"Hello?" I ask into  the silent apartment as I close the front door behind myself. Everything's so still. So totally not normal.

"Meng!" I hear Patricia saying. Seconds later she runs out of her room and into my arms. "You're back."

"Of course  I'm back. What, did you think I eloped with Richard and got secretly married to him."

She shrugs, "Could be an option. But I thought you killed yourself and then Richard."

"Which is impossible, but no I did not. We're still alive. Although after yesterday evening, I'd rather not." I say as I place my purse on the table.

"I know, it was horrible. Samuel and I left just five minutes after you and Richard did." Patricia explains and throws herself on the couch.

"What....What did she say about me?"

"Who?"

"Valerie."

"Horrible things. About both of us. I didn't understand everything, since my French is not nearly as perfect as her's or Samuel's or Richard's is. But what I did understand sounded horrible." Patricia says, her eyes filled with sorrow.

"Tell me. I have to know."

Patricia sighs, "She said you're just some whore Richard found at the corner of a street. She said you don't fit into this world and never would. It may have worked out in Pretty Woman but this is no movie. This is real life and he should find himself someone better. Someone in the same...Someone wealthy, I guess."

"Someone like you." I say and she looks at me for a second before she continues.

"She said you're probably after his money and can't wait to get more presents from him. She said you're a slut for showing up there, dressed in Gucci dress you could never afford to buy. She called you a hoe for being with him and she knew everything. When you guys were in the door frame, at edge of leaving she yelled after him 'Go and fuck your whore. She's the only thing you have left."

WOW. Ouch. "That hurts. She's a real bitch." I say, not knowing how to handle this situation. "What happened after we left?"

"She apologized right away. She had no idea what has gotten into her. I guess seeing Richard with you freaked her out."

"Do you think she's in love with him? Her own brother?"

Patricia shakes her head, "No. She's sick."

"What?"

"She's  bipolar."

"Oh my God. Does Richard know?"

"No. That's why he freaked out. Only Samuel, Meredith and Derek know."

"Not Mark?"

"Well, he obviously know it now. Valerie is one of Derek's patients. That's why she's here. She needs to get new medications."

I nodd, "Well, it makes sense."

"She's a nice girl."

"To you."

"She will be a nice girl to you in the future as well."

If there will be a future. "Why doesn't Richard know the truth?"

Patricia shruggs, "I don't know. I guess, the time was never right. When he's with Valerie, the woman seems to be always happy. Always normal. Herself in a way. But yesterday...She run out of her meds. Guess that's one reason why she freaked out as well. She couldn't control herself anymore. She felt like you were taking him away from her. The only one who understands her."

I nodd, "Wow"

"I know. A lot to digest." she says to me, running her skinny fingers through her hair. " I didn't want to believe it at first. But then I saw how she changed in a millisecond from the nice girl to Cruella De Vill."

"When did Samuel tell you all this?"

"Before dinner. He told me their whole history. You know, that Valerie is their own real biological child and stuff. I'm sure Richard informed you about this as well."

"Yeah and their affairs. This family definitely isn't as normal as they all seem."

"Whose family is that? We all have our stuff to carry." Patricia says before she gets up, "You want a tea?"

I nodd, "That would be nice."

" How did Richard react after you guys left?" she asks as she lets the water into the electric kettle.

" He was mad. I just drove twenty minutes, saying nothing, letting him cool down. He started to mumble something in French. Then in English. After forty minutes I parked the car near the cliffs. I let him throw stones into the ocean. It was the only way I could think to make him better."

Patricia nods at me. " I would have done the same. Most probably.

"Yeah..... I say smiling and look down. "Wha about you and Samuel?"

"We drove back to the hotel and had an amazing sex. The only thing which we could do to have at least a good night."

"I didn't sleep. Neither did Richard."

"Did you guys talk?"

"Yes."

"What about?"

" I told him I got raped."

Her chin fell down, " You've never told that to anyone. I mean, beside me of course."

I shrugged, "We kind of got to the subject. I met Thomas earlier. At the horse race."

She nods as she fills up the cups with hot water, "I know. I saw the picture of you and Richard in the newspaper today. You guys look like a real couple."

"Yeah... Anyways, how long are you already home?"

"Just got in a couple of minutes before you showed up. What did you do today?"

"We went horse riding." I explain as I take a sip of my tea.

"Horse riding."

"In the Hamptons, yeah. Richard owns a ranch."

"Is there anything this man does not own?"

Patricia smiles at me before she puts her hand on mine, "Honey, he already has your heart. He practically does own you."

I gulp, " Is that obvious?"

" Meng, you are a good actress, but when it comes to losing your heart you're a world champion."

"Oh shut  up!" I say laughing before I hit her slightly, "It's not like you didn't fell for Samuel."

" I did and he knows it. He fell for me as well. Instantly. Which is why this is so easy. We know how we feel for each other."

"But I have no idea what Richard feels for me." I say and brush through my hair, "He's going to rip my heart into thousand pieces. I know it Pat, I can't be with him."

"Yet you don't seem to be able to stay away from him."

I shrug, "He's like my drug."

"And you're a junkie." she says and I nodd, "When will you see him again?"

"Not today. My legs are all sore from the horse riding."

She nods, "You should tell him."

"It's not that easy, Pat."

"It was for me."

"Because Samuel loves you as well. It's easy to say I love you to someone you know he exactly feels the same way. But Richard he....He's a mystery. A sealed book."

"Then you have to unravel the mystery."

"Easy for you to say, but hard to do." I say and take another sip of my tea.

"Oh that reminds me, your cousin Aundrea called just a minute before you walked in."

"What did she want?"

"She said that the wedding got moved two weeks forward."

"Which means it's in two days." I say horrified. No! I will will be gone for two freaking days with Richard Faulkerson! You can't do this to me, freaking universe!--my inner goddess protest My subconsciousness smiles on the other hand. it'll take your mind off  of him, give you a taste of your life without him - your real life.

"Will you attend with Richard?" she asks me slowly.

I shake my head, "No, I don't think so. I mean , he's probably busy with work anyways."

"Will you ask him?"

"Should I?"

"Yes. And you should tell him how you feel about him. In the setting sun at Californian beach in Sta. Barbara."

I smile and shake my head, "Not likely to happen."

"Why?"

"Because they're getting married in Laguna Beach."

"Doesn't matter.  Beach is beach. Words are words. Feelings are feelings." she says and smiles at me.

"Call him."

"No!"

"Call him!" she demands.

"Patricia! "

"You do it or I will."

"Please. Leave me and my fucking love life alone. I'll handle it. All of it. But in my way."

"Ugh.., fine. You are no fun, really!" Patty says rising from the chair, " I have to get ready now."

"Why?"

"Samuel is picking me up in two hours. He wants to go to the movies."

"Such a sweet guy." I wonder if Richard would ever do something like that. Probably not.

"Yeah , I know right? He's so perfect." she says before she disappears in her room.

I wonder if those two will get married. Probably. And probably pretty soon. They are so in love with each other. They are so right for each other. No problems. For sister who hates me. No contract. No confidentiality agreement. No freaking seven relationships at the same time. No, everything's average with them. Perfect.

I wonder if I ever will have the privilege to say about my love life.

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