Chapter VII


Anatoly has found himself in quite a predicament. Two ladies fighting over him. He always dreamed of this happening, but experiencing for real is another story.

Peace, still fuming, exclaimed: "loo khere anatoly siad hed make my dress"

"Ha Ha HA..." - Nightmore started laughing, turning towards Peace - "Do you think as he is going to spend his time you?"

"of corse were friends!" - She insisted.

"Ha." - Nightmore spoke, grin widening. - "He of his prestige won't spend the time with cattle like yourself."

Anatoly turned his head towards Nightmore, in shock after hearing what she just said. She looked to him and winked before turning her heads towards Peace again.

"You think I don't know of you Peace? I know everything of you. Your annoyed and envious face every time you see me. I remember well. You're just jealous little girl." - Nightmore spoke.

"no... im not... jealous..." - Peace whimpered.

"Don't lie, you know too. Everyone loves ME, not you. You'll be forgotten, if anyone bothers remember you, that is. You're nothing" - She spoke, with an almost sadistic enjoyment sitting on her face as she did. - "And even your 'friend' here seems to agree." - She pointed to Anatoly as she said that.

Peace couldn't listen to her anymore. Not after that last remark. She turned around and covered her ears, trying to tune out Nightmore's cruel words. But the thoughts kept spiraling in her head.

"i... i AM a jealous nobody..." - She thought to herself. Her vision started to get blurry as she felt two streams of water flowing down her cheeks and falling onto the ground. She quickly put her hands on her face to stop anyone from seeing her in her most pathetic state.

Anatoly put his hand on her shoulder. - "Peace, don't cry please" - He begged, but as soon as his hand touched her, she turned around and slapped it,

"go away!!" - She yelled while waving her arm around, trying to shoo him away.

"Hah... She's crying now..." - Nightmore spoke once more, looking at Anatoly. "So... About dress..."


Chapter VIII


Nightmore started speaking about the dress she wanted Anatoly to make for her, but Anatoly didn't pay any attention to her. All he could focus on was his dear friend sobbing nearby.

Suddenly, memories started flooding to Anatoly's head. So many lovely moments he shared with Peace... So many times her presence calmed him down... So many times her support reached him personally... All of the woots she'd given him throughout the years...

"Am I... Just going to abandon her? Like this? After everything she's done for me?" - He thought.

But then he remembered the situation he was in. A literal super model offered him to make HER dress. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. He could always mend his relationship with Peace later. After all, they've had numerous quarrels before and they were always able to resolve them with time.

"But... I don't know... This... Feels different." - He argued with himself. - "Can I even expect her to forgive me if I accept this offer?"

His loyalty for Peace clashes with his aspiration for fame...

...

"So, is that the fair deal" - Nightmore spoke again. Anatoly snapped back to reality, noticing her hand reaching out, waiting for him to shake it.

"I... I-I..." - He spoke as his trembling hand starts moving on its own towards hers.

Two sides of his mind are fighting for control. - "I can't... I have to... She's my friend... She'll forgive me... Just do it Anatoly!"

He gritted his teeth, still sweating like a leaking pipe. Just as he was about to touch her hand, he swiftly pulled back. - "I... I can't."

Nightmore was taken aback by his response. - "Excuse me!?"

Anatoly had made his choice, and regardless of what happens, he won't regret it. After hearing what Nightmore said about his best friend, he just couldn't work for her. She doesn't deserve his talents, no matter how much money or exposure she would have given him.

Anatoly felt a huge weight fall off his chest. He felt the chains wrapped around his heart shatter into a million pieces. His nervousness and anxiety started turning into courage and confidence. He stomped his foot down and spoke.

"I will NOT work for a pompous stuck up thot like you, Nightmore." - He spoke with determination beaming in his eyes. He turned towards Peace, who was watching this scene unfold with her teary red eyes, and grabbed her hands.

"Peace... I'll make your dress. You can count on me".


Chapter IX


Nightmore has never had anyone speak to her like that. She didn't know what to do.  His sheer fearlessness was more than enough to bring her to a sweat.

"I... i..." - She started yelling - "Aete!... Sono yōna kitanai kotoba o tsukatte watashi to hanasu koto wa dekinai!"

In her rage, Nightmore didn't even realize she wasn't speaking English anymore. Anatoly had no clue what she said, but knowing he struck a nerve in her made him smile. It was time for the final strike.

"You heard me perfectly Nightmore. I won't work for you. Now get in your fancy limo and get off my property." - He spoke as he pointed to his right, signifying for her to leave.

"You will kōkai this!" - She spoke with noticeable agitation in her voice, stepping back into her limo. She closed the door and the limo started driving off.

Peace and Anatoly stood there for a minute, holding hands. Peace blushed and put her head on his shoulder. - "are you serious anatoly? will you make my dress?" - She spoke, her voice sounding so fragile after crying.

He leaned his head on hers and closed his eyes. "Of course, Peace. I'm sorry for almost accepting Nightmore's offer... I... wasn't thinking clearly, but now I am."

"it's alright anatoly, i forgive you" - She closed her eyes too.

They stood like that only for a few minutes, but Anatoly felt like he'd spent an entire lifetime with her. His body felt warm, and his mind was clear. He knew he made the right choice.

He opened his eyes, kissed the top of her head and told her - "Alright, let's go make that dress."

"yes, thank you so much anatoly... i don't know how i could ever repay you for your kindness..." - She replied.

He smirked and held her hand tightly as they walked back into his house. It's time to begin working on the most important project of his life. No matter what, he'll make sure Peace looks better than anything Nightmore might bring.