonder what his friend was more excited about: three days of luxury or finally meeting Arthur—"the richest guy in town." Either way, she was happy about things directly related to luxury and wealth.
A few minutes later, she was talking about nothing but what she should take with her on the cruise. She barely noticed that Daniel was still with her.
When he led her to the house, she hugged him and thanked him for lifting her spirits. Suddenly, car headlights illuminated them.
***
Julie stopped the Jeep in front of Chris's house. She stared blankly at Daniel and Anna's embrace. When they looked at her, she immediately averted her gaze and looked at Chris.
"So, what are we meeting up for tonight?
" "Yes, Jules. I'll be at your place at seven-thirty, be ready. Then we'll go pick you up, Brauni." He glanced at his friend in the backseat.
"OK, no problem, I'll wait."
Driving from the store where they'd bought Chris some fashionable clothes, they'd agreed that, as a special treat, they'd let Chris drive that evening. They'd also agreed on a specific time.
Daniel suddenly knocked on Julie's window. Julie jumped in fright. She glanced at her old flame and immediately looked away, just like before. She rolled down the window.
"Hi, Julie, Brauni, and Chris." He listed off
, "Hi." They replied almost in unison.
Anna also said hello, taking a seat next to her friend.
"Are you ready for a three-day cruise?" "Daniel finally asked, when each of the three friends had fallen silent as tombstones.
"What?" Julie asked, looking at him again.
Brauni spoke sheepishly from the backseat,
"I forgot to tell you that we're leaving port and will be at sea for three days, so we need to pack a few more things than just these dresses."
Julie nodded in response, while Chris grinned, a smile the other three couldn't muster.
"That's even better."
Julie glared at him. He knew what she meant. She wasn't looking forward to spending three days with a group of people who were partially at odds with her.
"At least for me," the boy added, opening the door on his side. "See you tonight, girls."
"Yeah, for now," Julie said.
"Hang in there, Chris, and don't forget to wear those super-trendy underwear." Brauni said this so loudly that Daniel and Anna, standing next to him, gave him a meaningful look.
He took the driver's key and opened the trunk. He took out his shopping bag and slammed the trunk. He handed the keys back to the owner.
Julie, not waiting for further, tender farewells and fearing any exchange between her and her ex-boyfriend, sped off in the car and disappeared from sight.
The couple continued to stare at Chris. He, on the other hand, was surprised by Julie's behavior. She surprised him every day. Today was no exception. He started toward the house when he noticed his sister and Daniel's eyes following him.
"What are you staring at?
" "Super-trendy underwear?" Anna asked, watching Daniel barely contain another burst of laughter.
"Don't ask!" "Chris said preemptively and climbed the steps into the house.
***
"Mom, I'm home!" Brauni shouted as soon as she closed the front door behind her.
She placed her bags at the landing and looked around. She guessed her father hadn't returned yet. He was probably on his way home from Norfolk, where he ran a business. Whenever he returned, he'd leave his suitcase in the hall, where it sat for several hours before her mother began unpacking it.
"I'm in the kitchen, honey," Mrs. Hail replied.
Brauni walked over to where the voice had come from and sat down at the table. She watched her mother prepare a cake, which she hoped to have baked before her husband returned. However, she was in a slightly worse mood than before.
"Did you buy anything nice?" she asked, not looking up from what she was doing.
"Yes, two dresses, you'll like them. But I forgot to tell you something!
" "What?"
Brauni stood up and walked over to her mother, who had made more of a mess on the countertops than anyone else in the world while baking. Her hands deftly shaped the oval shape of the cake, which always looked delightful when she made it.
"I forgot to tell you that this party I'm going on today lasts a total of three days. I mean, we're going out to sea on this yacht. Will you let me go anyway?"
Mrs. Hail stopped what she was doing and looked at her daughter's contrite expression. The girl could read her mother's fears and, before she could ask, assured her that the yacht was safe and she had nothing to worry about.
"Yes, I know, my daughter. But Daddy is coming back today and would definitely like to see you.
" "I know, but I'll have Daddy every day, and an escapade like this might never happen again." She smiled, forming a pleading mask on her face.
"Okay," her mother agreed.
Brauni hugged her with joy, thanking her profusely. Suddenly, her gaze fell on an open, oblong envelope lying on the dresser to her mother's right.
"What's this?" she asked, and instantly found herself at the envelope.
She took it in her hand, read the sender's address, and froze.
"It's the court address!" she said monotonously, staring at the piece of paper with unconcealed pain.
She knew that all the letters from the court didn't bode well. She had been through a six-month trial against her rapist, which had ended with the bastard being sentenced to four years in prison.
She had forgotten that her parents had filed a compensation claim for their daughter. Now, without looking at the envelope's contents, she guessed that their application had been granted.
"The hearing is in twenty-three days. I didn't want to show you this before the party, but it's too late now.
" "Don't worry, Mom. The worst is over. This trial is a piece of cake compared to the previous ones." I'm glad we'll end this nightmare once and for all.
Mrs. Hail hugged the girl again, patting her gently on the back. Brauni placed the envelope back where she'd found it and headed out. She now intended to go to her room and try on the purchased items again, then pack all the necessary clothes for the next two days of fun.
"Did Dad call?" she asked before disappearing upstairs.
"Not yet." A slight note of concern was evident in her mother's voice.
"Don't worry, he's probably on the plane."
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