8

Chapter 8

Everything I tried, nothing gave any result. Alina was nervous, asked to leave, but leaving her is a big risk, so I just waited on the sidelines.

When, finally, she calmed down a little, she called:

- Come here, please. I'm feeling better now.

I sat down opposite, where I had been sitting before. To my surprise, Alina asked me to sit next to her. I took a glass with me and fulfilled the request.

- Are you sure you won't tell anyone anything? - the tear-stained red eyes, as if with a plea, looked at me.

"Absolutely," I said dryly.

– Then I'll tell you, but I ask you to be understanding – - she took a deep breath and continued – - Just a couple of weeks ago, a young man left me, well, my boyfriend, already ex. And it's not so much about me… He decided this because of my father, because he thought he was crazy. There was just a case when Artem was visiting our house, but my father did not know about it. He always forbade bringing someone. And then on the day when his father unexpectedly came home, he almost threw him out of the house. Since then, we have parted.

- The situation, of course, is not very good – - I gave out the first thing that came to mind, and began to think about how to gently explain to her that it's not worth getting so upset about it. – But I don't think this is a reason to say goodbye to life so easily. Yes, everyone has had such a thing that it does not work out to be with those with whom you want. This should be taken for granted, and live on. And I was going through something like this, I was breaking up. It was hard, but now everything is fine.

– But I love him, still. And all because of my father. If it wasn't for him…

I wish I hadn't. I naively already decided that we have mutual sympathy, but in fact she signed me up for a friend zone.

– In my opinion, it's not about your father – - he sighed heavily, paused. – If that guy really wanted to be with you, nothing would have stopped him. At least, that's what I would do. Well, he just retreated when he saw the barrier. I gave up, in short.

– Why are you talking about him like that? - Alina burst into tears again and covered her face with her hands. – You don't know him…

Oh, and a fool. I'm glad I didn't say it out loud. I already wanted to feel sorry for her less – outright stupidity is always difficult to tolerate.

– But I know what distinguishes a normal man from ... okay, I won't say. I hope I understood it myself.

She took the glass, drank the rest in one gulp and confessed through tears:

"Maybe you're right, but I can't accept it yet. It seems to me that my father sent me here on purpose to somehow distract me from thoughts about Artem.

It is quite possible. Then I don't understand why mine said not to touch her? In theory, what our parents did is called "planting" by business people. Yes, in general, it is strange that for all the time of our life we have never been introduced.

– And what does Mom think about this? - I gently put my arm around Alina's shoulders and noticed that there was no reaction.

– I don't have a mother, - she wiped her tears and sighed. - She died in childbirth.

- I'm sorry, I didn't know. I wouldn't ask that way.

- It's okay. You really didn't know, " she suddenly put her head on my shoulder, closed her eyes. - Listen, this is probably arrogance, but we definitely don't have anything to drink now?

How does she fit so much into it, if she has never really drunk in large quantities? Although this is not surprising. Champagne always makes you sober up quickly, and she also has great experiences, stress, which is why sometimes alcohol takes very little. In general, you can still get a drink, because we have a cellar, and there: wine, vodka, whiskey, tequila and several other types of strong spirits. The problem is that it is better not to take anything from there. Besides, everything is locked, but if you really want to...

– Are you sure you want more?

- Yes, it will be easier for me, I think. I know it's only today, but I still want to.

I shook her lightly by the shoulder. "Come with me." We'll choose it together.

Alina jumped up briskly.

– Are you serious?"

- no.

- Then let's go. I'll be there, I promise.

"I hope so," he got up from the bench and gave her his hand.

She got up, and at the same moment she swayed slightly to the side.

- Oh, something drove me.

- It happens. Hold my hand and everything will be fine.

We walked slowly towards the house. During this time, I came up with one effective way to get rid of the lock – to cut it with a grinder. Fortunately, the keys to the garage were entrusted to me, so it was not a problem to get the tool.

The action to remove the lock took no more than five minutes, after which we entered the cellar. We decided on the choice quickly: we decided to try a fifteen-year-old whiskey. For Alina, this is generally a new drink. She had never had the opportunity to try it before.

I entrusted the bottle to Alina, took the grinder to the garage. Then they took special whiskey glasses from the kitchen and returned to the gazebo.

- Be careful with this. Drink it in small sips – " I informed her as I pushed the half-full glass towards her.

– I understand. Sit down next to me. Why are you sitting further away again? "What is it?" she asked, feigning indignation. – And what do they eat with whiskey?

- Connoisseurs do not eat at all. The Irish and Scots prefer to eat whiskey with oyster, tuna, salmon, baked meat – " I said, and in the process I moved to Alina. – And here in Russia, as you like: drink like this, have a snack or even mix it with Cola.

- Interesting. Then I'll try it as a connoisseur – " she even managed to laugh a little.

– I'll support you.

We overcame the first portion with ease, but already at that time we felt a fog in our head. Two or three more of these glasses – and you can sleep on the table. Especially considering the champagne I drank. Alina was also pretty drunk: she spoke slowly, moved a little clumsily-and this despite the fact that she was sitting, and not getting up. I couldn't finish the second glass and asked if I would mind if she put her shoulder on her head to rest a little. Of course, he did not refuse, and after a minute or two she sniffed sweetly. I looked at her: just lovely! It is very difficult to refrain from kissing, but in this situation it is definitely not necessary to do this. He allowed himself only to gently stroke her head. She let out a sleepy moan, turned around and continued to sleep. I guess I'll have to carry her and put her to bed. In my opinion, Alina is no longer able to move independently.