38

Armand, what's wrong with you? asked the brunette, approaching her friend. You've been very serious lately, you've gone back to being the sullen boy you were before, Karen reminded him.

Don't bother, Karen,’ he growled. I'm not in the mood to have to put up with your teasing, he mused with annoyance, standing up.

You're a sourpuss, I snort. Not even because it's Valentine's Day tomorrow, you smile. Poor Juliet having to marry a person like you, I'll have to warn her,’ he sneered.

Believe me, she already knows that,’ he replied mockingly.

I doubt it very much, because if she did, believe me she wouldn't have agreed to marry you, he mocked.

If you're done, I'm leaving, she informed, about to leave.

Wait...

What do you want now?

Tell me what's wrong, you've been sulking for three days. You should be happy, because tomorrow is an important date.

Well, that's why I'm like this, I confess.

You haven't spoken to her?

We keep writing to each other, but it's not the same, I miss her so much.

Why don't you tell Maxwell to give you a few days, I'm sure he'll understand.

For God's sake, Karen, do you think Maxwell is going to give me a few days? I ask incredulously. You know we're so close to the premiere.

True, but you should at least tell your fiancée to come visit you.

I don't want to look too extreme either, I have no choice but to wait until the day of the premiere to see her again,’ he said regretfully.

It's quite a case,’ he mused, letting out a sigh. But, come on, we might as well go out to dinner or do something fun.

I appreciate that, Karen, but I'm really not in the mood.

Karen was silent, because after a while she understood her big mistake, it was obvious that her friend was in a hell of a temper since his beloved fiancée wouldn't be with him to celebrate a very special day, even if she wanted to help him she didn't know how.

Alright, I won't bother you anymore, I'd better go to my dressing room, rehearsals are about to start, he mused, about to leave his friend's dressing room. See you at rehearsal.

Sure, he answered without encouragement, as he plopped down on the couch. He really missed his beloved, he longed to be by her side, and although he was tempted to go and tell Maxwell to give him a few days off, he had to restrain himself, for he knew the company's current situation, as they were just about to open Othello. He couldn't complain about the leading role he had landed, but what he did complain about was the constant advances of his co-star, Amber, who kept harassing him, to the extent that she would sometimes enter his dressing room unannounced or get too close to him. He was always polite and professional, but there came a time when he could not take it anymore, he was sure of one thing, if Amber had been a man, she would have hit him, however, the sad reality was different, and he only had to be prudent and keep his distance, because he did not want her to misinterpret his education with some love interest, which was far from happening, he loved and would always love Juliet, she was the reason for his life. While the brown man was struggling with himself, in Chicago, at the Thompson residence, Alexander was in his office, pacing back and forth, thinking about how to help his sister, so that she could be reunited with her sister.

Armand was aware of that important date for lovers, and what he most longed for was to see his sister happy, because even if she didn't say anything about it, he knew her too well to realise her melancholy and if there was something he hated the most, it was to see his little sister sad, so he had to think of something and fast. After two hours of thinking and thinking about the matter, he opted to resort to the help of his cousins, as he was aware that they would gladly help, so, without further ado, he sent one of the servants to go get them, minutes later, two young men entered the blond's office.