**Secret Encounters**
After his divorce, Denis was on the huntor so he told his colleagues and friends. Eight years of marriage had ended bitterly, though he hadnt wanted it that way. His ex-wifes temper had been unbearable. At least there were no childrenshed refused to have any.
At thirty-six, Denis was in his primefit, broad-shouldered, with sharp features and a mysterious gaze. Hed had flings with women, even younger ones, but marriage wasnt on his mind. He ignored colleagues, thinking office romances were cliché. Besides, most of them were married.
«Ive got more sense than to get tangled up in that mess,» hed say over pints at the pub.
«Famous last words,» his mates would laugh. «You know how it goeslove sneaks up when you least expect it.»
Denis had been too sure of himself. Fate had other plans. Hed never forget the summer day a new colleague, Lada, joined the office. The day before, his friend Anton had mentioned, «Maxs wife is transferring here.»
Denis knew Maxdull as dishwater. «Bet his wifes just as boring,» hed thought, brushing it off.
Then Lada walked in. Denis was speechless. She was stunningand sharp-witted too. Within a week, he was counting the minutes until mornings just to see her. Evenings were spent alone, thinking of her.
«Shes perfect for me. If I suit her, shell notice me eventually. Her being married just means Ive got the upper hand. Besides, our roles mean well work closely. No one will suspect a thing.»
Another week passed. Lada seemed to like him. They joked, laughed, worked side by sidebut she talked too much about Max. Denis hated it.
«Is she hinting shes not interested, or does she actually love that dull husband of hers?»
Still, he hesitated to flirt openly. But when they were alonerarely, and never for longtension simmered. One day, with Anton gone, their heads nearly touching over paperwork, he caught her warm breath. Without thinking, he kissed her.
She pulled back, covering her lips. «Denis, please dont do that again.»
But she didnt storm off. A good sign.
«Sorry. Lost control,» he said, grinning.
She carried on as if nothing happened. By Friday, he dared to ask, «Can I call you this weekend?»
«No,» she said quickly, then softened. «Ill call you.»
He waited all Saturday, phone glued to his hand. Nothing. Sunday camestill no call.
«Even if Max is home, she could sneak a minute,» he fumed.
That evening, he caved and dialled. She answered instantly, whispering, «Dont call me. Ill»
Monday dawned earlywith Lada ringing at sunrise.
«Denis, are you busy? Can I come over?»
He sprang up, showered, brewed coffeeno time to drink it. At the door, her eyes said everything. He kissed her before she could speak.
Later, over coffee, she murmured, «Max leaves for work earlier than me.» Denis clenched his jaw. Why bring him up now?
«Your flats cosy,» she added. «And the coffees lovely.»
They arrived at work separately, just in time. No one batted an eyeexcept Anton. «Late start, mate?»
«Just one of those days,» Denis shrugged.
Their affair settled into a rhythmearly mornings, rare Saturdays when Max visited his parents countryside home. But Denis wanted more.
«Lada, divorce him. Marry me. This secrecy is killing me.»
«I cant.»
«Why?»
«Because I have a son. Eleven, fiercely independent. Thats how I slip awayhe gets himself to school.»
Denis froze. «You never mentioned him.»
«Would it have changed anything?»
«No. Id raise him as my own.»
«He has a father. Max would never allow it.»
The affair fizzled. Denis couldnt bear the half-liferising at dawn for stolen hours, loving a woman whod never be his. He ended it.
Lada left for good. Later, he met another womanfree, but not the same. Hed loved Lada wildly, recklessly. Now he chose peace.
Some loves burn bright but arent meant to last. And sometimes, walking away is the only way to keep your heart from turning to ash.
