The Land behind the Forest 11

Eileen was considered pretty by most people, but on the other hand, she was quite shy and so, her experiences with men were limited: though 20 now, she had slept with only one man, whilst the boyfriend before this lucky guy had at least reached the third base and had been allowed to touch and kiss her everywhere.

Based on these experiences, plus what using her own hands had taught her, Eileen had been convinced that every caress that didn’t include something thrusting inside her could be nice, even blissful, but would not get her over the brink, for it would lack stimulation. Now, as the enforced scissoring continued, her initial dismay had changed from »God, was I wrong!« to just »Oh my God! Oh my God!«.

The girl, her eyes firmly closed, was writhing and squirming, her pelvis thrusting against Salome’s, and the combination of intense friction and soft, slippery caresses sent shivers through her loins, causing her to produce high-pitched sighs that mixed with Salome’s more throaty groans.

The Black had also left behind all reluctance. The combination of being active and passive at the same time, simultaneously stimulating and getting stimulated was a new experience, and Eileen was the perfect partner, as she had adjusted to her rhythm whilst her movements still held surprises, and when Eileen playfully squeezed her womb between her thighs, only to then release her and to thrust forward her moist middle against Salome’s, she arched back, screaming into her gag.

She reached the peak shortly before Eileen, but her spasms were enough for the Blonde to enjoy a heavy orgasm, too. Panting, and glistering with sweat and other juices, the two girls were lying there, their most intimate parts still connected in a tender kiss, and none of them wanted to be the first to open her eyes, to be confronted with the harsh reality or with the look of her partner.

So, it took Eileen some time to realize that something was tugging on her neck rope. Not in a way it blocked her breathing, but nevertheless telling her that someone was playing with the ropes.

»Mhm?«

She turned her head, so she could see the tree – and her eyes widened. There, beside the tree, was a face – the face of a man she had never seen before. He seemed to lie on his belly, and as she was more and more able to realize reality, Eileen could see that he had loosened the ropes tying her to the tree. Now, he held a finger to his lips and waited until Eileen nodded.

The man crawled closer and pulled the noose over her head. Salome had meanwhile noticed what was going on, and she weakly raised her head, mmphing questioningly. He made a soothing gesture; then, he also freed her from her noose. The girls could now separate from each other, and when their pubic areas parted, both felt it like a loss.

Before they could even think of feeling embarrassed, the man waved to them, and they crawled towards him, allowing him to cut their arm bonds.

»Can you understand me?«, he asked in German. It sounded like Aurica’s, fluent, but with a noticeable accent. The girls nodded, and, whilst continuing to free Eileen’s wrists and elbows, he whispered:

»I am Vlad! For now, I am the only one here to the rescue, so, we have to be careful! If you are not sure whether you can’t oppress your screams, keep the gag in!«

He had finished cutting the tape and zip ties, leaving it to the girl to ungag herself whilst he freed Salome’s arms. Once he had done so, he repeated:

»Don’t scream, okay?«

Salome nodded, and he peeled the tape from her mouth. She croaked, and he helped her in getting the sodden wad from her mouth. Salome panted, some drool running down her chin, and Vlad assisted Eileen in peeling off the transparent tape and getting the torn panties from her mouth. Both girls indeed felt the urge to scream, but they fought it down, and it would have come out as a croak anyway.

»I saw the man leave! How many are there left?«

Licking her parched lips, Eileen raised three trembling fingers. Then, only now remembering she was still stark naked, she covered herself with her arms and blushed. Vlad, however, looked around and asked:

»Where’s Lioba?«

This time, he got the answer from Salome who pointed at the stone hut. Then, she added, breathing barely audible:

»A-Aurica and Andrina – in the tower!«

Vlad nodded grimly; then, he looked at the two sweaty girls.

»Do you think you can help me?«

Eileen and Salome exchanged a look. Both were exhausted from being restrained and from postcoital languor, they were embarrassed and in addition, not only were they still naked, but their ankles were still cuffed. However, as Vlad had told, he had come alone, and they now could see that he had a bandaged ankle and showed some more bruises. Reluctantly, they both nodded, and Vlad pointed at the SUV parked some 40 yards away.

The car was moving slightly, and the windows seemed fogged. Even without the occasional faint sound coming from inside, it was quite obvious what was going on. A grin appeared on Vlad’s face.

