Daniel stepped off the treadmill, and wiped sweat from his forehead and neck with a microfiber towel, observing Marat, who had also slowed down. He hopped off the still-moving track and asked with disappointment,

"Are you done for today?"

"Not really. I need to stretch properly; my muscles are really sore, and I don't want to risk injuring them. Plus, I'm starving," Daniel said with a teasing grin. "I'll grab a protein snack."

"I'll handle it," Marat exclaimed cheerfully. "The usual chocolate Bombbar for you?"

"Yes, please," Daniel smiled with gratitude. As soon as the carefree Marat hurried off to the vending machine at the end of the hall, Daniel swiftly moved to the treadmill. He pulled Marat's flask from its holder, unscrewed the cap, and discreetly dropped a pill hidden in his cuff into it. By the time Marat turned around, Daniel was back in his original spot like nothing happened.

"Thanks, seems that I have a muscle sprain, so I think I'll call it quits for today," Daniel said, taking the bar and grimacing as he rubbed his thigh once more.

"That's a shame. We have some ointment at home; I can rub it for you if you'd like," Marat offered eagerly, heading briskly toward the locker room. Daniel, feeling panicked, nearly let out a howl.

"Damn, I almost forgot my flask," Daniel muttered as he limped back to the treadmill to get it, keeping an eye on Marat. He breathed a sigh of relief as Marat slapped his forehead.

"Oh, me too! Why don't you go to the hammam? It'll help warm up the muscle and dissolve the lactic acid, hmm?" Marat suggested with genuine sympathy, causing Daniel's conscience to stir immediately.

"That's a good idea, I'll do that," Daniel replied nervously, noticing Marat beginning to unscrew the cap of the flask. "Why didn't you bring your own snack? Take mine; I don't eat before the hammam anyway," he added, handing the bar to Marat with a wry smile as Marat's eyes lit up.

"Thanks. I'm just so hungry! I could eat a bull," Marat tucked the flask under his armpit and opened the wrapper. Daniel quickened his pace toward the locker room; if he didn't hurry, Marat would drink and collapse in front of everyone.

Daniel deliberately took his time sorting through the items he had prepared in his locker, waiting for Marat to finish his electrolyte drink. He couldn't detect any medicine taste in the drink, so that wasn't a concern. The lack of visitors during working hours was also a bonus. After loudly finishing his drink, Marat tossed the flask into his open bag, rummaged through his locker, and settled onto the bench, shaking his head in bewilderment. He muttered something, collapsed onto his side, and fell silent.

"I'm sorry, Marat," Daniel whispered sincerely, hastily wiping himself with wet napkins. Although he was not sweating heavily, he didn't want to scare Sonya away with his sweaty stench. He grinned irritably, tossing the crumpled napkin into the wastebasket with precision - he also needed to meet with Sennoy that day!

He changed into the new clothes he'd recently bought and hid in his locker. Nobody could be trusted; he was intercepted halfway on his last outing, even though he wasn't carrying his phone or watch. Stuffing the cash he'd stashed away into a small backpack, he slipped Sennoy's cell phone into his hoodie pocket.

He grabbed Marat under his armpits, and dragged him to the sofas where visitors often rested post-hammam, that way he would not arouse any suspicion. Daniel studied himself in the mirror - he transformed from a wealthy young man in a beige Brunello Cochinelli raincoat, a gray Brioni suit, and a pink salmon Bottega Veneta shirt, complemented by Stefano Ricci brown shoes, to a nondescript student wearing an unremarkable dark jacket, hoodie, jeans, and sneakers topped with baseball cap – all from Loro Piana, the Uniqlo for the rich. The notion of stealth wealth, understated opulence, proved effective. He pulled down the baseball cap to cover his eyes, adjusted sunglasses casually hanging on his hoodie's collar, he became nearly unrecognizable. Descending the stairs swiftly, just before exiting, he slipped on his sunglasses, pulled the hood over his cap, and, catching his breath, darted out. Mission accomplished!

Daniel spent twenty minutes searching for the fucking hookah place after arriving, grumbling and getting increasingly angry. Why couldn't they meet in a simpler, more crowded place? No one from the Bystritskys' entourage would notice him in some food court. Sennoy's trademark caution, damn it!

