The invitation is not for me/Приглашение не для меня

“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.

"Good, if you can see it! Give me the keys and get out! " Andrew held out his hand again. " “I'll fire you.’

The threat had an effect: Alex threw the keys on the floor and rushed to the exit. All I had to do was blink.

“Fire me? “I specified.

“Yes, in any case. I won't tolerate my girlfriend's ex-boyfriend around. “

“A?”

“Why are you even dressed up? Although… Come here....”

At the last moment, I twisted out of his arms and bounced away. For some reason, I had the feeling that Andrew knew that Alex was coming: he appeared just in time to interfere with our reconciliation.

"What is it?" Andrew asked.

"Go away," I demanded, putting my hand out in front of me to stop him from coming near me.

"What?"

Andrew didn't seem to believe what he was hearing. He stepped even closer, and I took another step back. But there was nowhere else to retreat: there was a windowsill behind me, and I leaned against it.

"Go away at once!" I commanded.

I needed to think. I had to think about what had happened. Right now, the men around me were just getting in the way. I felt like I was being used and brainwashed, so I wouldn't understand.

"Are you sure?" he said.

"Yes!"

I jumped out of my seat and pushed him out the door. It was only after I had locked the door that I could finally cry, sinking to the floor in the hallway.

***

If you think the worst thing in your life has already happened, you have to wait a little longer to see how wrong you are. As I wiped tears from my cheeks, sitting on the floor in the hallway, thinking about how betrayal was the worst thing in my life. Just yesterday I had a family and a loved one, and today I'm alone in an empty apartment.

Realizing that I am terribly afraid of loneliness, a titanic effort decided not to forgive. I'd rather immerse myself in work – there's always something to do at school. I'll take another class, start leading a club, and forget Alex.

I started to pack his things so that I wouldn't change my mind. I brought garbage bags from the kitchen (I couldn't give him his brand-new suitcase!) and began to empty his closet. Somewhere I read that this is a necessary stage in the breakup, they say, then it will be easier. Well, it's all lies!

I was ready to get hysterical over every shirt. There were memories associated with all of them. If memory could be formatted like a hard drive, I would have done it.

I couldn't even get half of it done, and I fell asleep in the middle of the mess.

In the morning, I felt even worse than yesterday. My leg hurt even worse, my face was swollen, and my eyes were puffy. I couldn't go to work tomorrow in such a state; I'd better tell them I was sick and take a few days off. I didn't want to sit alone in the apartment, but it was better that way than to catch the interested looks of my colleagues and listen to their whispers. At the same time, I remembered my phone, which I hadn't even seen yesterday. It was left in the bag brought by Andrew, and I had completely forgotten about it. It took a decent amount of time to find the phone. The apartment was a mess.

After rewarding myself with another sandwich, I checked the contents of the bag. Nothing seemed to be missing, but it felt like it had been rummaged through. Probably Andrew was looking for my ID to get my address. But my phone surprised me: it had zero battery life. I realized the reason as soon as I turned it on: I had never had so many calls in one day. Everyone called: friends, colleagues, acquaintances. The messages in messengers were no less mysterious: "Wow!", "What happened?", "Well, you're crazy, friend!", and the "icing on the cake" was a message from the principal about the call to the pedagogical council, the reason for which should be my unworthy behavior.

Understanding absolutely nothing, I clicked on the first link sent to me and realized that I would be fired. Although I have a chance to go to the bottom of the Moscow River simply out of shame! Turns out there was a newly minted paparazzi in that ill-fated restaurant, so the entire performance I put on was filmed and posted on TikTok! The comments were horrendous and the highlights were plastered on memes!

Obviously, the video with the title "A woman caught a man cheating and made a scandal in a restaurant" was instantly recommended and spread all over the Internet!

Choking back another batch of tears, the only person I responded to was the assistant principal. After informing her that I had twisted my leg and couldn't walk, I disconnected the phone again. I just didn't have the energy to get mocked or be sympathetic to what had happened.

