Under mysterious circumstances.

Egor.

No, I can't take this anymore. The routine. The same thing every day. She even starts fights using the same script. I'm sick of it. I feel myself growing cold towards her. How many families have fallen apart for similar reasons. Even the positions are the same. To hell with it. I've wanted to move to another city for a long time. To say 'fuck it all' and start living from scratch. The conversation was tough. She even threw a hysterical fit, same old script. I packed my things and left. A job was already waiting for me in that city. And girls.

Olya.

It's for the best. Good riddance. I felt sad and hurt. My heart ached as if a piece had been torn out. Out of inertia, I went to work, spent the rest of the day alone at home. My girlfriends tried to

drag me out to have some fun, but I refused.

Egor.

I'm posting photos from the new life... At parties, with girls. Experiencing the new city from a different angle. It's even interesting. It's not much different from the old city, but the atmosphere is different.

Olya.

A new life, huh? Switched gears pretty fast. I deleted my account so I wouldn't see anything. Tears choked me like a lump in my throat. I need to erase him from my heart, like he did. But love can't just disappear that quickly... I need to act. I'll go to him. Maybe he's just confused. My friends tried to talk me out of it, but I stood my ground. I was full of determination. I took the train to his city, then called a taxi. But where to go... I called his old job, they told me the name of the firm he transferred to. The taxi took me to the address. It was already evening. Security wouldn't let me into the building. Some guy came out of the building, and I asked him about Egor. He said he works at the same firm, but he's not there right now. I got upset and left.

Stranger.

I saw a girl walking slowly. Even from her gait, you could tell she was upset. Having studied girls for so long, one thing is clear—relationship problems. I slowly followed her at a distance so I wouldn't be noticed, as I'm used to and love to do. No one expects my appearance. And here she is. Sat down on a bench. How I ended up next to her on the bench—let that remain a mystery to her. She's staring into the distance, and tears are streaming down her cheek. Either pain or despair.

— Do you want him to come back?" — my low, slightly hoarse voice sounded, unexpectedly for her. She flinched.

— How? Where from...? You scared me. What are you talking about?

She scooted a little further away, being cautious. I casually crossed my legs. Smirked.

— Your look speaks for itself: 'What should I do to get him back?'

Olya.

I got up from the bench and walked over to the pond.

— I don't know where to look for him.

I walked slowly through the park. Didn't notice I had stepped off the sidewalk onto the roadway. I hear a car horn.

Stranger.

I'm following her. I see her stepping onto the road. Idiot. I grab her the moment the car horn sounds. Pull her back onto the sidewalk.

Olya.

It was like I was snapped out of hypnosis. My heart started pounding so fast it was trying to jump out of my chest. I looked at the guy with frightened eyes and couldn't think straight.

Stranger.

I take her hand and lead her. The girl is scared. She probably realized what could have happened.

We sat on the nearest bench.

— Tell me.

She looks at me silently. I probably look suspicious. Well, everyone reacts to me like that.

— Let me start for you... We had feelings, we broke up, he left, I want him back.

She was holding back tears. Her lips were trembling. She nodded. I look ahead, but I can feel her gaze from the corner of my eye. I light a cigarette. I speak to her, but as if reasoning with myself.

— What do you know about him?

— I went to his work, but missed him.

— You saw the work schedule, right? So you already know when he finishes. You could meet him there, but that's inappropriate. Think about it: his colleagues will see you, you won't be able to hold back your emotions and will tell him everything. Everyone will think you're crazy.

She nodded, agreeing with my reasoning.

— I need to find out his address. Maybe... Although... They won't give me that information at his work.

— Then look at his photos on social media. Deleted your account? Well, try through Google. Found it? Let me see. Hmm, this is from the club 'Dark Night.' That's another one, a kilometer from the first. This one is also nearby. Conclusion? He lives roughly in this area. Not many buildings there—I'll check the sites—Well, he probably lives in one of these buildings.

I hand her my phone. How easy it is to track someone nowadays. Primitive creatures.

Olya.

I looked at him and listened carefully. A spark of hope appeared in my eyes.

— You've been a huge help. Thank you so much. I'll go there right now!

I ran towards the road to catch a taxi.

Stranger.

Sitting on the bench, I waved my hand. Well, well... Women are strange folk. I'll time how long it takes before we meet again.

Olya.

I catch a taxi and go to the address. I stand among the buildings, looking at the courtyard and the entrance doors. One of the doors opens. It's him. I almost choked. Quickly hid behind a car. He wasn't alone. They were laughing and kissing. Got into a car and drove off. I sat by a stranger's car for a long time, coming to my senses. Is everything really lost... Did he really fall out of love so quickly and find a replacement for me... I have to try to get him back. I have to fight for him. But I had no idea where to start. I'll spend the night in a hotel. In the morning, I went back to his workplace. Stood there. Remembered that guy's words. No, I can't be here. I leave.

Egor.

Fucking awesome... One bitch today, another tomorrow. Don't have to worry about whether she came or not. Didn't finish? Don't give a fuck. Won't hear: "I want to too," like with that one. You want to? Then go fuck someone else. I just need to get off.

Olya.

I went to the park, thinking about my next steps. Zero ideas again. I'm walking along the sidewalk by the road.

Stranger.

It's her again. Took a bit longer than I expected.

— So, your plan didn't work out?" — she flinched when my voice sounded from the side — "Saw him, and he was with another?" — I smiled so it wasn't clear if I was mocking or not — "Why are you looking so scared?

