Chapter 1 1

Chapter 1- He will not come.Olga Letkova clutched the phone in her hands. "The subscriber is disconnected or out of network coverage." Andrei could not leave a day earlier, and the woman knew this very well. The groom was supposed to fly tomorrow on a long business trip to the North Caucasus. Plane tickets purchased in advance, a travel certificate with a copy of the order were shown along with a certificate from the antenatal clinic in order to speed up the paperwork. It's just time.Her lover finally offered to move in together, but she was categorically against any "civil marriages", so they decided to sign. The authorities had long hinted to her man that career growth and obtaining the desired housing "meters" were possible for the family. She “got” a certificate of pregnancy through a friend. The irony of fate was that Olga could not have children. Secondary infertility. And she had the courage, or rather, stupidity, or maybe honesty, to admit this on the eve of the wedding. Her man had a right to know about it. - Crap!Shouldn't have done it.- Ol, what's the matter? asked her witness Nadezhda Drobysheva, a pleasant petite blonde, anxiously, glancing at her watch. By the way, the witness hasn't arrived yet either. Did they get drunk there, or something, at a bachelor party?It was the same friend from the antenatal clinic who “drew” her a certificate and the results of an ultrasound scan. She blamed Olga for a long time for her loneliness and dreamed of marrying her off, and she herself had already visited the walls of this institution three times and, it seems, did not think to stop there. She already had an affair with a witness. It was then that Nadia dressed up in a bright scarlet cocktail dress, showing off all the advantages of her figure. And the bride, by the way, who has long been "not a girl", forced to wear a scarlet dress. Those waiting with other couples involuntarily looked back at the two women in red, so they stood out against the general background of standard white foam lace and crinolines.“Yes, there was no bachelor party,” Olga sighed with annoyance. - Not to him. Andrei is already on his suitcases.- Then what is it?“Not answering,” Olga showed the phone clutched in her hand.There is half an hour left before registration. Soon it will be our turn.- I know. She knows everything. It's good that they didn't invite guests! Neither Andrei's elderly parents, so as not to disturb them in Tver, nor colleagues at work. The latter would be perhaps the most shameful. Fortunately, all well-wishers - and especially well-wishers! - they will not see her at the moment of humiliation.Olga was the press secretary of a private security company and by the nature of her activity, like any graduate of the journalism faculty, she had a well-spoken tongue. In addition to this - a pleasant appearance and mind. The woman was fluent in two foreign languages. She got a job at the competition, beating all competitors in this race by half a body, and since then has become a byword.Why? Probably because she behaved a little like a man. Our society does not approve of careerists who - oh, horror! - beautiful and successful in personal life. The ladies from the apparatus and accounting department still suspected that she was someone's henchman and hinted at how she could get through to them and get this position. Seen from the side!No, no one helped her. All by herself.Enrolling in journalism against the wishes of her parents, she cut off all ties with the past. The family did not forgive her willfulness. The woman hoped for her beloved, but he, as it turned out, gave up at the last moment.And she appears to be strong. She'll be fine.You have to keep your head cool. "I'll think about it tomorrow." In order not to cry, Olga squared her shoulders and turned to those waiting, examining them. So she waits another half an hour, an hour at the most, and leaves. And so everything is clear. I wonder who will have to pass? What pair should have gone after them? In the hall stood a tall, imposing man in his forties. Brunette. Tall, to match some basketball player, and at the same time massive. Broad shoulders and narrow hips caught my eye - a kind of exaggerated masculinity that immediately attracts female attention. An elegant suit with a thin gray stripe did not hide the muscles. This man was in excellent physical shape. Nearby stood a witness with a ribbon across his chest and another thin man in his forties with a leather folder for documents. He talked about something with the groom. It was obvious that this man was very nervous. Secretary? Advocate? Businessmen usually preferred to document everything. The bride is probably late too. Exactly! The groom looked at his watch and chuckled. The witness, clapping the groom on the shoulder, laughed, but the groom, on the contrary, grew gloomy. The man with the briefcase who was making the report took out of his pocket some kind of box, probably with rings, and an oblong case. They usually store jewelry - necklaces, beads ...Olga suddenly figured out the intrigue, although she could not read lips. Another person was abandoned today. Is she alone in the universe? What an irony of fate! The man suddenly turned around, feeling her gaze with some animal instinct. Olga stood and looked at him as if spellbound. There was something about him… that sort of thing. He looked like a snow leopard she had seen once while reporting when she was a student. The seemingly harmless animal first froze, staring intently at the strangers who surrounded the enclosure, and then suddenly growled, showing sharp teeth, and beat with its tail.The stranger nodded to her. His lips parted in a smile.The woman was embarrassed and looked away. It's indecent to stare at strangers like that. And on acquaintances too, if you think about it.Now she was looking at the clock in the hall.Fifteen minutes.Ten.Five.Everything.Time is over. Now what? Call a taxi, get dressed and go home? Or go with Nadyushka to some restaurant and get drunk there? Or rather, get drunk. Which does not equal "devour". And, however, no. In his youth, such a spree went unpunished, but now it will not go easily. It's a pity to ruin the skin. Everyone will see her pale and haggard. All spiteful critics will note that she is broken by the betrayal of her fiancé. And everyone will secretly gloat and think that she deserved it. No need to turn up your nose.