10: Illegal

"Where did you learn this?" asked Eric.

"That was the most interesting part of the job. I learned from her, Lina told me that," Paul said. Even he himself was surprised when he gave this answer. According to Paul's account, Lina was not a woman to talk about her experiences. Eric should have done more to find out what had happened to Paul. Lina didn't just tell Paul about the events; at least as per Eric's estimation.

"Interesting," Eric said. "So you're telling things from her mouth."

"Yes," Paul replied, in a tone he hadn't used before. Paul knew that Eric didn't believe what he was saying. But there was nothing he could do about it. Actually, Paul agreed with Eric. Paul was taken aback by Lina's sudden change of attitude. But the truth was that Lina had told what had happened. Paul thought that Eric might believe him if he told him how Lina told the story. Earning Eric's trust was important because he was the only journalist who was able to make the case public; he was the only journalist he knew who could at least write about this event. This incident had to be clarified; What Kurt and Lina went through was very important to human history. On this line of thought, Paul:

"Well, sir. Would you like me to tell you how Lina told this event?"he asked.

"Sure," said Eric. But just as Paul was about to speak, Eric asked, "But tell me outside, okay?"

Paul was surprised by what Eric said. But Eric was seriously waiting for Paul's answer. He was leaning back, staring into Paul's eyes.

When Eric didn't get an answer, he repeated the question he had asked Paul, "Can we talk outside, too?"

"Why?" he asked. Then he took the last sip of his drink.

"Because you've got nothing left to drink," said Eric, looking at Paul's glass. Then Paul asked for the bill and began to wait. Eric and Paul neither spoke nor looked at each other until the bill came. They just looked around. Paul paid the bill. Then they went out together. Paul noticed Eric staring for a long time at a woman with some wrinkles on her face as she walked out.

As she walked out the door, "Isn't that woman a bit..." Paul asked.

"Is what?" Eric replied with another question. He actually understood what he meant, but he had to get Paul to say it. Only in this way could Paul be ashamed of what he had said.

"Well... it's old and ugly," Paul said.

"Is that 'exactly' what you mean?" asked Eric. He felt that it was his turn to move.

"You know me, dear journalist. I can never be 'complete'." After speaking, he looked around; it was as if he was searching for something. Because he was pointing his finger where he was looking. Not finding what he was looking for, the man said, "Anyway," and continued walking.

They kept talking as they walked along the street.

"The weather is pretty nice today, isn't it?" asked Eric.

"Not unless there's a river running near you," Paul replied. At the same time, he was shaking his head from side to side in disapproval.

"True," Eric said, and stopped. Eric turned to Paul and said, "But I have to say it, mister. Your house has a disgusting architecture," touching both of Paul's shoulders with both hands.

"Really?" said Paul, puzzled. But, his confused expression was fake; even before Eric's first arrival, Paul was aware that Eric's house didn't like it. "This house was built just for you to say so."

"Me?" Eric was surprised. "I am just honored that you did something like this for me."

"When I said 'you,' I didn't mean just you," said Paul, "it has nothing to do with you. Every language has its own weaknesses, every language.

Eric nodded in agreement, "Yes. I understand. I guess I got it," he said.

"I don't think so," he said, winking at Paul, then continued walking. But Eric wasn't walking. He had a confused expression on his face. "With your maid," Eric said from where he stood.

"How do I communicate?" Paul asked the question Eric wanted to ask. "Talking," he said sarcastically. He knew, of course, that Eric didn't mean it. "Don't worry, she speaks German too."

"But Czech welcomed me," he said, raising an eyebrow.

"Did you forget to mention that you came from Germany?" Paul replied with a question. The distance between them had increased considerably. Seeing this, Paul asked Eric, "Are you coming, sir?" he asked politely.

Noticing the distance in Eric, he replied to Paul's question, "I'm sorry. I'm coming," he said. With quick steps, he closed the distance between him and Paul.

Eric and Paul set off to take the subway together. While waiting for the subway, Paul continued to explain.

Do you know why such people take the subway? In reality, Paul was driving his own private car before. Then he read a book. This book was about the world tour of an Englishman and a Frenchman. An Indian woman was joining them on the way. In addition, this journey was completed in less than three months! After reading this book and thinking over it, "If the world can be traveled by public transport before three months, why am I using my car?" , Paul began to use public transport instead.

Lina had just come home. Upon entering, she checked the inside of the house. There was nobody in home, apparently Sophie and Kurt were still in the park. That was a good thing; it was best for Sophie not to see Lina in this state. After Lina finished checking the house, she went upstairs. She went into the bathroom and washed her face. After she finished washing, she turned off the tap, but did not come out of the bathroom right away. She looked at herself in the mirror on the wall to which the faucet was attached. She looked devastated. Her hair was messy and her eyes were red. Lina closed her eyes for a few seconds. When she opened her eyes, she heard someone knock on the door. After she got herself together, she went downstairs.

She gathered her hair, wiped her face with her hand, and came to the door. He did not open the door immediately; stopped in front of the door. She took a deep breath and said, "Okay! All right, Lina. You must not let Sophie notice," and opened the door. There was someone at the door that he never expected. It was Paul who came. Paul, who never stopped by this house on the weekends, wanted to stop by the house today, after all the events. Had he somehow learned what had happened?

"Can I come Li... Are you okay?" said Paul.

"Yes," Lina replied. But her voice trembled; Paul noticed this immediately. "Come in," Lina said to Paul, stepping away from the door.

Paul went inside. But he didn't stop in the hall, saying to Lina, "Would you like water?" he asked as he entered the kitchen.

"That would be good," Lina replied. She sat in one of the armchairs in the living room and waited for Paul.

Paul entered the kitchen. He took the water bottle from the open kitchen and placed it on the table. Then, he took two of the glasses lined up on the counter by the oven and placed them on the table. Afterwards, he went to the refrigerator. He opened the refrigerator and searched for something to eat right away. He took out the cheese and salami he found and laid them on the table. Finally, he put the salami and cheese between a piece of bread he found. He filled the glasses with water. Finally, he put all the food and drinks he had prepared on a tray and took them to the living room.

When Paul came into the living room, Lina was lying on the sofa in front of the living room TV, her eyes closed. Paul quietly approached Lina and asked, "Lina, are you asleep?"

Lina was startled as soon as she heard Paul. She immediately opened his eyes and got up from where he was lying. "No," she said, "I'm just resting my eyes."

"Is there anything you want to tell me?" Paul asked, stepping a little closer to Lina.

Lina was in a dilemma. She didn't like to involve anyone in her private life problems. But she wanted to tell someone what had happened.

Thinking for a moment, Lina said, "Today was a nasty day for me," taking a deep breath. "You wouldn't believe it if I told you."

"Tell me so, I wouldn't believe it."

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