Milana
A freezing stare in his blue eyes. He smiles crookedly, wishes a good evening, turns around, and leaves. And I feel terrible, as if I hurt him badly. I bite my lip, and for the first time, a heavy, dragging feeling appears in my chest.
The next day, I arrived at the office much earlier. To do this, I had to wake up at dawn. I decided I want to look perfect for my first day of work, or rather for my own confidence after yesterday’s not-so-great farewell with Andriy. Who knows.
So, I style my light hair into bouncy curls, put on a cream-colored dress with a V-neck that perfectly accentuates my bust, and apply neat makeup.
When I enter the office, I immediately head to the reception. I leave my purse there and knock briefly on the boss's office. I hear permission to enter and open the door.
" Good morning, " I say, not noticing at first that Andriy is sitting on the sofa, not at the table. Today, he clearly arrived even earlier than I did. Two cups of coffee are already on the table, their aroma tickling my nostrils.
" Good morning, " he replies and gestures to the seat opposite. " Sit down. Got you a coffee. I hope you have nothing against a double espresso?
He waits. And his gaze is piercing, like he’s trying to peek right into my soul. After yesterday's cold farewell, I can't refuse, especially because the ice in his usually warm turquoise glance hits too painfully. So, I sit down in the soft chair opposite and take the cup in my hands."
Thank you.
I take a sip, and he still scans me for a moment. Then he says:
" Today you'll meet the colleagues and my deputy, Lukash." Then, after a pause, he adds: " I want to hear your personal impression of each of them. You know, after so many years of working together, I tend to view my colleagues through a certain subjective lens.
" I understand.
" Besides, you have extensive experience working with people, so... Hmm. I'm counting on it.
After these words and his belief in my capabilities, I feel the warmth slowly fill my chest, and my pulse quickens. An unexpected desire to touch his hand, to cover it with my delicate one, "is unbearably strong. But instead, I just grip the coffee cup with my fingers even tighter.
" Of course. I hope not to disappoint, " I flutter my eyelashes.
Unexpectedly, there's a knock at the door, and Andriy allows the visitor to enter. The door opens, and a handsome blond man walks into the office. His green eyes scan the room attentively, and then, noticing Poliansky, a wide smile spreads across his face. Afterward, his oak leaf-colored eyes settled on me. He surveys me with a curious glance.
" Lukash, hello. Meet my secretary, "Milana Kraievska. Milana, my deputy"Lukash Voitsekh.
Lukash smiles and approaches me, extending his hand. I smile involuntarily and briefly shake his firm hand in response.
" Pleased to meet you, " he switches to Ukrainian, matching the boss's tone, and sits down in the nearby chair. " Are you staying longer this time? " he shifts his gaze to Poliansky.
" Not as long as I would like, " Andriy chuckles. From the manner of their conversation, I understand that these two get along well." I’m here this week, then Milana and I are traveling to Wrocław and Warsaw, and after that, I'll allocate more time to Kraków.
" I see. Well, glad to hear that you'll be staying for some time, buddy." He broadly smiles and adds, " By the way, I want to remind you that the upcoming tenth anniversary of the company's founding is approaching.
" Yes, I remember, " my boss chuckles.
" We haven't had the chance to discuss it yet, but I thought you wouldn't mind if I assigned Anna the task of finding an optimal venue for the celebration.
" No, on the contrary. That’s very good. Have her call Milana when she has options, "she will fit her into my schedule.
The last phrase cuts through my ears, since I completely forgot that managing his schedule would now also be part of my duties. I quickly remove the surprised expression and nod in agreement. Then Lukash starts asking Andriy about non-work-related matters, and I realize that it’s the right moment to finally move towards my workstation.
So, I rise from my chair and stretch my lips into a professional, polite smile:
" If I'm no longer needed, then I'll go, " I see Andriy nodding and heading towards the exit. On the way, I notice how Lukash's evaluative glance slides up and down on me. However, he quickly removes the curious expression from his face and glances down at his watch. As I close the door, I hear Lukash behind me.
" I'll go too. Got loads of work today. "
I sit at my desk and turn on the computer as the deputy of my boss exits the room.
Andriy
I clearly see THE look Lukash gave Milana. I just clench my jaw tighter. Because that look is too familiar to me. He definitely has a new target. But beat it, buddy. She is mine.
Images from our childhood flash before my eyes, then our student years. Our parents were close friends, and Lukash was always like a brother to me. There was never any rivalry between us. Especially regarding women. But not this time. And maybe it’s best I tell him right away.
I hear muffled voices from beyond the door. So my guesses are correct, and he definitely has his eye on Milana. This sly devil didn't go about his business but is instead sharpening his knives in the reception with my secretary. I'm irritated. And my legs already carry me in their direction.
Milana
The sound of doors abruptly opening cuts through the hearing. I turn my head.
" Oh, buddy, you're still here? " Andriy throws a chilling tone and arches his brow suggestively, his gaze piercing into Lukash. " I thought you were in a hurry."
The burly blond apparently recognizes these hints right away but just grins.
" Oh, really? " I'm amazed.
Meanwhile, the boss leans against the doorframe with a deceptively calm expression on his beautiful face. One hand in his pocket. But danger and a silent warning emanate from him. His friend seems to understand it pretty well, but chooses to ignore it.
" I was hurrying. Couldn’t simply pass by this beauty, " he confidently says.
I feel like a trophy, for which two cocky roosters have taken up a fight. I just want to shout at them both: "Hey! I'm actually here! And I can decide for myself what and who I want!"
I caught a brief look from Andriy. At first, it seems he is angry, then I see something entirely different in his blue eyes. Dark and so enticing. Passion.
He's intrigued. " I suddenly realized. " And even a slight hint of a rival provoked him to action.
My mouth suddenly turns dry, and contrary to it, it gets all moist between my legs. I nervously swallow.
" She's taken, "he carves out. It sounds ambiguous, but the boss isn't bothered by it.
Lukash, meanwhile, just defiantly smiles and raises his hands up in a conciliatory gesture.
" Alright, alright. I understand," he turns and walks to the exit. Then he turns around and proclaims, completely ignoring Andriy's angry warning look. "I'll come back later, beauty. "
I look at all of it in amazement. And inside, anger slowly begins to boil. After Lukash, the doors close, and a tomb-like silence hangs between us. Finally, I raise my gaze and lock eyes with the brazen turquoise ones. Sparks fly out from irritation.
"And what was that just now?"I threw angrily.
" You have a lot of work to do," he replies. Mocking and blatantly enjoying it, the scoundrel.
" You yourself said I must foster closer communication, "I lift my chin up. " So I was trying to do that. "
" It can be done in the office. Lukash won’t limit himself to an office, " I see him starting to get angry, probably running provocative images of my possible "communication" with Lukash through his mind. But I don't care. Especially, since he himself not so long ago spent his free time God knows where and how.
" And maybe I don’t mind it, "I throw back at him with a look of defiance.
" You mind?" he carves quietly and pushes off from the doorframe. Turquoise eyes fill with anger.
" It's not for you to decide, "I hissed.
Andriy approaches my desk and leans aggressively on the tabletop with both hands. He leans towards me, too close, almost. My pulse skyrockets, and my breathing becomes erratic.
We drill each other with looks. He"angry and furious, I"defiant. And the air between us crackles with high-voltage tension. It sparks. He is so close that I see how the turquoise glance becomes dark, almost black, nearly merging with the rim of his pupils.