Hotel Berlin - Chapter 5

Clouds were still hiding the brightness of the sky above the village of Pearl, even though the rain had stopped for a while.
She was staying on a wooden bench. It was wet, but it really didn’t matter. For her, it seemed that rain would never stop. The meaning of her life had stopped existing the day before. Since then, she had to live on the streets, sleep in places like that one and probably beg, since she couldn’t have a job and, as a consequence, she couldn’t earn money by work. But all these were the most unsignificant details.

The pain she had in her soul overwhelmed every other aspect of her future life. She couldn’t help but burst into tears. Even now, her wounds were still open and hurt. Everyting was false.The kisses, the embraces, the promises, the nights spent together and most of all, his love. Now that it was over, she didn’t even realise when it had ended.

As she stayed there in silence, a man approched and asked for permission to sit on the bench. It was near the bus station. He looked like someone from the middle class, but was dressed in a brown outfit and had a book about Universal History in his left hand.
She turned her face so that he couldn’t see her tears. But he had noticed.
- Lady, why are you crying?
He turned her face with his right hand to see her.
“What beautiful eyes she has!”
-You have such beautiful eyes, why flood them with tears? What happened?
He had such a calm look to her...His hazel eyes were as silent as a deep sea, but they were worth more than a thousand words.

-Sir, it’a long and harmful story. I wouldn’t like to bore you. And you obviously have something important to do. Please, leave me alone.
-You feel better after you tell your sufferings to someone. Believe me. I understand people and their feelings.
Oh, how I forgot! My name is Ryan Taylor. I am a teacher at the University.

“He’s been so kind to me until now. Maybe I should follow his advice.”
After a moment of thinking, she said:
-Danielle D..Robertson.
She was about to say her former name, that one that didn't belong to her anymore.
-I …have no job. I wasn’t at school and now, I have no money... I assume you teach History, right?
-How did you know? Ah, sure, you saw the book.
I see you’re an intelligent woman, why haven’t you attended school?
-I’m orphan, Mr. Taylor. I was found here, in Pearl, and the people in this village don’t have enough money for themselves, but for me...

As to make a break, the bus came.
-Now you must go to the University. I...I was glad I met you, you were a nice person...
-Why say goodbye when it hasn’t finished yet? He smiled. I think a teacher is allowed to skip classes once. Would you like to be my guest today?

She was undecided; one part of her soul wanted to refuse, but another part wanted to accept. But the “accept” part was hungrier.
-All right, I think I will go with you. I don’t have anything to lose.
They came to his house. It was a modest one, but very nice and cozy. She would have liked to spend the rest of her life in there. Ryan noticed she liked it.
She told him her story. He knew what kind of man Richard was, but Danielle didn’t read the scandal magazines. He really felt sorry for her. She was another victim of his lust. This time, it was an innocent one. Ryan felt anger and a sudden need of justice.
“Am I beginning to feel something for her?” he wondered.

Time was passing quickly. Danielle didn’t stay only for a day, but for a whole week. That was why she felt ashamed and, one Monday, decided to leave. She thought she was a burden for him, so she packed her clothes. She was just about to leave when Ryan entered the house.
His face went pale when he saw her with her luggage.
-Danielle! W...what are you doing? You aren’t thinking of leaving, are you?
She had been caught and for that reason she tried to find a way out of that.
-I...I have been too much of a trouble, so...
-Don’t even think of that!
He was a desperate man.
-Danielle, I don’t have a ring now, but...
He kneeled and told her:
-Do you want to marry me?