by R. Twine
‘Which one?’ I enquired.
‘The one in which a threat to your body will appear,’ Natalie said and disappeared.
I got up and made for the waterfront, the women who sat nearby gazing after me in astonishment. I had nothing to do there any longer.
Chapter 44
Three months passed like a day.
Tragic Love turned out to be a huge box office success on the world stage. Media coverage was mainly positive, many critics pointed out the very good ending of the film and brilliant acting.
I refused to take part in the opening night; I did it deliberately to make Samuel bear the entire burden of responsibility and make him weasel his way out of the reporters’ hard questions concerning our relationship. Jack got angry with me for having ignored my responsibilities. He called me and expressed his dissatisfaction.
‘You could have at least come for a couple of days, Miriam…’
‘This clause wasn’t stipulated in the contract,’ I replied with slight sarcasm.
I didn’t feel guilty at all because I already knew who’d pressured Jack Nilson to select me for Liz’s role.
‘If I have the opportunity and am in the right mood, I’ll come as soon as possible,’ I promised, trying to somehow diffuse the atmosphere.
‘Congratulations, Miriam, you’ve made a good start in your career,’ Jack said in a somewhat friendlier tone.
‘I’m not going to be in the movies any more, I have different plans. Perhaps, I’ll write a script soon.’
‘I’m always here for you,’ Jack said interestedly. ‘We’ve done a good job making Tragic Love, and if you bring me something interesting, we can continue working together.’
‘Certainly, Jack,’ I assured him. ‘I’ll send you the script as soon as it’s finished. You’ll be the first to read it.’
Jack grunted, pleased with what he heard, and thus the subject was exhausted.
Several days later Samuel came to Paris, and I formally accepted his proposal.
‘At last, Miriam!’ exclaimed Samuel, tears in his eyes. He then scooped me up and waltzed me around the room. ‘I have been waiting for this day for so long! I’ll do my best to make you the happiest woman in the world!’
I’d never seen Samuel so joyful before. He stood me carefully onto the floor and – presto! A velvet box suddenly appeared in his hands. He opened it and handed it to me to take a look. Inside, there was an emerald necklace of extreme beauty fringed with diamonds; it lit up my face with its tender glimmer.
‘It once belonged to an Indian princess, then it was sold to a French King. This piece has a great historical value. I’m very glad that now it’ll belong to you as a token of our love and happiness!’ Sam said and smiled his legendary smile.
‘It’s a sheer beauty!’ I exclaimed in amazement. ‘You’ve got perfect taste, Samuel. I’ll wear your amazing gift on our wedding day! I took the necklace and began studying it. ‘It’s simply magnificent! The emeralds are unparalleled! What craftsmanship!’ I exclaimed in sincere admiration.
‘I’m ready to give you anything, Miriam…’
‘You’ve already convinced me that you really can,’ I said, kissing him on the lips.
We were really a perfect couple: two natural born actors living under one roof.
Time flew at an astounding speed bringing the fixed day closer. Preparations for the wedding were in full swing.
Michael’s silence was making me furious. He didn’t answer my calls, and ignored my emails. I didn’t have the slightest opportunity to talk to him though I needed to so much! I needed to talk to him because I was no longer sure I was doing the right thing by marrying Samuel. Now that he was no longer by my side I came to realize that I couldn’t live without him.
As for Samuel, he was very sweet, tender and caring. He heaped me with flowers and compliments.
‘We’ll always be together, honey,’ he used to say. ‘Nothing can ever tear us apart! I love you so much!’ His outpourings sounded rather convincing and sincere.
‘By the way, how’s your daughter? And what’s your parents’ attitude towards all this?’ I asked.
‘The baby girl is growing up nicely; I go to see her when I have free time. As for my parents, they sent me a card when she was born – and that was all. We’ve never been really close, our relationship was always chilly,’ Sam replied.
‘What about your sister Nancy?’
‘Nancy was really understanding,’ she said children didn’t have to pay for the sins of their parents. By the way, she asked me to say hi.’
‘Thanks,’ I said. ‘Soon we’ll have the opportunity to meet the entire family. By the way, I saw Agella and Robert are on the list of those invited to the reception. Tell them I’ll be very glad to see them again.’
