I stretch my lips into a smile and quickly open the car door, swiftly jump into the seat, and buckle up.
" Hello, Dad, " I lean in and kiss my father on the cheek. " Yeah, I decided to take a walk after work.
My father turns off the hazard lights and merges into the flow of traffic. The street here is narrow, everyone is moving like turtles, giving him the opportunity to glance attentively at my face.
" Daughter, he chuckles afterward. " What brings you all the way here? You work on the other side of the city, don’t you? At that new Audi dealership, if I remember right."
Damn. I completely forgot to tell my parents this news.
" Um, yes, you're right. But I don't work there anymore, " I throw a cautious glance at my dad, and continue. " Khmylievych's partner urgently needed a lawyer because he's planning an expansion. And Khmylievych, you know, has a larger staff, so they offered me a position."
I hold my breath, hoping my voice didn't betray me and that Dad would swallow this half-truth.
" And you agreed, " he states in a strange tone.
" Yes, I agreed.
Dad is silent, thoughtfully pondering the information heard while watching the road. Then he changes the topic.
" Maybe you'll come over to our place? Mom's cooking your favorite Tuscan sauce chicken for dinner.
" Mm..., sounds delicious, " I smile. " Of course, I'd love to.
Lucky for me, we proceed with more neutral topics. Soon, Dad parks the car at my parents’ place, and within a few minutes, we both enter the hallway.
My mom was always a great cook, but today, she seems to have outdone herself - the aroma in the apartment is so enticing, I almost choke on my own saliva.
" Tolya, are you here? " I hear Mom's voice from the kitchen, and a second later, she emerges.
" Oh, darling. What a pleasant surprise, " after such unsettling news, a wide smile on her face and joy in her eyes really warmed my heart.
" Hello, Mom, " I say, hugging and kissing her on the cheek. I definitely need to come to visit more often.
Mom immediately starts running around, takes my coat, and heads to the kitchen to set the table. I relax and feel warmer inside.
Dinner with parents, the atmosphere is wonderful and so homely. I briefly tell Mom the same tale about my transfer that I told Dad. I notice their brief, furtive glances at each other. I understand that something is going on, something they clearly hesitate to tell me. Eventually, I can't stand it.
" Is there anything you want to tell me? " I raise an eyebrow and shoot glances at each of them in turn.
Silent. Weighing. Thinking. Finally, Dad says:
" Well, daughter, here’s the thing... Hmm. I've decided to step back from business.
For a moment, I seemed to have stopped breathing. My father has always been so lively, and even at sixty-five, he can outpace many thirty-year-olds. So why this sudden desire to end his career?
" Tell me honestly, " health problems? " I ask tensely, damn scared to hear the answer.
" No, no, how could you think that? " They both relax, and a weight lifts from my shoulders.
" Then why? " I widen my eyes. Knowing Dad, such a decision seems, to say the least, illogical.
" Your mom and I decided to live a bit more for ourselves. For starters, to see the world. Our first plan is a round-the-world trip. We've long wanted to live in Thailand or Malaysia, or even try something more exotic. Who knows, maybe we'll like it in Bali?
Dad excitedly goes on talking about their plans, and I feel floored by the news.
" Parents, " I say hoarsely, then clear my throat. " And what brought you to such a crazy idea? Did you join a cult or something?
Mom starts to laugh sheepishly, while Dad, on the other hand, smiles confidently and broadly.
" Sweetie, we understand that this news is… well, to put it mildly, unusual and uncommon, but if not now, then when can we finally make our dreams come true. Especially since the company runs like clockwork. My deputy isn't a stranger. He's the son of our close friends and, incidentally, partners. So I won't need to worry. Ihor will handle it masterfully; it’s his business as well. " Dad's arguments fit together like a puzzle.
" Of course, we would be glad if things also worked out between you and Ihor, " Mom starts, but meets my warning glance, knowing this discussion always ends the same. " However, you've made it clear that you don't see Ihor as your partner. Well. Can't force the beloved, can we? " she conciliates, raising her hands up. " You've been an adult for a long time, so we'll accept whoever your choice may be.
" Hmm. Thank you, " I say softly. Then I remember that summer is not the best time for a vacation in that part of the world, with the rainy season just around the corner. " So, when do you plan to go?
" In April, " Mom says. " And we'll start with Turkey. Dad was offered a wonderful villa in Kusadasi, on the Aegean coast. We'll live there a month or two, then we'll see. If we like it, we might stay for the entire summer, although I would also like to spend some time in Bodrum and Marmaris… " Mom continues with enthusiasm in her voice. " And for September-October, Dad wants a villa in Egypt. I honestly can't imagine what it will be like there because we're used to staying in hotels.
" Mom, " I can't help myself. " You don't think it will be any easier than Thailand or Malaysia? " I skeptically squint, because Mom is indeed accustomed to comfort. It seems my parents haven't fully understood yet what they are signing up for.
" Daughter, of course, I understand. But we'll see how it goes, " Mom chirps happily, and I realize that it might be best to drop the idea of dissuading them.
Well, I'll support them in any endeavor. After all my troublemaking after finishing university, they didn't turn away from me. Although they could have, God knows.
" I'm happy for you, my dear ones, " I say sincerely and get up from the chair. " Well. I should probably head back to my place. Today was my first day at the new job, and it was quite busy. Need a good rest.
" Of course, " Dad insists on dropping me off, but I refuse. Instead, I called a taxi.
After a while, I say goodbye to my parents and head downstairs to the waiting car. I arrive at my apartment, take a shower, and surprisingly quickly fall asleep. Maybe from fatigue, or maybe from the overload of groundbreaking news received today. Who knows.
The next workday passes tolerably. Luckily, the boss wasn't in the office, but he was instructed to rearrange it for two workers. As a result, an additional desk appeared, and I didn't have to sit opposite Zlata all day.
And the next day I even got to be on my own, since Makarenko apparently decided to skip work.
My boss didn't, spending the whole day in his office, making me nervous and twitchy at nearly every squeak. The intense feelings after the last kiss and those confessions make my heart clench now, and my thoughts stray in a forbidden direction. But I've decided for myself that I'm not ready for new relationships now.
Although Polyansky still strongly stimulates all my receptors, and even more so my wild imagination. But the decision is made. And deep down, I believe I'm doing the right thing because I feel I need time: both to recover from a year and half-relationships and to digest and come to terms with the recent bad news.
So time is what I need. And distance. Yes. Because it seems, despite my will, my resolve is slipping.
The tension lasts for a week. I try to limit my communication with Polyansky to the maximum. To put it mildly - In fact, I'm avoiding him with all my might. Until today.
This morning I was one of the first to arrive at work. I hardly enter my office when the door immediately opens behind me, and the very cause of my strained nerves appears in the doorway.
" Milana, you're already here. Great. Come in. It’s urgent, " he says in a tone too serious, making a myriad of shivers run down my spine.
I don't have time to react or respond as the door shuts. So I dropped my case of documents on the desk and resignedly headed to the exit, trying to calm my wildly beating heart.