The pregnant bride went stiff as a board when she spotted the groom’s dad. She never saw that coming…

Dark hair was slightly touched with gray. Michael talked about the activities of the charity all the way, and Adriana listened attentively and only nodded, glad she didn’t have to keep the conversation going. The girl was nervous as they entered the hall where the auction would take place.

She had never been to an auction before and didn’t know what to expect. The hall was decorated in a classical style. There was molding everywhere, antique furniture and vases of flowers.

A small stage was placed near one of the walls, on which stood an easel with canvases. The paintings were hidden by a black cloth, and only one canvas in the center was open to the audience. It depicted some chaotic interweaving of multicolored lines.

This is the most valuable painting at the auction, Michael explained, when he noticed where the girl’s gaze was directed. Its author is a very promising young artist. His paintings are very popular right now.

Adriana took another look at the painting and realized that modern art was definitely not her thing. Michael also found a place from where the scene was clearly visible. There were already quite a few people in the hall.

They stood in small groups and talked, waiting for the start. Soon the auctioneer announced the start of the bidding. He took turns removing the cloth from the paintings, announced the names of the author and the starting price, and then those present could bid.

Michael was also bidding for some of the paintings. Then he would lean to the girl’s ear, explaining why he was interested in this or that painting. Adriana was more impressed by the amounts.

The price on one of the paintings even exceeded a few one zero zero zero zero zero zero. In the end, Michael won one of the paintings. Congratulations, you have just become the owner of a masterpiece, said the auctioneer, congratulating the man.

After bidding, the guests moved to a neighboring room where there were war servers and buffet tables. Here too, there were high ceilings, columns, and crystal chandeliers. On the tables rose pyramids, champagne, plates with light appetizers and sweets.

But what struck Adriana most of all was the transparent grand piano that stood on a small dais in the center of the room. Did you enjoy the auction? Michael asked. Yes, it was very exciting, Adriana replied.

Although I confess that I don’t know much about contemporary art, I like your honesty. The man smiled and winked at the girl. Few people in this room could openly admit that.

Michael escorted Adriana to one of the tables. The man took a clean plate, transferred some pills onto it, and handed it to the girl. She hesitantly accepted the treat from his hands.

Try it. It’s very tasty. The chef of a famous Michelin restaurant was invited especially for this event.

Adriana looked at the cakes. They looked so fancy that they looked like a work of modern art. The girl took one from the salad basket and twirled it in her hands, hesitating to take a bite.

Don’t be afraid. It’s only food, Michael laughed. Ripped off by the man’s words, Adriana took a small bite.

She was really very hungry, as she was too nervous, and after breakfast she couldn’t swallow another bite. After a while, the lights in the hall dimmed. She purposely under the candles.

On the stage in the center came a singer who, accompanied by a grand piano, began to perform popular opera arias. Some of them were familiar to Adriana, though she wouldn’t be able to answer who the author was or where they came from, so guests continued to shuttle from one table to another, gathering in small groups to socialize. Michael was periodically approached by other participants of the auction.

They discussed with the man the auction of paintings, some business-related matters. Adriana did not listen to these conversations, because she did not understand anything. She just stood nearby and smiled.

At some point the food on her plate was over and a passing waiter offered her champagne. Adriana didn’t like this drink, but apparently it was because she had to try only cheap ones. The Soviet champagne here was surprisingly tasty.

She didn’t notice how. She drank several glasses. Who knew that drinking that much, almost on an empty stomach, would cause such disastrous consequences for her? For a while the girl sat on the bed, covering her face with her hands.

After calming down, she looked up again. I found a note on the nightstand check out of the room at 12-00 Breakfast Paid. Adriana stood up and listened to the sensations inside her body.

Nothing seemed to hurt except her head. She dejectedly picked up her clothes and went to take a shower, opening the bathroom door. The girl froze on the threshold, hesitant to enter.