‘Miriam, I’m a really well known person, after all, that’s why I’ll have to invite more than just members of the immediate family,’Samuel said apologetically. ‘On my side, there’ll be over three hundred people. As you know, they are all people of high standing. By the way, is your guest list ready?’
‘Not yet, but I’ll get down to doing it in the shortest possible time,’ I promised.
Samuel left again but he called me every day and sent me flowers. He did everything he could not to let me forget about his love.
Several days later, while sitting by the TV, I heard the sensational news. After the release of Tragic Love, additional circumstances of Liz’s death had surfaced, and now everybody had come to believe it was a murder.
The famous actress Elizabeth Arlen was poisoned by her lover, Bryan Edwards. New evidence has been found supporting this fact… a sweet female presenter said with a frown.
Chapter 45
Michael turned up at last. He came when I had already given up hope. I threw myself into his arms, forgiving him right away for his long silence.
‘I missed you so much, Michael!’ I whispered, ardently kissing him.
‘I’ve come only because of you, Miriam,’ Michael said, drawing back slightly. ‘All the papers are peppered with the news about the movie, about Liz’s murder, about your successful debut, about Samuel’s talent and about your forthcoming wedding. It’s hard for me to put up with the prospect of you marrying him. But I’ve got some news and I’ve made up my mind to tell it in a personal conversation, not over the phone.’
‘I’m all ears,’ I said, but went on talking anyway, overjoyed at seeing Michael again. ‘How glad I am you’ve come back, Michael! If only you knew how I’ve missed you! You know, we might really have become a happy couple! During this time I’ve come to realize how much I love you and how bad I feel when you’re not by my side.’
‘Wait a minute, Miriam,’ said Michael, interrupting me. ‘Let’s talk business first. I’ve met with detective Nino and handed over to him the documents shedding light on some of the members of The Star of Baphomet. He’ll check everything himself first and then add this material to an old criminal case marked as confidential. After thorough investigation of all the details, the persons whose complicity in crimes is proven may be formally charged with committing a crime. Certainly, we cannot be sure yet, but still there’s a lingering hope that if these papers end up in the hands of an honest man they’ll be able to help restore justice.’
‘Well done, Michael! To tell you frankly, I thought you’d never bring yourself to take such a bold step,’ I said, making no secret of my joy. ‘You did well. As for the two of us, if we’re destined to be together, we will certainly be together in the end.’
‘There’s one more piece of news,’ Michael said in a tone of voice that sent shivers down my spine. ‘Walter is dead. He was found in the same room – do you remember? In the terrarium. The snakes were crawling all over his body. It happened the day after we met with him.’
I was petrified; I couldn’t utter a word. Though I was accustomed to the fact that death occupied a significant place in my life, this news was like a bolt of lightning out of the blue.
‘What will be,
will be,’ said Michael, trying to cheer me up.
‘What a pity…’ was all I could manage to say.
We embraced each other.
‘I’ve been dreaming about having a son all my life, Miriam,’ Michael said in a quiet voice. ‘I know that you will be a loving and caring mother, but now I am afraid to have children, because I’m now aware that evil is hot on our heels. I’m boiling with the desire for revenge. I’m about to explode because hatred for Samuel and his demonic mother overfills me.’
‘Don’t worry, Michael, we’ll take our revenge on them.’
The week I spent with Michael did me good. I was happy by his side. I would forget everything when I was in his arms, even about my forthcoming wedding.
‘I wonder what my dear little brother thinks about our relationship because the paparazzi have been taking pictures of us for a full week,’ Michael said cheerfully, splashing with me in a swimming pool.
‘He thinks that our relationship is of a purely platonic nature,’ I said laughing. ‘He may think whatever he wants; I don’t care. You know, when I ask him about his daughter and her mother, he answers so reluctantly! And when I happen to mention Agella, he quickly tries to change the subject! This is why his opinion is what interests me the least. The feelings I had for him have vanished. I only want to take my revenge on him and the people who manipulate him. It’s highly likely they masterminded the car crash in which my parents died. And you know why they did it? My grandma had been a member of The Star of Baphomet, but after her death this connection was broken, and I became inaccessible to them. For this particular reason they killed my parents: to make me more controllable and more vulnerable. All this has to do with me and my future children. As for Samuel… I think he’s afraid of his domineering mother and simply does her bidding. This is why I’m going to continue putting on an act.’