»Seems that there are two of them inside, and you could have the element of surprise, as they are – occupied! If you can take them whilst I look after the third woman, we have a fair chance to free the others until the man returns!«

In her current state, Eileen felt that even getting to her feet was a bit too much, but when she felt Salome take her hand, she once again nodded, And Vlad used the tree to get to his feet. Before he withdrew, Salome asked:

»H-how long have you b-been there a-already?«

Vlad couldn’t oppress a chuckle.

»Let’s say I am more awake now than I was ten minutes ago!«

He turned around and began to carefully approach the hut. Eileen felt her cheeks get hot, and she looked at Salome.

»I really envy you that you can’t blush!«

Salome scoffed.

»Believe me, I can, you just can’t see it! Now, before we can hide in the next hole, we have some criminals to overpower!«

***

»Ah, time for a break!«

Sabrina put away the two tailor wheels with which she had tortured Lioba for some time now. The redhead didn’t react, as she was barely conscious. The spiky wheels hadn’t really hurt, or at least, they wouldn’t have hurt under normal circumstances. However, on her already sore and sensitive skin at her soles and buttocks, they had sent painful tingles through her body, and she had writhed and moaned. Sabrina had explored her entire body with the wheels, though, and now, her breasts, pubic area and armpits also tingled and felt as if an ant tribe was having a square dance party on her skin. Lioba knew that if Sabrina would hand her the deed now, she would sign it, even if it contained a passus that she would allow her to sell her inner organs, too.

Sabrina returned, a cigarette between her lips. She grabbed Lioba’s sweaty and dishevelled hair, forcing her to look at her, and blew the smoke into her face. Only now, the exhausted girl realized how much she wanted, needed one, too, and she greedily sniffled the smoke. Sabrina made her lean backwards, and Lioba whimpered when pressure was taken from her labia, turning the dull numbness into a painful tingle.

»Relax, I will see to that soon!«, Sabrina purred and continued to blow the smoke into Lioba’s face. Then, she dropped the butt and placed her hand on the redhead’s pubic mound. Her hand in Lioba’s hair loosened its grip, playing with her curls, and she started to gently massage Lioba’s clit. She groaned, but she no longer could offer more resistance.

»So much pain, sweet Lioba! And you want it to go away, don’t you? You want to enjoy something else down there – something better!«

She rubbed over the throbbing flesh, and Lioba mewed, but at the same time, she felt that the villainess was pushing the right buttons – literally. The pain ceased, and the relief was so great it washed away the terrible truth: Sabrina wanted to break every resistance inside her, turn her into a helpless doll without will.

»Ooouuhmmmm!«

It was a moan of both defeat and pleasure when she felt Sabrina’s fingers slide inside her, promising more relief at a terrible cost. Lioba blinked, trying to find something, anything inside her that would allow her to prevail.

»Vlad!«, she thought, and his face wandered through her brain like a vision until she realized that she was seeing him for real. Lioba gasped and twitched, causing Sabrina to frolic.

»Soon, sweet Lioba!«

She thrust her fingers deep inside Lioba, and she cringed, watching like it was some strange film as Vlad approached from behind, his hand raised. »Vlad!«, she thought, and with all the strength she still had inside her weakened body, Lioba darted forward.

Sabrina screamed when her fingers were suddenly trapped between Lioba’s pussy and the edge of the table, but her scream was abruptly stopped as Vlad’s hand hit her neck at her carotid artery. He had actually staggered when he had seen Lioba in her predicament and jumped to her rescue, and so, he accidentally hit her harder than he would have if he had tried the way he had seen that hit in movies. With a croak, Sabrina reared up; then, her eyes twisted, and she collapsed on the floor.

With an expression of disbelief, Vlad looked on his hand. Then, remembering what he had come for, he approached Lioba, taking her in his arms.

»Poor girl! It’s over now!«

Lioba felt the pain when his chest pressed against her still clamped nipples, but it was nothing against the relief that now washed through her. Vlad now cut the cords holding her to the ceiling and carefully lifted her from the edge, lowering her to the ground. Seeing her bright red soles and buttocks, he cursed in Romanian; then, his knife sliced through the bonds. Once her arms and legs were free, he interrupted his mission to quickly use some of the zip ties to put Sabrina into a hogtie, and he taped a few rounds of tape over her mouth.

When he returned, Lioba was still lying on her side, unable to even pick on the tape sealing her lips. Vlad at down beside her, placed her head on his lap and began to remove it, trying to be careful with her hair. Then, he reached for the dense yellow cloth packing and pulled it from her mouth. Lioba wanted to say something, but only managed to drool over Vlad’s hand.

