uncertainty.

March 30.

Billy trailed kisses down her stomach, gently touching every part of her, each kiss growing more intense with every breath. In one moment, she tried to pull away, to resist, but the sensation of his lips on her body overwhelmed her, and she clutched his hands tightly. With each kiss, she felt herself losing control, teetering on the edge of madness. Anne tried to scream.

-More, -she whispered.

Her green-brown eyes imagined the pleasure taking over, an all-consuming force, something more than just desire—a power over her that was undeniable.

-More,- she gasped again.

He gripped her hips and pulled her close. The pressure became too much, snapping her back to reality. A sharp sound, a knock, broke the moment, pulling her away from the bliss she was wrapped in. It felt almost accidental, like a sudden interruption, pushing her back into the mundane chaos of her everyday life.

She swung the door open, shouting over the noise of the children running through the house, her moment shattered.

-Quiet down! Can't you see I'm trying to catch my breath here?- Anne was overwhelmed, her frustrations bubbling to the surface.

-Dear, you're more worked up than usual,- commented her grandmother from the far end of the hallway, her tone distant but calm.

-I've got a lot on my mind. And yesterday's work nearly split my head open. Every morning, the same yelling and chaos. It's only six in the morning, and school doesn't start until nine! Why must you all start hammering away like this at the crack of dawn?- Anne's voice broke with the weight of her frustration.

-Ah, there she goes again,- sighed the grandmother, shaking her head.

Anne stormed off to the shower, her body still burning from the lingering sensations.

***

Billy, on set, was immersed in his work, throwing himself into the role. The intensity of the scene mirrored his focus, each take demanding more than the last.

-Take six! -

INT. GATTACA - COMPUTER COMPLEX. NIGHT.

The computer complex was empty and dimly lit. JEROME cast one last look around the room. Sitting at the terminal, he played a final sequence of his path through the stars, the journey he was about to take.

He noticed a key was missing from the keyboard. Realizing its significance, he stood up, ready to leave.

INVESTIGATOR

Vincent...

Jerome froze at the sound of his name, his true name.

Slowly, he turned to face the man who had called him. The Investigator stepped out from the shadows.

INVESTIGATOR

What are you running from, Vincent?

JEROME

(calmly)

From Vincent.

The two men faced each other for the first time in a long while. The Investigator was stunned by the face staring back at him, barely able to believe what he saw.

INVESTIGATOR

Has it been so long that you don't even remember me?

JEROME

(nodding toward the Investigator's badge)

Maybe it's you... who's forgotten?

(looking at him)

What are you doing here, Anton?

The truth became evident—the Investigator was his brother, Anton.

ANTON

I could ask you the same.

(glancing at the impressive complex)

I belong here. You don't.

Jerome smirked.

JEROME

Do you believe that?

ANTON

(ignoring the comment, extending his hand)

Come with me now, Vincent. You've gone as far as you can.

JEROME

(looking toward the stars)

There are still millions of miles left to go.

ANTON

(firmly) "It's over."

JEROME

(shaking his head)

Is that the only way you know how to win, Anton? By finding me again?

ANTON

It's for the best.

JEROME

(getting angrier)

God, even you want to tell me what I can't do. Haven't you figured it out yet, Anton? I don't need rescuing. But you did once.

The memory hurt Anton.

JEROME

(taunting)

So, what now? You have all the answers, right? How can that be?

ANTON

(steadfast)

I didn't lose that day. I beat myself.

JEROME

And who are you trying to convince?

ANTON

I'll prove it. Come swim with me, Vincent. Now... tonight.

Jerome looked at Anton with a knowing smile.

A phone rang somewhere in the vast space of Gattaca. The echo was perfect. "Take six" was approved, after a long day of work.

-Cut!- called the director, ready to move on to the next scene.

**

Anne drove with frustration gripping the wheel, the music blaring, trying to escape the day's chaos. She had left work early with one goal in mind. Margot raised an eyebrow as she passed, but said nothing, sensing the turmoil.

-I'm sorry, but you can't come in, - said a man, standing at the entrance.

Anne's eyes narrowed in anger. She stepped toward him, pointing her finger accusingly.

-Listen, pal, I don't doubt your job, but I do doubt your brain. Now, do what you're supposed to, because my patience is running thin, - she snapped, her temper barely contained.

Anne's commanding presence was undeniable, and five minutes later, she walked in, still fuming. She sat down, her mind swirling, exhaustion finally pulling her into a nap.

Billy arrived later, fresh from a long swim. He saw her there, the blonde woman fast asleep on the bed.

-Anne, wake up, - he whispered, gently shaking her.

-Anne, wake up, - he said again, nudging her softly.

She stirred, her hair tousled.

-I must have fallen asleep, - she muttered.

-Yeah, the guard said a lioness stormed onto the set earlier. You caused quite the impression—they won't be telling you 'no' again anytime soon, - Billy teased, handing her a bottle of water.

She drank, her thoughts racing, but her mind felt blank.

-I think I'm going to quit, - Anne said suddenly.

-What? What are you talking about, Anne? - Billy asked, concerned.

-I can't do this anymore. The company, the pressure—it's all too much. I feel like I'm suffocating, - she said, her voice trembling with panic.

Billy sighed, realizing Monica had been right. She had seen the cracks forming before anyone else.

-Monica told me, Anne, - Billy said, moving closer. -Don't run away. She knows what you're going through, and she knows what you're capable of handling. -

His words, though gentle, struck deep. Billy pulled Anne into his arms, holding her tightly. Tears welled up in her eyes, her pride crumbling in the safety of his embrace.

-She said I could be with you, as long as it stayed... just this, - Billy murmured.

Anne tried to respond, but the words got lost in her throat. She felt vulnerable, like a deer caught in headlights.

-I want to quit, - she whispered again.

...

this is the 444 chapter in Patreon. On Patreon, we are at 473. I repeat a lot of numbers, so it's more or less like 480.