Not Giving Up on Forever

by Yana Stevelork

  "Have no idea." Randall shrugged. He was all sweating.

  After a few minutes of emotional conversation and endless "Grazia, Grazia" a clearly cheered Bernardo turned to the guys and rattled:

  "So, losers, I'll save your asses! We're going to Lecco. My friend knows another friend who has a lady friend who has a place for us to sleep!"

  "What?- Randall frowned incredulously. "Do you know this lady friend?"

  "No, Randy, but I know she has a place, and that's all I want to know right now. Come on, the bus is leaving in 15 minutes. I would like not to miss it otherwise we be waiting for another 2 hours. Move on!"

  "Following the instructions of Bernardo is in the highest degree uncomfortable." Anna giggled, obediently following Bernardo ahead of her.

  "We go to our end." Randall joked.

  They reached the station and found the right bus with no problems. There were almost no people, so they easily located immediately on several seats.

  "Is Lecco a beautiful city?" Anna asked.

  "Stands on the banks of Lake Como in the Bergamo Alps." Randall held out thoughtfully, looking off into the distance.

  "What city in Austria are you from?"

  "From the capital. Vienna - you know?"

  "Of course," said Anna. "will you take me there sometime?"

  "And me." Bernardo put in, his eyes falling in love.

  "You're so ugly with that grimace!" Randall threw the bag at him.

  Everyone laughed.

  "You just don't love me, you callous fool!" Bernardo shouted, dodging the blows.

  Anna clung to Randall and closed her eyes. Fatigue broke her. She was driving to an unknown place. It felt like she was some kind of hobo. She hadn't been in this situation before, but it was comforting to have Randall around. And yet, she thought back home. To a state of stability and constancy. A feeling that only... Mark gave her...

  Chapter 26

  "Mark?" Randall asked. "Who's Mark?"

  "What?" the girl blinked blankly, trying to wake up.

  "You called me Mark right now."

  "What? No, that's ridiculous. I was asleep. I don't know who I was talking to, it was a dream. I wasn't talking to you."

  Randall frowned. "I woke you, and you called me Mark."

  "Me?... Randall, I just..."

  "Come on, don't explain." he pushed her lightly on the shoulder. "Grab your bag, we're here."

  It confused Anna. She could not remember the dream, but it was so awkward that she called Randall the name of her ex. Good thing he dropped the conversation. She didn't have a good excuse at the moment.

  They got off the bus, and Lecco appeared before their eyes - the most picturesque city of Lombardy. It was located right on the lakeshore and looked like a fragment from a fairy tale. They stood admiring the magnificent foothills of the Alps, Lake Como with its emerald water, and breathtaking landscapes of the surrounding resort towns.

  "That way!" you could only envy Bernardo's energy.

  He threw himself into the arms of a stout woman with a careworn face and neatly arranged hair.

  "Guys, it's Marla! Marla- guys!" Bernardo introduced. "She'll help us. Thanks, honey!" and he hugged and kissed the woman again.

  "I thought he said he didn't know her personally." Anna whispered in Randall's ear.

  "It's fine, beautiful. What are you saying." he smiled. "I'll go hug Marla too."

  With the same enthusiasm, he wrapped his arms around Marla, who was receiving them both with due attention, not at all surprised. That could not be said about Anna.

  "And this is Anna, my friend!" Randall said. "Anna, go give Marla a hug!"

  "Me? What?" startled the girl, but Marla herself took the initiative and continuously murmuring something sweet in Italian, embraced and kissed Anna all over her face.

  They are all so... open-minded in Italy!

  "Come on, come on!" said Marla, finally releasing Anna. "That's close place. Very close mi apartment! A nice caldo apartment to friends! Bene! Bene! Very good!"

  They went to the house of a woman who was telling the boys something briskly on the go. Anna understood nothing, so she simply preferred to look at nature.

  They got to the house quickly, and in a few minutes the hostess had already placed them on the couch and served tea.

