Chapter 9 - TIME TO CELEBRATE

It had been twenty-five years since that unforgettable day when we both said 'I do' at the altar and I had been blessed by this family ever since. Five years after we got married, Mr Taylor decided to retire. When Cindy's parents broke the news that they would move to their country cottage, I understood why he had insisted so much on me going to university and getting a degree in Business Administration - costly studies he paid for. He asked me to take over as the Managing Director of his company. I remember panicking at that moment; so much responsibility and my total lack of experience would make a mess of it. But I felt so honoured with his trust in me, I couldn't say no.

He also left us his wonderful mansion, arguing that a top executive shouldn't live in an ordinary house. Unfortunately, however, he wouldn't let me drive his Lamborghini even if I begged him to. In a short time Adam and Gwen had become the closest to a father and mother to me, which I had needed for so long. Having lost my parents when I was eight, I was brought up by an uncle who had done his best, but never been able to fill the emptiness.

We had our ups and downs, but life had been good to us. I would have liked a big family, but we just got one daughter. I have always loved Cindy, and yet more deeply since she gave me Sally. I was overwhelmed when she put that little baby in my arms. I felt so insignificant and so proud at the same time. As beautiful as her mother, she became my everything. Ever since that moment I had feared the terrible day, the day when a stranger would take her away from me and steal my precious treasure in the name of love.

Now everything was ready to welcome our guests to the dinner party we had prepared to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. The first to arrive was Sharon with her husband, Dr William Webster. It was only then, while we were having a drink, that she confidentially told me that long ago, after being  abandoned by his wife, Dr Brent had decided to move abroad with Charlotte, who wanted to continue her university studies in Paris. I was sorry to hear that about him, but glad for Sharon as I knew that his decision had made things easier for her to start a new life. She always looked happy and that made us happy, too.

Our home was noisy and full of people, the people we loved. While they were chatting and laughing, Cindy and I were opening the presents our relatives and close friends had brought us. Suddenly, the bell rang again. I was surprised because we weren't expecting anybody else. Everyone had been punctual and were about to sit down for dinner. I  found out later it was Cindy that had invited this unknown guest she had met while I was abroad on a business trip two weeks before. As I didn't want any interruptions on such a special occasion, I went to the door myself to see to it. Cindy followed me.

'Sorry, darling. I forgot to tell you that I'd invited someone else,' she said.

'Who?' I asked.

'Someone I thought you could meet today. Open the door and you'll see.' She started to rub her nose and I knew she was nervous. She made me nervous, too.

'Good evening, sir,' I said to a very young man wearing a cheap blue suit that reminded me of the ones I used to wear at his age. 'Can I help you?'

'Are you Mr Edward Brent, Sally's father?' he asked trembling. 'Happy anniversary, sir' he said giving me a bunch of  flowers he had obviously picked from his garden.

'Well, this must be for my wife,' I said coldly. 'But thank you all the same.'

'Hello, Drake,' interrupted Cindy, knowing that nothing good was about to happen. 'Darling, I want you to meet Mr Drake Webster, our daughter's boyfriend.'

'What!? What boyfriend!?' I exclaimed. ' I didn't know Sally had a boyfriend.'  

'Well, you know now,' she said. I felt that she was mocking at me and I didn't  like it.

'Sorry, what's your name again?' I asked.

'Webster, sir. My name's Drake Webster,' he replied.

The day had come. Suddenly, I became a whirlwind of emotions: fear, confusion, anger, until the image of me holding my little Sally in my arms left me speechless. I think I wanted to cry. But I plucked up courage. It was now or never, the chance to chase him away...or on second thoughts, put him to the test.

'Are you a relative of Mr William Webster's, the doctor?' I asked him. The question brought back memories.

'Edward!' said Cindy trying to stop me. 'Do you really have to...? Don't you remember...?'

'Please, let me... Just this one question,' I whispered  in her ear. I was dying to ask that question. 'Are you, by any chance, Dr Webster's son...or nephew perhaps?'

'No, sir. My father is a plumber. He runs a little business with his brother.'

'That's a good answer, my boy,' I said.

'Darling, don't you think it's time to go in? Our guests are waiting for us,' Cindy urged.

'Yes, of course,' I agreed. ' Let's go. Sally must be wondering about you, Drake... By the way, do you play golf?'

'No, sir. I'm hopeless at all sports,' he admitted. I immediately took to this boy and all my fears vanished.

'Let me introduce you to some of our friends,' I said, laying my arm around his shoulders.

We all went in. The butler - another butler - closed the door.






