Muse for the artist. Naty Daybs

and I even laughed a little. Mikhail asked me about work, parents, hobbies, even told me a little about his childhood. Then he brought me home and we said goodbye politely. My artist behaved more than culturally and while I did not even know what to think.

      Entering the apartment, the first thing I did was dialed to Rita and said that she could live with me for two or three days. A friend of this fact was incredibly happy. She was in a hurry to persuade Mikhail to become the next model and even hinted at paintings with a slight erotic overtones. It even amused me, although, to be honest, it was a little annoying. I only pretend that I don’t care. But I like Michael. I like his attention. The next morning after signing the contract, a bouquet of eleven roses was delivered with a note. «I’m really looking forward to this evening and you. Thank you for agreeing. Mikhail»

      At the appointed time, Mikhail drove up to pick us up. Seeing a black, just a huge white SUV, Rita broke down and swore loudly right at the entrance. Today Mikhail arrived with a driver who quickly loaded my modest suitcase into the trunk. Rita and I sat in the back seat, and Misha sat in front of the driver.

      – You have such an amazing car! – Rita pompously admired. – It’s just amazing! Is the leather natural?

      – Yes, – Misha answered modestly. – I took this car for safety and comfort.

      «Can you really be in danger?» The girlfriend did not calm down.

      «The road is full of danger, my lady.

      – I’m Margarita. But just call me Rita. Or maybe Margot.

      – Okay, Margarita. Don’t you drive yourself?

      – I don’t, but Yanka can do it. She even got her license last year.

      – That’s great, Yana. – Mikhail winked at me in the mirror. – And what is your car.

      – I don’t have a car yet.

      «Her ex-boyfriend had,» Rita interjected. – An ordinary Russian clunker.

      – On this clunker, Rita, we took you out of the club many times.

      I have already begun to get angry with my friend for telling me about my past, which I least want to remember. I quietly pinched Rita, but she stubbornly ignored my urge to shut up and continued the conversation with Misha.

      – You know, Maxim, well, this is Yana’s ex, he was about nothing. He only made himself a prince. But you really look like a real king. This I tell you for sure. This is Yanochka, we are shy. But she’s just gold.

      – Here I agree with you, Margarita. Yana is just a great girl.

      – Thank you, Misha.

      I noticed how Mikhail stubbornly called his friend by her full name. As if trying to show the distance between them. But Ritka stubbornly wanted to shorten this distance.

      – Well, please, Mikhail, let’s switch to you. Just call me Rita. We’re almost friends already! And in general, I dream that Janusya will get married sooner. Put on a chic white dress and live like a queen.

      – Rita! Expensive! Maybe enough? If I get married, it won’t be soon, believe me. Plus, I never dreamed of becoming a queen. Just because I don’t like dresses and heels.

      – Well, the queen is free to wear what she wants. -Michael tried to smooth out the tension that hung between me and Rita.– It seems to me that Margarita just wants to see her best friend happy.

      – Of course, Mikhail! I’m sure you’re offended by me? – Rita exponentially pouted lips brightly painted with red lipstick.

      – No, Rit, it’s okay. – I squeezed out of myself and turned to the window.

      I will never become like Rita, I thought to myself. She is self-confident, loves bright makeup, knows how to attract the attention of men. And I… a gray mouse that runs into the unknown just to escape from itself. I was silent, and Rita kept asking Mikhail about his house, car and something else.

      Misha noticed my mood change and tried to fix it.

      – We’re almost there. What would you girls like to do in the evening? There is a sauna, swimming pool, billiards, bowling.

      – LTD! How delightful it is! I think we should celebrate Yana’s Vacation. She’s all early going there in a couple of months. And of course our acquaintance!

      – Yana, what do you say? – Mikhail looked at me worriedly.

      «I just wouldn’t mind having dinner.

      – Well, you are as always, friend. Modesty itself. Mikhail, do not be offended, but I want to arrange a holiday for my friend, if you don’t mind, otherwise she’s sour lately, like spoiled sour cream.

      – Rita, don’t. Maybe Mikhail has more important things to do.

      – Don’t worry, Yana. Things can wait a bit. I also really want to celebrate your arrival. Well, girls, we are there.

      …

      We entered the house. By the way, the house was surrounded by a high stone fence. You just can’t get there.

      – It looks like a fortress, said Rita, entering the courtyard. – just a real palace!

      – Yana, do you like it? – Mikhail’s brown eyes looked straight into the soul, trying to see the answer before I voiced it.

      – Very beautiful. And the air is also very beautiful here.

      – That is why the house is in the forest. The city is too dusty and noisy.

      «You don’t like noise?» Rita asked obsessively. – Then you and Yana will definitely make friends. Give her peace and quiet too. You can’t even drag her to the club for an hour. Well, Mikhail, you are definitely a prince from a fairy tale, and I would also like to be a princess. As soon as you finish working on Yana’s paintings, I will be happy to be your muse.

      Misha paid no more attention to my friend than to waiters in a restaurant or cafe. He only promised that he accepted her application and would try to realize her desire in the nearest free time. But not earlier than early next year.

      Rita was happy anyway. Her smile now shone as brightly as the white gold on the bracelet I had given him. We drank champagne and ate various snacks. Mikhail talked about different trips and travels. The evening passed unnoticed. The room in Mikhail’s house was on the first floor by my order. I haven’t even taken things apart yet. I just took out a swimsuit, a bathrobe and a pool towel. Mikhail did not take his brown piercing eyes off me. At times it seemed to me that I was blushing terribly. I tried to wrap myself up in a robe more when I left the pool, so as not to provoke Mikhail to show more vivid feelings. But Rita had a full blast. Taking with her a revealing pink bikini, the girlfriend flaunted her hips while walking by the pool. It even started to annoy me a little, but Mikhail still looked at me all evening, practically without taking his eyes off.

      Ritka stayed with me in the room for the night. The bed was huge. And besides, there was a folding chair nearby. But Rita lay down next to me while we chatted, and then we just disconnected from reality and fell asleep.

      …

      In the morning Mikhail knocked on our bedroom.

      – Girls, I brought you coffee and breakfast.

      I hurried to open it, putting on my robe. And Rita quickly pulled on my T-shirt, in which I arrived yesterday, remaining under the covers.

      – Oh thanks. Very nice. Will you have breakfast with us?

      – No, girls, I have things to do now for a couple of hours. Yana, can we start working in the afternoon?

      – Yes of course.

      – Well. Then the house is at your disposal. And I’m on business. There is security