- Ryder, I swear it wasn't my fault! - he says, standing up and walking towards us.
- Calm down! - I mean, slapping Mike on the shoulders. - tell me what happened.
Mike takes a deep breath before he talks.
- I don't know! We were in a lively conversation when the other car got on the wrong side of the road. I tried to dodge it, but our car lost its direction and rolled over. Viola hit her head on the door window and fainted.
Mike cried like a child. He was penalized and, at the same time, happy to know that he really loved her. I couldn't think of anyone better to date my cousin than Mike. I suspected she was in love with him, too. I was just hoping Mike would tell Viola right away, who'd be gone for a long time. After all, she was his best friend and should be the first to know that he had received a scholarship to study in Paris. Mike didn't know how to tell Viola and he was aware that she would get sad, or worse, change her plans just to go with him. He didn't want Viola to sacrifice his future to be together and that was killing him.
- Mike, I know it wasn't your fault! - I mean, hugging him. - Have you forgotten that I've seen you drive? I know how careful and attentive you are.
- You do, but Mrs. Taylor thinks I threatened her life. - he says with sadness.
- Yeah, you leave it to the authorities. - I mean, holding on to your shoulders. - Were you in the car I gave Viola?
- Yeah. Why?
- There's an on-board camera on him and he must have recorded everything about the accident. - I mean, comforting him. - Don't worry, everything will be fine.
- How are you? - Brooke asks, passing his hand on his back and delivering a glass of water to him. - Did it hurt?
- I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay. I just cut off my arm, but it was nothing serious. - Mike answers, drying his tears with the back of his hands. - The doctor gave me some stitches and released me. I've been down to the police station and testified.
Mike takes a break to drink some of the water.
- Casey was there and he took my statement. She had just arrived from the scene of the accident and said that the driver of the other car had already been identified. - Mike explains. - He's in the hospital with some injuries and fractures, but he'll be fine. Casey said he was drunk and will be arrested as soon as he's released.
- Oh, boy. I've always been afraid of those people who drink and drive out. - Brooke says, sighing. - I've seen a lot of that stuff through my bedroom window on campus. They were cracks that the students made in the nearby streets. Almost always somebody would die in a car crash or a hit-and-run.
I shake my head knowing what Brooke was talking about. I've been part of those cracks myself, except I was on my bike and sober. I have never run over anyone or caused an accident, although I am aware that this could happen.
- Have you seen Viola? - I ask while Mike follows me. He sadly denied it, shaking his head from side to side.
- I can't get in because Mrs. Taylor made a scandal and forbid me to see her. - he says with regret. - She doesn't even say how Viola is. Can you tell me if she's okay?
- No, Mike! - I say smiling. - You'll come with me to see her.
Grateful, Mike hugs me and smiles with joy. He follows me down the hall to the reception, where I announce that we're family and that Mike was Viola's fiancé. With a smile, the receptionist tells us the waiting room, where we met my mother and aunt, America. She didn't like Mike because she thought he belonged to a lower class than her, because her parents were missionaries. To make matters worse, they had adopted their niece who, before being a good policeman, had been a juvenile delinquent, but no one knew the reason. She rolls her eyes out when she sees Mike come up next to me.
- What's that element doing here? - America asks, pointing her finger at Mike. - Didn't I forbid you to come in? Don't you know that access is for family members only?
- But he's family! - I mean, with a smile of satisfaction. - According to my intel at the front desk, Mike is Viola's fiancé and nothing will stop him from visiting her.
- You what? - she screams. - That's slander! My daughter would never date a little people like this boy, who will say she is engaged to someone like him.
America shoots with contempt and anger in her voice.
- You're being very prejudiced. - I mean, seriously. - Mike's family has possessions. It may not be as rich as ours, but I'm sure it's as good as ours.
- Possessions! - ...she lets out a laugh. - What family of missionaries would have possessions?
- Mrs. Taylor, my father owns one of the largest companies in the construction and urbanization industry, based in Toronto and aiming to expand into France. - explains Mike. - In fact, the only one who acts personally as a missionary is my mother, who takes advantage of my father's trips to expand his charitable projects.
America lets out a growl and approaches Mike.
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