ARTHUR

It has been more than a week since our last conversation with Kornelia. We only occasionally bumped into each other somewhere in the corridors of the office and awkwardly greeted. And then we went about your business, as if there was an insurmountable gap between us. I had a lot of work to do right now, the stacks of papers were increasing every day. To some extent, I was glad, because the work helped me to distract myself from thinking about her.

As usual, it was already dark outside. The whole city plunged into the silence of the night. Employees have left their jobs. I looked at my watch–it was already 11 p.m. There were documents on the table in front of me, and I realized that I would have to stay here even longer.

I decided to order food from a local 24-hour restaurant, and I will stay in the office until I finish all the planned things. After a while, the courier called, so I put on my jacket and left the office.

The hall, usually filled with bustling people and ringing voices, was empty. I was about to go when my gaze fell on a small ray of light glowing in the distance. "Apparently someone forgot to turn off the desk lamp or the computer,"- I thought and decided to check it.

The closer I got to it, the clearer it became that it was not just a forgotten lamp turned on. It was Kornelia.

As I got closer, I could see the silhouette I knew so well. Covering her head with her hands, she hid her face under cascades of papers. Wavy brown hair, so familiar and beautiful, lay on the table, as if wrapping her figure in its embrace.

"Kornelia? "- I asked, knowing for sure that it was her.

She abruptly raised her head, startled, she turned in my direction, "Oh, hi, it's you," - she said anxiously. "You scared me," - she continued.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to,"- I replied. Looking at her face, exhausted with fatigue and anxiety, I added, "What are you doing here? Everyone has been left for a long time".

She sighed dejectedly and ran her hand through the hair, looking visibly tired. "I can't figure out these papers," - she whispered, her gaze lost in the mess of documents on her desk.

Swiftly approaching her, I carefully looked at the papers that lay in front of her. "Let me help you,"- I suggested after a short silence.

"I don't want to distract you. I'm sure you have a lot of work to do, too,"- she began, but I quickly interrupted her, "I insist. I ordered food from a restaurant nearby, let's have a quick snack, and then I'll help you with your work".

A grateful smile appeared on her face. We headed to my office, carrying bundles of papers, and then I quickly returned with food.

We sat in my office in complete silence, eating our dinners. I watched as she tasted the dish, being careful.

"Do you remember how we often managed to have lunch at a cozy restaurant near your house?"- I decided to break the silence, with longing in my voice. Kornelia looked up from her meal and looked at me, a little questioningly.

"I remember that you always ordered chocolate ice cream first and then ate the biggest burger on the menu. You were so full that you said you would never eat again in your life, but before we went home, you definitely bought another doughnut,"- I continued. A sweet, slightly noticeable smile appeared on her face, caused by pleasant memories.

I looked at her smile and immediately forgot what I wanted to say next. My heart skipped a beat from every moment I spent with her. "You remember?!" - she whispered, her voice full of compassion and tenderness.

She raised her eyes to me, and in that moment I realized that nothing compares to these moments next to her. "I remember everything about you!" - I said.  

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Thank you so much for finishing this chapter. I really hope you like it.
I'm looking forward to see you in the next one!

~ NALI

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