"Hurry up, please," Daniel urged anxiously, checking the time displayed on his phone screen. He was about to be embarrassingly late for his pivotal project presentation - a surefire way to make a poor impression on the client. Daniel imagined himself rushing into the conference room, breathless, sweaty, and flushed with embarrassment, as everyone looked on disapprovingly. Damn it!

"I don't understand," the cab driver said, looking around uncertainly. "Are you speaking to me?"

"No, I'm talking to myself," Daniel replied, checking the address on the map. Fighting through traffic would be futile, but he could try to reach his destination on foot. "I'll get out here, and I'll pay with my card."

"Sure, let me drop you off at the corner," the cabbie, growing irritated with Daniel's urgency, responded. Daniel impatiently tapped his fingers on the door handle as the cab pulled over, quickly exiting and heading off in the direction indicated by his phone's navigation. He had a mere thirteen minutes left before the meeting - a reasonable timeframe if he ran the entire way. "Run, Lola, run," Daniel muttered to himself, picking up the pace and checking street signs as he went.

After five minutes, Daniel slowed down to a brisk walk, judging by the navigation and the time remaining, he was still on track. It was preferable to arrive at an important meeting composed and presentable rather than sweaty and flustered. The day was clear and sunny, a rare treat. It reminded him of a typical New York day. Daniel basked in the sun's warmth as he gracefully navigated the bustling cityscape, briefly admiring the historic mansions nestled among modern buildings. Approaching the desired address on his route, Daniel slid the phone into his pocket, unbuttoned the coat, adjusted his jacket and tie, and checked his collar for any signs of sweat. He was relieved to find it dry. He ran his fingers through his hair, mentally noting to schedule a haircut with his barber over the weekend. The last time he'd had a trim in New York, his hair had grown down to his ears. The natural curl in his hair was currently disguising its length and unkempt appearance, but in another week or so, he'd risk looking too unkempt for a professional setting.

Approaching his destination, he gave himself a thorough once-over, nodding in approval. He was dressed in a sharply tailored dark blue Hugo Boss suit, a crisp white shirt from the same brand featuring a subtle blue pinstripe that complied perfectly with the company's dress code, and a dignified burgundy tie adorned with miniature blue whales from Brooks Brothers - a subtle challenge to the company's stringent sartorial guidelines.

Daniel grumbled as he tripped over his freshly polished black Moreschi shoes, now marred by a layer of slushy mud. He should take a moment to clean them with a napkin before the meeting. Resuming his brisk pace, he suddenly came to a halt. Instead of the expected Number 9 on Nikolskaya Street, a grand new building labeled Tverskaya 20a loomed before him.

"What the fuck?" Daniel exclaimed, frantically searching for the correct building. He pulled out his phone from his pocket, feeling a surge of panic as he saw there were only six minutes left. His shoes didn't matter at this point; his priority was reaching the conference room on time. Spotting an elderly woman dressed in a well-maintained but dated coat and a charming cap adorned with a rose, he approached her hurriedly.

"Excuse me, could you please tell me where Nikolskaya 7 is?"

"Hello," she responded leisurely after giving him a scrutinizing look. "Ah, young man, you've fallen victim to a common mistake made by newcomers. Countess Sheremetyeva chose to locate her mansion away from the hustle and bustle of Tverskaya road, tucked away in a secluded spot. I will explain how to get there. Do you see the Azbuka Vkusa store on the corner? Turn there, walk down about a hundred meters, then take the first inconspicuous alley you come across. After another hundred meters, turn right into a tall archway. That's where you'll find the house you're looking for."

"Thank you so much, thank you!" Daniel exclaimed gratefully, following her directions in a sprint, desperately hoping she had pointed him in the right direction. His phone buzzed with a message, and Daniel glanced at the screen with irritation - it was from Pavel, demanding to know where he was.

"Now I am fucked." Daniel muttered aloud, deciding not to respond to the message as he didn't have the time. He dashed into the suggested alley, narrowly avoiding a stumble as he stepped with a pile of dog shit, ruining his right shoe. Undeterred by it, he navigated his way through the frosty, crunchy puddles beneath the echoing dark archway. Panting heavily, he barely registered the beauty of the elegant light-gray three-story mansion as he skidded to a halt - he'd finally found it!