The room, to her senses, was simply huge. One of the walls was a panoramic window, next to which stood a snow-white bathtub on golden legs in the shape of a lion’s cotton. On the wall hung carefully prepared towels and robes.

At the sink and wicker baskets were prepared shampoos, shower gel creams, and other grooming products. There was even a couch. Adriana wondered why would there be a couch in the bathroom.

But apparently the rich have their own quirks. The girl did not dare to take a bath. She limited herself to a quick shower.

She used the disposable shampoo from the basket, but did not take a robe. She pulled on her clothes. A long evening gown was clearly an inappropriate outfit for early morning.

But the girl had nothing else. Suddenly there was a knock on the room. Adriana checked.

The time was around nine o’clock. She shouldn’t be kicked out yet. She walked uncertainly to the door.

Whose room service? Your breakfast. The girl hurriedly opened the door. A middle-aged woman in a maid’s uniform put in a cart next to the table and moved the dishes one by one from the cart on the table.

There was oatmeal porridge with fruit, scrambled eggs with a fried piece of bacon, licked cake. Would you like tea or coffee? Coffee. Adriana took a risk, if I may.

The woman poured fresh brewed coffee from the coffee shop and a china cup. Bon appétit. The maid unfolded the cart and rolled it out of the room.

It seemed to Adriana that at the last moment the woman cast a judgmental glance at her. Well, perhaps she just imagined it. The girl looked at the table.

The dishes were so appetizingly beautiful that she couldn’t resist. It was all paid for anyway. She couldn’t throw it away.

She calmed herself down and started eating. After a hearty breakfast, she didn’t feel so bad anymore. It didn’t feel like the end of the world anymore.

Oh well, it wasn’t that big of a loss. Adriana opened the banking app on her phone and looked at the $2,000 that had appeared in her account in one evening. Back at the hostel, Adriana took a cab back to her dorm.

She removed the Betty on her clothes, carefully rolled them up, and put them in a bag along with her shoes, purse, and towel to return to her friend. She saw the missed calls from Betty, but Adriana didn’t have the energy to talk to the girl right now. Te would definitely start you asking for details about the client.

And last night, Adriana climbed into bed, wrapped herself in a blanket, and slept till the evening. Betty couldn’t stand it and drove to Adriana’s dormitory by herself. On one hand, she was worried about her friend.

On the other, she was bursting with curiosity. How did it go? The girls met at the nearest coffee shop. How did it go? Betty asked impatiently as Adriana handed her a bag of things.

What was it? Well, last night, the man I saw through the window looks good, suave, the car’s expensive, and it’s chauffeured. It’s okay. Adriana answered uncertainly, from the fleek from the glass, and that’s it.

Well, what else could be there? The girl looked out the window. She went with him to the event, went to the auction, then the banquet. Then she went back to the dorm, didn’t even have to talk to anyone, just stood around.

You’re not hiding anything from me. Betty squinted suspiciously. No, what could I be hiding? Well, he’s the one who didn’t offer to go on at night.

Adriana blurted out, but Betty didn’t. Did she write off that reaction as embarrassingly stymied inexperience, girlfriends? No, he didn’t. Adriana answered firmly.

If he did, I don’t remember it anyway, she added to herself. Too bad. What if you’d had a relationship? Do you think he would have gone out with an escort? Do you think many girls from simple families find rich husbands? I don’t know.

Men, they don’t think with their heads, they think with their hands. The main thing is to meet, to hook up. And then, as it goes on, it can end up in marriage.

Do you think they need educated, intelligent? The main thing is to be beautiful, and not a log in bed. God, what are you talking about? Let’s keep it down, whispered Adriana at her friend. What’s the big deal? Betty, I don’t want to get into a relationship for money or privilege.

I’m not like that. I’m looking for love, not money. I’m not willing to sell my body or my feelings for a favor.

Yeah, well, of course you’re not. But how would you react if you met a real prince on a white horse? A prince on a white horse? Adriana grinned. That only happens in fairy tales.

