Guest

 

Love came unexpectedly. I didn't wait for it. I always said I could live without it. And I did. When she finally entered my house, I couldn't show her the door. She sat down in an armchair and said she'd stay with me.

"Why did you choose me?" I asked.

"Because you don't believe in me. I want to prove to you that I exist.

" "Is it worth taking care of someone like me?

" "It is.

" "I won't go into detail. You can stay as long as you want.

" "Thanks. I'll settle in here for a while.

" "For a while?" I asked.

"Yes. There's someone who loves you and will stay for a while.

" "Someone. I don't know him yet?

" "No. You'll meet him tomorrow.

" "Have you planned everything?

" "That's my role.

" "Did you ask him his opinion?"

"No. Your role is to meet, and mine is to bring you together.

" "I understand that it's not appropriate to argue with you.

" "No.

" "Your tyranny is awful. Maybe I don't want to be in love?

" "You have no choice."

"Maybe she wants to be alone for the rest of her life. It never occurred to you that I could end my life like that.

" "You can't be alone forever.

" "Why?

" "You ask too many questions."

She made me a little angry. She came out of nowhere, sat in my favorite armchair in my house, and demanded obedience. It was too much. But I didn't want her to leave offended.

"Perhaps a cup of coffee?" I suggested.

"No, thank you," she replied politely.

"So when does your magic begin?" I asked

. "Tomorrow. Now let me rest, because I've come a long way to see you and I'm tired," she replied.

"Perhaps you'd like to lie down in the bedroom?" I suggested.

"I'd be happy to," she replied, and headed towards the bedroom.

I was astonished. I didn't tell her where my bedroom was. But I didn't object. I knew it was unnecessary. I also admit that I was intrigued by her behavior. On the other hand, curiosity about meeting my admirer kept me from asking the intruder out. I decided to wait until tomorrow.

"Maybe it's worth experiencing love again?" she asked, standing in the bedroom doorway.

"Maybe," I replied uncertainly.

I couldn't describe her appearance. I didn't even know what she was wearing. A single, transparent mass. Someone shapeless. I didn't go into the bedroom that night. I was scared. I thought I'd gone crazy.

"I think I was hallucinating," I said in the morning, and quickly started getting ready for work.

I was already late. I hadn't eaten breakfast. I grabbed my briefcase and ran up the stairs. There, I collided with a broad-shouldered blond man. My documents, of course, scattered all over the stairs, which made me angry.

"I'm sorry. Maybe I can help you pick them up?" the broad-shouldered blond suggested.

"I'd love to. I'm in a hurry. I'm already late.

" "Can I drive you to work? It'll be faster," he suggested.

"I agree." And when I looked into his blue eyes, I froze.

Nothing mattered. I forgot about being late for work, my documents, the important meeting. Those eyes shattered my loneliness. They destroyed the myth of the single woman. I longed for just one thing—to be together.