FIERCE, NOT FAITHFUL

CHAPTER 3-Through the Gate

Chapter Three

After leaving the golden cage, Amara realized living in a wide open world felt just as restrictive as before. The humid night felt nice against her skin, but the scared feeling in her chest would not let it soothe her.

Close beside Hera the chauffeur, she walked in quiet, reliable confidence, like a shadow. No longer was his company simply something interesting; it gave her something stable and pushed her to think that she wasn’t facing life’s uncertainties completely alone. Julian moved firmly and without being held down by duties or appearances. As if looking for some reassurance, she casually glanced at his face more than once. On his face, Julian looked strong but still, and yet his eyes showed he wasn’t the only one with knowledge of what had happened.

"Where is our next stop?" Hera asked as he helped Amara hop in the Black Porsche. She looked clueless and uncertain, turning to look at Julian who was scrutinizing her every inch of her face.

It took Julian a little time to respond. He got a shiny, black phone out of his pocket, typed very quickly, and returned it to its place. He kept everything precise and, at the same time, lacked any coldness.

He said, after a while, "Where there are no expectations to make your breath narrow." Then he started to look at her more seriously, and she detected something behind his calm. Something burning. He hoped in the Porsche and sat beside her.

"You remember, Amara, the passion in you hasn’t died. It has been overshadowed by people’s desire for absolute perfection. I am just waiting for you underneath all that you put on." He uttered

She gulped down what she said. Her partner’s words made her feel as if she had been hit by something powerful. digging into the problem allowed them to reach a part of her that had been kept hidden. She said to herself, “What if I am really not ready?” She hugged herself tightly even though she didn’t feel cold.

“What if—”She murmured

“Are you sure?” he asked with a caring voice, leaving her without any doubt about her ability. Amara, all of us are afraid. Actually, fear isn’t enemy number one. It gives us direction. It is only when you stop listening to what others say you should be that you start becoming yourself.

For a moment, she shut her eyes and took in the air. His words played in her mind in the same regular and persistent way as a drumbeat. She wasn’t exactly sure how her life would change, but for the first time in ages she sensed a distance appearing between them. As things started to come apart, something came into being: no certainties, but many new possibilities.

They got to the narrow passageway. Beneath the yellow glow of the streetlight a black Porsche remained, silently humming. Just like Julian, the car was quiet and elegant. It went un-noticed, yet its message was strong. Despite not talking, he still let the door open for her. It took just a second for her to decide and dive into the water. Her body was encased in soft leather as though it was a cocoon. At the start, a little bit of her wanted to reverse her decision. A much greater part of Amara's mind was certain that the consequences of going back would be too much for her to accept.

She watched as the city behind her went from clear to a blur of images as the car started moving. All those dazzling things, such as the skyscrapers and bright gala lights, were left behind her. The chapter of her journey ending as she planned her new life. She was no longer tied to the guidelines that used to guide her. She found the idea scary and very exciting.

Amara’s throat tightened and breath tightened. She could easily imagine Julian looking panicked, while his usual friendly character broke apart and anger emerged in quiet warnings and threats. He would go miles just to be with her, not out of affection, but just because she was in his family. He believed that this was reality.

Neither one said a word, but the silence was pleasant. There was a lot happening, including stress, uncertainty, and unstated facts. Amara looked ahead as her mind moved just as fast as the setting outside the window. Some bits of her previous life remained with her, making her feel weighed down and unaware of how to get rid of them. Every extra mile they went seemed to ease the stress a little.

“We're here,” said Hera, looking at Julian sidelong.

The car went around a bend, exposing the magnificent Villa they lived. A plain, untouched building with darkened glass and just a faint music sounding through the air.

Hera parked and switched off the engine. His stare expressed an attentive intention. He helped the two alight and watched them walking through the pavement to their house before he took off.

Amara went to the changing room after opening the door. The breeze from the night arrived again, but now she was glad to let it touch her. The sense of stress didn’t disappear, but it wasn’t the same any longer. There was no more panic in my thoughts. It was the feeling of waiting for something to happen.

The atmosphere inside the bar was gloomy, filled with fun, music, and an exciting smell. There were people everywhere, and some were talking, while others danced and some did things that showed they didn’t care about the classic etiquette. People could wear any clothes, followed no guidelines, and really smiled. Raw and straightforward energy for the fans.

Amara started to stumble as she walked. She felt that this place was completely novel to her. She was not put off by the challenges. This idea grabbed her interest.

Her shirt felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. Turning to see Julian behind her, she was once more stopped by his presence.

He said, “Ready?” in the hope that she would accept his friendly invitation.

After taking a little pause, Amara nodded in agreement. “Ready.”