Chapter 31: Chapter 31

- Yes it's true. – he sighed – I could say it's because I heard that story a thousand times while growing up, but… – he turned his eyes to her, looking almost guilty – Since I was a child, I always found everything about that story so… unfair. – those green eyes turned again to the tapestry, watching her attentively – He never asked to love her. She never asked to become his love. It all happened because of the decision of a woman who had absolutely nothing to do with them. Shouldn't they have decision-making power over this? Shouldn't he have the opportunity not to feel such strong love if he doesn't want to? Shouldn't she have had the power not to be the object of his love if she didn't want to? They had no choice. The choice was made for them. All that was left for them was just to let themselves be carried away by this curse... I mean... By this spell. – he tried to correct himself quickly, although Missy had perfectly noticed that he had called what had happened to his ancestor a “curse”. However, something in his tone made her decide not to ask about it.

- So the end of the story was sad? - Missy questioned, with a strangely heavy heart - Weren't they happy?

- No do not worry. – he consoled her, kissing her temple gently – Those are just some silly thoughts I had when I was younger. I believe that Knight and his wife did not feel the same way. The proof of this is that she ended up falling in love with him. - Logan revealed, making her smile, amazed - The men in the family like to say that it was because he seduced her with his "masculine attributes", if you know what I mean... clear about what he was talking about – But we all know that the truth is that he started to follow her around like an abandoned puppy, until she realized that he was not as bad a man as she imagined and allowed herself to get closer to him , until she found herself in love too. In the end... They thanked the old witch for bringing them together. – Logan faced the figure of the man on the tapestry again – And they were very happy. At least happy enough to have 15 kids, so they say. He looked at her suggestively, making her laugh.

- Fifteen?! She gasped in mid-laugh, stunned.

- Yes I know. – he agreed, laughing – Fifteen little Knights… – his eyes suddenly became unfocused – And each one of them carried their father's legacy with them, knowing perfectly, as soon as they saw them, who their soul mates were. In fact... – he he returned to her again, looking at her with intensity – They say that even today the legacy of the Knights remains with us. And we recognize our true love the very moment we see it. It's the most intense and transformative feeling a human being can go through. It's something that changes your life completely... And makes you wish it would never go back to the way it was before. Not if it means you're going to lose your love. – for a minute, she found herself lost in those intense green eyes, almost as if she could sense what he was talking about, until Logan seemed to wake up from a trance, clearing his throat – Well… At least that's what the legends say . He laughed awkwardly.

- It was a beautiful story. – Missy praised, now looking at the couple on the tapestry with more enchantment than ever – I am happy to know that they were so happy. I don't know why, but... I think maybe the spell was just a spell. It's hard to explain, but… – she stuttered shyly – While you were telling me about how you used to think when you were younger… I couldn't help thinking that maybe they did have a choice. They could have chosen to ignore their feelings and simply live apart. Maybe they wouldn't have found the same happiness apart that they found together, but... I think that, in the end, they would have found a way to fight what happened to them, if they really wanted to. Maybe... Maybe, along the way, they discovered that it wasn't worth fighting that feeling anymore, because it was something they discovered they needed. They discovered that love was what they really wanted. That what their hearts wanted... was each other. – she concluded, awkwardly looking at him again – Sorry, I know it doesn't make sense...

- Not. It makes perfect sense. – the arms around her waist became even tighter, while she felt his breath tickling her neck – I don't think I've ever heard anything that made so much sense.

- Hmmm... Thank you for telling me this story. I think it's the most charming legend a family could have. – she smiled after the moment of silence that followed, finally turning her neck so she could look at him – I love this tapestry even more now.

- I'm happy. – Logan kissed her gently – But, would you still like to see my old room? I think we have little time now until lunch is ready, so if you want to come down...

- Not. I really want to see your room. – Missy insisted, leaving his arms only to be able to take his hand and advance a little along the corridor – I'm sure we still have time...