3 Chapter

Two days flew by. I didn't leave the apartment once during that time, partly because of my leg. The swelling was slow to go down, despite all the anti-inflammatory ointments. But I suddenly had a lot of time to finish watching a TV series I had started long ago. I somehow managed to forget that in the absence of a man and work, you don't have to cook every night, one eye looking into the pot, the other – in a notebook. There was no one to litter either. Having collected all of Alex's belongings, I brought them over to my neighbor's place. We had agreed that if Alex showed up, my neighbor would hand them over to him.

He couldn't resist knocking on my neighbor's door to inquire about my whereabouts.

In any case, someone rang the doorbell, but I decided to ignore it by putting on my headphones, pumping up some music, and not going to see who it could be.

By the middle of the week, I was able to move my legs fairly well, if I remembered to keep my bandage on, and after some deliberation, I decided to crawl out to the store. You can't hide from the world for the rest of your life. I need to buy at least the essentials: bread, milk, and chocolate bars!

Quickly dressed, I looked at myself in the mirror and remembered Alex's words about "gray mouse". What can I say? Here she is, in person! Angry, I changed my jeans and sweatshirt for a jumpsuit of skinny pants and a hoodie. Changed my ponytail into a messy bun and even put on a little makeup. I had to wear a long down coat (I forgot that the coat should be cleaned after the fall). But winter sneakers successfully fit into the look. The mirror reflected a more modern girl, not a "geek". I could use a little more self-assurance. It seemed to me that if I went out, TikTok fans would recognize me at once!

As it turned out, that's not what I should have feared, but an ambush in front of the house. As soon as I took a few steps away from the entrance, Alex jumped out of a car I didn't recognize. It was stupid to rush back into the driveway, so I used tunnel vision and went on without looking at him.

"We need to talk!

Alex grabbed my arm, turning me roughly towards him. I hissed, feeling the pain in my leg from the awkward movement.

“'Do we have anything else to talk about?' I asked, pulling my hand out of his grasp.

How long have you been with him?!”

“With whom?” – I didn't understand.

“Rebrov! “

I was a little confused, hearing that name for the first time, then I realized who he was talking about.

“With Andrew?”

“That's amazing! Turns out you don't know who you're sleeping with. Or is sex not a reason to get to know someone? “

I almost said yes. I could hear the mockery in his voice. I also wanted to hurt his feelings.

“How long have you had this? “

"I lied. Yeah, a long time," I said. "What about you?"

"I can't believe I lived with you!" he said.

Alex gave me a scornful look and took a step back, as if he was disgusted to be standing next to me.

"You shouldn't have lived." You should have left as soon as you found Diana! – I shouted angrily and continued on my way.

– I'm lucky I didn't marry you, or I'd have to take a DNA test for all my kids.

I felt like I'd hit a wall. I mean, I hit a wall. In my mind, I knew he'd said all that to hurt, but I couldn't help but react. Turning around, I was ready to claw his eyes out. Alex took a quick step to the car and drove off, tires screeching.

I stood on the street, breathing heavily, and feeling like I'd been doused in slop. I clenched my fists, but I went to the store instead of running home to cry. I just decided to buy a bottle of wine in addition to the candy bar.

***

A walk around the store did me good: I forgot about my problems with Alex, and I couldn't resist the financial ones. I had some savings (goodbye, Turkey!), but I couldn't live on them for long. It was urgent to find a new job. However, I didn't know which school would hire me with such a reputation. I can imagine what they will write in the characterization from the last place of work!

Having taken the most necessary things (I especially needed tangerines and wine), I went to the cash register and immediately, by the law of meanness, got in a huge line. I've noticed many times that while walking along the aisles, the cash registers are free, but as soon as you head towards them, the crowd comes.

