Strange. Part one.

"Tell me everything. And don't try to hide the fact that you're not a boy anymore!" Jean said as soon as Adelard entered the house.

Adelard didn't want to talk at all, and in fact, he came to this little house for one reason only. And that was to see Jean's wife, of whom he had spoken so little. Perhaps this was the first time Adelard had ever felt such curiosity about someone else's life. And the thought seemed to him too shameful and full of sin.

This was noticed by Jean, who was already sitting next to him. Too close, too serious and impatient.

"Adelard! Tell me, did it happen?"

In the cozy living room, where there were many flowers and small chairs and a white grand piano in the very center, Adelard clutched the fingers of his hands. There was a sly smile on his face. Such a smile only comes from someone who is up to something or who has stolen something.

Jean, in a black robe and with wet hair, looked greedily into his friend's face.

"Jean, I am so happy. Tell me, can a man die of happiness?"

"You ask silly questions. You are like a girl."

"Yes, I am a very foolish man. But what can I do? I'm so happy."

"Is she really that good? Could she really make you fly?"

Adelard, still dreaming, still thinking about all he had experienced, said, "She's just a natural wonder."

"I understand you. When I first spent the night with a woman, I thought the same. To me, every woman was a natural wonder. But then, over time, I realized that there's only one wonder of nature and that's nature itself."

"You know, she's so gentle but at the same time so sharp, rude. She's like a rose. She's like a wild animal that can hurt you. She's everything. A man and a woman. Earth and sky. Water and fire."

"A man and a woman? So you're okay with being loved by a man?" Jean asked, putting his hand on his knee. He had done this before, but now, this gesture seemed too strange. Even Adelard noticed it. But for some reason, he did not resist, for his body was still sensitive to any touch. And the truth was that he wanted more.

Jean, sensing this, sat down closer. "Adelard, you don't mind this kind of love, do you?" he asked in a whisper, slowly descending to his knees.

"Jean?" Adelard said his name and when his heart and conscience left him, his savior appeared in the room.

Jean's wife, Eva, with a smile on her face, exclaimed, "Adelard! Finally!"

Jean broke into nervous laugh. "My friend, you are so impossible!"

"Jean, calm down. What's wrong with you?" Eva asked and continued to stare at the handsome man in the house. Eva, or simply Madame, was a tall and very slender woman. She had long and beautiful hair which was like a silk. Her oval face with expressive, almost doll eyes and a slightly elongated nose and pale lips, expressed wisdom. Yes, there was wisdom and nothing more in this woman. Adelard could not help but notice this wisdom.

"Darling, is that dress new? It is very beautiful. You look like a swan," Jean said, kissing her hand and looking at the snow-white dress.

"Are you going somewhere?"

"No. I don't think I can go anywhere. After all, we have such an important and great man visiting us. Your friend," Madame Eva said and emphasized the word "friend".

Adelard, only now coming to his senses, stood up and said, "You should not cancel your plans because of me. Madame, I am on my way out."

"If you leave, I shall be very much offended."

"Yes. What's the hurry? Adelard, dear, why don't you continue your story while my dear wife sets the table."

Eva was clearly unhappy about something. But without showing her emotions further, she smiled and said, "Please make yourself at home."

"Let me help you!" Adelard exclaimed, not wanting to be alone with Jean any longer. And also, noticing all the beauty of this house, Adelard could not keep silent.

"I see you love music and books," he said, looking at the papers with notes that hung on the walls instead of paintings. And so, the whole house seemed like a museum where you could find musical instruments, portraits of great composers.

"You shouldn't help me. You are, after all, a guest. So I ask you to go back to my husband. It would be embarrassing for me if you came into the kitchen," Eva said quietly, keeping a gentle smile on her face.

He was seeing her for the first time, but he felt as if he had known her all his life. "How is it possible that you and I have never met?"

"I travel a lot. I'm rarely home. For example, just two days ago I was in India. And in five days, I will be there again."

"India? I've always wanted to go there. Maybe I'll take a trip soon, too."

"My good friends live in India. So, you can consider that you already have a home there," Eva said, gracefully opening the door that led to a small kitchen with lots of books that were instead of wallpaper.

"So many books in here! I love this style! Did you come up with this yourself? Very original!"

"Yes. I love books."

"This is just incredible! Celeste would love all of this," he said quietly, studying every meter of the room. Catching Eva's strange look on his face, Adelard said, "I'm very glad to finally see you. And I am so sorry to realize that your husband and I have been friends for years, but I have never seen you."

"It's all right. It's probably my fault. I can't stay at home, can I? And what kind of wife am I?" Eva asked herself ironically. As she reached for the fruit, Adelard stopped her with the words, "I'm not hungry. I'm sorry, of course, but I have to go. It's late and I don't want to be a nuisance to your evening."

"Don't say such things. I want to talk to you. I have so many questions for you," Eva said and when she said the last sentence, she looked toward the door for fear that Jean might hear her.

"Is something bothering you?" Adelard asked, sensing a strange atmosphere.

The smile was forgotten; Eva was finally herself. Her expression quickly changed and became too anxious. Suddenly, after the smile disappeared from her face, wrinkles and tear marks and sadness appeared around her eyes. Looking toward the door, she nodded her head. "I know a lot about you. You are a famous man. Your family goes by the name of Mars and I have read the biography of everyone who has carried that surname. You are Adelard Mars, the son of the most intelligent and noble people. I know everything about you. But I wouldn't want to burden you with my thoughts the first time I meet you."

"You can trust me. I am your friend," Adelard said quietly, realizing that Eva was worrying too much about her husband.

After making sure the music played in the living room, Eva sat down in her chair.

"Tell me, what is your relationship with Jean?" she asked with pain in her voice.