49

During the next five remaining days, Juliet and her cousins used to visit Armand at the theatre, and each time they did so, they brought something for the brown's companions to eat, while Maxwell was delighted with the blonde's gesture, who was gradually gaining the affection of some of the actors, During those days, Amber did not even deign to say hello to the blonde, much less to accept what she so lovingly carried for everyone, which caused both Patrick and Thomas to become annoyed and even more alert, because they did not like the way the redhead looked at their cousin. At one of the rehearsals, Thomas and Juliet had chosen to sit in the seats and watch the rehearsals in detail. Juliet was amazed to see Armand's commitment on stage, because once he went on stage, he was automatically transformed into his character, so much so that even she didn't know it, because when Armand recited his dialogues, he transmitted an emotion that touched you to the depths of your soul, every dialogue said, he said it with great sentimentality, every tear shed, everything felt so real, now she understood why people every time they came out to see one of his plays, they did it crying, because although there were very few actors who managed to connect with the spectator in a more intimate way, in case it was not possible, it was because he was the only one who was able to connect with the spectator in a more intimate way.

Of those few, almost all were already much older actors and with a long and important career, but when Armand, arrived in New York to add, managed to immediately capture the attention of Maxwell, who in his younger years, was also one of the best actors, but given new opportunities, decided to retire from the world of acting, to be now on the other side, as a director, one who was not only one of the best and well paid in America, but one who was a perfectionist, because he liked to take care of every little detail, for that reason and without thinking twice, he accepted Armand and gave him his first leading role, to give life to one of the most emblematic characters of Shakespeare, Romeo. People liked the young man's impeccable performance so much that they gave him a standing ovation, launching him to fame, and to this day he has managed to grab the covers of magazines and newspapers, some called him the new Romeo, the boy prodigy, the king of hearts, among other nicknames.

While Juliet and Thomas watched the rehearsals from their seats, Patrick was spending time with Cecil, because although that handsome light brown, who was well known for being too sullen, had fallen in love with Cecil, it was true that at first he couldn't stand her because of his dastardly behaviour against Juliet, but with the almost daily coexistence between them a nice connection emerged, Thomas was incredulous, because he could almost swear that Karen had caught his brother's attention, but when he confessed that he began to feel something for the blonde, he had no choice but to support him and put aside the resentment he felt for her, because the only thing he wanted was for his brother to be happy. The surprises continued, when from one day to the next Patrick and Cecil started a romance, the first one to scream was Karen, because she couldn't understand how that wilted woman had managed to catch a Thompson, she only hoped that this time she was sincere and didn't hurt a good man. Meanwhile, Armand and Juliet were quick to congratulate the new couple, and wished them a long-lasting relationship.

Every time the rehearsals ended, Karen, Patrick, Thomas, Cecil, Armand and Juliet, used to go out to dinner, either to a restaurant or to a street stall, and then go dancing for a while, almost always Karen, was the first to apologise and ended up retiring to her residence, because she did not like to be just a spectator of how her friends had a partner and she still did not. The last night, when they could all meet, it didn't take long to give some privacy to the young lovers, who took advantage of that moment they had alone to love each other in all the extension of the word and what they cared less about were the consequences that could result because Armand, what he longed most was to confirm that his freckled girl was expecting a child fruit of their immense love, that would be more than perfect.

The day they feared so much arrived, the day of the farewell, Armand, who was accompanied by Cecil, said goodbye to their respective partners at the train station, where between words of love and kisses they promised to write to each other very often. During the first two weeks Juliet and Armand exchanged letters, where they told each other about their activities, as well as the brown man took the opportunity to tease his fiancée, because if there was something he enjoyed so much it was that, teasing her, he loved to see the grimaces of disgust that she made, it was a pure delight.

