Andrey was never a fantastic liar. While packing his luggage in the bedroom, he tried not to meet Marina’s eyes, the lady he had lived with for nearly 10 years.
So, a conference. “A whole week,” Marina replied, leaning against the doorframe.
“And definitely in Sochi, when everyone is on vacation.”
“Well, yeah,” Andrey murmured, putting his beach shorts beneath a stack of shirts. “The corporation bears all expenses. “It would be strange to refuse.”
– Is your colleague, Vika, also coming?
Marina’s voice contained no query, merely a tired statement of fact.
Andrey hesitated for a moment before continuing to get ready as if nothing had occurred.
– Yes. She is accountable for the presentation. Work is work.
“Of course,” Marina replied, crossing her arms across her chest.
“Just like at last year’s corporate party, when you ‘worked’ until four in the morning?”
– Are you starting again? Andrey slammed the suitcase. – I explained everything then.
We had an essential project.
— The one who ordered that all of her messages be removed from her phone?
Andrey moved the bag off the bed and finally looked his wife in the eyes.
– I will not address it. The plane departs in three hours.
“Say hello to your ‘colleague,’” Marina said, stepping away from the door to allow him to pass. “Have a good rest.”
Andrey muttered something and dashed towards the exit.
Marina stood alone in the middle of the bedroom for a long time, looking at the family portrait on the bedside table.
Then she stubbornly picked up the phone and began searching for the number of the person who could assist her.
Mid-June in Sochi, satisfied with the right water temperature – warm but not overly warm, with gentle waves. Andrey casually laid under an umbrella, watching Vika relax in the waves. Her brown body played in the light, drawing curious looks from people around her.
“Come here!” she exclaimed, waving her hand.
“The water is simply magnificent!”
“What are you thinking about?” Vika asked, swimming closer and hugging him around the neck. “Just don’t tell me it’s about work.”
– No, it’s just… – Andrey hesitated. – I forgot to send the report before leaving.
“Liar,” Vika smiled, lightly kissing him on the cheek.
“You’re thinking about your wife, right?”
Andrey frowned.
— We agreed not to raise this topic here.
“Okay, okay,” Vika said conciliatorily. “Maybe we should swim to the buoys?”
In the evening, they dined in the hotel restaurant, which overlooked the sea. Vika was dressed in a new frock she had purchased earlier that day at an embankment boutique.
Andrey watched the sunset turn her skin golden and thought she looked magnificent. However, something continued to annoy him.
“Are we going to the mountains tomorrow?” Vika inquired, taking a drink of wine. “I want to take some nice photos for social media.”
“Of course,” Andrey nodded.
“We’ll buy some souvenirs at the same time.”
“Does Marina like souvenirs?” Vika inquired innocently.
Andrey grimaced.
— I asked that you not start this conversation.
“I’m sorry,” Vika said, covering his hand with hers. “But sooner or later you’ll have to resolve this situation. We can’t hide forever.
“I know,” Andrey replied gloomily.
“I’ll talk to her after my vacation.”
– Seriously? – Vika’s eyes brightened with hope. – Do you promise?
– I promise.
The week sped by.
They swam, sunbathed, went on excursions, ate seafood at nice restaurants, and spent steamy nights in their hotel rooms. Andrey almost stopped thinking about his home and what awaited him when he returned. Almost.
On the day of departure, Vika hugged him at the airport.
“Don’t forget your promise,” she said softly, caressing his lips.
“I’m waiting for your call.”
“I remember,” Andrey murmured, pulling away with reluctance. “I’ll call as soon as I talk to her.”
They were on separate flights, so such precautions seemed appropriate.
On the plane, Andrey ordered whiskey and considered what he would say to his wife. After ten years of marriage, their connection had become like strangers.
Late in the evening, a cab pulled up near his residence.
After paying the driver, Andrey froze for a few moments, gazing out the windows of his apartment. The light was turned on in the living room. Marina wasn’t asleep.
He took a deep breath and moved towards the entrance.
The door opened silently. He put his suitcase down in the hallway and listened. Quiet music and voices were coming from the living room.
“TV,” he thought, took off his shoes and walked toward the sound.
What he saw made him freeze in his tracks. In the middle of the living room stood a festive table with champagne and a cake decorated with a candle in the shape of the number “10”.
Marina was sitting on the sofa, but she wasn’t alone. Next to her was a tall, fair-haired man Andrey had never seen before.
They were laughing, and the stranger’s hand was on her shoulder.
“What… what’s going on here?” Andrey asked hoarsely, taking a step into the room.
Marina shuddered and turned around, her eyes widening in surprise.
– Andrey? Are you back yet? – She glanced at her watch.
– We weren’t expecting you for another two hours.
– We? – Andrey looked from his wife to the stranger and back. – Who is this?
The blond man stood up from the couch and extended his hand with a smile.
– Alexey.
Nice to meet you.
Andrey ignored his hand.
– Marina, what’s going on here? What kind of holiday is this?
– Have you forgotten? – Marina looked genuinely surprised.
– Today is ten years since our weddin
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