By the time he stormed into the hookah lounge, he was already seething, desperately hoping that Sennoy had called him out for a good reason and had actually found something significant. He was led into a dimly lit room with low tables and velour sofas, where hookah smoke swirled in misty layers. There, he found himself alone across from a relaxed, hookah-smoking Sennoy. Daniel looked around warily, searching for his pitbulls, and then sat down stiffly across from him.

"Hey. You said there was news."

"Hi," Sennoy crouched down, turning toward him with a smile. "Bingo. I didn't find any traces of large transactions. All your contacts are clean."

"H-how can there be no traces?" Daniel closed his eyes for a moment in despair, feeling the crushing weight of the hard truth. He had checked everyone, down to the last person, even Michael, who he hadn't considered a suspect at all!

"No sign of any big money," Sennoy repeated, sliding a stack of printouts over to him. "But don't sweat it, I wasn't counting on your buddies anyway. Let's stick to my plan."

"And what is it?" Daniel shook himself, forcing himself to listen, though his mind wandered elsewhere - he would have to wait patiently until the end of the term. He glanced over the first page, then the second, and set them aside. It was pointless. Zinoviev had acted alone!

"I'm going to crush Matvey that rotten son of a bitch, then I'm going to sink his little pup," Sennoy said lightly, as if discussing something trivial. "And you're going to help me with this."

"I had no doubt you needed me for that," Daniel replied with a bitter chuckle. His longing turned to rage. "And why the hell would I do that? It's easier for me to wait out my term and then get out than to provoke the elder Bystritsky."

"Are you sure Sashka will let you go?" Sennoy hit the mark. Shrewd bastard. Daniel bit his lip, snorting angrily. There was nothing to say, but he couldn't reveal the whole story. Sennoy continued, his face changing, his gray eyes squinting fiercely.

"You've been watched for a long time. I've seen the video of Sasha lurking around you. He's clearly got a thing for you, Daniel, and he ain't letting you go."

"Yes, he will," Daniel snorted, thinking of the files. "Okay, thanks for the info, even though it's completely useless to me. I should get going; I've barely gotten out as it is."

"Sit down," Sennoy ordered in an icy tone. " We ain't done talking. I need you to crack Senior Bystritsky's security system. It's tight as hell, so you're the only one who can pull it off. Just install this program, and I'll take care of the rest." Sennoy placed a tiny C-type flash drive, the size of a fingernail, on the table.

"How am I supposed to access that? I might as well break into the Pentagon," Daniel said, standing up from the couch and wincing. It seemed like Sennoy had been there all day, meeting with the right people. The thick hookah smoke made it hard to breathe.

"I don't owe you anything, so I'm not going to help you. Deal with it yourself. Goodbye, Sennoy. I hope we never meet again."

Sennoy was known for his lightning-fast moves, but it still stunned Daniel when he suddenly found himself pinned on the sofa with Sennoy on top of him. He didn't even have time to cry out or react; he froze in terror like a rabbit before a snake. Sennoy ran his nose along Daniel's cheek, whispering in a chillingly tender tone.

"Fuck, I've wanted to do this for a long time."

"Let go," Daniel demanded, struggling helplessly against the living handcuffs. "Let go!"

"You still don't get it, do you?" Sennoy's soft smile sent a shiver down his spine. "You're smart, yet you're stupid," he said, his tone turning cold. " You'll do what I tell you, Daniel. Just install the program on Junior Bystritsky's computer. I know he's got access to the holding company's network. After that, I'll pull you away from Sasha, whether you want it or not. He won't be fucking you."

"You will?" Daniel squirmed, struggling to break free. Disgust churned in his stomach at the thought of willingly entering a new form of prison - no way!

"I will," Sennoy stated calmly, effortlessly restraining him. With less conviction, he added, "If that's what you want. Once I have Matvey, I'll be unstoppable. You'll have everything you desire, rolling in luxury. You won't regret it."

Daniel snarled fiercely and attempted to headbutt Sennoy's nose, but he immediately gasped for breath, his free hand grasping at the iron grip around his throat. For a moment, it felt like Sennoy was going to choke him, terrifying him to the point of blurred vision. Sennoy struggled to breathe, as if he were the one being strangled, licking his lips contemplating something, yet hesitating. Suddenly, Sennoy pressed a messy kiss on his lips, let out a brief moan, and then rose, looming menacingly over him.

