Chapter 24
Candy and Terry had been occupying one of the tables in the main restaurant of the liner for over an hour, without having touched their dish. Installed near the bay window which gave on the deck, they did not cease raising the nose of their plate with each appearance of a passenger in the room or a walker on the deck, hoping to see appear with his customary majesty the one who occupied all their thoughts since the events of the night.
- I think it's wasted effort ... - sighed Terry, finally bringing a cup of coffee to his mouth. He grimaced. The coffee was cold ... - He'll never come here. He has to hide in his room while waiting for our arrival in New York ...
It's not surprising given the circumstances ... His admirers must be disappointed, he who had accustomed them to his presence here.
Saying that, Candy shifted her gaze to a group of well-dressed young women, seated a little further away, that were used to see all day long on the outskirts of their idol. The annoyed look they displayed left no doubt about the object of their despondency. Suddenly, their faces lit up at the sight of one of their comrades striding towards them.
- So ? - they all cried in chorus.
- Don't worry, ladies, he's doing very well! I just spoke to his assistant. Mr. Valentino is suffering from a violent migraine and prefers to stay in his room.
- Hoooooo - they said in a sympathetic meow.
- Poor looooove! ... - moaned one of the groupies, shaking her head.
- I would love to be at his bedside ... - adds another.
What a relief ! - cried a third one in a liberating sigh - I was so used to seeing him have lunch here, that I feared the worst! We were already forbidden to approach his cabin last night! …
With these words, Candy and Terry exchanged a knowing look …
That is true ! Usually he let us say hello one last time. But last night, his team made it clear to us to leave him alone. Maybe he was already unwell?
- You must be right. He was in pain and he wanted to hide it from us so as not to worry!
- What a caring and courageous man anyway!
Oh yes, what a maaaaaan! - they sighed in unison in wonder.
Candy's shoulders twitched imperceptibly.
If they only knew! ... - she chuckled - They wouldn't get over it! …
An eloquent smile appeared on his lover's lips.
- What? - she asked, her eyebrow arched in question.
- Ho nothing ... I thought they reminded me of someone who had had the same reaction last night ...
- You're not going to compare me to these silly gooses anyway !
- I would point out to you that you paced up and down the cabin for ten minutes!
But ... But ... It's because I was in shock!
Terry's mocking smile widened even more …
- Okay! ... - she grumbled - I was not in my normal state, I admit it ... But I had extenuating circumstances! ...
- I'm not going to contradict you on this point ... - he said thoughtfully.
You know ... - she said then, taking his hand - I'm relieved too …
She felt his hand trembling under hers and noticed a dark veil slip over her face …
- It's over now! You won't be seeing him again anytime soon and if you were to cross him again, I'm willing to bet he'll avoid you like the plague!
- God forbid! I never want to know such a scare again!
- There is no way that will happen to you if you learn to calm your nerves and above all, YOUR JEALOUSY!
- I think I love you too much to make it one day ... - he sighed - Besides, you should hurry up to drink your coffee ...
- Why ? We have plenty of time!
Not enough anyway if I want to be able to make love to you before the maids come to take care of our cabins …
Candy's complexion immediately turned scarlet. She coughed, having nearly choked on the sip of coffee she was swallowing. She was staring at her cup, not daring to look around, convinced that the whole restaurant had heard them. With Olympian calm, Terry watched her, a glint of amusement in his eyes. He never tired of pushing her to the limits and loved the offended expression that had frozen on her pretty features. But suddenly she straightened up, and raising her chin dignifiedly, she rose. Then, without a glance for him, whispered quietly as she walked away:
Join me as soon as possible! I would have already turned the sign on the handle so that we wouldn't be disturbed …
The boat arrived at New York harbor at the end of the afternoon. It was crowded in the corridors but also on the platform. Fortunately, the first classes benefited a private exit that allowed them to leave the boat without having to queue while the staff took care of their luggage.
Stomping with impatience behind an old lady who was advancing very carefully, Candy wondered who was waiting for them on land. Maybe Georges and Albert? These two never left each other, a real pair. Or maybe Annie and Archibald? Or maybe all four together? She sighed with pleasure at this evocation and finally stepped onto the catwalk. She then saw Annie and Archibald waving to her. Her heart leaped with joy. She was so happy to be back with Terry, the man she had always loved. After all these years of suffering, the circle was finally closed. At that moment, she definitely felt an immeasurable happiness that nothing could have tarnished …
As she advanced, she noticed a group of photographers gathered in front of the catwalk to the point of blocking the exit. She told herself they were there for Rudolph Valentino (who still hadn't reappeared), and didn't care until she heard them scream Terry's name. In a few seconds she realised that she was in New York and that their intimacy would no longer be one. Here he was a super star!
The latter took her hand and whispered to her ear:
Let's let them take some pictures, we'll get rid of them faster.