He ran up the steps with more deliberate pace, adjusting his jacket, ensuring his tie lay flat, and checking the dampness of his collar. Gripping the ornate brass doorknob, he took a moment to steady his breath. With a grunt of annoyance, he recalled his dirty shoes, extracting a pack of tissues from his coat pocket to clean them. After dropping the used tissue into the trash can, he straightened up, only to be suddenly jolted back by a sharp pain in his forehead, sparks dancing before his eyes. He couldn't recall the last time he had felt such intense pain, his vision fading to black momentarily.

Someone had swiftly and forcefully pushed him backwards, slamming the imposing door against his forehead. The same person now, with a pitiful exclamation, expertly lifted him to his feet.

"Damn, why were you standing right behind the door? I'm sorry," the person exclaimed.

"It's fine, these things happen," Daniel retorted, blinking rapidly to clear his vision and free himself from their grasp. However, the person seemed unwilling to release him, pulling him close as if he were grievously injured. Suddenly, the person's breath warmed his face as they whispered in awe, "You... you're quite handsome."

"Fuck!" Daniel exclaimed, finally breaking away from the stranger's embrace, blinking and heading hastily towards the reception desk. Slapping his passport onto the counter, he mumbled, "Hello, I have a meeting. Daniel King, Arc."

"Hello," a young woman in a gray jacket and a pink blouse adorned with ruffles glanced at him nervously before checking his passport. "Y-yes, I remember your name. They're expecting you. You may proceed; I have all your details and please take your passport."

"Nina, could you bring the first aid kit and some ice? I would like to ask you to please stick around for a bit. They won't begin the meeting without me," Daniel was abruptly turned around by his elbow, finding himself face-to-face with a pale and visibly anxious Alexander Bystritsky. In person, Alexander appeared much taller and more imposing than in photos, towering over Daniel by nearly half a head. His slightly asymmetrical face seemed even more captivating up close. His sharp, expressive features, especially his restless green eyes, were particularly striking.

"Alexander, allow me to introduce myself," Alexander extended his hand, standing uncomfortably close to Daniel, almost invading his personal space. As they shook hands, Alexander scrutinized him intently, his curious green eyes growing darker. Daniel met his gaze, looking into the expanding black pupils, momentarily at a loss for words before regaining his composure and stepping back.

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I'm equally pleased," Alexander closed the distance between them once more, firing off questions. "Have you recently joined the company? I haven't seen you around before. When did you start? And why does your name sound foreign?"

"I'm American. I've just started and joined the project," Daniel responded, his cheeks flushing under Alexander's unwavering and admiring gaze. It seemed Pavel hadn't anticipated Alexander's intense reaction to Daniel, or perhaps he had. The way Alexander looked at him was almost predatory, as if he'd been isolated for years and had just re-entered society. Being the object of such intense, almost desperate admiration was uncomfortable and bordering on irritating, especially from another man. Touching the bump on his forehead, Daniel cleared his throat and said, "I'm alright, we can start."

"No, you need to take care of that first," Alexander insisted, drawing him closer and guiding him to a couch in the hallway that Daniel hadn't noticed earlier. He sat Daniel down, leaning over him with a somewhat foolish smile, continuing to examine him closely. Nina hurriedly handed Alexander a cold pack and a first aid kit. Without even glancing at her, he mumbled, "Thanks, Nina."

"I can manage," Daniel said, taking the cold pack from Alexander and pressing it to his forehead. He suppressed a groan; the sensation was both painful and soothing. Gradually, the ice began to numb the pain, and Daniel let out a relieved sigh. "Thanks, that's much better. Shall we go?"

"What about painkillers? I'd prefer taking you to the clinic rather than proceeding with the meeting, just to ensure you don't have a concussion. Afterwards, I'd like to treat you to lunch as an apology for any distress," Alexander said, retrieving a blister pack of pills from the medicine cabinet and calling out to Nina. "Nina, could you please bring some water? Quickly."

"Certainly," Nina's heels echoed loudly as she hurried over.

"No water, no pills, no clinic," Daniel insisted, horrified at the idea of cancelling the meeting over such a trivial incident. "There's nothing wrong with me. I'm adamant about starting the meeting. We've all invested a lot of time preparing for it, and it's not worth postponing over a minor mishap. My head isn't hurting, I'm not seeing double, and I'm sure I don't have a concussion. I'm ready to proceed," Daniel quickly maneuvered to the edge of the couch to sidestep Alexander's looming presence and stood up.

"Well, if you're sure you're ready..." Alexander sighed, his disappointment evident as he watched Daniel. "Let's proceed then. But after the meeting, you're joining me for lunch, alright?"

