Andrei wasn’t a very good liar. As he packed his suitcase in the bedroom, he tried to avoid the gaze of Marina, the woman he had lived with for almost ten years.
‘A conference, a whole week,’ said Marina, leaning against the doorframe. “And, of course, in Sochi, just when everyone else is on holiday.
‘Well,’ Andrey muttered, hiding his swimming trunks under a stack of shirts. ‘The company is covering all the expenses, it would be strange to refuse.’
‘Is your colleague Vika going too?’ There was no question in Marina’s voice, but rather a weary statement.
Andrei hesitated for a moment, then continued packing as if nothing had happened.
‘Yes. She’s in charge of the presentation. Work is work.’
‘Of course,’ Marina replied, crossing her arms over her chest. ‘Just like at last year’s corporate party, when you “worked” until four in the morning.’
‘Are you starting again?’ Andrei slammed his suitcase shut. ‘I explained everything then. It was an important project.’
‘The project for which she made you delete all the messages from your phone?’
Andrei put his bag on the bed and finally met his wife’s gaze.
‘I’m not going to discuss this. The plane leaves in three hours.’
‘Say hello to your “colleague”,’ said Marina and moved away from the doorway, letting him pass. ‘Have a good rest.’
Andrei muttered something and hurried to the door.
Marina stood alone in the middle of the bedroom for a long time, looking at the family photo on the bedside table. Then she decisively picked up the phone and started looking for the number of someone who could help her.
Mid-June in Sochi: the water was a pleasant temperature, the waves were gentle. Andrei lay under an umbrella and watched Vika swimming in the sea. Her tanned body glistened in the sun and attracted the attention of other holidaymakers.
‘Come here!’ she called, waving her hand. ‘The water is just wonderful!’
‘What are you thinking about?’ Vika asked, swimming closer and hugging him around the neck. ‘Don’t tell me it’s about work.’
‘No, it’s just… I forgot to send the report before I left.’
‘Liar,’ Vika smiled and kissed him lightly on the cheek. ‘You’re thinking about your wife, aren’t you?’
Andrei frowned.
‘We agreed not to bring that up here.’
“All right, fine,‘ Vika calmed down. ’Maybe we should swim to the buoys?”
In the evening, they had dinner at a restaurant overlooking the sea. Vika was wearing a new dress she had bought the day before at a boutique on the waterfront. Andrei watched as the setting sun gilded her skin and found her beautiful. But something continued to bother him.
‘Shall we go to the mountains tomorrow?’ Vika asked, sipping her wine. ‘I want to take some nice photos for social media.’
‘Of course,’ Andrei nodded. ‘We’ll buy a couple of souvenirs at the same time.’
‘Does Marina like souvenirs?’ Vika asked childishly.
Andrei grimaced.
‘I asked you not to bring that up.’
‘I’m sorry,’ said Vika, placing her hand on his. ‘But sooner or later you’ll have to resolve this situation. We can’t hide forever.’
‘I know,’ replied Andrey gloomily. ‘I’ll talk to her after the holiday.’
‘Really?’ Vika’s eyes lit up with hope. ‘Promise me.’
‘I promise.’
The week flew by quickly. They swam, sunbathed, went on excursions, ate seafood in good restaurants, and spent passionate nights in their hotel room. Andrei almost stopped thinking about home and what awaited him there. Almost.
On the day of departure, Vika hugged him at the airport.
‘Don’t forget your promise,’ she said quietly, touching his lips with hers. ‘I’ll wait for your call.’
‘I know,’ Andrey muttered, letting her go with difficulty. ‘I’ll call as soon as I talk to her.’
They had bought tickets for different flights — a precautionary measure.
On the plane, Andrei ordered whisky and thought about what he would say to his wife. After ten years of marriage, their relationship seemed like that of strangers.
Late in the evening, the taxi stopped at his flat. After paying, the driver left, and Andrei froze for a moment, looking through the windows into his flat. The light was on in the living room. Marina was still awake. He sighed deeply and walked to the door.
The door opened silently. He put his suitcase in the hallway and listened. Soft music and voices came from the living room.
‘The TV,’ he thought, and took off his shoes, heading in that direction.
What he saw made him stop dead in his tracks. In the centre of the living room stood a festively laid table with champagne and a cake decorated with a candle in the shape of the number ‘10’.
Marina was sitting on the sofa — but she wasn’t alone. Standing next to her was a tall blond man whom Andrei had never seen before. They were laughing, and the stranger’s hand was resting on Marina’s shoulder.
‘Wh… what’s going on here?’ Andrei asked hoarsely and took a step into the room.
Marina flinched and turned to him.