In the Captivity of Temptation

35 Discovery

Andriy

We've been sitting in the restaurant for an hour, and Bianka still hasn't confessed what surprise she prepared.

" Bi, I’m short on time," I finally say.

I agreed to this meeting, hoping to talk and make sure she isn't involved. But Bianka keeps steering the conversation in completely different directions, reminiscing about our shared past or asking about my current affairs.

I understand perfectly. She’s interested in whether I’m seeing someone now, but I want to believe that this is just friendly curiosity.

" At last, " she exclaims joyfully, looking somewhere behind me.

" What is it, Bi? " I ask out of habit.

Internally, I scold myself. It’s truly hard to switch from a habitual lifestyle and manner of communication after so many years. But for Milana, I understand, like never before, I'm ready.. I turn to see who or what caught Bianka’s attention.

" Hello, buddy, " a familiar voice says.

" Lukash? What are you doing here? "I ask in surprise, feeling uneasy inside.

" I'm heading to Dresden. To check on our new employer. There’s a meeting tomorrow, so I decided to stop by on my way here. We didn’t even manage to have a beer in Kraków.

I stand up and shake hands with my best friend. I feel relieved. His reasons are entirely logical.

" Good to see you," I relaxed a bit. "Sit down, Bianka kept the suspense until the end, " I smiled.

I nod to the waiter, and he comes over, takes my friend’s order, and leaves.

" Just like old times, eh? " Lukash remarks.

" Yes, " Bianka drawls dreamily. " The best of them.

I understand what she means. Those years, we often sat like this, sometimes with four of us when Lukash brought his latest girlfriend. But the girls didn’t stay long, and our trio was like the foundation, the thing that always remained unchanged.

But life has rearranged differently, although I'm very satisfied with the new arrangement.. Moreover- I could not dream of finding the woman of my life…

A sudden realization makes me freeze. It pounds in my temples and catches me off guard, like thunder out of the blue. I blink and unexpectedly realize that it's true. Milana has become the one I've been looking for all my life.

I briefly glance at my friends, who have noticed my pause. I recover and smile carelessly:

" Hey, friends. Why such nostalgia? It seems all is well now.

Both return uncertain smiles, then Lukash shifts the topic. We chat for another hour, and as we are leaving the establishment, he suddenly asks:

" Andriy, tell me: do you know if Milana is seeing someone?"

Genuine interest in Lukash’s eyes and this unequivocal question stir a whirlwind of emotions in my chest, barely restraining myself from growling at him to not even look in her direction.

" Yes, she’s not single, " I say calmly, catching a glimpse of Bianka freezing two steps from us. She listens and catches every word.

" Oh, pity. She’s a stunning woman, " my friend continues, almost salivating. I just chuckle inwardly: “I know, buddy, I know.”

Milana

My hands are still trembling as I sneak unnoticed into Bianka’s office. Anger at Andriy for his silence, and at that bitch for her spite, only adds fuel to the fire. I try to calm down and focus on looking.

First, I decided to check if Bianka turned off her laptop. But luck is not on my side. Not only is it turned off, but it's also password-protected. I realize this within a few seconds as I try to turn it on.

Suddenly, I hear a creak. Could Anna have returned so quickly? She said fifteen minutes. But I assumed it might take longer because of the fitting and some conversation…

My heart leaps fearfully in my chest and races down swiftly. My breathing accelerates, and a drop of sweat rolls down my temple. I feel like a thief. A horrible feeling.

Somehow steadying my emotions, I limp to the door, hastily thinking of what to say if I see someone. I can vividly envision Andriy’s reaction to such an intrusion: his handsome face with sharpened angry features, tightly clenched jaws, and a look full of a storm... a look filled with disappointment…

I bite my lip, nevertheless, forcing myself to slightly open the doors and peer into the reception area.

But there is no one…

I exhale loudly and inhale air greedily. Damn. Time is catastrophically short, and the chances of getting caught are increasing. What to do?

Again, I scan the room carefully. Where to start? Where?

If the computer is password-protected, information might be in a safe. But I doubt I can get in there without the code or keys. So it's not worth wasting time.

Here I am by the drawers. I quickly pull out the first one and start rummaging through the content. Some papers, a notepad.

Blatantly, I open the notepad to the bookmark. Today’s date is noted with a lunch hour when Bianka said she was meeting with Andriy. But Lukash’s name is there too. Why?

I flip through the notepad backward, but find nothing. Only when I am about to close it, a small photo falls out from between the pages onto the table. I look closely at the small square. It shows Bianka and Andriy in an embrace. In love, happy, and noticeably younger. It’s obvious. The jealous monster inside simply tears and thrashes, ripping my chest with sharp claws. I knew it, nothing for her is in the past. She remembers everything and wants him back. Why else would she keep a photo together, especially a printed one?

I stare at their faces, and in a strange impulse or guess, I flip the photo over.

"Love you, my Bi.”

I freeze...So that's why she keeps it…

I tremble. My throat tightens as if clamped in a vice. It’s hard to breathe. And inside my head becomes unexpectedly quiet and empty…

Somehow, I turn the hateful photo back and open the next drawer. Stunned, I went through the contents with cold fingers. Some folders, papers. I glance through these things with an indifferent look, for it's pressing and hurting inside.

Just when I'm about to push the drawer back, my gaze catches a familiar surname. I look closer. Where could I have seen it?

Exactly! That’s it. It's the surname of one of the employees, concerning whose case an annulment was given..