One mistake. One post. One night, and everything collapsed.

Chapter 1.

— Well, my friend, to your new life! — Vika raised a glass with a pink cocktail, from which shiny tubes with iridescent tinsel were cheerfully sticking out. From her movement, this tinsel swayed, creating a festive mood, although today was not the New Year. But there was definitely something new- take at least my new life course.

— To a new life! For us! — I cheerfully supported, because I really believed that now, finally, something could go right.

I can’t say that I was too unhappy with everything that was happening to me before, because most of it was my personal choice and decision. But looking back, I can say one thing with certainty: to hell with the whole past!

My name is Lera Sokolova, I am twenty-eight years old. For my small town, I’m already an old maid stuck in the provinces, who finally lost her mind, broke up with the guy she spent the last five years with, without waiting for a marriage proposal. It is worth noting that I did not really expect that these organs would ever be offered to me. She gave up everything and moved to the capital. As the neighborhood grannies whispered, I slipped into the abyss of debauchery.

In fact, I just went through several stages of interviews and got a job at an advertising agency in the capital called Loud!. For the position of creative manager.

I’ve been working in advertising for five years now, and my city has become crowded. Not only to work, but also to live. Unfortunately, few people understood this, including my parents, who still did not understand what I was doing at work. Their friends have kids like that. One is a medical doctor, the other is a teacher. After all, Aunt Luda’s daughter works as an administrator at a grocery store. What about me? Well, what can you take from me. She didn’t have a husband, a child, or even a cat! She’s also fucked up her last chance at marriage! These are their words. They tried to convince me that I should beg Ilya to make peace with me and apologize for everything that I didn’t even do. I don’t care if he left me on his own.

Fortunately, I had a different opinion. Therefore, she took advantage of the situation in a different way. I’m lucky to have a friend like Vika, who supported my relocation plan and helped me find a place to live. And I found a job, even though it wasn’t the first time. It’s good that now everything can be done online, even an interview.

— Leroy, how do you like it here? Do you feel like you belong? — my friend brought me out of my thoughts.

I looked at her first, then looked around the crowd. People were resting. No one cared about each other, everyone had their own fun. Someone was dancing freely, someone was sitting, like us, at the bar or at a separate table. But there was a sense of fun in the air, mixed with the thick smell of perfume, sweet cocktails and a subtle spirit of freedom.

I gave a thumbs-up so as not to try to shout over the amplified music, and took a sip from my glass. The cold liquid burned my throat with a pleasant sweetness.

“Don’t worry,— Vika continued to speak loudly, leaning closer. “You’ll get used to it soon enough. You know, the first time I was in a place like this, I spent the whole evening standing by the wall, just watching everyone. It always seemed to me that I wasn’t like that. I was afraid that I would do something wrong and everyone would laugh at me.

—Yeah,” I said, —if anyone notices at all.”

There was one big advantage here—no one gave a damn about each other.

—Lehr, you know, I was alone at the time, no one explained what was what to me,” she seemed offended, although I was sure she was actually proud of herself.

And no kidding, there is something. At one time, when she was still very young, she packed up her things and gave up on nowhere. Completely alone, without any help. And now, although she is a junior, she is a very sought-after lawyer in some cool law firm. While I was floundering on the sidelines of life, she was confidently moving forward and still continues to do so. I’m proud of her!

—Vic, thank you,” I clinked my glass against hers and kissed her on the cheek. — If it wasn’t for you, I probably would have taken this step for a long time.

—Oh, don’t tell me. You moved here on your own and found a job on your own. So my help here was minimal. As my grandmother used to say, with a cat’s pussy.

We both burst out laughing and, swaying to the beat of the music, continued to enjoy cocktails.

The loud music, the bass pounding right into my chest, the flashing lights—all this put me in a kind of trance and relaxed me. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt so free. It was as if she had lifted from her shoulders an invisible burden of provincial expectations and other people’s opinions.

— Lehr, one more time? Vika put her empty glass on the counter.

“If it’s just the last one,— I automatically looked at my watch. There wasn’t much time left, but tomorrow was already scheduled by the minute. — I can’t go for a long walk this time, I have to go to work the day after tomorrow. I’ll be preparing all day tomorrow so as not to screw up in a new place.

—Of course,” Vika agreed with my intentions with a confident nod. — I also have a lot of things to do tomorrow. To work a little more. That’s why we’re going to have a drink, dance, and go home.

The biggest deception in life happens on the phrase “I won’t be long today.” Because when you say it, you firmly believe that this is exactly how it will be. In fact, after a dozen cocktails for two, Vika and I danced in a way we hadn’t been able to afford for a long time.

