Chapter 4. A strange acquaintance and an unexpecte

                Chapter 4.

    — What are you standing for? Lena asked. — Go say hello to the girl. Otherwise they'll take her right out from under your nose. There's already someone trying to get close to her. Just don't fight with him. All I needed here was a fight and the police to be completely happy. Politely ask her to step aside and talk.
— And you, and what about you?
— What about me? I'm going to take a dip.
— But I repeat, this is not my girlfriend. I don't know her at all. I want to go with you. Well, in general, to communicate with you.
— I've already explained everything to you. Is it really that hard to understand? He wants to. You never know what anyone wants. It's not harmful to want. Or maybe I want to meet her. Do you understand that? It's more fun in the company. To play cards, and just to chat. There will be at least someone to chat with. Otherwise, you're lying here alone, and someone is constantly bothering you. Like you. He accosted a lonely woman and does not give her a poor pass. You're very poor, I thought. You can turn anyone off so much that they won't be happy to get in touch with you."I don't really need it," she continued.
- Go and bring her here. I'll find out what kind of friend she is, and find out if you're telling me the truth or not. Or maybe you offended her and now you're in the bushes. Maybe you had something with her. Offended the girl and ran away. Now he's decided to defect to me. Mind you, if I find out that you lied to me, you won't see me again. Understood? I don't need such figures. Explain everything to her as it is. I don't know you either. And then I vaguely began to guess what she was trying to achieve and why she was so insistent on sending me to Masha. But she immediately knocked me off my mind, with incomprehensible persistence, forcing me to introduce her to Masha.   
"Just ask her to join us for a game of cards." There will be just three of them. Maybe we'll make friends with her. Everything will be more fun. Come on, don't stand there like a pillar over me. She was teasing me.
- All right. If that's what you want, I'll go talk to her. And I'll try to bring her here.
- Try, try. Lena said. I'm going to take a dip for now. At her whim, which I did not understand, I went to Masha. And, coming up, he said to her as if nothing had happened: "Hello, Masha. Did you come to play volleyball? I also decided to stretch a little." She suddenly blushed, looking at me.
- Who is this? Her boyfriend asked her with hostility. He seemed even healthier up close. Swinging, apparently. The muscles stood out in relief on his body.
- This is my friend, Masha said with difficulty.
- I'm sorry for interrupting you. Masha, can I talk to you for a minute? I wanted to tell you something. Just a few words. "Okay," she shrugged. - Masha will come back to you now, I will not detain her. I turned to her boyfriend. He nodded his head at me glumly.ouch.
When we walked away, I asked her, "Is that your boyfriend? I'm sorry to interrupt you. I didn't know.""He's not my boyfriend," Masha told me.
Oh, who? I was surprised.
- This is our neighbor. I was walking to the beach, and he kept me company too.
"Is he courting you?"
- No, he's just an acquaintance of mine. He has a girlfriend.
- I see. And that's what I wanted to say. First of all, I'm sorry that I left you then. I had an urgent matter. So don't be offended by me. And that's why I came, I want to invite you to our company. There's a friend of mine there. Anyway, if you're free and you don't mind, join us. We decided to play cards. So you'll be the third partner. Her husband is away, but he will be here soon. Otherwise, it's boring to just lie around. And so we'll play cards. Everything is more interesting than just lying there and not knowing what to do with yourself. How are you? Do you mind?
— I don't know. Masha said uncertainly, I'm not alone.
- Do you have a boyfriend? Then I'm sorry. No, I'm with a friend.
- Ah, well, that's another matter. Let's invite a friend too. In general, it will be great. It's more fun in the company than being alone here. Well, what have you decided? Do you agree? Masha was still at a loss and did not know what to do. "Let's go," I began to push her. - Then it's another matter. Let's invite a friend too. Generally exl .and it will be. It's more fun to be in the company than to be alone here. Well, what have you decided? Do you agree? Masha was still at a loss and did not know what to do. —Let's go," I began to push her.
— Well, I actually don't mind. I don't know about Tanya.
— So let's go, let's persuade your Tanya. Are you located far away?
— No, it's nearby. Masha told the guy that she was leaving, and we went to Tanya.