"I'll reach Matvey, guaranteed. No one screws with Senchukov and walks away clean, understand? But I can do it quicker with your help and cut you loose. Grab the flash drive, don't push me. And if you recall any other possible suspects in your case, drop me a line on Telegram, I'll handle it," he said, and then left, leaving Daniel rubbing his throat and coughing on the couch.

Daniel took the flash drive, his hand reaching for it despite feeling ashamed of his cowardice. His lips and cheek where Sennoy had touched him stung, trembling from the stress he had endured. He hurried along the streets, checking his route, frantically rubbing his lips with his sleeve, spitting occasionally in disgust, unable to calm down - Sennoy's satisfied expression haunted him. Before entering the café where he and Sonya had agreed to meet, he attempted to compose himself, but failed: Sonya cried out in shock.

"Danny, what happened? You're bleeding!"

"I tripped, just a clumsy accident," Daniel forced a smile, looking for the bathroom. "I'll be right back."

Upon his return, freshly washed and seemingly composed, he concealed his trembling hands under the table and offered a wry smile, bracing himself for her departure. He regretted ever agreeing to go out with Sennoy; it was clear he had fucked him over, not bothering to uncover anything substantial, just using him as he had in the past. He had ruined his chance for a pleasant evening with Sonya.

"Danny, if there's anything I can do to help," Sonya began, and he nearly laughed wildly, recalling his other "helper." He shook his head, struggling to contain his emotions, and asked softly.

"Don't you just want to get drunk? For no particular reason."

"There's always a reason, but I won't pry. Let's get drunk, why not! It's the end of the workday, we can do as we please, we're free people!" Sonya signaled the waiter with a graceful gesture, and Daniel no longer flinched at the term "free people." In another reality, Marat lay on the sofa, intoxicated by sleeping pills, his carelessness leaving his flask behind; Alexander, mobilizing his entire crew in search of him; Sennoy lurking, setting a trap for the Bystritskys and... him. But here, there was only Sonya: vibrantly alive, beautiful, and feminine. He needed to focus solely on her to avoid losing his sanity. For just this moment, he could afford to be selfish, to think of himself rather than others. To allow himself a fleeting evening of joy.

"What's your poison?" Daniel, sensing the magical evening he had anticipated was about to sour, tentatively accepted the wine list from the waiter as Sonya was going through the menu.

"I'm clueless when it comes to alcohol, so you pick something, and I'll handle the food, if that's okay. Just not a fan of strong drinks," Sonya looked up from the menu, her tension easing. Daniel smiled, moistening his swollen lips, and pointed to the first option in the red wine selection.

"I'll go with this one, please. A bottle," he handed back the wine list, attempting to maintain a nonchalant demeanor as Sonya placed her order. Instantly, he tensed as the waiter stepped away and Sonya spoke.

"If you need to talk and lighten the load, I'm here for you. Sometimes it's important to share the difficult stuff," Sonya offered.

"I... well..." Daniel hesitated, searching for a way to describe his challenging situation succinctly yet honestly. "I'm not prepared to go into specifics, Sonya. Let's just say I'm in dire straits due to my previous job. I've been falsely accused, couldn't prove my innocence, and it's left me in significant debt."

"Was it related to your past workplace romance?" Sonya whispered, causing Daniel's cheeks to flush. It was embarrassing, but he didn't want to lie, so he simply nodded.

"Damn," Sonya exclaimed, evidently piecing it together: a boss who would do anything to keep him, and Daniel resisting. "You turned him down, didn't you?"

"Yeah, you could say that," Daniel replied grimly, then asked wistfully, "Can we change the subject?"

"Of course. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. I hope you can clear your name and move on from your ex quickly. I found myself in a tough spot when my indirect superior abandoned me for the returned wife, putting me in the category of 'the deserted,'" Sonya grumbled.

"I was lucky there were no consequences like yours, but it could have been worse. Georgy even promoted me to soften the blow," Sonya said through gritted teeth. "It felt awful - you can't imagine! I wish he hadn't done that - everyone started to look at me sideways and mock me, like I'd slept my way up. I wanted to quit, but then I thought: fuck them! I'll prove to everyone that I'm a great employee and worth a lot even without a powerful lover."