  She was a sturdy, beautiful woman in her thirties. Anna later learned that she was divorced and lived in this house with four children and two dogs. She made her living, cleaning houses for rich people and sometimes hosted the passing-by tourists. From the company she did not take the money, saying that they were friends of her good friends, and from friends she never took a dime.

  After a cheerful get-together exclusively in Italian, Marla showed guests to separate rooms - Bernardo was placed in a large spacious hall with children, and for Anna and Randall hostess, courteously not asking any additional questions, allocated a room for guests, and retired to her own bedroom.

  As soon as Anna spotted the bed, she collapsed on it in exhaustion.

  "Don't even think about it." Randall's voice came from behind. "We're going to have hot, incessant sex all night. Undress."

  "You're out of your mind, Randall." Anna hissed. "We were allowed to spend the night, it's not a motel for you, do not even thi..."

  Her mouth was immediately covered with a kiss. She was about to have a hot, very hot end to the already hot day.

  Chapter 27

  "My legs hurt!" groaned Anna, failing to hide her satisfaction.

  "Poor thing!" Randall sympathized, putting on his clothes and grinning.

  They walked out of the room to the smell of baking. Marla, her children, and Bernardo had already settled at the table in the kitchen and gobbling up the freshly baked bagels, discussed something animatedly. They smiled happily when they saw Anna and Randall awake and invited them to the table.

  The morning was in conversations about family, politics, and weather. Anna only smiled blankly and then left the company altogether, deciding that it was time to finally charge the phone and check incoming mail.

  As soon as the screen lit up, notifications flashed and Anna grimaced. She was sure that they were from students, their parents, or still anything work-related. She skimmed through the numerous letters, trying to pay attention to the most important ones but an incoming call interrupted her work."Mark" flashed the screen.

  Anna doubted for a moment whether she pick up.

  "Hello!" she mumbled as cheerfully as she could.

  "Anna!" a half-shout sounded in the receiver. "I almost went crazy! I bombarded your phone trying to reach you! You okay???"

  "What's wrong, Mark? You know I'm on vacation in Italy. I told you."

  "You just forgot to mention that you disconnect on vacation!"

  "Mark, I.."

  "Thank God you're okay! How is vacation going? You're having such a good time, you don't think about me at all?"

  "Of course, I remember you." the girl replied in confusion. "But you're all right? Some strange reaction you have.. I didn't think you cared if we were in touch or not."

  "Wow!" Mark exhaled. "It is important to me, Anna. If you hadn't decided to go to Italy, I'd be holding you in my arms right now apologizing for all the pain I've caused you."

  Was that Mark on the phone?? What was going on!

  "Mark. Are you drunk?"

  "A little," came the reply. "but that doesn't mean anything. I'd say the same thing sober."

  "Oh, right. Go get some rest. I almost believed all that nonsense."

  The tone of Mark changed instantly to the hostile.

  "Nonsense? Really! Do you think I don't feel anything? I waited for you at Christmas. I wanted to make you my w... You know what, fuck you..."

  "Mark! I'm off!"

  "Don't put the fucking phone down! I love you! Come back to me, Anna!"

  "You're drunk. Goodnight."

  Anna abruptly pressed "End Call." Her heart was pounding wildly. Mark's voice was in her ears. The familiar pain
pierced her with a seemingly new force. She ran out of the room right into Randall, who was walking towards her.

  "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, easy, pretty lady!" he exclaimed, picking up the girl as he walked. "What's your hurry?"

  Anna looked into his eyes. She was shaking.

  "What's wrong?" Randall got concerned when he saw her condition.

  "I love you, Randall. You love me too, don't you?" Anna began to cry and clung to him.

  He hugged her and held her tighter.

  "Everything will be fine. Everything's going to be OK. Calm down, dear."

  Chapter 28

  "Damn him!" Bernardo shouted, looking at the phone screen.

  "Huh?" Randall asked anxiously.

  "Teo. This freak has taken all the tourists away from us again! What the fuck!"

  "What?" Randall jumped up to a friend and gazed at his phone, reading something.

