CHAPTER 2

In the morning I didn't feel very well. Still, the body weaned from the previous regime. In the summer I could afford to sleep for six or even eight hours.

Not making out the road, with half-closed eyes went to the bathroom. The contrast shower did its job, and I more or less felt like a man.

Sonya was already cooking for us in the kitchen. Sonya and I almost always had breakfast together. The thing is that Vasya was an owl by nature and always preferred to spend an extra half an hour sleeping than eating. Which made her even more like this nocturnal bird. Especially that because of the habit of sleeping longer, she was often late, and then ran around the apartment, her eyes bulging. Despite the fact that the girls are twins, they are very different. Sonya always gets up before all of us, and Vasya, on the contrary, likes to sleep longer. Sonya loves to draw and studies languages. Vasya is more active. She is engaged in different types of wrestling, from boxing to karate. She has never trained for a medal or a title, she is looking for the sport that she likes best.

After breakfast, Sonya and I went to get ready, and at that time, curses and clatter began to be heard from Vasya's room, and objects were heard falling. Sonya at that moment was walking from the bathroom to her room, we smiled at each other and continued to get ready. Here is our typical morning. And then a different road: I go to the university, and the girls go to school.

I got off the bus and headed towards the university. On the approach, she saw her friend and hurried to catch up with her.

- Hey. I'm sorry I didn't come yesterday - I was a little ashamed in front of her.

- Hey. Never mind. Do not mind it. I understand. It's a pity you couldn't come. The guys really cool yesterday lit the crowd.

Olya continued to talk about yesterday's concert. I listened to her and did not look around at all, but in vain. I didn't notice how I hit my forehead against the wall. She opened her eyes and realized that the “wall” was wearing clothes.

- Oh, sorry, I accidentally - I was not dexterous. A friend's chuckle was heard nearby. Traitor.

“Come on, it happens,” the “wall” grunted.

And then I looked up at the owner of a gorgeous voice. It was yesterday's guy from the parking lot. Looking into his blue eyes, she could barely breathe.

“Um… It’s time for us to have a couple,” Olya said quietly, and this brought me to my senses… Well, almost…

Yes, we have to go. Sorry again, she whispered.

Olya grabbed my hand and dragged me towards the right audience.

I spent the whole day in prostration. I saw this guy several times in the corridor, but I tried not to cross paths on purpose. Olya repeatedly tried to ask me about the handsome man, but I changed the subject. Too bad you can't just change your mind.

Heading towards the stop, I again saw that company. But the guy who so easily settled in my thoughts was not with them.

As soon as I approached the bus stop, I heard the sound of the engine, so powerful that everything inside trembled. A black sports bike drove up to the resignation and stopped in front of me.

"Hey, pretty," the man on the motorcycle said. His face was hidden by a helmet, and I felt uncomfortable. Then I decided that, most likely, he was addressing someone behind my back and decided to step aside so as not to interfere with the conversation. At that moment, the man took off his helmet and I recognized him as the guy from the parking lot. He smiled cheerfully at me. - Give me a ride?

- Um ... - I couldn’t find an answer, all I could do was nervously adjust the straps of my backpack. - Hey. No thanks.

- Do not be afraid. I'm a careful driver.” He smiled so fervently. It's impossible not to smile back. — Where do you want to go?

- The restaurant "Scarlet Sails" on Pushkinskaya, - she said uncertainly. After all, I doubted whether it was worth going with a stranger at all, and even on a motorcycle.

- I know. Do you have a meeting there? He looked at me strangely, which made me a little confused.

“Um… No. I work there as a waitress - I was never shy about my work. On the contrary, I was even proud that I managed to get a job in such a good institution.

- Fine. Then we’ll have a bite to eat on the way,” he gave me his hand so that I could sit behind him. “Be braver, pretty girl. I'm terribly hungry. Don’t make me suffer,” he made a sad expression, but looking at my surprise, he laughed. By the way, my name is Max.

I reached out my hand to get on the motorcycle as the man suddenly frowned. And I got lost again. Did he really decide to play me like that?

“That won’t do.” He took off his helmet, put it on me and fastened it himself. By the way, do you know that you are not polite?

I stood, blinking my eyes from everything that was happening around. Some theater of the absurd.

