Читать книгу Golden сarriage for Cinderella. A novel about love - Svetlana Mirrai - Страница 6

The next day the weather was fine, the puddles from yesterday’s rain had almost dried up. Peter’s car was waiting for us in the parking lot, it was a blue Chevrolet Aveo. She dazzlingly shone with purity so that, coming closer to her, you could see yourself as if in a mirror. The cabin was still neat and smelled fresh citrus.

– What kind of owner is such a car, and your car is just fabulously clean, – I said enthusiastically.

Peter smiled, it was obvious that he was pleased with my compliment. The priest crossed the car and himself, turned on the songs of Father Alexander Starostenko, and we drove off. The navigator took us around the capital, narrow streets were replaced by large wide streets, and so we drove for an hour. We parked near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and got out of the car, where a man was waiting for us.

– Hello. My name is Sergey Valeryevich,” he introduced himself.

The man was dressed in a strict suit that emphasized his business style.

– Let’s go to my office, and after our conversation I will treat you to a delicious lunch, – he smiled and hurriedly walked forward.

Opening a huge door in the building, we went up to the third floor and walked for a long time along a narrow corridor, which was decorated with a carpet, along which various offices of secretaries, ministers and various deputies were located. Sergei Valeryevich was also, apparently, a deputy minister. Finally we reached his office. He was quite strict and formal. A leather armchair, a leather sofa and a work desk with a mini-bar were the boring interior of their owner. On the wall hung a picture of our president and the coat of arms of the country. Camellia flowers on the windowsills and a decorative rose on the floor in a vase slightly diluted the official atmosphere.

The men sat down on opposite sides of the table and immediately began to talk animatedly. I sat comfortably in an armchair and, closing my eyes, decided to rest a little, so I did not immediately delve into their conversation. But when phrases about tribes began to reach me, I, of course, began to listen.

– We want you, Father, to act as a missionary and take Vera to New Guinea. I would like to thank God that there are still such priests,” Sergei Valeryevich said firmly and leaned back, stretching his arms wide along the back of the chair.

– I agree with you, in such places it is impossible without faith, – the priest replied and spread his hands.

– of course. After all, our goal is to develop a civilized society in Papua New Guinea. Many tribes that live there are actually still in the Stone Age and practice cannibalism. Our missionaries work with them. Maybe three drops of cognac before dinner? – Sergey Valeryevich got up from his chair, went to the mini-bar and opened the door of the cherished locker. And there was a huge variety of different bottles with different colored caps.

– Sergey Valeryevich, I would love to, but I’m driving. We still have to go home,” regret could be heard in Peter’s voice.

– Three drops, just three drops. Yes, and if the guys from the traffic police stop, then call me,” our rainbow host said cheerfully.

“Then I agree,” Pyotr said and, smiling, raised the crystal glass to his lips.

The men drank in one gulp and had a snack with a lemon on duty, which was lying on Sergei Valeryevich’s table.

– Good, strong cognac, – said Peter.

Sergey Valeryevich suggested that we go to the dining room with him for lunch.

We went down the stairs to the first floor, the doors to it were open. The dining room turned out to be all in marble and paintings, candlesticks hung on the walls. It smelled of delicious and fragrant food. Two young girls worked at the distribution, they laid out dishes on plates and smiled sweetly at everyone.

– My dear, hello! – the gray-haired man said loudly and took my hand, I recoiled from him in surprise, but when I looked at his face, I recognized him as a pop artist Aristarch Borisovich.

“Scared?” laughing in his velvety, beautiful voice, he asked.

– A little. Hello, Aristarkh Borisovich,” I said happily, coming out of my stupor.

– Bon appetit, and I’ll go, or a photo for memory? and his face melted into a snow – white smile.

Peter saw a celebrity next to me and immediately came up to us. He took a picture for me, and we went to lunch.

– We also have pop stars, so Aristarkh Borisovich came to dine with us. And I have chosen all the most delicious for you.

