As soon as he arrived, he spotted Christina arranging the shelves, her back facing him. His heart raced as he approached her. "Christina, honey, how are you?" he said, trying to sound cheerful despite the pain in his head.
At the sound of his voice, Christina turned around, her eyes cold and distant. "Jack! What are you doing here? I told you I was going to marry Lauri. I've made my decision, and I'm not going to back down," she said firmly.
Jack's smile faded, and he felt his heart break all over again. He searched her face, hoping to see a glimmer of doubt or hesitation, but found none. "You're kidding, aren't you, Christina? Tell me you're kidding me," he pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper.
But Christina's expression remained resolute. "I'm not kidding. Please leave me alone. I don't want to see you anymore," she said, her voice as cold as ice.
Jack stood there in silence, his mind racing as he tried to process what had just happened. He felt as if his world had come crashing down, leaving him in a state of utter despair.
After what felt like an eternity, he managed to muster a weak smile. "Well, as you like. I won't bother you anymore. And blessed be your marriage," he said before turning and leaving the store.
As he walked away, he felt a crushing weight on his chest, making it hard to breathe. His mind was consumed with thoughts of Christina and what he could have done differently. But he knew deep down that it was over, and there was nothing he could do to change her mind.
He eventually made his way back to the workshop, where Sancho was waiting for him. "Jack, where have you been? I was worried about you a lot. Don't tell me you went to Christina again," he said, concern etched on his face.
Jack sat down heavily on the chair, his body drained of all energy. "No, I don't. That's life, my friend. We should expect everything to happen at every moment, as long as that thing can happen. We should not pin our hopes on others. We should pin all our hopes on ourselves," he said, his voice tinged with sadness.
Sancho nodded in understanding, knowing that Jack was trying to come to terms with his heartbreak. "You know what, Jack? Let's forget about Christina for now. How about we work on that custom-made chair we were talking about?" he suggested, trying to lighten the mood.
"But," Jack shook his head, his eyes heavy, "I'm not going to work tomorrow. I'm tired and I want a few days to rest," he told Sancho.
Sancho observed the pain etched in his friend's eyes and gave him an understanding nod. "All right, Jack. Take as much time as you need to recover. But I want you to return stronger, okay?"
"I promise, my friend. Don't worry," Jack replied with a deep sigh.
Jack walked out of the workshop, but instead of heading home, he made his way back to the beach. As he arrived, the salty sea breeze and the warm sand under his feet filled him with a deep sense of sorrow. He sat on the sand for a long time, his eyes damp with tears, as he struggled to comprehend why Christina had left him.
As the sun gradually ascended, Jack opened his eyes, realizing that he had fallen asleep on the beach again, with his clothes crusted in sand. He stood up slowly, shuddering as he shook off the sand, his mind heavy with thoughts of revenge. Jack did not make his way to Christina this time, but instead, he sat on the shore and allowed the waves to ebb and flow over his feet, contemplating how he could get back at her for all the agony she had caused him.
Hours ticked by, and Jack remained lost in his thoughts, pondering the life he had with Christina and how it had all gone awry. He pictured the necklace that she wore around her neck, the one her grandfather had bestowed upon her, and how much it meant to her. Suddenly, a devious idea crossed his mind. He could take the necklace, and Christina would feel the same pain he had been carrying all along.
With his thoughts in a frenzy, Jack finally got up and began his journey home, plotting the theft of the necklace along the way. As he strolled, he overheard a faint whisper about Christina's upcoming wedding to Lauri. His heart sank as he pondered the life she would have with Lauri, a life he had been denied.
Meanwhile, Christina was preparing for her wedding, surrounded by her loved ones, and adorned in a beautiful gown. She glowed with happiness. Her father, Frank, kept a watchful eye on her, sensing that something was amiss. He couldn't shake the feeling that his daughter was concealing something from him. He was perplexed by how easily she had moved on from Jack and accepted Lauri's proposal.
As the day progressed, Jack's mind couldn't escape the tantalizing idea of stealing Christina's priceless necklace. He fixated on various plans, visualizing every detail until he finally devised a foolproof scheme. Christina had confided in him that she only removed the necklace when she slept and kept it in the drawer next to her bed. Jack, knowing every nook and cranny of Christina's home, felt confident that he could slip in and out without arousing suspicion.
In the stillness of the night, Jack crept toward Christina's house, his heart racing with excitement. The moon cast an eerie glow over the garden as Jack snuck toward the backyard. His eyes scanned the perimeter of the house, and his heart skipped a beat when he noticed Christina's window was ajar. Jack grinned to himself, exhilarated at how simple it was. He scaled the fence and climbed the tree next to her room. Jack paused for a moment, taking in the scent of the flowers and the cool night air, before leaping onto the balcony and slipping silently into her room.
Jack's senses heightened as he made his way toward Christina's bed. The room was dark, save for the faint moonlight that seeped through the window, casting a soft glow on the room. He heard her gentle breathing and smelled the sweet fragrance of her perfume. Jack's pulse quickened as he spotted the necklace glinting on the table beside her bed. Fate seemed to be on his side tonight. With a sly smile, he picked up the necklace, savoring the feel of the cool metal in his hand.
