Intertwined Fates. Ariana Bazhenova

and carefully working, a little apart from everyone, knowing that at one moment the finest hour will come, and we will carefully but confidently make our move that will amaze everyone. Far-sighted management usually notices this type of person early on and tries to keep them close, and her impulse to create an alliance between us was truly alchemical and fateful.

      Leo felt her attitude – while many were afraid of Eva Schwein, he could easily come to her to discuss a project or express his opinion on a matter, and she also freely called him to her audience. In three years of work in the corporation, he grew from an ordinary programmer to a manager and chief scientist, and I called him «the soul of this place.» One mind or one strength does not decide anything – their harmonious combination is important.

      While the others jokingly tried to matchmake everyone in the company with me, only Eva Schwein somehow knew who I really needed. And I alone knew what she wanted to see in work, and anticipated her desires. As if we had known each other for more than one life.

      The first day of the event came to an end. Tomorrow I had to be here, on Petrogradka, at seven in the morning, on a cunningly planned and important matter for me. Since I would have to leave home at five in the morning, when the buses weren’t running yet, and then spend the whole day in an extremely attentive state studying, I generously rented a room for the night in a nearby hotel. Here they are – the costs of logistics in a big city!

      Having locked myself with two locks in a room permeated with the same strange smell of dampness as the entire hotel, I watched a comedy before going to bed (it turned out to be about a love triangle, by pure chance) and fell asleep. Already at six in the morning, unusually alert for such an early hour, I carefully placed the keys on the reception desk and quietly slipped out into the street.

      At this time, the streets of Petrogradsky Island were especially quiet, in anticipation of the first city dwellers rushing about on business. I had walked here all night long in the summer, but in winter it was a strikingly different picture. The narrow sidewalks near the intricately decorated houses were covered with a thin and loose, still untouched layer of snow, which in the dawn twilight and the light of the street lamps shimmered sometimes lilac, sometimes golden. The whole city was asleep on this Sunday morning, only I was awake. Making my way through the narrow streets, I came out to a spacious park, from behind the black silhouettes of the trees of which the majestic gilded spire of the Peter and Paul Cathedral was visible very close – once the highest point in the city, now a symbol of St. Petersburg. Quiet peace. Perhaps we could become friends with this city on this day and hour. Today the air was literally filled with the expectation of a miracle and a fairy tale, and I felt how a few hours would pass and the long-awaited triumph awaited me. – Give me a miracle today, – I whispered to the spirit of the city, looking at the high dark skies from which snowflakes were softly falling.

      – Good morning. Are we sure we start at nine today? – a message from Leo arrived with an unexpectedly loud sound.

      I shuddered, stopped in front of a small dark park and took a deep breath. And here come the miracles! Now I have to try to perceive Leo’s messages as a matter of course. But my heart began to dance joyfully. He could have asked anyone, or looked at the program of the event, but he chose to write to me this morning.

      – Good morning! At 9.30 a.m., – I answered.

      – Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Why did I get up so early?

      – At least I have time to get ready. I’m already in Petrogradskaya, I spent the night in a hotel.

      – Wow! Sounds like an interesting way to spend time.

      – Well, not really, it’s just that I have things to do here in the morning, and it would be a long way from the outskirts. See you soon!

      I put my phone in my bag, not trying to hide my wide smile, although who would see me in the dark on a deserted street? A little more, and I would have started dancing near this deserted park. Fluffy snow swirled in the dim orange light of the lantern and softly fell to the ground, and only my steps with a quiet crunch cut through the trembling pre-dawn silence of such a young, but already aged from the burden of history city.

      The door I needed was hidden behind an inconspicuous column in the wall. Seven in the morning. I knocked and entered a small room. One of its walls was completely covered with mirrors with bright lighting, the other, on the contrary, consisted of only windows – a little time will pass, and the narrow room will be completely flooded with light. I walked in and carefully sat down on a chair opposite the mirror, in which my face was reflected, snatched from the gloom of the room by the harsh light of the diodes.

      Two hours flew by unnoticed. We enthusiastically talked with the master about life, while she skillfully twisted intricate curls on my curls and applied makeup, turning my face into a beautiful stage mask.

      Finally, when the final touches were applied, I breathlessly approached the large mirror. A high elegant hairstyle, porcelain skin, warm brown eyes shaded by thick eyelashes and dark gray eyeliner – all this reminded of eternal femininity, fragile aristocracy of past eras. But in combination with a strict business suit of a delicate blue color, the image gave away a girl who, despite external and internal sophistication, is ready to actively declare herself, comprehend this world and… fight for what is dear. I smiled broadly.

      It often happens that the more a person’s psyche is flooded with fears and insecurities, the more brilliant his external makeup and thicker his armor. I realized that I had just given a tenth of my salary on a soap bubble – a mask that would be washed off my face by the evening.

      But I could not afford to misfire. Too much effort was invested in this project, too many people would evaluate it – about thirty pairs of eyes would be directed at us. An intelligent person is beautiful, a person who transmits knowledge is delightful, and if he or she is also beautiful in appearance, then this is a triumph. But I did not fully understand what I wanted: to achieve this triumph, to transmit knowledge beautifully and light up the eyes, or to simply protect my vulnerable ego from possible criticism. But I knew one thing for sure – I wanted to impress Leo. I clearly see the goal and concentratedly pull the bowstring so that out of all thirty people I would hit only one.

      I paid the master and got into a taxi. I was met by deserted avenues, already illuminated by the cold winter sun, but not yet flooded with people. The yellow car carried me towards the long-awaited day, and inside the trepidation of impatience mixed with bright confidence that something important would happen. I smiled boldly and brightly at the new morning.

      There was still an hour left before the start of the event, and I went into one of my favorite coffee shops. I had to eat my usual breakfast especially carefully so as not to smudge my makeup.

      – How about going out for a beer after the show? We deserve it! – Leo sent me a message.

      I almost jumped up on my chair and smiled widely. The fear left my body, giving way to bright joy.

      – A tempting idea, go ahead, – I answered immediately.

      Having finished my breakfast, I went outside and walked around the square to our venue. The white sun was reflected in the shiny bodies of cars rushing past tall, ornately decorated buildings – Petersburg was waking up. I carefully brushed the snowflakes off the curls framing my face.

      And then I saw Leo from afar – he was walking in the opposite direction from where I needed to go. Slightly confused from excitement, I froze at the crossing, deciding not to cross the road and wait for him. He was approaching me, a little sleepy, in an old blue jacket, smoking, blowing a stream of smoke into the air. I froze in place and broke into a smile.

      – Good morning! Where are you going? Our building is on the opposite side, – I tilted my head to the side with a smile.

      He