The driver was looking at me in the rearview mirror, and I thought he had figured it all out. For a teacher, publicity is the worst. For some reason, teachers are supposed to keep their reputations like a virgin in the Middle Ages.

It was good that I had put my keys, which I had taken from Alex while running away from the restaurant, in my coat pocket. I hadn't thought about losing mine. I flew to the third floor, made sure that Alex wasn't waiting for me in the entrance, and entered the apartment.

The first thing I did was go to the bathroom, wash my face, and scrutinize the scattering of hickies on my neck. I'd have to hide them with a scarf, I couldn't blame it on the curling iron. And, having changed into a cozy sport suit, I went to the kitchen to drink coffee. It would also be nice to go to the drugstore or even ask my neighbor to do it.

No sooner had I settled down at the table, putting my injured leg on a neighboring stool, than the doorbell rang. Sighing, I hurried down the hallway, feeling a sense of unease. And it was justified! In the stairwell stood Alex, disheveled. He held his jacket in his hands.

The unfortunate thing is that if you pay attention, you can see a shadow on the other side of the peephole. Of course, Alex noticed me and angrily kicked the door.

“Marina, open up, we need to talk.”

“We?!” I was theatrically surprised. “It seems to me that we have nothing to discuss.”

"Marina! Open up!"

"I won't!" I responded.

The fact that he had come to reconcile was nice, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I really didn't want him to leave. But at the same time, I knew it was the end of the relationship. It would be better if I put an end to it myself.

“But where would I go? What did I do?!”

I even looked through the peephole to make sure my senses were right: he really didn't understand what he'd done. Apparently, it's normal for him to have relationships with more than one woman at a time.

“Fuck you…!!!!” – I shouted.

“Who needs you, you gray mouse?! You should be thanking me for everything!”

I couldn't believe my ears! I never thought I'd hear Alex say that. I thought we were going to part quietly… well, as quietly as possible. He'd find out I wasn't going to forgive him, take his things and leave.

“Well, then I won't take up your time. Go to the one you appreciate.”

Not listening to his scolding, I headed back to the kitchen, and on the way I turned on the TV and turned up the music channel. It partially blocked out the screaming from the stairwell, and at the same time showed that I wasn't listening to my ex-housemate's cries.

Trying to abstract myself from the situation, I decided to think about something else. My memory immediately brought up some particularly vivid scenes from last night. I had to give a natural shake of my head to stop thinking about it. It would be better for me to forget the adventure.

Turning off the TV, I sat down on the couch and cried. I'd been wanting to since last night. They say that tears release all negative energy, so the best remedy for a broken heart is tears. But I don't know why my thoughts were occupied not by Alex, but by Andrew. I couldn't fall in love on the spot, could I?! Or could I? Why did I run away?

No, I did the right thing. Why would he want me? Is he just having fun? Taking advantage? What?

Completely confused, I covered myself with a blanket. I have to go to the clinic tomorrow and get a note. I just can't do six classes. I can't stand.

I ignored the next ringing of the doorbell. It was probably Alex coming back. He's going to apologize for his behavior. I don't want to hear it. It's disgusting.

“Marina, I brought your bag.”

When I heard his voice, I was at the door in a second. When I opened it, I made sure that I hadn't imagined his voice. Andrew suddenly smiled and demonstrated the "loss". My smile was a little unsure. Just a minute ago I thought I would never see him, and here he was, handsome, in a long open coat, beige turtleneck, and unshaven.

"I'll come in," he didn't ask, just warned me of his actions.

I didn't even have time to sidle up. Wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me against him, he stepped inside.

“It was the first time I'd ever seen a girl run away from me.”

Here I didn't know whether to be proud or angry at the mention of past passions. Andrew let go of me and threw off his coat. I was a little surprised: he was going to stay!

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Andrew asked.

"You came."

"Of course, I couldn't leave a girl I liked," I echoed.

"Liked her," I echoed. "When did you like me?"

"Right away, when you showed your character," he said.

He hovered over me, smiling playfully with the corners of his lips. I had no choice but to retreat down the long hallway to the kitchen. The table was the end of my retreat.

“Andrew," I exhaled as I found myself sitting on the table.

“What?" he asked, pulling my sweater off.

“Don't," I tried to stop him before my mind left me, drowning in desire.

“You didn't say that yesterday.”

I was flustered, even angry. Yesterday I didn't remember myself, but today I have to pull myself together and not let my life be ruined.

Andrew ran his finger along the scattered hickeys on my neck and immediately felt a new one. I tried to push him away, but I think I just turned him on. Andrew started to shower me with kisses. I groaned and pulled off his turtleneck. That was the signal that I was giving in to his pressure. A moment later, my belly on the table, I stood on my tiptoes and bucked harder. He took his time, covering my back with kisses, driving me to a frenzy.

“Hurry up!” – I couldn't stand it anymore.

The sugar bowl and napkin holder flew off the table with the first thrust, decorating the floor. With something between a moan and a growl, I clung to the tabletop even tighter.

“Cat," Andrew whispered, biting my ear.

“Don't you dare stop!” – I ordered.

Slow movements only fueled the fire; I needed a hurricane to put it out. Andrew took his time, preferring to build up the pace; I lost my sense of space and couldn't control myself. The world was reduced to one man, his pace, his hands and lips.

"What's going on here?" Alex's voice broke into my almost perfect world.

I jumped up and hid behind Andrew, who turned toward the audience. For some reason, Alex didn't look startled, more like angry. Clenching his fists, he stepped toward us.

"You took the keys from him," Andrew clarified in slight bewilderment.

"Yes," I confirmed. Looking closely, I saw a blue keychain and understood everything: he took it from the neighbor.

"Come on, the keys," Andrew demanded, stretching out his hand.

"Mr.Rebrov?" Alex was surprised.

The former even somehow retreated, not believing his eyes. Taking advantage of the fact that the attention of the "guest" had switched to Andrew, I quickly pulled up my pants and put on a sweater. My cheeks were burning. Alex and I had broken up, of course, but the fact that he caught me in that state was unpleasant.

"Why did you come here?" I asked indignantly, burning with shame.

“I came to talk, but I can see that you're no longer impressed by spiritual food.”

I laughed. He came to talk! He's got nowhere else to go! I suppose he was hoping to convince me that I'd misunderstood, as if what had happened in the restaurant could be understood in any other way!

It's over between us! – I reminded him of the obvious.

"Yes, I can see that," Alex grinned.