27

I think this news almost broke Cornelius.

He went down for a couple of days, we didn't even know what to do.

— Darek, what time is it?—I asked Dariusz in a whisper when I noticed that he had looked into our room.

Darek beckoned with his finger and I went out into the hallway.

— Adrianna, when was the last time you slept?—Darek asked.— We need to open the club in the evening, and now we need to go to several addresses, invite singers to today's opening. Cornelius has one Polish singer, a band from Sweden, as well as "Prior A". I'm going to talk to the group.— Dariusz smiled with a smile like "you have no way out."— And you've been looking at his poster for a long time... I'll give you the address.—

— Adrianna...—Cornelius called me and the two of us ran into the room.

— Neil B., how are you?I asked.

— It's fine... I'll be fine later... I'm sorry for making you worry. I promise that stress won't knock me off my feet anymore...—Cornelius wrapped himself in a blanket like a toga and sat up on the bed.—I'm coming with you, Adrianna. I don't want to let you go to the Swedes alone.—

— No, she's going to Prior A.—Darek said, pleased.—I'm afraid of him...— he suddenly confessed.

— You? Are you afraid? Darek, don't talk nonsense. I don't believe you're afraid of him...—Cornelius stretched out his incredibly long legs on the bed.— I'm afraid to let you go to him... He's beautiful...—

— Cornelius, are you a fool?—I say indignantly.— I never fall for pretty faces. Except for one time when your beautiful face fell into my heart.—

I hug Cornelius to me, he laughs.

— Go already! But keep your phone in the capture zone to call me!—

***

I took the bus to the address that Dariusz gave me.

I think I'll never take a taxi in my life...

When I approached the dark purple building that Prior A rented, I was mentally surprised by its wonderful taste and - which is very strange and a little creepy!— the strong similarity of his taste to mine.

A beautiful combination - green furniture, dark green carpets, purple walls...

The corridor was open here, apparently, anyone was waiting in the hallway...

I froze in front of the console in considerable perplexity.

Not a single designation!

Maybe this remote control is a toy...

I pulled the door handle and the alarm buzzed loudly.

I closed my eyes. It seems that this alarm even made my teeth ache...

from above, perhaps from the top of this door or from somewhere nearby, a yellow "post-it" note fell out.

"If the one who came here to me, poke a tiny purple button with your finger, maybe something will work out..."

The message on the sticky note ended with a winking smiley face.

I smiled and pressed the button.

The door pushed slightly and opened with a hiss.

I looked around for some kind of trick and went in.

There was also a corridor beyond.

My ear caught the music. It's probably music, although I think someone else would not have mistaken it for music...

The sounds of a xylophone, sometimes turning from gentle ringing to sharp metallic sounds, the noise of machinery, music...

The light in the corridor was a little muted, but it increased with the approach.

I saw a small but beautiful hall. The light music burned my eyes a little and partially disoriented me in space.

The first thing that caught my eye was that guy from the poster, he was singing on this small stage. Apparently, he was warming up, because there was only one spectator here.

I only glanced at the man in the black raincoat with the hood for a second.

He immediately turned off the music and left.

— Hello.—The guy sat on the edge of the stage and turned off the lights.— Maybe it will be a strange question, but who are you?—

— I'm from Cyanide Love. I came on behalf of Cornelius Kaminski.—I said.

Brown eyes with some strange sparkles, shimmering, looked at me... Damn it, how can there be such eyes in nature?

— I understand you have a badge on your jacket... I wanted to know your name and nothing more...— He said, smiling.

— Adrianna Novakovska. I hope I can find out yours then. I don't feel like calling you "Prior A." It sounds like Optimus Prime...—I stopped my sentence abruptly.

Damn it, Ed, what's going on with you? I was mentally angry with myself.

— I thought it would be clear that Pryor is my last name. I'm Adrian Prior.—

I almost laughed.

— How strange! We are namesakes... I have a contract with me, study it, we will discuss the problems.— I switched to the usual office tone.

— No, no... Not in such an environment... Let's go to the kitchen, personally I'm hungry after such a long chant...—

***

I was kind of uncomfortable in his kitchen.

Here, as in many of the rooms I saw when I walked down the hall, there was also a giant TV.

I stared in horror at the hamburger that landed on the plate in front of me.

— Mr. Prior, do you eat only fast food?—I asked, looking at the hamburger and wondering if I should try it.

— I don't have time right now and, by the way, I always cook the food I eat myself! And call me Adrian, Mr. Prior is my father!—Adrian bit into his hamburger.

Haha, he eats like an animal! But it's so sweet...

— Isn't Cornelius afraid to let his girlfriend/bride/wife go alone?—Adrian asked, licking his fingers.

— He knows that I have to give change.— I bit into my hamburger and the sauce stained my lips.— I know how to stand up for myself from an early age...—

And Adrian's sauce went everywhere!

I was mentally glad that the contract was in a waterproof folder.

But how delicious it turned out to be...

— You can cook delicious food!—I said when I had finished.

— Yeah, sometimes I get an obsession...—Adrian wiped his hands and signed the contract.— Here you go... —

— Do you always sign documents so calmly without even looking at them?—I asked.

— I can see from you that the club is good. When should I arrive?—Adrian took out an ice—cold coke.

— By the middle of the day.—I took the other bottle that Adrian handed me.

— Are you leaving already? Won't you stay and listen to me? Or have you already heard me?—Adrian asked.— And drink a Coke. It's obvious from your sleepy appearance that you just need to cheer up. Does your boyfriend keep you awake?—

— I don't like to answer such questions! Well, I'll stay, I want to hear a couple of your songs.—I said.

I feel a strange wave of calmness. At first I was uneasy, but now... Now it's easy and pleasant to be with him, like with someone close.

— Adrian, how old are you?—I ask.

— Thirty-three, like Jesus, why?—Prior smiled, plugging in the equipment.

— Hmm, how strange... I also recently turned thirty-three...—I whispered to myself.

For a second, I thought Adrian had heard me. Or did he really hear it? Hmm, how strange!

This time he did not turn on the light music.

Turning on the microphone, Adrian began to sing.

His voice enveloped me. Pleasant, even somewhat fascinating.

Adrian's eyes suddenly changed color. And again.

I kept thinking about those eyes as I drove home.

What's wrong with them? Why does he seem like a family to me?

***

When I came back to the club, Cornelius was already walking in the hall.

— Has something happened?— I went to my beloved.— You're still very pale, you obviously need bed rest!—

— No, I'm fine, everything's fine, just a little scared, that's why you're pale.—Cornelius leaned over and... sniffed at me?— A hamburger with a pear? Hmm, is our food that bad?—

I laughed at his actions.

— Cornelius, if you only knew how strange you look right now!—I said.

— I've always had a good nose, and after... well, after the appearance of my oddities, all my senses sharpened. Come with me to my office. Darek is already there, but I don't found Ryan.—

I froze.

— Now. I'll try to look for him. I'll be quick, Cornelius, honestly.—I said, and immediately ran away.

A couple of times Ryan came home in a strange state and hid in unusual places.

I often found him.