“Drink slowly,” came the low, rough voice of the bartender. - And then Alexei will yell at you again.

“He left and is unlikely to return today,” the girl said quietly, rubbing her temples.

Where does he go so often? - pushed the bottle away, and put before Lera a plate with various sliced ​​crescent-shaped fruits.

- He doesn't say anything, but he's not up to me now. Yes, and it has always been so, - she looked at Timofey with annoyance. - I think that his fatherly love is a sham. It's like he's trying to convince himself.

- Don't talk like that, - he turned to look at something in the laptop, which was standing on the tabletop to the left. I think he's a good dad.

- When there is a third person nearby. Tim, I'm serious. Remember that university bullshit. I went where I was, in fact, ordered. I hate this damn specialty, fucking economics, - Lera took off her jacket, remaining in a black T-shirt with a white print in the form of a skull.

You still don't go to uni. And I think you've had enough already - said Timothy, taking the bottle and a glass, and put a plate of fruit closer. - Eat. And I'll make you coffee.

Lera leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. She waited for coffee and already wanted to take a sip, as the calmness of the bar was broken by the sonorous laughter of restless men.

"Damn it, can you just shut up...

She shouted, turning to the company of merry fellows, but something else attracted her attention:

- What is it? – the girl narrowed her eyes.

- Where? Timothy looked around the room.

Vlad was sitting at a table by the window, on a soft sofa. Opposite him was a red-haired woman. He drank coffee, and his companion drank red wine. The redhead sat in a relaxed pose, but listened carefully to everything the man said.

Vlad looked at her intently and, as if, minted every word. A woman, about his age, dressed in a red dress with a defiant neckline, straightened her long hair for a moment and stroked Vlad's hand.

- Well, you bitch!

Valeria took off and quickly walked towards the seen couple.

- Ler, do not do stupid things - Timofey threw after him.

The girl instantly overcame the distance and approached Vlad, leaning her palms on the table, slightly leaning on the surface. The man didn't even look at her.

- How was your trip? Successfully? she asked mockingly.

- Quite, - Vlad answered in a serious voice, leaned back on the back of the sofa and looked at Valeria carefully.

- And this one, - Lera pointed to the red-haired woman, - for sale?

Vlad smiled slightly and calmly took a sip of coffee. The people in the room began to look at each other.

- What? – the woman was indignant. - Vladislavchik, who is this anyway?

- Yeah, - Lera measured her opponent with a look. - So, Vladislavchik? Tin. And this whore...

- Have a nice evening. I beg your pardon, Timothy ran up and pulled Valeria away from the table. - Stop immediately! – hissed through her teeth in her ear.

- Let go, - the girl tried to escape from the grip, but Tim held her tightly by the shoulders, hurriedly leading her to a place at the counter.

- Hey, girl, you wanted to show us something, - one of the cheerful company of men responded, blocking the way.

"Shut up," Timothy growled. “And be quiet, or I’ll put everyone the fuck out of here!”

Without waiting for the visitor's reaction, the bartender with lightning speed led the girl to the countertop and forcibly seated her in place. He himself went behind the bar and poured himself a shot of whiskey.

- And yet, I had no doubt that the scandal is your element, - the man destroyed the silent scene, draining the glass. - I won't give you more. You have bad genes.

- But after all ... This goat called me a couple of days ago, - the girl turned a cup of coffee in her hands, ignoring the barbs addressed to her. “He said he wanted to see me. He promised that as soon as he returned to the city, the first thing he would do was ... call, - she uttered the last word almost silently.

- Calm down and forget. It’s better not to mess with him, - Timofey gently looked at his girlfriend. - You are a great girl, although a provocateur, - he smiled, - but you may meet ...

- Why, Tim? – angrily interrupted the man, throwing the cup on the edge of the countertop.

- Hush you, - he deftly caught the vessel, which miraculously did not break.

Why not contact him? - the girl did not hide the growing irritation.

“Because you don’t get along with bandits,” the man glanced at Vlad. - Of course, you met romantically ...

- Maybe you're right, - Lera hastily threw on a jacket. “Sorry, I should probably go home.

- Wait. I'll call a taxi, - the man grabbed the phone.

- No, it doesn `t need.

- Then let's take you, - immediately offered Tim. - Let's do now…

- Thank you for everything, - the girl threw his gift into her backpack, - but I want to go for a walk. Do not worry.

- Okay. Call, if anything, - Timofey winked at Lera.

Friends said goodbye, and the girl left the institution in the blink of an eye. The city was covered with a foggy night. The wind and rain subsided, but this did not create excellent conditions for walking. The girl buttoned her jacket and straightened her backpack, walked towards the house.

She felt like she needed to be alone for a while. I needed silence and my own, confused from alcohol, thoughts. Distracted and fearless, she slowly wandered through the puddles, enjoying the loneliness and coolness.

Occasionally cars passed by. Peering into the black asphalt, she stopped noticing what was happening around.

A heavy hand on his shoulder, a sharp turn and pain from a crack pierced his temple. Valeria did not have time to understand what was happening, as the second blow followed. The palms slammed into the cold concrete of the building wall.

Raising her head, she saw a man who was standing near the entrance.

The most severe dizziness and disorientation ruled out any resistance. She stood only thanks to the wall, which served as a support. The stranger roughly knocked Leroux to the ground and gloved hands tightly clasped around her neck.

Voronov says hello, - he said maliciously, clearly enjoying every word and his own actions.

Instantly everything became clear. Sitting in prison, the bandit did not waste time in vain.

The girl fought back until the man grabbed her hands and continued to choke her with one hand. She managed to grab some air, but it wasn't enough. The count went on for seconds, and each of them took a drop of life. My throat was numb, tears came to my eyes. His heart was pounding fanatically, and the burning sensation in his chest ignited his entire body. Lera stopped trying to escape and closed her eyes ...

The silence was broken by a shot.

The onslaught of strong hands disappeared. The man fell on his side and grabbed his shoulder. The man came close and fired again, firing the bullet as close as possible to the first wound. The man cursed as blood flooded the asphalt and soaked his glove.

Vlad impartially pressed his foot on his shoulder, which was burning with pain, the wounded man roared and coughed, losing consciousness.

Lera opened her eyes. Her head was spinning, her ears were stuffed up, her throat was still burning, but most importantly, now she was breathing. The girl greedily grabbed the air, inhaling loudly in large portions, as if every breath would be the last. The frantic rhythm of the heart was pounding in the ears, the pulse was felt even at the tips of the fingers.

- Lera! – I heard a famous voice from afar.

Vlad fell to his knees and bent over the girl, carefully examining and lightly touching her cheek. On, quite often, the impassive face of the man alternately read concern, then anger. There were bruises on the girl's neck. Tears froze in her eyes, Valeria trembled, but sincerely enjoyed her breath.