“Oh I see.” Alexandra said. “Well, Elvira, get well. The whole office is waiting for you.”

“Yes, of course,” I thought sarcastically, “the whole office is waiting! Everyone except Edward, damn it!”

Memories of the day before washed over me like an avalanche and I felt terribly ashamed. The scenes of the interaction with my boss immediately passed one after another: how I flirted with him, how I volunteered to go with him, how I kissed him and how he pushed me away… I buried myself under the covers, trying to escape from these scenes in my head, but they were going nowhere. I felt very bad morally, I was exhausted and had no idea what to do next.

“Quit? But I've been looking for a job like this for so long, and it's really good! But how can I keep working now? No, I won't be able to work on the same team with HIM. See him every day, and remember THIS every time! Oh, what have I done…”

Minute after minute, hour after hour, day after day, little by little, a kind of slimy emptiness settled in my soul, and I didn't want to do anything. I didn't eat anything, I just sat on the couch and watched TV. Only then the meaning of movies, TV series and shows did not penetrate my head in any way.

On the fourth day, the bell suddenly rang. I focused my gaze on the phone screen – it blinked: ‘Edward Boss.’

I was very surprised and discouraged. My hand had already grabbed the phone and accepted the call, but with my head I didn't understand what was happening, the shock was so great, and I was silent on the phone.

“Uh… Elvira? Hello.” Said Edward's deep voice.

“Oh damn, so it's really true, he really is calling me.” I finally realized it and replied:

“Y-yeah… hi.”

“How do you feel?”

His voice was as nonchalant and polite as possible.

“Are you serious?” I was thinking surprised again. “You treated me that way, and you're not interested in me, but you call and you're interested in HOW I am?”

“I feel good.” I mumbled. “I will live. Thanks for asking.”

“Good.” He replied, with the same nonchalance. “Then I have a request for you, Elvira. Could I meet you today? Say, at lunch? Something needs to be discussed.”

“Edward, if you're talking about that case, then there seems to be nothing to discuss.” I suggested cautiously.

“God, Elvira.” You could tell from his displeased voice that he made a face. “I'm not talking about that at all. So, can you meet with me?”

I gave him my consent and he promised to send me an SMS with the name of the cafe where the meeting was scheduled. After the call, I sat for a long time, stunned by thunder. Why did he decide to meet me? What does he want to discuss with me? If not for that embarrassing moment, then what?

“What if he wants to fire me?” I thought suddenly with horror and realized that this was most likely the truth… But then why call me to a cafe? This was all too strange…

A message from Edward came to the phone with the name of the cafe. This place was not far from our work. He was supposed to be there in two hours…

Trying not to think about how disgraced I was in front of him last time, I began to straighten myself out. Finally I washed my hair and put it in a beautiful day hairstyle; I put on makeup, paying attention to my eyes to remove the shadows under them; dressed discreetly, but stylishly. I had to meet a man with whom I was madly in love, and it was not part of my plans to look ugly in front of him!

I tried not to be late and arrived a little before the appointed time at the cafe. Taking a seat by the window, I looked at the opposite building. There were no thoughts left in my head and I was just waiting for what would come.