I don’t know. Maybe he wouldn’t be on a white horse. But in a white oddy, Betty winked.

But if a rich guy told you he loved you, would you say no? No, I guess not. But it’s not likely to happen. And you know what? Why don’t we delete the profile from that site? I can’t do that.

I’d rather get a regular job that pays 10 times less. I just wanted to help you. But I guess I was wrong.

Betty turned away and stared out the window. I’m sorry, Kostya. I appreciate your help.

But it’s my decision. I tried it and realized it wasn’t for me. Well, how do you know? The girl looked at Adriana, pressing her lips together.

Did he at least pay you in full? Yes, the full amount. Don’t worry. Well, at least your financial problems are solved for the near future.

Adriana’s life had moved on. She had no time to be upset. She was in the middle of taking exams and tests.

She had to run after the philosopher to allow her to retake the exams. With the money she earned, she bought some clothes and good cosmetics, and the rest she put on her account. When the session was over, Adriana was finally able to relax.

She did not want to return to her hometown, so she gathered her parents that she found a job for the summer, and she watched TV series all day long or went for a walk. The amount in her bank account allowed her to relax and not to look for a job. Somehow, Adriana came across an advertisement for a modern art exhibition.

The girl immediately remembered the auction, which was and suddenly decided that it would be nice to learn more about art, so as not to feel uneducated hillbilly. The next time, having come to the exhibition and paid the entrance ticket, Adriana went to the hall to wander a little. The girl began to regret coming here.

She had absolutely no understanding of modern art. She dutifully approached each exhibit, read the title, and tried to understand what the artist wanted to say. But nothing came out.

Holding up six strange constructions of metal tubes and garbage bags, she suddenly heard a voice behind her, interested in contemporary art. Adriana turned around and saw a tall, dark, bald guy, about 20 years old. My name is Max.

He introduced himself. Adriana hesitantly answered the girl, I saw that you are very interested in this sculpture. Its author, by the way, is a good friend of mine.

Are you an artist too? No, laughed the boy, just a connoisseur of beauty. To be honest, I don’t know much about art, especially modern art. It’s hard for me to understand it.

It’s much simpler than it seems, Max smiled. Would you like me to give you a tour? Do you work here? No, I’m a visitor like you, but going to an exhibition alone is a bit boring. Now I’ve got a chance to spend time with such a nice girl, and I’ve got a chance to show off my knowledge.

You won’t refuse my offer. I won’t. The young man was very handsome and polite, so Adriana accepted.

Max led her through the whole exhibition, explaining in what direction each of the artists was working, what the paintings depicted and why he considered this or that author worthy of attention. The girl listened to him with sincere interest. Max explained everything in an accessible language and with humor.

After the guy invited Adriana to have a snack in a pastry shop near the art gallery, and they continued to discuss art over a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. Discreetly switching to you as it started to get dark, Max walked Adriana to the subway. There’s a new exhibition opening next weekend.

Would you like to go? He suggested. It’s free, and there would be a small buffet. Adriana gladly agreed.

She wanted to continue her communication with Max, and this was a good reason to meet. Would you come? She asked. Yes, it will be my friend’s first solo exhibition.

Have you seen one of his works? I have to come and support him today. I can invite a friend. The girl wasn’t sure Betty would want to go to such an event, but she decided to ask in case someone would be interested in a free buffet and a chance to talk to a real artist.

Of course, the more people, the better. Can you invite all your friends? I don’t have anyone in this town but her. I’ll see you next week then.

Yeah, sure. Let’s exchange numbers. Then we can call each other beforehand, and I’ll pick you up in my car.

Adriana sat with her friend at her favorite pizza place. They ordered one large of irony for two and drinks. You’re such an ass, Betty exclaimed.

You’ve been scammed into another date. Got your phone number and almost found out what address you live at, and you still don’t get it. Don’t be silly.

He just invited me to his friend’s art opening. Yeah, sure. Snickered and friend…