The rest of the weekend passed without much incident. Lana kept trying to choose the right moment to talk with Greg. Constantly trying to predict how he can react to the confession. And every time she persuaded herself to wait a little longer. She just wanted to stay in this little paradise for a little more.
On Saturday evening, when the children returned from the cinema, they ate a pizza together, watched some movie on TV, exchanging jokes. Greg behaved like a gentleman, giving all of his attention to Nicky and Vicky first. But at a time still tried to steal a kiss or hug while kids went for snacks and napkins, or caught her eyes and winked as if they were conspirators and shared some kind of secret.
On Sunday they went for a walk along the pier. They ate ice cream, fed seagulls and walked barefoot on the still cold sand. Such simple things for Lana were like little jewels, which she tried to memorize in every detail and keep in the depth of her memory. Greg quickly found common topics with both Vicky and Nicky. His natural gallantry, seriousness, and consideration, that he always showed to everyone else, coupled with sudden silly jokes and a willingness to fool around, that was only reserved to the closest to him, quickly made Victoria look at him with a look of admiration. Nicky was as always taciturn, but from time to time, both men exchanged some kind of comments and strange glances, understandable only to them.
Returning home, Lana decided to please everyone with a homemade dinner. As soon as they set down at the table, the doorbell rang. First, Frank cam by, following the smell of the home cooking, spreading over the hall outside. Then Tony waltzed in with a bottle of the vine as if he knew about this gathering ahead of time.
Fortunately, Lan used to cook a lot, so a few more mouths were not a problem. Although Frank tried his best, inhale everything he could reach, like a forest fire. By appetite, he almost surpassed Nicky. Tony, on the other hand, was showering Lana with compliments and every piece of food was praised like a dish of their best restaurant, ignoring at the same time Greg's grumbling and kicks that Tony was receiving under the table.
When the guests was ready to go home, not without the help of Greg's urging, who repeatedly hinted to them that it was time. Tony suddenly stopped in the doorway and looked at Lana with a serious and warm look. Greg was still discussing something in the living room with Frank and Anthony apparently considered it his chance.
" Lana, I wanted to tell you - thanks for this evening. I haven't seen Greg like this for a long time. He knows how to smile broadly and be charming, but today for the first time in a long time I saw a smile reflected in his eyes. I'm sure you're an unusual girl since you could influence him that way. But a woman with such power can become a blessing and a curse at the same time for a man. You've already hurt him once, try not to do it again."
Having said this, Tony smiled in a friendly manner and kissed her on the cheek, went out the door.
He left, but Lana still could not get rid of the chill that she felt momentary. Although Tony's voice was light, the expression of his eyes became cold and sharp for a second.
After Frank finally left, Greg went in search of Lana. He found her in the kitchen, washing dishes. She did not notice his appearance, so Greg stopped at the door and decided to watch a little. Lana's hands quickly and skilfully performed their duties, but the gaze was far away. All day he caught this expression on her face, in those moments when she probably thought that no one was looking. She seemed like a little puppy, who was brought to a new house and was having a good time, but then suddenly pausing, watched everyone from the side with an odd sadness and longing in her eyes.
"You know, I have such a magical thing as a dishwasher," - he said jokingly, drawing her attention. She immediately shook herself and turned around, giving him an almost sincere smile.
" I like to wash dishes myself. It's somehow soothing." - she said, washing away the foam from the last plate. - "Has everyone already left?"
" Yes, Vicky and Nicky went to the store down the street. They needed something for tomorrow's lessons." - Hearing this, Lana immediately became gloomy, though only just for a moment. Then she sighed and pretending to fix her hair, tried to hide her frustration, but Greg had already noticed.
"Lana, would you like to tell me what's bothering you?" - he asked, coming closer.
Lana immediately turned away, buiseing herself by placing the dishes on the shelf.
"It's only that everything is so fast." - she began, still not turning around. - "I don't know what's going on. I don't know how to react to all this."
"Lana, turn around, please," - Greg said, coming close. Lana hesitated, but turned around, uncertainly looking up at him.
"Listen to me carefully now and don't interrupt. Ok?" - Receiving an affirmative nod, Greg continued with a serious voice. - "I understand that what happens between us, goes beyond the usual, standard relationships. There are many reasons why we should not be together. Not even try, in the hope that something will come of it. But I know one reason for this to happen between us. And it's enough for me." - He said quietly. Taking her face in his hands, he gently pulled her closer and only slightly touched their noses together, whispered to her. - "You feel it just like I do."
It was not a question. He knew for sure. With Lana, he always knew for sure that the beating of his heart was resonating in her chest as if they had exchanged pieces of their hearts.
He felt her pulse jumping, how her eyes lit up and suddenly the shadow passed over her face again.
" Greg, even if so, the feelings are not enough sometimes." - She began to move away from him a little. - "You are a successful, handsome, wealthy man. Now everything is fine, so it seems to you that this is enough. But tomorrow or a week later, everything can change. We are from different worlds, and one day you can decide that you do not need all this. The same thing you could have with a girl from your circle, with whom there won't be many problems."
"Lana, you won't be the only one bringing a storm to our relationships. I can bring a lot of trouble myself. I am no longer a naive boy, and I know perfectly well that life is not only excellent and sunny days. I tasted the failer, I was disappointed many times, I fell down countless times and was angry with injustice. And if you want to walk forward together with me, then you must understand that we will stumble. When together, when in turn, when even stumble on each other's feet. The question is not who has legs more crooked, but whether you are ready to bruse your knee together with me."
Such gentle and serious words and Greg's open, sincere look touched Lana to the core. It seems the time to check the sturdiness of his knees has finnely came...