The will of chance.

I'm walking along the sidewalk, close to the roadway in the city, minding my own business... I'm walking and thinking about my own things, specifically about how I can stretch time even longer so I don't arrive too early for my meeting with my friend at the cafe. She's supposed to get off work for a break and have lunch with me. She also really wanted to introduce me to her work colleague, bringing him along. The morning had been rainy, like most of this summer, and only by the time I left home did the clouds part and give way to the warm, cozy sun. I stopped by some fence, leaned on it, and started rummaging in my purse for a mirror and lipstick. Suddenly, out of

nowhere, a car drives past at a considerable speed right through a puddle near the sidewalk where I was standing. The water from the puddle drenched me from head to toe so unexpectedly that I didn't even have time to comprehend what had happened.

The car screeched to a halt and started reversing. Someone got out and ran towards me. Instead of scolding the careless driver, I stood there stunned, gasping for air like a fish out of water, trying to catch my breath and come to my senses. I pulled myself together and was just opening my mouth to unleash a torrent of accusations at the driver, but as soon as I raised my head and saw him, I forgot how to breathe again. An unbelievably handsome guy stood before me, begging for forgiveness. And for some reason, I wanted to sink through the ground because of my indecently ruined appearance, never mind that he was the one who caused it. I felt awkward and hurried to walk away, just to get out of his sight.

"Wait! Where are you going? I absolutely must give you a ride. Get in the car."

I continued to stay silent and feel shy.

"Get in the car immediately!" he raised his voice and started pulling me by the shoulders towards his car.

I suddenly switched my brain on and started resisting.

"You're soaked and could catch a cold. Don't resist, I'll take you home."

"I won't get in the car," I finally found my voice.

"Thank God, you're not deaf and mute. I was already thinking how to explain my intentions with sign language."

"I have to go."

"No, this is beyond the pale. Get in the car!"

"I don't get into cars with strange men. What if you're a maniac."

The guy suddenly burst out laughing. Then he took off his windbreaker and draped it over my shoulders.

"I'm not a maniac. I'm very sorry I splashed you from the puddle. Forgive me. My phone just rang, I got distracted by it and didn't notice the puddle or you. Please forgive me. And believe me, I have no ill intentions towards you, I just want to help."

He spoke so gently and convincingly that I listened to him with pleasure and agreed to get in his car. I forgot about the time and the meeting with my friend until she called me herself. I started telling her I wouldn't be able to make it to the cafe.

"What happened?" she worried.

"Just some psycho splashed me with a puddle, I'm all wet."

"Oh my God, honey, how did that happen? And what now?"

"He'll take me home."

"Call me back later. I'll wait."

"I can wait for you to get yourself together and take you to your appointment," he offered.

I thought about his offer, called my friend back, and said I'd be there in half an hour.

"Oh, you've really caused me trouble. It's not good to be late for meetings."

"A very important meeting?"

"At this moment, I'm supposed to be meeting my potential boyfriend."

"Oh, really. Are you very interested in this meeting?"

"That's a tactless question. It shouldn't concern you."

"I was just asking. Sorry."

"I don't know you at all, so wait for me in the car, and I'll be right back."

"Yes, of course, no problem. I'll wait for you."

I went up to the second floor to my apartment and started quickly running around the room looking for a decent outfit. If before I had gone out in jeans and a blouse, now I put on a long dress with a summer print in gray-blue with shoes. I combed my hair under the warm air of the hairdryer and applied light makeup. Looking at myself in the mirror, I was satisfied with my appearance. What am I even doing? What's all this for? For him? Oh, come on! And I desperately wanted him to appreciate my appearance. So it turns out it is for him. I'm seeing him for the first time in my life, maybe the last time in my life. Well, let me remain a memory for him, pleasant or not... It doesn't matter. I went down from the entrance, headed towards the parking lot in the direction of his car. He was standing by the car, leaning against the driver's door, talking on the phone. I slowed my pace so as not to rush too much. He finished his call and turned in my direction, stunned by my beauty.

"Is that you? My God, if you had walked past, I wouldn't have recognized you."

"If someone hadn't ruined my previous appearance, I would have looked quite like myself."

"Hmm, you don't miss a chance to tease me about my mistake," he grinned.

"Let me gloat a little."

"As far as I remember, you weren't so stunning in your previous outfit."

"Do you really have the nerve to think my exit and transformation are some kind of flirting?"

"Oh, no, not at all. I just wanted to fish for a compliment. After all, I contributed to your transformation."

"In what sense?!"

"No, no. I didn't mean you did all this for me. I meant that... Oh, sorry. I'm getting completely lost."

"Exactly. I believe you promised to take me to my meeting."

"Yes, of course."

He walked around the car and opened the door for me. I thanked him and slowly sank into the seat. To my surprise, he wasn't in a particular hurry to get me to my meeting place.

"I'm kind of in a hurry, you know."

"Very?"

"Preferably within the hour."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. When you sped through that puddle, it wasn't evident that you're a fan of slow, leisurely driving."

"Well, yes. It's just I... Never mind, let's go," he said, upset, and stepped on the gas.

Five minutes later we were at the cafe. He opened the door for me and helped me out of the car by the hand. I thanked him and headed towards the cafe. I heard the sound of car locks clicking and the alarm being set, followed by footsteps behind me. He insistently started accompanying me.

"Why are you coming with me?"

"I'm not following you, I'm with you."

"You're definitely a maniac."

I entered the cafe and headed to the table where my friend was waiting alone. He followed me. My friend Dasha stood up, we hugged and greeted each other.

