Onyx 2: Fire in the wings (2020) - full story

The story is not recommended for people under the age of 15, topics that can potentially upset someone, although it contains heavier feelings than in the first part it's still positive at her core. It is a supplement to the first part that I was thinking of writing back in 2013, but due to circumstances I wrote it now.
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11/26/2020 (Eight years since the beginning of writing the first part)

Part I

Kevin was driving through the traffic jam, shouting in the car to himself for being late. "Oh, the hell with those damn alarms ... I won't get to "Nira"on time! I have to go to "Gama" later too, but these fools won't move! (blows the horn a few times, the line slowly starts to move) It's better to inform Michael that I won't get to "Nira" quickly, I'll go to "Gama" first. I don't even know why I panic so much when everything is under control, I just don't want them to think I'm irresponsible. "

 "Gamma"company: Kevin gets to the secretary. Kevin: "Did she come?" Secretary (worried): "Yes ... She received a letter and got upset ... She broke something a while ago. I couldn't go in to see what happened." Kevin (scared): "It doesn't look like her at all! In these two years she hardly ever raised her voice at anyone, but if she's so angry ... It must be something serious, I'm going to see."

 He knocked on her office door and she opened it to him, greeting him with a nod. This time Kevin noticed something he had never seen in her eyes before — tears still clinging inside, but as if they could start dripping at any moment. She refrained from letting them out, at the same time restraining some rage that was biting her inside.

 Kevin (hugging her): "For God's sake, Onyx, what's going on?! I heard you broke something, please say if there is a problem, I worry. " Onyx (sighs): "Some nonsense ... I don't have to drag you into it." Kevin: "What kind of envelope did you get today?" Onyx (surprised): "You heard of that?" Some family stuff. I'll ignore it. " Kevin: "Onyx ... Tell me." Onyx: "Okay ... My aunt passed away and I would have to go back to my hometown if I wanted to attend the funeral. I haven't been there since ... you know. I don't know if I can do that. I loved my aunt a lot, I didn't even know she came back here from abroad ... I don't know how to go there without seeing all those faces I want to avoid." Kevin: "Are they more important than that? You know, you've never told me more about your previous life, but I want to go there together and hear that story." Onyx (eyes wide open): "I can't go there. I can't. I'm scared." Kevin: "You have faced so many potential assassins, you have been successfully running the company for more than two years, you have recovered from something that almost killed you and you are afraid of this? Onyx, you are one of the strongest people I have ever met in my life, if anyone can do anything then it is you. (takes her hand) And I ... I want to go with you. I'll be your support." Onyx (looks at the floor): "What if they drag me to the bottom? What if everything falls into the water? We're not talking about assassins or envious people from other companies, we're talking about the people who actually led me to that!" Kevin: "But then you were alone, now you have ... friend. Even through that it will always be more than that for me, but I don't have to keep telling you that." Onyx: "I don't know ... I can try, but ... Listen, I believe you, you're someone in whom I have the most trust, but I don't know if I can impose that burden on you, it's too hard ... " Kevin:" Not at all! What a burden, understand that I want to be with you, no matter what it is. I'll prove it to you now that we're going there. This is how we're going - I'm going to "Nira" to arrange with Michael to take care of everything while we're on the road, you take care of it here, then we go to pack, we leave together tonight and I don't let you out of my sight while we're there. Onyx (nods): "All right. Who knows, I might be able to get through it all without a problem. "

 In the evening, in front of Onyx's house; Onyx packs his suitcase in the trunk, then sits in the passenger seat. Kevin: "Everything ready to go? " Onyx: "Yes. Things are in my suitcase, my laptop is here in my briefcase." Kevin (starts the car): "You don't have to work all the time, Onyx, you left everything safe and sound." Onyx: "It doesn't matter, and you'd better at least check your emails, you always have to know what's going on with the company." Kevin: "I agree with that, but you don't have to do other business." Onyx: "Work calms me down." Kevin (as he drove out of the street): "Feel free to say I'm silly, but I think you're suppressing something you haven't solved yet, turning that emotion into something you find useful." Onyx: "Maybe ... It's good for me, and it's certainly good for others." Kevin: "You see, to some extent it is. Still, it has limits, you know? If there are too many of those feelings, you work harder, and the body will not tolerate it all the time - too much work is not good because it will completely exhaust you." Onyx (looks out the window): "You don't seem to know my limits ... I won't say you're wrong, but I'm a very persistent person." Kevin: "The point is, you should channel your emotions on some other way as well. It's nice that you managed to turn them into something useful, but that repression is not healthy at all. " Onyx: "I understand what you meant, but there is no need for that. I have been functioning like this for ten years and that principle works. Why change what works properly? "