We laughed and danced, understanding each other’s mood without words. Because we were both happy that after many years we were finally reunited in the same city. Of course, we didn’t lose touch with her. But it’s one thing to talk on the phone, and it’s quite another when you can take a person by the hand, hug them, look into their eyes. This happiness, which now, along with alcohol, has spread through our veins like a warm wave.

— Vic, I’m going to the bathroom! I shouted in her ear.

She nodded at me a little too theatrically and raised her arms above her head, dancing even more actively. I began to make my way through the crowd in the direction of the bathroom, dodging between the heated bodies.

Of course, there was a queue waiting for me. That’s why I didn’t stop dancing either, to somehow help myself to be patient until the booth was free for me.

To keep myself occupied, I looked at my colleagues, who also happened to be in this queue. Young girls. Some were adjusting their makeup, while others were discussing who they had met and how they hoped to continue the evening. How stupid everyone is. Freedom is what every girl needs! This brilliant idea settled in my head, and I smiled. Down with any relationship!

When I returned to the dance floor, I saw Vika in the company of a man. Their dance was, well, not a dance at all. Should I save her or bless her? I looked around for a clue, which, of course, wasn’t there. Thank God, Vika herself turned her head in my direction, and I tried to pantomime her how she was feeling. Her friend’s happy look said unequivocally that it was good. Well, let him rest.

I went to the bar to order a bottle of water and try to bring myself to my senses, because I clearly understood one thing: I was drunk. While waiting for the bartender to come up to me, I looked around. Now, being alone, I took a closer look at the visitors of this club. The beautiful, bright girls standing at the bar were clearly also looking around, but for a different purpose. Pulling their hair, they periodically smiled at passing men, even if they were already in the company of girls. Of course, they can be understood — you have to get to know each other somewhere, but that’s how you offer yourself… After all, I was right to decide that I was done with relationships in my life. Just me and my job.

I noticed him out of the corner of my eye—a tall silhouette, a confident pose, an expensive watch glinting on his wrist. He was moving towards the bar, and for some reason I froze, following his gaze.

— Are you resting or hiding from the crowd? — a man’s voice rang out from the right, while I was just looking to the left.

To make sure it was addressed to me, I turned my head. Wow.

The man was standing next to me. And not only that, he was too good—looking. Well, just so you understand, it’s from a completely different world, not mine. A tall, broad-shouldered brunette with a perfect hairstyle and an expensive (most likely, but how do I know for sure) watch that glittered on his hand, located on the counter. If I crossed paths with such people, it was only for work, and then most of the time I was invisible to them with a presentation that they looked through me.

That’s why I didn’t immediately believe that he was talking to me. In order not to look stupid, answering a question to someone else, I looked around. The brunette, a little surprised, repeated this gesture, slightly raising his beautiful eyebrow. In the end, we finally stopped looking at each other, and he was still waiting for an answer from me.

“No, I’m conducting a social experiment,” I blurted out for some reason, and immediately mentally slapped myself on the forehead. “Lera, you’re an idiot.”

I was so taken aback by my answer that at the end I gave a treacherous hiccup.

With my response, complete with an unexpected hiccup, I must have slightly surprised the brunette. Because he looked at me with too much interest, and a smile played at the corners of his lips.

— And what kind of experiment?

—So-qi-al,— I pronounced syllabically, but very confidently, as if to make it clear that everything was clear without that.

They gave me water anyway, and I immediately began to drink it greedily.

The brunette did not go anywhere and continued to study me with a look in which sincere curiosity was read. Putting the almost empty bottle back, I hiccuped again, but this time I felt a little ashamed, so I said, “Oh,” and covered my mouth with my hands, squinting to the side.

“I’m still here,” the brunette confirmed my fears with a smile. “So you’re a sociologist?”

—No, I’m an advertiser,” she said proudly, turning to face him.

I was really proud of my work, and I understood what “advertising” meant.

— Then I’m even more curious, what kind of experiment is this? He persisted, leaning closer so that I could hear him better.

And suddenly I was curious about myself. Because for a long time, someone, as if sincerely (which, of course, you can’t be sure in a nightclub), asked me about my job.

—Well, you asked for it…” and then I got carried away.

I’m not sure if Maxim (as my new acquaintance introduced himself) understood at least something of my speech, but it’s worth paying tribute to him, he listened attentively and even answered always in the subject.

I didn’t notice how I had a cup of coffee in front of me, which I drank almost in one gulp, then a cocktail—I didn’t drink it so fast because I didn’t have time to distract myself from my fiery speech—and then a bottle of water again.

