After that, Maandy noticed that Mark was more relaxed. He went back to his smiling manners and she loved those smiles.And since she was cleaning the path to walk a calm and happy life with him, she gathered her courage to talk to his mother.Mandy believed in building your own happiness even if that meant removing misunderstandings and conflics at all costs.This cold and distant relationship with Pamela and Donald won´t do for Mandy. She is too authentic for that.She envisions a future with a real family, with problems and flaws, of course, but nevertheless, present and supportive.Mark deserves it too. The situation dragged through all his childhood, whithout a soul to interfere in his favor.Today Mandy was putting an end to that.Some masks would have to be dropped. Enough pretense.People would be given choices. But they would also have to respect Mandy´s own choices. And live with the consequences.If

People have a way of getting so busy with their own lives that they hardly notice someone else´s worries. They have their own interests and their fair amount of worries.Like finals for example, in the case of Clayton´s school.On top of that, he was pretty much unnoticeable most of the time.But to his disturbed mind, it seemed that everyone was making fun of him. That everybody knew that he was a failure.But the point is, nobody had the least idea about his feelings, his attempts to win Mandy´s love and his purpose for fame and fortune. The few people who knew, Mandy herself, Mark or Steph, had a life. They had turned a page on Clayton.In his obsession he believed them to be his sworn enemies.And he started to prefer the night than daylight. Two more visits he paid to school al late hours. He entered the basement and hid some packages there. It accommodated his immediate needs.EARLIER PURCHASESClayton&a

It´S funny how words have a strong power to destroy or to heal. In Pamela´s case they were working wonders in her healing process. In fact, she took Mandy´s advices very seriously and started acting accordingly. For strange as it seems, for Pamela, it was like if she had just had her son´s birth. She discovered motherhood and it became her. Her new behavior even reflected on her patients. They continued to have one of the toppest heart surgeons of the country. But they sensed a delicate change in her. For the first time, her humanity was showing and her face seemed very peaceful, almost beautiful. It was something concerning her eyes, more than her looks. THE DAD As a mother willing to participate in her son´s life, Pamela soon found her maternal instinct. She started an approach with baby steps, including Mark in her conversations at the table, asking him about his day. At first, he seemed confused. But if people can a

It was a school day like any other for Mandy. The only difference was that Mark was at one of his College interviews, so she was by Steph`s side on the line to get their lunch. Clayton was waiting for this opportunity, because deep down he was a coward and he wouldn´t risk another confrontation with Mark. He was past that. His plan was very elaborate and now he was sure to succeed. He thirsted for revenge and he felt that today he was going to get it. In the morning, when he noticed his adversary´s absence he went straight to the basement to get ready. In there, he was very meticulous because he knew he had plenty of time until lunch hour. He was going to execute his plan at the cafeteria. He thought it was just fair, because he felt that it was the place where he had been the most humiliated by his enemies. He opened the packages and got the ropes first. He put them around his waist like some belt, and gave a loose knot in each. That way it w

CHAOTIC SITUATION When the students started to run out of school in panic, Oscar and Lais started to frantically look for Mandy among them. She was nowhere to be found. They got inside and kept searching and they parted ways to be more efficient. Oscar was checking the classrooms and Lais was on her way to the cafeteria, since it was lunch time, it made sense to her. She was lucky enough to cross with Charlie in the corridor. He was carrying his hurt sister and Dorothy was sobbing beside them. “Please, talk to me.” Lais pleaded because by now she feared the worst. “He took Mandy. Help, please.” It was all Steph could mutter and her head fell on her brother´s shoulder. Charlie quickened his pace but Lais held Dorothy´s arm. “What happened?” “One student, Clayton, he hit Steph and took Mandy.” “At gun point?” “No. he has a knife to her throat.” “Where did he take her?” “We didn´t see. Sorry.” Dorothy ran a

MANDY Mandy forced herself to remember her mother´s advices during those trainings with Mark. Carol always emphasized that you should never risk your life. If it was an armed thief you were dealing with, it was better to solve things quickly by giving him the valuables he requested. Here it was not the case. Maintain calm, otherwise the opponent gains advantage. Mandy took a deep breath and watched Clayton scream another ‘shut up’ to the people knocking on the door. Try to negociate. Distract the person. Gain time. Yes, that was it. Mandy could gain time. And maybe influence him a little, though she was pretty sure that he was kind of delirious. Clayton took another rope and proceeded to tie it around her mouth and around her head, trying to silence her. He certainly didn´t have practice at this, because normally a cloth was used for this intent. Using a rope was so cruel, because it hurt her delicate lips more than other materials. “Mmmpf.” M

The rescue team carried Clayton in a stretcher and took him to the municipal hospital. Two policemen accompanied them. He was already eighteen and would have to answer for his acts. Paramedics cut the ropes to free Mandy. She was not severely hurt and her main concerns were her mother and Steph. As soon as she was free, she embraced her mom very tight and said in a shaking voice, “Mom, first you gave birth to me and now you saved my life!” “Oh, Mandy! I love you so much.” They were all in a state of shock. Because Mark had already phoned his mother, Pamela was waiting for them in the general Premium Hospital, for a complete check up and psycological assistance. They decided to use the chopper and while the paramedics carried Mandy, Arthur took Carol in his arms and carried her all the way. “Arthur, my love, don´t be silly.” “Are you sure you aren´t hurt, Carol?” “I hurt more when I was a teen and fell from trees. This w