At the next table, however, the date went on as usual. The couple ordered, chatted vivaciously, and even kissed, leaning over the table.

I jumped up and flew over to them, snatching the cocktail from the blonde's hands and pouring it over Alex's head. My ex-boyfriend (my ex-boyfriend for a minute already!) was so surprised to see me that he didn't even flinch! He just looked at me with round eyes of surprise.

"What are you…? How…?" he muttered.

And then I realized: the restaurant was not for the middle class, not even for the slightly upper class. By dating her and living with me, he was risking nothing. We couldn't even cross paths by chance,only with the help of a staged meeting.

"Baby, who's that?" the blonde asked a little stiffly.

"Baby?!" I laughed.

"Really, explain to me who it is?"

“Just an acquaintance… “ he mumbled confusedly.

“Who "just an acquaintance"? Me or her?” I asked

sneering.

“Let's talk calmly. You've got it all wrong.”

I laughed, the phrase cliched and hackneyed. I was suddenly disgusted, wanting to cry, but I couldn't let him see my tears. It's okay, I'll be patient; they didn't train me at the school's councils for nothing!

As I rushed to the exit, I remembered my bag. I had to make a detour and come back.

“ And what, you won't even take the keys to the apartment? “ The "well-wisher" asked lazily.

The phrase shifted my thoughts again. I rushed back and grabbed Alex by the hem of his jacket.

“Give me the keys! This is my apartment! My grandmother gave it to me! “

“Young lady, what are you doing?! “ The blonde was outraged.

“I'm taking what's mine!” answered her and took out a bundle from the inner pocket of his jacket.

“Marina, what are you doing?! Calm down!”

“Ha!” I snorted and, unhooking the apartment keys from the rest of the bundle, threw it on the table. The glass they hit shattered and the plate burst.

“Get out of my apartment and live wherever you want!” I said the most terrifying phrase for a non-Moscow resident.

Turning around, she ran her gaze over to A. The man mimed a round of applause. He had gotten the gig he had hoped for and he was happy. Bastard! Flying up to him, I pulled a thousand rubles out of my bag and threw it on the table.

"It's for coffee," I informed him.

Now we can go out! Under the attentive gazes of the audience! I took my coat from the closet, found a corner and finally burst into tears! Tears were already running down my cheeks, but I managed to hold back the sobs.

I ran out of the restaurant, rounded the corner where the parking lot was, and dashed towards the lot. The car that backed up didn't hit me hard; I was more scared and hurt when I hit the asphalt. But that was the last straw! I burst into tears, hiding my face in my palms, sitting on the ground almost under the huge car.

“Are you crazy?!” The driver jumped out of the car.

“Get up! It's a good thing I slowed down in time.”

Hearing a very familiar voice, I looked up and was convinced that the world had decided to run into me today

“You?!” I sobbed and got up, only to fall back down again. A sharp pain shot through my leg.

“Shit!" he said and looked around. He bent down and picked me up in his arms.

"I guess I don't have to ask if you can walk.”

“Let go of me!" I demanded.

"I'd leave you here, but there are cameras," he said.

I was so stunned by his confession that I let him put me in the passenger seat. When he got behind the wheel, he started so quickly that I almost hit the dashboard.

“Did you decide to finish me off?” I asked.

“I decided to take you to the doctor. He's a friend of mine and will examine you. Appreciate my kindness.”

“Kindness?! You ruined my life!”

“Me?! I opened your eyes. You wanted to waste another six months on that man?”

“Why six months?” I was confused.

Usually they talk about a few years, but here is the exact timeframe!

"Alex" and Diana were getting married in six months. I don't think he would have left the apartment before then. You'd have ironed his wedding suit, too!” He laughed.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. He was right: he probably would be!

“No!" I muttered.

"Don't worry, there won't be a wedding now. Diana wouldn't survive a public scandal. When I left, she was already running toward the exit. She'll probably go back to London and continue her studies.”