I half-opened my eyes. The room was dark. It was definitely my room. My body ached, my head was splitting from yesterday's drinking. What happened yesterday? I barely sat up on the bed. I was swaying from side to side even in a sitting position.
—Awake.From the dark corner, where the armchair was, came my mother's voice.
—Why are you here?If she's in my room early in the morning, then I'm definitely in trouble.
—What, drunkard, already forgot last night?My mother's voice was stern. I'm screwed.
But what did happen yesterday? I remember a naked girl dancing, whiskey, and then… Right, the pool… There was someone there. Damn, my head hurts.
—Because of your antics, Arthur had to activate red code to enter San Eros.Her tone kept getting lower and lower.
I remember I was there, but what happened next, everything's so foggy in my head. Remember, remember. Right, Hope was there. Yes, I remember her tattoo. It was dark, but I could always recognize those tattoos.
—Was someone there with me?
Even in the dark I could feel her stern gaze.
—No. Arthur found you lying on a bench near the pool, and you kept repeating the same sentence.What is she talking about? I clearly remember Hope was there.
—What was I saying?If she finds out I met with Hope, I'm dead.
—You kept saying only one thing: "What the hell, Maya? What the hell, Maya?"Mother came up to me. Her short, beautifully styled blond hair gleamed even in my dark room. And the strict features of her face gave her majesty and fear.—Who is Maya?And now her voice was truly threatening. I still remember how as a child I nearly wet myself from that tone.
Maya? Why Maya? My head just isn't working.
—I'm waiting for an answer.Mother reminded me of her presence.
—Just a girl from the group, we ran into each other recently, that's all. A usual eyesore. She's a scholarship student.I looked at my mother and waited for a reaction.
—Fine, I have a lot to do today. Try to get some sleep. You'll talk to your father in the evening.Of course, he's already been informed.
—All right.
—And yes, one more thing. How dare you fire Riki? You weren't the one who hired him — so it's not your place to fire him. Fix it today.Mother looked at me with fury. Her gaze could frighten even gangsters.
—I just...
But I didn't have time to finish.
—I'm still in charge of personnel. Disobey me, and I'll let your father take over.
—Okay, I'll fix it today.Of two evils, choose the lesser.
My breakfast, as usual, passed in solitude with news programs on the TV. The hall was spacious and bright, and the table large, but always empty. My head hurt, the light irritated my eyes, my thoughts wouldn't listen.
—Call Arthur.I ordered one of the maids.
Night, alcohol, the pool, Hope and Maya? What happened yesterday? My thoughts ran in my head, trying to remember the night before...
Maya? Hope?...
—What the hell, Maya!My words burst out from deep inside me. I jumped up instinctively, the glass fell from my hand. The maids ran in.
I remembered her eyes, her face. Her EYES. Cold eyes cried that night. Yes, it was Maya. Yes… So, Hope is Maya? Or... I sat down in complete emptiness.
—Mr. Leon, you called?Arthur appeared in the hall, just who I needed.
—Tell me, what did you see yesterday? When you came for me.Only he can help put everything in place.
—I found you lying on a bench near the pool. You were repeating the same phrase...
—"What the hell, Maya?" That?I interrupted him, repeating the phrase again.
—Yes, sir.
—Was there anyone else?She had to be there. Had to.
—No, there was no one.His answer was immediate, as if he had been waiting for the question.
—Did you check the cameras?I need to know she was there. I must.
—The cameras in the main hall were off, but the ones on the perimeter and at all exits and entrances were working. We checked everything. No one entered or left the building.
—Are you sure?That can't be.
—Yes. Red code allows us to check all resources needed. We've been reviewing the footage all morning. Nothing. Only you.
Hmmmm... I waved to him.
—All right. Wait for me outside, I'm going to San Eros today.
Arthur was surprised but obediently agreed and left the hall.
Could it really all be just drunken nonsense? It can't be. I clearly remember it. Maybe I was drunk, but I remember her body under me, I remember those eyes. I remember those tearful eyes.
What's going on? Is Hope pretending to be Maya, or is it my madness? Did I want to see her so badly, or to see them...
