Im so scared, Vika! Could you come over right now? Please!
Okay, I reluctantly agreed, since they lived a couple of minutes from the office, and it would be more expensive to resist.
I am waiting for you at the entrance! Thanks! Marina breathed a sigh of relief.
I called Vlad, but the answering machine turned on.
Your wife called. She asked me to come to your house immediately. Well, Im going
***
Hello, Vika! Im very embarrassed! I met our neighbor, and he helped me with this damn alarm! So, everything is fine, it just went off by accident! Sorry for disturbing you!
Not a big deal! I am glad thats all right! To be honest, I understand nothing in alarm systems, I exhaled and was about to turn around and leave, as Marina stopped me.
Vika, I dont feel comfortable! Come in for a while! Lets drink coffee! Ill treat you to something delicious! she offered smiling.
No, no, I have to go to the office! I said, squeezing out a smile in return.
Your office can wait! Moreover, the boss is at the bank! Lets go, come on! I wont let you off so easily now!
I wasnt too keen on going into their flat, even though I had never been there before. I was even more embarrassed by the prospect of the upcoming conversation. A couple of years ago, when Marina and I had got acquainted, I tried to chat with her on general topics, but, as it turned out, we didnt have really much to talk about, besides, I was afraid to say something out of order so we ended up drinking coffee in silence.
However, she literally dragged me into the entrance.
We came in their flat. Marina invited me into the kitchen. I was looking at the collection of souvenirs on the open shelves without much interest, while she brewed coffee.
How are you? Marina suddenly broke the silence.
I wonder who she means saying you? flashed through my head, but I tried to respond neutrally, Everything is just as usual.
Vlad said that a business trip to Finland is planned?
Yes, but no dates have been set yet.
We sat down at the kitchen table. Marina silently offered to clink the cups. I didnt resist.
And when are the negotiations supposed to be over? she asked, taking her first sip and glancing at her watch.
I dont know, but probably soon, I answered and felt a sharp pain in my stomach, once again remembering the doctors advice to forget about such a wonderful drink.
Vika, do you believe in life after death? Marina suddenly asked and picking me up, already losing consciousness from pain. Come with me!
The pain left me as abruptly as it had appeared. I got up from the floor and followed Marina into the living room. She stopped by the window.
Now there is nothing to fear and lose, she said without looking into my eyes. Why did you need him?
I dont know what to answer you
I knew what to answer her. I loved Vlad. Not for anything. And thats why I didnt care what status to be next to him. Did Vlad love me? Big question. Anyway, I never asked him to divorce his wife, realizing that he got used to her. I didnt wish them any harm.
God sees everything, Vika. He should have punished you both. You cant imagine how much I hate you! However, God will forgive me! For what Ive done, Marina began to sob like a kid.
What have you done? I got surprised and, from a bad feeling, I immediately turned to Vlad mentally, Please, come here quickly! Your Marina is going to eat me now!
I knew he wouldnt leave you! Yes, I never loved him, it was a marriage of convenience, but he had no right! No right!!!
Calm down, please! I didnt know what to say in such cases.
I couldnt live like this! Could not! He had to lose us both!!!
Suddenly we heard rushing footsteps on the stairs, and the front door slammed.
Vika! Vika, Vlad shouted out of breath, are you there?
Marina froze in silence, turning to the window, and I ran out into the corridor.
Its good of you to come! I exclaimed.
Vlad didnt seem to hear me, heading for the kitchen with quick steps.
We are here! I shouted again, but Vlad didnt even turn around, frozen at the ajar door.
Marina!!! No, you couldnt! he exclaimed without turning to me.
God must forgive me! she said coldly, approaching us.
I stood between them, trying in vain to figure out what had happened. Vlad turned around, slammed the kitchen door in my face, and, not paying any attention to us, started pacing back and forth down the corridor, frantically dialing someones number on his phone.
Vlad, whats wrong?! I wondered.
Ive calculated everything, Marina said, patting her husband on the shoulder. Its too late!
Is that an ambulance? shouted Vlad, getting through.
What damn ambulance?! Whats wrong with you? I screamed in his ear.
He doesnt hear us, Marina stated. However, life after death exists after all.
May, 20027. Intergalactic Union of Writers
The path to my glory was easy enough, since I was incredibly lucky!
However, it all started with the fact that I was born exceptionally ugly and short. My twin sister, Maya, on the contrary, turned out to be pretty, and short stature for a girl is more of a plus than a minus. Everyone liked Maya and turned up their noses at me. No matter how much I tried to please people, to get their attention, it was all in vain. Even heavy shoes with thick soles didnt add to my weight or height.