»Oops!«, she breathed, and Vlad smiled.

»What a posh Lady!«

He brushed over her nose, and she managed to smile before all dams broke and she sobbed whilst he held her in his arms, caressing her head. Then, they were interrupted by female voices calling his name. He withdrew, placing a kiss on her soft lips.

»Can you do for a while without me?«

Lioba nodded, unable to speak, and he kissed her once again before he came to his feet. Only now, she noticed the bandage, and she wanted to say something, but then saw the expression with which Vlad looked down on the still unconscious Sabrina. She croaked:

»V-Vlad?«

He spun around, and Lioba forced herself to get on one elbow. She looked at him, trying to sound convincingly:

»Vlad, I will not lie and say I am okay, but I will be, sooner or later! Sooner if you don’t do anything that will put you behind bars! Please – you don’t have to be nice to them, but think of Anna!«

Vlad took a few deep breaths, his fists opening and closing. Then, he got on one knee, bent down and kissed her.

»You are right!«

Behind him, a mewing indicated that Sabrina was regaining her consciousness. Vlad now showed a wolfish grin, and he whispered:

»As a studied Jurist, I can tell you that in situations like these, a victim or a rescuer, at least one who is not a Policeman, will get away with a few mean things! There’s a grey zone between playing nice and jail, and these bitches will see the darkest grey that will just allow me to leave as a free man!«

Lioba smiled, knowing that it was her predicament that had made him so angry. Maybe, he was really the knight in shiny armour the girlish part of her had always dreamt of.

Now, he took a piece of rope and tied it around Sabrina’s neck. Taking the other end like a leash, he ordered:

»Come!«

The look in his eyes convinced Sabrina not to make a sound. Hogtied as she was, she had to crawl on her belly, and she had to strain her muscles, as Vlad was not walking fast, due to his limp, but also pulled on the leash if she fell back. Lioba knew that she should be concerned that Vlad went too far, but she could not help enjoying to see Sabrina suffer.

***

»Just like old times!«, Ligeia had thought as she had been staring at the SUV’s ceiling. It was not that there was something of interest, but Ligeia had tried to hold back her orgasm, knowing that she would have to live off it until they were back in Germany. Then, she would have not only her two new toys, but also at least one assistant with benefits.

Knowing that they wouldn’t have too much time until Marvin would return. They had wasted no time; Milena had peeled down Ligeia’s panties (she was wearing gartered stockings) and disappeared under her skirt once Ligeia had positioned herself on the backseat, and then, like she was still her beloved sex slave, Milena’s lips and tongue had started their work.

It wasn’t exactly like old times, as Milena’s hands were free, but Ligeia definitely enjoyed as they clawed into her buttocks, lifting her butt towards her restless mouth. Ligeia arched back, knowing that soon, very soon, too soon-

The surprise had been completely when Salome and Eileen had interrupted the two. Their stratagem had been simple: lacking weapons, they had taken the panties that had gagged them with them, and they had carefully approached the SUV. The front window hadn’t been completely fogged, allowing them to see that Ligeia was leaning against the left backdoor whilst Milena had her head buried in her lap, with Ligeia’s heels drumming on her back.

They had attacked from both sides. Salome opened the door, and Ligeia fell backwards. Before she could even gasp, Salome had crammed her own sodden panties into her oral cavity and slung her other arm around her neck, pulling her out of the car. Her cuffed ankles caused her to stagger, and she managed to roll over her victim as she fell to the ground.

»Don’t try anything, bitch!«, she had hissed, increasing the pressure on Ligeia’s neck when the woman under her moved. Ligeia had twitched and spasmed, sending throaty sounds through the gag she didn’t dare to spit out. Salome had come just at the right – or wrong – moment, and she had to enjoy, or rather endure her orgasm, embarrassment already waiting for her to take over her mind.

Eileen had grabbed Milena’s ankles and pulled her out of the car, enabling her to put her in a chokehold, too. She screamed for Vlad, and whilst Milena was still struggling, the man limped from the hut, a gun in his hand. To her dismay, he was forcing a hogtied and gagged Sabrina to crawl behind him. The raven-haired villainess was clad in her black panties and a matching bra that had come off her breasts from her rubbing them against the ground.