Everything was going smoothly, as Juliet was still working at the clinic, as always giving her best, she looked so radiant, even Alex noticed a special glow in those beautiful emeralds, which he loved, because he adored seeing his little sister happy. On the other hand, Alexei used to visit her every afternoon and bring her roses, which she ended up refusing. While in New York, Amber intercepted all the letters Juliet sent to Armand. During a gala dinner, she had dared to kiss Armand in front of all the journalists, which caused the event to be captured in a photo that made the front pages of the newspapers and caused a great scandal. When Juliet saw these photos, she felt her heart break in two, as she could not believe her eyes and even less what the tabloids were saying. Richard, not waiting any longer, travelled to his son's side to clarify the situation, the last thing he wanted was for the image of his favourite daughter-in-law to be tarnished. After clarifying the situation, he set about the task of demanding that the journalists deny the unpleasant scandal; after all, he was a powerful man and could take advantage of it. A month had passed and Armand still had not received a letter from his beloved, which alarmed him, for he feared that she had believed the gossip. After a long and heavy day of rehearsal, he arrived at his flat and when he opened the door an envelope fell, thinking that it was a letter from his beloved, he did not hesitate to open the envelope and what he saw next left him stunned, because they were photos of Juliet, who appeared apparently embraced by a blond with oxygenated hair, If he had been the same impulsive boy of yesteryear, his jealousy would have blinded him and he would end up doing things that he would regret later, he tried to control himself and think with a cool head, this was undoubtedly a bad move and he would not allow them to take him away from his beloved. Meanwhile in Chicago, Juliet had fainted while he was in the middle of the night.

She was still attending to a child, Dr. Matthew, when he checked her, he confirmed his suspicions, her star paediatrician, she was pregnant and he didn't take long to tell Alex, who was overjoyed when he found out and once Juliet reacted, he told him the great news.

Jul, what a joy, I'm going to be an uncle,’ said a very moved Alex. It's the most wonderful gift,’ he said happily, hugging her.

Are you... are you serious?’ he asked with surprise and a little glimmer of hope in his eyes. But that happiness was dulled seconds later.

You still have doubts about that picture, don't you, little one? Armand, he loves you and I bet when he finds out he's going to be a daddy he'll be happy,’ he said with conviction.

Do you think so? I haven't heard from him in a month. I'm afraid that what they said in the papers is true.

Don't talk nonsense. He loves you and I know it.

Grandma, she'll be upset when she finds out.

Maybe... but it was bound to happen sooner or later. It's only two months before your wedding and we'd better break the news. I'll have to go to Armand, to inform him. Now the important thing here is for you to relax, little one.

The next morning Alex, together with Steven, took the first train to New York, in the course of the trip he wrote a letter to Richard in which he gave him the good news and that therefore he requested urgently his presence to make the announcement of the arrival of the new member Thompson Hamilton, the tutors of the engaged couple needed to be present. The journey did not feel at all tiresome due to the amount of details he was fine-tuning, and after a few hours of travelling, the train finally arrived at its destination late at night, which is why he decided that the next morning he would go to the theatre to talk to his friend and now brother-in-law.

To tell the truth he was still incredulous about the photos he had received the night before, he began to think carefully about the meddling people who wanted to ruin his engagement, he would have thought about Adele, but that was impossible since she had been living in France for several years with her husband and children, Robert, impossible his cousin, loved Juliet too much to hurt her, and he was above all a gentleman, but was he a gentleman? She was less so since she was now engaged to Patrick and to tell the truth she had changed, because now she was another woman, then ... Amber, that young woman so cloying and the one who had been the cause of that scandal weeks ago, she would be capable of anything but if she faced her like that nothing else would give her the pleasure of knowing that her plans to ruin her engagement were working, she had to be smarter, she had decided to talk to Robert and ask him.

With that decision he had arrived at the theatre, Karen greeted him and when she noticed that he was strange she began to question him. He had no choice but to tell her and the chestnut also came to the conclusion that the person who was behind all this was Amber, both friends were very focused on tying up ends, until Robert called his cast, because the rehearsals were about to start, when suddenly two elegant gentlemen approached the director of the theatre, a tall and handsome blond asked to speak urgently with Armand, the director to recognize that important gentleman agreed without protesting to his request, minutes later Armand, appeared.

Alex... what... what's wrong? Is Julietta all right? he asked with concern.

Armand, I beg you to sit down and try to calm down.

I beg you to tell me what's going on. Why hasn't Jul written to me?

What do you mean, Jul hasn't written to you? I ask incredulously. You're the one who hasn't written. I have been a witness, I reproach him.

I swear that every day I write to her but I don't get any reply, tell me the truth, does she want to cancel the engagement? I ask anguished.

What nonsense you are talking. She would never think such a thing and even less now in her state, she said firmly.

State? he asked incredulously.

That's right, did they think that after what they did there would be no consequences,’ he questioned ironically.