- What? Why? - I did not understand when I managed to offend him.

- How is that why? You didn't even give your name! He tried to be serious, but his lips twitched in a smile.

I couldn't help but laugh.

- Sorry. My name is Yesenia,” she extended her hand for a shake, but he suddenly grabbed it and raised it to his lips, leaving a light kiss on the knuckles, while constantly looking into my eyes.

It even seemed to me that I had run out of air in my lungs.

“Very nice, Yesenia,” he said my name as if it were a dessert. - Come on, jump in. I'm still hungry.

Leaning on Maxim's arm, I got on the motorcycle.

“Hold on tight,” the guy said, turning slightly towards me.

I was confused, not understanding what I should hold on to, where are the handles for passengers. Max chuckled, looking at my search, intercepted his hands and put them on his stomach. And my breath caught... Again.

- Like this. Hold on tight.” He smiled. And already quieter, as if for himself he added - This is the place for them.

I ignored his strange mumbling.

We slowly set off from the stop and drove towards the restaurant, but turned off halfway and drove off, slightly winding the yards.

Maxim was indeed a careful driver. It's like wings spread out behind me. There was such an amazing feeling of flying that I wanted to spread my arms and scream from an overabundance of feelings.

I was so carried away by the trip that I did not notice how we drove up to a small cafe. Maxim stopped the motorcycle in the parking lot and again gave me his hand. With his help, I got off the bike and wanted to take off the helmet myself. Not small. But I couldn't figure out the clasp. Maxim laughed and grabbed my hands.

“Let me.” He deftly unfastened the clasp and helped to remove the helmet. And I was bursting with an overabundance of feelings. - Well, how? I understand this was your first motorcycle ride.

- Oh, that's amazing. I have no words to describe the emotions. It's… it's… Like a flight… Can't be described in words… — I said some nonsense and actively gesticulated with my hands, trying to convey to him the whole range of my emotions with gestures.

“I understand,” Maxim never stopped smiling, took my hand and led me towards the cafe. - I understand you very well. When I first got on the bike, I felt the same way.

He opened the door, letting me in ahead. The cafe was not big, but very cozy. Panoramic windows, beautiful decor elements. Everything was simple, but at the same time very stylish and comfortable.

“Good afternoon, Maxim Yuryevich,” the administrator approached us with a smile on duty, too strained, as it seemed to me.

- Good, Victor, - with the advent of the administrator, Maxim has changed. That playful smile was gone, as if he had become a few years older. Now in front of me was a serious man, with a sharp look. Only one thing has not changed - he still firmly held my hand.

We walked past the administrator and sat down at a table that was in the very corner and was visually fenced off from other tables, but most importantly, it was located near the panoramic window.

- Hello, Maxim Yuryevich. A waitress approached us. She looked somewhat nervous and twitchy, but she tried very hard to hide it.

- Hello, Maria, - Maxim also noticed the condition of the girl. - Are you alright?

- What? Yes, yes, don't worry. your menu. I'll be back in a couple of minutes to take my order," and she quickly moved away from our table.

At that moment, I noticed how the administrator was looking at me. It was like I was a product in a store and he was a picky shopper. From this look, I felt terrified and goosebumps ran through my body. Waitress Masha walked past him, he frowned and followed her deeper into the room.

I returned my attention to Maxim, it turns out all this time, he was considering me. And it was not the way the administrator did it. His gaze was gentle, he looked at something beautiful. I felt hot from his gaze, I acutely felt how not only my cheeks, but also my ears were burning.

“It’s very cozy here,” I decided to distract him with a conversation so that he would stop looking at me like that.

He looked around as if he had just noticed where we were.

- Yes you are right. What will you do? He began looking at the menu. I decided to follow his example. Prices here were not as high as in Scarlet Sails.

But before the start of the school year, I decided that this year I should be as economical as possible: the girls turn eighteen, the graduation class - this year we will have big expenses. Therefore, I made the order as cheaply as possible.

— I'll have a coffee with milk and a chicken sandwich.

Maxim looked at me seriously and very attentively, as if deciding something for himself. At that moment, Masha approached us.

- Have you placed an order? This time she was pale and her hands were trembling.

- Yes. We have two portions of roast, two Caesar salads, two coffees, one black second with milk and one dessert of the day - all this Maxim said again in that official tone.

