A/U: We are terribly sorry for updating so late. There were some problems with this chapter, so it took a long time to make it good enough to public. We still hope you will enjoy this series and have nice Valentine's date! (It doesn't matter if there is no Mr./Ms. Perfect. There is always someone who cares. Even if it is not in romantic way.)

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Chapter 3 - Betrayal

I overstep threshold of front door, holding over my coat. Today was featureless as always or should I say mostly? In recent weeks I initiated to feel that new colors were interfused to this faded ordinariness. Any individual with average intellect would ascertain why is that so. All because of Mister Keehl, now Mihael. I am not able to say why but his company feels unpleasant. As if he just wanted to get inside of my mind… It is not necessary to point out that this feeling is not something enjoyable, still it gives me some excitement after all.

Sweet voice resounds: "Hey, honey! How was your day?"

Following noise coming from kitchen I am soon able to behold a young lady. She is chopping vegetables that will be added to a salad. Just like a perfect housewife.

"Hello Linda, nothing remarkable happened as always", I inform her "Did anything surprise you today?"

Brown-haired Rapunzel turns her head to my direction showing me her bright smile.

"Critics valorized work of mine quite well. One of my colleagues – Miss Labelle, do you remember her? – challenged me to draw a picture supporting theme of madness and mania. Well, I shouldn't reject that, should I? So…I thought that you shall help me with that", she looks at me with puppy dog eyes.

"According to my employment, was that supposed to be irony?"

She shakes her head in refusal gesture.

"No it wasn't! I am sorry. It wasn't my intention to offend you. This project is just important and I have no idea what to do", Linda apologizes.

"You know that creativity is not my strong suit", I try to back out from this request with lie. Actually, I am talented at making finger puppets, little figures or various buildings formed from dice. I also had colorful imagination as a child.

"It would be splendid if I could talk to some patient. However, since you're working with extreme cases it will be enough if you would only talk about it", gentle miss still asks me for help.

I sigh in sign of defeat.

"Are you looking for any specific case? Psychopathy? Dementia? Schizophrenia?", I give her possibilities.

"I don't know. Is there anything that captured your attention latterly?"

No, it didn't capture my attention. It made my curiousness slowly eating me alive.

"There is one patient that has captured my interest. His name is Mihael. I will not blazon his surname for rights of anonymity of my patients. He is convinced of image where others desire after his death, especially doctors. He lost his parents during early age. Also he alleges that his stepsister betrayed him", I pull lock of my hair, feeling nastily.

My girlfriend's eyes wide a bit.

"That's weird…", she thinks aloud "You know, I have this strange feeling of déjà vu. As if I heard this story before…Wait! I think that one of mine friends was talking about exactly same story including her brother."

I begin paying more attention.

"A friend? Did she mention his name?"

"Yeah, she did. Something starting with letter M? She was incredibly upset about that. She also cried a lot while talking about it. Her husband is working abroad often. She is really emotionally addicted to him. If you ask me I think that is because she lost her brother. This friend is very strong and protective woman and she just can't see some of her close ones getting hurt. She invited me to visit. If you would like, I shall ask her about it. Her name is Halle Lidner, by the way."

I agree: "It would be great. Please do it."

There is only 12% it is his stepsister but it would not do any harm if she ask her. Maybe…

"Hi! Nate, are you home?" I hear door slam.

I stop putting pieces to unaccomplished completely white puzzle.

"Yes, I am in living room. I had shorter working hours today.", I answer her question.

Linda runs to my so called playroom. (Because this is most spacious room in whole house, I am used to play with my toys in there.)

"I still can't believe it! It looks like it's really him!"

What? It cannot be…Too much coincidence?

Are you sure?", I question her doubtfully.

Amiable miss sits on the sofa placed behind me.

"In accordance with what I heard, it's most likely her brother. She didn't want to talk about it too much. Scars of the soul heal slowly, you know… Halle confirmed almost everything except for that betrayal. She told that it was all because of the trauma of losing their parents."

Shall I contact her? Maybe trying reconciling them would not be the worst idea…

"Should I talk to her? Phone call would be enough", I suggest.

"Sure. I'll call her immediately", she nods before dialing a number.

Halle Lidner seems to play an important role in Mihael's past. I can't miss this chance to help my patient. After a while Linda hands me a mobile phone.

I speak up: "Good Afternoon. This is Nathaniel River on the phone. Am I speaking to Mrs. Halle Lidner?"

"Hello. Yes you are. How can I help you?", a feminine voice quickly replies.

"Forgive me for bothering you please. I would like to talk about your stepbrother who is most likely my patient. My girlfriend was talking with you about that."

"Yes, my stepbrother is residing in institute in which you are working. What would you like to know?", she asks showing slight exasperation.