"And did you?" Daniel gradually relaxed with each word she said. The slight similarity of their circumstances was helping him come to terms with his situation.

"I'm still proving it," Sonya grinned. "But it's a gradual process. You can't silence every critic, Daniel. You have to face life's challenges with your head held high, not run from them in shame."

"That depends on the life lessons," Daniel cringed. He would gladly run away from his problems, and he didn't care if it was shameful. A sad thought crossed his mind that he might have prevented the disaster if he had agreed to a relationship with Alexander right away - Alexander might not have believed the false accusations. But since he would never have agreed to that, revisiting the past was pointless.

"I would do anything to get rid of my current problems and escape without regrets."

"It depends, I agree," Sonya quickly responded. "Our situations are different. I wasn't set up - in fact, I was given a consolation prize. Let's not dwell on the bad stuff anymore. If we're going to get drunk, let's have fun. Okay?"

"Okay," Daniel said, turning to the waiter who had arrived with a tray, quickly arranging plates of appetizers. He nodded at Sonya as the waiter uncorked the bottle and leaned in to pour a sample into his glass.

Sonya, clearly being ironic, stuck out her pinky finger, swirled the glass, inhaled the wine's aroma, and took a slow sip. She couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing, barely managing to cover her mouth with her slim hand.

"I think the tasting was a success," Daniel chuckled. "Leave the bottle, please. I'll pour it myself. Thank you."

He poured the wine into glasses, relishing the leading position - here he could himself court, not just accept someone else's courtship. This feeling of freedom was liberating, allowing him to feel like a different person for a while - someone who had the right to choose and had chosen the most beautiful woman in Moscow.

Daniel raised the first glass of wine - inexpensive and lacking a refined bouquet - to her. Sonya fluttered her feathery eyelashes, blushed, and smiled so radiantly that everything else faded away. The wine sat heavily in his empty stomach, biting into the walls, quickly seeped into his bloodstream, giving a false sense of cheer. His appetite kicked in, and he devoured a Breton crepe with shrimp, followed by a galette with sun-dried tomatoes and blue cheese. He felt more upbeat, especially since Sonya had forgotten their earlier conversation and was eagerly enjoying the appetizers.

The electric lights seemed brighter, the sounds louder, and Sonya impossibly more beautiful. The French bistro-like restaurant quickly filled with people eager to unwind. They sat down, laughed, ordered appetizers and drinks, and apologized if they bumped into chairs - it was as crowded as a Parisian café. Adjusting to the vocal noise, the music increased in volume. Edith Piaf's enchanting, raspy voice floated through the air with her iconic "Non, rien de rien...."

Amid the relaxed chatter and the charm of French music, Daniel gradually slipped into a light, effervescent mood of joy. The evening took a merry turn: they laughed, joked, and whirled about in their lively revelry.

Sonya was pulling faces and pretending to be a walrus with straws in her nostrils - nothing could spoil her spirits. Daniel laughed, pouring more wine, and more, and more. He pretended to be a lion or a tiger, though all he remembered was roaring while she laughed heartily. They danced to an old, cheerful ZAZ song about the needlessness of material goods, their gazes heartfelt and warm: the most beautiful eyes in the world shining, drawing him in. They whispered something important to each other, only to immediately forget it. They walked along the cold streets, pressed against each other, singing the ZAZ song and splashing bravely through puddles. They laughed mischievously, running away from the grumbling grandmas in the courtyards. It was wonderful, groggy, and liberating. And only once did his consciousness flicker clear - when Sonya took him by the ears at the door and pulled him down for a kiss. Daniel shook his head, mumbling.

"Sonya, I can't. I'm involved with someone," Daniel protested.

"In your heart too?" She loosened her grip momentarily, her lips trembling.

"There's no one in my heart," he replied honestly.

"Then I don't care," Sonya declared, pulling him closer, and bringing him down onto her.

Daniel relished the sensation of pressing his lips against hers, parting them, getting into the warmth of her mouth - sweet, delectable, and tender. Kissing her felt infinitely more gratifying than any intimacy with Alexander or anyone else. He consumed her fervently, like a parched traveler drinking from a pristine spring, washing away the remnants of Alexander and Sennoy, purifying himself without regard for the consequences. Sonya reciprocated with equal fervor, driven by the same impulse to cleanse herself of another man, his indifference towards her. The effects of the wine had faded, replaced by a more potent intoxication - an intense desire for the woman.