                                 T H E    E N D











       

Chapter 8 - CONFESSIONS

The evening before our surgery was due, all the preparations were made. Sharon and the Taylors would take Cindy to the hospital while their chauffeur would drive me there very early in the morning so that we could meet well in advance for the necessary arrangements. But the next morning Sharon arrived at the Taylors' rather late.

'Where have you been?' Mr Taylor asked anxiously. 'Do you know what time it is?...Cindy, your aunt is here. Come on! Hurry up!'

'There's no need to hurry, Adam. We're not going anywhere,' said Sharon making herself comfortable in an armchair while Mrs Taylor was just bringing her daughter's bags downstairs.

'Come on! We're delayed. Let's go!' urged Cindy's mother.

'Please, sit down. I've got something to tell you,' said Sharon. 'All this must come to an end.'

'What do you mean?' interrupted Mr Taylor.

'Just listen to me, please. Listen carefully. For weeks, I've witnessed all your meanness to Edward in silence. In the beginning, I didn't mind because I didn't know him and I didn't care,' Sharon admitted. 'But you've gone too far...'

'We!?' shouted Mrs Taylor. 'You've always agreed on everything we planned to do.'

'But I don't any longer,' said her sister. 'Not since I understood that Cindy and Edward really love each other and saw her suffering so much. I changed my mind and decided to put you all to the test. Wasn't it you, Gwen, that came up with the idea of making Edward go through all kinds of tests? Well,... I'm offering you the toughest of all. I thought you'd love it, sis.'

'What are you talking about!?' asked Mrs Taylor.

'The truth is,' continued Sharon, 'that Cindy's health can't be better. She doesn't need a transplant at all.'

'Oh, thank goodness!' cried Mr Taylor, hugging his daughter.

'I made it all up. They were just fake exam results and a fake diagnosis I got from someone who helped me at the hospital,' Sharon confessed.

'You mean you've been mocking at us,' concluded Mrs Taylor, unable to control  her anger. 'How did you dare, Sharon!? Shame on you!!'

'I'm sorry to have bothered so many people and made you anxious,' Sharon apologised. 'But I felt I had to do something.'

'You felt...! What about how we've felt all this time? Your joke's driven us crazy!!' Mrs Taylor shouted.

'And what about other people's feelings? Those are not important, are they?... What about your daughter's feelings... or Edward's? I've been trying to show you...to prove that he deserves all your appreciation and respect.'

'Respect for what!? For playing his part very well and being a great pretender?' Mrs Taylor inquired.

'Well,... in fact, Edward doesn't know anything about this. I haven't told him. He still thinks Cindy's seriously ill and at this very moment he's getting prepared for an operation to save your daughter.'

'What!? Oh, dear! What have we done?' said Mr Taylor while his wife remained speechless feeling really ashamed. 'Oh, Cindy! I'm so sorry... Will you be able to forgive us? Will you ever understand our reasons?'

'Reasons?' asked his daughter.

'When I was exactly your age, my dear, I fell deeply in love with a boy just like Edward. He was modest but charming, and full of promises, too... promises he never fulfilled,' Mrs Taylor recalled. 'Suddenly, the prospect of a better life, surrounded by comfort and luxury got him confused. He started to love my family's money instead of me. I'd rather not tell you all the things he did before he finally left me. He broke my heart. I didn't want you to go through the same thing. Your father and I just wanted to protect you. Maybe you'll understand one day, ...when you are a mother yourself.'

'I know I've always been your little baby. But can't you see I've grown up, mum? I'm a woman now, an adult. I'm sorry for what you went through when you were young; I didn't know. But you should leave it in the past. This is the present and it's my life. I love Edward and, as Aunt Sharon's just told you, Edward's proving he really loves me. What else do you want from him? What else!?' Cindy shouted at her mother crying.

'I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, darling,' said Mrs Taylor, filled with remorse.

'I want you to apologise to Edward...and don't take it out on Sharon,' demanded Cindy. 'I'm thankful for what she's done. She only thought of helping us while she should've been thinking about herself. She also has difficult things to sort out.'

'Cindy, please,' interrupted her aunt, asking her to keep it their secret. Having met William again, Sharon could see how unselfish he had been helping her so much, even risking his position in the hospital. His friendly support had given her the courage to break up with Dr Brent and leave her job with him. She was looking forward to a fresh start and Cindy suspected it had a lot to do with Dr Webster.

Meanwhile, a chauffeur had parked at the door of my house and was waiting for me. He got out of the car and kindly helped me with my bag. Suddenly, he got a strange call on his cell phone. 'Of course,' he replied and drove off without saying a word. Just then I realised he was going in the wrong direction.