So she knows…

"Would not you mind if I ask you to tell me everything? From beginning", I try to require in most polite way as I can.

"Well…You know that his parents died, don't you? After this he was assigned to our foster family. Anyway, he collapsed around his seventeen years."

"Excuse me but Mr. senior consultant told me that your stepbrother was hospitalized after fight with you", I correct her fault.

I can hear surprised gasp though electronic device.

"I…I…"

Madam Lidner isn't best at lying, is she?

"Look, I apologize to say it that rudely but if you'll continue with this charade it will be better for me to hang up. This will not help Mr. Keehl to get any better. You are wasting my time as well as yours", I get thing straight.

It…It wasn't my fault! He asked me why his parents died! I couldn't lie to him! So I took some crime thriller for example to make it easier for me to explain. However, he took too seriously. Since then it wasn't same Mihael that I knew", female almost cries.

Crime thriller? That sounds improbable but I guess I must take that. For now…

"Do you have any suggestion how to speed up his healing?"

She answers after calming down a bit: "Stop digging into past. He needs to start with new life. I know that it would be difficult for him but he is clever and strong. He would find a way to deal with normal life."

This is kind of hasty.

"I am sorry but I think that he isn't ready to live on his own-"

"Don't tell me what is best for my brother!", she screams at me so loudly that I nearly throw Linda's mobile phone to the other end of room.

Mrs. Lidner I have to thank you for making my ears bleeding.

"I meant that he should live in your place at first", I explicate. "Please keep in mind he was cut off outside world for 5 years."

Silence

"I see. Should I talk to him? Please I need to see him", she begs.

"This is also why I have called you. I thought that we should make you two meet again. I am sure Mr. Keehl will appraise having his close one near to him instead of me", I try to mollify her.

"I think that makes sense", I almost can imagine her smirking satisfied "When will be this meeting possible?"

"We can't constrain Mr. Keehl to speak with you. Even though you are someone very significant for him he is still resentful. During next therapy I will convince him that meeting with you is best way to improve his mental condition. I will contact you after this", I continue in finishing puzzle while talking.

After while thinking Mrs. Lidner answers positively: "Deal. I'll wait for your call. Goodbye."

Before I can reply female hangs up. Great. We didn't even meet and she is already annoyed by me. I cannot help myself but start twirl hair. Am I really that annoying? I shall try being nicer. Thinking about that…

,, Nate, could you wash the dishes?"

,,….."

,, Nate! Don't play your mind games with me! I know you're wake up!"

,,…."

,, Fine! Be childish! I'll do it by myself! Oh God, why am I even dating you!"

I shake my head to get this remembrance off. No, I am polite enough. There is no reason why I should have to change myself.

Four days after I am watching Mihael as he is gazing at window.

"Have you ever heard of scientist that trained Common hill myna to spy on people which were chosen by him?", he mutters indifferently.

To be honest, this is one of most original greetings I have ever got. And funniest one.

"Well…Hello to you too", I say ironically.

"Nice day, right? It's not raining at least. But nice weather is pointless for us as we are stuck in here."

Blonde pats on seat next to him. I sit on the table taking some distance from hot-tempered patient.

"Maybe you shouldn't be here in near future. I talked with your stepsister though phone and-"

"No shit! Hal responding on calls? Improbable!", he laughs.

"What do you mean? And could you don't use such vulgar language?"

"She never took mine calls. When I was in hospital I called her about 24/7 times to apologize to her but she have never replied me. Wait, when did you start caring about my manner? Who are you? My newlywed?", Mihael jokes.

"Anyway, both of us are thinking that your meeting with each other would be appropriate. What are you thinking about that?", I get to the point.

Gleeful smile fades away from his lips.

"I haven't seen her for ages. Will she even recognize me? Did she change? Hal was always so…Wary, so preventive…", young man remembers.

"Would you be able to forgive her?"

"I am sorry but I can't do that. Nevertheless, I can simulate remission. Wouldn't it be enough?", he asks honestly.

Yes, it would absolutely work…When pigs fly.

"Oh…", his words left me speechless.

"Never mind", Mihael sighs before looking away.

I dislocate closer to him.

"You two were really close…How about try to establish such beautiful relationship once again?"

"You can't teach old dog new tricks. Even if we both would do our best, cracks will still persist. Cracks can be as big that they'll crash whole rest of trust."

"Yes, but remember: Better late than never. There is still chance. Do you want to stay in this hospital for rest of your life?" I motivate him.

Blonde frowns to the floor refusing to answer. I put my hand on his in try to capture his attention.

I plead: "Mihael please. I don't want you to waste your life like this. Just try it for your own goodness."

Hot-head glowers before he groans.

"Ok, I'll do it. But only because of you."

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