Limits of Destiny (Volume 1) Read Free

left was disappointment.
    “But you kissed me back!” He eyed me, confused.
    “You know there’s no point. It won’t work. In the end, we’ll both hurt each other. We can’t be together, not if you’re hardly ever in Zurich.” I sat up, resting my hand on the blanket.
    “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me,” he said and rubbed his face. “Actually, I do—you’re so… beautiful.” He sighed. “Quit your job and come with me. I’ll take care of both of us.”
    I smiled at his proposal. It sounded pretty crazy. “You know I can’t do that.”
    “Then I’ll give it all up and look for a job here.”
    His words made me feel desired, but I didn’t want him to make such a huge sacrifice for me. It wasn’t fair to him. After a while, his regrets over lost opportunities would crush him.
    “You wouldn’t be happy,” I whispered. “Perhaps once you’ve achieved your goals, you’ll be able to arrange your schedule so you don’t have to travel so much. And then it will be easier to get into a more serious relationship with someone.”
    “Dammit, I never thought my career would affect my personal life so negatively,” he said sadly.
    I felt sorry for him, but I didn’t want to hurt him. I stroked his shoulder. “It will all work out. Don’t worry.”
    I wanted to console him, even though I needed to be consoled. I wanted to feel happy just as much as he did. I dreamt of meeting the man I could always depend on at anytime. Someone to lean on in difficult times and to laugh with when I was happy.
    “Will we stay friends?” he asked, concerned.
    “Of course,” I replied sincerely, and something like a tentative smile appeared on his face.
    “You’re so good to me, despite all the idiotic things I’ve done. You support me and give me strength.”
    “I believe in you, Daniel, and I know you’ll succeed. You have a great future ahead of you.” I wanted to give him hope and strength.
    “Let’s go out to a club tonight,” he suggested. “And have fun like the good old times.”
    “I can’t. I’ve been invited to the birthday party of Lily’s uncle.”
    “Nooo!” he said, not hiding his disappointment. “But you’ve always steered clear of such posh parties.”
    Daniel knew my girlfriend and that her uncle was one of the many Swiss millionaires who liked to spend a fortune on extravagant celebrations. They brought together VIPs from the entire country and invited famous Hollywood actors.
    “Well, this time Lily managed to convince me.” I checked my watch. “When’s your flight?”
    “Tomorrow at noon.”
    “Where’re you flying to?”
    “Milan.”
    “Next time you come back to Zurich, you won’t forget to call me, right?” I asked playfully, and he raised his eyebrows in surprise.
    “If you still want to see me.”
    I smiled reassuringly. “And then you’ll tell me about your new accomplishments.”
    “Don’t make fun of me.”
    “I’m being serious. Next time, we’ll go to celebrate them.”

  2  
    T he hours slipped by, and suddenly it was time to get ready for the party. I went into my bedroom, opened the wardrobe, and started searching for an outfit. I had many evening dresses, which made choosing difficult. At the end, I decided on my pink satin dress with fine lace, which I bought in New York last year. I put on a bit more makeup than usual—mascara, pale-purple eye shadow, eyeliner, powder, rouge, and pink lip-gloss. I applied one of my favorite perfumes—Jean Paul Gaultier’s Classique —and put on the gold necklace and earrings my dad had given me on my last birthday. I called a taxi and then Lily to tell her I was on my way over.
    When I arrived, the party had already begun. Many artists, musicians, and presenters from around Switzerland were already there. Most people were gathered around cocktail tables covered in white cloths and decorated with colorful bouquets. Torches were scattered around the grass, adding warmth to the