London Has Your Eyes

Chapter 29. Daniel

Night London is an eye-opener: the dark streets are illuminated by the lights of lanterns and the headlights of passing cars. We sit by the window in a cafe, ignoring the hustle and bustle of the street. Talking, joking, bantering, chatting - the perfect constant.

The girls go to the bathroom when the guys and I order ourselves a mug of beer.

- Why is she so pissed off about the photo? - Liam asks.

- I don't know,- I answer honestly. - I'm surprised at the reaction myself.

- It's not the first time, by the way,- Tyler adds. - She asked me not to post the video of her with you too, Dany.

- So what's she hiding? - Liam voices the very question,- Maybe she's meeting someone in Russia? Someone she's hiding from? I'm sure it's not just the groupies.

- Come on, why dig where there's nothing? - I ask irritably. I don't even want to think that Liam might be right.

To be honest, I'm thinking about it myself. I'd heard her mention Max's name a couple of times in conversation, but I hadn't given it much thought. Or didn't want to.

- I think she should be checked out, - Liam says.

- And how do you propose to do that? - I ask, - Do you want me to get into her phone? I'm not going to do that.

- Everything is simpler. I'll do what she's so afraid of. Then she won't have a chance to get away with it, and you will immediately find out all her secrets, - Liam takes a big sip and sets the mug down on the table.

- That's mean, Liam, - I say, folding my hands together. - She's so afraid of that. What if you're wrong?

- Your groupies, seriously? This is ridiculous, Dany, - Tyler backs him up. Their unanimity confuses me, especially since I myself am burning with curiosity - I'm not a fan of all sorts of setups, but if Alex is the same as your Kaitlin was, it's better to know in advance than to deal with the consequences later.

- I guess you're right,- I give up. - I hope we're all wrong, and that we're not going to hurt her.

Liam pulls out his phone and sends a picture of me and Alex to one of my film-related publishers. Probably the quickest way to trigger a viral reaction. I realise the guys are right, but I still feel bad inside, like I've just been a small-hearted betrayal of my woman.

The girls come back from the bathroom, continuing to talk sweetly about something. I stare at Alex: at her soft features, her naughty blond curls, her sweet smile. She can't be the one capable of stabbing me in the back. Can I be? Alex looks me straight in the eye. A scalding current runs through my body. She stares with that warm, glowing gaze that makes me want to warm up and not move away. How long will it last? Or is it just a set-up?

- Are you OK? - she asks in my ear,- you look worried.

- I'm fine, - I say, touching her lips. I suddenly realize that I could lose her. Either from the truth she's hiding, or from what we've just done ourselves. It seems that we have nothing left: just days, hours or even minutes. And after that, we will be overwhelmed by the noise we have just set in motion.

My thoughts are interrupted by Stella flying into the cafe. Her eyes sparkle and her cheeks flush.

- Stella, where have you been? - Janine asks.

- Well...- She looked away meaningfully.

- Speak up! - Janine was impatient.

- I had a date, - Stella says with a smile.

- Well, judging by the fact that you're here now, the dude has clearly let you down, - Liam interjects. Wait a minute, was it my imagination, or did Liam tense up?