'Where are you taking me?' I asked. 'This is not the way to the hospital and I'm in a hurry. I mustn't be late.'

'You'll see, sir' he said. Things were getting stranger. Nobody had called me 'sir' for a long time. A few minutes later we arrived at the Taylors' house. The door opened before I rang the bell.

'Hello! We've been waiting for you,' said Cindy's mother with a big smile. 'Come in and make yourself at home.'

'Your home, my boy,' said Mr Taylor. 'Please, sit down. There are many things we want to explain before we ask you to forgive us.'

Before I could say hello, I was seated on the sofa next to Cindy, who didn't let her parents continue. She told me the whole truth. I should have got angry when I learnt about their latest deed. Yet I felt relieved and happy for Cindy and at the same time wondered if I was doing the right thing expecting to become a member of a family I would never belong to. But then she kissed me and all my doubts faded away. She was the sweetest person and her true love made me the happiest man. I didn't need anything else.

'Don't you think it's time for a good breakfast?' asked Sharon. We all went to dining-room. The maid had already served delicious food on a beautifully arranged table. I was starving by then.

'Thank you for teaching us the lesson we needed to learn, Edward,' said Mrs Taylor.

'I don't understand,' I told her.

'You've taught us that it's generosity and loyalty what actually makes a man a rich man. Welcome to our family, my son.' Her words were enough for me to know that my ordeal had come to an end. I had finally won her heart.

We had a good time together, in peace... at last! And I remember they also taught me something that morning. I learnt that rich people can be really weird for it was the first time I had seen someone making a toast with a cup of tea.        

'Cindy's seriously ill. I'm afraid what she went through as a child is happening again. I've talked to a couple of doctors and both of them agree that she needs a kidney transplant. The problem is that the waiting list for organ donation is usually long. It could take months to get a donor.'

'Cindy is not alone. She has a family,' said her mother. 'One of us will be that donor.'

'You know it's not so easy. You must be compatible,' Sharon reminded them. 'Don't worry. You know you can count on me. I'll find the way,' she promised. She said good night and left. It was almost midnight.

Mr and Mrs Taylor couldn't wait a day to do whatever was necessary to save their daughter. They even asked their relatives and close friends for help. Sharon played her part really well putting the potential donors in contact with Dr Webster, who was supposed to be the specialist in charge. Sometimes she felt ashamed when she saw such generous people taking risks to help Cindy and undergoing exams whose results would be thrown away. Sharon had never expected it to go so far, but she had to remember what she was saving. She couldn't afford any regrets.

After two long anxious weeks, Sharon phoned to give the Taylors bad news again. 'I'm so sorry, Gwen. Twelve people  have been tested so far and nobody has proved to be compatible. Though...'

'Though... what!?' shouted Gwen in despair.

'... though we still have a chance,' replied Sharon. 'I've been thinking about Edward.'

'What!? After all the terrible things we've done to him...'

'At last you admit it,' Sharon interrupted. 'You admit you were terrible.'

'You know we had a reason...'

'Don't start again... Your reasons... Your daughter needs your help, not your reasons!!' Sharon exclaimed.

'Well, under the circumstances, I doubt he'll want to risk his health to help us,' Gwen continued.

'Can't you forget about 'us' for once!? This is about Cindy!' Sharon shouted.

'Well, I wouldn't waste my time asking this... poor boy,' Gwen concluded.

'In fact, I've already talked to this poor boy, as you call him, and he's accepted to be the donor. But don't worry, sis. It's not for money. Even poor people can feel real love for others.'

Even if she had wanted to, Gwen had no words to reply to that. 'What's next?' she just asked.

'Edward has an appointment with Dr Webster at eight tomorrow morning. Maybe... you could go and apologise... or say thank you at least. It's up to you. Take it or leave it. It's your last chance.' She hung up.

The next day when I arrived at the hospital, I saw Cindy's parents sitting next to Sharon in the waiting-room. I didn't know what to expect and I certainly didn't expect Mr Taylor to hug me and say, 'Thank you, my son. I  thank you so much...'

I said nothing. I looked at Cindy's mother. I think she wanted to do the same, but she couldn't even get up from her seat. I saw her eyes filled with tears and it was enough for me. I understood it was too difficult for her.

'Please, don't tell Cindy if I turn out to be the donor,' I begged them. ' I'm doing this for her. When this is all over, I promise I'll get out of her life. You won't see me again.'
  
    

'Oh Sharon, what's the problem?' asked Cindy's mother looking at her sister. While Cindy's father wondered what the envelope contained.

