Edie noticed the disappointed look on Bobās face. "Talk about what?" she said, her voice sounding curious.
"Clyde wants me to delete the kissing scene," he said, shaking his head.
"Are you serious?" Edie said and turned to look at Clyde. "This is ridiculous. I thought you were a professional." She had a confused look on her face. "This isnāt the first kissing scene youāve starred in, so whatās the problem?"
"Please consider changing your mind," Bob pleaded with him.
"Whatās wrong with you, anyway? You knew this scene was coming up, so why did you stop?" Edie said with a touch of annoyance in her voice.
Clyde rolled his eyes and looked at Edie. "Oh, so you were looking forward to kissing me," he said as a grin appeared on his lips. "If thatās the case, then maybe...." He hesitates. "I guess Iāll kiss you if you want."
"Your arrogance is astounding," Edie said with disgust. "Who would want to kiss you. Iām done here, do whatever you want." Then she turned around and walked away.
After Edie left, the discussion finally ended with Clyde getting his own way. The scene was deleted from the film.
Clyde let out a sigh of relief. "Thank God," he said, and Bob left mumbling and shaking his head in disagreement.
Edie went back to her room and took a shower. As she was opening the bathroom door, her phone was ringing. Without looking at the screen, she answered. "Hi, Edie. How are you," Donald said in a low voice.
Surprised it was Donald, Edie was silent for a moment and then said, "I was talking to Dr. Clark earlier. He told me you were getting lots of rest. How are you feeling?"
As Donald looked at the night sky, the stars shining brightly, he thought of Edie. He desperately needed to talk to her. The sound of her voice made him feel as if a limpid spring floated in his heart. His mind drifted inevitably to the past and the dark times, to the stain on his soul. āI have no memory of Edie in my life.ā Donald shook his head as if trying to wake himself up.
There was only silence, and for a moment, Edie thought she had lost the connection. "Donald, are you still there?" she asked.
"Yes, Iām feeling better," he replied. "I was lying here watching TV and came across the movie the White-Love Song. Youāre really good."
Edie smiled and thanked him. "Iām glad you liked it, but you need your rest. Your number one priority should be getting yourself better."
"I know, and it is," Donald nodded and then smiled.
"In a few days, I have some time off. Do you mind if I come to visit you?" Edie asked. "Iāve been worried about you, and since you havenāt told your family, all you have at the moment is me."
Donald shook his head and replied, "No, you better not."
"Oh, Okay," Edie said, almost sounding disappointed.
"Let me explain," he said. "Iāve decided to get the treatment, and I leave tomorrow." Then Donald flashed an almost malicious smile.
"What wonderful news," Edie said, sounding pleased. "Is anyone going with you?"
Donald hesitated and said. "Yes, Karen will be coming with me. No need for you to worry about me, okay?" Hearing the happiness in Edieās voice, Donald didnāt care about the pain he was. She was all he needed.
"Does that mean youāre not taking back the company?" Edie asked.
"No, but how can I take it back if Iām dead. Iāve come to my senses about my illness, and itās because of you," Donald said, revealing a look of satisfaction.
Edie felt a swell of relief and joy. "Iām so happy to hear you say that. Iāve been so worried about you."
There was a moment of silence, and finally, Donald spoke. "Edie, I would like to ask you a question before I leave."
"Yes, of course. What is it?" Edie asked.
"I know you love Stuart, but are you happy? Living with such a powerful man, do you find yourself under pressure? Does anyone ever cause any problems for you?" Donald was talking so fast and had so many questions, and he wanted answers to. He suddenly starts coughing violently, and his face reddened.
"Slow down, take your time," Edie spoke with a concerned tone.
"Does Stuart love you?" Donald asked as a final question.
Edie quickly answered without any hesitation. "Yes, he loves me. There isnāt anything he wouldnāt do for me. His family is a little complicated, but Iām very lucky to have found him. I love him very much."
Her words struck him like lightning hitting a tree. A loud roar began in his head, and a white-hot pain hit his heart. Donald could hear the happiness in her voice and even imagined her smile. "I only have a few memories from my past, but your image was always there. I always thought it would be you and me. I was so wrong." He takes a deep breath. "I can hear it in your voice, how much you love Stuart, and Iām happy for you. You deserve it." He never wanted to let her go, but he knew he had to. Donald closed his eyes, sadness seeping through every fiber of his being.
"Thank you for saying that to me. It means so much to me," Edie said as tears of relief filled in her eyes. "Once you get better, you will have the life you deserve too."
"Edie, Iāve had a lot of time to think while I was in the hospital. When Iām better, I would like to come and visit you. If thatās okay with you?" Donald asked.
"Of course! Iām looking forward to seeing you again," Edie replied.
Donald hung up the phone and was surrounded by silence. His heart was pounding like a madmanās, and he couldnāt seem to catch his breath. His headaches, it feels twice its normal weight; it feels like itās going to explode.