After standing behind four people with huge shopping carts, without looking around, I began to take out products from the basket. Then I looked for a discount card for a long time and when I turned to the terminal, I found someone else's card paying for my purchases. Blinking, I looked up and almost groaned. Today was definitely a day of meetings: after Alex I decided to visit Andrew, in person!

"What are you doing here?" I hissed.

"Helping you store,"

Andrew brazenly took my bag. I frowned and didn't let him grab me.

"I don't need anything from you!" I'll go back to the store and…

“I already appreciate your dramatic talent. Do you want to be an actress? I'll buy you a role.”

Confused, I hesitated, and he grabbed my hand.

“This is my girlfriend, we had a little fight.”

I was completely confused, not understanding what he was saying. And then it hit me when the salesperson started trying hard to force a smile out of himself. The whole line snickered, trying not to laugh so obviously. Angrily twitching, I ran into his grin. No one was in a hurry to help me; on the contrary, everyone was looking at the scene with interest, as if it had been ripped out of a melodrama with a comedic twist. Even the guard and the policeman standing in the next line were laughing. People would not react even if he dragged me to the car by my hair: you bet, a tall handsome brunette in a dark suit, white shirt, strict black coat, well-groomed (even his hands were in order), calmly approached and paid for my purchases with his card. The sympathy of all present instantly shifted to his side. Feeling my hesitation, Andrew led me out of the store. At the car, I tried again to free myself.

"Do you want to be filmed again?" he asked, moving closer.

I shrank back in fear, which he took advantage of, by pushing me into the car.

"Don't tell me you want to talk too," I said venomously.

“What, did Alex come crawling back? So what are you?”

“And you have options!” I snorted angrily.

Andrew glanced at me and turned the ignition key.

“I have one, but I see you were smarter than Diana.”

“Did she take it back?” I asked in a strangled voice.

I was so hurt, I felt like drowning or, more effectively, jumping out of the car at full speed right now! I could see it all written on my face. Andrew grinned sarcastically. I immediately tried to pull myself together.

“However, I have more important problems now!” I muttered.

“I wondered what they were. “

“I'm getting fired from my job.”

“For what?! “

“Do you think a school would keep a teacher with a reputation like that? You saw the video!”

“Oh, right, you're a teacher.”

“Uh-huh, Russian language and literature.”

“I liked the video. I even downloaded it.”

I sniffled, wishing I could fall through the ground and never see it again!

“Well, if it's such a problem, Russian language and literature are good education. You could work at some magazine. I know a couple of people, I'll call them today and take them to an interview tomorrow.”

“Work for what?” I was confused.

“Editor, of course. Not as an editor-in-chief, of course, not yet, because that would require experience, but as a staff member. “

Suddenly I felt like Winnie the Pooh, when you want honey, but also "zh-zh-zh" for a reason!

“Why would you do that?”

“My plans haven't changed. I'm gonna get Diana away from Alex.”

“And you need me to do it. Are you going to make me look like an even bigger idiot than I already am?”

“I'm going to take you to the campground and introduce you as my girlfriend. I kind of like you, so I thought I'd clear the territory first.”

The man's smugness was off the charts! With a hiss, I turned toward him. I wasn't afraid to hit him now, since we were stopped at the curb.

“Let's go into the coffee shop and talk. You girls seem to like places like this – lattes and pastries. Or do you prefer champagne?”

He caught my upturned hand and yanked it toward him.

"How much passion you have in you!"

The phrase was not ambiguous, but very definite. I pulled away from him hastily.

"All right, let's go in. On one condition: Keep your hands to yourself!"

"Hands? Well, all right," Andrew grinned.

There was a subtext in that, too, but this time I didn't understand it. Andrew walked out, and I hurried after him, slipping immediately. When I managed to grab the handle of the car door, I straightened up and found him standing across from me, grinning. I was embarrassed. I slammed the door shut and walked past him, heading for the coffee shop.

The first thing that caught my eye was a huge palm tree. It was on a table and was too lush for its assigned corner, so I had to circle around it. Additionally, someone with a great sense of humor had decorated it with garland and Christmas tinsel and forgot to take it down! Or was that the plan?