Somewhere in the background, I caught a glimpse of Vika, who came over to find out how I was doing and inform me that she was leaving. Can she leave me here or walk me home? I waved it off because the discussion was gaining momentum.

— Maxim, well, you’re a man yourself, and you know perfectly well that all men dictate literally everything to women.: how to look at them, how to behave, and that’s it,” I desperately defended my point of view, hoping very much that I wasn’t spitting at him with this expression.

— Lera, no, men don’t dictate anything. Anyway, self-sufficient men. It’s women who constantly deceive us,” he participated in the dialogue with the same enthusiasm. “Look to the left. There is a girl, beautiful, and even very. But if you look closely, you realize that the eyelashes aren’t hers, the hair isn’t hers, and I bet her breasts aren’t either.

I looked around and ran my gaze over the “object”. Beautiful, but yes, as if she came off the cover of a gloss — too perfect for reality.

“But you like that!” — she turned back around. — That’s why she has to be like this. And she’s in agony, picking up fallen strands around the house and lamenting how much hair correction costs.

Maxim’s look indicated that he was in shock. Was he really so surprised that getting hair extensions was expensive? I’m on the topic, because I once did an advertisement for such a salon.

“And why would I do that?” — he said almost resentfully. — Any normal person needs everything that is real, not perfect. It’s better to have flaws. For example, you…

—Wait,— I didn’t let him finish. — Are you trying to tell me now that I’m better than someone else because I don’t hide my “flaws”?

No, I knew I wasn’t pretty. Vika, for example, was just a candy by nature. Although it doesn’t really help her in life either. I’m not much of a three. As my mother used to say, “They usually keep such goods in a corner.” But nevertheless, it was a shame to hear it now.

Maxim looked even more puzzled.

— No, I didn’t mean to say that. Why would you even think that? He looked at me with such sincerity that I was ready to believe anything. — I wanted to say that you are natural. In appearance and behavior. And if you compare yourself, that’s what you’ll win against every girl in this club!

— So I’ll win because I’m not so beautiful? — I won’t hide it, I really wanted to hear something good about myself. I’ve accepted his excuses for a long time.

—Leroy, you’re beautiful, and even very beautiful,— he looked me over with his attentive gaze so that I could even feel it on my skin. “But on top of that, I see that it’s all yours.” This is you. That’s more correct, not a picture made up by someone. You’re beautiful.

I think I even blushed at this admission. It sounded so sincere and so warm, and also, consider which man told me it, that I just swam in the moment. My heart began to beat faster, and something in my stomach tightened pleasantly.

We continued our conversation with him, but now we have deviated from the topic of the dispute. They talked about everything and nothing — about music, about the city, about dreams. I didn’t even realize at what point we were in the back seat of a taxi, passionately kissing.

I’ve never allowed myself to behave like this before. It wasn’t decent. And all in that spirit. But now I wanted to let go of the situation and for the first time forget myself in the arms of a man I would never see again. Or so I told myself, justifying my own courage.

I touched him hungrily and everywhere, as if I were trying to memorize every line of his body. When we got to his house, I didn’t waste any time exploring the surroundings and grounds. There was nothing in my head, I was completely absorbed in the moment. And personally, I was driven only by desire. And after all, this cocktail of emotions was masterfully heated by Maxim himself, who also passionately gave himself to me.

His hands were everywhere—in my hair, on my waist, on my hips. Every touch left a trail of heat in its wake. We tore off each other’s clothes, stumbling and laughing, until we reached his bedroom.

It was the best night of my life. He was gentle and passionate at the same time, attentive to my every breath. And I allowed myself to be like I’ve never been before—free, liberated, alive.

The sun was shining madly in my eyes. Even before I opened them, I clearly realized that something was wrong. Of course, I’m not really used to my rented apartment yet either. But now I felt really comfortable. Too soft, too warm.

When I opened one eye, my breathing stopped. A bright room with a window in which green trees could be seen. And someone’s hand on my waist. Of course, I haven’t forgotten last night. But everything yesterday was more like a dream, because this could only happen to me in a dream. Fabulous. But the overly comfortable mattress and weightless blanket, combined with the hot body pressed against my back, proved that all this was happening in reality.

I carefully got out of this sweet captivity and looked at Maxim. Even in his sleep, he looked perfect—his black hair was disheveled, a slight smile played on his lips, long eyelashes cast shadows on his cheekbones. It was necessary to get into this mess. After such a man, I don’t need my usual boyfriends for nothing. Although I refused them. Freedom, remember?

I quietly gathered up my scattered things and left the room. It was only now that I realized that I was in a private house. I didn’t have time to take a tour here, but even my hasty glance said that I would be able to see such a house again in my life only if I was offered to advertise premium country houses. High ceilings, panoramic windows, designer furniture — everything breathed prosperity and taste.