 After they got out of town by car, Kevin continued the conversation: "Tell me a little about the story, who will be in town and what kind of things can happen? Who is in town? I feel stupid to ask you this, but ... where are your parents? You never told me about them." Onyx (gulped): "Although some people questioned me about it, I never told those details to anyone. So: I am the only child, both parents live in the town, divorced when I was thirteen. To both of them I sent money anonymously since I work at "Gama", I didn't want them to find me. There were problems with the housing issue, we were tenants and the salary my father earned was not high, so the lady found another source of income. (indignantly) That's why he left, I stayed with her. He was always passive, he couldn't do anything and everything was as if he didn't care, she's too temperamental and has high demands. They fought a lot, they could never be together. My mother and I have lived in my aunt's house for the last four years, I guess she's still there." Kevin: "And you sent them money even though, I understand, you're not on very good terms? Why?" Onyx: "I'd feel guilty if I didn't do it - I have a good salary at the company and I don't have a problem separating for that as well. I spend very little and then I don't even feel it when I send it to them." Kevin: "Wait, you haven't heard from them since you left? I call my mother at least once a week if not more, ask how my brothers, their families and other relatives are doing, and you haven't made contact with them in over ten years? Ah, there must have been something nasty about it." Onyx: "It could be said so, but I don't want to talk about it right now." Kevin: "And they... the others, as you said, who were they?" Onyx: "You'd have to know other information about me for that, and I don't want to talk about it. Let's just say they made fun of me for something, and then the environment added some other problems with fiction that I didn't know how to shut up." Kevin: "You didn't really tell me anything about it! It doesn't matter, when or how you want it. So, gossip and ridicule, family problems... Um, I see I'm going to have to be a good supporter out there and look after you. No one can hurt you again, you're not alone now." Onyx: "I hope there won't be a problem. Okay, that's some introduction to my story, I'll tell you the rest eventually or you'll find out. Unfortunately. Maybe it'll change your mind about me." Kevin, "Hey, don't let me hear that! I love you... I appreciate you for who you are, it's not going to disrupt my love... Uh, opinion." Onyx (looks at him): "Did you just say that..." Kevin (blushing): "I'm sorry, I said I wouldn't bring it up." Onyx: "Don't apologize. I appreciate you respecting me so much as a person and I hope I don't betray your expectations." Kevin (looks at her with a slight smile): "Never Onyx, never. (continues driving)"

Part II

 Onyx's birthplace: They arrived in the small town in the early hours of the morning, after several breaks due to fuel-thuging and engine cooling. They left the car parked outside aunt's house, the coffin outside the house concluded that the procession would come from there so they entered the yard. A few curious glances were on them.

 Onyx knocks on the door. It was opened by a woman in her early 50s, yet with makeup in strong colors and in clothes that highlighted her curves so much that it could almost be called vulgar, especially for an occasion like this. She was left stunned when she took a closer look at Onyx.

 Woman: "No way... Onyx?! (shocked) Oh, how much you've changed, you don't look anything like what you used to be! (notices Kevin) And who is the young gentleman?" Onyx: "This is Kevin. Kevin, this is my mother Felicity. (they shake hands) I've come to attend my aunt's funeral, if possible." Felicity (moves away from the door): "Come in, of course... There's your father, the gentleman has managed to please us with his arrival, but now that you're here it's the least important... I thought you were god knows where, even though I knew you were sending me money, am I right?" Onyx: "Yes. Both to you and father." Felicity: "I can see that my advice has been paid off... (eyed Kevin) And they've done well. You finally decided to listen to me, I see, but you've outdid me, well done!" Onyx (disgusted): "No! It's not what you think at all! (entering the room where her father is) I have earned that money with my own hands!" Felicity: "There's nothing wrong with marrying a rich man, don't be shy." Onyx and Kevin look at each other, then Onyx continues: "We're not in a relationship! And it's not like that at all!" Felicity: "Are you a business escort, a lover? Anyway, it's okay, I support that as well. (Onyx grabs her head and rolls her eyes) Gabriel, look who's here! You're not the main attraction anymore!" Gabrielle (her father): "Onyx, where have you gone all these years? I was hoping you wouldn't following in your mother's footsteps but I can see it's not going to happen." Onyx: "I've only been here five minutes and you've already got the wrong idea about me. Well, that's a nice welcome." Kevin: "I'm Kevin, owner of The "Nira" company for the production and distribution of food products. (shakes hands with her father) I'm not in a relationship with your daughter, but I have great respect for her and we're good friends. Mrs. Felicity, your daughter is a devoted employee, not nearly what you think she's become. She is the leader of "Gamma", the largest food company in our country and region." Gabriel (stunned): "Boss of "Gamma"?! Our Onyx? Why you never called to brag, that's a big deal!" Felicity: "How did you get in that company?" Onyx: "It's a long story. And before you pull another stupid thing again, Mother, I didn't get to that position over the bed but by work." Felicity: "Who knew there'd be something of you after... (looks at Kevin)... those little things you made us. I didn't have any hope for you." Onyx: "Oh, thank you for all your support. (sarcastic)" Gabriel: "Come on, sit here with us, now the rest of the family will come and finally we'll brag a little bit too! (Onyx reluctantly sits down, Kevin sits next to her and gently touches her hand in support)"

