Monica

From her first day at the editorial office, she'd been drawn to him. Perhaps because he was the only guy in her department. He smiled as a greeting, but didn't say anything. At first, she didn't have time to get a good look at him. There was so much going on: new people, new responsibilities. She quickly settled into the team's rhythm. At first, she was a little apprehensive, but when the editor-in-chief appreciated her articles, it became easier. Her colleagues quickly warmed to her for her smile and gentle nature. She tried not to delve too deeply into interpersonal conflicts, but it was impossible not to hear the confessions of her colleagues, who complained about their husbands, children, store prices, and mean mothers-in-law. After a few months, she, too, began to talk about her life outside the office. She wanted people to see her as a normal, ordinary person, with both strengths and weaknesses. She lived alone. She didn't have a husband or children, so it was difficult for her to discuss topics typical of mothers and married women. She tried to keep the conversation going by telling stories about her problems with men.

She found it difficult to connect with Dominik. He was always a bit distant, lost in thought. He didn't participate in conversations. What was a lonely guy supposed to talk about amidst a whole host of female characters? He preferred to retreat to his own thoughts and write. And yet he produced the best reports in the office. Her boss raved about his talent. Monika, too, envied his skillful writing. What she read was her unattainable dream: style, subject matter, compelling commentary, and a surprising punchline. She envied him. After a few months, she began asking him for help. She knew that a quick "glance" could make a huge difference in her article. Dominik was always happy to help her. There were days when he stayed late because she had an assignment to finish. She liked that. It was probably one such afternoon that they started talking about happiness. What it was and how to achieve it. She realized then that Dominik was very sensitive, searching for the ideal, and chasing windmills. This impressed her.

Monika, too, was constantly searching for the perfect love and her soulmate. She believed in the connection between souls and destiny. She couldn't remember when she'd felt like she cared about Dominik. Perhaps it was when she'd seen him chatting so amiably with one of his friends. She'd stood off to the side and watched. She'd seen his sparkling blue eyes peeking out from behind his glasses, and his blond locks of hair tumbling across his forehead. She felt an incredible surge of tenderness and a flicker of jealousy that he wasn't talking to her. "Could he be my one and only?" she thought.

From then on, she tried to find an excuse to stop Dominik, even for a moment, to talk. She would stare into his eyes and lose herself in daydreams. Months passed, and Monika fell deeper and deeper in love. She tried various tricks to arrange a date with Dominik outside of work, but unfortunately, he didn't seem to understand any hints. It increasingly bothered her. "I have to do something. It's impossible for him not to feel anything." But she was too proud to tell him the truth. She had a rule of thumb: she didn't initiate anything. In this case, however, she felt powerless.

Winter had arrived. Almost a year had passed since she started working. It had been a good year for her. She felt great. The holidays passed cheerfully and in a family atmosphere. Working on New Year's Eve morning wasn't the best idea, but she knew it was an opportunity to see Dominik. The day passed quickly, and she didn't even have a chance to talk to him. But when she saw him getting ready to go home, she said,

"Wait! I'm leaving too.

" "OK. That'll be a jiffy."

She quickly put on a warm coat and wrapped a scarf around her neck. They left together.

"What are your plans for the evening?" she asked.

"As usual. A bottle of champagne in the white, empty room.

" "Are you kidding? No party? And if you'd tried harder, the room wouldn't be empty.

" "What, you think I didn't try? There's no takers.

" "Hahaha... No! You just have to know how to look!

" "Maybe you're right. Let's not argue. Today isn't a good day," he said, sounding rather sad.

They walked steadily through the park. Trees covered in a thick layer of snow surrounded them. Then a crazy idea struck her. "I'll get him moving right away." She stopped, crouched down, and scooped some of the white fluff into her hands. He hadn't even noticed he'd been walking alone for a moment. When he turned around, a snowball hit him square in the face. It was a good thing he wasn't wearing glasses, because they probably would have suffered the most. At first, he stood frozen, but when he heard her laugh, he leaned forward and formed a snowball, which he aimed with pinpoint accuracy at Monika's head. Unable to dodge, she was hit too. The war had begun: a full-blown, regular clash, punctuated by the joyful cries of two laughing young people. When he began to gain the upper hand, she fled. She ran forward, stealing glances at the boy behind her. Dominik quickly caught up with her and threw a large snowball at her head. She couldn't catch her breath. She leaned down, grabbed as much snow as she could, and, turning to face him, covered his eyes. The boy laughed, dusting himself off and looking at Monika. Suddenly they were close, too close to change anything, too close to stop what was happening. Their eyes met. She felt herself melting into the blue, and the tension between them was growing stronger. She couldn't resist. She closed her eyes and lightly brushed her lips against his. He didn't pull away, didn't flee. Gently at first, then more insistently, she kissed his lips. Finally, they both opened their mouths, their tongues intertwined, surrendering to a wave of passion. She felt him touch her neck and entwine his hands in her hair. Meanwhile, she gently massaged his neck. She regretted that it was winter and she couldn't feel him closer. She wanted to throw off his jacket and have all of him now, in this moment. She felt Dominik's lips move toward her ear, and a shiver ran through her entire body. Her body was hot, her heart was pounding, and her rapid breathing betrayed how much she wanted this moment to last forever. "Now we'll go to my place, and it will be even better," she thought. Then he pulled his face away from hers, but didn't let go of his hands.

"Dominik. I love you," she whispered. "I want to spend this evening in your white room.

" "Yes. One wonderful evening," he replied.

"Not just one, all of them, my whole life. Please, let me.

" "You're kidding. You think I don't know you. I've heard enough about your numerous conquests. You're the most cruel woman I know. First you seduce, make men fall in love with you, and then you leave them.

" "That's not true!" she said, stunned. He'd listened to all the stories she told at work. He knew so much about her. She couldn't lose him now. "I just didn't love them. But with you, it's different. Believe me. Please."

"You've probably told everyone the same thing. A woman – a conqueror. Seduce and leave. No, forgive me, that's not for me. You won't do that to me. I won't fall in love with you. I won't be your next victim."

He released her, looked at her again with a slight irony and a gentle smile. He turned and calmly walked toward the house. She stood there for a moment, waiting for the remnants of indignation and resentment to evaporate enough for her to gather her thoughts. She couldn't believe what had happened. The merciless blade of unrequited love tore at her heart – so joyful moments ago. For the first time in her life, she knew the bitterness of rejection...