I called a taxi and hurried to the exit.

On my way, I paused when I saw a notebook with a pen on the console. I quickly tore out a piece of paper and wrote: “The social experiment was a success! Thank you and good luck!”

Writing words of gratitude made me feel better somehow. Although for a second the hand froze over the paper. Maybe I shouldn’t have left anything? A phone number? No, it was just one night.

Therefore, I was no longer afraid of making noise, and I ran to the car that had come to pick me up.

As I drove further away from this house, I felt a strange emptiness growing in my chest with every meter. I stealthily turned around — the house was surrounded by greenery, like a backdrop to someone else’s fairy tale. Never again.

Chapter 2.

Naturally, Sunday didn’t go according to plan. Instead of basking in bed, I was shaking in a taxi that smelled of someone else’s sweat. The driver was eating chebureks without any hesitation, and I was frantically trying to breathe through my mouth so as not to inhale this “fragrance”. “That’s how romance ends, embracing reality and the smell of fried dough.”

The whole way, I tried to get the memories of last night out of my head. About his hands on my skin. About how he kissed me like I was the only woman on the planet. About how soft he looked in the morning when he was sleeping. But every time I closed my eyes, I found myself in his arms again.

That’s enough, Lera. It was a one-night stand. Forget.

When I entered the apartment, the first thing I did was run to the bathroom to wash off the ingrained smell of the trip and the sensations from last night. I was overwhelmed with feelings. But they were all too polar to each other: from the shame of their depravity to the feeling that everything was worth it.

After calling Vika, we found out that everything was fine with each other. When she asked me how my evening ended, I hummed shyly that everything was fine. I don’t know why, but even my best friend was embarrassed to admit that I had spent the night with the first man I met, even if he was so hot. In every sense of the word.

In the evening, I prepared clothes for my first day at work. The pantsuit is my personal enemy: the trousers dug into my stomach after every crumb of bread. But I rationalized that I didn’t want to look like a provincial in “Loud!”. Besides, there probably won’t even be time to drink coffee on the first day, let alone eat.

And so, on Monday morning, I rush towards the subway and curse the pile of uncomfortable shoes. I only pray that I won’t be late and break my legs. Neither one nor the other is included in my plan.

When I got off at the right metro station, a new modern business center appeared before my eyes. I stopped for a moment to calm down and catch the feeling of happiness that my new workplace is now here. Could I have dreamed of this a year ago? Definitely not. I can’t say that I was happy with my life, but for some reason I never thought that I had the right to change it myself. Even Ilya wanted to say thank you for leaving me and thereby giving me an impetus to act.

A formidable guard met me at the entrance.

— Good morning! I’m at the advertising agency “Loudly!” — I also reported loudly and cheerfully.

The guard looked up from his monitor and looked at me without much interest.

“Last name?” — He muttered.

—Sokolova,— I froze for a second, thinking that he was asking about the boss, but I caught myself in time.

He checked something on his monitor and handed me a card.

— Fourth floor, office 405. After the elevator, turn left until you see the number plate.

I carefully picked up the card, trying to figure out how to use this tricky key. I was lucky that I wasn’t the only one trying to get to work, so I managed to see how similar cards were applied to the turnstile, after which it gave the green light.

Yeah, it’s a village.

I quickly found the right office on my floor and hurriedly rushed inside.

-hello! — I immediately addressed everyone who was standing nearby.

— Good morning! How can I help you? — the girl who, as it turned out, was sitting at the reception at the entrance immediately responded.

—Hello,” I repeated to her personally. — My name is Lera Sokolova, and I’m coming here to work today.

— Oh, right! — The girl caught herself. — My name is Anya. Come on, I’ll walk you out — Marina is already waiting.

As we walked through the office, I eagerly looked around in all directions. The entire office was divided by transparent walls into offices, each of which housed different teams. There were practically no walls around the perimeter of the office, but there were floor-to-ceiling windows that gave a sense of uninterrupted space. The office buzzed with muffled work noise—the clatter of keyboards, snatches of conversation, laughter from the nearby aquarium. It smelled of freshly brewed coffee and something citrus-like an air freshener. I absorbed every detail, trying to memorize the location of the offices and the faces of my colleagues.

It was cool. It’s not like sitting in a basement and taking ideas out of nowhere.

—Marina, I brought Lera to you,” Anya led me into one of these offices.

A girl in her forties was sitting at the table, but she looked quite young due to her informal image.

— Oh, thank you! She immediately got up from the table and came over to me. — Hi, Lera. Now I’ll show you the workplace, and later I’ll introduce you to the whole team. And I must say right away, we communicate with each other exclusively by “you”.