 After explaining to her parents what's happened since her departure so far, Onyx notices that Felicity brings something she least needed - an album of pictures.

 Felicity (showing pictures to Kevin): "This is me when I was younger, this is this silly Gabriel and I at the wedding... He's been looking awful in this picture, I'm way more prettier than him." Kevin (surprised): "This picture here... Is it possible that this is..." Felicity: "This one on the right... It's Onyx. That's when she was fifteen. (Onyx grabs her head, barely holding back from freaking out) Look how big she was then! That's why I was so surprised when I saw her, she was the fattest in the whole family!" Kevin (looks at the picture): "It's true that she's changed a lot physically, but I think she's really cute in the picture. And here she has that determined look of hers, which is what I would have recognized her for. Onyx, you've had shorter hair before?" Onyx (redden): "I don't know why you had to show albums." Felicity: "Why? Did I do something wrong? I want Kevin to be surprised as well, he probably doesn't know what you were like as a kid and he's your friend, I doubt you had any photos to show because you didn't bring anything from the memories!" Onyx (gets up and heads for the bathroom): "I can't freaken believe it."

 Kevin went after her, so they went in together. Onyx: "She's doing this to me on purpose, she's trying to embarrass me!" Kevin: "It's all right... I can't believe you've been through such a transformation, even though you were pretty anyhow, I don't want you to think you've been ugly before." Onyx: "I know I was, stop it. I tried to fix it somehow, and on the other hand it kept me from being like her. And you just had a chance to see why people made fun of me at first." Kevin: "I'm sorry you went through that, it's awful that they did this to you. I really don't think they had a reason for that, you're beautiful anyway." Onyx: "I'm not pretty at all and I'll never be, it's reserved for other girls and women, and I can only work on my knowledge." Kevin: "Wait a minute, so you actually doubt yourself? You realize you don't need to think that, that you can't go down for idiots who haven't seen your true beauty? You disguise those gaps that have been around for years, but  you should know that can change." Onyx (nervous): "You and your psychoanalysis... It doesn't matter, we're going back. Now I'm going to have to put up with my relatives, they're all curious and it bothers me. I told you this would wear me out." Kevin (touches her hand): "I'm here. No one should annoy you when I'm around."

 They went back to the room. Relatives and friends were slowly gathering, some of them have been quite annoying since Gabriel announced that Onyx was the leader of "Gamma", so they questioned her about work, her personal life, her love life. Some urged her to hire one of their family, some tried to set her up with someone when they found out she was alone, and some were openly or secretly jealous, not knowing Onyx saw it all. She somehow made it through till two hours when the funeral was held, and then most of them started to leave. Only closer relatives stayed for dinner.

 During dinner, some others struggled to find out about her leaving town, which she didn't respond to same as she didn't during the day. They wanted to go back to the city, but Felicity insisted on staying at least two days until the first Saturday, that is, until the first memorial, which was unplanned, but she managed to keep them somehow. Kevin slept in the guest room, Onyx was in her old room.

 She went inside and looked around. Felicity (behind her): "We didn't change anything, only that blood-stained carpet was thrown away as there was nothing left of it... Everything is as it was about ten years ago." Onyx: "All right... As far as I'm concerned, you could have done something here, I wouldn't mind." Felicity (leaves): "I'm going to see Gabriel off, you settle in. Good night." Onyx: "Good night."

 She tried not to touch anything; She knew there were a lot of triggers here and that there were things that could pull her to the bottom, but even her steely self-control didn't help. She began to list her old books full of dark poetry, some morbid drawings, heavy thoughts. With a heavy heart, she kneeled by the bed and started looking for the box she left underneath. She turned pale when felt the smooth surface of the black box under her hand, slowly pulling it out and opening it. Inside were papers from the hospital, note and several old razor blades. With a trembling hand, she took the note and started reading:

 "It's hard for me to put on this, but there's no other way to get this over with. I'm not going to embarrass you anymore or endure that what's going on, if someone asks what happened lie to them, they don't need to know everything, they can't understand it anyway. I don't want to continue with this any longer, I feel like I have nothing to say to you or anyone else. It's not like anyone would care anyway."
        Onyx, December 27th