Jack tiptoed out of the house, his heart pounding with excitement as he made his way back to his own home. Once there, he hid the necklace in his closet, taking a moment to admire it under the light of his lamp. He lay on his bed, chuckling to himself, savoring the feeling of satisfaction and excitement coursing through his body. The anticipation of seeing Christina's reaction to her missing necklace sent shivers of excitement down his spine. "Let's see what will happen to Christina now. She deserves it," Jack whispered to himself, closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.
The next day, Jack eagerly woke up and got ready for work, feeling the crisp spring air on his skin as he stepped outside. The soft sound of birds chirping in the distance gave him a sense of peace as he made his way toward the workshop. The sun shone bright in the sky, casting a warm glow over everything in sight.
As he arrived, the scent of freshly cut wood filled his nostrils, mingling with the smell of oil and grease. A small smile appeared on his face, and Sancho immediately noticed his change in mood.
"Good to see you looking happy again," Sancho commented, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "But why did you come to work today? Didn't you want some time off?"
"I thought about it, but I was getting restless at home. I feel ready to come back to work," Jack replied, feeling the familiar thrill of creating something with his own hands.
Sancho was relieved and happy to see his friend return to his normal self. As they worked, Jack couldn't help but think about Christina and her reaction to the stolen necklace. He planned to check on her after work and make sure she was in a bad mood.
Once they finished their work, the sound of the door creaking open filled the room, and Sancho suggested they leave together as usual, but Jack declined, insisting he had urgent matters to attend to at home. He hurried off, feeling a mix of happiness and nerves as he headed toward Christina's store.
As he walked, the sound of his footsteps echoed in the empty streets. He couldn't wait to see Christina again, but as he approached the store, his heart sank.
Christina was working normally at the store,
her bright smile filled the room, and the sight of her beauty took his breath away.
Jack couldn't understand it and felt disappointed by the lack of reaction. He left the store and walked home, feeling puzzled by Christina's behavior.
"But what's going on here?" he muttered to himself. "Shouldn't she be devastated after losing her precious necklace? Did she lie to me about its value? And what about her love for me?"
As he pondered these questions, he began to doubt Christina's sincerity and wondered if he had been foolish to trust her. He decided to think of a new plan for revenge, one that would be more successful than his previous attempt.
Jack sat alone in his dimly lit apartment, the sound of his breaths filling the silence. The scent of old wood filled his nostrils. He stared at the wall, lost in thought, as a new idea began to form in his mind. He could feel the darkness spreading through him like a virus, as he considered the possibility of getting revenge on Christina and Lauri.
After what seemed like hours of intense rumination, Jack's mind wandered to a snippet of conversation he had overheard earlier in the day. As he was making his way back from the store, a couple walking past him had been discussing the wedding plans of Christina and Lauri. He recalled how they had excitedly talked about their honeymoon, which they planned to spend on Lauri's lavish ship, sailing across the vast, open sea.
As he played with the idea of what he could do to seek revenge, his thoughts became more vivid and terrifying. He pictured the couple on board, enjoying the sea breeze and the rhythmic swaying of the ship. He could almost hear the sound of the waves crashing against the hull, and the seagulls screeching overhead.
Then, a sinister thought crept into his mind. "What if something terrible were to happen to the ship?" he whispered to himself, relishing the idea of causing chaos and destruction. "What if they were never to return from their honeymoon?"
As he entertained the possibility of such a heinous act, a shiver ran down his spine, causing the fine hairs on his arms to stand on end. Despite the feeling of dread that washed over him, the anger and bitterness he felt toward Lauri and Christina were too strong to ignore. And so, he gave in to the temptation of causing them harm, and vowed to take action.
*******
The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the shore was so loud that Jack could feel it reverberating in his chest. The salty sea air was crisp and invigorating, but the morning mist was thick and clung to his clothes, making him shiver with both cold and anticipation.
When he arrived at Sancho's house, the dim light and sleepy atmosphere made him hesitate for a moment before knocking on the door. Sancho answered with bleary eyes, rubbing them as if trying to shake off the sleep.
"Jack, what's going on? It's barely dawn," Sancho asked, still looking half asleep.
Jack placed a reassuring hand on Sancho's shoulder, his smile small but genuine. "I won't be coming to work today, my friend. I have some urgent matters to attend to at home."
Sancho nodded slowly, looking slightly confused. "Okay, Jack. If you need any help, just let me know."
As Jack made his way to the shore, the sounds and smells of the ocean intensified. The sound of the waves was so loud now that he could hear the distinct crash of each individual wave. The salty scent of the sea filled his nose, and he could taste the salt on his lips.
When he arrived at the ship, he saw that the guards were fast asleep, but he still made an effort to move quietly, tiptoeing past them. The smell of the cargo hit him like a wall as he descended into the lower room. The air was thick with the musty scent of old fabric and spices, making him cough and gag. He covered his nose with his shirt, trying to filter out the odor.
Hours after the marriage ceremony had ended, the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore had softened to a soothing lull. The warm glow of the setting sun cast a beautiful golden light over the sea and sand. Christina and Lauri walked hand in hand toward The waiting ship, the sand crunching softly beneath their feet. The crew greeted them warmly, their voices full of excitement and well-wishes for the couple. Lauri helped Christina onto the deck, her face flushed with excitement and joy. They both turned to wave to the crowd that had gathered to see them off, their smiles bright and beaming. The ship's sails unfurled, catching the wind, and the ship slowly began to move away from the shore, the soft sound of the waves the only thing left behind.
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