AMANDA
The shrill alarm clock blaring through the apartment makes me hate this morning, but before I can fully wake up, I realize that someone's hand is pressing against me in bed. My thoughts drift back to last night.
- Good job, Amanda, you really kept your distance. - Sure, scolding myself is useful, but right now it won’t change the situation at all.
Too much happened last night (and I’m not talking about sex) to just wipe it from my mind like that.
I try to get out of bed, but Adam pulls me even closer.
- I need to shower and get to the office. - I try to appeal to his common sense, but he doesn’t even think about letting me go.
- Adam, I’m not joking, I have a ton of things to do, and if you haven't noticed, the night is over. - He suddenly removes his hand, and I flee to the shower without looking back at him. I’m afraid I might change my mind.
After the shower, I dress in a classic black suit and head to the kitchen, where it smells like fresh coffee.
- Why do you have to complicate everything? - I think to myself, but I only say aloud: - Thank you, I’ll need this. Adam looks tired, so he just nods and heads for the door. Without saying a word, he leaves my apartment, and I just watch him go, not understanding why I so desperately want to run after him.
- Get a grip. You have a lot of things to do today. - I prepare myself for a day that promises to be hectic. Along with all the work stuff, I've been invited to the opening of a restaurant. To be more precise, Nazar was invited, and I promised to keep him company.
We met three years ago in Greece; he was there on vacation while I was working. A resort romance blossomed between us, but soon we realized that we were not meant to be more than friends. So for three years, we've supported each other. He often came to visit me, even though he runs a business in the US. That’s why I promised that when he arrives, I would definitely spend time with him. And then there’s this opening.
But evening is still quite a while away, so I finish my coffee and head to the office to check the latest revisions for the project.
"ADAM GROUP."
On the way, the phone rings:
- Ms. Amanda, the meeting for today has been canceled, Mr. Kelly is on an important matter. So, if it’s convenient for you, we can meet on Wednesday. - Kirk's voice sounds too satisfied, as if he enjoys the whole situation.
- No problem. I hope everything is fine with Mr. Kelly. - or did he drink so much yesterday that the hangover overtook the need to work?
- Everything is fine. Talk to you later. - just as we pull up to the office where I will spend today.
In the office, I take the blueprints of a few hotels and dive into work until evening. Only the secretary, reminding me that I need to be at the restaurant opening in an hour, forces me to leave the office and go home.
A bit tired, the sleepless night is taking its toll, but the memory of what happened sends heat through my body.
- Oh God, Amanda... - I head to the dressing room, as there's not much time left. I put on a black fitted knee-length dress with sleeves but an open back up to my waist, gather my hair into a high ponytail, apply red lipstick, and slip into classic black stiletto pumps.
- Ready to conquer the world. - I wink at my own reflection and head out, as Nazar wrote just 15 minutes ago that he is waiting for me.
- You look stunning. - I smile at the man while pretending to be bashful, covering my face with my hand.
- Oh, don’t make me blush. - we both laugh at this, and the rest of the journey goes under the banner of "Tell me what's new."
We arrive at the opening on time; almost at the entrance to the hall, we are greeted by a man in his fifties, dressed in a white suit. Next to him is a lovely woman, about ten years younger.
- Nazar, I'm so glad you came. - the man shakes hands and shifts his gaze to me.
- Allow me to introduce - Amanda. - I smile at the couple opposite while Nazar continues:
- Amanda, this is Mr. Litytsky, the reason for today’s event, and his charming wife Olga.
- Very nice to meet you, thank you for the invitation. - after a few more minutes of pleasantries, we move into the hall where a bunch of guests are already gathered. I recognize some from the press, and some I’ve seen on television. But personally, I’m not acquainted with anyone. We grab a glass of champagne and settle into one of the remote corners.
- I’m already unaccustomed to events like this. - I take a sip of the sparkling wine to relax a little. I always feel very uncomfortable at such gatherings.
- You look like someone born to shine at events like this. - Nazar smiles at me with all 32 teeth while I look at him, unable to understand how he manages to feel so at ease in any situation.
- By the way, I want to introduce you to someone. - he extends his elbow, I grab it and we walk towards a couple who appeared a few minutes ago. The man is rather bulky, tattoos visible under his shirt, and several scars on his face add to his menacing look. Next to him is a striking blonde who could easily be his daughter.
- Nazar. - the stranger extends his hand while his gaze slides down my body. What a creepy perv.
- Viktor, meet Amanda. Amanda, this is Viktor. - the man looks at me and subtly nods his head.
- Nice to meet you, - I manage to squeeze out the polite phrase, longing to leave as soon as possible.
But before I can think of an escape plan, Viktor’s gaze rises above my head, and his smile widens. Just as I want to turn to find out the reason for such pleasure, I hear a voice. The same one.
- Viktor, it’s been ages since we last saw each other. - Adam shakes Viktor’s hand, then shifts his gaze first to Nazar, then to me, and finally to my hand still resting on the man’s elbow.
- Damn, damn, damn. - Adam’s eyes darken, and I know this doesn’t bode well. Even though there’s nothing between us, he looks as if Nazar is holding his wife by the arm.
- Adam, it’s been a while. - Nazar’s body tenses, and I realize they are acquainted, and this acquaintance is clearly not a pleasant one.
- Yes, it has. Seven years, to be exact. - Kelly’s gaze fills with rage, and I want to run away, disappear to avoid witnessing his explosion.
- Oh yes, right when you switched from sports to business. - I don’t know what happened between them, but Nazar’s tone is deliberately provoking, so I decide to intervene.
- Mr. Kelly, I didn’t expect to see you here. I was told you were away on business. - he shifts his gaze to me, but the anger doesn’t fade; I notice how tightly he clenches his fists to calm down.
- There were some matters, but I managed to return. I couldn’t refuse an old friend. - he gestures towards Viktor, who has been standing at the ready for the last few minutes, as if sensing how dangerous the situation is.
- Well, I’m glad to see you, but Amanda and I would like some time alone. - why is he saying this? Nazar is clearly putting on an act to provoke Adam even more. But I don't understand the reasons behind this charade at all.
- Amanda, can I have a word with you for a minute? - Adam looks only at me; in his eyes, there's a whirlpool of emotions.
- Maybe next time... - why the hell is Nazar interfering? I look at him, pull my hand away, and step aside.
- Just for a minute, because I’m about to head home. - it’s high time I left this madhouse. And tomorrow, with a clear mind, I’ll figure out what got into Nazar.
We step out onto the balcony, and it’s empty here. Adam leans on the balcony railing with his hands and lowers his head, and I still don’t understand the cause of this abrupt change. I step a bit closer to ask what’s wrong, but I don’t get the chance.
- Are you together? - unexpectedly, but okay.
- That’s none of your business. - he turns his head to me. - But no, we’re just friends.
Why did I say that? Maybe I didn’t want to lie, or maybe...
- You still haven’t learned to choose your friends wisely. - through the shadow, I see a sad smile on the man’s face.
- Perhaps...however, I don’t have such a problem with men anymore. - Adam abruptly raises his head and approaches me too closely; I feel his hot breath on my face.
- Give me a chance to explain everything. - his voice is quiet, but in my head, it echoes like a scream.
- And will that erase seven years? - I want to give him a chance, not for explanations, but to start over. But I’m afraid that the second break will leave me unable to pick up the pieces again...