Chapter 5 Chapter Four

Bad news I'm afraid...Killed last night...We found his body under a bridge on the East River... For Diana Stevens, time has stopped.She wandered aimlessly in the vast apartment, full of memories and thoughts: no more comfort in it... no warmth in it... no Richard, just a pile of cold bricks.Never come back to life again. Diana collapsed on the couch and closed her eyes.Richard, honey, you asked me what I wanted for our wedding day.I tell you I don't want anything.But now I want it.come back to me.It doesn't matter if I can't see you.hold me tight.I will know you are there.I need to feel your caress again.I want to feel you touching my tits...I want to imagine that I can hear your voice saying I made the best paella in the world...I want to hear your voice telling me not to take your cover off quilt... I want to hear you tell me you love me.She tried to hold back the sudden well of tears, but couldn't.

From the moment she realized Richard was dead, Diana locked herself in her dimly lit apartment for days on end, refusing to answer the phone or the doorbell.Hiding like a wounded beast.Just wanted to be alone with her pain.Richard, there are so many times I want to say "I love you" to you that you say "I love you too".But I don't want to appear horny.I am a fool.Now I have nothing. Finally, when the phone rings and the doorbell won't stop, Diana opens the door. At the door stood Caroline Turl, one of Diana's closest friends.She looked at Diana. "You look terrible." Then her voice softened. "Everyone is trying to get back to you, baby. We're all worried."

"I'm sorry, Caroline, but I really can't—" Caroline took Diana into her arms: "I know. But there are many friends who want to see you." Diana shook her head. "No. Don't—" "Diana, Richard is dead, but you haven't. Don't shut out friends who love you. I'll come and see you often." Diana and Richard's friends started calling the apartment, and Diana found herself listening to an endless stream of dry platitudes about death: "Think of it this way, Diana. Richard is in peace..." "God called him, dear..."

"I know Richard is in heaven, shining on you..." "He went to a better place..." "He joined the team of angels..." Diana felt like screaming. There seems to be a steady stream of visitors.Paul Deacon, the gallery owner who exhibited Diana's work, arrives.He put his arm around Diana. "I've been calling you, but—" "I know." "My condolences to Richard. He was a rare gentleman. But, Diana, you can't shut yourself up like this. People are looking forward to seeing more of your good work." "I can't do it. It doesn't matter anymore, Paul. Nothing matters anymore. I'm done."

No one can convince her. When the doorbell rang the next day, Diana reluctantly walked to the door.She looked through the peephole and there appeared to be a small group of people outside.Puzzled, she opened the door.There were a dozen teenagers standing in the corridor. One of them was holding a small bouquet of flowers. "Good morning, Mrs. Stevens." He handed Diana the bouquet. "Thank you." She suddenly remembered who they were.They were on the Little League team that Richard coached. Diana received countless flower baskets, memorial cards and emails, but this was the gift that touched her the most.

"Come in," said Diana. The children walked into the room one by one, "We just want to tell you how sad we are." "Your husband is a wonderful man." "He's really cool." "He's an admirable coach." Diana struggled to hold back tears. "Thank you. He thinks you're amazing too. He's proud of all of you." She took a deep breath. "Would you like a drink or—?" Tim Holm, the ten-year-old who caught the fly ball, spoke for the crowd: "No thanks Mrs. Stevens. We just want to tell you we'll miss him too. We all chipped in for flowers . Twelve dollars in total."

"Anyway, we want you to know how upset we are." Diana looked at them and said softly, "Thank you, boys. I know how glad Richard is to have you here." She watched them whisper goodbye and leave. Watching their backs as they went away, she recalled the first time she watched Richard tutoring these children.He spoke to them like their peers, using words they could understand, and they loved him for it.That was the day I fell in love. Outside, Diana heard the rumbling of thunder, and the first drops of rain beginning to roll down the window panes like tears from God.rain.It was a weekend holiday...

