I glance quickly at the watch on my wrist. I'm running late. Darn it. I overslept again for the umpteenth time this week. I grimace. I know that Ihor won't say anything, but it still feels awkward. I'm used to always being punctual. Perhaps it's time to agree to my parents' wishes to help out and buy a car. But this year the summer has been so cool that I almost always walk to work.
However, in the autumn, I suppose, I’ll have to think about buying a car. I've had a driver's license for a long time. Of course, I'll need to refresh my driving skills.
I look out the window and simultaneously hear a notification from the app that the car is already here. I grab my purse and the case with documents and head to the exit.
Going down the stairs, I step outside, and the taxi is already skillfully maneuvering through the cobblestoned streets, heading to the specified address.
Soon, I exit the car and look at the authentic Austrian building where my father’s firm is located on the second floor.
" Hello, Milana, " I suddenly hear a familiar voice behind me.
I turn around and smile apologetically:
" Hello, Ihor. Uh... sorry for being late, um, again.
He throws his head back and starts laughing heartily. Then calms down and his broad palm lands on my shoulder:
" Let’s go, you incorrigible one. All is well, " his warm hand slides through the thin fabric of the sweater I put on today due to the quite windy weather, and guides me towards the building entrance.
Ihor and I have been maintaining a friendly relationship for about three months now, which I am immensely glad about - I need someone nearby who could just listen. However, even such friendly touches wildly embarrass and cause inner resistance. I scold myself internally for such prejudice towards the past and try to ignore the goosebumps that cover my skin.
We enter the office, greet the colleagues, and go to our respective cabins. A few minutes later, his dark-haired head appears in the doorway.
" Here you go, girl. "A cup of tea lands on my table.
" Oh, thank you, " I smile.
Then I remember about today's scheduled visit and decide it's a perfect moment to ask for an hour off.
" Ihor, I need to stop by the clinic after lunch. Um, you won’t mind if I take off?
" Did something happen? Feeling unwell? " he raises an eyebrow inquisitively.
" No, all is good. Just, the doctors recommended a check-up after that incident, " I say reassuringly and reach for the cup with the hot drink.
" Ahh, got it. Of course, Milana. What time is your appointment?
" Right after lunch, " I responded and took a sip. I blissfully close my eyes as the hot liquid immediately warms my body.
" I also have to run some errands, so I'll drop you off wherever you say.
" No, that’s unnecessary. I don’t want to burden you with my problems."
" Girl, this is non-negotiable. It's no trouble for me, " he says cheerfully but firmly, and I give in.
" All right, " I decided that taking a taxi across town at rush hour is hardly pleasant.
" That’s settled then, " he smiles and then glances at his watch. " Well, I must run now.
I smile and nod. Silently watching his broad back disappear through the door, I shift my thoughtful gaze to the ceramic cup in my hands. Some unusual excitement settles deep in my chest.
The time until lunch passes surprisingly quickly. And the day turns out to be quite active, so I am buried in work until the very moment we leave the office. Only when Ihor and I step outside do I manage to switch off, inhaling the cool, July air.
" Overworked? " he chuckles, opening the passenger side door for me.
" Yeah, totally swamped, " I smile and get into the seat. I automatically fasten the seatbelt, although I briefly notice a slight, as if reflexive, movement of his hand towards me, clearly intending to do it for me. Or is it just my imagination?
" What’s the address? " Ihor asks.
I open my smartphone and check the address of the clinic.
" Oh, I’m heading in that same direction, " he says, nonchalantly glancing at my smartphone, which earns him a stern look.
I can't stand it when someone invades my personal space, even if it’s someone as close as Ihor. After all, I didn’t give him permission.
" Sorry, it was an accident, " he raises his hands in a peace gesture in response to my angry face.
Ihor inputs the address into the navigator, which immediately plots the least congested route, and the car moves forward. We drove in silence for some time. Eventually, the clinic building comes into my line of sight, and I mentally exhale in relief.
" Will your visit take long? " he asks. " I’ll be free in about forty minutes and can pick you up.
I suppress the initial urge to refuse - after all, he just wants to help.
" Alright," I finally said and stepped out. " I’ll call you when I’m done."
I close the door and enter the clinic without looking back. A damned anxiety takes over and engulfs me completely, even though they assured me that all is well and there’s no reason to worry.
As I check in at the reception, submit the necessary tests, and sit in the specialist's office, time flies unnoticed. Finally, I finish the visit and with a total sense of relief, I step out of the office into the corridor and call Ihor.
"Hello, I’m free now.
" Really? Great. Can you wait at the clinic? I’ll be there in about five minutes. "I’ll pick you up.”
" Don’t rush, Ihor," I protest. "And actually, tell me where, "I’ll walk over. A stroll wouldn’t hurt.
Indeed, I feel a desire to walk, especially with the lightness in my chest urging me to hungrily breathe in the air and feel the cool breeze on my flushed face.
" Well, if you really want to…," he chuckles, " then alright."
I push the white UPVC doors, step outside, and stretch my shoulders, a smile not leaving my face.
" Really," I confirm. "Tell me which way to go."
" It’s right nearby. Second, turn to the right after leaving the clinic. Big rectangular gray building. I parked right next to the entrance. Don’t worry, you definitely won’t miss it, " he instructs with a smile in his voice. " It’s the new Audi salon.
" Yes, I know, " I suddenly whisper hoarsely, as I finally turn right and see the very salon. The one where I managed to work for just two months. Clearly, Ihor doesn’t know about it.
“Well, girl, where did this sudden dismay come from? With Khmylyovych, you ended on a fairly amiable note... Well, on a neutral note. But certainly not as enemies, no matter how you look at it," I convince myself mentally.
" I’m here already. Will wait outside, " I say abruptly and end the call.
“Come on, Milana, just breathe. You definitely owe nothing to Khmylyovych.”
The five minutes Ihor promised stretched incredibly long. Finally, I hear the door behind open and recognize the voices of Ihor... and Khmylyovych. Damn. The last thing I want right now is to turn around and greet my former boss.
" Milana, " Ihor calls out, and I just roll my eyes.
Instead, I slowly turn around and stretch my lips into a tight smile.
" Good afternoon, " I nod to my former boss.
" Indeed, good afternoon, Milana, " Khmylyovych responds calmly.
Ihor raises an eyebrow but doesn’t show any more signs of surprise and continues discussing something with Dmytro Oleksandrovych. I don’t even try to listen in, so I pretend I’ve received a notification on my phone and step away from the men.
Eventually, from the corner of my eye, I notice a light-gray sedan entering the salon premises and slowly rolling towards us. It drives past and parks on the other side of the entrance.
The conversation between the men stops. My eyes shift to Khmylyovych, and I see that he’s also watching the car that just arrived.
Then the driver's door opens and I watch, stunned, as broad shoulders appear first, then the whole robust and painfully familiar figure emerges. He turns around, and his turquoise gaze unmistakably catches mine, ensnares, magnetizes, and freezes me in place, holding my breath as he closes the car door and slowly makes his way towards us.