The evening air warmed my soul.
Just a little more and summer will be over.
I will miss it terribly.
Hi.
I stepped out to meet him.
Joshua lit up.
Did he actually bring wildflowers — Hades’ eyes sparked.
I smiled. What beautiful flowers, thank you.
And I kissed him on the cheek.
Caleb hesitated a little.
He was clearly nervous.
I placed my hand over his.
Easy, Caleb, it’s alright.
He smiled.
You are so wonderful.
I laughed.
At 22:15
We arrived at the restaurant.
Caleb walked around the car to open the door for me, then said something to himself without a sound, silently argued with himself, and finally got back into the car.
I’m sorry, would you mind if we didn’t go to the restaurant?
I smiled.
I was wearing heels and a delicate floral dress.
Alright.
And we drove out of town.
Security followed us — two cars.
Mike himself was directing the “operation.”
The Mercedes stopped at the gates of a farm.
I smiled.
What a strange Caleb.
But very sweet — Ursula.
I nodded.
Caleb rubbed his neck.
Do you also have those voices in your head?
I laughed but didn’t answer.
Please wait here.
He ran toward a small house.
I managed to get a good look at him.
What idiot wears a farmer’s shirt and jeans on a first date — Mushu.
And Joshua Caleb — isn’t that already a sentence? — Hades.
I laughed.
Yes, the names are just a nightmare.
Perfect for someone who digs in the dirt.
I lowered my eyes.
And then Caleb came back.
He helped me out of the car.
A slight shiver ran through me.
I hate Mercedes.
Miss, please take this — he awkwardly tried to fasten the binocular strap on me.
God, has he ever even touched a woman? — Hades.
I smiled.
I’ll do it myself, Caleb, come on.
He blushed.
The first surge rose in me.
But I immediately suppressed it.
Ooooh, ooooh, we know this signal — Hades pretended to think — Caleb, Caleb, Caleb…
Sweet, gentle, caring — oh right! Aren’t those exactly the ones we used to hurt at school, and in university, and just in life? — Hades shouted at me.
I smiled.
That’s the past.
Oh really? And did you tell Caleb that?
I swallowed.
Caleb was very sweet, but I was afraid he wouldn’t withstand my darkness and my strength.
Exactly. And Nate… all of my voices melted at once.
And Nate, oh Nate.
Hey, get lost.
This isn’t about him right now.
As you wish — mine raised their hands in surrender.
Caleb was showing me bees in the dark.
Hades yawned.
Really? This is what we’re doing? Looking at damn bees?
See that bee? She’s such a hard worker…
Caleb kept talking, but I wasn’t listening.
Truthfully, I almost didn’t care.
And what about you?
Caleb looked at me.
I adjusted the jacket he had placed over my shoulders.
Um, sorry, what?
Caleb grew embarrassed and lowered his gaze.
You’re not interested.
Oh no, not at all, please continue, I would really like to know.
He raised an eyebrow.
O-o-o-o, about the bees.
What an idiot, we should’ve named you Caleb too — Hades and Mushu bumped fists.
I brushed it off.
Caleb kicked at the ground and helped me stand.
You’re thinking about him.
I blushed and followed him toward the car.
Please don’t leave.
Caleb, it won’t be simple with me. Just because I’m a kitten sometimes doesn’t mean I’m always sweet, and I have a past that you probably won’t like.
Caleb swallowed.
I walked toward the car.
He immediately ran after me.
Please, give me a chance.
I smiled.
He is so sweet.
We’ll chew him up and spit him out easily — Hades — he’ll never be able to handle you.
I grew flustered — That’s not true — and then I started crying.
Damn. Sorry, Caleb, I have to go.
He rushed toward me.
But security made it clear with a gesture that if he took another step, they would take action.
I drove home, my face streaked with tears.
9:15.
I came downstairs for breakfast
And mine had already eaten.
Heeey guys, don’t leave me behind.
Each of them kissed me on the cheek and went off to their business.
Thank God at least Sophie stayed home.
She took my hand.
There was a line outside again.
I smiled — and tears began streaming down my face.
Good Lord… did someone really tell the newspaper that Nate and I broke up?
It was so ridiculous, so stupid.
Why the hell did they all flock here?
Doctors.
Entrepreneurs.
Lawyers.
Dear God, when will they finally leave me alone?
Sophie smiled.
And what about Nate?
I took a deep, loud breath.
What about Nate.
What about Nate.
The same thing as always with Nate.