'Please, Sharon! Tell us quickly what you have to tell us,' Gwen insisted.

Sharon started to explain, 'Here are Cindy's laboratory results. As she wasn't feeling well, she went to Dr Brent's office and she had some exams done at the hospital. Unfortunately, the results are not good.'

'What are you saying? This can't be true! Cindy hasn't told us that she hasn't been feeling fine.'

The Taylors started to look very worried. Tears began to roll down Cindy's cheeks and Sharon went on with her explanation.

Chapter 7 - THE MOST DIFFICULT TEST

The next day, as soon as she got up, Sharon went to the hospital where she had worked four years before. When she arrived, she met Dr Webster, an old friend she hadn't seen for a long time.

'Hello, William! How have you been? It's nice to see you again,' said Sharon.

'What a surprise!' he exclaimed. 'What are you doing here?'

'I need a favour of you. Can you help me?'

She explained her plan to him. At first, he didn't agree to do what he considered was totally wrong. But then his long-lasting feelings for Sharon made his heart beat hard again, the way it did when they worked together. As he used to do long ago, he gave in to her wishes and said yes to whatever she wanted. He promised to cooperate. She said goodbye and he went straight to the archives.

A few days later, Sharon got a call from William, who told her that everything was ready. She collected an envelope from his house. The moment she saw him, she thought he looked much better without his white coat. He paid her a compliment saying how pretty her new hairstyle was. Sharon couldn't help blushing, and when he invited her to share dinner, she just told him she couldn't spare the time. She had to continue with her plan.

The bell rang at the Taylors' house and Cindy opened the door. 'What are you doing here so late?' she asked, inviting her to come in. Sharon told her niece all about her plan and asked her to remain quiet and try to look scared.

'I'd  like you to call your parents now,' Sharon said. 'Just pretend and leave the rest to me. Everything we need is in this envelope.'

At that moment Cindy's father was coming downstairs. 'Was that the bell?... Oh, Sharon ... it's you! We didn'texpect you at this time.'

'Good evening, Adam,' she greeted, making an effort to look sad. 'I'm afraid I've got bad news for you.'

'Gwen, darling!' he shouted. 'Come here, come quickly. Your sister needs to talk to us.'



  

Cindy decided to go back home because she had an outstanding conversation with her father. When she arrived, she saw him standing at the front door. He seemed to be very angry with her and she didn't know what to say. 

Cindy took the fake photos in her hands. 'These must be them. What's this!? What a shame! Everything was true. Oh, my dear Eddie!... And I should think my mother's involved in this too, isn't she?'

'Yes, she is,' Sharon admitted.

'What!? Did you already know about all this?'

'I'm afraid I did... from the very beginning...' replied Sharon, unable to look her in the eyes.

'You're also part of all this... rubbish! How can you!?' Cindy interrupted angrily.

'...ever since that party, when Charles brought Edward here. He told me what had happened and that he was determined to tell your parents about Edward's lie that very night. I asked him not to, but I coudn't stop him. I'm sorry...'

'I remember Dr Brent coming back to the party and trying to avoid me all the time. Now I understand,' Cindy said.

'Your parents were furious when they found out that Edward had told them such a lie,' Sharon continued.

'A silly lie...'

'Disrespectful, they called it and decided to put him to the test,' Sharon explained.

'Put him to the test? Why? What for?' Cindy asked.

'Because they realised Edward was a poor boy and suspected he might be interested not in you but your family's money,' Sharon replied. 'They asked others for help. That's why all these things have been happening.'

'Who are these 'others'?'

Sharon explained to her what part her nearest and dearest had played in this macabre show. Charlotte had been sent to that Sunday lunch to bring about confusion and seduce me. The butler and his accomplice were to test how brave I could be when facing danger, and how good I was at keeping my rage at bay when  insulted the way I had been with those photos.

'What you still don't know,' Sharon continued, 'is that your mother hadn't got enough of it and came up with the idea of the toughest trial.'

'What did she do?' asked Cindy, unprepared to hear what followed.

'She offered him all the money he wanted to leave you.'

'Oh, stop it! I can't stand it any longer. I can't take in all this,' cried Cindy, begging for her aunt's sympathy.

'I know what it's like to love a person you can't have,' said Sharon, trying to hold back her tears.

'You're talking about Dr Brent, aren't you?'

'I see you already know about us,' Sharon continued. 'Well, I've decided to break up with him. He's never loved me. I've been just a toy he plays with when he feels lonely. He adores a wife that never has time for him. I'm aware of how much he suffers and... I've always felt lonely, too. We've just been keeping each other company, but it must come to an end. He has a family and it's wrong of me to interfere and hurt them.'