- Nadia, it's time.“Yes, I know,” the witness replied.It is necessary, probably, to warn the employees of the registry office. The woman was already loudly, throughout the hall, calling them with the groom for registration.The witness jumped up and began to explain the situation in an undertone. Seeing every official, as if not surprised by anything, she only nodded understandingly and called the next couple.We've been given another hour. Suddenly, some kind of force majeure, - reported Nadia. “Maybe the traffic jam is stuck and the battery on the mobile phone is dead.– Do you believe in it yourself?The blonde shrugged. Despite the fact that the witness tried to support her friend, deep down she shared her confidence.Are we waiting or are we leaving?Hope is gone.- We're leaving.The fingers unclenched and the bride's useless bouquet floated to the floor. “It must be yours,” she suddenly heard a pleasant low voice behind her.Nadia rolled her eyes. What's the matter? Letkova turned around and met her eyes with the same stranger. Yes, she was right. Tall, as tall as her, and she was model height, meter seventy-eight. Even higher in heels. It was strange to look into the eyes. What else? Smoothly shaved to blue, but it is already clear that by the evening thick stubble will appear on the square chin. His nose is more than once broken and not straightened, although it is clear from the clothes that he can afford it. However, he had a hunchback. The forehead is high. The imprint of intelligence on the face. The eyes are light blue, which was strange, since the suit is dark. Lips ... It is better not to look at the lips. According to Lombroso's theory, those thin lips belonged to a reserved person.Smart. Restrained, strong-willed and purposeful. Self-confident. The verdict was final and irrevocable. What did he forget here?Olga raised an eyebrow and looked at the stranger coldly, with a challenge, but still could not stand the duel. So she shifted her gaze to the bouquet and the hand that held it. On two fingers - massive, wide gold seals, one with obsidian, and the other without anything. Weird fashion. Maybe family? The knuckles on the fingers are knocked down, but not to the point of meat, but professionally, as happens with people who practice martial arts. Her fiancé and his colleagues also had these. But there is combat sambo, but here? Unclear. Maybe boxing?“Thank you,” she said politely. - We have to throw them away.There was an urn nearby. - Why? - he asked.“No more needed,” she gave him a pale smile.Why does he ask and she answers? They are strangers. Olga does not even know his name, just like he does not know her.- Are you sure? the man asked.- Yes.- What if you're wrong? he smiled again.Olga looked at him questioningly. My fiancee didn't come either. Here's how? So, she was not mistaken and correctly interpreted the situation. His fiancée left him, and the man returned the ring and set, presented for engagement. Most likely."I'm sorry," she said to fill the pause, though she didn't feel sorry for him.Who would take pity on her!"Let's get married," he said suddenly.***Miroslav Zimin has just heard that his fiancee is not coming. Lilia Verkhova, an aspiring but already well-known singer, abruptly backed down without explanation, returning the engagement ring and diamond set she had been given as a present. The groom guessed the reason. Former. Her producer, with whom she broke up two months ago, and to whom, as he believed, she decided to return. - Old love doesn't rust, does it, Slav? laughed the witness, Mikhail Kalashnikov, and slapped his friend on the shoulder. - How will you pay?- Oh, are you talking about this?They had a bet. When he said that he was getting married, the friend did not believe and took it "weakly". So that there is no reason to "slope."Zimin then decided that the proud and freedom-loving singer would be his. He liked the girl as soon as he saw her. Elementary fuse. But he does not, which is very strange. This only spurred interest and hunting excitement. The man recaptured it from the opponent.He then thought: the time has come. If you can't get it otherwise, why not get married? There will be another diamond that he will put in a decent setting. He did not like to love, he admitted it honestly, and did not even hide it from the bride, preferring honesty in relationships. But I wanted to. She knew what she was getting into. Miroslav offered her a place in his life, stability and protection in exchange for loyalty and possible children. Yes, he considered her as such. Lilia Verkhova was from a good family and was quite suitable for the role of the mother of his children.Zimin did not believe in lofty "feelings". Rather, he knew that some were given, while others were not. He is not of the breed to spread like a puddle in front of a woman and wear slippers in his teeth. He also did not like to arrange ceremonies and decided not to throw a magnificent wedding. Signed - and that's enough. Let him say thank you that without a marriage contract. All mine is