 Onyx could no longer hold back the tears, she got up from the floor and quietly went to Kevin's room. Kevin (opens): "You're crying? Come here.  (Gives her a hug) Oh, for God's sake, did something happen, did you have a nightmare or..." Onyx (shakes head): "I haven't slept at all anyway. I read some of my previous thoughts, I couldn't help myself... But this... (gives paper)... This one broke me." Kevin (reads): "This is a death note? (Onyx nods) What's the 27th, does it have any special meaning?" Onyx (sigh): "Sort of. I turned 17 that day." Kevin: "You were born on December 27th? So that's why you kept your birthday as a secret, because of this event... (looks her in the eyes and wipes tears from her face) Come on, you need to get some sleep, it's been over half the night." Onyx: "It wouldn't be the first time I didn't sleep all night." Kevin (comes to bed with her and they sit together): "Sleep here next to me, don't go back there for the night.  (takes her in his arms) Tomorrow we'll think about other things, now think only of this moment. It's been a busy day for you, you need to rest." Onyx (puts her head on his arm): "I'll try. Thank you for all your support, sorry for getting you into trouble." Kevin: "Nonsence, I'm glad you came. This way I know you're okay, and we'll talk about the rest tomorrow."

Part III

 Guest room: Onyx woke up in Kevin's arms, slowly getting up and waking him up.

 Kevin (yawning): "You could have slept more... It's only six o'clock."  Onyx: "I usually get up around 5:00, it turns out I fell asleep. (mild laughter) I'll prepare something to eat if mother hasn't been up, there's also plenty of stuff since yesterday. Breakfast is inevitable for me." Kevin (gets up): "Let's go down then, I'm hungry too."

 Downstairs, Felicity had already made everything for breakfast, surprised to see Onyx and Kevin so early. She suggested Onyx take Kevin through town for a tour, so the two of them went there after checking their e-mails and meal.

 She saw acquaintances talking behind their back as they passed, trying not to pay attention to it. Kevin (starts a conversation): "Is it possible that people were so cruel to you just because you had a few extra pounds? Like it's not something natural, I can't believe how people can be such a fools." Onyx: "Well, that was just the beginning. What they were saying afterwards made me really leave. When I ended up in the hospital they didn't know why, so they told all kinds of stories about me being a drug addict, that I went crazy, and the worst part was when they told I had an abortion. Can you believe it, they said I was like my mother, that I was sleeping with everyone, I even got disgusted by that act and everything that goes with it. For all of them I was what I never wanted to be, and the constant lie becomes the truth. I got sick of staying here where I'll be constantly disturbed, so I went to college, then got a job at "Gamma" and spent years there, just so I don't listen to those who have nothing better to do." Kevin: "It's better you got out of here... I don't know why a lot of people like to get involved in other people's lives so much, what it means to them. Now I see why you haven't been back here since." Onyx: "I'll take you to a place where I've often gone to be alone. I think you're going to like it."

 Park, in the afternoon: They arrived in a quiet park full of trees and benches, but where were not many people. In fact, when they arrived there was no one there, so they sat under a blossoming tree of basswood and enjoyed its intoxicating smell.

 Onyx: "This is my favorite bench... I'd sit here for hours and think. Hand on heart, those weren't very positive thoughts, but those are some of my memories." Kevin: "Then now you'll have a memory of us sitting here talking about some nice things. (both smile slightly) It's very nice here, too bad to keep in the memory for bad things. By the way, did you know I was so clumsy? No, but really clumsy. (Onyx smiles) I was a nerd who knew everything from matter and I knew exactly what I was going to be after school, but I never knew with the girls. Every time I fell in love they would reject me because they thought I wasn't their rank, it wasn't until I was 19 that I kissed a girl for the first time. I know, now you must think I'm miserable to the bone, but it's nothing - it wasn't until the end of college that I was with a girl the first time. See, I was totally clumsy when it comes to love." Onyx: "If it would be easier for you, I've never even come to that in my life. (Kevin looks at her) Remember I e-mailed you that I'd never been in a relationship? Well... I never got to those kisses or anything. So you don't worry, there's a more clumsy person than you. (mild laughter)" Kevin: "Hm, it has to do with your mother and that you don't want to be like her, which caused another extreme so you completely suppressed that aspect of life. Somewhere inside, there must be such emotions and needs, but it needs a lot  to come the surface. Have you ever felt that feeling like you care about someone, like you want that person to stay with you until the end? Have you ever felt safe around someone?" Onyx (looks him in the eyes): "Yes. I did." Kevin: "That was a basis for love then, when you feel that way around someone. You can develop that feeling to something wonderful... Although sometimes it's hard when it comes to one-side love - you love but you never feel what it's like to have someone love you." Onyx (keeps looking at him): "That feeling you mentioned earlier... (touches his shoulder) That feeling that I care about someone I felt for the first time when those assassins shot you here, when I was afraid you were going to die and I didn't want to lose you. I felt a sense of security the first time you caught me the day they pushed me out of my office window. The feeling that I want someone to stay with me until the end... It has evolved since the night we were at the meeting, during the day of the assassination of me, the day you left me the ring in the desk drawer, various situations in these two years, and with this journey it became stronger." Kevin (with disbelief): "You... are in love with me? Onyx... I never believed I'd be anything more than a friend to you, long ago I settled down with that... Are you sure about that?" Onyx (nods): "I tried to ignore it but it doesn't seem to work like that, just as I couldn't ignore these heavy feelings I'm dragging out of here. You mean a lot to me, too, Kevin. I can finally tell you this sure that I mean it." Kevin (embraces her): "You have no idea how happy you made me! I want to... Oh, I want to tell the whole world how happy I am! I feel like kissing you here now, though I'm not going to exaggerate. (laughs)" Onyx (gets closer): Try it. You have my permission."

