She knocked at Ruslan’s door, but nobody answered, and Lana became upset again. She found her cell phone and called her father.
«Honey,» he said in gladdened tone. «How was your exam?»
«It’s fine, Daddy.» She sighed, and asked, hesitating. «Do you know where Ruslan is?»
After a pause, Mr. Limpson slowly replied, «We are at the plant. He’s next to me. Do you want to talk to him?»
«Yes please, Dad.»
She heard the voice of Ruslan and smiled. «Thank you for supervising me.»
«You’re welcome,» he answered coldly and hung up, and Lana looked at the dead phone with vexation.
She heard a honk, turned toward the sound, and saw Oleg stopping his car near her.
«What are you doing here, my love?» he asked tenderly, but Lana sensed an irritation in his voice, and she glanced at Ruslan’s door.
«Are you jealous?» She winked. Oleg smiled.
«You betcha.» He sighed. «But I love you. How could I not be jealous, if you are my sunshine and the breath of my life?»
Lana enjoyed his words, but he continued, and anxiety was aroused in her soul.
«I’m just worried about you. Because Ruslan abandoned his child in Russia. I’m afraid to trust such a person.»
Lana stood still, then walked to her house. Oleg slowly moved his car after her.
«Lana?» he asked with concern. «Sweetheart? Are you all right?»
She went to his car and kissed Oleg. «Sorry, honey, I’m just tired. I’m going home, okay?»
«See you.» He answered with such an upset voice that Lana felt pity, kissed him again, and smoothed his beautiful red hair that seemed like a flame colored with a saffron sunset’s light.
She went home and sat by the window looking outside. She admired the magic hues of the twilight. Lana wanted to talk with Ruslan, and the awful thing that Oleg had said about him only increased this wish.
Mechanically eating the dinner served by her housekeeper, Lana was waiting, keeping her eyes on the street.
* * * * *
At the end of the exam day, when everybody left, and David VanStein was the last one there, Marina timidly went close to him.
«I’m sorry,» she whispered, trying not to cry.
David looked at her haggard face, and he saw transparent streams run down her cheeks. It seemed as if her eyes were melting, and, feeling pity, David hugged her.
Marina stood still for a second, enjoying the moment, then gently pushed him away. «Enough, professor.» Her voice gave a squeak. «Somebody can see us… Again.»
«Marina,» David said with effort. «My chief told me to fire you if I don’t want to lose my job.»
The teaching assistant drooped with his words. «Okay,» she pressed out.