Mantis

22. Viktor's deception

I wasn't broken. The wound was also clean. A doctor friend examined me thoroughly and didn't find anything concerning. In the end, he even praised Victor for the precise cleaning of the wound, saying it was something even an experienced surgeon wouldn't be ashamed of.

I bravely stayed in classes until two o'clock, and it wasn't so bad, although my whole body hurt. I intended to skip studying and go straight to bed as soon as I got back to the apartment, but as soon as I left the hospital, Diana nudged me in the side and pointed to a tall man standing near the entrance gate.

Victor was leaning against the fence, smoking a cigarette. In a black leather jacket, a turtleneck of the same color, and with bruises on his face, he looked like a thug from a dark alley. I didn't blame people for casting furtive glances in his direction and giving him a wide berth. When he noticed me looking at him, he threw the butt to the ground and crushed it, then stared at me intently and beckoned me over with a hand gesture.

Without hesitation, I walked towards him. I felt Diana nudge me again, and when I looked at her, she gave me a look that said „You're going to him? Why?" but I just apologized and told her I'd see her at the apartment. Then I approached the beast with chocolate eyes to find out what he wanted this time. He would have followed me anyway, so I preferred to deal with it as quickly as possible.

– Do you have to follow me around all the time? – I asked before he even had a chance to speak. – You're scaring my friends. – I glanced at Diana and a few other groupmates walking away, looking back at us with expressions of real concern for my fate.

– I'm going to Berlin – he announced out of the blue.

– And so what? – I snapped.

– Will you go with me? – he asked, and my little self made a face as if Victor had just asked me to strip naked on that sidewalk.

– What? – I asked, treating his proposal like a good joke. – Do I look like a companion to you?

Victor looked off to the side and maybe briefly smiled, then reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and took out a pack of Marlboros.

– This might sound strange... – he began, flicking the lighter, and when the tip of the cigarette glowed red, he took a drag and slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke. – But I'd feel more at ease if you came with me. And I don't have anyone else who would want to keep me company for those few hours in the car.

– You're driving? Can't you afford a private jet yet? – I asked sarcastically before remembering that money was now a particularly touchy subject for Victor.

He looked at me with an expression that said „Well, it just so happens that I can't" but he spoke in a very light tone.

– I don't like flying. I don't trust pilots – he replied with a mischievous smile and took another drag. – Especially since one of them is the reason I have a problem.

– Really? – I asked in a tone as if I had no idea what he was referring to and exaggeratedly waved away the white smoke.

Victor nodded, completely unconcerned with my efforts to rid the air around me of the annoying smoke, and blew out another white puff.

– He stole my woman – he stated with a roguish smile.

I just shook my head at his incorrigibility and smiled genuinely amused, then grabbed his cigarette between my fingers.

– You have a problem because your penis doesn't respect the word 'no' from my lips – I said sharply, tossing the cigarette ostentatiously to the ground and crushing it. – Not because Alex is a pilot.

Victor didn't seem offended by this remark at all. He smiled broadly and, without any warning, hugged me. He caught me so off guard that I didn't even react when he slid his hand between the folds of my coat and under my dress.

– My penis knows where it feels good, and that's what it sticks to – he murmured into my ear, pressing his hand against my pubic bone and rubbing the fabric of my panties with his fingers.

For a moment, I stood there, stunned by his boldness, then snapped out of my daze and jumped away from him, landing ankle-deep in a puddle.

– He's not going to stick to me anymore – I snapped harshly, stepping out of the water and mud with a look that clearly conveyed what I thought about groping in public places. – You were supposed to forget about sex. And remember, I'm not a plush toy you can squeeze whenever you feel like it, – I added, angrily jabbing him in the chest with my index finger. – Take that to heart, because one day I'll run out of patience and grab your balls so hard it'll hurt.

A shadow of remorse crossed Victor's face.

– Alright, Snowflake – he assured, turning serious. – By the way... – he began before I could turn away and leave. – Does the name Perez mean anything to you? Rafael Perez?

– Why do you ask? – I looked at him more closely than before.

– Why are you so defensive?

I looked deeply into his eyes but saw nothing alarming there.

– None of your business – I grumbled, because it was none of his concern who I knew and who I didn't.

Victor studied me intently for a moment but didn't pursue the subject.

– Well, that was a conversation – he finally said. – Anyway, never mind. Back to our trip...

– You mean your trip. I'm not going anywhere with you. And now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get back to the apartment before my feet freeze.

I turned and started walking down the sidewalk towards the corner where Diana had disappeared earlier, but I hadn't even taken a full step when I felt a tug on my wrist.

– Wait – Victor called, holding onto my hand, releasing it only when I turned back to face him. – I'll give you a ride.

– You think I can't find my own apartment?

– Your shoes are wet. Besides, I'd like to buy you a coffee for that night.

I looked at him as if he had suggested I give him a blowjob on the sidewalk and gave him a fake, overly sweet smile.

– Do you buy coffee for every girl you sleep with? – I asked, not hiding my malice, but Victor didn't seem offended. On the contrary, he smiled charmingly and boldly looked me straight in the eyes.

– Only the ones I have the most fun with – he replied, flashing a set of snow-white teeth in a smile that betrayed his brazen satisfaction.

– We're not having fun together – I snapped, annoyed that I hadn't managed to sting him.

– But we did have fun once, and I intend to celebrate that for the rest of my life. – He nudged me in the side and smiled roguishly.

I moved away from him ostentatiously to make it clear I didn't appreciate such nudges, but I couldn't keep a straight face seeing his delighted expression.

– You're crazy – I declared, but I let him take me to a cafe and then drive me to the apartment, and I didn't even notice when my eyelids began to droop and my head fell back against the seat.