17 Mister X.

Emily picked up the envelope and opened it. She could convince herself that it was a mistake and someone else forgot his or her thing here. But her name, written in beautiful handwriting, left no room for imagination.

Inside was one movie ticket for the afternoon session.

She looked at the numbers on the paper, then at her watch. It was almost an hour and a half before the start of the film. The cinema was on a nearby street, a five-minute walk from her house.

There was more than enough time to get ready. She could calmly finish drinking coffee, have breakfast, change clothes and go to the cinema.

Stop! Who even decided that she was going to go there?

The girl looked at the ticket again. There was no doubt that it was meant for her. Only one friend of hers (let's call him Mr. X) had such a creative fantasy.

So how did this Mr. X know that she would show up in the cafe right now? Because if she came later, the ticket would no longer be relevant.

She couldn't have come here today at all!

As Emily pondered this trick, her cup of coffee emptied imperceptibly. It didn't make sense to stay in the cafe anymore.

The girl got out from the table, nodded at the exit to the cheerful barista, and went home. She took the envelope and the ticket with her.

"Kindergarten games, really," she smiled, closing the door behind her. "And how did this come to mind?"

Emily went into the bedroom and opened the closet.

What's wrong with that, right? It's her closet - if she wants, she can open it, if she wants to close it - she closes it. Maybe it's time to check the wardrobe?

"Okay, this won't work. This is too short, this is long, this is gray," she began to sort through things. Most of them were bought during a relationship with Peter, so they were distinguished by restraint and severity.

Damn, doesn't she have one decent thing? Actually, everything was quite the opposite. All her things were too decent.

For some reason, today she wanted to wear something bright, beautiful. Pink or blue, like that turquoise swimsuit, she saw on Kelly yesterday.

Emily lifted her head and looked at the box on the topmost shelf. The girl put up a chair, took the box, and put it on the bed.

Her heart pounded with excitement. She took a few deep breaths and opened the box.

Neatly folded dresses lay under two layers of paper. Some were expensive silk evening gowns perfect for a gala dinner. Others were light and airy, made for walking in some warm Mediterranean town.

Actually, there they were bought once upon a time.

Emily pulled out a blue dress with a knee-length skirt and open shoulders. White flowers were embroidered along the hem. The outfit looked airy and romantic.

This will probably be too much, she thought. "He will probably decide that I dressed up on purpose to get his attention."

The girl sat down on the bed, pressed her dress to her chest, and buried her nose in the soft fabric.

The echoes of a perfume familiar from childhood filled her lungs. Emily closed her eyes.

...

"Mom, mom, you are so beautiful! Are you and dad going on a date?" a ten-year-old girl spun around a woman standing by the mirror.

"That's right, my joy. Mom and Dad will take a little walk together, and then we will pick you up from your grandmother and go to the cinema together! How do you like the idea?" the woman suggested.

"Great!" little Emily jumped up happily and clapped her hands, "Only I want a dress as beautiful as yours! No, I want this particular dress!" she jabbed a finger at her mother's attire.

"Ahaha dear, it's still big for you. But I promise, when you grow up a little, mom will give you this dress, agree?" the woman smiled and stroked her daughter's head.

Emily nodded, "Agree!"

...

The girl spun in front of the mirror and smiled at her reflection. Mom's dress fit Emily perfectly. Light makeup, soft curls - her image turned out to be very romantic as if she had been preparing for a long-awaited date all day.

"Damn, this is too much for going to the movies," she frowned. But Emily didn't want to take off her beautiful dress.

Her mother had amazing taste and manners. She was not shy about wearing bright outfits and attracting attention to herself. Emily was like that too. Once upon a time.

The girl patted herself on the cheeks, banishing sad thoughts about the past. "Let him think what he wants! I'm going to enjoy the movie, that's all! I am not going to waste this ticket in vain, right? So this is not a date!"

She put on her mid-heeled sandals, put her phone, cash, and ticket envelope into her clutch. After thinking for a few seconds, the girl took out her phone and turned it off.

What if Mr. X decides to call and find out whether she is there or not? Let him figure it out now. And she's going to watch a movie.

At the cinema, Emily bought a glass of popcorn and water. Despite lunchtime, the hall was half full. But to her surprise, the row she was sitting on was empty. The seats above and below her seat were also free.

"I feel like I'm in a nuclear exclusion zone," the girl chuckled. As if the people around subconsciously decided to sit further away.

Well, so be it. It's even better, she decided. No one will interfere with conversations and the rustling of chips.

Emily looked around. There was no sign of Mr. X's presence.

The lights in the hall went out, the first block of advertising began on the screen.

But both seats next to Emily were still empty.

The girl fiddled with the hem of her skirt. The funny shots from the new comedies did not give her the proper fun. Famous actors demonstrated their new roles, beckoning the watchers to visit the cinema again.

Emily began to feel that the air in the room had become cooler, and goosebumps ran down her shoulders.

"I probably shouldn't have put on this dress," a feeling of sadness fell on the girl. As if you accidentally got to someone else's holiday and feel like you do not belong here.

Emily scooped up a large handful of popcorn and stuffed it into her mouth, "To hell with everything! I came here to watch a movie!"

Right! Down with sadness and despondency! Who said it was a date? Is this how the boss motivates his employees to do a better job? Who knows what other crazy rules and traditions are maintained in Pharaoh?

At that moment a figure sank into the next chair. Emily squinted her eyes.

Justin was wearing a light shirt, but because of the darkness, the shade was not very clear. The hair was tousled, which created a kind of childish charm. And, of course, the trademark smile a la I-am-the-most-irresistible.

"Mr. Evans, is that you?" Emily feigned surprise as if she hadn't expected him at all.

"Were you expecting someone else? Kevin?" the man grinned and picked up popcorn in his palm, "Oh, caramel. It's my favorite!"

The girl shrugged her shoulders, "Well, I don't know… It could be some unfamiliar man who would stare at me with all his eyes and ask in shock, "Who are you? Where is my Emily?"

Evans laughed, nearly choking on the popcorn.

Emily smiled, "What would you do if I hadn't come? And how did you know when I would come to the cafe for coffee? I might not have come there at all."

Justin leaned over to the girl's ear, the man's breath touched her skin, "You had to be there at this time today. I felt it in my heart."

What? How did he feel it?

Emily opened a bottle of water and took a couple of sips. Why is it sometimes cold and stuffy in the hall? Are their air conditioners not working?

"Seriously, how?" her natural curiosity urgently demanded to solve this riddle.

"Shh."

Her cheek felt hot and ticklish, and all the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat.

"The movie is about to start," Justin winked, grabbed an extra popcorn, and stared at the screen with satisfaction.

Emily stared at the man's profile for ten seconds, then turned away and grabbed a cool bottle of water with her hand.

There was definitely something wrong with the air conditioning in this room.