Luckily, it's still lying on the floor. 

I pick up the necklace and put it back in the safe, pausing for a moment to look at it. 

I could wear it tomorrow and then, when I'm back home, I can say it is a souvenir! 

Shirley bought it for me. 

I don't think my mother has ever seen this necklace, and even if she has, there are plenty of necklaces like it on the internet. She can't prove anything as long as I get rid of this safe!

Although then she can prove nothing to me either.

I put the necklace on and look at myself in the mirror. 

What a beautiful gift you have given me, Grandmother. 

Thank you for this heirloom, which I will keep in honor and, of course, continue to cherish. 

Thank you...

Huh? I look to the clock and recognize that is time to go bed.

The next morning, I am the first to leave the house.

 Apart from Lauren, of course, who is already on his way. 

He could have taken me with him or at least suggested it. 

He knows perfectly well that I wanted to take a short trip with my girlfriend today. 

Instead of warning me about this guy, he could have given me a lift. 

Then I wouldn't have had to wait for the bus. 

But no, my brother wouldn't be my brother...

Sighing, I look around. 

I'm the only one at the bus stop. 

I would never have gotten Ewin out of bed in time if I hadn't been late. 

The whole thing is so annoying! 

At least the weather is still fine.
A sudden, dark cloud appears in the sky, seemingly out of nowhere.

No sooner have I thought it than it starts raining in torrents. 

That's not true!

The rain begins to fall with great intensity.

A car stops. 

The rain pours down on the roof of the bus stop, but the car in front of me seems to be spared.

"Can I give you a lift?"
Dear God, what have I done in my life to deserve this man of all people?
"No," I emphasize, not quite so rudely. 

He points his finger at the bus schedule board. 

I roll my eyes but look at the board anyway. 

The bus is canceled!
Damn it! Annoyed, I bite my lips.
"I guess the goddesses of fate are messing with people again," he grins at me.
Fate, what have I done to you to punish me like this?
"Come on, get in. I'm not a stranger or a criminal. Just your neighbor and a doctor."
As if that means anything these days.
"Never heard of Ted Bundy?", i say teasily.
He rolls his eyes theatrically.

"And why shouldn't I be afraid of you?" I look at him, irritated. 

"I hardly know you. Only your brothers. Who says you're a good girl? And you don't have anything else in your pocket."
"Sorry, just because I don't want to get into your car doesn't mean I'm anything else!" I tell him angrily.

He just shrugs, which makes me even angrier. 

What does he think he's doing? 

Really, just because he's something else? 

I will never get in his stupid car. I'd rather be struck by lightning than be driven by him.
"I hope now you understand how it feels! Come on, get in."
Wow! I could burst. 

"I guess honor is a foreign word to you," I snap, my smile forced.
His expression is restrained now. 

I look back at the board. 

Only about ten more minutes and the train will leave. 

It would make sense if I could reach Ewin now. 

I flick my smartphone demonstratively in front of him, but his expression remains reserved.

"Mum, I'm afraid the bus is canceled. Could you or Ewin drive me to the station?"
"Oh, isn't Lewin there yet?"
At that moment, I almost feel as if there's been a gun to my head all this time and now I've pulled the trigger.
"Asta, are you still there?"
"It's OK," I reply and hang up. 

Silently, he stands next to me with an umbrella in his hand. 

I sigh in annoyance. 

I ignore the umbrella and get into the back of the car, freezing.
In the rear-view mirror, I see his wicked grin. 

We don't exchange a word during the drive. 

While I stubbornly watch the raindrops from the window, he drives me to the station like a chauffeur. 

A pleasant melody comes from the loudspeakers. I close my eyes and listen to what turns out to be an opera.
"Venus and Adonis by John Blow."
He breaks his silence. 

I remain silent. 

Suddenly, my smartphone vibrates at the right moment.