Helena's POV:

He cared for me since highschool? I chuckled. No, that can't be true.

<<C'mon all the girls liked you back then. You definitely didn't like me.>>

<<No,I did>> He took my hand in his and looked into my eyes.

<<Helena, maybe you can't see it but I can. You are amazing and I'm sorry if you think otherwise. You deserve the world. You were always so pretty. I remember that one day that you came at school wearing a pink dress. You looked so beautiful. Everyone was looking at you. >>

<<Well, maybe they were laughing at me>> I tried to make it sound like a joke.

He cupped my cheek and caught a tear that i have not noticed running down my face.

<<No, Helena. They were not. If they were, well, you should not care. You should not let them make you sad. Do not let them make you think lowly of yourself.>>

He kissed my forehead.

<<I will show you that you are so nice and sweet and that you are worth it and that they are the reason you feel like this. No one starts thinking of themselves in a bad way before someone shows them how.>>

<<Come here.>>
He opened his arms and sat closer so that he could hug me.

<<I'm here for you, Hele. If you want to talk, if you need help, please, please just call me and I'll be there>>

I don't know why but I felt loved. It felt good. He did like me. He wouldn't lie, right?

<<Thank you.>> I whispered in his ear.

<<For what>> he stared into my eyes.

<<Everything you've said and done till now>> I smiled. I was feeling a bit vulnerable. It felt good and bitter at the same time. Because every time someone would say something nice to me, my brain would always make sure I do not believe it. No matter what they'd say, I'd never believe it.

But this time, him hugging me and just being here for me , it just felt real. A little bit. It felt okay. Almost good. Too good.

<<But I've done nothing yet, love. I just hate to see you cry. It pains me.>> He rubbed my back soothingly.

I nodded, blushing at the nickname. Thankfully, he couldn't see me this time so that he would smirk. I giggled at the thought.

We stayed silent for a bit and for the first time it didn't feel uncomfortable . I was a bit embarrassed because you know I don't usually cry infront of people. Infront of anyone. Especially boys.

I felt pathetic whenever I did. Or weird. It never felt okay, not a bit comfortable. This time it was scary but Valenthio didn't judge me. He calmed me down and showed me that it is okay. It is still hard to believe him. I will try though. I will try.

<<Alright, want to watch a movie since it's Sunday and you've got no work to do neither at the theatre not at my Café?>> He smiled down at me, his teeth showing. He looked just like a model. Flawless, handsome.

<<I still can't believe you own that Café.>> I said.

<<It was my grandpa's gift for my 20th birthday. I'm sorry about what happened the other day. I should have been aware of the place I own, of what people are working there because that waitress was indeed crazy. I'm sorry she treated you like that.>>

<<No, don't be. You couldn't know. You already helped so much by firing her. You did not need to. I mean you did not have to do it if you did not want-

He stood up and I stood up too. He put his arms around my waist and looked into my eyes, reading my face.

<<I see where this is going. I did want to fire her, nobody should let someone like her work when she cannot respect the other human beings who work with her.>>
He run his fingers through my hair.

His face came closer and I looked at the ground. Was he about to kiss me?

<<Hey>> he said softly, making me look at him even though I was feeling nervous with him so close. I mean we did do many things but gosh still.

<<I won't bite>> he said smiling and I laughed.

<<Unless you want me to>> That god-damned innocent look on his face! Ugh.

This kiss was nothing like the previous. It was neither sexy nor hot. It was soft. Like the waves touch the sand, slowly and carefully. Like the sunlight falls in some lake's waters, making it look as if that scenery came straight out of a movie. It was calming. It was sweet. It was loving. It was magical.

It lasted for some time and I never wanted to end that moment.

<<Well, let's watch a movie then! >>
I said in order to break the silence after we'd stopped.

<<What do you want to watch?>>

<<Hmm, I do not know.>> I mean, I love Titanic but I always cry in the end. Or get mad. Because I believe that both could be saved if only she would not lay on the ice, taking all the space but sit on half of it so that Jack would not freeze and drown.

<< Want to see Juliet and Romeo?>> I pretty much liked Shakespeare. But I hated the ending of Romeo and Juliet. The authentic version at least.

<<But would you like to see another version? Not the one in which they die?>> There are many other versions I think.

He looked at me a bit confused? But then just nodded with a smile on his face.

At the middle of the movie, we had a break. It was a good movie choice indeed. Nice plot with no sad ending.

Because Romeo's and Juliet's ending was something like Titanic's. Made you mad. But titanic and Romeo and Juliet are still both beautiful.Amazing plots. Just too dramatic.

