Dance

"Adelard, listen, you give everybody such large sums of money. You've got a family now, so you should think about it. You need the money more. You have a beautiful wife at home and she needs monetary attention." These words belonged to Jean as soon as Adelard took his seat at the table.

"I know. My Celeste doesn't need anything. And I won't let her need anything. But these people need help, don't they? How could I say no to them at the most important moment in their lives?"

"Don't you understand? Adelard! Everyone is laughing at you!"

"Laughing?"

"Yes. God, don't make that face like I said something weird. You know perfectly well about everything. Stop it!"

"Why are you yelling?" Adelard asked calmly and walked over to his friend. Placing a hand on his shoulder, he squeezed his arm and the strong muscles under his jacket tensed. Feeling both of them uncomfortable, Adelard moved further away. Jean, being an overly emotional man, was willing to turn into anything to prove to Adelard just how much he cared about him. Taking off his jacket and tossing it carelessly on a chair, he unbuttoned his shirt to the point where the reliefs of his muscles showed his full beauty. "Look at me," he said in an ordered tone.

"What do you want from me?" Adelard asked with the last of his strength.

"You're like a child. It's time for you to change. Everyone is laughing at you. You're a simple clown. You're just very rich. Look at everything around you! It's your family's work. All this inheritance behind you is the result of their hard work. And what do you do? You give money to anyone who asks for it. Stop living like that. Think of yourself and no one else. Think of your own happiness."

But after all, Adelard couldn't understand the reason why everyone was laughing at him. There was no way he could understand the whole nature of people.

"I'm sick of this look of yours. So kind, so understanding. Look at me with anger! Look at the whole world with anger! If you don't change, this world will destroy you."

"You always think as if you were at war. Jean, life is beautiful, so why should I be angry? What's in it for me? Tell me, anger, resentment, what has it all done for a man? Nothing!"

"You are hopeless. But remember my words, someday, my words will turn out to be true."

"Jean?"

"What?"

"Why are you so angry?"

"I just love you. That's why. I don't want you to be hurt at the end," Jean said, not knowing what meaning was lurking in his words.

Adelard became too serious for the first time in his life that Jean could see a glimmer of anger in his eyes. The thick eyebrows, the words of the thunder before the heavy rain perfectly reflected the feeling he had been hiding deep in his soul all this time. But what was that feeling?

"Do you have any idea what you just said?" Adelard asked.

"You're angry. You're more like a human being now."

"You always act like you're playing with everyone."

"I don't understand you."

"You always don't understand anything. And you also say I'm the child here. Who's the child here?"

"I like it. Keep it up," Jean said, though there was nothing in his voice. Just dryness and questions. "Well then. I'm expecting you and your wife tonight. I hope you will come."

Adelard said nothing. He turned away from him and began to stare at the branches of the trees.

After this strange conversation, Adelard had to sit among the smoking men, who only talked about money and how to make life seem like a fairy tale. Adelard listened to them with respect. But mentally, he was in a completely different place. It seemed to him as if his whole life was leaving him. It seemed to him as if the happiness was playing tricks on him. Suddenly, emptiness filled his soul. He tried to think of Celeste. He tried to keep being happy. But he couldn't. Happiness was leaving him. And instead of happiness a sense of responsibility and fear of losing the person he loved most in the world took place in his heart. That's the problem with love. One experiences happiness first, then responsibility and only then fear. And after fear, the feeling of emptiness.

"Monsieur? What is the matter with you?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking," Adelard replied calmly.

"You look as if you have been hypnotized. What is the matter with you?"

"Monsieur, can I get you some coffee?" Theo asked. These were the most honest of words here.

Theo was anxious about him unlike the others. And others were anxious about his lifespan.

"I'm fine. Really. Monsieur, please continue. I'm listening to you all."

"All right, then. Theo, bring us a cup of coffee."

"Okay."

"And so. Where were we? Yes, that's right! Monsieur Adelard, about your soap..."

Before the man with the moustache could continue, Adelard interrupted him. "What about my soaps? They are on sale. As usual."

"Yes. But it's good, isn't it? And besides, soap deliveries are being made to distant countries as well. You have become the very king of your business. And there's no one else who can compare to you."

"I am very glad of that."

"Monsieur, perhaps you should go home."

Adelard had clearly changed after his conversation with Jean. And everyone could see it. But no one could understand why that angelic face had suddenly become so gloomy.

"After all, we're here to discuss new ideas. So let's get on with it." And even after that, Adelard couldn't get into the essence of all the papers that lay before him. He felt like he was at the bottom of the ocean and no one could hear him scream. Suddenly he couldn't take it anymore and he just got up from the table and walked silently toward the door.

"Why didn't you have a fun and loud wedding? You are Adelard himself! So why are you so shy?" Esma asked the question without taking her eyes off Celeste, who was talking to Eva.

"Celeste just doesn't like noise and crowds of people. She likes peace and quiet. Well, neither do I. I didn't want to make any noise. After all, we're getting married, we're not living for anyone," Adelard replied without taking his eyes off Celeste, who was now, curiously talking to Jean himself.

"It's all strange. But I can see that you are very fond of her," Esma added, though there was doubt in her words. "And what do you think of Jean?" she asked suddenly.

"What?"

"You are so surprised."

"I am surprised."

"I mean, what do you think about your best friend. What kind of man is he?"

Adelard was still watching Celeste study the contents of his world. Holding the glass in his hand, he looked carefully at his best friend and quickly averted his gaze lest he notice. "He's a good man. That's all I can say," he said, feeling hungry. "Have you tried the food? Madame Eva is just a wonderful cook."

"Yes. I liked everything. I think in this short time, I've gained weight."

"You're beautiful."

"And how should I behave now?"

There was a fire burning in Esma's eyes that wanted more than to be within the confines of the fireplace. But Adelard preferred the fire that was within a beautiful fireplace.

"Darling, how are you?" Celeste asked, hugging his shoulders.

"In your relationship, Celeste is like a man. You are so unusual," Esma said, trying to smile.

"Mistress Esma, why don't you talk to me? Or don't you want to notice me?" Jean asked. But nevertheless, he approached Esma and smiled. Esma, as the most honest person in the house, did not hide her thoughts. She said, "I don't like you." Jean's loud laugh didn't sound natural and then everything around plunged into silence.

Eva, sinking back into melancholy, sat on the edge of the sofa and took a sip of cool wine. Other guests expected something that would be remembered for a long time. But nothing happened. For them, loud and cheerful music said, "It's time for everyone to dance."