AMANDA
While I take it and sit in the chair, I can't even imagine what’s inside. Maybe some childhood photos or awards. Perhaps there’s a letter from my dad that he wanted me to read someday. But when I open the envelope, I see photographs. Dozens of photos, none of which are related to my childhood. They show an eighteen-year-old girl, alongside a boy in love, who will soon break her heart. Photos from a summer seven years ago. All the shots are taken either from a distance or from strange angles. Each one has a date, location, and time.
- What the hell... Did my parents really watch me? Did they distrust their own daughter so much that they put her under surveillance? I go through each photo, and there’s everything: our walks on the beach, our kisses, Adam at my place on the night we slept together. I sift through the images and don’t understand why all this was done. But the last photo confuses me even more. It shows me returning home, on the night when Adam said it was over.
On the back, it says "30.07.2018. Beach "Laguna". Goal achieved.
ADAM
I get in the car and hit my head against the steering wheel.
- I shouldn't have left her alone. - But I could see from her eyes that there would be a scene, and I didn't want to stress her out more.
I'm driving home to change and take a shower. The last two days have been too complicated. After a quick freshen-up, I head to the office. A partner meeting was planned for today, but Amanda isn't up for it, so I call Karetzky.
- The meeting is canceled for today. I warned Ms. Amanda. - He doesn't ask any unnecessary questions. And it's in his interest at the moment.
I enter the office, Marina is at her workstation, and seeing me, she leans forward, exposing her cleavage on the table.
- Good afternoon, Mr. Kelly, do you need anything? - She licks her lips, and I feel like throwing up from her tone.
- Don’t let anyone in until lunch. - I don't even look her way, close the door, and sit down at my desk. I'm trying to go over the last reports because since Amanda returned, I haven't been able to work, and even now it’s going pretty badly. All my thoughts are about Kitten, how she is doing. I know well about her situation with her parents, but losing loved ones is very hard. It was she who saved me when I thought I was all alone. She brought peace and happiness, and then I destroyed everything with my own hands. Two nights. One promised me a future with the woman I love. The other destroyed everything living inside. I want to only remember the first, but the second doesn’t fade from memory. These two memories are always connected.
Seven years ago...
Amanda called half an hour ago, and even though I promised to arrive in 15 minutes, my reason for being late is significant. I'm holding a small black box, hoping she'll like it.
The girl greets me in white pajama shorts with red hearts and a tank top.
I hand her the box as soon as I walk in.
- I hope you'll like it. - I'm as nervous as if my life depends on this. Amanda looks at the gift, and her cheeks instantly turn red.
- It's very beautiful. - Her green eyes sparkle with new shades, and a smile appears on my face.
- Try it on. I'm not sure if I guessed the size. - The girl takes out the ring and puts it on her ring finger.
- It's incredible. - After these words, Kitten hugs me, and we continue to stand at the threshold for a few more minutes.
- Can we go in? - She smiles even wider and lets me inside.
- Go to the living room. - I follow the hostess, not even paying attention to what's around.
Amanda suggests watching a movie; I agree because, in principle, I don't care what we do, as long as I’m with her.
We watched either a comedy or some romance. Well, how we watched — the girl next to me was completely absorbed in the plot while I just watched her, as if if I stopped, she would disappear.
- Adam, watch the movie. - She nudges me from time to time, and I just smile more.
- It’s more interesting here. - I lean over and nibble her silent ear, causing her to pinch her lower lip. She turns to me and looks at me as if she’s about to say something. Then she leans toward my lips and kisses me very slowly. I pull her into my arms and deepen the kiss.
- Hold yourself together. - I mentally repeat this to myself because I don’t know how far Amanda is ready to go. I don’t want to force her or put pressure on her. With one hand, I lift the girl by her hips and move her onto my knees so she ends up on me.
- Adam, I... - She looks at me as if what she’s about to say determines our lives. - I’ve never... - She never finishes the last word.
- Are you sure you want me to be the first? - I don’t like this question, but it's mainly for Amanda's sake. She needs to have a choice and to come to this consciously. Even if she says "no," I will have to accept that answer, though I am very afraid to hear it.
- Yes. I want it to be only you. - I pull her closer. I slowly kiss her ear, then whisper:
- I will do everything to make sure you never regret it. Will you show me where the bedroom is? - Without a word, she stands up and walks to the second floor. When we enter her room, I notice how nervous she is, and that’s not what we need at all. I approach and hug her; she doesn’t flinch, which is already good. I carefully lift her chin:
- Do you trust me? - I'm looking for at least the slightest doubt in her eyes, but thankfully I don't find any.
- Yes... - Amanda exhales, and I swallow that word with a kiss. With one hand, I slowly slide down her back, while with the other, I caress her neck, feeling her body soften more with each passing second. I gently push Kitten onto the bed and lower myself onto her, holding myself up on my hands so I don’t hurt her. I part from her lips, kissing her neck, collarbone, and slightly exposed belly. With each kiss, Amanda's body becomes hotter.