Finally, after having our dinner, we decided to visit Carsten. The drive was smooth as it was almost 10 at night and the roads were almost empty. Both of us discussed the possible reasons behind Anna's act. It only took us five minutes to reach Carsten's apartment. The part of the apartment where Carsten lived was the most developed one. It had some aristocratic designs which looked really stunning.
The corridor was well-ventilated and was fitted with glass windows. We took the elevator to reach his floor. I was feeling excited, nervous, anxious, and curious to know the reason behind Anna's stupid actions. Reece walked ahead of me and stood in front of the door which had the nameplate with " Carsten George" engraved on it.
me: Ring the bell, Reece. ( I said looking at my phone)
Reece: No, you do it.
me: But why? ( throwing a confused look)
Reece: Just do it.
me: Okay. ( I sighed)
I rang the bell and my eardrums almost burst as that jarring noise was followed by a very terrible, terrible echo. The door slowly opened unravelling the weak face of Carsten. The moment he saw me and Reece, he was flabbergasted.
Reece: Hello??? Carsten??? Should we come in? ( He shook Carsten's shoulder)
Carsten: Yeah, yeah. ( Regaining his conscious) What brought the two of you here?
Reece: Oh we just wanted to invite you to our wedding. ( he giggled)
Carsten: What?! You two are getting married!! ( The expression on his face said enough that he was already dying from inside. His condition had worsened)
I didn't say anything. I just stood there looking at his face as his eyes wandered in random directions. I looked towards the places by tracking his eye movements when I saw a bunch of empty beer bottles.
me: Have you started drinking? ( I gasped)
Carsten: Oh- I- yeah. Because there's no way left by which I could ever get out of this mess.
me: You can!! That's why we are here. To help you, Carsten. ( I hugged him)
Carsten: Wow, it really helped. Inviting me to your wedding is how you wanted to help me. And look, it worked. It made changes. I just got dragged down even more. ( saying this he gently pushed me)
Reece: Calm down, lad. I was joking. We aren't here to invite you to our wedding. We are here to inform you something.
me: Something about Anna.
Carsten: Did anything happened to the baby? ( his eyes said he genuinely worried about the baby)
me: No, nothing happened to it.
Carsten: So what else?
Reece: Asteria and I, had gone for a dinner date. When we reached the restaurant, we saw Anna with a guy.
me: They were holding hands, kissing and you know what I mean. ( I showed him the pictures I had clicked)
Carsten: Who's that guy?
me: Strahd. ( I locked my phone and slipped it in my jeans pocket)
Carsten: What?? ( slapped his forehead with his hand)
Reece: I think, she is planning something really big.
Carsten: Huh... I don't know what is happening in my life... ( he sighed and fell on his knees, his face buried in his palm)
me: Everything will be alright.
Reece: Yeah, you don't worry. ( He caressed Carsten's back)
All three of us felt silent when we heard some footsteps approaching. After a few seconds, there was a knock at the door.
Carsten: Must be Anna ( he whispered)
me: let me open the door.
He nodded.
I opened the door. Initially, she was really happy, but the moment she saw us, she fell silent.
Anna: What are you doing here? ( she enquired in a grave tone)
me: To expose you. ( I let her seat on the dining chair)
Anna: Expose me? What are you talking about? ( she acted as if she was completely clueless)
me: Don't act innocent.
Reece: Yeah. we have seen you in the restaurant with another guy.
Anna: So what?
me: How could you be with any other guy? And what's going on between you and Strahd? ( I was annoyed)
Anna: Strahd? Yeah, Strahd.... h-he is my cousin. Should I stop meeting with my cousins? What about my freedom? ( she got nervous)
me: Freedom can kiss your ass. Just stop lying, Anna. ( I banged my fist hard on the table)
Reece: Sure, but care to explain, why would anyone kiss his/her cousin? In lips? And that too an intense kiss?
Anna: Uhmm..hmmm What shits are you talking about? ( her face turned pale)
me: About this... ( I showed her the pictures)
Anna: I-I- ( she had no words to say)
Reece: So do you want to end it here or make a whole new story again?
Anna: Reece!!! Why are you helping her? You know if everything gets good, then you will lose Asteria. ( She yelled as she was helpless)
Reece was taken aback by this statement. He turned his gaze at me, smiled, and turned back to face Anna.
Reece: I am not the man she is looking for. ( He winked at me)
me: Thanks, Reece. ( I gave a friendly nod to him)
Reece: Well, well, well, back to the point. What is going on Anna?
Anna: Huh... I have nothing to say.
Carsten: Then just tell the freaking truth!!! ( He yelled while thronging towards her)
Reece: Woah!!! Lad... Hang on!!! Calm down and take a breath... ( he obstructed Carsten who could have beaten Anna to death)
Anna: This is a really long story. Two months before the night I met you...