Dominate me by Julia Romush (most read books txt) 📖

"Don't forget it's a business meeting", Artem adjusted his tie and gave me an appraising look, "so hold on properly."

"And how should it be?". I reached for his jacket and wiped the invisible dust off his shoulder.

"Not so", the man grabbed my hand and threw it aside a little sharply.

He was collected, but a little annoyed. Like me.

Honestly, this was my first flight abroad, despite the fact that I graduated from the Faculty of Foreign Languages. At one time I was supposed to have an internship in the Netherlands, but due to the situation with my sister, all my plans were drastically lost.

The only plus of the whole situation was that I had an open multivisa. But even if it did not exist, it is unlikely that such a trifle would be a problem for Klimov.

When the elevator doors opened, I turned sharply and took a step aside. We will consider that it was my job, therefore it was necessary to keep professionally.

"Please", the man did not betray our closer acquaintance, and gestured toward the tables in one of the restaurants.

"Just so you know, German is my second foreign language", I said quietly as soon as I could.

"I'm familiar with your biography", Artem smiled artificially, looking ahead, as if he wasn't telling me at all, "but they don't speak Ukrainian. So just translate correctly."

"Guten tag", with these words we stood at the table and Klimov shook hands firmly with future partners.

Honestly, I expected things to get worse. Naturally, I was not familiar with the terminology, so I had to dodge as much as possible. The main thing is that the case burned out? So. Therefore, in those cases when I did not understand something, I asked leading questions and smiled so that the men were immediately lost. Because of this, all the subtleties were explained, as if I were not an ordinary translator, but participated in the negotiations on an equal footing with everyone. Just stupid by nature.

I saw that it angered Artem, who cast unequivocal glances in my direction. But I also smiled at him and with all my appearance showed, "it's the same for a common cause."

Gradually, the whole essence of the conversation began to flow into another stream. Somehow, unnoticed, we went from business to private. From stock purchases to plans for the evening. And, apparently, Klimov and I portrayed strangers so naturally that his opponents, especially those who were younger, began to ask carefully about my plans for the evening.

"We're flying back today", Klimov said rudely to one of the men. Although I knew the truth. We will only be flying back home tomorrow. But I really liked Artem's reaction. He lost quite a bit of self-control, but it was so nice to see his irritation mixed with jealousy. I hope it was them after all.

Not regretting that I would not spend tonight in the company of inquisitive foreigners, I was ready to go with Klimov to listen to his restrained gratitude, as man phone rang. This clearly confused him.

 "What?". He left without saying goodbye. Then he immediately looked at me, "yes, I'm here. Fine. I'll drop the address."

After that call, he seemed to have been replaced. Artem became overly tense and somehow pensive, as if immersed in his world. He even hurried to leave, rather carelessly explaining it by the fact that he has another meeting.

"Wait for me here", he practically ordered me when his phone rang again, "don't even think of getting up."

Artem talked to me as if I was already guilty of something.

"All right", I could only nod.

Honestly, this change of mood did not go unnoticed by others. The Germans, not understanding a word, began to whisper. The bravest of them even asked what was going on.

"Yes ... business", I said, not knowing what else could be answered.

When Klimov apologized, left the table and went to another room, I decided to follow him under the pretext of going to the toilet.

And if I only knew from the beginning what he was up to. These were family matters. I considered Artem's interlocutor only for a moment, but even that was enough to understand one thing - Timur came here. His son.