— What's with your manners? Appearing out of nowhere and scaring people.

— Being afraid is unreasonable.

It's so amusing to watch her. Cute face, fear in her eyes.

Olya.

— I'm in an unfamiliar city. Of course I'm cautious. And you keep appearing like a ghost.

I walked slowly, with no particular goal. He smiled at the comparison.

— You need to unwind. Chase away your thoughts. Let's go, you'll distract yourself a bit." Without asking, he stops a taxi and tells the driver where to go. Puts me in the back seat, sits next to me.

— So where are we going?

I'm scared myself. Why is he even bothering with me? Doesn't he have his own business? Strange guy.

Stranger.

I can tell from her look she has too many questions. And why does she need answers? I point to the road.

— Look! Admire the view of the lit-up roads. The flow of cars. The city seems to live a night life.

— Yes, it's beautiful," she said with a note of sadness and leaned her forehead against the window.

I stay silent. Let her admire. We approach a park. I get out and offer her my hand. She looks at it warily, takes my hand. I lead her into the park. A huge Ferris wheel is in front of us.

Olya.

I follow him without asking questions. I look around from the height. How beautiful.

— Look! The cars move like blood through a person's living arteries. Just lights. Look how the park is lit from above. That's the district where your guy lives.

My heart twinged at the mention of him.

— I need to see him! I just don't know where or how.

Stranger.

— Stand up. Look at the city. Beautiful," I said this quietly and calmly, running my fingertips over her arms, making her shiver — "Millions of lives, hundreds of thousands of cars. Millions of lights. Mesmerizing, isn't it? Even from afar they evoke emotions. You were right next to each other and couldn't create emotional swings. Why are you looking at me like that? Or do you want to argue that the reason for your breakup wasn't that?" — my voice sounded hypnotic.

And only when my fingers touched her did she shudder. Maybe not just from fear.

Olya.

I seriously thought about his words. There was deep meaning in them. But I felt conflicted. I want revenge, to make him jealous, maybe then he'll understand the scale of his loss.

— I have to see him. He can't just trample on my feelings.

— I see you're determined. But is he worth your nerves? What do you want right now?" — he smiled.

— Today is Saturday. Maybe he's in one of those clubs. I need to go there.

We got off the Ferris wheel, and I ran to catch a taxi.

Stranger.

The girl has 'activated.' Amusing. She wants to make the guy jealous, and she'll ask me to play along. But how could I know in advance? I didn't notice I was smiling at my own thoughts.

Olya.

A taxi stopped, and I hesitated. Turned around. The guy is standing not far away, looking at me.

— I need your help," I said shyly — "I can't do it without you.

He smiled and nodded. We got into the taxi in the back seat.

— How can I help? If he sees us together, he'll misunderstand, won't there be a scene? I suggest something else. If you're interested in my opinion, of course," he offers in a serious tone.

I exhaled and laid out my plan.

— I need you to help make him jealous. What's your idea?

— I'll need your panties.

I was shocked by his request, my eyes widened.

— What? What for?!

— It's simple. You'll hang them on his door handle. Imagine: he comes home with some girl, and an unpleasant little surprise is waiting for her on the door. Will she be in the mood for sex? And it'll put him in an awkward position.

— Yes. But I want to catch him at the club now.

— Excellent, we'll do that. But hang them first. If nothing works out at the club, it'll be an interesting bonus from you. Just imagine his emotions," he said with a smile.

We arrived at his building. I asked him to stay in the car and wait. I approached the entrance door. Intercom. Damn... Some woman came out, and I quickly ran inside. Knocked on a random door and asked about the apartment where Egor had recently moved in. They didn't know. Knocked on another door one floor up. They told me to go up two more floors and find the door on the left. I find it. Leaned my back against it. Try to calm down. I take off my panties from under my dress and hang them on the door handle. Return.

— Now let's go to the club.

The club was pretty crowded.

— Oles? No. Probably, you're Olya. That name suits you better. How should I act when you see him?

I glanced at the guy and the room and jumped aside, hiding behind his back.

— That's him. He's here.

Stranger.

I took her by the waist, led her towards the bar.

— Aren't you ashamed of using a stranger for your own purposes? Tut-tut-tut," I say in a cooing voice.

From the outside, we look like a couple in love.

— Wait. I'm not ready.

She turned to leave, but I held her and led her further. Some energetic music is playing. Don't even know the genre. Too many of them nowadays. And I'm considered old-fashioned. But I have to be in the know, what's it called... In trend, I think. So as not to stand out from the crowd. Noblesse oblige... Position demands it. An active dance, we press against each other. She's awkward at it because her thoughts are on her ex. My hands touch her body. She didn't even notice. And I took advantage. Well, what of it...

— If you're looking for him, he's to your right," I said unexpectedly.

I grab her, we do a half-turn, she froze. Apparently their eyes met.

Olya.

I instantly turned away from his gaze. Couldn't make another move. Well, I'm the one who wanted to get him back and make him jealous. Too late to back out. Awkwardly moved my foot and fell on my butt. The guy picked me up in his arms. Pulled down the hem of my dress.

— They could have seen your panties. Or rather, the fact that you're not wearing any.

He spun me around in his arms to the music. I hold onto his neck, look into his eyes. For a minute, I forgot about everything. Then I came to my senses and got off his arms. Apologized and went to the lobby. Egor ran out after me.

Stranger.

Bring me popcorn, there's a show coming up. I followed, keeping my distance. She wanted jealousy, after all.

— Egor? What are you doing here?" she played the fool.

Egor.__