Intertwined Fates. Ariana Bazhenova

exactly where it is. Let’s go.

      We stopped, waiting for the traffic light.

      – Can you imagine, no one warned my colleague that today the start was later, he arrived and is already sitting there alone, – he laughed, and I laughed after him.

      – Well, you see, no one took care of him, and you have me, – I said quietly, breathless from my own courage.

      – So you didn’t take care of me either! – he exclaimed, and his voice dropped to a high note. – You could have warned me yesterday! I woke up early and was lying in bed, staring at my phone.

      – Well, you could have asked me yourself yesterday. I don’t always like to text first, – I cheerfully parried the blow.

      We crossed the road and found ourselves opposite yet another bakery, of which there are thousands scattered throughout St. Petersburg.

      – In that case, we need to stop for coffee, – he threw at me in a tone that brooked no argument.

      I was slightly surprised and followed him inside. The dim, warm light and the lack of customers created a special atmosphere in this place, and we lowered our voices slightly. I thoughtfully looked at the menu on the wall.

      – I’ll have a double espresso, – he turned to me. – Will you have coffee?

      – Me? – his question caught me off guard, and I blinked my eyelashes in confusion. – Of course, thank you! Cappuccino.

      Warmth suddenly spread through my body. Perhaps this was just a gesture of politeness, but this bold and abrupt display of sympathy towards me was too unlike him. Leo’s offer was a pleasant surprise for me. I felt that he, usually a little awkward when it came to saying something nice, now expressed his affection and a bit of care with this gesture. In an attempt to distract Leo from seeing my deep blush, which showed through the thick mask of makeup, I started chatting about abstract topics and news related to our corporation. Laughing at another joke, we went outside, sipping coffee from identical red cups. And came face to face with the boss, who was coming out of the metro. With the one to whom I so rashly revealed my secret in the fall – my sympathy for Leo.

      – Hi, – she said in surprise, looking at us. She was clearly puzzled why we were walking together from the opposite side of the metro, drinking the same coffee and chatting casually, considering that she had known my secret for a long time. – Are you already rehearsing?

      – Well, something like that. I arrived early to get ready. It’s the second time in my life that I’m doing professional makeup, – I said, hinting at the importance of today for me.

      – Kira is going to our wedding, – she laughed.

      – Well, no, – as always, I said embarrassedly, smoothing over the edges of the acute topic. – I just wanted to hide my corpse-like appearance, nothing more.

      – Why do you look corpse-like? Are you pregnant? Do you feel sick at night? – Leo interjected in his Knight of Swords style.

      We emerged from the underpass onto the street. I was a little hurt by his joke – it seemed he wasn’t taking me seriously and was allowing for the possibility that I was already in a relationship and could even be pregnant. Oh, if only he knew…

      – Oh, no. The only thing I can give birth to now is projects, – I snapped, looking away. Perhaps a little more sharply than I wanted.

      – You see, – the boss raised her index finger meaningfully. – A careerist!

      That’s it. People continued to see me as a lady of fire, a Queen of Wands – an archetype of a businesswoman who is only interested in her projects, and puts independence and self-sufficiency first, while relationships are somewhere in the background. «Too interested in her career,» «too much male energy,» «the type of women who are frantically building a career until they’re thirty» – I often heard such comments about myself, although I didn’t try to create such an impression. They didn’t even know that inside there actually lived a tender, vulnerable and devoted soul, who was really waiting for her other half. I built a career and studied a lot, because I was truly interested in this world, there was a fire burning inside me that I wanted to convey to many people – but also make a cozy hearth out of it that would warm my chosen one. I wanted to be a business Queen of Wands for everyone and a sensual Queen of Cups for only one.

      – Not true. It’s just that there is a time for everything, – I nodded conciliatorily, looking at Leo and addressing these words to him.

      – It will come, and you will love children, – Leo said with softness in his voice.

      I turned around and took a sip of the coffee he bought. He loves children, and I always saw myself next to exactly such a man, but, alas, his eyes are now joyfully shining in anticipation of a child from another woman.

      Stop. I took a deep breath. I must not let this pain into my heart. Ahead is a special, long-awaited day!

      We approached an old cast-iron door, painted burgundy. The boss came up to me, trying to figure out how to open it.

      «Tell me later how much I should tip you for the book,» Leo leaned toward me.

      A couple of days ago, at the final meeting for the upcoming event, I announced that I had bought a book and would like to present it to the most active participant in our training. Turning to Leo in a businesslike manner, I perhaps told him too loudly to chip in for it. A wave of laughter swept through the room, and I blushed to my ears.

      «Kira, how mercenary you are!» Eva Schwein scolded me with a smile, but I saw approval in her eyes.

      I answered sheepishly that I was joking and, since it was my initiative, there was no need to chip in. At that moment, I really felt ashamed. Now, after his words, my gaze was covered with tenderness. – Oh, Leo, don’t bother, – I smiled charmingly and, as if under the influence of a magnet, leaned closer to him and patted his shoulder. – Just buy me a beer later, and that’s the end of it.

      The boss turned around, her gaze lingered on us, standing too close, on my hand lying on his shoulder. Trying to hide her surprise, she asked:

      – Does anyone know how to open this door?

      We pulled the handle, and the door gave in. Leo and I left our things in the cloakroom (he gave me a hanger with a confident, gallant gesture) and crossed the spacious round hall, demonstratively sitting down next to each other.

      – You are so dressed up today, and we are so ordinary today, – one of the employees leaned towards us and said cheerfully.

      I looked Leo over. Today he was wearing a carefully ironed white shirt, a stylish blue jacket and jeans. «I love men in suits,» I noted with a smile. My sympathy for him grew stronger with each passing minute. Leo turned and looked at me carefully, as if he was seeing me for the first time, re-evaluating me. I appeared before him in full dress for the first time. Or was it not the makeup and hair? Intercepting his attentive gaze, I shuddered and leaned slightly closer to him.

      – I’m so excited about today, we’ll finally get to perform, – I shifted on the hard wooden chair, turned away and looked out the window at the long row of light-colored houses in the shade of palm trees. Then I leaned even closer to Leo and, lowering my voice, continued. – And in the evening we’ll celebrate this event and… my upcoming promotion!

      – What position are you being transferred to? – he asked in surprise.

      – They promised to be a leading marketing manager. Just shh, don’t tell anyone, it’s only for trusted people, – I winked at him.

      – Ooooh, –