I couldn't wait, even in the car I was fidgeting the whole way to San Eros. I have to know the truth. But if she says it didn't happen, then... will that upset me? Why? But they're completely different. How is that possible? Hope is graceful, luxurious, like a sleek cat. And Maya... She... What is she like? Strong, independent, loves to study, shy about intimacy, polite, sweet. Is it really possible that what I saw yesterday was only a dream, my desires!?
Do I want Hope to be Maya? That's... just nonsense.
I made it to the first class. Arthur had the schedule while the assistant was away. He dictated my whole schedule, but one class is enough for me. I only need to know the first, I'll figure the rest out.
Entering the classroom, my eyes searched for Maya. She wasn't at her desk or at any other. I sat in my place and waited. The bell would ring soon. She should already appear.
Where are you, Maya? I didn't take my eyes off the door.
Exactly half a minute before the bell, Maya ran into the classroom and calmly sat at her desk. I couldn't take my eyes off her. But Maya was ordinary, just the way I'd gotten used to seeing her these past two weeks.
She hurriedly pulled out her notepad, textbook, lecture notebook. Fumbled in her bag. Because of her hair, it looked like she was entirely inside her bag. Other than the silhouette with the hair, it was unclear who it was.
—Maya.I called out to her, but she ignored me, as usual. I wanted to call her again, but the bell cut off my attempt.
She sat at her desk upright, her hands on her knees. She listened carefully to the lecturer and at certain moments took out her hand from under the desk to take notes. I, in turn, just sat and watched her, or rather observed. I shifted slightly to the left to see her better, but because of her hair I saw nothing but her writing hand. She wrote neatly and smoothly. Her fingers were well-groomed, but there was no manicure, no polish. She was calm itself. Was it really drunken nonsense? I need to talk to her to be sure.
All day I walked from classroom to classroom following Maya, but she didn't even pay attention to it. It was already two in the afternoon, which meant this was our last class. I need to find a way to talk to her alone. Maybe invite her to the lounge? Would she come with me after yesterday? Damn. There are too many eyes for a conversation. I wonder where she goes after class?
The bell rang, and with it my heart began to pound wildly. I was nervous like a boy. Is this really that important to me? These feelings, where did they come from. Why.
She slowly gathered her things and left the classroom. I followed her. Her steps were light and effortless, it was noticeable even through the long skirt. We entered the cafeteria. Some students began whispering and pointing at me. Oh right, I rarely come here. But she wasn't bothered at all by the attention toward me. She simply continued doing what she wanted. She either didn't notice me at all, or she pretended well. I sat at one of the tables and kept watching her.
At San Eros, lunches were free and very diverse. And arranged to the highest standard. Scholarship students loved spending time here, since they couldn't afford such luxury outside. Maya slowly looked over the dishes and walked slowly from table to table. Even with the naked eye, it was noticeable that even scholarship students avoided her. Finally she picked a dish, put it on her tray, and also took two bottles of water. Hmmm, she only took water? There was a wide selection, why only water? Maya began looking for a table to eat at, but after realizing everything was taken, I saw her heavy sigh.
She slowly but confidently walked over to the table where I was sitting. Set down her tray and sat down across from me. My throat went dry. Students started whispering. I was in shock. She just came and sat down like that? How... how... The whispering didn't stop. She reached out and placed one bottle of water for me. I was stunned right there. While I sat and looked at her, it became clear. All attention was on us, and if she walked out and I followed her, it would look strange. And she's not that stupid.
I demonstratively opened the bottle and took a sip. I leaned in closer to her.
—After lunch I'll be waiting in the student lounge, where we met last time.She raised her head slightly and looked at me from under her brows. Her eyes, those blue eyes, brought back my impatience and excitement.—Try to run, I'll find you and fuck you.Her cheeks instantly turned red. She was ready for anything, but not that condition, she definitely didn't expect it. She lowered her head over her food. But I could still see her blush. Even such a simple word embarrassed her. Hahahaha. Before leaving her, I looked at her food. It was rice, fish, and some kind of salad. Hmm, that's way too little for her...
I left the cafeteria and went to the student lounge to wait for Maya. I need to know if it was a dream or drunken madness.