- How could I resist that request? Or this little face? – he laughed, softly kissing a pout she hadn't even noticed – Come on, let's go… – he took the lead and took her to the last room on the corridor, solemnly opening the door for her, always like a gentleman.

With slow and timid steps, Missy entered the large and well-kept room, although a little bare: everything was decorated in shades of dark gray and ice blue, with only a single bed with a nightstand right next to it, a large wardrobes and a desk completely empty except for a few framed pictures on it. Moving a little closer to the bed, Missy noticed that there were also some paintings hanging on the walls: all of them were covers of famous magazines in which Logan was featured. Some were photo shoots, where he looked much younger, while others were stories about him and his agency's success, looking a little more recent. However, she focused specifically not on a cover, but on an advertisement that covered a full page of a magazine and that was framed just above the bed, showing a small Logan, still a boy, showing a sneaker to the camera with a empty expression.

- I'm sorry about those pictures. – Logan laughed, embarrassed – I swear I'm not that egocentric. My mom put them there because she's, shall we say, my #1 fan. And also because she complained about the room needing some kind of decoration after I moved out. – he smiled, pointing to the painting she was looking at with so much interest – This ad is particularly special for her, because it was my first. I thought that after a while she would finally stop clipping and saving every ad I was in, but I was wrong. - he laughed - She has dozens of folders stuffed with pictures of me in magazines and even hundreds of dvd's full of television commercials and interviews I've done.

- That's so sweet… - Missy smiled, with a bittersweet feeling squeezing her chest – It must be great to have a mother like that…

- Didn't you and Victoria get closer? – he asked cautiously – Even after… Everything that happened?

- Uh... Well, no... - Missy swallowed hard - Megan even told her those first three days, but... She just sent me a message saying that these things happen, that I should get over it and... - Missy blinked away a tear, trying to push that memory away, as she had done until that moment - I should take this as an incentive to improve the way I am and behave if I don't want this to happen again. she admitted in a fragile whisper.

- What?! – Logan roared, revolted and scandalized – How could she say that? How could she not even have the consideration to come all the way over here to comfort you, instead of just sending you a message as rude as that?

- It's okay, Logan, really. – Missy assured, wringing her hands nervously – I'm used to her personality. And I also know how busy she is. It's not like she can just hop on the first flight here from Paris whenever something happens to me.

- It's what anyone in my family would do. he said through gritted teeth.

- I know. - Missy smiled affectionately at him - You are all very attentive... But not all families are like yours. – She shrugged lightly, head down – And it's okay.

- No, it's not! - Logan disagreed, still angry - It's unacceptable that your own mother treats you like that!

- I know it sounds a little bad, but... You know, Mom never really wanted to have kids. – Missy revealed, talking about it for the first time with someone who wasn't her therapist – She agreed to have Megan only because she really loved my father and wanted to make his dream of having a baby come true, but… When she accidentally got pregnant with me two years later... Well, she wasn't very happy. – she concluded sadly – That's why I try to understand her side. She spent our entire childhood trying to adjust to a motherhood she never wanted, and now that we're adults, I think she finally feels a little bit free from it all, you know?

- That doesn't justify anything. - Logan grunted, with his arms crossed so tightly that she could see his tense muscles pressed against his shirt - She had 25 years to become a minimally attentive mother and, I'm sorry, Missy, I know you love her, but, from what I see, she doesn't even make an effort for it. It seems to me that she's just selfish and doesn't even bother trying to take care of you and Megan as you deserve.

- I know she's difficult, but… – Missy gulped – Believe me, she's not the type to change, so… I just try to be understanding… And make the best of what I have. I have, you know? – she admitted, desolate.

- I understand, Missy. – he closed the space that separated them, putting his arms around her, consoling her – But you deserve much more than what she gives you. You know that, don't you?

- Oh, Logan… – she sighed, with a sad smile, before kissing him lightly – Yes, I know. Now, thanks to you and our family, I'm starting to understand that I did. So I try not to think too much about my mother. – Missy admitted, looking around the room while looking for a new subject for that conversation – But… What about those over there? – she asked, staring at the nearby portraits and gently getting out of his embrace so she could approach the desk.