With that decision he had arrived at the theatre, Karen greeted him and when she noticed that he was strange she began to question him. He had no choice but to tell her and the chestnut also came to the conclusion that the person who was behind all this was Amber, both friends were very focused on tying up ends, until Robert called his cast, because the rehearsals were about to start, when suddenly two elegant gentlemen approached the director of the theatre, a tall and handsome blond asked to speak urgently with Armand, the director to recognize that important gentleman agreed without protesting to his request, minutes later Armand, appeared.

Alex... what... what's wrong? Is Julietta all right? he asked with concern.

Armand, I beg you to sit down and try to calm down.

I beg you to tell me what's going on. Why hasn't Jul written to me?

What do you mean, Jul hasn't written to you? I ask incredulously. You're the one who hasn't written. I have been a witness, I reproach him.

I swear that every day I write to her but I don't get any reply, tell me the truth, does she want to cancel the engagement? I ask anguished.

What nonsense you are talking. She would never think such a thing and even less now in her state, she said firmly.

State? he asked incredulously.

That's right, did they think that after what they did there would be no consequences,' he questioned ironically.

Armand had not grasped what Alex had said, because his brain was not processing the information correctly.

Tell me, aren't you excited to know that in eight months you'll be a father? he asked again curiously.

What? My... my freckle, she's pregnant? he asked incredulously, raising his voice, which caused his fellow board members to turn to look at him.

That's right, we only found out the wonderful news yesterday and now I realise that you my rebels didn't waste any time. I congratulate you, at last I will have a nephew.

I can't believe it. I have to see her. I am immensely happy, she said with emotion and tears were beginning to roll down her cheeks.

I have written to your father and I hope that he will meet me in Chicago shortly. We have to make the news public to silence all the malicious rumours that have arisen.

Robert called the handsome actor and directed his fellow actors to take their places while they concentrated on rehearsals. Alex took a seat in one of the seats and watched his friend and son-in-law perform. Armand, during the rehearsals, was in a very good mood, giving his best and even smiling, which surprised his colleagues a lot. He was overjoyed with what Alex had told him, at last his dreams were coming true, now what he most wanted was to be with his beloved, to hug her, kiss her and caress that beautiful belly. Once the exhausting rehearsal was over, the brown-haired man met with the director of the theatre company, he needed to ask him urgently for a couple of days.

What you're asking is impossible, Armand,’ protested Maxwell. Besides, we're two weeks away from the premiere, I can't do what you're asking me to do, boy.

Maxwell, it's a matter of the utmost importance,’ the brown-haired man spat with annoyance.

Please, Armand, try to calm down.

How do you want me to calm down? My fiancée is pregnant and you're asking me to calm down? he questioned with irony.

Your... your fiancée is pregnant? I ask incredulously. I understand your reaction, but I ask you to understand me.

And who understands me? I thought I could count on you and I see that I was wrong,’ he said annoyed, leaving the office.

What's going on, Armand? asked Alex, who was waiting outside the office, with obvious concern.

Let's go, I'm leaving with you and I don't care if I get fired from the company. Juliet, it's more important.

Armand, wait, Maxwell stopped him.

Mr. Hathaway,’ interjected Alex. I understand, you are under pressure because of the premiere. But I ask you to understand my brother-in-law, my sister is expecting her first child and as you know it is necessary for him to see her.

Mr. Thompson, I understand...Armand, for a special reason I am allowing you three days, but I beg you, as soon as you return, to give yourself completely to the rehearsals,’ said the director with resignation.

I thank you, Maxwell, and I give you my word that I will not let you down.

I'm well aware of that, my boy.

Blond and brown, left the theatre and went to dinner at the hotel restaurant, where Alex was staying, both caught up on their activities and especially about the gossip that was circulating. Armand told her about the letters and that no matter how much he wrote, he received no reply from his fiancée.

I will investigate what really happened, because it makes me uneasy. I don't want someone to try to separate them.

I have a suspect, but I don't want to get ahead of myself.

So who is she? I ask curiously.

It's my co-star.

The young redhead? What a surprise. You sure have a way with crazy women.

Don't tell me about it. I can't stand her.

You'd better be very careful she doesn't take you in.

That's why I'm so anxious to marry my freckles.

It's only a month away.

It's too long, she answered dramatically.

Don't be exaggerated. But if you want, we can change the date to a year from now.

Don't play games with me or I swear I'm capable of stealing Juliet,’ he said firmly.

The two friends joked around, until late into the night Armand said goodbye to his friend, promising to meet him first thing the next morning at the train station, so they could both return to Chicago.