Daniel started quickly removing her clothes the moment the door slammed shut behind them. Sonya started undressing him, pulling his jacket from his shoulders, swiftly dealing with the zippers on his hoodie and trousers, and making her way toward the bedroom. Daniel accidentally knocked over a floor lamp, its metal shade clinking as it fell, and the shattered glass from the bulb crunching underfoot. He lifted Sonya effortlessly in his arms, enjoying the sensation of her lightness, and hurried towards the dark doorway. He longed to undress her completely, to feel their naked bodies pressed together, to shower her soft, warm skin with kisses. And finally, take her, make her his even if it is only for one night.

Daniel stumbled by the bedside, tried to balance himself, and collapsed with his laughing burden onto the soft, lavender smelling bed, managing not to land directly on Sonya. Sonya wriggled beneath him, pulling off her jeans and whispering between dodged kisses.

"Condoms are in the nightstand. Wait, Dan... Oh, that tickles! Hold on."

Almost mad by his desire, Daniel nuzzled her neck and shoulders, kissing and licking her as he fumbled with the clasp of her bra. His fingers slipped off the stubborn hooks, the frustrating barrier to her firm breasts. He briefly pulled the straps off her shoulders, yanked the bra down to her waist, and greedily nibbled at her right nipple, squeezing her left breast. Sonya moaned, whispered breathlessly.

"A-ah, where did you get so impatient... Wait. Ah, doesn't matter, go on..."

Daniel moved lower, pressing his lips to every inch of her hot, smooth skin, savoring her quiet sighs that alone could make him come. He spread her legs, making himself comfortable, and ran his chin along her curls before licking her salty petals with pleasure, burrowing his tongue into her hot tunnel, eager for the pleasure it promised. Sonya arched up, clutching his head with her thighs, whispering something inaudible as she grabbed his hair. Alexander used to grab his hair during sex to keep him from turning away, insisting on eye contact. However, with Sonya, the sensation was different - her touch felt pleasurable.

In her impatience, Sonya managed to put a condom on him after two torn attempts, pulling him closer, already panting.

"Faster, faster. I'm about to..."

Daniel sank slowly into the tight, hot wetness, moaning softly from the overwhelming pleasure - it had been a long time since he had felt such bliss, to be with someone so desirable. He began with gentle rocking motions, but soon lost control, thrusting deep and wide, his kisses scattering haphazardly over her face, her open lips, and her sweat-covered neck. He was tightly embraced, wrapped in the delicate tangle of her arms and legs, as she hummed sweetly and breathlessly in his ear.

"Danny... yes... more... Da-nny!"

Daniel crumpled, squeezed, and pressed in, pulling her up and down, tossing her onto him, catching her laughing, moaning, and sobbing lips with his own. He collapsed against Sonya, senselessly burying his face in her wet, salty-sweet skin, and slowly revived, kissing her tenderly and leisurely until passion overtook him. He then bit into her supple mouth dominantly, spread the warmth of her smooth legs, and pressed himself back into the hot bliss.

They fell asleep exhausted in the faint morning light, gazing at each other with sleepy, red eyes from the long night. It was so peaceful and quiet in her little nest, devoid of any trace of a man's presence, that thoughts of the inexorably approaching reality were forgotten.

"No regrets?" Sonya exhaled, stretching catlike.

"Not one bit," Daniel replied, stroking her firm breasts and licking the pink tip of her nipple before settling down on top of her.

"Me too," Sonya said, resting her hand on his head and instantly falling asleep. Daniel listened to her quiet, measured breathing, inhaling the tart, salty, musky scent of their mingled bodies in the small bedroom, savoring the stolen happiness before drifting into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Sonya woke first. Daniel heard water running in the bathroom, briefly opened his heavy eyelids to stare at the empty bed, and fell asleep again. He later awoke to the distinct, spicy aroma of fried ham, his mouth watering. He opened his eyes wide to see Sonya, looking fresh as if she had slept all night, standing in a short silk robe and holding a plate of omelet and fried ham in front of her nose.