Vlad let Sabrina go, but kept an eye on her as he aimed at Milena who now stopped struggling. He forced both her and Ligeia to kneel, their hands folded behind their heads. Ligeia looked not much like the businesswoman she was, with her clothes crumpled and dirty, her hair dishevelled, and still panting from the orgasm that had not come as the peak of pleasure. Her panties still hung around one of her heels, and she still had Salome’s torn panties stuffed in her mouth, whilst Lioba’s were silencing Milena. Eileen was approaching Vlad, but Salome suddenly bent over Milena who mewed with alarm. However, the Black only searched her pockets for the keys of the handcuffs. She freed her and Eileen’s ankles, and the girls hugged, though they still were stark naked. Vlad cleared his throat.

»There’s still the man! I think he went for Lioba’s car! Unfortunately, I am a bit limited in my sportive activities, so, who of you is the better climber?«

Salome raised her hand, and Vlad asked her to get on the tower’s platform, to see if Lioba’s Dacia was still on the parking lot. If so, they still had some time to prepare for him.

Salome went to Ligeia and not too gently took off her business jacket. On the tall busty Salome, it looked like a bolero jacket, but it covered her breasts. Reluctantly, she also took Ligeia’s panties and put these on, too. Then, she went into the tower. When she saw the lid of the cellar, she thought of Andrina and Aurica, but Vlad was right: they had to see where the man was.

Eileen covered herself with the blanket she and Salome had been placed upon. It smelled of their sweat and arousal, and she knew that when all this was over, she and Salome would have to talk.

»What can you see?«, Vlad asked when he spotted Salome on top of the tower. He had to repeat the question, and then, the girl seemed quite excited:

»There are men, at least two dozen, and there are Police cars, too! And there is – wow!«

»What is wow?«, Eileen asked, and Salome bent over the pinnacles.

»The man! Two Policemen are holding him by his arms, and he has obviously tried to break free, for a third one hit him in the stomach!«

Vlad felt for his still swollen lip, and he felt a wave of sympathy for the overzealous Policeman. What was more important, however, was that now, he was under arrest.

»So, the Police will now take care of them, too?«, Eileen asked, pointing at Ligeia and Milena, and at Sabrina who was still lying on the ground. Vlad could hear that the girl was not just relieved, but also a bit disappointed. Then, his own words to Lioba came to his mind.

»They will get a fair trial, as Romania now is a constitutional state, too! However, to have them arrested, we will have to bring them to the Police, for the man will sure not tell them where they are, at least not without some benefits in exchange. And if you, after what they did to you, were not completely capable of reasonable actions-«

An insecure smile appeared on Eileen’s face.

»You-You mean, we should have our – our revenge first?«

Vlad smiled, and Sabrina, who was looking up to him, felt a cold shiver run down her spine.

»As a Jurist, I prefer calling it displacement activities, due to great mental stress! However, as long as you don’t cross all lines, I am sure that you won’t be charged if you enjoy some good old revenge and Schadenfreude!«

***

Some hour later, Vlad was looking at the SUV, leaning on a stick. Though his limp had not allowed him to do very much, he had to admit that the girls had done a good job in exacting their revenge on the three criminals.

Before, they had freed Aurica and Andrina, and Vlad had only seen them when they had staggered out of the tower, sharing a blanket. It seemed that they were naked underneath, but Vlad, who had seen his share of nudity already, just bowed politely and left it to Salome and Eileen who were plundering Ligeia’s luggage for some more or less fitting clothes.

Now, at least Andrina and Aurica looked presentable, though Andrina felt strange in the clothes that were so different from what she was used to.

»Gadje clothes!«, she complained towards Aurica who smiled and held her hand.

»Soon, you can get back into your beloved Gypsy rags!«

»We actually prefer being called ›Roma‹!«

Aurica sighed.

»Just add it to the list of things I did to you and I have to apologize for!«

Andrina slung her arms around her.

»You went with me into that cellar! We are more than even!«

Aurica chuckled.

»If we tell Radu what happened in that cellar, it will be him who is jealous for a change!«

A call from Eileen interrupted their talk, and they took care of their captors that had turned into captives.

Now, these stood side by side behind the SUV. Inside the ski box, there had still been the two armbinders, and now, Sabrina and Milena were wearing them, both cringing from the tight crotch ropes. Each of them sported one of the gag masks, too. Milena still had to chew on Lioba’s panties as an additional packing, and Sabrina had to endure Andrina’s in her mouth. Except for high heels from Ligeia’s luggage, both were stark naked.

