" Good morning, " his broad smile and sly look leave no doubt as to the purpose of his visit.
" Good morning, " I replied reservedly. " If you are looking for Andriy Mykolayovych, he is not in.
" Oh, I know. He went to a meeting. He said he would return before lunch. Aren't you aware? " he asks cunningly.
I suppress the intense urge to bite my lip in irritation because, damn it, I really am not. But alright. I'll have some spicy words for the boss later when he returns. Instead, I stretch my lips into a smile:
" I am aware. And would have informed you, maybe, if you weren’t so quick.
Lukash begins to chuckle heartily.
" Milana, it seems we started our acquaintance on the wrong note, " he approaches closer and stops in front of my desk. He isn’t too close, but I can’t shake off the feeling that he is somehow looming over me. " I wouldn't want you to think wrong of me.
" I didn't think anything," I responded. " I saw quite clearly that you are trying to tease and irritate Andriy Mykolayovych. It's quite apparent that you two have a friendly relationship.
" Ah, clever too. I see why he’s taken a liking to you, " he openly goes on.
" You are mistaken in your assumptions, " I boldly lie, not willing to admit to him that there is indeed something between Andriy and me. In Lukash's eyes, we must only remain boss and subordinate; otherwise, we can't learn anything. " Andriy Mykolayovych is my employer. Nothing more, " I fake a smile with all the conviction I can muster.
" You caught me. At first, I indeed thought otherwise. So I apologize, " he raises his hands in a conciliatory gesture. " However, I would like to have a chance to redeem myself in your eyes. After all, we still have to work together.
I decided not to mention that we won’t be working together for long, and even then, we wouldn’t be crossing paths much, but the fact that he and Andriy are friends makes me hold back this inopportune impulse and bite my tongue. So I just nod my head reluctantly.
" Alright. All is well, don't worry about it.
" Wonderful. I understand that Andriy didn’t have time yesterday to give you a tour of the company and introduce you to the team? " he asks, raising an eyebrow, and I just shake my head no, my mind recalling a completely different kind of tour that Andriy had managed to give. Sweet and explosive. Nervously, I swallow and try to maintain a professional expression on my face to not give out such untimely thoughts." "Well, then I’d be delighted to accompany you and introduce everyone."
I decided that it’s a pretty good idea. After all, it would be an opportunity to talk to him as well, to finally form my own impression.
" Alright," I agreed and rose from my desk. I notice Lukash's evaluating and lustful gaze sweeping over my legs covered in thin nylon stockings. Unconsciously, I adjust the hem of my dress, making sure once more that the lace edges of the stockings are securely hidden under the black fabric and aren’t visible.
We leave the reception office. Walk down the corridor. Enter the offices. Lukash introduces me to colleagues. I feel how much he is trying to ease the tension that inadvertently formed between us at first. So by the end of the tour, I relaxed a little. Just a little. Because yes - I believe in the sincerity of his intentions to smooth over the first impression, yet unmistakable glances from those green eyes that occasionally sweep towards me, lingering a fraction of a second longer on my legs, bust, or hips, keep me on edge.
I try to attribute it to the possibility that he might find me just attractive as a woman, and this is how he shows his interest. Suddenly, with surprise, I realize that one single man occupies all my thoughts. And it’s definitely not Lukash.
When we return back to the reception room, Wojciech gallantly opens the door for me and holds it as I pass. And everything would be fine, but dang it, he can’t resist touching"seemingly inadvertently"my waist. As if in a polite gesture. As if. Because when I turn around, I see the mischievous glimmer in his eyes, which clearly reveals his "kind" intentions. And just as I’m about to put him in his place, telling him what I think, behind him in the doorway appears Andriy, in person.
He sweeps over both of us with a brief, lazy look. He notices how close we are standing to each other, and in his turquoise gaze, I unmistakably see a storm. A barrage of emotions. Then Lukash turns around," to follow my gaze and in Andriy’s eyes, everything immediately disappears. Now there are no emotions. Just cold civility.
Hmm. Now that’s interesting. I think. It turns out he is hiding his emotions from a friend. Is it because he doesn’t want to expose me? Or because he doesn’t trust him completely? I realize that I will have to talk to Andriy about this.
" Oh, friend. You’re already here, " Lukash throws cheerfully, not noticing the turbulent surge of emotions on Polyansky’s face.
" Yes, I managed to be done quicker. Work piled up, so I returned sooner, " Andriy responds with a lazy smile, passing us by.
" Good morning, Milana, " he says, not even looking my way. I understand that for our plan, this is necessary, but still, it stings unpleasantly in my chest.
" Good morning, Andriy Mykolayovych.
" You’re here for me, Lukash? " he stops near his friend and gestures towards his office.
" No, " his deputy counters." I gave your secretary a tour of the company. I hope Milana was satisfied. " his last phrase comes out with such a provocatively ambiguous tone that my eyes widen in shock.
Oh, you sneaky, bold fox! He decided to turn this to his advantage too, insinuating to Andriy as if we were up to who knows what, rather than meeting the staff. I just stood there with my mouth slightly ajar in surprise. I only throw a brief glance from under my lashes at Andriy, but he indifferently shrugs:
" Good. I don’t have time for introductions anyway. So if the formalities are done, Milana can go back to her work.
I just nod stiffly and head to my desk. Sit down and finally regain my senses:
" Lukash, thank you for taking the time for this introduction, " I stretch my lips in a forced, sincerely-fake smile and make an effort to look equally affirmative.
Andriy’s deputy shoots a keen glance first at me, then at my boss, and nods with a smile on his lips:
" You're welcome. If you need anything, Milana, "you know where my office is, " and with a sly wink, he leaves.
The door closes behind him, and a pressing silence hangs behind.