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

It’s not like you’re inviting them for inspiration. I prefer other sources of inspiration. The guy handed Betty a glass of wine.

The girl accepted it and prepared it. The wine was fruity, very tasty. Ethan, he sat down next to her and chugged his glass lightly with the ocean.

The guy relaxed, leaned back on the back of the couch and sipped his wine, looking intently at the girl that defiantly she asked him, trying to hide the I thought I understood those artists who are inspired by a woman’s beauty. He suddenly moved closer to the girl. Betty looked into his eyes and felt her heart begin to beat faster.

Not that she didn’t understand how such invitations to come over for tea, much less a glass of wine, usually ended. To be honest, Betty didn’t mind this development. Ethan was very handsome after all.

But now was the moment when she had to decide whether to refuse tactfully, get up and leave or let things go. The girl closed her eyes and felt a warmth touch her lips, flavored with wine. When Ethan woke up, Betty was already getting dressed.

The guy stood up and helped her reach the zipper of the dress in the back. Afterward, he leaned over and gently kissed the girl’s naked shoulder. When are you going to be free? Betty next freed herself from his arms, fixed her hair and turned around.

I think we should stop now. You’re a nice guy. But that’s not what I expect from a relationship with a man.

I thought we liked each other. Yes, our relationship got off to a bit of a bad start. But I don’t want to build a relationship on emotions and feelings alone.

Emotions were a little unreliable from Betty’s point of view. She remembered the fondness they had for each other, her parents, how her father constantly professed his love for her mother and gave her bouquets. But that didn’t stop him from having a mistress and then leaving the family.

When Betty turned 11 during the divorce, he demanded to divide a cozy three-room apartment in which with such love and care her mother made repairs, selected wallpaper, furniture, curtains, and other small things. After the exchange, they ended up in a neglected two-bedroom where a couple of Alkys used to live. Betty still remembered how they spent a week just to clean their new place of residence.

It had been a long time since the girl had been able to call her new apartment home, and the pain of her father’s betrayal still lingered in the back of her mind. And Betty swore to herself that she would not build her family on such a shaky foundation as love. I have other plans.

Sorry. She picked up her purse from the table and headed for the exit. After a while, the guy heard the door slam.

Ethan’s first impulse was to hold her back, but he was immediately overcome with both resentment toward Betty and disgust at himself. Girls who judged men by their status and wealth had always made him squeamish, but now he had fallen in love with one of them, and so much so that he was willing to forgive her anything. But what did she have to do with you? He asked himself.

You’re a fool, Ethan. There are tons of them around. Take your pick.

His gaze fell on the blank canvases against the wall. He had two ways in his life to discharge the accumulated emotions. To keep them inside, he had no strength to go to a nightclub or to paint.

Clubs weren’t working right now, so that left the second option. The guy rummaged through the dresser, pulling out old sweatpants and a T-shirt. He got dressed, put a box of paints in front of a blank canvas, and froze with a brush in his hands.

He closed his eyes, trying to more accurately visualize the elusive image that had arisen in his head. Adriana was well aware that locking Max’s phone was not enough. The guy knew where she lived, so the girl decided to leave before the beginning of the next semester to her hometown to her parents.

She packed all the necessary things, called Betty to warn about her departure, and went to the train station. She bought the tickets right there. On the train, Adriana thought about how her parents would take the news of her situation.

They were simple and somewhat conservative people. For them, the pregnancy of an unmarried daughter could be a blow. The girl pondered over how to tell Malmo about her situation gently, but she couldn’t think of anything.

The train pulled up to the station, and Adriana stepped onto the platform. Here she was met by her father. He helped her carry her suitcase to the car.

As soon as she got into the old Lada, she immediately felt at home. Where’s mom? Adriana asked. Decided she’d rather stay and set herself up some pastries.

Dad started the car. Something must have happened for you to come back so suddenly. The coffee shop where I was working closed down.

I couldn’t find a new place. I thought I might spend the rest of the summer in my hometown. It was the right thing to do.

Your mother got really upset when you said you weren’t coming back for winter vacation. The last time was a year ago. She really missed you.

Did I miss you too? Very much. Twenty minutes later they were home. Oh, Adriana, we’re so glad you’re back, aren’t we? Her mother shook her arms and hugged her.

Me too. Adriana snatched her mother with her hands and felt the defense in her eyes as the women pulled away. Come on, get undressed.

We hands and pass. I’m here pies and staples your favorite with cherries. Dad has already told.

Smile the girl. Naturally, the treats were not limited to pies. Adriana was poured a plate of dark red thick borscht with a big spoonful of country sour cream.