He flies a drone.
Then he’ll go to the fire department.
Basically, he’s our hero.
And heroes are usually loners.
So Nate’s priorities are clear.
Did you try talking to him?
I let out a hollow laugh.
With Nate?
Good Lord, how do you even talk to him — he’s convinced he’s right.
I drifted into thought.
There was a trait I had that scared even me — and everyone around me.
The rational part of my personality made decisions very dryly.
I was used to investing fully — if love, then to the end.
If friendship, the same.
But if I sensed neglect or devaluation,
I erased the person from my life.
It was such a strange feeling.
Yesterday, dying from love.
And then weighing everything.
Making a decision.
And that’s it.
The feelings disappeared that very second.
No regret.
No sadness.
No pain.
It was like surgery.
If the limb is objectively nonfunctional — we cut it off.
Just like that.
And it was true.
I can be angry at Nate for the example he was setting for the children.
But the love was simply gone.
If he wants to be a hero — be my guest.
That means we’re not walking the same path.
“Miss.” Sebastian knocked gently.
Yes?
His eyes widened.
I laughed.
Deep breath.
Let them in.
For almost three and a half hours I had to listen to each of them.
How beautiful you are.
How wonderful you are.
And how much he can give me.
Yes, yes, yes, yes — Mushu and Hades were ready to shoot themselves.
Finally the torture ended.
And I was about to go upstairs.
“Miss…” Sebastian cleared his throat.
I raised an eyebrow.
Caleb walked in.
I broke into a smile.
Hi.
H-h-h-hi.
Oh gods, he stutters too — Hades slapped himself in the face.
I laughed.
I’m going to the bedroom, I need to fix my hair. Coming?
Caleb hesitated and shifted from foot to foot.
But I was already walking up the stairs.
Sir?
Caleb snapped back to reality.
Y-yes, yes, I’m c-coming.
We went into the bathroom and Caleb sat on the edge of the bathtub.
I turned on the curling iron to style my hair.
Listen, Caleb, what about that hardworking little bee?
He lit up, straightened, and prepared to speak with the air of a man who was a true expert.
Oh, that b-bee, she’s not just an ordinary bee, she’s also—
And then, as if in slow motion —
Tom jumped onto the table.
The curling iron fell.
I tried to catch it and burned my finger.
Ow, damn it, sss— ahh!
I shook my hand in the air.
Caleb ran downstairs.
He quickly brought me some kind of solution.
This w-w-will help.
I got terribly angry at the damn curling iron and threw it against the wall — it finally broke completely.
I nodded with satisfaction.
Serves you right! Bastards!
Caleb bit his lip to keep from smiling and carefully applied ointment to my finger.
I pouted like a child, lips pushed out, brows drawn together — then I looked at Caleb and suddenly it became funny.
With full concentration, furrowed brows, and trembling fingers, he finally finished.
It’s fine, Caleb. Thank you.
Yeah, don’t worry, our girl is used to pain — Hades.
And we bumped fists.
“Miss—” Sebastian didn’t have time to warn us before Nate burst into the room.
Drunk.
In wrinkled clothes.
I grimaced.
Nate, don’t embarrass yourself.
Oh, so this is who you go on dates with — he pointed at Caleb.
Stop it immediately!
But Nate was determined.
You think she’ll fall in love with a wimp like you? — Nate laughed.
I gestured to Sebastian.
She’ll never be with a nobody like you! — Nate continued his tirade.
A minute later security arrived and finally dragged Nate out of the room.

Tears started streaming down my face against my will.
God, I’m so ashamed of Nate.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, barely audible.
Caleb rushed toward me.
No, no, please don’t cry, please, please.
I smiled.
He is so sweet.
Please, please don’t cry, my heart is about to break.
Don’t listen to him, Caleb. For some reason all men think they can decide for me who suits me better, what I need, when, and which one of them I’m worthy of being with.
He smiled his warm, gentle smile.
I pulled myself together and adjusted my skirt.
That’s enough drama for today. If you don’t mind, I’m going to sleep.
Caleb nodded.
And I was alone in the bedroom.
Deep breath.
And another one.
Come on, Nazokat.
We have to pull ourselves together once again.
Pull ourselves together? What the hell for?
Let the boys sort everything out, and we’ll just go to sleep.
I laughed.
Changed into my nightgown.
Shook out my curls.
Saluted Hades.
Sir.
He nodded in approval.
And I wrapped myself in the blanket,
anticipating a sweet night’s sleep.