I see Andriy processing the information, then his gaze turns icy.
" How? Why? What are the reasons for the refusal?"
I shrug my shoulders:
" I only managed to find a few cases that seemed odd to me. And then I finally understood what it was. Because there were no reasons for annulment, all employers confirmed hiring the workers."
" Damn!
" Yeah. Tomorrow I’ll try to check it. If worse comes to worst, I’ll contact the employers and the workers who were refused."
After these words, Andriy completely withdraws into himself. Thoughtful, if not to say depressed. And indeed, I can understand him. It’s unpleasant when such a blunder emerges and when, most likely, someone close is involved in it.
We go up to the room. I try to support him. I make some tea. Just stay silent. I feel, without words, what he needs right now is just this, just support.
And late in the evening, resting my head on his broad chest and breathing in his scent with pleasure, I suddenly asked something totally unexpected:
" Andriy?
" What? " he asks thoughtfully, lazily caressing my back with his palm.
" I know we decided to keep our relationship a secret…" I bite my lip, " but wouldn’t it be better to not hide anything. You know, it might provoke Bianka into action."
" No! She's definitely not involved here," he replies, and it feels like someone is running a sharp blade across my heart.
I pull away from his chest, lean on my palms, and in the dim light, I try to look into the face of the man who has become so dear to me.
" You can't be one hundred percent sure, " I say dryly.
" No, Milana. I understand there's a jealousy aspect here, but she is definitely not involved, I’m telling you.
He doesn’t just say it, he insists, and I angrily sit down on the bed, straightening up like a string. The sheet slides from my body, revealing the skin. But I don’t care right now because I’m seriously angry.
"How can you be so sure? How? " I throw at him with an accusatory tone in my voice.
He sits up too, reaches out his hands towards me, and wants to touch. Without thinking, I slap the fingers reaching for my forearms.
" Don't touch me," I hiss back. " How could you?"
" What?
His surprise seems so genuine.
" Defend and justify her... and make love to me!
I confess, I didn’t plan to say this, but his words just now are so bitter to me that the words slip out before logic kicks in. Unwelcome tears gather at the corners of my eyes.
" Hey, little one, what’s wrong?" he gets up and kneels, framing my face with his hands." Don’t stir up feelings that are no longer there, okay?"
I still try to turn away my face, and when I fail, I simply close my eyes. Annoyed by the realization that with him, I've become vulnerable and defenseless, that any mention of another woman hurts me because I really want to be the only woman in his life. Loved.
He starts to cover my face with light kisses, and his soft lips touch the eyelids as tears treacherously trickle down.
" Milana, I say this not because I have any feelings for her, I don’t. I just know her too well.
He pulls me to him, and I feel the beat of his heart echo in my temple. I don’t pull away, trace my fingers, and press my cheek even closer.
Then Andriy lays me down on the white sheets. He hovers above, looks into my tear-stained face. And honestly, I eagerly await those words, his confession. But I only receive a scrutinizing gaze, in which, however, I see a struggle. As if he is hesitating and fighting with himself. Or with past feelings… I don’t know. Either way, it hurts. My heart clenches when he tenderly and tremblingly touches my lips.
And I would like to turn away, but I can't. Not now, because his eyes show so much pleading, hopes for the future, and a desire to leave the past where it belongs… So I responded. Fervently. Sensually. Passionately.
In the morning, while heading to the office and on the way in the car, I am determined to find out the truth and dig deeper. Therefore, arriving at the reception and sitting at my desk, I immediately dive into work, practically ignoring Bianka’s secretary.
Eventually, I found the contact information of all the employers and employees who were turned away. I understand that it would be good to start calling, but I could also send Anna somewhere.
Time goes by, and I find the situation increasingly irritating.
" Anna," Bianka says after a few minutes, " Andriy Mykolaiovych and I will go out for lunch, so if there’s anything urgent, text me on Messenger."
" Sure," the secretary replies, and I slowly lift my head. So, "lunch"?
But within a second, I have no doubts about what I just heard, because her brown eyes just glow triumphantly and pierce me with a meaningful look. As if the bitch wants to say "bite me."
I tightly purse my lips. What the hell, Polyansky? However, in reality, I make the utmost effort not to show my true feelings. And that damn Bianka with the look of a victor walks past my desk to the exit, not depriving herself of the pleasure of throwing one more look with a silent "You didn’t think, dear, that he forgets me?"
And he was so convincing. Just last night... And I believed him.
I dryly swallow, and uninvited tears well up in my eyes.I force myself to pull it together.
" Milana, could you cover for me? " a few minutes later, Anna asks with an apologetic expression on her face. She stands by my desk, shifting from foot to foot.
" Something happened? " I clear my throat.
I need to step out for fifteen minutes. There's a dressmaking studio nearby, " she explains, and my eyebrows raise because this tells me nothing. " The seamstress texted. Asked me to come for a fitting of a dress that they adjusted to my measurements. She can only do it now, and I need the dress the day after tomorrow."
" Oh, sure, "I waved for her to go. For me, this is now such a trifle compared to the fact that my beloved man went for lunch with his former lover.
Anna leaves, and I decide to distract myself from thoughts of where Andriy is now by calling the employers. And just as I pick up the cellphone, my gaze involuntarily slides to the door of Bianka's office.
Even before I can finish the thought in my head, adrenaline already explodes in my blood and spreads through my veins. Hits my head. Intoxicates. Numbs. And sends a shiver down my body, from what I want to do.
But the more I think about it, the more certain I become that there is no other choice and I cannot back down. The stakes are too high.
So, I spring to my feet. I survey the room with a watchful eye. Once again in recent days! I note to myself again that there are no surveillance cameras and approach the white wooden doors.
I look around. Not a soul in sight. Well then. I have at most ten minutes before Anna returns. Little time, but I might find something. I hesitate no more.