Her friend, a pretty girl, was a little fatter and taller than Masha, looked at us with undisguised interest. Apparently, she sympathized with Masha. I never expected to see us together. — Masha and I have come for you. My name is Vlad. If you don't mind, we want to invite you to our company to play cards. It's not far from here. Nearby. Tatiana stared at Masha in surprise. Apparently, she was aware of our annoying disagreement, and the appearance of me with her puzzled her. For sure, he and Masha condemned me for my insidious behavior. In their eyes, apparently, I was an extremely dishonest person. In secret from my woman, I began to molest an inexperienced young girl in order to deceive and seduce her. In short, they thought I was just a depraved type. And suddenly I'm here.
— Well, do you agree?
— Masha, I didn't understand. How's that? She turned to her. Her words only confirmed my guess. Masha was silent.
— There's nothing to think about. It's a big deal. Move things to another place. It doesn't matter where to sunbathe. Moreover, it's not far away, it's nearby. I persistently persuaded them, doing Lena's errand. We've already agreed. Those who do not want to play will lie down and sunbathe the same way as here, which changes, only in the company it is much more fun. In the end, they succumbed to my persuasions, and they, still confused and quiet, gathered and went with me to a new place. Lena wasn't there yet. We spread out their blankets and packed their things. And then Lena appeared. — Hi, girls! She exclaimed. — I see our regiment has arrived. It's good. It will be more fun in the company. And she held out her hand to them for acquaintance. —Tanya, Masha," they introduced themselves, even more confused, overwhelmed by the imperious notes of this self—confident beautiful woman. Have you known Vlad for a long time? I asked him to introduce him to my girlfriend," she turned to Masha. Masha blushed and answered her in confusion. — I'm not his girlfriend. We were just playing volleyball and met by chance, yesterday or not, the day before yesterday, noticeably worried, Masha said. — That's how it is. Interesting. Lena said in surprise. Do you have a boyfriend? She continued to interrogate Masha. — No, Masha said softly, embarrassed, and blushed even more. I noticed that Tatiana was looking at Masha with interest and, smiling maliciously, and looking at me, she said: — No, so now it will be. Everyone except Masha, who lowered her eyes, laughed. — Well, that's good. Now we'll have our own company, if you don't mind, girls. — Of course we object, - said Tatiana, — Why is that? Lena asked her, raising her eyebrows in displeasure and clearly not expecting such an answer. After a short pause, she continued, as if enjoying the effect, smiling slyly. — Oh, I misspoke. That's not what I meant. I wanted to say, of course we don't mind. What objections can there be? We are also glad to meet you. After her words, everyone laughed together. "Well, girls, I think we'll become friends," Lena said after her words. Look how perky she is. It is not lost under any circumstances. circumstances. And most importantly, with humor. How different they are with Masha. These two girlfriends.
- Well, Vlad, have you gathered us all together here, what are you going to entertain us with?
"It would be nice to play cards," I said.
— Well, let's play if the girls agree. We agree and don't mind Vlad entertaining us," said Tatiana, who was quick on the tongue. Everyone laughed again. But no one had the cards. "So we played," Lena said.
"I'll get it right away, I'll be quick," I told her. And he hurried to his house. If only Lyosha would be at home. The cards were his, and he often took them with him to play with the girls. Out of breath from walking fast, I entered the room. Lyosha was at home. Do you have the cards? I asked him. —Yes,— he replied. — I want to take them to play, there's a good company gathered there. Such pretty girls. I met them by chance. We decided to play cards. Would you like to join us? No, I can't do it now, I'd love to do it another time. —Well, whatever you want," I told him and, taking the cards, hurried to my girlfriends. When I approached them, I heard a lively girlish conversation. They were discussing something with interest. It was clear that Lena was the mistress of the situation there and that she quickly managed to win over the girls. The girlfriends listened with delight to this beautiful, confident woman.
"And here's our date," she said when she saw me. — Did you bring the cards?
— Yes, of course.
— Great, but what are we going to play? Lena asked.
"Let's play the foundling,— Tanya suggested.
"Well, let's play the foundling," Lena agreed. No one objected.