'That's why you've been crying...' Cindy concluded.

'I don't want you to go through the same misery and lose what you love most.You don't need to worry. I'll help you. You can trust me,' Sharon promised.

Having worked in hospitals for a long time and seen people suffering, Cindy's aunt had learnt that the only thing in life that really puts a person to the test is being faced with illness and death.

'Do you remember when you were a little girl, four or five years old I think, and suffered from a rare kidney condition?' Sharon inquired.

'Of course I don't,' replied Cindy.

'You used to have frequent infections. At that time your doctor said it was really serious and that there was little chance that you would recover,' Sharon explained.

'Well, I was lucky. I got over it,' said Cindy.

'But your parents have always been worried in case it repeats itself,' Sharon confessed.

'I don't understand. What does this have to do with my relationship with Edward?' asked Cindy.

'Leave it to me,' Sharon insisted. 'I already have a plan. Everything will turn out fine.'

Suddenly, Cindy heard somebody crying in the next room. She went into and could see that the person who was there was her aunt, Sharon.

'Oh Sharon, what's the matter with you? Why are you crying?' Cindy asked.

'Don't worry about me. Everything is fine. What are you doing here?'

'I need some help. Somebody doesn't want to see Edward and me together and I can't understand why. Apart from that, I thought my mother could be here. She left the house early in the morning, which is unusual,' explained Cindy.

'Sorry, but I haven't seen your mother yet. Why should she be here? Why do you need help?' Sharon asked.

Cindy told her about the awful argument she had had with me because of my reaction against her mother. At that moment she realised that I had been telling the truth.

Chapter 6 - THE TRUTH IS REVEALED

The following day when Cindy woke up, she felt really confused. She couldn´t believe what was happening. She needed to trust somebody, but who could it be? After having breakfast, she noticed her mother wasn't at home.

'Where's mum?' she wondered. 'How strange! She never gets out so early in the morning.'

That wasn't a problem for Cindy so she continued thinking about what to do. Meanwhile, her father invited her to have a talk in his study, but she couldn't waste time.

'I'm coming in a few minutes, but first let me do something in my bedroom,' she said.

'I'll be waiting for you. It's important.'

She ran to the toilet  because she was planning to escape. Then she silently jumped through window onto the garden. Finally she got it! She reached the street very fast and took a taxi. She wanted to go to Dr Brent's office to ask him for help.

When she arrived, she noticed nobody was there. All the same, she went in and something called her attention. On the desk there were two photos. I was in them!  They were the fake photos the buttler had showed me. Cindy felt astonished. She couldn't believe somebody wanted to hurt not only me but also her.

Meanwhile, they had tied me to a chair and covered my eyes in order to gain time to escape. After a while I could set myself free. As I was leaving this lousy place, I was astonished at what I saw. I ran away as fast as I could. When I got home, I gave Cindy a call. She had to know about it. Since it wasn't convenient to discuss all this on the phone, I asked her to come to my house.

'You won't believe who's behind all this,' I exclaimed.

'Who?' asked Cindy naively, unable to imagine what she was about to hear.

'I saw your mother talking to those two men outside the hideaway where they took me to,' I said.

'Are you joking?' she interrupted. 'It can't have been my mother. How dare you say something like that about her!?'

Our conversation turned into a nasty argument.We kept shouting at each other unwilling to listen.

'I feel disappointed,' Cindy concluded, her eyes filled with tears. 'You lied to me about who you are. I should have listened to our butler.'

'Well, I'm disappointed too because you can't trust me,' I added.

She just put on her coat. She slammed the door behind her without giving me a chance to explain and went home. Her mother was waiting for her with an anxious look on her face. Cindy ran to her arms and she hugged her daughter in silence.

'Why are you crying?' she finally asked. 'What's happened?'

While Cindy told her everything, Mrs Taylor pretended to be surprised and tried to reassure her. 'I thought he was a good person. I liked him ,' she lied. 'I wouldn't have expected such behaviour from him.' There was nothing else to say and Cindy went to bed.

The bell rang early in the morning the next day. Who could be paying me a visit at seven o'clock? Half asleep, I opened the door. There was Mrs Taylor. She came into the living-room and sat down without being invited to. Before I could say a word, she started to talk to me aggressively.

'I'll get straight to the point. Don't you dare see my daughter again,' she shouted. 'Stop doing harm to her, and to us!'

'Me to you?' I asked. 'What about the harm you're doing to me?! I know everything you've been up to.'