For the second was a huge fried potatoes, satchcom and mushrooms. A to T. In addition to the promised pies, two kinds of two carcasses with cottage cheese and stew. In the evening, her mother helped the girl to arrange her things.

Adriana hesitated but realized that she could not and put off this conversation for long. Mom, I wanted to tell you something. Just don’t worry.

The woman put her hand to her chest, sat down on the bed. That’s the kind of warning that makes me worry the most. Do you owe anyone money? Sam’s neighbor’s son borrowed some money and couldn’t pay it back.

So his parents got a visit from those adjusters. They must be the debt collectors. No, mom, I don’t know anybody anything.

This is a different me. I told my mother Sam’s story, and she forgot what she wanted to say. Anyway, pregnant.

I’m like this. Adriana sat next to her mother on the bed in the usual way everyone gets pregnant. How come daughter and the Institute? The girl thought that they would start asking about the father of the child.

But the first thing that worried the woman was Lenina’s studies. What to do with him now? Nothing. I’ll take him as one.

Or can I transfer to a correspondence course? Or the girl’s side doomed to have an abortion? The term still allows. What abortion? You’re crazy. Shriek the mother and covered her mouth with her hand, cowering at the closed door, behind which in the living room, father was watching soccer on TV.

You have to have a baby. If that’s the way it is. The woman went to the door, looked out, made sure her husband was so engrossed in the match that he couldn’t hear anything around him and returned to Rick.

Who’s the father of the baby? He’s a nice guy, though. No father. Well, he doesn’t know, and I’m not going to tell him.

He’ll want an abortion for sure. Oh, my daughter. That’s the situation.

But don’t worry. We’ll help you with everything. The woman put her arm around her daughter’s shoulders.

You just don’t tell him yet because he’s a man with a temper. I’ll think of a better way to tell him. Adriana warmed and relaxed in her mother’s embrace.

She snuggled up to her mom, resting her head on her shoulder. Mom, I missed you so much. I missed you so much.

Her mother soothingly stroke the girl’s back. The new order from the website arrived just in time. Betty was running out of money.

Tonight, she had to escort her regular client to some anniversary party. The theme of the evening was the sea. That’s why Betty chose a dress with blue and turquoise stitched on it.

She complimented it with a pearl garniture. Today, she did not collect her hair in a hairstyle, but made it large, soft, localized, completed the image of a mermaid makeup blue with green shadows and glitter. The girl came down to the waiting car 10 minutes later than the agreed time.

Here at last, and my Michelle joyfully met her full of cotton candy. Already a novice from the network, a man in his 50s. Jack, you know very well that girls need a lot more time to get ready.

Shook her dark copper main Betty. I’m not judging. The man put his arm around her, wiped her down and escorted her to her car.

We can’t be too late for tonight. The banquet will be held on the ship. While the driver drove the car lively at the evening face to the pier.

Jack told Betty details about the upcoming event. Today is the anniversary of my old buddy, Benjamin. He owns a chain of business centers and several hotels.

He runs the business centers himself. He’s kind of handed the hotel business over to his son. Benjamin likes exotic things.

So don’t be surprised. Every birthday guests have a surprise. Last time they brought a real elephant and a couple of circus lions to the banquet.

This year, it’s a nautical theme. I don’t know what we can expect today. I don’t think it will be limited to one ship.

The guests were greeted by the staff on the rowdy old Russian costumes. A string quartet accompanied by Betty was already performing on the open deck. Jack came up to congratulate the Jubilee and also said hello to a few acquaintances.

Afterward, he let the girl go free saying that he had something to discuss with his business partners. Betty went to the magic tables that were bursting with caviar, fish appetizers, oysters, and other seafood. Actually, food was her main entertainment at such events.

Everyone was well aware of the real status of young granddaughters and nieces under aging men. Sometimes she caught interested glances, but getting acquainted and flirting with someone was the epitome of customer time. Betty found it unacceptable the quality of service allowed her to retain some dignity.

I didn’t expect to meet the beautiful mermaid on this ship today. Betty flinched when she heard a familiar voice. The girl turned around in a panic and met Ethan’s gaze.

He was thoroughly primped today, dressed in a dark blue shirt, a strict white suit and shoes that had been cleaned to a shine. If she hadn’t heard him at first and seen him, she probably wouldn’t have recognized him right away. So different was his appearance now from the image of the artist to which Betty was accustomed.

What are you doing here? Same as you. Going to eat casually, the guy replied and began to pile delicacies onto his plate. That’s not what I’m asking.

You’re asking about how a poor artist could end up at an event like this. I have sponsors too, Ethan grinned. Not as many as you though, Betty frowned.

