Vince's appearances were countless around the world. Big names from the show business admired his music and wanted a partnership with him. He had reached more than what we call the zenith of his career. He didn't just have it all, he had more.

So seven years went by; through concerts, praise, major collaborations, glory, and money. Noelia was enjoying the dream by his side. She was used to seeing Vince permanently drunk and drugged. Recently, some heavy barbiturates were added to help her sleep a little.

She smoked restlessly and watched him for a long time. She was ready to leave. "I have to go shopping," she said imperatively.

Vince was sitting undisturbed on the couch, immersed in thoughts. He knew well that there was no other way to keep her close to him, except to cover all her needs and everything she asked for. He quickly compared her silently in his mind with Lavinia, who never asked for anything more, except to hear him sing.

"How much do you want?"

"Leave the amount open," Noelia responded with cynicism.

"Do you love me, Noelia?" he asked in a struggle to figure it out.

She looked at him sideways and flat out. She focused on the table in the room on the spread cocaine powder and then back to him. Vince was drinking out frantically alcohol of the bottle.

"Even if I want to love you, you don't leave me with the life you lead," she responded seriously.

"In which version of mine you would love me?"

"Surely not the one you have now."

"And why don't you leave me?"

"You want me to go?"

"You don't want to?"

"At last, what do you want, Vince?" she puffed.

"An answer. If I'm not what you want, Why Are you staying with me?"

"I hope for a change," she stammered hypocritically.

"And if I don't change?"

"Then you will be destroyed, you will die."

"And you will be my widow, who will inherit me. You are patient because you want the money. You don't care about me if I get away from my suffering." he said with courage.

"Listen, Vince! In your condition, you came on your own. I didn't push you, and it wasn't my fault. So if you insist on getting high all day, drowning in alcohol, and eventually being dead, that's your choice. So what do you ask of me?"

"Nothing. If I were to ask for something, it would be self-evident that you would give it without me begging or having a conversation with you. Self-evident things are based on actions, not words. So, all in the best interest," he lit a cigarette disappointed.

"People's interests arise from the choices made by the people we associate with, Vince. If you want to die, tell me what you'd do if you were me before you represent the orator."

"You're right," he said thoughtfully.

"Well, I'm off. Don't wait for me for dinner. I'm gonna be late. Get yourself together," she told him in a hurry.

He was alone again, and that bothered him a lot. That night seemed like forever. It's like time froze him there in his most desperate moment.

He was eating all by himself in the luxurious dining room of delicious and refined food. At one point he heard laughter and joy from the staff's room. He grabbed his plate and raided it.

The servants threw themselves out of the chairs like springs as if they were guilty of something and had to apologize.

"Don't get up. Can I sit here with you? It just seems strange to me to speak in the air," he said humiliated by his loneliness.

"Please, sir! We're honored!" the staff unanimously said. They poured him wine and served him a plate of their own food.

"Don't change anything. Be yourself. As if I'm not here," he encouraged them.

The driver, the maids, and the Cook clinked their glasses and continued the joke they were telling before Vince came in. In those moments with the servants, he forgot the drugs, the alcohol, his toxic relationship with Noelia, the glory, the money. Everything. He was smiling and having a good time. So much, that he couldn't remember another moment like this in the last few years.

In his mind, only Lavinia had a place. She was the only one who prevailed until that moment. Ηe had learned about her graduation with honors and constantly read her praise for the most accomplished social worker with intense action in institutions, schools, and organizations for people with disabilities. He thought of meeting her.

"Yes, I read about her. In almost every newspaper there is an article about her presentations," Vince said smiling.

"We are very proud. I wish our parents were alive to see her excel," Betty said in awe.

"They see her." Vince stuttered.

"From above. Really, Vince, Your last ballad takes the world. Everywhere I stand, I hear it. Congratulations!" Patrick said.

"I wish I got a little snap... like a man," he mumbled disheartened. "When Vinnie gets back to Vancouver?

"Unknown. She'll call us," Betty said.

"How come you're not with her? I mean, I remember you, then at my concert, you had accompanied her because, uh..." he hesitated.

"Lavinia is only blind, Vince. But it turns out that hasn't stopped her at all until now to make it," Patrick replied.

"She's not exactly alone. She is accompanied by a fellow student and colleague," Betty said excitedly.

"There must be something going on between them," Patrick commented in collusion.

"I believe it too. But whatever it is, she'll tell us herself. Well, she's very lucky to have met a man like Kevin. Since college, he still seemed very interested in her," Betty continued.

Vince got lost in his thoughts again. Something was bothering him. He was swallowing hard, frown looking down.