'I don't care what you say,' she barked. 'Just tell me... how much?'

'What do you mean 'how much'?'

'How much money do you want to leave my daughter and never come back to her?'

I had to make a great effort so as not to forget I was talking to a 'lady' and reply with the words she really deserved. I just led the way to the door and wished her well.

‘You know those pictures are fake!’ I yelled, suddenly filled with rage.

‘It’ll be up to you to prove that,’ they said with an evil smile on their faces.

Across town, Cindy was throwing the last coins she could find in her purse to a taxi driver. She rushed into her house and desperately opened the doors of the living room.

‘Our butler has kidnapped Edward!’ a breathless Cindy shouted. ‘I don’t know where they’ve gone...’ She tried to explain all the things that had just happened but she was interrupted by Mr Taylor.

‘Darling, calm down!’ He hugged his daughter and kissed her forehead as he took her to the sofa. ‘Don’t you think that’s too crazy?’

‘But it’s true...’ Cindy replied in astonishment. She really couldn’t believe how calm he was.

‘OK, sweetie, come here,’ her father said, ‘You've been through a lot these past few weeks. Let’s have some tea and watch a film together.’

Cindy knew that something strange was definitely going on with his father.

‘OK, daddy, you’re right,’ she said. She would have to think quickly of how to get away and find a proper rescue strategy. As strange as it might seem, her parents clearly wouldn't help her. If she couldn't find someone who believed her, she would be on her own.

And just then she realised something else, 'Where's mum?'

Chapter 5 - AN UNEXPECTED OFFER

Cindy was left alone in the park. It was dark and getting late and she felt scared. She couldn't understand what had happened and didn't know how to help me. The only  thing she could do was to talk to Dr Brent. She decided to go to his office, but she arrived at an inconvenient moment, just when he was leaving with Sharon. Cindy couln't believe her eyes: her own aunt and her father's friend were holding hands and getting into his car. She was helpless and confused. She could only hope I wouldn't be in danger.

In the meantime, I had been taken to a derelict house on the outskirts of the city. When I came round, I found myself in a cellar where my captors showed me some photographs of me. I took a close look at them. To my horror, in one of the photos, I was in Mr Taylor's study, standing by his desk and forcing the top drawer open. Another picture showed me stealing something from it.

I swear it wasn't me. They were fake photographs used for damaging my reputation. I didn't know what reasons these men actually had, but this time I was really in great trouble.  

'Well, I'm afraid Edward isn't here,' Cindy shouted.

I was hidden among some bushes, watching them and feeling fear for her. Suddenly, a tall man wearing a mask came from behind me, grabbed hold of me and led me to Cindy.

'Of course, he's here,' he replied in an angry voice. 'We're here to tell you the truth, Cindy. He's deceiving you. He's been going out with Doctor Brent's daughter.' Finding it difficult to understand what she had just
heard, her eyes filled with tears.

'I'm so sorry, darling,' I said. 'Please, don't cry. I didn't want to do it. I was forced by Charlotte in exchange for her help. Forgive me, I beg you.'

Cindy believed me, which made the two men very angry. 'Who are you?' she asked. The tall man took off his mask. It was the Taylors' butler!

'Why are you doing this?' asked Cindy.

'To protect you and your family,' he explained. 'He's a liar! All he wants is your money!'

'It's not true! Edward loves me!' she shouted.

He wouldn't listen to her. Both men took me by the arms and dragged me to a black car. As soon as we got in, they hit me on the head and I fainted. I never knew where they really drove me to.

Cindy and I went to Samon Ketium Park as it was arranged but not before having organised our strategy. Then, Cindy went to the central fountain while I was standing near a small newsagent's. If something went wrong or was suspicious, I would come up to her pretending to be a relative and take her away.

As soon as she got there, she checked her mobile phone. I came close to her and she had just received a message which said she had to go to the pond. It wasn't far from the park so we arrived there in a few minutes.

We looked around and saw that there was a man sitting on a bench with a very strange look. He was almost hidden under his coat. It was quite dark.

'You look so weird, and I've just received some instructions,' Cindy said. 'Is it me you are looking for?'

And in a very low voice he answered, 'No, I've been sent to talk to Edward. We knew you wouldn't have taken the risk of coming alone .'

Main Pond

Chapter 4 - AN EVIL GUARDIAN

A few days after that Sunday lunch, Cindy began to worry because she hadn't heard from me for quite a while. Unable to keep on waiting, she gave me a call. She got no answer and became anxious about my feelings for her. Her mother was concerned about her mood swings. She was no longer the lively girl she used to be and usually locked herself in her room to cry alone.