 He leaned and kissed her slowly, aware of the fact that she had never kissed anyone in her life. It was unusual for her at first but she quickly got used to it, kissing him back.

After she slightly moved back, Onyx looked into the distance. Onyx (quiet): "Are you sure you won't mind my appearance?" Kevin (wondered): "You mean your extra weight from before? I wouldn't even mind if you stayed like that, don't think I'd like you less for it! I grew up with a mother who has more weight but no one called her out for it, you'll see how mild a woman she is and agrees with everyone in the neighborhood! Forget to value yourself by what some fools say, you're worth more than that." Onyx: "It may have stayed with me as something from the past, but I was thinking of something else..." Kevin: "What exactly do you mean?" Onyx: "I have scars from that period - many of them almost imperceptible, but that one on my left forearm is very visible even though it's been so long. Every time I change my clothes I have to face it, I try to think of it as something I can't go back to, but I know someone would think it's ugly." Kevin: "It's from that day, isn't it? How do you get the idea that I'd mind?" Onyx: "I don't know, I thought it would be too much for you. Yes, it was made that day." Kevin (leaned her by his side): "I have a bullet scar when I got shot, so I'm sure it won't bother me. Do you have any other doubts I should clear for you? (laughs)" Onyx(smile): "Not so far. I'd like to sort out issues with my parents, you were right it won't help me if I just keep that burden inside. If I want to get better I have to take care of it, as well as my personal thoughts from the past. Then I'll be able to really move on." Kevin: "Use your stay here for that - who knows, you might be able to solve everything or at least some of it. This is a great opportunity for you to at least try."

 They came back home in the evening, had dinner and went to Onyx's room to go through her memories together.

Part IV

 Onyx's room: While Felicity was at someone's place, Onyx and Kevin sat on her bed and looked at the notebooks and papers Onyx had been looking at the night before.

Onyx: "Do you think it would help if I threw them away? I don't have the heart to do it." Kevin: "I think something else could be done with this... You're an artistic soul - how about you do something that's the opposite of this and show the people who are going through this now that it can be different, that things can change for the better?" Onyx (smiles): "I've made this long ago, I couldn't do it now... I neglected that artistic side. I'm too old for that." Kevin: "Nonsense, I'm sure you can. This will be the side of darkness, that side of where you managed to get out, and you create a side of the light. You could use that to inspire the people who are here now, to show them that it's not all over." Onyx (nods): "You're right, I'll take them with me and turn them into something that inspires, not depresses. I'll throw these razorblades away, I don't ever want to use them that way again. What am I going to do with the hospital papers?" Kevin: "You can put them in the box where they were, although I don't think you need them anymore." Onyx: "I'll take them with me. I'll be proud of myself for being able to get out of all this." Kevin (pulls her closer to himself): "Is there anything else that's a problem for you? I'm thinking about things that bothered you personally." Onyx (blushes): "What I told you today." Kevin: "I want to see them." Onyx: "But I'd have to be in my undershirt to show you because there are some on the shoulder, upper arm, under the neck... They're barely noticeable, there's a very few scars more visible with their white lines." Kevin: "I'm sorry, I forgot you'd be uncomfortable... I'm telling you, I'm clumsy. (laughs)" Onyx: "Who knew that the person you consider so brave is actually so shy..." Kevin: "It doesn't change my opinion of you. (kisses her) Are you tired, do you want to sleep? We didn't even agree on where anyone is going to sleep this night... We can go back there if you have a problem being here." Onyx: "I don't mind spending the night here, but you stay here too. Not for support or anything, I just want you here. Tomorrow I'll sort out what I have with my parents, and now I want to sleep." Kevin (lights out): "All right, I'll be here with you. Good night, sweet dreams. Onyx: "You have a good dream, too. Good night. (mild)"

