- Nothing interesting. I'll tell you later.

- Please, your order. Paella with shrimp and chicken, - the waiter arrived in time.

Alexey hurried to order wine and, having accepted a new order, the boy politely left.

- You forbade me to drink, - she involuntarily grinned.

- Yes, Lera, I know - the shadow of a smile touched his lips. - You can have a drink with me.

Seeing that the man began to eat, Valeria followed his example.

- What about the university? Alex broke the silence. “Your supervisor called me. You're ignoring classes again.

- Oh, you heard something about the new owner of the restaurant? - Changed the subject instantly.

- Lera!

- Please, your wine...

- Thank you, then we ourselves, - Alexei rudely sent the waiter, taking the bottle and the corkscrew, and began to open it with nervous movements.

"Come on," the girl said softly. Just don't answer the calls.

The man finished pouring the wine, and looked at Valeria intently, putting the bottle on the table. The girl always brought his patience to the edge. Most often, clarification of a particular issue quickly developed into a scandal.

"This is your opportunity to find a job." Dark green eyes seemed to be scanning her. – You methodically skip all the lectures and practice.

- I know. But I will be provided by a man, - she said, taking a sip of a dark red liquid. - I wanted to enter another faculty. So that…

- Good. You will be provided. Don't tell me it's that idiot Andrey who...

"Enough," the girl interrupted excitedly.

- Enough... Could you have said earlier that you were being beaten? You are a disgrace! Silently moved out of the apartment. Lied that...

- Drink your wine!

Frowning displeasedly, Alexei reached for his glass and drank almost half of the contents in one gulp. The drink didn't taste good. So many years have passed, but he never managed to find a common language with his daughter. It is impossible to reach her. Or there was little effort on his part.

- Okay. I'm sorry, - Lera said, returning to the meal.

“You have plenty of time to study until you get involved with another bastard again…”

“Enough already,” Lera interrupted gently.

Alexei snorted and continued to eat. Lera looked around, studying the guests of the restaurant with her eyes. She looked at her father again, catching a depressing look, and reached for a glass of wine.

- How can I meet someone if I sit in a room for days and study lectures? Valeria asked, playing with the liquid, the color of blood.

- He himself will meet you somewhere, - the man quickly answered, taking the glass from her. - Do you want to order anything else?

“Order dessert,” she said indifferently.

A man in a black suit walked into the restaurant. Carefully looking around the expanses of the room, he nodded to someone with a half smile, in response to a greeting, and went on. Going behind the bar counter, he looked around again and this time his gaze settled on a dark-haired girl.

Vlad was pleased to recognize the thin figure.

Well, hello, Valeria, - the man whispered.

He took a glass and went to the shelf with a drink. He poured whiskey from the first bottle he came across. Slowly, he took a few sips. Cool poison burned the throat and warmed the body.

Now she looked much more attractive. Saturated make-up, a face without bruises, a black dress fitted a slender figure. Taking a new sip, did not lose sight of her.

“Her name is Valeria,” a waiter whispered behind her. They ordered dessert and asked for the bill.

- I know the name, - answered Vlad, pouring a new portion of whiskey. - And not only.

I watched as the brunette man nervously answered the phone. Turned it off after half a minute, rudely hurrying Leroux. He quickly stuffed the bills into a leather envelope with a check. And as if by force he took the girl with him.

Vlad knocked over a glass of whiskey and hurried after them. Quietly opened the heavy glass door. He picked up the handkerchief that lay on the steps and followed him. The brunette ordered Lera to wait for a taxi and got into the car, hurriedly leaving for a dark street.

Wrapped up in her coat, the girl looked around sadly. She turned around and walked past the parked cars.

“Girl, you dropped it,” the man said loudly, approaching from behind.

Valerie turned around. A tall man stood a meter away from her. Dark eyes gazed at her with glee. The wind ruffled the edges of the jacket, revealing the light fabric of the shirt. In his hands he held her burgundy handkerchief.

She smiled faintly as she recognized the grim man who had once helped her.

- Do you remember me? – playfully asked a question.

"Yes," she answered hoarsely.

He impressively reduced the distance, typing a step in the silence of the night.

- Vlad, - the girl hastened to add.

The man finally approached, grabbed her wrist and handed her a handkerchief. He was too close and too brazen, and Lera backed away, freeing herself from a light grip.

Bright lighting made it possible to see a person. The first thing that caught my eye at such a close distance was the scar on my throat. Thin, across the throat. He did not look ugly, and the girl even found in this some kind of decoration for a friend.

His cheekbones are pronounced, as if carved. The low-set eyebrows gave an ominous impression of the person opposite.

- Good to see you, - Vlad approached again. - You look good.

The man slowly ran his fingers along Valerie's cheek. Smooth, snow-white skin took a cold touch. The girl didn't move away, but tensed.

- Plans? Vlad asked, hiding his hands in his jacket pockets.

Straight back, broad shoulders, piercing gaze. He had a rather attractive appearance. Charisma forced to back away, but not to look away.

- Now the taxi will arrive, - she turned around, looking out for the car.

- To hell with a taxi. I'll take you.

It sounded like a firm intention, not a question or a suggestion. The man, in his own way, hugged her around the waist, and directed her towards the car. The girl hastily took the passenger seat. Instantly, he walked around the car and got behind the wheel. Carefully drove out onto the road.

- Nostalgia? she said softly.

- That time it was different.

The car picked up speed quickly.

“At that time,” he continued, “you were afraid that I would shoot you at any moment, or the car would turn into the forest,” the same impudent smirk on his lips.

Lera grinned, resurrecting that night in her memory. It was not she who was afraid, but his behavior was clearly threatening. Although it was more bullying than intent to cause harm.

- The address is the same? – he asked, driving up to the desired turn.

- Yes.

- What about that duck? I heard he was in prison, - Vlad asked.

"He's still there," she fidgeted and averted her gaze.

The man smoothly turned the steering wheel to the right, re-accelerating the car. He carefully looked at the road, deftly drove the car, and only occasionally a slight smile slipped on his face.

- You're the new owner, right?

He looked at the girl for the first time.

- That's right, - he returned his attention to the road. - Selling cheap. Picked up the network on the verge of bankruptcy. It turned out to quickly correct the situation.

It was hot in the car. Easily unbuttoning all the buttons, the girl took off her coat and threw it into the back seat. Leaning back in his chair, the man sideways watched her actions. A black leather sleeveless dress made it possible to fully appreciate the figure. Everything is just as slim and refined. For a moment, Vlad changed his mind about taking the girl home, wanting to stop the car on the side of the road and ...

- Is this your main occupation? Catering business? – Lera asked, what knocked the man out of obscene thoughts.

"No," he said curtly.

- What else do you do?

“I trade in people,” came the answer, without a hint of a joke.