"Give it away,— she told me. And the game began. The girls all attacked me. I barely had time to fight them off. We started playing with excitement. Then Lena took out of her bag a large liter souvenir bottle of liqueur in a beautiful package, a set of silver glasses, a box of cookies and fruits. They are washed, eat, don't be afraid... — I bought it as a souvenir in a shop on the way. Let's drink to the acquaintance. — It's a pity to open it. It's a souvenir," Tatiana said. "Nothing is a pity for good people," Lena answered her. — Well, except for the good ones, — Tatiana smiled slyly. Everyone laughed. — Vlad, open up. We played until the evening, when the sun began to sink into the horizon like a red-hot ball, illuminating the sky and low-hanging clouds in bright fiery colors. And they were quietly drinking sweet cherry liqueur. It was delicious, with a pleasant aroma, but insidious, it's still a liqueur, and you get drunk from it imperceptibly and quickly. Masha hardly drank, and we sipped this thick, pleasant drink with pleasure. Then Lena, looking at the flaming sunset, said: "Oh, the sun has already sunk into the sea. It's going to get dark soon. It's time to pack up." Everyone laughed. And we began to pack up.
— Which way do you want to go? — She asked the girls. — We're going to the bus stop. Where are you staying? — And we live with a friend, — said Tanya.
— And where did you come from? — We live on a big river, and our city is beautiful and famous. Everyone has heard about him. Yes, I've heard about it," Lena said when she heard the name of the city. This is where the dawns are clear and a friend lives in a working village," she recalled the words of an old song that was once popular. Yes, she lives there," Tatiana confirmed calmly. Everyone laughed. — Well done, you're all right with humor. "And not only with humor,— Tanya replied to her. Everyone laughed again. — Well, with you girls, you definitely won't get bored. — And I'm going to the hotel, here. not far. Hubby made sure that I had a good rest. He is well-off and in a good position. He doesn't spare any money for me. I sometimes ask him: where did you get so much money? Are you taking bribes? Look, you'll finish playing, they'll put you in jail. And he answers me: you also need to be able to take bribes. And they fall for them. Only fools who are confident in their invulnerability. And I don't take bribes. And what then? — I'm asking. And he laughs and answers me: I give them myself. That's the kind of humorist I have. I'll invite you to my hotel sometime, have a little fun, dance, there's a restaurant, go to a disco. I'll take care of the expenses. Hubby spares no money for me. He's guilty of something to me, so he's trying to make amends. And she's afraid that I'll leave him. Let's dance, maybe we'll find some cavaliers there, she jokingly winked at the girls. It was obvious that she was drunk and she was drawn to an inappropriate and unnecessary frankness... — Let's rest, girls. I love the company. I was a student too. She studied at the medical school. She left her last year, just a little bit left before graduation. She left because of the child, she was very ill. So I'm familiar with student life, it was like that myself. Therefore, it is easy and pleasant for me to communicate with you. Will we take Vlad with us? "Of course we will," the girls replied in unison. - Well, that's good. Will you come with us, Vlad? - Of course you will. Where am I without you? - That's great. Well, girls, let's say goodbye. I'm pretty drunk. It was a pleasure to meet you. Let's meet at this place. I probably won't be able to come tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow I will definitely come here in the morning, at nine or ten o'clock. Do you mind? - Yes, we are also glad, we will definitely come. They chattered together. - That's fine. Lena said. - It's always much more interesting and fun in the company than lying around and being bored here alone. - Vlad, please help me shake out the litter from the sand, - she turned to me. We stepped aside and, taking hold of the edges, shook it out of the sand. Folding it, she suddenly whispered to me: "You'll take the girls to the bus stop, come back here, I'll be waiting for you on the bench near this fountain," she pointed at him with her hand. The bag is heavy, you can help me carry it. I stumbled badly today and twisted my leg, it hurts a little. We left the beach and said goodbye to her. I walked the girls to the bus stop. She's cool," Tanya said, tipsy. And very well-off. He lives in such an expensive hotel. But he doesn't pull his nose. He behaves simply and in his own way. And he talks about everything so interestingly and humorously. Masha was silent, and then suddenly said: "It's