Storm

<p><span style=color: rgba(14 16 26 1)>The setting is a remote farming area during a traditional Māori holiday Matariki the Māori New Year a time for celebration family gatherings and star gazing. </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(14 16 26 1)>Amber chooses this time to return to her family with her debonair lawyer boyfriend Malcolm. A jealous controlling man who unbeknownst to Amber killed his wife. He inhabits cities like London New York and Paris not open country. He focuses his jealousy of Daniel Amber's childhood friend who is a Māori. Malcolm ensnares Amber through his charming manner and knowledge. In her home environment his manipulations are exposed. The candidness of her parents her friend Daniel and his family contrasts with Malcolm's attitude. </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(14 16 26 1)>A huge storm cuts out road access leaving sea access alone. They are dependent on Daniel for a boat. The exposed countryside the lack of access and lack of outside communication sends Malcolm over the edge. He tries to rape and strangle Amber as he observes her slipping away from his control. He minimizes his actions by telling Amber's parents that she enjoys rough sex. His actions become more anti-social. He refuses to go to the Matariki ceremony next door at Daniel's house and chooses to stay home alone. While all are star gazing at Daniel's place Amber's father returns home. Malcolm in a red rage nearly kills him. </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(14 16 26 1)>Next door at the ceremony Amber and her mother realize something is wrong. Daniel and his brothers quickly agree to help. This time they call the police. </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(14 16 26 1)>Through watching how both men react Amber understands where her heart lies. Daniel supports her through the police investigation her father's recovery the collection of her things from Malcolm's and her flat - a very scary interlude and Malcolm's trial. Finally Malcolm is convicted and all is calm but this is not the end. Daniel and Amber must find themselves.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(14 16 26 1)>The story doesn't end there. Amber is traumatized because of events and finds any relationship difficult. She shrinks from contact with Daniel. She dreams of him but cannot reach out. Daniel and her parents organize a dinner for the four of them. Amber begins to allow herself to feel. </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(14 16 26 1)>Amber's and Daniel's love grows until after some months they have a holiday together on Nieu Island. There he proposes under the stars and in the location of his ancestors. </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(14 16 26 1)>Thus it is not only a story of how a controlling psychopath can manipulate an intelligent woman it is a story about the aftereffects on the woman the internal conflicts that develop the lack of trust in herself and loss of confidence. It shows however there is always hope.</span></p>