"My dear, you're late. Yura already left, he got called back to work. I'll introduce you another time then."

"That's very good," my escort said with relief.

"Olechka, who is this with you?"

"Excuse me, I should introduce myself. I'm Vitaliy," he extended his hand to Dasha and kissed my hand.

"Vitaliy is that psycho from the puddle, I take it?"

"Yes, I'm that psycho. And I'm very guilty towards Olechka and want to make it up to her in every possible way."

He didn't let me get a single word in, which I was indignant about.

"Very nice to meet you, Vitaliy. Thank you for managing to deliver my friend at least while I'm still here. Since her meeting with my colleague didn't happen, we can certainly survive that."

"And it's very good that he already left."

"Why is that?" Dasha asked curiously, her interest in him ignited.

"He would have been completely superfluous here."

"You think so?"

"I'm sure. I intend to feed Olya lunch and deliver her home safe and sound."

"That's right," Dasha agreed with him.

I was just opening my mouth to insert at least one of my objections, but their dialogue didn't stop. My patience was running out, and I almost exploded with anger.

"Stop! Stop!" I shouted so loudly that all the patrons turned to look at us. "My opinion, I see, doesn't concern anyone?"

"Quiet, Olechka. See what happens to a hungry woman who just experienced stress. You'll scare away all the remaining customers."

"Alright, you two have your meal, I have to get back to work. Olya, call me when you're free."

Dasha left, leaving us alone. Vitaliy pulled out a chair for me, and I obediently sat at the table. He called the waiter and placed an order for both of us. I sat silently, unable to fully assess the priorities and situation.

"Sorry for being so pushy. I'm used to taking everything into my own hands."

"I've already figured that out, but I'm no pushover either."

"Challenging me?"

"Are we on a first-name basis already?"

"It's about time."

I just smirked and turned away towards the exit.

"Already thinking about how to run away from me?"

"That's an idea. Weighing the priorities."

"You'd better weigh the strengths and realize that running from me makes no sense, it would be a complete failure."

I involuntarily glanced over his figure and realized I would be absolutely helpless against his athletic build.

"Undressing me with your eyes?" he asked me bluntly, brazenly and unceremoniously.

"No, that's outrageous. You're just a jerk."

"I'm shocked myself."

Our dishes and a small pot of hot tea with lemon were served. I really did suddenly feel very hungry and immediately started devouring the food. Vitaliy watched me with a certain satisfaction and tenderness, and I felt awkward.

"Eat, eat. You're so cute and defenseless. Don't be shy around me."

I nodded and continued eating, washing it all down with tea, which he so kindly poured into my cup.

"Feeling better?" he asked after lunch.

"Yes, thank you."

"I can see you've become kinder and more pliable. Can I take you home?"

"If that's okay."

Vitaliy paid the bill, left a tip, and led me by the arm to the car. He drove slowly, quietly turning on the radio, which made me drowsy, and I fell asleep, taking off my shoes and stretching out my legs. I remember fragments, half-asleep, of him lifting me out of the car in his arms, asking for my apartment number, taking the keys from my purse. I remember my mortal body being carefully lowered onto my soft bed. I slept like that for a while, opened my eyes and closed them again. I started recalling the entire chronology of events from my dream. I felt myself and realized I was still in the dress, looked at the clock, it was five in the evening. I realized it wasn't a dream only when I fully woke up and didn't find my shoes. I walked from the room to the kitchen—no one. The phone on the nightstand by the bed rang, I rushed to it.

"Awake, sleeping beauty?"

"Is that you?"

"While you were sleeping, I took the opportunity..."

"What? What did you do?" I asked in a frightened, trembling voice.

"You're such a silly girl. Always looking for a catch in everything. I took the opportunity, while you were sleeping, to ping my phone from yours to save your number."

"Oh, that."

"You thought I... No, that's unthinkable. You really do think I'm a maniac."

"I don't know you at all."

"Didn't today tell you anything?"

"Should something be clear?"

"At least for me, a lot became clear."

"What?"

"That we need to continue this day with a good evening. Do you agree?"

"Is my opinion being considered this time?"

"It will always be."

"Always? You're looking very far ahead."

"I don't really like chatting on the phone, so I want to see you soon. I'll pick you up at nine."

"So much for my opinion. Good that you at least informed me. Thanks a lot."

"It's just with a girl like you, you need to take everything into your own hands. I want to protect you."

"I can handle everything myself."

"I don't doubt it. Well, see you soon," he said intriguingly, and from his voice I almost fainted onto the bed.

I lay there for about ten minutes, not believing what was happening, then jumped up and ran to the shower. I dried and styled my hair with the hairdryer and spent a long time at my wardrobe. What to wear? It's so simple when you don't want to impress anyone. But do I want to impress him? And don't I already impress him? I just don't want to disappoint him. A man like him isn't just lying around. You still have to know how to please him. I decided to wear wet asphalt-colored tapered ankle pants with a high waist, a pale pink satin blouse tucked into the pants, and black shoes with a medium heel. I applied smoky eye makeup to my face. The doorbell rang, and there he was on the doorstep, all gallant and sexy. He was in an expensive, handsome dark gray suit with a dark blue shirt, black shoes, and a tie. In his hands was a large bouquet of pink roses.

"These flowers are for you. But let's put them in water right away so you don't have to hold them, you might tear your blouse on the thorns."

I looked over this immense bouquet, thought about it, and decided to bring a bucket. I filled it halfway with water, and Vitaliy placed the roses in it