- Those are the memories that really matter. - Logan spoke behind her.

Fascinated, Missy ran her eyes through each of the photos in detail. In the first of them, the young Daniel and Gwyneth posed for the photo with a small and absolutely adorable baby, who couldn't have been more than 01 year old, and who she immediately recognized as Logan, on account of the big, bright green eyes and of the thick tuft of black hair beneath a small knitted hat. In another photograph, a tiny Logan, who Missy guessed to be just over four years old, was sitting on a sofa, smilingly looking down at the two small, sleeping blond babies lying next to him. In another, a teenage Logan, dressed in a gown, held a diploma next to his parents, who hugged him on either side. And so the photos followed: at family parties, weddings, birthdays or simply sweet moments when all the Knights were together in one place, each photo seemed to have its own magic and importance...

Until she arrived at a photo in which a small Logan, who looked to be about 08 years old, was holding a toy, sitting on the lap of an elderly man, with white hair and blue eyes, who looked and smiled at him affectionately. , instead of to the camera. There was something so sweet and loving about the way the two of them were looking at each other that Missy was barely aware that she had gently taken the frame in her hands so she could look at the photograph better, until Logan spoke, also looking at the photo. over her shoulder.

- This is my grandfather Tristan. – he said, clearly trying to contain the emotion in his voice – The same one I mentioned to you. - Yes I recall. – Missy looked at him for a moment, smiling sympathetically – He seems very loving. - She commented, again looking at the kind smile on the face of that gentleman who perceptibly loved his grandson.

- Yes he was. - Logan agreed, now with a choked voice - In fact, he was one of the best men I've ever known. He was kind, gentle, faithful, loving... But still he went through more suffering in life than he ever deserved. he growled darkly. And it was only after a few tense seconds that his expression finally relaxed, just as he moved his head to look at her again – You know, that was the last picture I took with him. It was a few days after the last Christmas we spent together, before he passed away. We were already in a difficult financial situation and, after realizing how my parents were worried about explaining to us why Santa Claus would bring us simpler gifts that year, I realized that he didn't exist and that they were the ones who bought the toys we received . I remember I spent practically the whole year begging for this little toy robot. – he pointed to the photo – It had been released a few years ago and all the boys at school had it.

- It's Optimus Prime from Transformers, isn't it? – she asked, taking a closer look at the faded colors of the toy in the photo.

- Yes, it was. – Logan smiled, nostalgic – Wow, I haven't heard that name for years. It's almost like being transported back to that time all over again. But anyway, when I realized how worried my parents were about getting money to buy our gifts that year, I stopped asking for that toy and any others. When my grandfather arrived at our house a few days before Christmas to spend the holiday with us, I remember he noticed that I hadn't written a letter to Santa Claus, like my brothers, and asked me why, since he knew what How much I wanted this toy. So I explained that he knew the whole truth and that I didn't think it was fair to ask my parents for something like that, since I knew they didn't have the money for something so expensive. I remember that he looked at me seriously for a few seconds and then suddenly left, without my understanding why. - Logan smiled sadly.

– And then, days later, on Christmas morning, after we had opened our presents, which were very humble toys, Grandpa took me to the kitchen and… He gave me this toy. – Logan continued, with an emotional sigh – I think it was one of the happiest moments of my entire childhood: opening that colorful box and realizing what was inside. It was the last gift he ever gave me and also the most special of all. For the other kids, it was just a toy, but for me, it was my greatest treasure. He had bought it at a thrift store, so it was a little beat up and faded, but I cared for this little robot like he was made of gold. There was a boy on my street... I don't even remember what his name was anymore. – he laughed wistfully – But I remember that he did everything to try to make me give him the toy: he offered me money, sweets and even other toys in return... And he even tried to steal it from me once. So I spanked him, and after my parents grounded me for a whole week, I took advantage of that time alone in my room and wrote my name on the inside of the doll's leg with a screwdriver, never again to risk someone taking it. it from me. Because it wasn't just a toy. For me it was the last memory I had of my grandfather, since he died a few months after that Christmas. he said, quickly moving his fist over a tear that had trickled down his cheek.