all strange to me." "What's strange to you?" I asked her. "I don't know, but for some reason it seems to me that she's not being very sincere. She's kind of playing."You're always making something up," Tatiana interrupted her. — She really needs you to play with you. She's just bored on her own, so she's glad she met us. And you're just jealous of her. She's so gorgeous. And kind. He invites us to a restaurant at his own expense and does not demand anything in return." "It would be nice if she demanded something there. I'm not going to go to a restaurant with her at all. Anyway, I don't like it at all. It's like she's up to something." "And I'm not jealous of anything. And she doesn't love her husband. He speaks of him as a stranger. Yes, he's probably also a crook with her." "Loves — doesn't love, what's the difference, it's all nonsense. A crook. But this crook provides for her so that she doesn't need anything. She bathes in luxury, and she doesn't care about anything. And with such money, she will find love for herself. Such a lover will tear off that all mouths will gape." "What kind of love is this. Love for money is not love." "It's like a product that is taken on credit. As soon as you stop paying, it is immediately taken away from you. Rather, he will immediately run away from you himself." "You're always complicating things and making things up. That's what kind of character you have, no matter what you say, you always deny everything and always object and say the opposite. As if on purpose. And everything is in a dark color. Sometimes it even pisses me off. You have your own point of view on everything, different from others. You're always right, and if I disagree with you, then I'm wrong. Why is that, tell me." "Because you judge superficially." "Oh, my. She's so smart. Give her love. She is not satisfied with her lover. Yes, you and your love will live with your mother-in-law and father-in-law in their two-room kennel and listen to their constant reproaches, and endure their eternal discontent, and look at their nasty faces every day. Or rent a room, darn leaky socks and count pennies to paycheck. You can't buy yourself a decent dress, let alone go to a restaurant. "You guys are talking like I'm not here." "Don't listen, cover your ears," Tatiana laughed. — Well, am I not right, Vlad? Tell me." "You're right. But I'm for love." "Fuck you," she jokingly pushed me in the shoulder. Soon we came to a stop. "Well, girls. If you don't mind, let's meet on the beach tomorrow morning after breakfast. Come back when you can. I will be waiting for you at the edge of the beach in the shade under a tree. If you want, you will find it." "If we want to, we'll find it, don't be afraid," Tatiana laughed. "That's great, I'm glad," I told them. Soon the bus came and they left. I walked back, thinking about what it all meant. Does her leg really hurt or is she up to something, this domineering, unpredictable woman. Another of her whims. How she insisted that I bring Masha. Why would she do that? Although there is a reason for this, of course. — Have a seat, — I heard Lena's voice, before I had time to fully comprehend. — Well, did you see him off? - yes. Good girls," I said. "As you can see, I was right when I asked you to introduce me to this girl. At these words, she laughed and said mysteriously: "Or rather, now, apparently already your girlfriend. She's got her eyes on you. She didn't. And I tried to play along with you when we were playing cards. But I don't know her. I told you about it, and you didn't believe me. — I believe, I believe, calm down. And her friend, apparently, is still that thing. Don't put such a finger in your mouth. Experienced. It's obvious right away. And your Masha looks modest, but serious and very perceptive. It's not easy with her. This is much more dangerous. — How is that, why? — Yes, I'm just talking about my own, — said Lena. — Take me to the hotel. I took the bag and we went to the hotel. Vd Lena took my arm. I was even slightly out of breath from surprise at this. She walked silently beside me and thought about something. I was silent too, looking at her longingly, feeling the warmth of her hand. The hotel was not far away, and soon we arrived, staying in a small park near the entrance. She took the bag from me and suddenly said: "Come to the pier at eleven o'clock." I was taken aback and thought I had misheard, and asked her again: "Today?" She grinned and said, "Yes, today. Go. I don't need to be escorted any further." She turned and left. I stared after her in silence, not understanding anything. What is she up to? Why is it so late? Some cafes on the shore are closed at this time. Perplexed, I hurried home, remembering that I had been invited to a birthday party today.
