At a leisurely pace Ruslan walked along the street. The powerful wind tore at the last clouds, driving them away like a pack of wolves dispersing a flock of sheep, and the radiant sun warmed up the world gaunt with winter’s frost and snowstorms.
* * * * *
Her alarm clock started playing waking music, and, keeping her eyes closed, Lana fumbled around to turn it off.
She pushed the button and stretched. She felt herself falling asleep again, then a loud resonant siren instantly drove away her drowsiness.
«Oh yes,» she muttered, rolling her eyes. «We don’t want to forget about the Cold War. Thanks for the reminder, Mr. Mayor!» She added a few very bad words, but she saw beaming sunlight from outside flow through the slits of the blinds, making everything around look fresh and jocund, and the girl smiled, sensing strength and young energy.
She was thinking about her upcoming date with Oleg, and those amatory thoughts stirred her stalwart body. The girl sprang off the bed and sang, skipping to the bathroom.
Still singing, she took a shower and danced a little, deriving joy from the feeling of the tickling streams massaging her skin, flushed with anticipation.
Agog, Lana almost ran to the living room, hastily preparing for her date with Oleg when unexpectedly, Ruslan Grafinsky entered and asked her very casually, «Have you finished your homework?»
Lana gawked at him with surprise. «It’s none of your business.»
«From now on it is.» He smiled coldly. «Your father asked me to control your study.»
«Liar!» Lana grabbed the phone and made a call. While she was talking, Ruslan went to the window and looked outside.
He saw Oleg Merkulov walking in front of the house like a cat near a mouse hole. Lana’s bodyguard, Tom, was sitting on the porch. Obeying Mr. Limpson’s order, Tom did not allow Oleg to enter, and Oleg dared not insist. He saw Ruslan, and stood still staring at him.
«Thank God we’re not in Russia,» thought Ruslan. «I bet he could kill me.»
He recalled his talk with Mr. Limpson about Oleg.
«I understand your concern, Mr. Grafinsky,» the businessman said sighing. «But I dearly love my daughter. If she wants to have some fun, why not? If it doesn’t harm her.»
«I hope so.» Ruslan tried to speak calmly enough, but Mr. Limpson gazed at him, and the young man became confused.
«She’s the only person in the world for whom I live,» the businessman pronounced with heartfelt intonation, and Ruslan sensed a strange tender feeling arise in his soul for this man.
«I know,» he replied. «But not only