yours. He wanted to trust the one with whom he would connect his life. Naturally, having previously checked its ins and outs from and to, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.And here is the result. It should have been foreseen. Give the women romance and love to the grave, but he could not give this to her, so the wedding fell through. What did he bet Mishka "Kalash" there? Your prize racehorse. But this is already serious. What the f… did he even bet on her? You don't remember anymore. They were then at the stables at the hippodrome.She was a temperamental, fast as the wind, graceful Akhal-Teke beauty - a horse of black color, tall, with a graceful neck and slender legs carrying her along the ground. She successfully took all sorts of prizes. The owner took care of her "for the tribe" after the end of her career. No! Gloria will not get even his best friend.Suddenly he felt someone else's gaze, as if a ray of sunlight ran across his skin. Miroslav turned around. A woman in a floor-length red velvet dress and a bouquet of scarlet roses was looking at him. There is no one around except the witness. Weird. Also a modest, without excessive pomp and pomp, marriage ceremony? But where is the bridegroom and the witness? So it does not matter.The man automatically noted how tall and slender she was. He assumed that the woman was wearing heels, but even without them, she must have been tall. Model? Mannequin? Does not look like it. It keeps differently, and by age it has long been out of circulation. For fashion models, as well as for athletes, the age is short.She looked to be about thirty-five. Swarthy, like a Spaniard, and beautiful with some restrained, noble beauty. He involuntarily compared her to his mare. Fitted perfectly. Everything is in place - chest, hips and a narrow waist. Thin bone. The woman's jet-black hair curled like a petty demon. She simply gathered the recalcitrant strands into a knot at the back of her head, curled up over her ears, and inserted a scarlet rose on the side. Miroslav wondered if she was real or not. He did not like artificial flowers: they only belong in a cemetery. The woman's lips were covered in bright scarlet lipstick. The mouth was small and neat, not at all fashionable. Not like modern "wafers" with injections. It suddenly seemed to him that she could get up in the twilight of the bedroom with those same lips. Lipstick will smudge if you kiss it properly. The lips are swollen. Eyes ... The look of brown eyes with a veil in moments of passion certainly becomes softer. She will no longer look so intently and defiantly. The high chest in the neckline of the dress beckoned, as did the graceful neck. If he had met her a couple of months earlier, he would not even have looked at his singer.Hmm... Why not? He is now a free man.And, in general, no. Stop beating other people's women. Played enough.The door to the registration hall opened and the woman called for the next couple. The witness, who was standing next to the bride in red, twitched, came up and began to explain something. Was curious what happened.“Igor Vasilyevich, find out what happened there,” Zimin asked.The solicitor departed and soon returned.The groom didn't show up. Some kind of force majeure. The ceremony was postponed for an hour.- It's clear.He took a closer look. Hmm… This woman holds herself with dignity. Perfect for her position. What self-control! Unfortunately, not everyone can boast of this. Interested, the man stepped closer."Let's go," commanded the stranger.Well-trained, pleasant and melodic voice. He liked it too. Her fingers loosened and the bouquet fell to the floor. Zimin picked it up and returned it. The woman thanked him and looked at him in surprise. “We have to throw them away,” she said.- Why?Zimin's plans suddenly changed. As usual, he trusted his intuition. “No more needed,” he heard back.The woman finally gave in, and he saw the shadow of a smile on her face. For some reason I wanted to see how she laughs for real. - Are you sure? he asked, feeling the ground.Maybe the bouquet will come in handy today. - Yes.So the groom will not come. Excellent! Miroslav smiled prudently. How successful everything is! Superbly simple. - What if you're wrong? My fiancee didn't come either. “I’m sorry,” she said, and he realized that she had been lying.She doesn't feel sorry for him at all. This is good. Something, but he simply could not stand someone else's pity. Let them hate and be afraid, not pity. This approach from those around him suited him more.Women are usually better at lying. But there is no falsehood in this, which is strange. Or she is now not in a position to sympathize with someone else, much less a stranger. He does not need reports and dossiers to understand what kind of person is in front of him. Zimin liked that he could read it like an open book.And she really liked it too. Like a woman. It will be nice to go to bed with her. "Let's get married," he suggested.***Officials from the wedding palace were sympathetic to the situation. They must have thought it was a love quadrangle. All paperwork was completed in hindsight. It turned out to be a tidy sum. Not in rubles, of course. Olga did not understand how she decided on such madness. There was something magical about this man. And she somehow knew that he wouldn't hurt her. What a strange, irrational feeling! He had no explanation. I just believed that's all.Men are strong, often uncontrollable creatures, they can hurt. Very painful. Both mentally and physically. Like any beautiful woman, she knew what feelings she evoked in the men around her. Even decent ones. Even long and hopelessly married. But she didn't feel threatened by this man. Only excitement, as if it was all a dream. A strange, erotic dream. You need to relax and enjoy what is happening.