  "Guys, what's the matter?" Anna asked blankly.

  "I despise that arrogant guitarist!" cursed Randall, not hearing anything around.

  "Randall!" Anna called in displeasure. "What's up!"

  "What? Ah, Anna. We have a problem. That bastard, our competitor Teo stole our tourists! We had an agreement with 'em until January 15, but they already want to move out. And where do you think- to his mansion!"

  "What makes you think that?"

  "They just texted Bernardo that Teo offered them a free stay!"

  "Why? What's his benefit?"

  "He just wants to piss me off. He's got tons of money - he's a popular DJ - but he only joined "Milan tours Host Association" to make me mad."

  "Why would he?"

  "The rich have their quirks. He wants to prove he's tougher than me."

  "Are you friends?"

  "No, and never will be. One random meeting, one completely random stupid conversation about the "Host Association" that made us competitors. No, that's just unthinkable! What an asshole!"

  "Let's get back to Milan." Bernardo grunted.

  "What?" Anna already started to think that these changes of scenery rarely lead to something good.

  "Let's." Randall replied decisively. "Get ready, beautiful. Let's go thank benevolent-minded Marla for such a warm welcome and get out of here."

  "Randall!"

  "Do you have any other options?"

  Anna sighed and shook her head negatively.

  "Perfect. Waiting for you in the hall." he kissed the girl and left with Bernardo.

  The whole company together thanked Marla, who was even sad because they were leaving so soon and, turning towards the station, they took a road to Milan.

  Chapter 29

  Despite the long journey, Anna was happy to return to the old place from which it all began. The atmosphere immediately changed, friends were constantly joking and nothing seemed to overshadow the last days of her trip to Milan.

  Randall, ignoring problems with tourists, behaved still thoughtfully and courteously, tried to please the girl, showered her with kisses and compliments. Anna bathed in benevolence and did not want to even think about how in a couple of days she will need to return to Garth city.

  "What happens then?" she asked as they both lay on the sofa, he dangling his legs and she laying hers on him.

  "What do you mean?" Randall, busy reading the news feed on his phone, asked blankly.

  "What will happen to us then?"

  "Beauty, don't worry your head about anything, just hold me tight." he kissed her on the lips and went back to reading.

  Anna sighed heavily. She looked at him - so handsome, he perused unimportant to Anna pages - Randall adored reading political news, controversies, and debates, and watching various stand-up comedies. He could laugh for hours at different videos and always made Anna join him, who curled up near and listened to his ringing laughter.

  But now he read something more serious than the jokes because his forehead showed frown lines, sometimes he would mutter to himself some paragraphs, messing his shiny hair.

  Today he was wearing a wide white t-shirt and jeans, but this usual style only added to his charm. His tanned skin contrasted spectacularly with the material and jeans were a bit tight, giving enough to understand how tall and stately he was.

  Anna smiled. Soon she wouldn't be able to look at Randall like that, immersed in reading. She clung to him and kissed him.

  "I love you, Randall Parleo" she thought to herself but not a word was said aloud.

  "I love you, Anna!" Bernardo's voice rang out.

  She was taken aback. Bernardo flew into the room and with a laugh fell right on top of the couple.

  "How about some tea?" he asked defiantly. "All set!"

  Randall put the phone down and made a face. "Some tea! Bern, your company is superfluous actually, but sure! Who needs a personal life when you got tea! Come on then! Bring up da cupsies!"

  The guys laughed as he stood up and wandered into the kitchen, endlessly calling Anna. She looked at the flashing screen of Randall's phone. The temptation to check the device overshadowed all logical thinking and Anna pressed the chat button.

  The screen was flooded with flirty messages with hearts emojis from a ton of girls. None of the chats was read.

  "Hey, Anna!" Randall shouted from the kitchen. "Where you at?"

  Anna hastily closed the chat and shouted "Coming!"

  What did she expect to see? Why was she on the phone even? Did he talk to all these girls?

  Her head was spinning from all these questions, but she obediently wandered into the kitchen.

