Chapter 60 – New attacks from Clayton

The passing of time had not helped Clayton to overcome his feelings for Mandy. On the contrary, he seemed to have become still more obsessed. He had amplified one of Mandy´s pictures that he had taken on the National and then printed it to have it hanging on his bedroom wall. “Nice looking girl.” His mother was sweet to make this comment while she was preparing to vacuum his bedroom. “She is my girlfriend.” “Good for you, son.” “And she is loaded too.” “Even better.” For two months Clayton had taken interest in many part-time jobs offered by neighbors. He had mowed their lawns and washed some cars. It made his father happy because many times he had feared that his son was just plain lazy. Being a hardworking man all his life, he knew that Clayton could use some sweat for his own benefit. By now Clayton had enough money saved to buy some presents and also to take Mandy on a romantic dinner, which he considered essential

Chapter 61 – Steph´s first fan club

Steph was still attending school with her friends this semester. She would be able to finish junior year regularly, because it would take a while before her tour started. But then she would have tutors for her last year of high school. In the home school method. Her mother was selecting excellent tutors for her.Her managers were working on her new look for her world tour and she was very excited about it.Steph also had songs enough to record her first CD and much of her free time was spent recording it at a professional studio.On some Saturday nights she still sang at Carol´s restaurant, mainly to launch new songs and watch the public´s reaction.And as always, the public loved her. She posted these pocket shows on the internet.And then she dedicated some of her time answering the emails and comments that she received.And suddenly, one day, there it was. Steph´s first fan club. It was so exciting. They were from people

Chapter 62 – Choosing love

Chapter 63 – Heart to heart with Pamela

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

Chapter 64 – Preparations from Clayton

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

Chapter 65 – Baby steps

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

Chapter 66 – The worst day ever

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

Chapter 67 – A hostage in the bathroom

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