- What is your name? she asked, groggily.- Slav.- Glory? - she did not understand and clarified, deciding that this was an abbreviation for Vyacheslav or Yaroslav.Just Slav. On "you" - he took her hand in his.She held the bouquet in her other hand. The man's palm was oddly hot and dry, while hers was sweaty and icy with excitement. He felt it and, turning his palm up, began to stroke the middle, soothing, like a restive horse.God! He seemed to know where the most nerve endings were. Olga had such a weakness. - And you? he asked as the pause dragged on.Zimin noted how the woman's pupils dilated. Very responsive. Even too much. Others pretend, depicting passion, and this one, on the contrary, unsuccessfully tries to hide how much she liked the caress.“Olga,” she answered hoarsely. The voice suddenly dropped. Like this. Not Olya. For some reason, the woman terribly did not like being called that by strangers. And he, if so to judge, was a stranger. Oh... What are they doing? It's not just a signature in the registration log and a stamp in the passport. This is serious and for a long time. At least for her it is. And also a bed. She has been “not a girl” for a long time, but doing this with a stranger is strange. Not properly. Normal people don't do that! Why is everything so sweetly frozen inside? So she's crazy to let him do all this, and not run away headlong.Andrei, whom she seemed to love, was almost forgotten in a matter of minutes. His betrayal no longer hurt so painfully, as if all this was not serious. It's good that he ran away. Then I would regret it.It's probably just natural compatibility. Physical attraction. She feels the alpha male, the best in this pack, and she likes him. There is simply no other explanation for what is happening.So, Olga. We have to wait, he said. My attorney bought the tickets. He will get a certificate from the antenatal clinic, and we will be quickly signed.“They’ll paint,” the Kalash neighed.Well, at least he didn’t show with gestures who and with whom he would do what.- Zyts! - Zimin looked sternly at him, who did not like it terribly when they chatted on a hair dryer in front of him.At least not with strangers. Nothing to embarrass people. They are now in legal business. We must force everyone to forget about their past and not to remind them unnecessarily.“No need,” Olga said. - Nadia, give me the folder.The witness held out papers. By the way, she was already making eyes with might and main at the witness of the abandoned fiancé. The folder contained duplicates of a package of documents that were provided when applying to the registry office, including a certificate of pregnancy. “Here,” the bride dug up the required document. - The registrar has the original, but it is probably filed ...- No matter. Let's figure it out. Let's have everything. And the payment, too, ”said the groom’s attorney, snatched the documents from her hands. Are we going to change our last name?“No,” she replied.She could not imagine that she would not be. It was the only thing that connected her to her family. If the surname changes, there will be no going back. Andrei ... Her ex was offended that she did not want to change her last name. She excused herself by saying that there would be difficulties at work. The activity was connected with traveling, and without a passport you can’t travel much.“All right,” Zimin understood her decision in his own way. – But you don’t have to wait for the replacement of documents. The attorney rushed off to draw up a statement. When the formalities were over, they went to a restaurant nearby. - What will you do?- Some salad.He nodded and ordered. She is "Caesar" without garlic, still kissing more, and meat for herself. I thought about alcohol and decided that it’s not worth it yet. You have to keep your head clear.The man ate happily. A strong, healthy body demanded its own. Surprises of all kinds seldom pissed him off enough to lose his appetite. Olga was idly picking at her salad with a fork. Then she realized that a piece wouldn’t go down her throat, and set the plate aside, folding the cutlery parallel on top.The attorney and the witness were seated at another table in an adjacent niche. Zimin decided to have lunch and then talk in private to clarify everything.“I don't understand,” he said. - You are pregnant?That certificate did not give him rest. All one to one. If a man threw her in the registry office with a belly, this is generally pi ... c. However, then the wedding is cancelled. He didn't want to fuck someone else's woman with stuffing. No matter how cool and attractive this woman is.- Not! She waved him off, hiding how much pain she was in. - Just a quick reference. We were also in a hurry.– Right? – softly, ingratiatingly he specified.“Oh my God,” she threw up her hands. - Everyone, I went. This farce has gone too far.Olga got up and immediately froze when she heard a quiet command:- Stand! To the place.Sela, imagine. The body reacted before consciousness. Zimin waved his hand, and the waiter immediately jumped up to their table.“Coffee for two and the bill,” he said. - Dessert?The woman shook her head.“Nothing else,” Miroslav finished. It seems that the outrage was not feigned. And the age is not the one to "hide the sin." We live at the wrong time and in the wrong place to raise a child without a father was a shame. “So it’s just a reference.“Yeah,” she nodded. “The witness works in the antenatal clinic. In general, I have secondary infertility. I want you to know this before... Maybe it's not too late to change your mind? Meet a nice girl without any problems and marry her. Or make up with your ex-fiancee.