Proper nutrition and the implementation of the doctor's recommendations helped to quickly recover and return the voice. Six days later, only bruises, slight dizziness and fear of persecution remained from unpleasant events.

Lera had access to the library, so she spent time reading books, walking on the terrace and sleeping. I did not dare to go up to the second floor of the apartment.

In the morning Vlad offered to take a walk in the spring park. The sun timidly peeked out from behind the clouds for moments, rare gusts of wind brought a pleasant coolness, the aroma of ozone soothed.

They walked slowly along the outskirts of the park, where there was no hurry and race to solve problems, but only mothers with prams and pensioners walking their pets.

Lera furtively looked back. It was like she was checking to see if anyone was following her. A silk scarf on the throat, reliably concealed the traces of the incident. Vlad walked beside him, holding his hands in the pockets of his unbuttoned coat, and stared blankly at the trees.

“Dad called two days ago,” she broke the long pause and looked at the man. - I said that I went to Moscow with Timofey, - she continued, without waiting for a reaction.

- What is he? the man chuckled.

- He didn't like it. And he said that he was returning ... tomorrow.

- How long have you known Timothy? – among other things asked Vlad.

- Five years, probably already. Nikita introduced us.

- And how long has Nikita known him? – unobtrusively continued to be interested.

They were friends long before they met me. The common hobby is street racing. Yesterday, by the way, I corresponded with Tim. He worries, - involuntarily straightened her handkerchief.

- I remember when we talked on the phone, - he approached and hugged the girl by the waist, - you said that you would spend the eighth of March at home watching movies.

she held her breath for a moment, her body strangely reacting to the touch of a man who lives in a reliable world of his own, occasionally paying attention to others.

- I was sleeping when Tim called and insisted on coming. Like, stop sitting at home. Gave a book. HG Wells "War of the Worlds". In leather binding.

Vlad lowered his head and laughed softly.

- What's so funny? She frowned at the man.

“And Tim knows a lot about ridicule,” Bulatov answered quietly. – In this case, your unsteady world is at war with the criminal one. It's funny, of course, but...

- Come on, you, - crossed her arms over her chest, but did not escape from the embrace.

- At the end, this kid described the man that he hired him. Thin, tall, and with a scar from a burn on his left cheek, - tightening his grip on the waist, Vladislav said carelessly and looked at the girl carefully.

Lera slowed down, practically stopping. She turned pale, and in the next second her features hardened, and she clenched her fists. The rushing wind ruffled her short hair weakly.

- Yeah, well, say it, - he smiled, watching the reaction. Looks like Filin, doesn't it?

The girl threw back Vlad's hand and took two steps back.

“This is Voronov’s assistant and best friend,” she said with disgust.

- Let's go, girl, - he took out his phone and dialed someone's number. - We are on the outskirts near an abandoned cafe, drive up here.

Lera continued to stand, and wearily looked at Vladislav. He didn't just start this conversation. But the best friend, with whom many moments have been lived, cannot ... The man took her by the wrist and led her along.

- And this Tim ... wanted to take you home? He turned around and looked at the pale face.

- First a taxi, then a lift. But I myself refused all offers.

“Maybe for the better,” suggested Vlad, lowering his voice.

- What are you talking about? She tried to pull her hand away, but the grip was quite strong.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t trust this bartender so much,” he took a step and approached almost closely.

- Talk straight. Tim was involved in this? Valeria asked angrily.

- I'm not sure, but...

- Then, maybe Nikita is involved? She looked mockingly at the man.

- Do not interrupt! I do not presume to say anything, but these are strange coincidences. At your leisure, take a look at your surroundings.

Lera shook her head as if in denial.

"So you should be looking at it too?" – she said with a share of excitement in her voice.

Everything can be everything - a calm tone and an indifferent face. “Each of us can be anyone. Do not build illusions about true and devoted friends.

There was a noise and a massive SUV with tinted windows appeared, which smoothly stopped near them.

- Come on, I need to go to the office.

Vlad opened the back door of the car and, after waiting for Valeria to get inside, followed her.

The Rover stubbornly rushed forward, quickly passing the cars that got in the way. Evening radio subtly filled the silence, alternating between popular tracks and breaking news. Vladislav drove the car in a relaxed manner. The long silence of the girl gave the feeling that he was alone.

- How old are you? – she asked, turning off the annoying music.

- Lot. I am your father. Everything? continued to look at the road.

- And who did you study for?

“The economy you hate,” Vladislav chuckled. “Although that might be wrong. Forcing someone to master an uninteresting field of activity. Everyone should be in their place.

Valerie sighed tiredly and looked out the window.

- The faculty was chosen by the father. Nobody asked me.

Are you not considered at all? He looked observantly at the girl.

"Practically," she tried to answer nonchalantly. - Are you an only child?

Vlad nodded lazily.

- Do your parents live in this city?

A long pause sowed tension. The man hit the gas pedal and the car roared faster. He gripped the steering wheel so hard that his knuckles turned white.

- Mother died thirty years ago... Do you have any other questions?

It seemed to her that for a moment Bulatov's face was distorted by sadness.

- I'm sorry, - Lera quietly threw and straightened the skirts of her coat.

“Tell me about yours,” Vladislav picked up. Are your parents divorced? And you decided to live with your dad?

- Mother died in a car accident. I was fourteen, - said the first thing that came to mind, and breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that they were driving up to the right place.

stopped abruptly. Vlad quickly went out and went to his companion, who was already walking towards the entrance. He blocked her path, lightly took her forearms and pulled her towards him.

- Did you miss home? he whispered, touching his lips to her ear.

“Not really,” she answered sadly, inhaling the scent of his cologne.

In the next second, the man imperiously grabbed her by the chin, and boldly pressed his lips. Not expecting this, Lera did not immediately respond to the kiss. But after a moment, she enjoyed the bitter taste of his cigarettes on her lips. And thoughts quickly disappeared. She grabbed the lapels of his coat to get even closer, responding to the cheeky movements of the tongue.

He grabbed her waist and leaned forward, pressing her back against the car, his free hand tightly squeezing her neck. Lera let out a quiet groan, either from pleasure, or from a grip on a recently vulnerable spot. Vlad opened the car door by touch, regretting that he had brought the girl home.

- Lera? And what is happening? An angry voice came from behind.

They quickly looked towards the confused man. Aleksey stood a meter away from them, holding two bags of groceries in his hands, and looked dumbfounded at what was happening.

- Dad? – licked her lips and instantly pushed Vlad away. - You should be back tomorrow.

- Super, - Bulatov laughed barely audibly.

- So, in Moscow with Timofey, right? - the jaws played on the cheekbones. - Grab your groceries and go home immediately!

- No, I...

- Listen to dad, girl, - Vlad lightly touched her back, pushing her towards her father.

silently, took the packages and went to the entrance. She looked around and looked at the men with a confused look. Vlad tilted his head, and looking at her playfully, ran his tongue from the inside along his lower lip. Alexis took a deep breath and looked at her from under her brows.

- Go! – shouted and waited until the door slammed shut. “Never come close to her again,” he hissed, looking at Bulatov with hatred.