‘By doing so, you help him implement all of his plans…’ Michael said.
‘Samuel needs me to give birth to his son. But believe me, that is something that will never happen,’ I said in a serious tone of voice.
‘How do you know? Are you going to stop sleeping with him, by any chance?’ he asked, sitting on the edge of the pool and dangling his feet in the water.
‘We don’t have sex any more and never will,’ I said. ‘Michael, they can’t even imagine what I have in store for them! I’ll never forgive anyone for the deaths of my loved ones. I know that these murders come from Samuel so what I’d planned to do is more of a punishment than just a revenge! A real punishment! By the way, Michael, you’re going to be my guest of honor, and you will see with your own eyes the fireworks display I’m going to stage for them. I’ll take my cruel revenge on them for their killing Natalie! But nobody will know how exactly I’m going to execute my plan – even you, my dear. You simply have to believe that my wedding is going to turn into a grandiose spectacle!’
‘You’re scaring me, Miriam!’ Michael said.
‘I know full well what I’m doing. The time has come. These people will have to face the consequences of their actions without hiding behind Satan’s back,’ I said and then winked at Michael and called to him. ‘Try to catch up with me!’
And I swam away from him swinging my arms energetically. Michael plunged into the water after me, spraying sparkling splashes around him.
Samuel came to Paris to stay there for several days.
‘I’ve been thinking about you all this time,’ he said, tenderly kissing my earlobe. ‘You get more and more beautiful every day; I can’t wait for you to be my wife.’
‘Have some more patience,’ I said tenderly. ‘Almost everything is ready. I want the guests to feel comfortable. I’ll do my best so that our wedding becomes an unforgettable event for everybody! I can’t wait for this day to come!’ I said dreamily.
‘Who did you invite from you side, honey? I’m still in the dark about it,’ Samuel enquired.
‘There will be my relatives and friends, you will see,’ I replied. ‘You’re already acquainted with some of them, others you’ve yet to meet. Their names won’t mean anything to you; these are people who have nothing to do with showbiz.’
‘Are you going to invite Michael?’ he asked cautiously.
‘Of course I am, because Michael is my friend. I hope that you’ll make friends with him, too – some day.’
‘I’m not sure about that, Miriam. Time will tell, though.’ Then he paused for a while and then asked suddenly. ‘What about your work, Miriam? You get so many offers, but you keep turning them down. Are you serious about quitting your acting career?’
‘I’ve already told you that I don’t want to be an actress. I need time to think everything over and make the right decision. But I’m not going to rush things; besides, the preparations for the wedding take a lot of time.’
‘I think you’re right. Everything for our wedding has to be perfect and run smoothly,’ Samuel said.
He was clearly saddened by something, but I rejoiced!
Samuel left for Los Angeles once again while I was turning everything in my head over and over again trying to think out every minute detail. I’d made my choice and now had to face destiny.
Mt. St. Michel - St Michael's Mountain called me again.
And I went back there. I entered the church and sat in front of the Archangel’s statue. It was quiet and peaceful there, only occasional footsteps would break the silence.
Cold air suddenly enwrapped me, I shivered – and heard a voice.
‘Miriam, my little daughter, I’m very worried,’ Laura said. She was sitting beside me staring at me with her sad eyes. ‘The changes you’ve been planning will be fatal, and not only for you; other people will suffer, too.’
‘I have to go all the way to the end, mum,’ I said. ‘Otherwise these bastards will get off unpunished and carry on with their shady dealings, luring people to the abyss. Someone has to put an end to it.’
‘You run a huge risk, Miriam. Don’t look for those who are guilty of our death. You will find nothing but grief. These people are going to leave you alone soon and you’ll have your chance of living a normal life. But if you succeed in implementing your plan, you’ll have more pain instead of much-expected relief,’ my mother admonished me.
‘Everybody has to bear the responsibility for his or her actions. I don’t want them to get away with it,’ I insisted. ‘The Threads of Light will protect me and I will do what my instincts tell me.’