To cheer her up, her parents thought they should take her away from home. The three of them spent a week in their cottage enjoying the fresh air and the greenness of the countryside. By Sunday evening Cindy seemed to have recovered and was again the cheerful daughter that had always lit up their lives. When they got back home, she was too tired to have dinner. Instead, she had a relaxing bath looking forward to a good night's sleep. She was putting on her nightdress when she found a note lying on her bed. It read: 'I know it all'. Feeling more annoyed than puzzled, she lay down trying to work out who the message was from and what this person might want. She would have liked to ask her mother for help, but it would have made things worse. She preferred to say nothing and wait to see what would happen.

It took me two weeks to get over my confusion and decide what to do. I had already had two dates with Charlotte. It was wrong of me to do that and it was unfair to Cindy, too. I didn't even enjoy it. Charlotte was a very attractive girl, but so self-centred and big-headed. I couldn't stop thinking about Cindy while I was with her: her beautiful blue eyes, her friendly smile. Now it would be too difficult to face her. I felt so guilty and ashamed. Finally, I plucked up the courage to call her and found she was desperate.

'I need your help,' she said. 'I've been getting strange messages.'

'Who do you think they are from?' I asked.

'Obviously, from someone at home,' she said. 'They are just pieces of paper left in my bedroom. The last one tells me to meet this stranger in a park. Can you come with me? I don't want to go there alone. I'm scared.'

I agreed without hesitation. We met at my house the next day. We were happy to see each other again, but really worried. What was about to happen?

'It's getting late. Come on! Let's go,' she told me.

'Wait a moment,' I said. 'This may be dangerous. We shouldn't take risks. We must have a plan.'

Dr. Brent didn't want to have any problems with his wife so he decided to help his daughter. Charlotte was a stubborn selfish girl so he expected that she would forget me soon. In the meantime, Sharon asked me not to give her away and to persuade Charlotte not to tell her mother about it.

'Don't you want them to get separated?' I asked, feeling confused.

'Yes, of course, but I don't think this is the best way to reveal the truth. In fact, I got my job thanks to my sister and I don't want to hurt her and my brother-in-law's feelings,' she replied.

'Who are they?' I asked Sharon. I was getting more confused, and curious too.

'Mr and Mrs Taylor,' she answered. I couldn't believe it. The mess had turned into a nightmare.

To put an end to those unlucky circumstances the four of us got together and decided to put our cards on the table. I would have a date with Charlotte as I had promised to reward her reliable attitude and, why not, to start a lasting relationship. Sharon wouldn't say a word to Cindy, her niece, at least for the moment. And Dr Brent wouldn't tell the truth about me to Cindy's parents.

Chapter 3 - NOTHING WAS WHAT IT SEEMED

Charlotte wanted to go out with me and obviously I felt attracted to her. The taxi arrived at the doctor's office and we got out.

We went in without knocking at the door. It wasn't necessary for the doctor to explain all about the affair with his secretary because again they were kissing and caressing each other. Charlotte was shocked by what she had just seen and asked, 'What are you doing?'

The secretary ran away and I followed her trying to find out more about the affair. Meanwhile, Charlotte and his father were arguing about the embarrassing situation. Charlotte was an unconventional girl and from the very beginning she had regarded me as a smart, interesting boy. Ignoring her mother's feelings, she asked her father to help her start a relationship with me to keep his secret.

At that moment the butler came in to bring some more sauce. Just my chance to put Cindy's mother off her annoying questions. I thought it would be a good idea to stand up and walk to her as if I wanted to greet her with a kiss. On the way, I would bump into the butler making him drop his tray. I did, and it turned out better than I had expected. Suddenly, sticky red sauce was all over Charlotte's designer dress. She gave a cry and ran to the kitchen to clean it off. I followed her while Cindy went to her bedroom to fetch some clothes she could wear. Her parents looked at each other wondering what was really happening, but said nothing. They remained seated and continued eating. Meanwhile, I explained it all to Charlotte: the incident at the party and the lie I had told them to win Cindy's parents approval.

'Will you help me to get on?' I asked her.

To my surprise, she immediately accepted, but on condition that I had a date with her. I couldn't believe my ears. Nor could I answer her when I saw the butler standing by the door. He had been listening to us.We ignored him and went back to the table. Charlotte started to play along and I was amazed to see how
convincing she was.

'Look what you've done to my favourite dress!' she shouted at me. 'How can you be so clumsy!? What am I going to do now? I can't go into the street looking like this.'