My new workplace was beyond praise. Of course, I had my own desk before that. But obviously not a designer one. And there was clearly no such comfortable chair next to him, which was not only comfortable to sit in, but certainly also to sleep in.

— As I told you at the interview, our schedule is not standardized, the beginning of the working day is floating, so most colleagues arrive around eleven o’clock, — Marina explained to me amiably. — The main thing for us is the result. Therefore, no one stands with a watch over their soul and does not record the amount of time spent here. But, I repeat, we need results, so we work a lot, and sometimes for days at a time. But as far as I remember, you’re not scared like that.

—Yes,” I immediately picked up the conversation. — I’m used to working hard, and the result is also important to me.

— Today you will have more of an introductory day. My colleagues and I will introduce you to the office and our corporate culture. Although it’s informal, it’s still there,” Marina grinned. — The director will be here today. Maxim was on business trips for two weeks, so we decided not to wait for him for the final interview. He usually talks to everyone personally, but we needed hands, so we hurried. As it is, there will also be frequent interaction with him.

I shuddered imperceptibly at that name, and I hope it was true. But then I was glad that I would remember the name easily. It’s just that, despite my phenomenal memory for various little things, the names didn’t stick in my head at all.

“Would you like some coffee?” I was in a hurry to get to the office in time to meet you, and I didn’t have time to drink at home,” Marina was already walking to the exit from the glass office and, looking back, asked me a question.

—No, thanks, I don’t want to yet,” I tried to sound sincere and added a sweet smile to my answer.

Although I really wanted coffee, then the trousers would become even more uncomfortable. And you’ll want to go to the bathroom. “I’ll do better,” I thought, looking enviously at the arriving colleagues in ordinary clothes. And I felt even more uncomfortable in my suit.

Then the day spun with incredible speed. As it turned out, there were different teams in each office, responsible for different areas. Our “aquarium,” as everyone jokingly called it, was divided into five. In addition to Marina and me, who was the main producer of our team, designer Artyom, copywriter Ksusha and PR Alena were also sitting with us. Everyone was very nice and friendly. It was Alyona who took it upon herself to show me around the office and introduce me to other teams.

“Don’t worry, you don’t have to remember the names yet,” she took my arm and led me down the hall. — There are about thirty of us sitting here, then you’ll get to know everyone in the process. For now, you can ask what’s what, don’t be shy. And here we have a breakroom! The holy of holies after the meeting room. There are often informal discussions here. To be honest, we have various discussions going on twenty-four by seven! I assure you, you should like it. We all live at a furious pace here, but then when you see that your advertising is shooting and helping the product, you’re ready to enjoy twice as much.

She told me everything so enthusiastically that I only dreamed of one thing — to get to work faster. I also want to become a part of this team that has created the best advertising campaigns in recent years. This was confirmed by a bunch of awards, which were collected at each competition by the agency “Loudly!”

“Can we have some coffee while we’re at it?” Alyona was already pressing some buttons on the coffee machine, holding up a cup.

This time I didn’t refuse, because it was getting close to lunch, and I hadn’t eaten since yesterday.

We sat at a large table that stood in the middle of the room. As soon as I took the first sip, a young man joined us, whom Alyona re-introduced to me as Slavik, a local programmer.

Slavik himself refuted all ideas about people in this profession. He looked well—groomed and was dressed stylishly, in the spirit of all the employees here – in a casual style, but with some character of his own. Plus, he was quite sociable.

— Where did you come from? — either to keep up the conversation, or he was really interested.

“I’m from a small town. I worked in an advertising agency there, which was known throughout the region in its own way,” I replied openly. — The name is unlikely to mean anything to you, but nevertheless, I also have work experience. And you can say even successful.

“Oh, we all came from somewhere,— Alyona easily supported. — I’m from the village. However, she arrived a long time ago. But nevertheless.

—Alain, no one here will ever be able to forget how you came from the village to conquer Moscow,” Slavik grinned. — The history of each corporate event. It even became part of her toast once.

He had already said that while looking at me. I couldn’t help but laugh, and Alyona pretended to be offended, even though we all knew what was really wrong.

Our conversation was suddenly interrupted by the appearance of Anya, the receptionist.

—Alain, Marina asked me to tell you that Maxim is here and wants to meet a new employee,” she said, half sticking her head into the breakroom, half remaining in the hallway, and making sure that Alain heard her, she closed the door behind her.

— Well, — Alyona slapped her hands on her knees, — let’s go to the authorities!