  Chapter 30

  The last days of the trip flew incredibly fast, and now Anna was standing at the airport terminal, waiting for her plane. Randall held her hand tightly and this time they were alone.

  Bernardo said goodbye to the girl the day before and left for some important business. Anna stood at the reception desk with watering eyes and Randall was unceasingly wiping the treacherous falling tears from her face.

  "It's not the end, is it?" she kept asking him.

  "Don't be silly, Anna. It's gonna be okay, I'll see you again, and I'll make love to you again." he made a killer smirk.

  "Will you come to my place?"

  "Certainly. You promised to show me Garth."

  "There's nothing to see there."

  Her phone rang.

  "It's mom, I better answer.. " she hastily picked up the phone.

  "Sure." Randall responded.

  Anna stepped aside and reassured her mother for a long time that she was really all right, that she had forgotten nothing anywhere, that the plane was not late and that she would certainly fly home safe and sound. Although Elena lived far away from Garth city, she still felt much calmer when her daughter was there and not somewhere in the world.

  "I love you, Mom." Anna muttered. "Say hi to Nina, tell her I'm bringing you both a bunch of souvenirs."

  She chatted with Elena for a couple more minutes and hung up. Randall was standing by, texting someone on the phone.

  "Admirers?" it was a great moment to pick him for the "unpleasant discoveries" in his chats.

  "Certainly." he said indifferently and hugged her. "I'm incredibly charming, right?"

  "And modest." Anna confirmed.

  "You're a fan of mine too?"

  "You wish." the girl winced. "Seems like you are more like a fan of mine."

  "Here I fully agree. This body is the most beautiful thing heaven has ever created, and I will die to have it again."

  "Pff."

  "What? Not romantic enough for your delicate ears?"

  "Sex is only after the wedding. Period."

  "Um... What was it then?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "The incredibly long, passionate merge of your body and mine all these days?"

  "I don't recall any of that."

  "Right. Ok then. After the wedding. This holds good."

  "Great!" Anna laughed.

  The loudspeaker announced the landing.

  "You should go, bea
utiful." Randall gave her a deep and passionate kiss so that even airport visitors kept staring at the couple.

  "Come to me, please."

  "Promise. I'll save up the right amount, and come straight to you, and we'll have a passionate f..."

  Anna covered his mouth with a kiss. She was happy to taste his lips, to smell him, hold him, ruffling his hair.

  She was afraid of the future, but now, kissing this handsome man, she was truly happy.

  Chapter 31

  "Where are you, you stupid idiot??" stepfather roared.

  "Coming!" Anna moaned, with shortness of breath from running.

  "You're as slow as a turtle! Get ova here! Why do I always have to call you? Ah, here you are, finally. Tell me, why the hell does your room look like a barn? What the fuck did you do? Hm? We know how to read books, but we never learned how to wave a broom, ya witch!"

  "I'll clean it up." Anna muttered, lowering her head.

  "Sure you will. Otherwise, I'll throw you out in the streets. You like living there, huh? Like a street dirty cat, huh?"

  "No."

  "Huh? Can't hear you!"

  "No, sir."

  "Then grab a mop and a rag and run to scrub. You pig! I'm ashamed to look at you. Straight A's, is called. Only books you can read, and can't keep no house clean. Pig, let me repeat. Shame on you!"

  Anna moved toward the storeroom to get a bucket. Tears ran down her cheeks.

  "Pig!" he kept on. "Filthy pig!"

  Beep beep-beep!!!!!

  Anna opened her eyes. The phone rang. She looked around frantically. Her whole shirt was soaked with nightmare sweat.

  Beep beep-beep!!!!! the phone insisted.

  "Hel-l-lo. Hello."

  "Miss Ryans?"

  "Yes, I am. Who is it?"

  "My name is Millie, I'm HR of International School №678. We would like to offer you a great teaching position, I saw your resume online and certainly decided to call y..."

  "Hold on, Millie. School? This is an old resume, I already stated on the first page that I am not in search. I'm already a successful teacher at the moment..."