20. April

I woke up that Saturday with no desire to do anything, I just wanted to listen to the music of the mysterious boy at the piano.

"Are you going to do anything today?" asked Sophie curiously.

"Actually, I just want to stay in the room and study," I replied without much encouragement.

Sophie nodded and mentioned that she would get some breakfast. Gratefully, I watched her leave the room.

I walked to my desk, picked up my cell phone and started looking at Daniel's pictures. His blue eyes and red hair reminded me that he had awakened my hope for a normal life. I wanted to keep that flame in myself, so I put the pictures away fondly and started listening to the different songs on the piano of the mysterious boy from school.

As I listened to the music, I felt my muscles relax and one less weight rested on me. Now I knew I could do something with my life, away from what my parents had decided for me. For the first time in a long time, I had found something I truly longed for, and I wasn't going to let anyone take it away from me.

I lost myself in the melodies of the piano, trying to forget for a moment the conflicts and threats that constantly haunted my life. However, although I felt lighter, I also felt a strong responsibility towards Daniel. After all, my parents were the killers of his parents, and I had to find a way to protect him from them and from myself.

"What am I doing?" I wondered under my breath. "How can I even think about having a normal life?"

But remembering Daniel's kind face and his desire to help me, I was filled with determination and hope. Perhaps, together, we could find a way to escape our respective shadows and build a different future for ourselves.

Still deep in thought, the ringing of my cell phone brought me out of my reverie. I looked at the screen and saw that it was a message from Ethan.

"We have to meet, it's something important." I frowned and decided to ignore him. I was still upset with him for what he had done to David. But Ethan persisted, sending me another message, "You'll regret it if we don't see each other."

I sighed, knowing I couldn't just avoid it, I asked which direction I should go.

"I'll be waiting for you outside your building," was his reply. I put my cell phone away and slowly got up from my desk. I took off my pajamas and changed clothes, choosing something comfortable and practical to face whatever Ethan wanted to tell me.

When I left the building, Ethan was already there, leaning against a wall with his hands in his pockets. When he saw me, he greeted me with a friendliness I didn't recognize in him.

"Let's walk while we talk," he suggested.

"If you have something important to tell me, you can do it now" I replied impatiently. Ethan shook his head.

"No what I have to tell you is sensitive," Ethan replied, staring me straight in the eyes. "And I don't want anyone else to hear it."

We started walking together, feeling the cool morning air on my face. Despite my displeasure at meeting Ethan, I couldn't help but be intrigued by what he had to tell me. As we walked, I wondered what could be so important that he would insist on seeing us.

My hands tightened in my pockets, aware that I had to be prepared for anything. Despite the kindness Ethan was showing at the moment, I knew I couldn't trust him completely, especially after what he had done to David. However, a part of me hoped that, for once, Ethan could offer me something other than trouble and conflict.

We walked together in silence, following the school trails that gradually led us deeper into the forest. The fresh air around us was infused with the scent of leaves and damp earth. Despite the beauty of the surroundings, I couldn't help but feel a growing paranoia. My thoughts circled around what Ethan might do to me, and I reminded myself that I was ready to defend myself if necessary.

Suddenly, Ethan stopped and took a few steps away. His back was to me before he turned to me. His gaze was intense, as if he was assessing every part of my being. Finally, he spoke, "My mission...it's about Daniel."

"Why would your mission have anything to do with Daniel?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the surprise and fear I felt.

"I've been ordered to investigate him," Ethan confessed, avoiding my gaze. "He's been getting too close to you, April. And that's a problem for certain people."

"And what do you want me to do about it?" I said, feeling anger begin to take hold of me.

"You could do something for me," Ethan replied cautiously. "And in return, I won't say anything. I'll say that Daniel isn't a suspect of anything."

"You're disgusting!" I exclaimed, indignant. "I can't believe you're threatening me like this."

"I know your feelings for him," Ethan continued, ignoring my fury. "But you must understand that this is for your own good. You can't let your emotions control you."

"Do you really think I'm going to betray Daniel for you?" I sneered at her. "You're nothing but a selfish manipulator."

"Think, April," Ethan said in a concerned tone. "The only one who's really in danger here is Daniel. While he may be a good fighter, he won't know what to do if someone tries to shoot him in the head."

"If you really want to help me," I replied firmly, trying to hide my fear, "then stop threatening me."

"Daniel will chase you," Ethan insisted, clenching his fists. "And that will endanger both of us - don't you understand?"

"And what do you suggest I do?" I asked in a shaky voice, feeling my hands start to sweat.

"It's simple," Ethan said, softening his expression. "Come out with me. If we're together, Daniel will stay away from you and I can protect you."

"You're crazy," I said, incredulous. "Do you really think I'll agree to go out with you after all this?"

"Trust me," Ethan pleaded, with a sincerity in his eyes I'd never seen before. "We've been together since childhood, April. You know I would never hurt you."

I looked at Ethan, trying to read his emotions. At that moment, I didn't see someone with a hard and unforgiving heart, but someone who was begging for a chance. Someone who, despite his mistakes, seemed to want to protect me.

"Okay," I agreed with a sigh, "I'll pretend to be your girlfriend, but it'll all be over when Daniel walks away."

I couldn't stop my voice from sounding shaky as I said it.

Ethan looked at me with a mixture of surprise and relief before moving closer to me. His face kept moving closer to mine, and without warning, his lips touched mine in a hurried, desperate kiss. He tried to thrust his tongue into my mouth, but I quickly pushed him away, pushing him away forcefully.

"You're crazy!" I exclaimed, feeling fury and fear take hold of me.

"Crazy?" replied Ethan, offended. "No. We're a couple now, aren't we?" His expression turned serious, almost menacing.

"We're...pretending" I replied, trying to hold my ground. "That's all."

"I'm not going to pretend," Ethan said with determination. "And neither should you if you really want to protect Daniel."

His dark eyes scanned me intently, making me feel more vulnerable than ever.

"How can I trust you after all this?" I asked, feeling my hands start to sweat again.

"Because," Ethan replied, his voice softer, "despite everything, I've never let you down in the past, April. I've always been there for you."

My thoughts raced as I tried to process his words. It was true that Ethan had been with me since childhood and, despite his mistakes, had never failed me. But this was different. This involved betraying my feelings for Daniel and risking his life.

I turned around and started to walk away, not knowing what else to say. There was something deep in my heart that told me that maybe there was another way to protect Daniel without falling into Ethan's clutches. But before I could take another step, I felt Ethan take my hand firmly, stopping my advance.

"Please, April," he pleaded with me, almost on the verge of tears. "Accept my feelings. I've always had feelings for you. I swear."

I looked into his eyes, completely bewildered. I had never before seen Ethan so vulnerable, so sincere. I felt caught between loyalty to him and my own feelings for Daniel. What could I do? What was the right decision?

"I promise to be someone good," Ethan continued, clinging to my hand. "I'll change and be whatever you want me to be. I'm just asking for a chance."

"Okay" I finally replied, feeling my heart shrink at the thought of betraying Daniel.

"But there will be no kissing" I added firmly, trying to maintain some sort of control over the situation.

"Okay," Ethan murmured. But in that same instant, he took advantage of my distraction to rush over and steal another kiss from my lips. This time I didn't push him away; I stood there, unmoving, as tears began to well up in my eyes.

"All this," I thought bitterly, "is for protecting Daniel. For keeping him away from me and keeping him alive."