"Do you like picnics?" Richard asked. "love it." he laughed. "Sure enough, I guessed it right. Then let me prepare a small picnic. I will pick you up at noon tomorrow." It was a sunny day.Richard arranged the picnic in the heart of Central Park.Silverware and linen napkins were prepared, and Diana laughed loudly when she saw what was in the basket.Roast beef... ham... cheese... two large mincemeat pies... various drinks and five or six sweets. "Enough to feed a small army! Who else will come?" An unexpected thought flashed through my mind.Priest?She blushed.

Richard was watching her: "Are you all right?" fine?I've never been happier: "I'm fine, Richard." He nodded: "Okay. We don't have to wait for the troops. Let's get started." As they ate, they talked, and there was so much to say, each sentence seemed to bring the two of them closer together.Lust swirled between them, growing stronger, and both felt it.Halfway through the beautiful afternoon, it started to rain.Within minutes they were all drenched. Richard said ruefully, "I'm so sorry. I should have done more research - the papers didn't say it was raining. I think that's where our picnic went -"

Diana leaned towards him and said softly, "Really?" She fell into his arms, her lips pressed against his lips, and she suddenly felt a surge of heat in her body.When she finally moved away, she said, "We've got to get these wet clothes off—" He laughed. "That's right. We don't want to—" Diana said, "Your place, or my place?" Richard suddenly became very quiet: "Diana, are you sure? I ask because... this is not a one-night stand." Diana answered calmly, "I know." Half an hour later they arrived at Diana's apartment, undressed, put their arms around each other, probed each other's sensitive spots with their hands, and finally, when they couldn't hold back anymore, they went to bed.

Richard is tender yet passionate, as if by magic, his tongue finds her, moves slowly, feels like warm waves gently licking the velvety sand, and then he penetrates deeply Her body, filled her. They spent the rest of the afternoon and most of the night talking, making love, and they opened up to each other, and it was a wonderful feeling. In the morning, while Diana was making breakfast, Richard asked, "Will you marry me, Diana?" She turned to him and said softly, "Oh, good." The wedding takes place a month later.The ceremony was warm and beautiful, with family and friends coming to congratulate the couple.Diana looked at Richard's radiant face from a distance, and thought of the fortune teller's absurd prediction, she smiled. They had planned to leave for their honeymoon in France a week after the wedding, but Richard called her at work: "Just got a new project and I can't get away. Can we go in a few months? Sorry, baby." She said, "Of course, dear." "Would you like to go out to lunch with me today?" "Great." "You like French food. I know of a great French restaurant. Pick you up in half an hour." Thirty minutes later, Richard was waiting for Diana outside the door: "Hey, dear. I have to see off a client at the airport. He's going to Europe. Let's say goodbye to him and then go to lunch." She hugged him: "OK." When they arrived at JFK, Richard said, "He's got a private jet. Let's meet him on the runway." The guards let them into an idler zone, where a Challenger was parked. Richard looked around: "He hasn't arrived yet. Let's get on the plane and wait." "it is good." They walked up the gangway and entered the luxurious cabin.The engine has started. A random attendant came over from the cockpit: "Good morning." "Good morning," said Richard. Diana smiled. "Good morning." They watched the attendant close the hatch. Diana looked at Richard. "How long do you think your clients will have to wait?" "Not long." The roar of the jets grew louder.The plane begins to taxi. Diana looked out the window, pale. "Richard, we're moving." Richard looked at Diana in surprise: "Are you sure?" "Look out the window." She panicked. "Take care of—take care of the pilot—" "What do you want me to take care of him?" "stop!" "I can't. He's already activated." After a moment of silence, Diana looked at Richard, her eyes widened: "Where are we going?" "Oh, I didn't tell you? We're going to Paris. You said you liked French food." She opened her mouth wide in surprise.Then the expression changed: "Richard, I can't go now! I don't have clothes. I don't have make-up. I don't-" Richard said, "I heard there's a shop in Paris." She looked at him for a moment, then threw her arms around him: "Oh, you fool, you. I love you." He grins. "You want a honeymoon. That's it."