When I got home, I quickly changed my clothes and went to the dining room. The fun has already begun. And I found Lyosha and sat down at his table. A little later, the head of the interns came up to us, handed me a gift bag and led me to the birthday girl. We approached her, and I handed her a gift and wished her a happy birthday. Soon the dancing began. I danced with almost all the girls, including the birthday girl and their supervisor. It was fun and noisy. One of the older girls, who worked as a waitress, became noticeably intoxicated and during the dance with me began to press her appetizing breasts against me, breathing wine vapors into my face, and began to hang on me. "Why are you always alone and don't have a girlfriend?" she asked me. "And how do you know? Maybe there is." "You don't have anyone. You can't hide anything here, everything is in plain sight. You are always alone on the beach. Aren't you interested in girls? Why did you decide that? Of course they are interested. And you're not interested in me." "Well, how can I tell you, I just don't know you." "So what's the matter then? I don't know, it's so unexpected. I don't even know what to tell you." "What's there to know if you like me or not, tell me. Well, I like you." At that time, the music ended, and I told her, "It's hot in here, I'm going out to smoke." "Let's go," she told me. "Let's go smoke." We went outside and she told me: "Let's go around the corner into the shade, I don't want everyone to see that I smoke." We turned the corner, and taking out a cigarette, I offered it to her. She took it and, kneading it in her fingers, lit a cigarette. "I'm sorry, but you're actually kind of weird, there are so many young girls here, and you're bothering a married woman. She's clearly not for you, this pompous beauty." - Where did you get this? - And you can see everything on the beach. You can't hide there, and they're interested in you, so they're watching you. She swayed drunkenly, and then threw down a cigarette and suddenly, coming close to me, hugged me and began to kiss me, whispering: "And I can become your girlfriend. Do you want? Let's go to your place." "Wow, this is a number," I thought, feeling her hot body and feeling the desire awaken in me. Restraining myself, I said, "Let's talk tomorrow. We had a drink, and you shouldn't give in to your uncontrollable impulses and feelings when drunk," I tried to pull away from her. - Let's go have a drink. You may regret it tomorrow." "I don't regret, I don't regret anything, because it's just the two of us," she began to hum a familiar melody. "What are you afraid of?" — "I told you, we'll meet tomorrow and talk." "Come on, I know a place here," she ignored my words and dragged me into the darkness. There was an empty house nearby, and we entered it. She fell onto the mattress and pulled me with her. I was on top of her, and she wrapped her arms around me and began to kiss me. Unlike her, I was only slightly drunk, but it still played a role to a large extent. Her closeness, her such a seductive, supple body made me immediately forget about everything, and the indomitable desire to possess her quickly flared up, clouded my mind. I pounced on her, and lifting up her dress, began to undress her. But she suddenly hiccuped once, twice, and suddenly all the wine she had drunk all evening began to pour out of her. She was probably sick even before we lay down and I, leaning my body on her stomach, provoked this attack of nausea. I turned her face down. She was vomiting. And that's where my love adventure ended so unexpectedly and sadly. Soon she began to come to her senses and felt a little better. "Where do you live? Let me take you home." She got up with difficulty, and I grabbed her hand, said, "Hold my neck," and, hugging her, took her home. It turned out to be not far away. I asked her, and she showed me where the key was hidden. After dragging her into the room, I laid her on the bed without turning on the light so as not to attract attention and went outside. A refrigerator hummed softly in a small pantry on the side of the veranda. I pulled the door handle, it was unlocked. When I opened the refrigerator, I saw several bottles of mineral water there. Finding a glass in the room, I poured her some water and gave her a drink. Sitting down on the bed next to her, he asked her: "Well, are you feeling better?" "Yes," she whispered. "Well, that's a good girl." And then, chuckling to himself, he asked: "Luda," she answered me softly. "That's how we met. Well, go to sleep, Luda, everything is fine." I sat next to her for a while, stroking her hand, and she soon fell asleep. I decided to go back to the dining room and stay there a little longer, so as not to give rise to unnecessary conversations and gossip. After all, everyone saw how she threw herself at me and how I took her away drunk, and did not return. Many people might have thought that I took her away and spent the night with her. It turns out that I was being watched, as Luda told me. Prove later that this did not happen. I didn't really care. But it could put her in an awkward position. And it would have tarnished her reputation in front of the administration. Gossip would have spread. There are envious women everywhere who like to throw mud at others. Who will sort them out, these women. Or rather, women, women — it somehow sounds disrespectful. I grinned, remembering Lena. Try calling her a woman. In response, you will receive something in a moment that you will not be glad that you said it. After talking a little with Lesha and my friends, I quietly left. I should have hurried already. I couldn't stop worrying about what this domineering and arrogant woman was up to. And why did she need me so late at night. It's not enough for her to have a day. Yes, we could go straight from the beach and sit in some cafe, if that's what she wants. It all looks strange somehow. And she really behaves unnaturally. Masha was right. She's definitely playing and has something in mind. She will either bring me closer or coldly push me away. But he won't let go. It is unclear what all this will turn into. What awaits me tonight and how it will all end...


© Copyright: Vladislav Koptsev, 2024