Michael looked her straight in the eyes. She looked concerned, so he decided to keep saying what he felt.
“Do you know what I mean?”
She looked at him waiting for explanation.
“I have lived for more years than I have left waiting in front of me now. Time flies inexorably. I am getting older and I am closer to retirement, and I have nothing. I don’t have a home, a family, children. I will miss the joy of their first independent steps, the first words spoken, I won’t see them grow up. I will never see my grandchildren. I have nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
It sounded serious. This time she knew that what he just said was him not just playing around, but words flowing from the depths of his soul, from the heart. Finally, a tough guy showed a human face, and in fact, he was starting to fall apart.
“You are one of the greatest columnists I know. I admire you!” Without thinking, she said. “You are my u
“Michael, get in.” She said impatiently. Seeing that he was completely unresponsive, she opened the door for him from the inside.“Michael, we don't have time!” She repeated louder this time.Eventually it dawned on him that this was not a dream, but a reality in which he was a participant. In that car, he could go to the end of the world.He immediately jumped into the car, plunged into a comfortable leather chair and fastened his seat belts. He didn't trust Alice if he was being honest about it.He rode with her once with his soul on his shoulder. They were supposed to test the car at an unused airport, and ended up driving on bumpy roads around the airport.Besides, he saw her in action on several off-road rallies. At the wheel she was erratic, more dangerous than Alex.The fears turned out to be not unfounded. As soon as he fastened his seat belts, Alice tore out what the machine had given. Before he could catch h
He wanted to ask Alice about it, but he didn’t have the courage and didn’t find a favorable situation for it. After all, she had to pay a high price for her independence, as his grandmother and mother had paid. Alice never complained, staying with them at night in the magazine, if necessary. While she worked, she gave it her best. She also never mentioned her private life, if she had one at all. He wondered if she had a private life. Like everyone else, she spent a lot of time at work, so there was not much left for normality, contacts with family and friends. Nobody has ever seen her in any pub, club or restaurant. Until now, the editorial team didn’t know where she would go. She had to go somewhere, like everybody else. Only once with Nicolas and friends, on the occasion of his birthday, they took him to an excellent French restaurant. From then on, he began to visit that place regularly, but he never met her there. He didn’t understan
Alice knew he didn’t mean that Thomas would be a poor pilot as he was a great driver, but that he would win the editorial bet about which of them would appear in public with her.She had heard a bit about that. Michael will lose his monthly salary. She didn't worry about it. He'll get another lesson, maybe he'll stop gambling once and for all.She was also not worried about the result of the competition. Even if she won’t win the race, she will still have a great time. She wasn't afraid to fight Alex or anyone else. She could lose with dignity.And they had even raced earlier whenever and wherever they could find time and place for it. She had to admit that he was a worthy opponent.She also had another reason to be happy. A sly plan, co-developed with Alex and Adam, had worked well. Michael will lend them his new car.After so many efforts and fruitless attempts, they will finally have the opportunity to test his car in the field. It was great i
Michael was glad when he heard the sound of her phone. It saved him. He didn't have to make an effort and play pretending to be happy. Besides, he was a poor actor in her presence.He slowly followed Alice, listening carefully to every word she uttered, admiring her perfect French. She spoke great French.After a few minutes of walking, they reached the port. Despite the wonderful weather, several dozen different size moored vessels were waiting for their owners.Looking at them, he wondered what he was going to do with his sailing today. As they passed more yachts, quite decent in his opinion, suitable for getting on them at all, he concluded that it didn’t matter much.At this point, the only thing that mattered was the size of the toilet, because he didn't think he needed more to be happy besides this space. A large toilet where he could sit comfortably on the floor, stretch his legs freely with his head in the toilet bowl.This was the im
Without thinking, Michael downed it in one gulp, but the drink was so strong that he could barely swallow it. It had an intense anise smell and a nasty herbal flavor, like grandma's indigestion drops.He wondered what the medicine was, because it definitely wasn’t alcohol. Now he was sure that he would end up with his head in the toilet bowl. ‘What a nice perspective!’ He thought. He had the opportunity to sail on a luxury yacht, but he will spend the cruise in the toilet.After some time, more guests began to appear on board. An older, salt-and-pepper man named Math, with his pretty decent-looking wife, Natalie, and two drop-like guys in their forties boarded the luxurious yacht.Math announced that todays’ team was complete, so all together they went to the upper deck.The section they reached looked like a cozy, luxurious English-style lounge. The furniture, made of dark brown wood, gently blended with the cream upholstery.
Michael felt like a fool. He put his fork and knife back on the plate and picked up a napkin from his lap, wiped his mouth, washed it down with wine, trying to buy some time.It was appropriate to express an opinion, say anything, but he couldn't quite see what they were discussing before he interrupted them.“Michael, despite a few remarks, has a similar opinion. He thinks it is a good idea, but it needs to be refined.” Alice rescued him, amused by the situation. “I also think it's a great idea. We will refine it together.”“What’s going on? What idea?” He whispered to ask her.“You have just accepted a new project! Congratulations!”“What's the project again?” Surprised he tried to find out. “Can you tell me what's going on?”“You're a complete retard!” She accidentally said it.For a moment she regretted it, but at that moment she saw no other
“Michael, you need a doctor. Look at my hand. How many fingers do you see?” She showed him three fingers.“Three.”“And now?”‘So what if he sees well, he is still talking nonsense!’ Alice thought.He didn't look good, his face was terribly pale, his eyes were bloodshot and he was talking nonsense. She didn’t know how long he had been under the water.“Two. I'm fine.”“You're raving. You need a doctor.”"But I'm saying I'm fine." He muttered.Seeing that Michael was not at all happy about getting him out of the water, she decided to leave him alone on the beach.For a moment, she regretted saving him at all. She should have let him drown, there would be one less goddamn cocky man in the world.It was not her fault that he was a poor swimmer, but considered walking straight into the water after sitting in the sun for more than an hour as
He was driving in the left-hand lane and could not turn into the right, because the cars were on a string. His car was right behind the car ahead and so on, thus it was impossible to squeeze anywhere. With no other option, he began to apply the brake hard. He slowed down with difficulty.He heard the horns of the cars behind them. Somehow, he avoided the bump. His legs trembled with fear at the mere thought of what would have happened if the cars behind him had not kept the proper distance and had not slowed down in time. He breathed a sigh of relief and was silent.He waited to hear Alice saying ‘I told you so’, but she said nothing."I won't be surprised if one day I hear the news that famous Mr. Johnson tragically died in a car accident." She said in a completely calm tone without a trace of anger.Then, with a sneering smile, she added: "And breaking the rules is my private business. I don’t meddle in your affairs and expect the same