66 Talking to One, Thinking About the Other

His mother should see him happy. She should be able to sit his child on her lap. But if Damian marries solely for her sake, he will hurt not only himself, but more importantly, Justyna and the child that may come from their union.

“What's going on there? I don't think it's Mom?”

Radosz turned his head toward the woman speaking. Danusia, who had just come in, was pale with fear.

“No, it's her neighbor” he explained.

“Oh, God...!”

Justyna stood right behind her, equally anxious and pale. Beautiful and good, too good for Damian to look at without feeling ashamed.

He lowered his head.

“Damian, are you all right?” Justyna asked quietly. “You didn't sleep well that night and you had no appetite...”

“I'm fine," he said. “Don't worry about me. I have had a few stressful, intense days, but once Mom gets out of the hospital everything will be fine. It's already better when I see her getting better.”

“And the set of the show?” His fiancée asked. “Doesn't it need you to look after it? You said there was an accident...”

“An accident?” Danusia, who had been watching carefully what was going on behind the doors of the ICU, suddenly became interested. “Was there an accident on the set of the TV series?”

“No big deal," Radosz assured her. “Because of the heat, an employee fainted on the set and fell from a height, but he was protected, so nothing serious happened.”

Damian remembered that scene, the moment when Rafał inertly started to fall and the moment when Radosz grabbed him in his arms. Damian trembled. Even then he had that beautiful male body in his arms.

His heart rumbled in Radosz's chest and something moved visibly between his legs.

Damn! In a hospital, under such circumstances at the mere mention of the touch of Brylski's skin...

“Is everything okay with this person? Was it nothing serious?” Danusia asked.

“Everything is fine” he assured. “People were just a bit shocked, so I stayed on the set longer than I had planned. Now everyone is much more attentive.”

Although Radosz assured his sister-in-law that everything was fine, he himself was not so convinced. Rafał was a very sensitive young man, very subtle and innocent. Who knows what he imagines after his partner doesn't speak to him at all after his first sex. Maybe Damian should call him?

Only won't that way suggest to Brylski that Radosz wants to have a more intimate relationship with him?

Damn! After all, Damian himself had suggested that they meet for casual sex! Without a second thought, he dropped the suggestion, which was now weighing so heavily on his mind... and at the same time was a damn temptation.

“I think you should go back to the film set” Danusia said suddenly surprising him. “You know that host’s eye is fattening the horse.”

“Yes, but mom...”

“Mom's glad you're here, that you're with her and caring for her, but she'll feel bad that you're neglecting your job because of her.”

“Maybe... maybe you're right...”

She certainly had one. After all, his mother was already sending him to work. Chronic illness is not something you can wait until it's over and then move on with your life. With an illness like this, you have to live despite the illness of someone close to you. You have to work and earn a living. That is the nature of things.

“I think so too," said Justyna. “I'm not saying that you should go right now. I'm sure Mom will be happy if you stay with her little longer, but you should think about coming back to the set.”

Yes, maybe, but that would also mean that he would meet Rafał face to face.

***

Second day on set without Damian's presence...

Rafal Brylski was tired after a sleepless night and the stress of being blackmailed by Tomek, but the events of the morning gave him a huge adrenaline rush and although the day was not easy, it was fruitful.

The shoot ended late in the evening, but in the early afternoon Rafał had a chance to have a little nap in his trailer, so the second part of the shooting day went even better than the first one.

It was also thanks to the support of Marzena Skierska, who apparently after the morning adventure found Rafał interesting enough to show him more interest and support. Since she was bold, energetic and already had a certain reputation, the fact that she approached Rafał did not escape the attention of others on the set either. Brylski was again met with a certain amount of favor. With more even than the day before.

The growing acceptance Brylski was now encountering made his heart feel better and better and his lips themselves began to form a natural, contented smile.

This smile began to attract more and more intense attention from the set workers.

Różycki did not say a single negative word about Rafał that day. He only looked at him with a strange look, which made Brylski feel uncomfortable, although he could not say why. There was simply something in Różycki's gaze that bothered him. Something that made him shiver and made him avoid the director more than before.

Therefore Rafał welcomed the end of the working day and the fact that tomorrow was Sunday with relief. He was surprised to see Marzena, who suggested that they go to dinner together.

“Together?” Brylski was surprised. “Do you mean only you and I or someone else with us?”

“The two of us", she answered boldly and a little flirtatiously, which confused Brylski even more. “We've been working together for a few weeks now and I still haven't had a chance to talk to you more privately and get to know you better. Not counting, of course, this morning…”

“But...”

“Partners on set should get to know each other better in private," she announced, "so they can have a better understanding of each other. Who knows, maybe I'll give you some tips on how to work as an actor? Maybe you have some questions?”

Thanks to the afternoon nap Rafał was not so tired and he thought it would be rude to refuse his older colleague, especially after she had saved him from trouble in the morning.

“Actually, for this morning's favor I owe you at least dinner” he announced. “And since we don't have work tomorrow, I guess I can entertain you a little... I mean, I'd be honored if you'd dedicate your evening to me.”

Marzena giggled.

“You're cute," she said.

Rafał wanted to take her to an elegant restaurant, but discovered that there was no such restaurant in the city. After all, it was not a gigantic agglomeration, but a small town in the countryside.

His friend herself suggested that they go to a pizzeria, which was located near their hotel. Although she had to watch her diet every day, once a week she allowed herself something more caloric and tasty and this was the day and she wanted a little bit of stringy cheese on soft dough and delicious vegetables with tomato sauce.

Rafał didn't have food restrictions yet. Maybe if he had an agent, things would be different, but he was still practically an unattached amateur and he got this engagement looking like this, so as long as he didn't start gaining weight, he didn't have to go on a diet.

The place was almost full, but neither he nor Marzena Skierska caused a sensation. They were both just beginning their careers, and their daily appearance was far different from what people saw on television, so their privacy was safe. So they could eat, talk and drink beer in peace.

Yes, drink beer, because Marzena turned out to be a lover of this drink. Looking at the bright, amber liquid in the mug, Rafal remembered the evening when he had gone for a beer with Damian and when, under the influence of adrenaline, amid the sound of falling rain and raging wind, he had kissed him…