And indeed, there was a herring on the table, a smoked sausage, fried chicken with vegetables and fragrant borscht with pampushki.

– My father told me that you are not a vegetarian, and I included meat in the diet, – Sergey Valeryevich said carefully.

We sat down at the table. Everything was really delicious.

– The food is wonderful, – said the priest, he culturally brought a napkin to his mouth and dabbed her lips.

– Yes, we have the best chefs.

– As for the service in New Guinea, your main residence is in the city of Port Moresby, and from there you will go to different settlements and small towns. We will provide housing and food. You think about it and call me within a month.

Sergey Valeryevich finished his tea and, looking into my eyes, added:

– Yes, and of course, Father, consult your mother.

I nodded uncertainly and looked down. I was embarrassed to be in someone else’s role. We got up from the table and slowly began to leave.

Sergey Valeryevich walked us to the car and said goodbye.

– Where are we going, Vladochka? Peter asked, sitting at the wheel.

– To Kiev! I replied and laughed.

– No, we don’t need to go to Kiev yet, – he said playfully.

– Then let’s go to heaven!

– That’s it, let’s go to heaven!

Gorky Park has become our paradise for today. After parking the car, we got out and headed into the depths of the park.

– The sun is shining in the sky, and the sun is shining side by side, – Peter smiled, holding out his palm to me. I hugged him and took his hand.

The park was very large. We walked along the alley among the benches and fountains. Suddenly he stopped, looked into my eyes and unexpectedly kissed me on the lips.

– And you know, I fell in love with you like a boy, – Peter whispered in my face.

“I’m in love with you too,” I replied.

We continued walking forward, holding hands. I felt him, and he felt me, and it was a state of inexhaustible bliss that we let into our hearts now.

– Look how beautiful it is, up ahead,” I said, admiring.

– Yes, very much.

And Peter approached a young guy who was standing not far from us, holding the handlebars of a bicycle.

– Young man, what is the name of this pond?

– Mmm… I don’t know, sorry, – the guy was confused.

An elderly woman passing by overheard their conversation.

– And this, young people, is the Pioneer Pond, it was created back in the nineteenth century, the whole territory then belonged to the Petty-Bourgeois School. Before the revolution of 1917, the reservoir was called Small. Only when Gorky Park was built here, it was renamed. I worked as a teacher before, so I know the history of this place well.

– Thank you, and I’m also fond of history, – said Peter.

– Grandma, let’s go,” the little boy who was standing next to her said tearfully.

And they immediately left.

After walking a few steps forward, we came even closer to the pond. Boats and catamarans floated in front of us. Small fish splashed in the water, and fry in flocks dissected the pond.

– I have to tell you something, Vladochka. I definitely have to leave tomorrow. I have a service, and I have to be at the temple by the weekend.

– Of course, I understand everything.

I felt very sad, but he had his own life, another family, there, far away, in a completely different country.

– And so that you wouldn’t be sad, I ran to buy delicious ice cream. Which one do you like?

– Buy me a milkshake, then I will try not to be sad, – I tried not to show the true emotions that just engulfed me at that moment.

Peter bought himself an ice cream, a cocktail for me and went to the free catamaran:

– And now we’re going to do a few laps, have we swam?

– Of course, we swam.

Peter quickly stepped into the very center of the catamaran and held out his hand to me. Another second and I was there. Having settled down comfortably, we began to pedal, and splashes of water flew in different directions, getting on our face and clothes.

– Oh, how fun, look at the sun, it has crumbled into small fragments in the water, and it’s like a lot of lights are floating next to us.

– And one piece of glass fell into my catamaran, – laughed Peter.

We talked and laughed merrily, completely oblivious to how our time flew by and the evening crept up. We got home very late.

The next morning Peter began to prepare for departure. Suddenly the phone rang.

– Good afternoon! How are the kids? How is she? he spoke very softly.

I immediately realized that it was my wife calling.

Soon he hung up the phone and continued to work on trousers.