I took my eyes off the palm tree and looked at the girl in the long apron.

"We need a quieter place," Andrew said, taking me under his arm.

The girl smiled at him, gave me a strange look, and led me to the far table. I frowned once again. It looked like she had rated my appearance a C, and his a solid 10. And now she was wondering what we had in common. If I were her, I would be wondering the same thing.

“I'll have an Americano.”

Andrew looked at me expectantly. I mentally counted all the cash I had left and, deciding that I could splurge a little, ordered a “latte.”

"And a cheesecake, the freshest," Andrew added.

The waitress left, leaving the two of us, but for some reason Andrew kept silent and stared at me. His scrutiny was embarrassing and infuriating.

"Why did we come here? I have a lot more to do today."

"To go to the store and finish watching the show, yeah!"

“Really? I wonder what they are? “

Andrew smiled at me, and I realized with annoyance that I had almost answered his smile. What is this?! I'm a grown, independent woman who knows how to control her emotions. Especially these days, I'm getting better at it.

"The latte arrived on time, and I hastily hid my confusion behind it.

“Tonight, I'll let you know what time you need to be ready. We'll go to the editorial office.”

“And what in return?" I asked suspiciously. “

I didn't believe in his unselfishness and conscience. But I believed in the saying about

"cheese and a mousetrap.”

“You'll go on vacation with me.”

Here comes the mouse trap!

“What?!” I was indignant, putting the glass on the table and rising.

“Calm down. Alex will be there too, as well as Diana. Your mere presence will make them fight all the time. “

That's what I believed. Even if Alex didn't care, Diana wouldn't just let it go.

“What's in it for you?”

“Diana's father successfully legalized his business at the dawn of the nineties, investing in several companies, one of which I now run, and Diana is his heir. But here's the problem: she keeps choosing the wrong men. I imagine a partnership with Alfonso.”

Andrew grinned, showing his attitude toward the future work process.

"Very interesting!" I exclaimed.

In fact, Diana may turn out to be a business shark, but for some reason, she's not taken seriously at the moment. Then she needs just such an Alfonso to keep out of her business. But why my Alex?!

“Where are we going? And for how long?”

"Forest" campground. A corporate party for three days, for business partners. “

“Hmm.”

“I'll introduce you as my girlfriend. It's like we've been together a long time. “

“So we'll act like a couple? “I asked suspiciously.

“So that everyone would believe it," he confirmed.”

I wondered. If you believe the novelists, then the method is effective. But only if I can?

“And tomorrow I have to get a job. “

I realized it was blackmail, and nodded grimly.

***

They took me home and even handed me a bag of groceries. I had to take it obediently. The local FBI was waiting for me at the entrance. The grandmothers, having brought soft seats, handkerchiefs, and glasses, occupied the bench and waited for gossip.

Refuse to shop in front of them? I'm not that crazy yet. They'll think it's some kind of compensation. Television now shows so many "interesting" programs that even an innocent gesture can be suspected!

I had to limit myself from saying goodbye to him. But there's still gossip to be had! This jerk got out of the car and even said hello to them. The women put on their glasses and squinted suspiciously at Andrew and the car. But I got disapproving looks. As a matter of fact, I didn't really want to. I don't pretend to like everyone. After all, I'm not a hundred dollar bill!

The shopping trip turned out to be, I would even say, extravagant. It left me with a strange sense of shame. I realized belatedly that it was possible to not make a scene in the store, and coldly say "Thank you!" and proudly leave.

But anger gave me courage, and for starters I wrote a letter of resignation, turned on my phone, and sent it electronically.

Of course, the school administration was not satisfied with it in this form, and I was told to bring it. Scolding and angry, I got dressed again and went to school.

I had to hand in all of my work, classwork, and reports. The only consolation was that by that time the school was finishing the second shift and half of the students and teachers had left.