«I told you it was too early,» whispered Vlad to Nina.
However, Hannah was glad to see Larisa, and the girls started playing together.
«I thought Mr. Limpson, as the organizer, would be here,» Ruslan said to the VanSteins.
«He’s very busy, but he promised to come later.» Megan smiled. «Looking for a sponsor, eh?» She winked, but the face of Ruslan was so clouded that the woman felt herself uncomfortable, and she started talking with Nina.
More and more people arrived. Children ran around and were so noisy that Megan sent them to play in another, smaller hall prepared with some toys and games especially for the younger set.
«I’ll watch the kids,» Nina offered.
«Oh, don’t worry.» Megan explained, «There are nannies here to watch them, but thanks anyway.»
Oleg Merkulov came later. He nodded to his wife, yet did not come close.
He gazed at Ruslan Grafinsky and sat next to him.
«Nice evening,» Oleg dropped casually. The young man did not answer.
«I’m warning you, buddy,» keeping a nice smile in place, Oleg hissed to him.
«You don’t scare me,» calmly replied Ruslan.
Lana Limpson quickly entered the hall. She glanced about, saw Oleg and Ruslan, and she smiled. However, she did not go to them. First she addressed David, then the other guests, then went to Oleg only after other people had arrived and the attention of everybody was drawn from her to the newcomers.
«Hi.» she said to the Russians. Ruslan’s gloomy face surprised her. «Is something wrong?» she asked as she sat next to Oleg.
«Everything’s fine,» Ruslan replied sarcastically.
«When you’re beside me, nothing’s wrong,» uttered Oleg emotionally.
Ruslan glanced at him. «Except the situation, eh?»
Lana averted her eyes, and giggled.
«How’s your wife, Mr. Merkulov?» she said loudly, and Ruslan gazed at her. «I bought some of her pictures.»
Surprised, Oleg pointed to a group of guests.
Quietly singing together, Marina Aleksandrova and Nina Lapina were sitting side by side. Marina played her guitar while Vera drew a sketch of them.
«What about they had talked?» Oleg thought, worried. «I hope Vera didn’t say something that could destroy my plans.»
«Oh.» Ruslan attentively looked at Lana. «Well, it’s good. When will your father arrive?»
«Are you looking for a sponsor?» Lana snorted, but her smile died immediately in view of Ruslan’s face, filled with pain. Not answering, he got up and walked away, and Lana concentrated her attention on the conversation with Oleg.
Vlad Lapin was talking with David VanStein and some other professors from the University. A smiling Megan approached and interrupted them. «Enough talk about work.»