Chapter 19

Twenty minutes later, Greer also knew everything about Lola's story, and just like Kenna, she offered her a room for her stay.

"I can't believe that fate brought us back together. Group hug!" Greer reached out and hugged and squeeezed her friends.

It was nice to be united with her friends again, Kenna thought, as she embraced Greer and Lola. Like in old times. Only Mary was missing.

"I hope that the plague hasn't spread to the Castle." Lola said thoughtfully. "The last time many people died."

Greer pointed in a corner of the room, where John and Daniel were playing together. "It's a blessing that they are too young to understand what's going on outside.

"What do you think, how long will we have to stay here?" Kenna asked.

"I don't know." Greer shrugged. "The last time, the plague lasted for several weeks. Who can say exactly how long it will last this time?"

"They almost have burnt the complete village." Lola sighed. "I don't even know where I should go when this is over."

"I'm sure Mary will take you in." Kenna replied. "She helps all her friends in need."

"Speaking of the Castle." Greer cut in. "What will you do, when the pandemi is over?" she asked Kenna. "You could stay here of course, but I don't think that a brothel is the right place for a child to grow up."

"I haven't thought about it so far." Kenna shrugged.

"What happened with you and Bash?" Lola asked curiously.

Kenna blushed. She had lied to both of her friends, and she didn't know how she could come out of it.

"Should I tell her?"Greer offered, as she noticed Kenna's silence.

Kenna nodded hesitantly.

"Tell me what?" Lola asked confused.

Greer moved up closer to her and pointed to Daniel. "Can't you recognize the resemblance?"

Lola looked at the children, who were still playing. As Daniel raised his head and looked at her with wide, quizzical eyes, she held her breath.

"Bash...?" she stammered. She looked quickly to Kenna, who had lowered her head. "Am I right?" she whispered. "Your little boy is Bash's son?"

Greer answered instead of Kenna. "This is a surprise, isn't it? It was for Bash too. That's why they had an argument."

Kenna felt trapped by her own lie. "Stop! Please stop!" she begged and threw her arms in the air. "I can't do that. All these lies... I came here because I wanted to start anew. Without lies. That's why I told Bash about Daniel." She took a deep breath, before she continued. "He was really generous and promised me that he would take care of his son. And he wanted to give him his name."

„That's awesome!" Lola interrupted.

„Yes, it is. But then we … got closer, and...

"You kissed?" Greer cut in and looked at Kenna with wide eyes.

Kenna nodded. "Yes, he kissed me, and that kiss brought back all the memories of a time, when Bash and I were happy." She sighed quietly. "But there was Mary. And I didn't have the heart to take Bash away from her."

"What do you mean with „take Bash away"? Greer asked, frowning.

"She loves him." Kenna said in reply. „And I swore her not to tamper with her relationship. I kept my promise. That's why I'm here."

"Bash and Mary?" Greer frowned. "As far as I know, it's over between them. I'm not even sure, if she ever really loved him. Mary never got over Francis' death. He was the love of her life. She only wanted someone who took care of her, supported her in her grief. And Bash was there. He didn't leave her side. But this had nothing to do with love in a romantic sense."

Lola nodded. "I can confirm that. Mary and I have often spoken about love. And she never mentioned Bash, only Francis."

Kenna could feel how the color drained from her cheeks. Was it true, Mary had never loved Bash? And what about him? Had he loved her? And when he kissed and touched her, was it because he still loved her? If so, why hadn't Bash told her, or Mary for that matter? She covered her face with her hands and moaned slightly.

"Kenna? Is everything all right?" Lola asked concerned.

She shook her head, while her eyes welled up. "Why is fate so cruel? When I left, three years ago, I had no idea that I carried Bash's child. And when I came back and told him, he was so happy. He probably really believed, that we would get another chance of happiness together. And I... I destroyed everything, because I listened to reason and not to my heart. And all that because of a misunderstanding!"

"It's not your fault!" Lola spontaneously hugged her. "Sometimes things don't go according to plan. You just wanted to protect Mary. You are a good friend."

Greer nodded. "If the plague is over, you should go back to the Castle and speak with Bash. If he still feels the same way about you, I'm sure that you will find a way to clear up this misunderstanding."

"You're so sweet!" Kenna made a step to her friends and embraced them. "What would I do without you?"

"What are friends for?" Greer winked at her. "And now come along all of you! We need to talk about our next steps regarding the plague. I guess we will have to spend quite some time together."

"We can make a list." Lola suggested.

Kenna nodded and reached for a paper and a quill. "Who wants to start?" she asked and looked around.