Lucy woke up at home. When she opened her eyes, she saw Nicholas sitting nearby, and her mother nervously pacing in the hallway.
— "Thank God she's awake!" her mother said impatiently and joyfully. "What happened, Lucy?" she asked anxiously. "I was so afraid. Luckily this noble man carried you home in his arms," she added, nearly in tears.
— "What?" She looked at Nicholas in surprise.
He only smiled faintly.
— "Yes, I'm so grateful to him," her mother said with a smile. "I'm very thankful to you, sir," she added to Nicholas.
— "It's nothing, ma'am. I couldn't just leave the lady, when I saw her angelic face," Nicholas replied with a smile, looking at Lucy.
— "Mom, I feel much better now," Lucy tried to smile to draw attention away from Nicholas's flattery, but her smile failed. "I'll go help you," she began to get up.
— "No," Nicholas stopped her and gently laid her back on the bed. "You're pale, maybe feverish. Stay in bed."
— "But…" she didn't have time to protest.
— "Lay down and rest. The kind gentleman is right, he will take care of you, and I have to finish my work," her mother added before leaving the room.
Lucy stayed lying down while Nicholas remained seated beside her. He touched her face, brushing damp hair behind her ears.
— "Lucy, how did you end up in that room? I found you lying on the floor."
She didn't resist his touch. She had no strength for that.
— "I…" she whispered, "I was looking for my scarf from yesterday. Sorry I didn't tell you."
— "I see," he answered.
Lucy breathed out with relief.
— "Do you remember anything? What happened to you?"
— "Mmm…" she rubbed her forehead, trying to recall. "I went into the room… and then nothing. I fell."
Nicholas looked at her questioningly.
— "Well, my head suddenly started hurting so badly, as if someone was pressing their hands on it. Everything before me blurred, the picture was rippling. And now I feel it again," she looked at him in despair.
He stroked her head.
— "You know, you probably need a doctor," he said, gazing into her eyes with concern.
— "No, no, no. Absolutely not! I won't, I don't want that," she objected with a trembling voice.
— "Lucy, I want you to be alright. You're really weak, and this isn't normal," he looked at her with sadness. "If you decide, don't hesitate to tell me. I'll find the best one," he said, kissed her burning forehead, and left.
She didn't want to bother a doctor with incomprehensible cases. Maybe it was something like possession? And what if they locked her up in a madhouse? No one would be left to help her mother. (No, I won't talk about it.)
The sun slowly leaned toward the horizon, playing over her face with soft, flickering rays. With millions of exhausting thoughts, she finally fell asleep, drained.
The next morning she woke refreshed, full of strength and energy.
Outside, clean fragrant laundry swayed in the wind. She was so absorbed in gathering it that she didn't notice Nicholas suddenly appear behind a white sheet. She pulled it down and saw him standing before her with a basket of ripe apples.
— "Lucy?" He smiled lightly and lifted the basket.
She rushed to him. Threw her arms around his neck. Because of his height, she had to stretch up to kiss him. Nicholas let go of the basket, and his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Lucy let out a sigh of relief and rested her head on his shoulder. They embraced in silence for a long time.
— "Are you feeling better now?" he asked.
— "Much. I missed you…" she answered, gathering the scattered apples.
— "I'm glad you feel well," he said, standing over her and looking down.
— "I have news," he stopped her with his hand.
— "What happened?" She slowly rose with the full basket.
— "I'm leaving tonight," he said, looking at her seriously.
Her face suddenly changed, despair crossing her expression: "What? Where? Why?"
— "I'm going to my hometown. My grandmother passed away, I'll be at the funeral…" he said calmly.
— "What?!" she screamed and threw the basket at him. Apples scattered everywhere.
— "Are you serious?! And you're telling me just now?! I'm sick, you can't leave me! I feel terrible without you, don't you understand?! She's dead already anyway!!!" she shouted at him hysterically.
— "Lucy!!!" he shouted to stop her wailing.
She suddenly fell silent and raised her eyes to him.
— "I'm not going to her, but to her funeral! You mustn't throw words at me about my grandmother, whatever comes to your mind!" he roared at her. Then he left.
— "No!!! Wait!!!… NICHOLAS!!" She fell helplessly to her knees and screamed hysterically. The fear of being alone overwhelmed her. "Don't leave me…" she sat among the scattered apples and wept.
The hoarse noise woke her mother.
— "Lucy!" she cried out when she saw her sitting on her knees, covering her face with her hands. Mother pressed Lucy's wet, red cheeks to her own.
Disappointed moans escaped through her mother's embrace.