mini bar and DVD. The last time I was in something like a wedding with my girlfriend. True, there everything was alyapisto-prazdichno, but here it is efficient and expensive. The seats were against each other, and the governor sat down against me. I automatically knelt my knees together, although with such a deep seat in the chair, this did not help much.

- I have a very rich program today, - Yevgenyevich explained my abduction, - I think your rector will not be offended.

Now, when we were almost alone (the driver doesn’t count), he relaxed and his face, not stretched by a tense smile, acquired a more familiar form. In every fold and wrinkle, imperiousness, permissiveness, and madness were read. He, without being embarrassed, rather examined me like a mannequin. I shivered.

Realizing that I still have to talk, I gave a voice:

“And where are we going? ... They just wait for me at the university, I still have ... business there,” I added unconvincingly. Two demons fought in me: one danced on the shoulder with delight, what luck smiled at me, how cool everything was, etc., the other persistently whispered in my ear “Kapets, you are a fool. Where are you going ?! ”Although this second, it seems, is not a demon at all (I am not strong in theology).

But the first one won.

- At the meeting, Len. At the meeting. I had an anniversary a couple of weeks ago. Here, I still collect the necessary people. Today I have local.

I nodded thoughtfully, puzzling over who the locals were. The governor's voice was quite high and sharp. A thought flashed through my mind that, as a man, he wasn’t sympathetic to me, and it’s not about age. Here limousines and power will not help him.

I tried to keep myself free and natural, that I was not very successful in the company of such a friend. My head was full of confusion. The feeling that I was really kidnapped, was constantly replaced by a high from the thought of how I flew high. You may laugh, but in my naivety I still thought that everything would be fine, and I just hang out with the local cones. Well, I have not yet faced with coercion, or, even worse, with violence. In my view, it was all from the world of punks and teenagers, and then everything is so ... chic.

Yevgenyevich asked me about my family, about my studies, I even asked if I had a boyfriend. I smiled coquettishly and said that there was, hoping that this would help me. He did not react to this news. In general, he behaved calmly and confidently. I smelled like a woman in my feminine sense that he liked me, and this really worried me.

Behind the tinted window, the city buildings were gradually replaced by fir-trees and sticks — we drove onto the track. I felt altogether scary. As if reading my thoughts, Evgenyevich spoke out:

- Do not worry, we will not be long. I still have my case in town today. We seem to be a little back. Bring you back wherever you say.

I calmed down a little, but only a little. The fact is that he was periodically called by a mobile phone and the way he answered made me nervous. No, he did not yell and did not give terrible orders. But he spoke all the same too emotionally, with the mats, as if forgetting about my presence and every word as if he were hammering nails into the lid of someone’s coffin. Expressions such as “drive him to hell” and “so that tomorrow I would not hear anything about him” even my inexperienced daughter-in-arms said that just like that, someone’s destiny was breaking on the phone. And for sure, there it was about more important people than me. Well then waiting for me? ...

I began to tremble, despite the comfortable temperature in the cabin. Yevgenyevich, finally putting off the telephone, reached out to the minibar and splashed some glass of amber burda from an open bottle to me and handed me a glass, squinting sympathetically. I barely kept from the hysterical laugh, remembering the famous phrase “taste you from my cup”. But, apparently, still smiled, because the governor smiled in response, pouring himself. We clinked glasses.

“For you, Lena,” he sipped. I took a sip.

- By the way, what do you think to do after school?

“I didn’t particularly think about it yet,” I was glad to be able to use my voice, so I felt more confident.

- Well, think so. Let's help, - Evgenyevich seriously looked at me.

I was inspired, forgetting my worries for a while. It seemed like I was in a business suit and on a pretty typewriter going to work in the city administration. For this, it was worth supporting the company! I smiled gratefully.

- Thank.

- Do we have to go for a long time? - I, depicting secular curiosity, tried to make the question not sound like “where did you take me, old ?!”.

As if in response, the car began to slow down smoothly.

- We arrived already.

I moved with interest to the window, trying not to notice how two eyes immediately stuck to my bare thigh. Adjacent to the track was a well asphalted, flat track, we turned into it. Having said “arrived”, Evgenievich was obviously in a hurry: we sawed along this path with a good speed for another good five minutes. Although, maybe all this is his possession?

Along the path we crawled into the open forged gates to the territory of a two-storey mansion, around which the best landscape designers of the region clearly practiced their skills. Alpine hills, paths of small river pebbles, shaggy decorative Christmas trees and much more. And as an apotheosis - a small fountain at the entrance. Very beautiful. I held my breath and looked at the cool foreign cars in the parking lot. "Local", apparently, were already assembled. And here they are: at the steps of a huge porch, there was a crowd of overdressed people with glasses in their hands, waiting for the owner to appear. We drove almost close.

“Wait,” Evgenievich threw me condescendingly, seeing that I was reaching for the door handle. Pancake! I turned slightly pink when a special door opener approached the door and opened the door especially for me. I almost jumped out myself, like the last country girl!

Gracefully exposing the leg out of the car, I promised myself that this was the first and last puncture for today, and I wouldn’t hit the face anymore. I was pleased to note that I’m not the only one worried. Skewered from the stress of meeting the smile would be well looked at the picture of some Salvador Dali. Yevgenyevich even joked something about this, causing nervous and servile giggles. I was introduced, I suffered the evaluations, and the crowd sucked into a huge hall.

For me, everything was new here. On what not keep a look - everything is very expensive and skillfully. While I was clapping my eyelashes around me, incomprehensible conversations close to the body that accompanied us with the governor flowed around me. He led me by the elbow, not the way a lady is usually led. Rather, how to direct the child. Sometimes his fingers lay on the lower back. Exaggerated by polite voices, flattery was poured into my companion’s ears, mixed with restrained requests to devote 10 minutes “sometime in a week.” Yevgenyevich monotonously mumbled something in response, not forgetting to present me as suitable as "Miss University." I silently smiled, taking the fictional title for granted. My appearance in the company of the governor, none of the approximate persons was not surprised. Hike, new cute little faces on such parties - not uncommon.

Listening to what posts are held by suitable gentlemen and ladies, I soared higher and higher. Now, having learned from bitter experience, I understand why such attention was paid to me and everything was so beautifully furnished. Just so that when it comes to this, I didn’t have to say no in my thoughts. For me to do what is required of me with sparkle and fantasy, filled with gratitude. That's so easy and natural. And no violence. Then it seemed to me that I pulled out a lucky ticket and now everything will go like a fairy tale.

The buffet table did not go to any comparison with the rector's miserable gatherings at which I had to hang out. Most of the dishes and drinks were just not familiar to me. With unaccustomed after a couple of some blue cocktails, my head was spinning, and a pleasant lightness formed in my body.

The crowd around the governor gradually dispersed, the society was divided into small groups .... Read more →