- All right, Maxim Yuryevich, - the girl left, lowering her head low.

I looked at Maxim with wide eyes.

- What? He smiled playfully, and I blushed again. It seems to me that next to him it will soon become my permanent state.

“I told you I’d only have coffee.” Despite my embarrassment, I didn’t really like his behavior.

- You sing, period, - suddenly Maxim leaned over the table, so he became even closer to me. The look became prickly and attentive. "Did you think I'd let you pay?"

From the change in his mood - I was confused. Moreover, he was completely right.

“Um… Well, yeah.” I looked down at my hands.

“So that I don’t hear such things from you anymore,” Maxim spoke sternly, I would even say harshly.

I was taken aback by the change in his mood.

At that moment the waitress brought the order. And as if she felt a tense atmosphere at our table, she quickly arranged the plates and left.

“Eat.” He pushed a plate of roast towards me.

I was ashamed to look Maxim in the eye. I saw how tightly he gripped the fork. At that moment, I realized that I was with a strange man in an unfamiliar area. I got scared. I lost my appetite completely, and all I did was spread food on plates. From the outside, I probably looked like a preschooler whom a parent cannot force to eat.

The dessert turned out to be a cake, it looked very tasty, but the crumb didn’t go down my throat. I thought about the strange behavior of Maxim. About the change in his mood, that he scares me. And maybe the waitress was afraid of him.

Dinner passed in silence. Maxim ate everything he ordered. I hardly touched the food. The tense atmosphere weighed on me. In complete silence, Maxim paid the bill, and we went out into the street where his motorcycle was parked. I noticed that there were two guys standing near his bike, also on motorcycles.

“Maxim,” he turned around, and for the first time during our dinner I looked into his eyes. They were all just as cold. “I should probably go to work. Thank you for everything.” At that moment, he took a sharp step towards me. Everything inside trembled with fear. I thought he was about to hit me. I couldn't stand it. Out of fear, I turned around and ran away from this cafe. Never again will I go anywhere with a stranger.

- Sen! “I heard that he was a testament to me, but I ignored him. - Heck! Bitch! - Maxim hit something, a noise was heard. - Let go! he shouted at one of the guys in the parking lot.

I ran without looking at the road, the main thing is as quickly as possible. Tears flowed from fear. I ran through some courtyards and did not notice how I jumped out onto the main street. There was a restaurant nearby, where I was already late.

I ran towards work as if someone was chasing me. Of course, I also flew into the restaurant without slowing down.

- God, Senechka! What happened to you? Irina Igorevna ran up to me. - What happened?

Imagine how I am now standing in front of her. All disheveled, and even with traces of tears.

“Sorry, I’m late,” added a sense of shame to my fear in front of the manager. I have never been late for work.

- Did someone offend you? - she ignored my apologies, gently taking me by the elbow, led me towards the office.

- Not. Nobody offended me. I'm fine. Now I’ll put myself in order, change clothes and go out into the hall, ”I tried to speak evenly, without showing my emotions.

"Can you take a day off today?" Will you go home and rest? - Irina Igorevna's offer was tempting, but the girls were at home. I didn't want to worry them. And they will definitely notice my condition.

- Not. Everything is good. I'll work today.

“All right,” she said with great hesitation.

As soon as the manager left, I began to put myself in order. Well, looking at myself in the mirror, I understood Irina Igorevna's doubts about my adequacy. The cold water more or less cleared my face. She combed her hair with difficulty and tied it in a bun at the top of her head.

She quickly changed into her uniform and went out into the hall. For some reason, I immediately drew attention to Semyon Mikhailovich. I didn't notice him when I entered the restaurant. He was talking to someone on the phone and carefully examined me, clearly noticing both reddened eyes and a depressed mood. I nodded at him in greeting. He did the same, continuing to examine me carefully, while talking to someone on the phone. I could see from his expression that he was angry.

I did not become obsessed with the bosses and got to work. And when the working day was over, I went to change. And only then I was able to exhale freely. Finally, the shift is over, and this hard day has come to an end.

Already at home, I remembered this handsome young man. Being next to him - you feel under reliable protection. But at the same time, the strangeness in his behavior frightened me. I wonder why he invited me to a cafe? With these thoughts, I fell asleep.