'Don't worry,' said Cindy. 'I'll lend you this one.' Charlotte didn't pay attention to her friend's offer.

'I want to go home. Take me home!' she ordered me.

'But Charlotte, we're having lunch,' I replied.

'I don't care. Take me home! Now!' She looked as if she was really angry with me.

I didn't mind having to pay for another taxi, not this time. She was as cunning as a fox ...and beautiful, too. I
couldn't stop looking at her and she noticed that.

'Tell him to take us to Princeton Square. That's where I live,' she said.

'I'm afraid we're going to 233 Oak Street instead,' I replied.

'To my father's office?' she asked. 'Why?'

'Because we have a lot to talk about,' I explained. 'There's something your father needs to tell you.'

Chapter 2 - ANOTHER LUCKY ESCAPE

I must have been at Dr Brent's office for about two hours. I still felt a bit dizzy and would have liked to stay longer to recover, but he said I looked much better and took me home. On the way he didn't say a word. He looked upset and confused. I understood so I just looked out of the window and didn't insist on having a conversation.

'Thanks for your help,' I said while I was getting out of the car. He didn't even reply and drove off.

I was just opening the door when I got a call from Cindy, who was very worried about me. I told her that I was fine but kept the secret about Dr Brent's affair.

'My parents haven't had the chance to get to know you. Why don't we meet tomorrow for lunch?' she said. I accepted her invitation.

I went to bed feeling exhausted after such a busy night. At 11 o'clock the next morning  it was hard for me to
get out of bed. It was getting late so I had to spend my little money left on a taxi to be punctual. Cindy's parents welcomed me with a beautiful table where exotic food was served with expensive white wine. We were having a good time at last until the butler interrupted to say that Miss Charlotte Brent had come to pick up her cell phone, which she had left at the party.

She didn't wait at the door and came straight into the dining-room. There she was standing in front of me before I could react. I started to sweat and my legs were trembling under the table. I looked at Cindy hoping to get some help from her. She was rubbing her nose as she usually does when she is nervous. She was speechless. Charlotte said hello to everybody but not to me. She was expecting them to introduce me to her. There was silence. And then I heard the words I feared so much.

'What's the matter with you, darling? Aren't you going to greet your brother?' asked Cindy's mother.

The best thing to do was to disappear but it was too late. I felt sick and ran to the bathroom. I took my cell phone and called Cindy to ask for help. I explained what had happened.

'I can't believe you're so stupid! But don't worry. I've got an idea,' said Cindy.

She went to the window and threw her shoe at her father's car to make the alarm go off. Then she ran to him and said that it was his dear Lamborghini that was in trouble. Cindy saw Dr Brent coming into the living-room while his father was leaving through the back door to see to his 'baby'. She immediately brought the doctor to the bathroom. When they opened the door, I was sitting on the toilet looking pale and nervous.We explained the situation to him.

'Would you help us?' I asked. Doctor Brent looked hesitant, but finally said, 'Yes, but only tonight.'

After pretending to be father and son for a while, it was time to have dinner. Cindy's mother sat next to me. While we were eating, she asked me about my sister. I started to stutter, 'Oh, my...my.. sis..sister. Sh...she is...' I fainted.

Doctor Brent realised that this time I wasn't pretending. He stood up, carried me in his arms to and drove me to his office. A few hours later, I woke up on a stretcher. I heard people talking in the next room. Dr Brent and Sharon, his secretary, were having a conversation that wasn't professional at all. Suddenly, there was silence. I had a look and saw they were kissing. Dr Brent came to check me. I pointed to the photo on his desk and said what a pretty wife he had.

'Help me or I'll have to tell your wife about you and your secretary,' I said.

The Taylors´ House

Chapter 1 - WHAT A MESS!

I was deeply in love with Cindy. She was the most beautiful girl and we had been going out for six weeks. One day she told me that her parents were having a special dinner to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and it was a good occasion to meet them.

It was really a problem for me. The Taylors were a rich family who lived in a luxurious house in the most smart neighborhood of the city. And I was so poor that I didn´t even have a proper suit to wear.

The moment arrived. I was standing in front of a huge man in black. He introduced himself and I told him I was Edward Brent, his daughter´s boyfriend.

´By the way, are you a relative of Mr Charles Brent´s, the doctor?´, he asked. That was a wonderful opportunity for them to think that I also had an important rich family.

´I´m his son.´ I replied.

´What a coincidence! I haven´t seen him for a long time and I also invited him to dinner tonight. I met his daughter once but I didn´t know he had a son, too.´ At that moment the butler came and said, ´Dr Charles Brent has just arrived.´ I was terrified...