We walked along the glass corridor in the direction of the only office that was not transparent. I kind of tried not to be nervous—after all, I’ve already been hired. Nevertheless, it was exciting to come face to face with a man who is the main one of the main ones.

Alyona formally knocked on the door and immediately opened it.

— Maxim, hello! I brought our new creative manager.

hello! Come in,” a man’s voice replied, and my heart began to race.

No. Not again.

I recognized that voice. Low, velvety, with a slight hoarseness. The one who whispered vulgarities in my ear all night.

Alyona opened the door and let me through. I stepped inside, and the world froze for a second.

He was sitting at a massive desk. Maksim. That’s the one. In a business suit, with perfectly coiffed hair and impenetrable eyes. Only the slight tension in his cheekbones showed that he recognized me, too.

My heart sank into my throat.

— Zd…Hello,” I stuttered, and my voice sounded terribly pathetic.

Maxim stared at me intently. But he didn’t look too surprised—he controlled himself much better than I did. His gaze slid over my face, lingered on my lips for a split second, then dropped to my hands, which I convulsively clenched into fists.

—Hello,— he answered me after a while, and there was not a drop of emotion in his voice. — Alain, you can go. We’ll talk on our own.

—Yes, of course,” she immediately stormed out of the office, completely unaware that she was leaving me completely alone before the planned execution.

For some reason, I was convinced that this was exactly what was waiting for me.

The door closed behind Alena with a soft click, and we were left alone. The silence was heavy and oppressive. Maxim continued to stare at me, and I didn’t know where to put my hands and eyes.

“Have a seat,— he nodded at the chair in front of him.

I nodded hesitantly and sat down in the indicated place. Keeping the pose of a schoolgirl — straight back and hands on my knees — I waited for the continuation. I felt so sorry for myself. Is all my work going to end here before it even started? If I had known who this man from the club was, I would never have gone to his house in my life. I wouldn’t even get to know him. Or, better, on the contrary, I would have met and introduced myself as the best professional. I would tell you what courses I attended and what I managed to implement. Damn it three times!

While I was thinking about all this, Maxim was slowly reading my printed resume. I watched him furtively, the way he frowned as he read the lines, the way he clenched his jaw, the way he drummed his fingers on the table. When he finished studying the resume, he looked up at me, and our eyes met.

We looked at each other as if we were each deciding how to proceed. Something flashed in his gaze-surprise? Disappointment? I didn’t have time to understand.

“Well, hello, Lera,” he said a little hoarsely.

I lowered my eyes and nodded in return greeting him.

— Will I not pass the interview? — I was tired of being tormented by uncertainty and asked the question head-on.

Which kind of surprised the director, because he looked at me in surprise.

— Today is not an interview. You’ve already passed it. My cheeks flushed.

What is he hinting at?

Noticing my ambiguous look, he continued:

— Marina has already hired you following your interview.

— Mmm, — I tried to calm down, but it turned out to be one point out of ten. — Will I not pass the probation period?

— Well, it depends on you, — Maxim leaned back in his chair and carefully studied me with his eyes.

My cheeks flushed again because I suddenly heard a double meaning in his words. Or she imagined it for herself.

Nevertheless, it came out of me:

“What are you implying to me?” I half-turned around. — I won’t sleep with you for the sake of a workplace!

Jesus, Lera, shut up! He didn’t say anything like that at all!

I probably should have tested the waters first to make sure I got the double entendre right. Because as soon as I said the last sentence, I realized that something was wrong.

Maxim froze. His face showed first confusion, then cold rage. He slowly moved his chair closer to the table and rested his elbows on it. His fingers curled into a lock, and his knuckles turned white.

— Remember once and for all: I do not sleep with my subordinates. I work exclusively at work,” he put me in my place in a stern, well—modulated voice.

And I was slowly deflating, like a leaky balloon.

— What happened between us would have been impossible if I had known in advance that you would be working here. And your future career in my company depends solely on whether your competencies meet our high standards. I hope you understand that?

I kept nodding like a dumb dummy. I hadn’t felt so stupid since my graduation, when I thought that the most handsome guy from school would ask me to dance, but it turned out that he was going to the girl who was standing behind my back. Although there have been so many similar stories in my life that it’s time to develop immunity. But now I felt like my fate was literally being decided.

“I get it,” she said, pulling herself together. — I came here to work, and I hope recent events will not affect this in any way. I hope you understood me too?

I didn’t want to do it so abruptly, but something jumped inside. It’s like at some point I’m tired of being a girl who gets scolded like that.

Maxim squinted slightly, as if reassessing me anew. A faint smile flickered at the corners of his lips.

“Don’t doubt it,— came the firm reply. — And keep in mind: you shouldn’t spread rumors about it.