She nodded and let herself be guided by the young man who visibly mastered the exercise. The flashes of the photographers crackled around them like fireworks.
Who is this young woman holding on to your arm, Terrence Graham? - asked a reporter, brandishing his notebook.
Strangely this time, the young actor was not offended by this particularly intrusive question, on the contrary displaying a radiant and relaxed face.
- Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you Candice White Andrew, my fiancée ...
- Your fiancée ? - cried the journalist - Can we then conclude that you are going to get married soon?
The sooner the better… - answered Terry laying loving eyes on Candy, blushing.
At these words, the cameras sprang into action, in a deafening confusion where the cries of journalists mingled with the noise of their cameras.
- It's madness! - Said Candy to herself, amazed by such a demonstration of interest - I can't wait for the calm of Pony's Home. How she couldn't wait to see them all again!
- Miss Andrew! - then intervened another journalist - Aren't you the adopted daughter of William Albert Andrew, from Chicago?
- I am, indeed… - Candy answered, surprised that one's knew her identity. Having lived most of her life at Pony's Home, she never imagined that a journalist from New York could be informed of her parentage.
- Would your presence here have a link with your father's hospitalisation that happened two days ago?
- Hospitalisation ? But what hospitalisation are you talking about ? - she cried, her eyes wide in surprise. She exchanged a dumbfounded look with Terry who seemed just as bewildered as she was.
- I'm talking about the discomfort that overwhelmed your father the day before yesterday and which necessitated his urgent transport to the hospital - replied the journalist, barely controlling the thrill of pleasure that ran through him in front of the scoop he held - You haven't been notified?
- No ... I ... N ... - she stammered, livid. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Annie and Archibald approaching, looking dark.
- So it's true ... - she said to herself, and her eyes immediately filled with tears. She then felt Terry's protective arm pull her against him, while he pushed the other photographers away from them.
- This discussion is closed now, gentlemen. Please allow us to pass! - he ordered, while bluntly forcing the barrage of journalists.
But ... Terrence! Wait! ... - they exclaimed, resisting.
Moved by anger, this time he used a few manly shoulders, thus opening a breach in which they rushed to escape their pursuers. Luckily, Rudolph Valentino had just appeared on the catwalk, which definitely distracted the journalists' attention, allowing Candy and Terry to join their cousins. The drawn features on their faces testified to their deep sorrow.
- I wish you learnt it otherwise, Candy… - said Annie hugging her sadly.
- It's horrible, Annie! ... - she moaned - Please! Explain to me ! What happened ?
- Albert felt bad after the evening meal and collapsed in his office. We weren't there unfortunately when this happened. We had already been in New York for a few days. It is Georges who contacted us ...
- But how could this happen ? He was in great shape when I left!
- We do not know more for the moment ...
- Did he ... Did he at least regain consciousness? - Candy stammered in a trembling voice.
- Not yet, I'm sorry ... - Annie sighed.
But don't worry, Georges is with him and keeps us informed regularly - added Archibald - The best doctors take care of him.
Despite these words which were meant to be reassuring, Candy guessed their concern and an excruciating fear seized her, reviving wounds which had never healed and whose atrocity horrified her. Panicked, she plunged her head into the palm of her hands and burst into tears. Immediately, Terry took her in his arms, covering her with caresses that were meant to be comforting but obviously powerless …
- Albert, my god, Albert ! I don't want to lose him ! - she sobbed against his chest.
- That won't happen, my beloved - he said to her, chocking up - Albert is still young and athletic. I'm sure it's not much, just a little alert. By the time we get to Chicago, I'll bet he's woken up!
- Don't worry, Candy - added Annie, in her sweet voice - He's in very good hands ...
- I want to see him ! I want to see it right away ! - screamed Candy on the verge of hysteria.
So let's not waste time! - Archibald said, motioning for them to follow him - Our driver has already taken care of your luggage and is expecting us to leave immediately.
Then taking Candy's hand between his, he said to her, in a calm but confident voice:
We'll ride all night if we have to, but I promise you'll be at his bedside before sunrise!
A shuddering sigh escaped the young woman's throat and she nodded with gratitude. She couldn't speak, overwhelmed with dread at the thought of losing a loved one again. Her mind was wandering through multiple, scary and terrifying thoughts that took her breath away. She had thought she was going mad when Anthony died. This time, she couldn't bear to lose Albert …
Staggering, she let herself be driven to the car and rushed inside, indifferent to the outside hubbub caused by Rudolph Valentino's presence on the platform. His face concealed under dark glasses and a long silk scarf, he in turn tried to escape the pack of journalists who had spotted him and who were repelled by his bodyguards posted all around him. Enough to escape the crowd of curious people, he did not notice the four passengers of the luxurious car which passed not far from him and which headed slowly towards the exit, towards the long road which led to Chicago, long and interminable, unbearably interminable. ….
End of chapter 24