 Living room, ground floor: Another morning dawned. Onyx and Kevin come down, Felicity and Gabrielle have coffee together. Onyx (confused): "How come you're here together?" Gabriel: "Your mother and I have been in a relationship for a while, we just didn't want to announce it to everyone. You can know since you're our daughter, the others don't have to yet." Onyx (sitting on the couch with Kevin): "What about your indifference and her cheating? Doesn't that matter anymore?" Felicity: "Onyx... It's in the past. The older we get, the more it changes. Besides, we didn't want to involve you, by circumstance it turned out that way." Onyx: "You didn't silence people after I got out of the hospital, you were always with another man even before what happened... You completely ignored what was going on with me! If you hadn't been with someone new all the time, you might have noticed. However, what I will never forget is that some of your lovers offered you money to be with me, if I hadn't left  you'd probably have agreed to it even though I would never have wanted to! I was afraid of what might happen if I stayed here, they were saying things behind my back anyway." Gabriel: You're too harsh to your mother... Onyx: "Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot about you. Wait, you were nowhere to be found? Exactly! Where have you been the whole time? Some of her lovers could have attacked me or paid my own mother to have me for one night, and where were you to do something? Where were you the night they carried me out of here covered in blood? Where were you when I was in the hospital or when I got out? Where?! If we can work this out- who knows, maybe we'll be a family sometime. This way we'll just cover the pit with the dash, but it's only a matter of time before someone breaks into it." Felicity: "Onyx... You know I was with these people to provide us with the money for living... All right, and to afford something, of course. I wouldn't make you do what you don't want to do." Onyx: "But you were rooting for it." Felicity: "I wanted you to be with some guy of your age, what I brought here were too old for you... Here, like Kevin's near your age, I wanted you to find a young man then. I'm guilty of not thinking that some of these people can be aggressive, I admit it didn't occur to me and I'm sorry about that - I would never let them hurt you. I'm sorry I didn't notice what was going on with you. I can see that it all affected you to this day, but I really don't want you to go alone for the rest of your life, not even following in my footsteps. You've proven you're more capable than I am, you've managed to get everything by working, and I'm proud of you. I believe that you and Kevin will be a better couple and you'll be happier than Gabriel and I were at the beginning." Onyx (exchange a glance with Kevin): "How do you know that..." Felicity: "Love is hard to hide. Don't worry, your father and I don't mind. As for Gabriel... He came to the hospital, he wanted to visit you a few times at home, but I took him away from you. If you're going to blame someone for that, blame me." Gabriel: "It was hard for me that you left town just like that, without saying good-bye. For years I've hoped to see you again... (starts crying, Onyx hugs him) I was afraid if you were alive, I was hoping that the money was coming from you, that was my hope that you were okay." Onyx: "It's okay. I apologize if I have hurt you and forgive you if you have done anything wrong." Felicity: "Do you forgive me, too? I doubt you will, but I don't want you to hate me..." Onyx: "Uh... I'll forgive you, too, the past can't be changed, so I don't have to drag that burden through my whole life. I want you to be happier together this time." Gabriel: "Well, should we all go have breakfast? We have to prepare everything for your aunt's memorial later..." Kevin: "Don't worry about the food, we'll buy ready-made food for tomorrow, you don't have to bother. Let's go have breakfast and we'll all go somewhere together."

 During the day with her parents and Kevin, Onyx reunited with Felicity and Gabrielle, feeling like a new, grown-up person. She was relieved, at least about it, but she knew she'd have to listen to her family and friends again tomorrow. She decided to shut mouths to everyone once and for all.

 In the evening Kevin and she slept in the same room, and the next day they all reunited at the cemetery, after which their closest relatives and friends came to dinner again.

