London Has Your Eyes

Chapter 30. Alex

I jump out of Daniel's house, not sure where to run. I just walked into the darkness, thinking about what had happened. My temples are buzzing, everything is blurry in my eyes, my heart is pounding fast, beating me harder with each beat.

God, Max! He's not supposed to know about me and Dany. At least not like this. And not now. His voice on the phone left the last hope that things could be fixed. But I can't lose him. Not for anything, not ever. Max is too precious to me. I have to do something.

- Anton, - I sob into the phone.

- What did he do? - he asks. Why did he immediately decide that Daniel could have done something bad to me?

- Max found out about me and Dany, - I answer, squeezing my eyes shut. The bitterness of the situation still lingers in my chest, tearing at my throat.

- Whaaat? - exclaimed Anton. - How did this happen?

- He saw our photo on social media. It went viral on the social networking sites with cosmic speed. I don't know what to do, - I keep crying.

- Where are you now?

- I don't know. I'm walking around the city at night with my suitcase wherever I can see it. I have to go home immediately. I have to change my tickets. Need to find him before he does something stupid! You know how impulsive he is! What have I done, Tosh. I should have been more careful. - I'm sobbing.

- OK, San', breathe. Stop at the nearest house and get me an address. And wait. I'm coming to get you.

I stop at a fancy house, take a picture of the address and wait. I look around. I think I wandered into some alley where there are almost no people. It's quiet and dark. It's getting creepy. It's like reality is catching up with me. Though my mind wanders around Moscow, I can still feel the embrace of London at night.

The phone rings. Daniel's name pops up on the screen. It's the twelfth call. I reject it. He's the last person I want to talk to right now.

A pair of dark figures show up in the alleyway. "Really?" - I think. Just the street mayhem is all I need right now. I tense, squeezing into my suitcase. It's like someone in heaven is laughing at me. I feel so helpless, that in a global sense, that here and now. I hold my breath, staring into the darkness. Fortunately, it's only a couple in love, who have quickly passed me by. Looks like I scared them just as much. Finally, the street is illuminated by the headlights of an approaching car.

- There you are! - Anton runs up to me. He looks into my bleary eyes to assess the scale of the tragedy, and squeezes me tightly in his arms. I can't contain myself any longer, and I burst into sobs. I cry, I howl, I scream, and I can't stop. Anton just holds me tightly, stroking my back and pulling me close to him, giving me a chance to let my emotions out.

- I'm sorry I can't be at your wedding tomorrow. I have to leave right now. He can do anything in a day, you know that, don't you? - I say, grabbing his sleeves.

- Of course, I called Olivia on the way, told her what had happened. She understands everything too. So, now we go to my place, you calm down a bit and get yourself cleaned up. I'll see if I can change your tickets. Okay?

I nod silently. The last of my strength seems to be leaving me. But I feel safe. My friend is with me. And his calmness gives me a ghostly hope that I can handle it. My body is still feverish from the breakdown.

We get in the car. A stream of warm air envelops me, helping me warm up a little. I lean back against the window and don't even notice that I'm falling asleep.