“Do you love her?”

– No, I just live with her, she’s a sick person. Let’s postpone this conversation for later.

– Of course, we will postpone.

– Maybe you won’t come to see me off? Let’s say goodbye at home.

Peter never once looked me in the eye.

“Don’t you want to be with me when the train departs?” I asked sadly.

– No, that’s not the point at all.

Peter got dressed. He took the suitcase by the long handle and said:

– Goodbye, Vlada, and thank you for everything.

And he left the apartment.

Of course, I was somehow uncomfortable. I haven’t smoked for a long time, but at this moment it was just necessary. The pack of cigarettes was in the closet in a small jar for cereals, hidden just for such a special occasion. Along with the cigarette I smoked, the idea came to me that everything in life should be told. I quickly left the house. I looked at my watch and realized that I would definitely make it before the train left, and my legs carried me along the subway faster and faster.

There wasn’t much time left, so I immediately ran to the platform. The train had already been announced, and there were more and more people. Among the many faces, only Peter was missing. Suddenly someone gently took me by the shoulder. My heart almost jumped out of my chest in surprise, I turned around.

– You again, and I recognized you! The gray – haired man was smiling happily.

Oh my God, I recognize that snow-white smile.

– Aristarkh Borisovich, what are you doing at the train station? I asked, confused by the unexpected meeting.

– I’m taking my friend on the train to Kiev, but where is the man who was jealous of me? – the actor asked and laughed.

– Yes, we missed him a little, he is also going to Kiev on this train.

– Here, take my business card, since we have already become friends so much, my dispatcher will answer, if you want to come to my concert, then they will tell you all the necessary information at this number. And now I’m in a hurry. But if I meet you again, then … – Aristarkh Borisovich smiled and winked at me.

A few minutes later, the Moscow – Kiev train started moving and began to pick up speed. I stood thoughtfully on the platform and watched him go until the last car disappeared from sight.

The door at my entrance was half open, someone had planted a stone. When I got to my floor, I felt a hand on my shoulder again and quickly turned around. Peter was standing next to me as if nothing had happened.

– Did you plant the stone? I grinned.

– Yes, I was afraid I’d miss you.

– And I was looking for you at the train station and met you again, you won’t believe it, Aristarch Borisovich.

– Wow, did you meet him again? It happens. And I like to joke sometimes, it’s okay, you’ll get used to it,” and he showed me his ticket, where it was written that the Moscow – Kiev train No. 005 departs tomorrow at two o’clock in the afternoon.

“I thought you didn’t want to see me anymore,” I said with a smile.

– Come on, honey. Shall we go for a walk in Moscow? Peter suggested.

We left the car at a paid parking lot, and we went for a walk along the Arbat.

The walk was long, and it was only late in the evening that we returned home. Peter gave me several gifts: diamond earrings and a beautiful evening dress. If you say that I was happy, then it’s not to say anything at all. I was floating in the air and spinning in a dance, wearing new clothes on myself. He poured a glass of red wine “Cabernet Sauvignon” and offered to drink to our wonderful evening. After a few sips, a wave of warmth swept through his entire body. Peter took my hand, and we embraced and danced into each other.

But the next day came, no matter how we tried to delay the minutes of parting. At the train station, Peter did not take his brown eyes with long eyelashes away from me. His gaze fascinated me more and more, but at the same time it broke my heart. After all, there was a huge mountain of obstacles and uncertainty ahead of our relationship. You can’t love a married priest, my mind screamed, but how I need him, my heart said.

Standing on the platform waiting for the train, our heads were bent towards each other, we held hands, and our lips whispered:

– I love you, my Vladochka.

– I love you, my good one.

“I’m going to miss you so much, honey.

– And me.

– I’ll come to you, you just wait.

The train arrived on schedule. Peter kissed me gently, then stepped inside the car, and soon his silhouette disappeared into the crowd of people leaving. The train started, and the wheels rattled in time with my heart, taking with them my joy and my love.