"I'm sorry, Dan, but I couldn't wait any longer. I'm starving, and how can I eat if my guest keeps sleeping and sleeping?" Sonya said, miraculously not dropping the plate as she jumped away from his reaching hands. "Get up. Eat first, then take a shower."

Daniel, smiling sheepishly, sat up in bed. He squinted into the bright daylight, a harsh reminder of everyday life, and grimaced as he realized he hadn't been home since the previous night. Fuck, there couldn't be a reasonable explanation for this. Even a fool would realize what he had been doing all night, and jealous Alexander was no fool. He'd start snooping around and would definitely find out! Daniel quickly pulled on his underwear, jeans, and T-shirt and made his way to the kitchen, which also served as a living room in this small apartment. Sonya, understanding everything from his downcast expression, also became somber.

"Has that someone lost you?" she asked softly.

"Yes," Daniel replied, picking at his omelet without appetite, dreading the heavy conversation ahead. "I'm sorry."

"No worries," Sonia said briskly. "I remember everything, I agreed to it. There's shaving foam in the bathroom and a disposable razor if you need it. Just go."

"I'm sorry," Daniel repeated, his voice heavy with regret.

He showered and checked himself in the mirror, groaning at the sight of the hickeys - he wasn't the only one who had marked someone else's body last night, Sonya had too. He examined himself closely: his eyes still held a wild happiness, his lips were swollen and red, and there were three hickeys on his neck and two on his chest. He couldn't afford to look like this. Not at all. Then an idea struck him - sneaky, wrong, but perhaps a solution.

"Sonya, do you know if there's a hostel nearby where you can stay for a couple of days without needing any documents?" Daniel asked.

As Sonya sipped her second cup of coffee, she suddenly dropped it in surprise, emitting a yelp as she instinctively pulled her leg back, resembling a heron retracting its leg. The scalding coffee splattered across the linoleum floor as the cup shattered. For a few moments, they both stared blankly at the spreading brown liquid before swiftly moving to clean up the shards and wipe away the spills.

"I'll book a room under my name. Is it that bad?" She looked at him without judgment but with hidden fear, and Daniel, grateful for the understanding, the absence of scandal and interrogation, exhaled honestly.

"It couldn't get any worse."

The Quest Hostel turned out to be just two blocks away - cheap, emanating the sour smell of stale sweat, but good enough for the purpose. The habit of carrying cash, to avoid leaving a trace from his debit card, came in handy - it should be enough for a couple of days, if spent wisely. Sonya checked out the room, kissed him goodbye, and said firmly, looking ionto his eyes.

"I don't know what's going on with you, but I sense something very wrong. Are you sure I can't help?"

"I'm sure, Sonya. I may have already dragged you into something, so it's better if we don't see each other for a while," Daniel noted, feeling a pang of longing as he observed how she resentfully pressed her lips together, not fully accepting his insufficient explanation. He reached out to comfort her, but proud Sonya recoiled.

"Then we won't. Write when you've sorted everything out," she said, leaving without looking back, her back unnaturally straight. Small, fragile, yet resolute. Daniel clenched his fists so tightly they almost cracked, barely restraining himself from chasing after her, from pressing his lips to the tender curls on her neck, from granting himself the right to happiness, too.

Doomed, he closed his eyes - the night had ended, along with their fleeting joy.

In the cramped room, barely accommodating the single bed, Daniel connected his phone to charge and tried to sleep once more. Outside the window, the noise of the city mingled with his jumbled, anxious thoughts about Sonya. Had he inadvertently endangered her? Had he left a clue for possessive Alexander to follow? Daniel sighed, tossing and turning on the creaky mattress, contemplating various scenarios that could potentially expose his connection with Sonya. It seemed that the only weak link was his phone. However, if Alexander's claims were true, the phone had been cleared of surveillance, and Daniel had only contacted Sonya via WhatsApp, avoiding phone calls to be safe. Despite this, anxiety gnawed at him, keeping him awake. Thus, he decided to spend two days in hiding before showing up disheveled, unshaven, and preferably bruised, claiming he had been kidnapped, held with a bag over his head, and then released near his home. It sounded ridiculous, but similar to the crazy shit that happened to Alexander, so there was a chance he might believe it.