“Believe me, it’s in my best interests too,” I said.

— Great, — Maxim leaned back in his chair again. — You can go to work.

I got up in silence and went to the exit until someone called out to me.

—Lera,— I looked back.

He looked at me with a slight, almost imperceptible smile. There was something warm, almost tender, in his gaze, but it disappeared so quickly that I thought I was imagining it.

— You don’t have to wear an uncomfortable suit. You don’t have to impress anyone here,” he paused, and his smile widened a little, almost leering. — Thank you for accepting the job offer. And good luck to you!

In the last words, there was a clear allusion to my morning note. “The social experiment was a success! Thank you and good luck!”

I cursed inwardly, and turned on my heel and stormed out of the office, trying not to crash into the doorjamb.

That’s how my first day working at Loud! began. And, apparently, it won’t be boring.

Chapter 3.

After talking to Maxim, I returned to my desk with the firm intention to work and only work. No thoughts of that night. No memory of his hands, of the way he kissed me, of his voice, hoarse with desire. Why am I twisting all this again? Just a job.

And, oddly enough, the day really continued on an optimistic note.

Alyona explained to me the rest of the office rules, which were actually few. The main thing is to work! Preferably always and everywhere. But everyone did it with undisguised enthusiasm, and such a wave couldn’t help but capture me.

If we ignore the fact that I saw my director naked (and I’m sorry, you can’t see that), then everything else was just wow! Initially, I was afraid of how the team would react to the new employee, that is, to me. But this question disappeared immediately. Not everyone was as friendly as my team is now, but it could all be attributed to a lot of work.

At the end of the day, Marina approached me to discuss if I had any questions, to which I replied in the negative. Then she quickly packed her things and left our aquarium, because they were already waiting for her there.

Strangely enough, Maxim himself was waiting for her.

He was standing at the exit, leaning his shoulder against the door frame, and leaning slightly over, saying something to her. Marina laughed, touching his hand, and he smiled back — easily, freely, not at all like with me in the office.

Something pricked uncomfortably inside.

What’s it to me?

But I watched them all the way out anyway, clutching the pen in my hand so that my knuckles turned white.

This did not go unnoticed by my colleagues, who, it turns out, were actively watching me at that moment.

“They’re old friends,— Ksyusha commented on the situation, clearly noticing my tension.

I looked at her sharply, trying to look like I didn’t really care.

— Yeah, they’ve been together since the last agency, — Alyona joined in. — Maxim, when he opened his own, the first thing he did was drag her to his place.

—Well, yes, where would it be without her?” chuckled Artyom. “No one gets as many favors as she does.

And they say men don’t gossip.

— It would be better to be silent! — Alyona threw something in his direction, most likely it was a pen. — She sometimes works here for three people. Therefore, it can sometimes have indulgences. In addition, they are required because someone cannot make a presentation properly on time.

“It happened once,” Artyom muttered. — And then I got poisoned, so I didn’t have time.

— Yes, yes, we all remember your poisoning. Especially the way you sent us all voicemail messages from the club the day before,” Ksyusha finished with a laugh. Alyona supported her.

And I sat there and thought that I was definitely more lucky than unlucky. I will easily erase Saturday night from my memory in order to continue working in this wonderful place. It’s not worth risking your dream job like that.

We walked to the subway with Alyona and Ksusha. Artyom refused to come with us — for the official reason something needed to be done, for the unofficial reason – he did not want to continue talking about his poisoning. When we said goodbye to the girls, we agreed to sit somewhere after work on Friday so that we could work together better. These were their words, but I was happy to support this idea.

No one was waiting for me at home. Even a piece of bread that had been lying around since last week wanted to detach itself and became moldy. So I quickly ran to the nearest store and bought myself a yogurt. I didn’t want to cook anything. To be honest, there is too, but I didn’t plan to lose even more weight. As it is, my nerves have taken their toll lately.

While I was eating my so-called dinner, I decided to dial Vika. She didn’t answer my call right away, but she did.

— Hi, Leroy, I was just thinking of calling you. How was your first day at work? — judging by the sounds, Vika was walking fast that she was even a little out of breath.

hello! Vika, everything is just great, if not for one moment… — it was absolutely vital for me to share it with someone, otherwise my brain would just explode.

— What moment? She immediately became wary. — Don’t tell me they all lied to you at the interview, and at first you have to serve coffee to everyone there?

Her menacing voice calmed me down a bit. Still, it’s nice to know that someone is worried about me.

— No, don’t think about it, everyone carries their own coffee there. — I took a short pause to decide how best to present the information. — Anyway, do you remember when I talked to a young man at the club?