Between them stood Ligeia, who had also been forced to strip completely, except for her garter belt, stockings and high heels. Her arms were securely tied at wrists and elbows, and her wrists were also connected to an extremely tight crotch rope that bisected her pubic mound. Her mouth had been crammed with Eileen’s panties, and she had been forced to close her lips before her mouth had been sealed with transparent tape.

»She’s a VIP, so, people shall recognize her on her trip to the Police!«

To further ensure that, a stick was tied to her arm ties, holding a large cardboard sign over her head that said:

»Ligeia von Marwitz, 52, 34C, horny slut!«

To each woman’s crotch rope, another rope was tied, and these ropes were fixed to the back bumper of the SUV.

»All right, let’s go!«

Salome, quite provisionally dressed, sat on the driver’s seat, with Eileen beside her. Aurica and Andrina had refused to get on the backseat that still smelled of Ligeia’s arousal, and so, they both climbed on top of the ski box. Aurica smiled.

»Someone once said there’s no such thing as bad publicity!«

The car started, and the three naked, bound and gagged women had no other choice as to follow it when their crotch ropes tightened. Salome, who didn’t want to turn a mean punishment into a cruel one, turned the cruise control on a moderate 4 km/h, so the captives would be able to keep pace. Andrina looked at them and asked:

»Do you mean this publicity – or you and me sitting side by side holding hands?«

Aurica brushed her hair back. At least with Andrina, she was no longer concerned about her scarred ear.

»Both, I think! Though I hope that people will soon get used to seeing you and me together more often!«

Aurica banged on the roof and yelled towards Salome:

»Take the route through the main road! It will take a little longer, but I think that people want to take some photos!«

She had spoken German, and the panic-stricken look in Ligeia’s eyes, and her muffled scream brought a sardonic smile on her face. She let her eyes wander over Ligeia’s naked and exposed body, and the sign that gave her name, age and bra size.

»Maybe, there sometimes is such a thing as bad publicity – at least for some of us!«

***

Eileen didn’t look at the three naked women forced to follow the car. Instead, her eyes wandered over Salome: how the borrowed dress span over her braless breasts, how her legs looked in the short skirt, how-

»Phew, we really have to talk when this is all over!«, she decided. Eileen reached over and found Salome’s hand.

***

Like a General on his hill, Vlad watched the car leave the yard. He watched how the ropes pulled on the captives’ crotch ropes, forcing them to follow the car, watched how they shook their heads and bucked whilst the sound of the engine drowned their muffled cries.

His eyes met Ligeia’s, and even over the distance, he could see the expression of fear and defeat in her eyes as he took a photo of the three women. Then, as the car drove on, he watched the three butts, swaying as the girls were trying not to stagger in their high heels, until the SUV had disappeared around the corner.

Vlad had asked the girls to keep his and Lioba’s name out of the whole affair. This was quite easy to accomplish as they only knew his first name, and none of them had the wish to get Lioba into trouble, since she had promised to neither raise Aurica’s rent nor to sell the property.

He staggered towards the hut. He had of course looked after Lioba from time to time; the last time, she had still been lying on the floor, but had obviously managed to get to her cigarettes. She had assured him that, albeit sitting or walking around wasn’t yet an option, she was okay.

»You really should have seen how-«

Vlad’s jaw dropped, and he never finished the sentence once his eyes fell on the sight in front of him. Lioba had put the table back on its feet, and she was now lying on the top on her belly. When she saw him, she turned onto her side, and Vlad could not decide where to look first. He cleared his throat and said:

»They have left now! I – I saved a soft silk dress for you, and also, I have this!«

From his pocket, he produced Lioba’s tiger thong, and she giggled. Then, however, her expression became more serious, and she reached out for him. Vlad took her hand, and she pulled him closer, pressing his hand against her breast.

»Vlad – you have done so  much for me!«

Vlad was more occupied with the fact how nice her breast filled his hand, and when he groped it a bit, she brushed over the back of his hand.

»There is, however, one more thing you have to do!«

Her grip on his hand tightened, and now, he could see some concern in her eyes. She gulped before she continued to speak:

»I – I want to see you again! I want to meet Anna, and I would love to come here with you and her, and to see how she reacts when she sees her own castle for the first time! But before-«

Vlad caressed her cheek, not sure what to say. Lioba continued:

»Now, this is the place of my ordeal! But if we come here, I want to love this place, like I am sure Anna will love it! I don’t want it to be filled with terrible memories! So – can we turn it into the place where we had sex for the first time?«

Vlad kissed her, and Lioba’s breast felt even better with her nipples hardened. He continued the massage for a while until he started to take off his clothes, but then, he hesitated, letting his eyes wander over her reddened buttocks.