I’m in no mood to be lectured by you. I thought we decided everything the last time. You’re the only one who’s decided.

All my efforts to build a relationship turned out to be nothing before your plans to find a successful man. Now I see how you’re going about it. This coming from someone who uses deception.

To meet girls, a girl has lowered one eyebrow. I’m not using deception, just adjusting to the situation. The guy put shrimp in his mouth.

Oh, that’s what they call it now. Okay, let’s not talk about that. I wanted to talk to you because last time you never let me have my say.

Why? It’s not gonna change anything. How do you know? Maybe we should give each other another chance. No, Ethan, I’ve already explained what I want.

And you’re not the right guy for me. You’re going down the wrong path. Where’s the guarantee that marrying someone rich will make you happy? Happiness is different for everyone.

My happiness is living without needing money. I think you’re trying to fool yourself. Betty couldn’t continue this painful conversation and thought of nothing better to do than run to the bathroom.

I’m sorry, I need to step away. She sat in the stall for about five minutes trying to regain her senses. Betty didn’t want to admit that Ethan wasn’t just attracted to her, but had a much stronger hold on her.

The morning after the first night, she realized that she had made a mistake in thinking she could give this relationship a chance in the format of easy, non-burdensome encounters. The claw had gotten stuck and the whole bird was lost. As her grandmother used to say, Betty didn’t want to get bogged down in a futile relationship with a young artist, missing a good opportunity.

While she was still young, when the girl returned to the Ethan Hall, she could no longer see the lights dimmed there. And the solemn part of the event began. On the small, brightly colored sacred stage came the announcer.

Betty felt someone touch her elbow. It turned out to be Jack. In one hand, he held a glass of champagne, and with the other he put his arm around the girl’s waist.

She sighed. It would be nice if to Ethan’s looks she could add financial security to Jack, who had a network of car dealerships. Such a thing was only possible in soap operas.

It was the only thing she could do. I grinned at my thoughts, girl. After a small musical introduction, the host announced, and the first to congratulate I invite the son of our jubilee.

There was a round of applause. A young man in a dazzling white suit came on stage. Betty stood there in shock.

Don’t believe it. It was Ethan. The girl couldn’t understand how an artist could be the son of a big businessman.

It appeared that he hadn’t lied during their first meeting at the club. Here’s Ethan. I’ve told you about him before, Jack whispered in her ear.

The only hair and the groom. The banquet was nearing its end. The boat has long since returned to the pier, and the guests began to leave.

When Betty and Jack approached the waiting car, the man bowed gallantly and kissed the girl’s hand. Michael, thank you for once again gracing my evening. Would you like to continue our conversation in a more intimate setting? Jack, I’m sorry.

I can’t tonight. I’m sorry. By refusing, Betty risked losing a loyal customer, but her mood tonight was in no mood for such a continuation.

It’s all right. The man patted her arm comfortingly. I understand.

Let Alex and I take you home. When the car was almost to Betty’s house, she asked him to stop. You can drop me off here.

I want to get some fresh air. Are you sure, Michaelia? Don’t worry, Jack. It’s just a short walk from my house.

I’ve had too much to drink. I want to air it out. The girl said goodbye to the client, threw on her shoulders a light shawl, which almost is not warm, and walked along the embankment.

Suddenly, a car breaks sharply beside her, and the girl involuntarily looked at it. It was a silver Porsche. Ethan was in the driver’s seat.

Why are you following me, wanting to make fun of how one foolish girl was lucky enough to meet a rich guy? She blew that chance by taking him for a popper. Go ahead. Betty turned away and walked forward.

The car moved very slowly behind her. No, I didn’t mean to make fun of you at all. The girl was walking on the Porsche.

The turtle. The speed followed her. It all resembled a scene from some cheap melodrama.

Finally, Betty stopped and turned around to Ethan, folding her arms across her chest. The guy got out of the car and came closer. So what are you, a businessman or an artist squinting? Looked up at him.

Ethan hesitated and laughed. We have to pick one or the other. If that’s the case, I guess I’m a businessman, and painting is a hobby.

That’s the deal I made with my father. I take over part of the family business, but what I do in my spare time, he stays out of it. He and I had a huge fight when instead of applying to economics, I ran away and applied to the art academy.

We didn’t speak for five years, and he deprived me of my content. He kept waiting for me to come running to him. I didn’t.

Ethan chuckled. It was hard, but I finished the academy. And then.

And then, apparently, my mother managed to talk him down, and he offered this compromise. This car is yours. Betty suddenly asked, nodding at the supercar.

No, it’s a rental again. Ethan pulled the plastic card from his inside jacket pocket. I’m a member of the VIP car club…