 In the evening, at dinner; Cousin 1 (Onyx): "Do you have a problem with sterility because of abortion now? I heard it can happen, you shouldn't have rushed it..." Cousin 2 (overheas): "How do you know it was abortion? It was drugs! Onyx, dear, are you feeling better now?" The neighbor (the main gossip in the neighborhood): "It wasn't, you don't know anything! The kid went crazy and they had to tie her to the bed, I heard that! She didn't know about herself for three days and she lost her memory, and they barely got her out!" Neighbour: "I heard she was following in her mother's footsteps and got some kind of illness; (spits three times)- God forbid!" Cousin: "It must have been a cult, it's common now! They find such a nice kid as our Onyx was, and they draw them into their ranks! I watched it on TV!" Onyx (looking at each of them and rolling her eyes after the last person finished): "Can Onyx say what really happened now? For a change for someone to tell the truth, not what you think is true. I didn't have an abortion, I wasn't under the influence of drugs, I wasn't chained to the bed, I didn't get that kind of disease, I wasn't in a cult. (sigh) That day I took a razor blade and slit my veins. I tried to kill myself. (pause) The paramedics rushed me to the hospital at the last minute, if Felicity had found me ten minutes later I would have died. I was in the hospital for a while, I was under surveillance but not tied to bed or whatever. I got to that because I got depression, no one's to blame, it just happened and it can happen to anyone. I'm not ashamed of getting there, but I'm proud that I'm better now, that I've made it this far. I'm proud of myself for continuing and becoming so much more than I thought I'd be. I would ask you to stop gossiping not only of me, but of other people who have such problems as well - such gossip affects someone's psyche even worse and doesn't help a person at all. Everyone can get to the point where death seems like the only acceptable solution, but by presenting mental illness as a taboo topic we won't get far."

 Kevin hugged Onyx, Felicity and Gabrielle stood by her side and told her she was brave to have told all this. At one point, one of the relatives said, "It's all true! I was in that state a few years ago, I didn't care about anything! If it wasn't for this wife of mine who comforted me and listened to me, I'd have been dead a long time ago, I'd have taken the rope and hung myself. I've been thinking about it, but my wife didn't give me up. The others thought I was kidding, only she took me seriously." Neighbour 2: "Our son was a drug addict, he wanted to end his life once and that's when we took him to get treatment, now he's got a family and a job and he didn't touch the drugs since then." Neighbour 2: "It's a little embarrassing for me to talk about it now, but when I was young I was left by this young man that I loved very much... I took some pills and swallowed them, luckily they weren't strong so they didn't damage my body, but it could have been bad... I remember that every time I see my grandchildren, how I could disappear that day so I'd never see that beauty!" Onyx: "Look how many stories are there, and it's only here where there are only about 30 people, imagine how many are in this street, city, county... Each of us has our own story that we should respect, everyone's story is specific and we will find it difficult to fully understand it, but with openness and empathy even that is possible, it is possible to accept the person along with her story."

Cousin 1: "Where did you learn to speak so well? Ah, it's like it's from my family!" Cousin 2: "Oh, no, it's from mine!" Onyx (smiles slightly): "Let it be from both, although I have learned a lot throughout my life and the various problems that have emerged during it. (looks at Kevin smiling at her) But it's easier when you have someone to catch you while you are falling. Literally." Kevin (takes her hand): "When a man climbs a mountain of life he doesn't necessarily have to fall or go to heaven... Maybe what follows is the conquest of another mountain." Onyx: "Maybe... Maybe it's time. (looks at him) It's time to start climbing that mountain together. If your offer still stands..." Kevin: "Always. Does that mean you accept?" Gabriel: "And what's this all about?" Onyx: "Kevin proposed to me about two years ago, but he didn't get an answer. The time has come to tell you that famous "Yes". I want us to conquer a new mountain together. (smiles)" Kevin (jumps with joy and takes her in his arms): "I don't have the ring with me now, but as soon as we get back I'll put it on your hand! Oh, I'm so happy that you've made my every moment beautiful like this, I promise I'll keep you safe for as long as I live! (her parents congratulate first, then other relatives congratulated to both him and Onyx)"

 Without too much celebration (as they didn't want to ruin the memorial to her aunt) Onyx and Kevin spent that night with their parents and friends, then went to rest for the trip the next day.

 Part V

 Onyx's room; Morning. Onyx wakes up first, Kevin right after her. Kevin: "Good morning, fiancée. (laughs) I still can't believe it really happened, please tell me if I was just dreaming about it." Onyx (kisses him on the cheek): "You didn't. It's reality." Kevin: "If someone had told me our journey was going to end like this, I wouldn't have believed him." Onyx (looking at the ceiling): "I've been thinking about asking you something..." Kevin: "Of course! Whatever you want." Onyx: "How come you never used my suicide attempt to destroy me? You could have used it against me. If it was something else, you'd probably use it, wouldn't you?" Kevin (taking her harder in his arms): "I doubt I'd use anything against you, but there's a specific reason why I couldn't use this against you. You know, I was a fool when I was young, a big fool. I learned from that mistake. So- I had a cousin, a sister from uncle, who was seemingly always happy, wanted to help everyone and never talked much about her feelings. They lived there at the end of our street, so we saw each other more often. I was used to her always joking and laughing, so I wasn't ready for her to talk about how she was thinking about killing herself and how she'd had enough. I thought she was joking, so I acted frivolously back then, I didn't even think she was serious. You probably know what happened a few days after that. That's when we found out about her secret life, everything she kept from us, but it was too late - she was gone. We found out she was trying to talk to a few people and no one took her seriously. Even if you had turned me down I wouldn't have been able to use it against you - I may be the boss of a big company but I'm not a tyrant, I have my morals and boundaries. I would never go as far as that idiot who sent people to kill you, it went beyond all possible measures." Onyx: "I believe you. I trust you more than I've ever trusted anyone in my life." Kevin: "I'll try to justify that trust. (smile)"

