The Power of Passion

By Cathie Cayros

This fascinating lyrical novel is about a woman with a difficult fate struggling for her happiness.
Reading this incredibly exciting book you will find out whether she will be able to find and keep her love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cathie Cayros
• Release date: Apr 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005711870

Cathie Cayros

I was born in Moscow and I have been living in France, in a picturesqueplace, close to the border with Switzerland. My village has been knownsince the 14th century and is located on the shore of the lake called LacLéman, a lovely spot admired by many artists and poets of the pastcenturies.I am a doctor and have an M.D., Ph.D. in medical science. Literature andcreative writing is still quite a new area for me.Thanks to my medical education, I am quite good at understanding humanpsychology and taking a deeper look into a person’s essence, their character,as well as comprehending their feelings and the reasons for their state ofmind.My first work, “Autumn arabesques” was published by the Americanmagazine, Ladyscharm.com, New York.In December 2020 I happened to become one of the finalists of the 9thInternational Literature Festival “Open Eurasia 2020” in London. TheEnglish translation of my lyrical novel “The story of my foolishness” waspresented within “Prose” category.My “Christmas story” was published in the Bulgarian almanac “Litera”almost at the same time.In April 2021, my short story “Life of a soldier” was published by theBulgarian almanac “Art Litera”. That particular issue of the magazine cameout “Writers vote for Peace”.In May 2021, the St. Petersburg publishing house “Four” published afragment of the novel “The story of my foolishness” as part of the digest“Do not lie to yourself” dedicated to F. Dostoevsky’s 200th anniversary.I was also fortunate enough to be able to publish two essays - “Autumnarabesques” and “The Elegy of Old Tango” in the Literature Album“Thread” V , Publishing house “Hertfordshire Press”, London, 2021.The St. Petersburg publisher “Four” published my lyrical novel “The storyof my foolishness” in April 2021.Also in April 2021, I participated in the 11th International LiteratureFestival “Chekhov’s Autumn 2020”. My nomination was called “Landscapelyrics”.I was granted an award of honour “For preserving the traditions ofLiterature” for “Autumn arabesques”.In June 2021, I was one of the winners of the 9th International Festival“Open Eurasia 2020” in London. It was a very important moment of my life.My lyrical novel “The story of my foolishness” was nominated for the bestbook in “Prose” category and won the 3rd prize. Besides, my book took itsplace among Golden Top-10 of the contest’s works.In July 2021 I became one of the prize winners of another internationalcontest called “Native Amber” organized by the Writers Union of NorthAmerica. My story “Invincible spirit” was nominated for the “Best ProseBook”.I feel I’ve been blessed in life with my gift of literary creativity and theability to express myself on pages of my own books. I feel lucky andgrateful for all my friends and colleagues who share the same interests asme!

Book preview

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1. Escape

Chapter 2. Yasmin

Chapter 3. Salvation

Chapter 4. Past in present.

Chapter 5. The affectionate beast

Chapter 6. The kiss

Chapter 7. The Wedding

Chapter 8. Demir

Chapter 9. Time can’t be stopped

Chapter 10. My Past is Here Again

Chapter 11. Love

Chapter 12. Challenges

Chapter 13. Life must go on

Chapter 14. The Revenge

Chapter 15. Payback

Chapter 16. Rescue

Chapter 17. It's all my fault!

Chapter 18. Searches

Chapter 19. Abduction

Chapter 20. Surprise

Chapter 21. The Red Roses of the Past

Epilogue

Prologue

The full moon looked huge and hazy. Selene was the only source of light to disperse darkness. None of her cold light was reaching the small room with its tiny windows almost at ground level.

The trees around the house that have grown with me, cast whimsical shadows, looking like mysterious creatures on the walls of the room. There was no light outside either: everything was plunged into darkness; the moonlight illuminated the surroundings only when the sky was clear. That is why that night our house looked mysterious in the pale blue shine, coming through light clouds...

I was scared to turn on the lights in my room. It wouldn’t have helped me. I was squatting in the corner and trembling from fear. Sweat was trickling down my back, like little streams. My little hands got cold and wet, and I couldn’t even feel my feet - they turned numb because I had been sitting like this for ages.

I was like a tiny animal hiding in my hole from my enemy, obsessed with his passion for hunt, waiting right outside; he is there, keeping watch, looking forward to the moment when my nerves give way and I get out to face the inevitable death.

My enemy is a man, twenty years older than me, strong, sly, fat like a rat, lying in wait for me with his entourage in order to catch me, take me to his den and take advantage of my flesh. I shall expect no mercy from this vicious detestable beast that has ruined so many young lives (the whole village knew about his cruelty)!

Tears were rolling down my cheeks, but they didn’t soothe my soul; they only made me feel even more desperate. I tried to find a solution. How not to fall into his clutches...? Where is my safety escape..? Any hole should have another way out.

Think, Nadia! You can do it!

My head was splitting from pain and fear. I was listening out to the voices outside: they sounded loud and cheerful, they were waiting for me to come out, and they were anticipating my fall and their lust...

I am only thirteen. According to my parents, this is just the right time to marry me off.

We can’t let the goods go off. We should make an offer before they perish!

I was the goods. Something to make a good deal.

I heard quiet steps in the corridor next to my room, and the door handle went down. I already knew that it was the only soul who felt for me. My treasure, my love that understands me and cares for me, my talisman.

My grandma.