»Will it – will it go? I mean, your butt and-«

»And your ankle, I see! Well, my knees are fine, and if you don’t mind turning from my knight to my horse, you may lie on your back and let me do the hard work!«

»Your Impaler’s ready, my posh Lady!«, Vlad replied and climbed onto the table.

***

»Nervous?«

Lioba nodded, and her grip on Vlad’s hand tightened. It was Friday afternoon, and the train from Bucharest would arrive any minute.

Since they had returned to Vlad’s apartment on Monday night, it was the first time she had left the house. He had carried her over the doorstep, for her soles had still hurt, and though she had to sleep on her belly, she had already felt much better the next day. Now, after three days of recreation, and with the help of lots of cooling cream, she could already walk short distances. Lioba looked down on the soft sneakers that didn’t match her usual wardrobe, but were indeed comfortable. In her new oversized handbag, she hid an equally soft pillow that would allow her to sit even on benches that weren’t upholstered.

Though they had spent quite some time of the last three days with finding out how they could enjoy the pleasures of the bed despite their different handicaps, they had also talked a lot about what would happen after Lioba had returned to Marseille.

»If it wasn’t for Anna, I would come with you! After all, I don’t think I will ever work for Petrescu again, and since there isn’t a need for too many notaries in Hermannstadt, I think I will  leave the city anyway!«

Currently, he was thinking about becoming a junior partner in a notary at Bucharest, where an old friend from University was working. Said friend would also handle Lioba’s heritage (the testament Vlad had hidden in a folder that contained some of Anna’s drawings), and though he was more expensive than Petrescu, he was also less crooked.

Lioba had also done some research about the University of Bucharest. The Pharmaceutical Institute was quite renowned, and she could get an employment, despite her lack of Romanian. With her savings, and two salaries, they could afford a house and start a life together – if Anna would get along with her.

»There, the train comes! Just wait a minute!«

Vlad kissed her and approached the incoming train. Since his ex-wife didn’t want to see him personally, she always brought her daughter to the train station in Bucharest and entrusted her to the conductor who took care the five year old didn’t get lost on the trip. At Hermannstadt, Vlad had to prove his identity, and the conductor would get his tip in exchange for handing over Anna.

Lioba looked at her new phone. She had sent a WhatsApp to her friends, informing her about her new number, and among the few messages she had received so far had been one from Mrs. Isabelle Dunbar. She had sent her an ultrasonic image that looked like a jellybean, telling her that she was three months pregnant. Though she felt happy for Isabelle and Mike, she hadn’t answered yet.

Looking up, she saw Vlad talk to a woman in a conductor’s uniform whilst a brunette girl was pulling on his hand, obviously telling him something.

»Anna, I presume!«

Vlad and the girl now approached her, Anna obviously a bit impatient because her father still was suffering from his sprained ankle. Lioba took a deep breath. She had always gotten along quite well with her nephews, but this was different.

Anna slowed down as they came closer, and she still held Vlad’s hand when she, a bit shyly, stretched her right hand towards Lioba. She smiled and shook it carefully.

»Hello, Anna! I am Lioba!«, she said in Romanian. Anna let her eyes wander over her. She still hadn’t said anything, and Lioba wasn’t sure whether she should break the silence. Vlad tried to save the situation by asking who would like an ice cream. Anna looked up to him and cocked her head.

»With cream?«

»As much as you like, my little Princess!«

Anna rolled her eyes.

»I hate cream! Every two weeks, I have to tell you again!«

She sighed deeply, and, shaking her head, added:

»Men!«

Lioba giggled, and the girl looked up to her, so she covered her mouth with her hand.

»Oops, sorry!«

»Your laughter sounds nice!«, Anna stated, now smiling for the first time. Then, she took Vlad’s hand and pulled.

»What about the ice?«

Lioba still was coping with the girl’s behaviour when she felt something touch her hand. It was Anna, pulling on it, looking at her questioningly.

»Do you like ice too, Lioba?«

»Eh – of course!«

»Then come! I am starving!«

She pulled on Lioba’s hand, and as they approached the exit, two slightly limping adults led by an impatient girl, Lioba felt that obviously, her passion for ice cream had melted the ice, so to say. She felt a warm tingle in her heart and belly, and with her free hand, she fished her phone from her bag and texted back to Isabelle:

»I hope you will always feel as lucky as I am right now!«

The End