Kind people

"Everyone needs money. And Adelard is just naive. One day, his kindness and naivety will lead him to great losses," Jean said quietly and was frightened by what he had just said. Looking around, his silhouette threw a large shadow on the floor, covering several people at once. "I've known Adelard for a long time. He's like a brother to me. So I worry about him very much. My heart hurts whenever I see him feeling bad. I wish I could take everything that causes him pain and suffering, but alas, I am not so powerful."

"Yes. Even I, knowing him for only a few minutes, am already willing to do anything to make him always happy."

"Alas, you are not the one who can make him happy. He has a fiancée."

Fiancée. This word was more frightening than an earthquake. For the power of that word made everyone drop their glasses and lose their feelings, their desires. As soon as he said those words, everyone around him, namely the whole town, quickly gathered around them. They were waiting for an explanation. They expected a continuation. But Jean only smiled slyly and stepped aside. The moment Adelard came to his senses and could think clearly, a woman in a pink dress approached him and asked impatiently, "Monsieur, do you have a bride? I should like to see her."

"Yes. Why haven't we seen her before?"

"Who is she?"

Adelard rose from his chair and holding his glass in his hand, smiled at everyone and then lowered his eyes. His gaze lingered far away, on the flowers that adorned the far corner of the room. His eyebrows relaxed, his mouth closed tightly and the tip of his nose trembled slightly, like a wild animal. He looked as if he was ready to cry at any second. But it was just emotionality, the result of being too much in love. He didn't have time to say anything. He didn't want to say anything.

Instead, Esma said, "She's a very beautiful woman and you all know her." Like any actress, Esma decided to act and so, she said, "Monsieur Adelard Mars has offered me his hand and heart." Like any good actress, everyone believed her. And that was the second wave of the earthquake.

"What? But how is that possible?"

"Is it really you?!"

"Monsieur say something!"

Grabbing his hand, Esma said, "You are all invited to our wedding!"

Adelard looked at her in amazement, and all he saw was that this woman lacked any facial features. Instead of a normal human face, she had just emotions and nothing more. Every emotion was her weapon.

"Darling, say something!" she exclaimed and drawing him to her, almost touching his ear with her lips said, "Let's make them nervous."

But Adelard didn't want to make them nervous at all, and he said quietly and simply, "Madame Esma is joking. In fact, I have a fiancée. And she's not here."

"And who is she? Do we know her?"

Here, Adelard decided to get mysterious. He said nothing, just shrugged his shoulders and directed his gaze to Jean, who was standing far away, but heard everything nonetheless.

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? You want us all to be nervous. Why don't you just tell us who she is!" someone shouted and was supported by everyone.

"Stop it! Don't embarrass him!" Skye exclaimed and gently touching his shoulder added, "Leave him alone. Don't you see, he's embarrassed!"

Everyone started laughing and patting Adelard on the back.

"Well, because of you, all the women are unhappy and the men are angry because of their fantasies. What are you doing to all these poor people? You're a real villain, aren't you?"

"Villain? No one's ever said that to me before. But I like it."

"Let's walk. Let them wonder."

"I'll gladly leave this place."

The evening was nearing nightfall. The surroundings were quiet; the lonely town was somewhere far away with millions of stars burned in the sky, and only the moon was waiting to take the stage.

Once in front of the theater building, Adelard looked into the face of his new friend. He was sad and his pale face was still full of anxiety. Adelard felt curious, but he didn't have the courage or rudeness to ask him anything. Instead, he said, "This theater is very beautiful. I am looking forward to watch your play."

Skye, looking at the stars, sighed and just nodded his head. "Our troupe has traveled all over the world. We've been everywhere. But right here, we've found home. And I'm very happy about it."

"You've seen the whole world. I envy you. I'd like to see other countries too."

"But what's holding you? You have everything."

"I don't know. I guess I have to change to see the whole world."

Skye stepped closer to him, gently touching his cheek, he sadly began to study the perfect features of his face. His finger slid slowly down his red cheek with the words, "You're so beautiful. You're like an angel. And I just can't believe that you're real. How lucky your fiancée is. I hope she won't hurt you."

Before Adelard could say anything, Skye stepped aside, putting his hands in his pockets. "Esma, have you been listening to other people's conversation again?"

"Of course not. I was just admiring you. You are so beautiful."

"The people of this town are very interesting. They are so cheerful and honest. Especially the men. They almost confessed to me that they were in love with me and with you too. Also, I liked the fact that people don't think about what gender a person belongs to. It's funny though."

"The people here are very kind," Adelard pronounced.

"All people are kind to you, aren't they? Why?"

"What do you mean why? You ask funny questions!" Adelard laughed for the first time in a while.

"You have a very pretty smile," Skye said, knowing that the man beside him would not understand the hint, the feelings that had already managed to appear in his soul.

"People aren't kind at all. They are evil. And that is perhaps the only truth that exists in this world. My dear, I have seen many things and I have heard many things too. So, you can believe me. You are naive, you have a kind and pure heart. Honestly, I've never met anyone like you before. And I didn't believe a lot of rumors either. There are no such people. But when I saw you, I understood that this world is still beautiful. Perhaps you will save this world, but there is a good chance that this world will break you before you save it. Adelard, I know I cannot save you from evil. I know that. But you must change. I'm telling you this as a friend, sister. Just change and know that people aren't that kind." When Esma finished speaking, she turned away from him. There were millions of emotions flying around her, and even emotions that people weren't even aware of. Adelard could feel these emotions turning into vibrations. But there was nothing he could do. For the first time in his life, he wondered about his life, about himself. Who was he? What kind of person is he? These two questions filled his mind, making him forget about Celeste for a moment. And after a while, when Esma turned in his direction again, Adelard said, "I guess you're right. I don't know anything about people. How ignorant I am. I'm afraid I might ruin everything. But what can I do? I can't change my heart. I can't tell my soul that I need to be different. It's too late now."