<<Hey, so Myra actually texted me about an acting challenge.>> Valenthio said grabbing my hand in his.

<<And I was wondering if you are interested. You should know though that it is about a couple or two friends or something because they said they needed two people every time. So unfortunately I will have to take part too, if you do.>> He teased.

Pretty interesting though. I mean I already work at a theatre which was kind of my dream and it is finally coming true but that sounds exciting!

I smile and he smiles on return.

<<Well, tell me more.>> I said in a low voice.

<<It takes place in Boston. We'll fly there in two days, stay for ten days. The challenge is about a short movie the plot of which we are going to make up. It will last between twenty and forty minutes. Three couples are going to win out of well, a big number. If we win which I believe is possible, we will perform our movie at a theatre in Boston with lots of people and also take a certificate for making a movie. They will also record it and give it to us so that we can put it on the internet or do whatever we want with it.>>

It sounds cool but many people are going to be there. I do not think I could win. Valenthio could for sure but maybe he should find another actor. C'mon Helena, he just asked you. He would like it if you went.

I want to, I really do. But I have to work at the Café. Plus, by missing all these days I might find it difficult to get back to playing another role back in the theatre I'm currently working. I mean till now, everything was okay. I've learned my role, kind of and for the first ten minutes or so but Myra and Jack do not have a problem with it. They keep on saying I am really good. I really appreciate them. We do not talk that much, I met them like three days ago and they seem quiet but respectful and the other day jack was making jokes when I was a bit nervous about a scene where I had to touch Valenthio's or Darrios leg and bite it to take out a snake's poison. In that scene we were walking in a forest, searching for a way out. Of course I didn't really bit it. But I had to put my mouth on it. Sounds weird, gosh.

If Lea learned about the challenge she'd tell me go girl, V is hot so why not. God, if she learns about our night and all of these that happened, she'll never stop telling me about it.

On the other side Boston is pretty nice. Hm, I think I know Boston. Wait, no way. That can't be happening. She leaves there.

Flashback

Boston, two years ago. It's my birthday and my friend, Jella had prepared me a party in Boston which was about one hundred kilometers away from where I lived.

That day happened to be the anniversary of my brothers relationship with a girl.

Jella always seemed to be jealous of my brother. She always seemed distant and weird but I thought that was just her character till my birthday.

She was a psycho.

She kissed my brother's girlfriend in the party she has thrown for my birthday just to separate them and make it seem like his girlfriend was a lesbian. I thought she was. I bought it. He bought it. But we were wrong. Lias, that's how his girlfriend was called proved that Jella was in love with Alek, my brother. But my brother was so heartbroken till the day the truth came out. It took one month. It started on my birthday.

And the birthday cake. Oh The birthday. In it was written :
<<Slutty birthday, slut.>>

Me and my brother wre shocked. It all happened infront of our loved ones. On my birthday.

On the birthday cake were photos of all of my ex boyfriends and me kissing (they were three) which made it seem like I was together with all of them at the same time.

Everyone was shocked. Me and Alek were devastated.

She disappeared halfway through the party and we never saw her again.

It took a lot of time to explain to others,to say sorry, to overcome it for both of us.

End of flashback

Maybe she's out of Boston now because I would have seen her again. I was there for some time but still I just

<<What's wrong, Helena?>>He kissed my hand, he was reading my face trying to figure out my feelings and it felt like he could see whatever I was hiding under the surface, like he could see everything just by staring into my eyes.

<<I'm sorry, I can't.>>

<<Helena, you alright? You seem upset.>> He asked worriedly.

<<Oh, I am, yeah. I mean I have to work at the Café so I don't think I can.>>

<<You don't have to lie to me. Whatever is wrong, you can tell me. I'm here.>> He stroked my hair gently.

<<No, really, I have to work there >>

<<Hele don't worry. That's not a problem. You can take a break, I'll let you have a break of some days but only if you want to.>>

<< I do not know. Where will we stay? I'm sure I can afford it I'm just curious.>>

He turned serious and looked at me, his gaze soft.

<<Please, Helena. Take it as a holiday. I'll cover the expenses, I'll cover everything. But if you don't want to come for any other reason, I totally respect it.>> Well, I won't let you cover all the expenses, c'mon. Maybe I should go. Jella can't be the reason why I won't chase what I want. Even if it'll cost me a lot, I think I could go. It could be fun.

He gave me the cutest, realest puppy eyes ever and I stayed there looking at him in awe.

<<Alright>> I laughed and he stood up and jumped in excitement like a young boy.

<<Well shall we continue our Romeo and Juliet now?>> He turned serious within seconds, his cute acting making me laugh.

He is amazing.