«You’re right, honey,» David said with an apologetic smile. His guests looked at the Russian women.
«Ladies,» called one of the professors. «Why do you hide in the corner? Come here and sing to us. I’ve never heard Russian songs.»
«I can’t sing.» Nina got embarrassed, but Marina calmly went to the middle of the room. Placing her feet on the stool, she took her guitar, and sang.
She was singing in Russian, so the Americans listened without understanding the words. Marina’s voice sounded very emotional, and everybody saw – she put her heart into the singing.
Suddenly Megan VanStein noticed that the other Russians were visibly confused as she intercepted exchanging glances. When Marina finished, and all the people applauded, she asked, «What was this song about?»
«Just a love song,» Vera hastily answered, and Megan did not like the look on her face.
«One girl loves one man,» Marina sighed, walking back to the couch.
«Yeah, one married man,» Nina Lapina said very loudly and laughed.
A deadly silence reigned at once.
Vlad quickly nudged his wife, and she looked at him, then around the room with naive surprise, as she did not expect her phrase to have had such an effect.
David saw Marina glare at him. Framed with the puff of her fluffy straw-colored hair, her face went red, and he was amazed, feeling his own cheeks blush as well. The guests exchanged whispers.
«I see it’s a very frequent situation.» Lana gave Oleg a wink.
«What do you mean?» wondered Oleg.
«I mean when a girl loves a married man,» she answered very quietly, staring at him.
Little by little the party resumed its normal course, and when Lana’s father entered the hall, only a few people noticed.
Lana, Oleg, and Ruslan walked to him very quickly, almost running. Lana glanced at Ruslan, and addressed her father. «Daddy, let me introduce Oleg Merkulov. I showed you his wife’s pictures. And this is…» She forgot Ruslan’s name, and confusedly looked at him.
«Ruslan Grafinsky,» he said. «Mr. Limpson, can I have a talk with you?»
«If it’s about sponsorship,» Mr. Limpson coldly replied taking out a business card, «here is the address to send your query or project. You will get a response within three months.»
«This is more important to you than to me,» Ruslan retorted in the same tone that Mr. Limpson had used. He did not take the card, and the businessman gazed at this Russian youth with interest.
«Very well, Mr. Grafinsky,» Mr. Limpson grinned. «I’ll give you a ride home and we can talk.» He went to greet the guests.
«He won’t believe you,» Oleg said in Russian.