 In front of the house; It was time for the trip. Gabriel (eyes full of tears): "We're parting again..." Onyx: "This time I won't wait nearly fifteen years to come back. You can stop by my place too." Felicity: "We will. (gives her a bag) Here, I've made you a pie to have for the road, it's a long way there." Kevin: "You shouldn't have bothered." Felicity: "Don't worry, it's nothing." Gabriel (to Onyx): "Take care and call sometime." Onyx: "I will. I left you contact details so you can call whenever you want." Gabriel (to Kevin): "I don't need to tell you to take care of her, I see you're doing it better than we did..." Onyx: "Father..." Gabriel: "It's true, we could have done better. But this young man has corrected our mistakes. Just treat her like you've been until now and I'll be calm." Kevin (nods): "Of course, you can count on it."

 They got in the car and left, returning to their work commitments.

***

 Over the coming months the companies "Gamma" and "Nira" were merged into the largest company on that part of the continent, "Gamma-Nira Union," and Onyx and Kevin further advanced together and multiplied capital. The time has come for another unification.

 Church, noon: Kevin stood at the altar dressed in a elegant suit. Relatives, colleagues and friends stood up when the bride showed up at the door - Onyx appeared in a glamorous dress that fully revealed her neck and arms, thus revealing the tattoos of colorful butterflies and the biggest, phoenix tattoo on her left arm. Tattoos have been done recently, covering all the scars from before.

 Onyx got in front of Kevin, smiled and grabbed his hand, and then together they confirmed their consent and entered into a marriage.

 They moved into a new house, continued to work around the company as much as they had until then and became a great team both business and private. They weren't in a hurry with her offspring, but it soon happened that Onyx was pregnant, but until the last minute she came to the company even though Kevin kept telling her she didn't have to do it. They had twins, a boy and a girl, they didn't want more than two children to make sure they were given the right upbringing and attention, they knew they would have to balance between work and family and didn't want the children to pay in any way. Felicity, Gabrielle and Kevin's mother would come to help when possible, and during the holidays all of them would gather. Onyx stopped looking at her birthday as the day of the suicide attempt, but celebrated it as a day of a new beginning. Along with Kevin, she conquered a new mountain, one she never thought she'd reach.

***

 In front of the crowd were members of a support organization for people with mental disorders, illnesses and mood disorders, to draw attention to how widespread these phenomena are and which many are pushing under the carpet. Among those who spoke about their experience with something mentioned were different people from different professions, from public figures to people who did not do public work. There were different confessions, honest and without embellishments. There was talk of where to seek help, treatment conditions, glamourization of mental disorders and how negatively it affects the younger population, the consequences if not treated on time, life with it. Every person who spoke about it contributed to supporting other people.

The announcer: "Now we will hear  the person who founded this project- Mrs. Onyx, the owner of a very successful company called "Gamma-Nira Union," the author of book "The Death and Birth of a Phoenix Bird" and a mother of two beautiful children. Mrs. Onyx ended up in the hospital about 20 years ago for attempted suicide, and then decided to completely change her life at a time when it seemed completely impossible. Let's give her a big round of applause! (applause is heard, Onyx comes in front of the microphone)" Onyx (breathes in): "I will never forget that day when I changed my life from the root. That was the day I was at the bottom, and I decided to climb the mountain of life. Circumstances forced me to fall, to give up. Luckily, I came back stronger and nothing stopped me from succeeding. That day I started to think differently, to organize according to my wishes. I realized we were tailoring our own destiny, and I didn't even begin to exploit my potential. Little by little, step by step, I've reached my destination. My persistence earned me the position of manager of the company"Gamma", later I got the position of boss. There were some risky situations that almost cost my husband and me our lives, but we got through them together. Now they're my biggest support, and I know I'll never fall again, they're the fire that rebuilt my wings. (A happy look at Kevin, the son and daughter who looked at her smilingly from the front row) And I know that I have changed, for the better. I can finally show the world the real Onyx."

The End
 Suzana Ristic Suza
 28. 11. 2020
Typing completed on 1. 12. 2020 (eight years after the end of the first part)