- Oh, Logan... - Missy wrapped him in a tight hug, feeling like crying for his suffering - I'm so sorry...

- Everything is fine. – Logan shook his head, apparently trying to compose himself – That's all in the past, after all. Besides, my grandfather would hate to see me whining like that. And he would certainly be happy to see that this gift helped us a little, when our family was in need.

- Like this? Missy asked, confused.

- Well... - Logan's eyes widened, almost as if only at that moment he had realized what he had said - Years later, when my father had the accident and we were deep in debt... - he swallowed hard - I made the decision to sell the toy to the kid down the street I told you about. He was from a family with a lot more money than us, so I guess it wasn't hard for him to get $100.00 to give me for the toy. In fact, I don't doubt that he stole that money from somewhere, but honestly, it doesn't matter anymore. – Logan shrugged – What matters is that it was precious money, which guaranteed us a little more food, even if my parents were a little sad that I had sold my grandfather's gift. When I started working, even thought about buying it back, but the kid had already moved out. - Logan sighed heavily - Of course, losing that little memory of my grandfather hurt a lot at the time, but... In the end, I did what was necessary. And, it was just a toy after all. He shrugged, even though she could see the ancient pain in his face.

- No, it wasn't just a toy... – Missy disagreed, stroking his face, trying to comfort him – It was special and important to you. It's okay to be sad, even after all this time. – She remained silent for some time, while an idea formed in her head – Have you tried…?

- What? Logan asked, confused.

- Hmmm... Nothing. She shook her head, deciding not to tell him what she was thinking. After all, he was suffering enough without her giving him false hope. But still, nothing stopped her from trying...

- I think we'd better go... - Logan interrupted the plans she was creating silently, suddenly seeming to remember that they still had a family lunch to attend - Surely your sister must already be looking for an ax down there. – He laughed and Missy followed him, gently putting that precious picture frame back in its place, before the two left the room.

They had barely reached the end of the hall, right next to where the tapestry was, when they found Gwyneth coming up the stairs, apparently looking for them, as she broke into a big smile as soon as she saw them.

- There you are. It's almost ready downstairs. – she approached Missy with a radiant expression – What do you think of the room, dear? Logan has never been much of a decorator, so I try to keep the fond memories of his career in the spotlight.

- Everything is absolutely beautiful. You were right, it's great to get to know him a little more. – Missy smiled warmly at Logan, before turning her eyes to the tapestry – Your family as a whole, actually.

- Oh! – Gwyneth gasped, suddenly more euphoric than ever – Logan told you about the legacy?!

- I told you... - Logan hurried to take the word, seeming careful to speak the last word - About the legend.

-Oh, yes ... - Gwyneth's expression fell immediately, although her smile was still there, now almost sad - Did you like it, dear? I know I fell in love with this love story the moment Daniel told it to me when we were younger. Did you know that it was Logan Knight the First who had this tapestry made as a gift for his wife? – Gwyneth gently touched the glass frame that protected the antique piece – I think it's the most precious asset this family has. Well, after the legacy. I mean, the legend. Gwyneth smiled, almost nervously.

- Same? – Missy smiled, marveling at the information about the tapestry – This is amazing! I also loved every detail of the story. – dreamily, she faced the kissing couple again – I wish I could know what his wife's name was...

- Like this? - Mrs. Knight gasped, perplexed – Logan told you the whole story, told you what our ancestor's name was, and didn't tell you the most important detail of all? – She looked at her son, who just shrugged.

- You know I don't remember all the details of that story, mom, even though I've heard it millions of times. - Logan grumbled, making a face.

"You're so headstrong…" Gwyneth sighed in exasperation.

- So you know her name? – Missy smiled excitedly – What was it?

- Oh, dear... - Gwyneth laughed, while looking at her fondly - Her name was Melissa.