‘If you have extraordinary capabilities it doesn’t automatically mean you’re entitled to judge others,’ she said. ‘You’ll take revenge on some, while others will suffer, too.’
‘You may be right,’ I said thoughtfully. ‘I promise to be cautious. The Archangel and Satanail have been playing a significant role in my life, especially after you and Dad left me. They helped me acquire precious life experience which I’m using now. I hope, this experience will come in handy in this particular case, too.’
‘Of course, you may use it, my darling daughter, but not to your detriment.’
‘I promise you this, Mummy. My mission wasn’t a simple one; it’s only now that I’ve fathomed its essence, this is why I try to sum up my life. I was able to travel into the depths of the earth and into our endless Universe. I succeeded in understanding why the Creator sent man to Satanail, and what Satanail means to our civilization. I found out that the angels who once protected people still continue the struggle for human souls despite the fact that people themselves are gradually drifting away from them. I came to understand that we need to solve the problem that emerged the very same moment man was expelled from Eden. Mummy, this is my last incarnation and I’m going to do what I think proper. My instincts are leading me down a slippery road, and if I make an irrevocable mistake, I alone will be responsible for it. I don’t want to shift my blame onto somebody else’s shoulders. If I give up on what I’ve planned, I may regret it till the end of my days because I will never know what was to happen. Mummy, I don’t have a moment�
�s hesitation in that after this wedding the veil must fall off my eyes revealing the truth to me and to the world.’
‘Miriam, truth doesn’t always heal the soul’s wounds,’ Laura said sadly.
‘Mum, I have to see it through all by myself. Even angels are not in a position to make me change my decision. Let my old delusion turn into recovery of sight in the future,’ I said, kissing her half-transparent image. Then I got up abruptly and made for the exit.
People who sat behind me exchanged astonished glances. My behavior clearly looked strange to them.
Chapter 46
When there were no stars left visible in the sky, I put on my black cloak and walked over to my guide – the Angel of Death who, as before, stared at me intently, a bunch of black roses in his extended hand. I put out my palm towards the painting – and the little angel graciously took off and gestured invitingly at the dark whirlpool that formed on the canvas in his place. I made a step forward, and the whirlpool started spinning me around and eventually engulfed me, dragging me towards a parallel world.
The silence was hugely oppressive. When my eyes got accustomed to the darkness, I saw the outlines of a throne. I groped my way up its stairs and sat on a cold stone structure to wait for the Master of The Night.
Distraction from all earthly concerns filled all my being. I understood and accepted as inevitable everything that had happened and still was to happen. I had to move on, thinking only about my goal. About how to correct the mistake I’d made, how to atone for the original sin. I had to turn back time for humans to have another opportunity to reevaluate their values and to change their guidelines in life.
The darkness dissipated or I acquired a cat’s ability to see in the darkness: Satanail was standing nearby watching me.
‘Hello, Miriam,’ he said quietly, in a velvet voice. ‘I’m grateful to you for coming to see an old friend of yours. Indeed, women are unpredictable… Even the Creator failed to fathom what’s inside your brains and what motivates you. Your nature and mindset cannot be logically analyzed. Every one of your kind is an enigma…’ The Prince of Darkness’s voice was deep and soft at the same time. ‘I want to disclose to you one of the mysteries now that you’ve brought yourself to come to me. Women are the pillar of human civilization and what keeps it going. Your limitless love and sensuality, your kindness and ability to forgive tone down our anger directed towards humans! Thanks to your highly-evolved minds you are capable of smoothing out all the sharp angles. Only a woman is capable, by giving birth to a baby, to resurrect what was dead and to give new life and love to mankind – revitalized but doomed again to death! If not for you, Eve, there would be no one on Earth but my fallen angels and I, who’d be dying of loneliness and boredom stripped of the duties they used to carry out in Heaven. Your coming changed everything. The Creator, amazed by your cleverness, inquisitiveness and perseverance, decided that human souls should remain immortal.’ Satanail handed me a big black rose and said solemnly. ‘I, the Great Prince of Darkness and the Angel of Death kneel before you. Let the strongest be the winner of this game!’ He paused meaningfully for a couple of seconds and then whispered. ‘You have the same green eyes as when you first came to my apartments…’