"Thank you for the offer, but there's no need for compensation. It was my own oversight; I stood too close to the door. Please, let's just put this incident behind us," Daniel spoke in a deliberately formal tone, aiming to establish a boundary between them. The initial awkwardness had now given way to irritation. The intensity of Alexander's gaze was unwarranted and discomforting. It felt as if they had bumped into each other in a nightclub, with Daniel being the overtly flirtatious one. There was no reason for such a blatant, desire-laden stare. "So, which way?"

"Allow me to guide you," Alexander said as he swung open a hefty, intricately carved wooden door, reminiscent of the one that had inadvertently struck Daniel earlier. Daniel couldn't help but admire its thickness and silently thanked his stars he hadn't sustained a concussion. Such a solid door could have caused serious harm.

"Did you forget about me?" A jovial voice from behind them chimed in, snapping Alexander out of his intense gaze fixed on Daniel.

"Daniel, I'd like you to meet Georgy. He's not only my deputy but also a close friend," Alexander introduced, finally tearing his eyes away.

"Georgy," Georgy flashed a knowing grin and extended a large hand towards Daniel. From the mirth in his warm brown eyes, it was clear he was relishing the situation, especially Daniel's evident discomfort.

"Pleasure to meet you, Daniel," Daniel returned the handshake firmly, offering a tight-lipped smile that subtly conveyed his lack of amusement. He then followed Alexander's gesture towards the elevator.

The discomfort escalated inside the compact four-person elevator. Unfazed by Daniel's evident unease, Alexander crowded him against the wall, his demeanor appearing somewhat intoxicated. The green hue of his eyes had deepened, almost entirely overtaken by his dilated pupils, hinting at possible drug use by the young oligarch. Daniel clenched his jaw, enduring the proximity. Attempting to sidestep along the wall would only amplify the absurdity of the situation, and Daniel had a sneaking suspicion that Alexander would persistently shadow his movements. Georgy's broad back, turned subtly away from them, quivered with suppressed laughter.

When the elevator doors slid open, Daniel took a deep breath, finally escaping the uncomfortable closeness. What kind of cultural misunderstanding was this? No country would allow such intimacy between men without it carrying a suggestive undertone, especially not in a conservative developing nation. Facing sexual advances from a client on such a key project was definitely not the ideal start to his career. Daniel quickened his pace, barely holding back from snapping at Alexander, who once again invaded his personal space.

Paul's earlier insensitive remarks about gays and faggots now appeared less offensive and more reflective of the reality Daniel found himself in. He never envisioned being caught in such a predicament with an extremely interested and seemingly intoxicated nouveau riche while being bound by professional standards. The internal struggle of whether to risk the project by telling him to fuck off in Russian or endure the discomfort was abruptly halted as they entered the conference room.

Daniel immediately moved towards Pavel, his eyes flashing with anger, looking as if he was ready to confront him. As Pavel and the rest of the team rose, exchanging polite smiles with the client, Pavel whispered under his breath while maintaining his pleasant exterior.

"Where on earth have you been?"

"My apologies for the delay. There was an incident." Georgy struggled to suppress a laugh, while Alexander, looking a bit pale and wearing a foolish grin, remained close to Daniel, ignoring Pavel's offered hand. "Alexander accidentally hit your colleague with the door, so we attended to that first."

"I understand. Are you okay?" Pavel abandoned his attempt to greet Alexander with a handshake, greeted Georgy instead, and turned his attention to Daniel with genuine concern.

"I'm alright, just a minor bruise that'll heal soon," Daniel cleared his throat, maneuvering to position himself between Pavel and Mikhail, ensuring Alexander was kept at a distance, and asked in a raspy voice, "Shall we begin?"

"Sasha, take a seat," Georgy instructed firmly, guiding Alexander by the shoulder. With a deep sigh, Alexander circled the table and settled into a chair. After whispering something to Alexander, who responded with a slight frown and nod, Georgy directed Alexander's attention to the presentation displayed on the screen by Igor.

Observing the interactions with interest, Pavel finally chimed in politely.

"As you're already acquainted with the rest of our team, allow me to introduce our newest member, Daniel King," Pavel started, "Daniel earned his degree in nuclear physics from MIT, completed an internship at Westinghouse, and subsequently joined our New York office before transferring to our current project three weeks ago. He will be leading the production stream of the project, I'll hand over the presentation to him for this segment."

Pavel smoothly transitioned from introductions to the presentation. Daniel felt a mix of surprise and pride; he was not just a junior consultant but was entrusted with a significant portion of the project. It was both flattering and validating.