ADAM
- Damn.... - why was it so painful to look at her smile, at how her eyes changed when Karina appeared nearby. I didn't expect to see her here.
I understood that we have one more meeting ahead of us because I have to tell Korniyev's story, but ...
- Adam, shall we go? - Karina wants to take my hand, but I clench my palm into a fist.
- You go ahead, I need to leave for some matters. - maybe I'll go to the office to work, or maybe somewhere into the woods, to bash my head against a tree to feel a little better.
- Let me go with you. - does the girl really not understand that she’d be better off leaving? - And then we can have dinner together.
- No, go home. - I'm heading to my car, feeling her piercing a hole in my back with her gaze.
In the office, there's almost nothing left. I enter the office and start reviewing the latest edits of a joint project with Amanda. For three months, I’ve held back from calling her, from going after her. I decided that it was time to let go. If she chose this path, I have no right to bring her back. But an hour ago, Kitten stood in front of me looking as if I was betraying her... again.
- Damn... Damn... Damn.... - I hit the table with my fists, sending papers flying everywhere.
- What the hell should I do? - and if Amanda could forgive me for lying, then betrayal—never. She’s convinced that I’ll soon have a family with Karina, and I don’t even have any excuses. Of course, I don’t love my so-called fiancée, but this marriage is beneficial for both of us.
Her father decided to sell his own daughter for the sake of strengthening the business, and that suited me just fine. Truth be told, I wanted to let go of the past (as much as that’s possible) so that I wouldn’t ruin Amanda's life, but....
Karina walks into the office, followed closely by Marina.
- I'm telling you, he's not here, - the secretary abruptly falls silent as she notices me at the table. - Mr. Adam, I’m sorry, I didn’t see you returned.
- It's fine, you can go. - the girl shoots a hostile glance at Karina and leaves.
- Why are you here? - why is she complicating everything? Does she really think that there will be something more between us than just a business marriage?
- I was thinking about how sad you looked going to work, so I decided to cheer you up. - she opens her coat, and beneath it is erotic lingerie. It seems the woman doesn’t understand that I'm not planning to sleep with her.
- I'm busy. Go home. - I turn back to the documents, clearly indicating: get lost.
- We’re getting married in a few months, and we haven’t even kissed yet. - Karina pouts and approaches the table. She leans on the table with her hands, dramatically adjusting her bra, which barely holds her breasts.
- It’s just a contract needed for business. - I continue to ignore her, focusing on the documents. - Don’t expect anything more.
I believed that my dad had explained well to his daughter—that marrying Adam Kelly is just business, and there can be no talk of feelings.
- I refuse to be your wife and know that you’re sleeping with someone like Marina. - the woman’s voice nearly breaks into a shout, which makes me bristle in anger.
- First of all, your opinion doesn’t concern anyone. - Karina knows this very well. - Secondly, I'm not sleeping with Marina. - I shouldn’t have to explain this to her, but whatever. - Thirdly, who I sleep with is none of your business.
I walk past the girl and exit the office, catching Marina’s satisfied smile in my peripheral vision, realizing that the mouse heard everything. But who cares. My head is already splitting, and I don't need to worry about such crap.
I barely reach my car when someone grabs my hand; I turn my head:
- Is it all because of her? Because of Korniyev's daughter? - what the hell does this girl think she’s doing? Karina seems to not understand that my patience has limits.
- Don’t you dare even mention her name. - I won’t let anyone say a word about Ami. I yank my hand free and leave, because a couple more phrases from this crazy, and the consequences could be very, very bad.
Returning home, I change into comfortable clothes and pour myself a drink. I sit on the couch and take my phone. I have Amanda’s number, and I could call just to find out how she is. But I don't dare do that, because I'm afraid of hearing that she doesn't need me, that love has passed, and I'm just the past she wants to forget. Even thinking about it hurts. I put the phone down and fall asleep, where I see our first meeting again and how I looked at the girl who changed my life forever.
I wake up to the sound of a phone ringing and realize I’ve overslept my alarm.
- Yes. - I need to connect with alcohol because this is no good.
- Mr. Adam, there’s a partners’ meeting today. - nothing like that was planned. I don’t have time to ask anything before Kirk continues: - This meeting wasn’t scheduled; it was set up because of the new owner, or rather the owner of "A.Y.K."
- At what time? - everything is happening too quickly. I should have realized that Amanda and I would be seeing each other regularly now since all of Korniyev's business has passed to her. Kirk sends me the date and location of the meeting, and I head to the office.
Marina, as usual, is all smiles and gets up to greet me.
- Mr. Adam, do you have any instructions? - I enter the office, the secretary follows me.
- Yes. Tell them to bring me a black suit, and at 6 PM, a driver will pick me up. - I sit down to work while the girl leaves.
I arrive as always about ten minutes late, step into the hall, looking for the only person who isn’t here yet.
- Mr. Adam, you’re just in time. - Kirk hands me a glass. - Because your fiancée has already been waiting. - I look in the same direction as the partner and see Karina in a red dress, if those two strips can even be called a dress, which isn’t walking but literally running toward me.
- What the hell are you doing here? - I whisper so only she can hear.
- I couldn’t miss such an important meeting. - the girl adjusts her dress and smiles at Kirk. - Good thing Mr. Kirk informed me about where I could find you for dinner, because you probably forgot to tell me. – She knows damn well that I hadn’t planned to take her with me. I shoot a killer glance at Kirk, who quickly finds a reason to leave us two alone. It’s not an option to kick her out now since there are too many people around who would talk about it for a long time.
- You say one wrong word, and you’ll regret it. - Karina just smiles and picks up a glass of champagne from the table.
And at that moment, Amanda enters the hall. As always, she’s stunning. A black high-neck dress with two slits on the sides, her hair styled in loose curls; I just noticed how much shorter it’s become, red lips begging to be kissed. She's gorgeous, but I notice something else—Ami looks too pale, as if she’s not feeling well. While I stand and observe my dream, Kirk is already grabbing the woman by the hand and bringing her to the table.