—Mmm, I remember,” my friend immediately tensed up even more.

“Well, he turned out to be my boss. More precisely, the most important boss. — I decided to start giving out the truth in portions. Still, it’s not so easy to admit that I didn’t just communicate.

Yes? So what? You didn’t say anything like that, did you? — I immediately began to think of different options. — Well, for example, that you hate advertising and put a candle on all the clients in the cemetery? Or that you don’t really understand anything about your work, but only steal other people’s ideas? Oh, or that you never brush your teeth before important negotiations because it’s bad luck?

— Vika, stop! — I couldn’t help laughing, but then I suddenly remembered the real reason and somehow quickly stopped laughing. — Actually, well, how should I tell you… I didn’t just talk to him.

I paused meaningfully, hoping that she would figure it out on her own.

— Well, I remember that you also drank… Not really! It can’t be! She suddenly shouted into the phone. “Did you puke on him?”

—No, it’s not! I replied a little bit crazily. “I slept with him!”

We were both silent for a while. I just didn’t have the words anymore. What Vika was thinking about is a mystery.

— Is he so small that you’re ashamed to look into his eyes now? — as a result, I voiced another version.

I choked on my yogurt.

— Vika! No! God, what’s that got to do with it… I coughed convulsively. — It’s all there… everything is fine. More than enough.

I’m too fine to forget about it too quickly.

And suddenly I felt ashamed with renewed vigor. He had nothing small. Everything is as one can only dream of. And he knew how to handle his size. Oh. I was just starting to forget, and here I am again.

“No, Vic, that’s not the point. Simply… Well, I have to work for him now.

— Come on, Lehr, I understand. But it’s already done, you can’t turn the stuffing back. Therefore, think only about work. My advice to you,” Vika was already saying this as seriously as possible. And I was incredibly grateful to her that she initially tried to distract me with her jokes. — Oh, I’m sorry, I have a parallel call at work. Let’s call you later.

Vika hung up, and I looked at the half-eaten yogurt and thought that Vika was really right. I can’t do anything about it anymore, so all I have to do is follow the corporate rule and work.

My phone vibrated. Hoping it was Vika, I quickly grabbed it. But it was Mom…

— Hello, Mom, — I sat down more comfortably, so that at least my position in space would be comfortable.

It’s unlikely to be a conversation, as it has been in recent years.

— Hi, Lera, why aren’t you calling? — the parent immediately began with a reproach.

“I was just about to,— and I’m not even ashamed to lie. — How are you and Dad doing?

— And how things can be with us. Dad is watching the news on TV. She thinks maybe they’ll show you there, maybe she’s already had some kind of accident. I’ve made dinner. Have you eaten today? — without much transition to a new topic, she asked.

— Yes, of course, I did. Mom, I’m twenty-eight years old, I’ve been living alone since I was eighteen, believe me, I’ve learned to be independent.

“She’s learned,— Mom grumbled somewhere to the side, apparently to Dad. — I would have learned, I would have been with my family a long time ago, and not jumping around the world alone like a tumbleweed.

I closed my eyes and counted to ten. Don’t react. Don’t react. She didn’t do it on purpose. She’s just… such.

But inside, everything was squeezed into a tight ball of resentment.

It was our favorite song. I really wanted to hang up, but I knew from experience that I would only make it worse. Therefore, I steadfastly prepared to listen to everything that is prepared for me today. Too bad it wasn’t dinner.

“How’s work?” It’s probably some kind of desk, I don’t know what it’s doing,” Mom continued, and I couldn’t figure out if I should answer anything at all.

In the end, I decided.

— Everything is fine with the work. This is a very cool advertising agency. I told you. They have a nice office in the center. The team is awesome.

While I was eating my so-called dinner, I decided to dial Vika. She didn’t answer my call right away, but she did.

— Hi, Leroy, I was just thinking of calling you. How was your first day at work? — judging by the sounds, Vika was walking fast that she was even a little out of breath.

hello! Vika, everything is just great, if not for one moment… — it was absolutely vital for me to share it with someone, otherwise my brain would just explode.

— What moment? She immediately became wary. — Don’t tell me they all lied to you at the interview, and at first you have to serve coffee to everyone there?

Her menacing voice calmed me down a bit. Still, it’s nice to know that someone is worried about me.

—Mmm, I remember,” my friend immediately tensed up even more.

Yes? So what? You didn’t say anything like that, did you? — I immediately began to think of different options. — Well, for example, that you hate advertising and put a candle on all the clients in the cemetery? Or that you don’t really understand anything about your work, but only steal other people’s ideas? Oh, or that you never brush your teeth before important negotiations because it’s bad luck?