Where are you, my dear? It’s pitch-dark in there, I can’t see anything.

Don’t turn the lights on, I whispered fearfully for I only felt safe when it was dark.

With an effort, I stood up on my wobbly legs and hugged my grandma. Her scent, so familiar to me from childhood days, calmed me down for some time.

You’re like a block of ice! She took the warm shawl off her shoulders. She never left it anywhere. Let me warm you, my little girl.

I burrowed my face into her hands.

I will wipe your tears, I will warm your hands and cover your shoulders. Don’t you cry, dear!

Granny, I have no one but you. I don’t want to marry anyone!

My dear, we have no power to fight it. Don’t make a stand against them. Otherwise, they will punish you, they will beat you up with rods and destroy your beautiful young body. I will not survive it, and I don’t have much time left anyway.

I’d rather be ugly than live with that disgusting man!

She held me tighter, lulling me.

There came a noise from behind the door, and my grandma tensed.

I’ll go. Out of the harm’s way. She kissed me and went out.

Her scent still lingered on in the room, and I could still feel her soft arms holding me.

I will keep your image safe within me. It will always be with me, all my life. Your warmth will save me when it’s hard!

Forgive me, granny, I murmured.

The next minute I opened the window and climbed out. Darkness was protecting me like a cape, guarding me from danger. It was like an armour, keeping me in disguise, keeping me safe from the enemy. Shadows of the night helped me to defy them; shadows of the night welcomed me when I started an unequal battle, when I had to fend off my enemies - the ridiculous hoary prejudices.

And no one could predict the outcome of this battle!

Chapter 1. Escape

I was walking fast, ignoring everything around me, focusing on just one thing: to get as far as possible from home where all the evil and misfortunes of my young life had been left behind.

Was I scared to be alone in the dark? Yes, I was, but I couldn’t care less. What I really had to be scared of were my pursuers. It was my future I was frightened about.

Who am I? Just a thirteen-year-old girl who has no one from now on. Where will I stay..? What will I do..? How will I get food..?

I felt like weeping but I didn’t indulge. I had to save energy.

They will search for me. That man will not forgive me the escape. I humiliated him, and he will find a way to kill me. My parents are going to help him. They are on his side; they believe I brought disgrace upon them.

So much shame for one poor soul of a little girl, still a child! Well, I no longer felt like a child; I suddenly matured, having made such a hard decision.

Headlights of an oncoming car lit the road.

I got excited at first but on the second thought I just jumped in the bushes - luckily, there were a lot on the roadside. It could be my pursuers!

You can’t get into anybody’s car. You are being chased. He will not give up until he kills you. So, better head to the train station. It’s my only chance to get out of here, my usual common sense told me.

I went back to the highway. The car was far ahead, and its noise was fading away. Darkness is my bliss. The moon is not shining bright tonight. The Universe is keeping its veil over me, guarding me.

I was walking on and on until the tiredness overwhelmed me. I sat down on the roadside, thinking: I’ll just have a little break, and fell asleep before I knew it.

...I opened my eyes, frightened, and saw an old man with a long grey beard. He was standing over me with a stick in his hands (apparently, it helped him walk).

What are you doing here? Are you the missing girl? The whole county is trying to track you down. They pay well for you! He extended his bony arm to reach me.

I shook my head and winked several times, recollecting myself. The last night events rushed through my mind like a flash. I quickly realized what the old man was saying; I jumped up to my feet and ran into the bushes.

I was running regardless of obstacles, I didn’t care about the prickly branches, whipping and scratching my body, tearing apart my clothes and pulling out my hair. Away, away from the creepy old man!

I won’t let them catch me. I’d rather die. Night! I don’t want you to pass. Darkness, you are my saviour!

None of my prayers could keep my guarding angel longer. The day was breaking, and I had to hurry up.

The train station appeared in the distance. Almost there. Finally! I’ve made it!

I was especially cautious when walking towards the station building, keeping close to houses and trees, trying not to stand out. I looked horrible: my dress was torn, arms and legs were covered with bleeding scratches, my hair was a mess - I looked nothing like that clean, neatly dressed girl who had just left home. I looked homeless!

The train station was empty at that hour. I walked in on alert and looked around. Nothing seemed suspicious. I was slowly moving across the waiting room, trying not to attract attention.

People, waiting for their trains, were sleeping on benches. A policeman walked back and forth between the rows. He noticed me and started to examine me closely. I lowered my head abruptly and walked towards the platforms.

Stop right there! Hey! I order you to stop! The policeman followed me, walking faster and faster. You must be that girl the whole district is hunting down!

My heart sank at those words. It was pounding. So loud - I could barely hear what the policeman was saying. I ran.

The policeman, short man, fat like a ball, started to chase me - a skinny agile girl, much faster than him.

Still, he was closing in on me, and I didn’t know where to run, which was making me slower. He grabbed the sleeve of my dress with his plump hairy arm with short, fat, and dirty fingers.

You won’t escape, little bitch!

I could neither see, nor feel anymore. I called up all my strength and leaped aside. A shred of my dress remained in the policeman’s hand!

A train was slowly departing the station right before me. It was my last chance!

Without hesitation, I rushed to the other side of the railway - and nearly got under the wheels. It was a good fling - it saved my life! I raised all the energy of my young healthy body and managed to jump across the railway right in front of the approaching train and found myself on the other side of the platform. The freight train was already speeding up. The doors of its empty