with a notification of a job well done. Vina, in turn, was waiting for news from Said about the successfully done work.
Life in Laos proceeded smoothly. No one was in a hurry, the homely atmosphere created a festive mood. Amir and Sultana felt relaxed, and did not think about returning to Thailand. Ahmed liked life in Paksa, but he was worried about his business, left unattended, and could not find a place for himself. – Dad, what are you worried about. You know that everything is fine there.
– How to say. It is the trade right now. The flow of tourists. Ahmed’s business was thriving, and he treasured it very much. He had never left his store unattended before, and the feeling of anxiety did not leave him. Sultana was not used to seeing her father as a businessman, and she tried in every way to support him. It was already late in the evening, Amir went to visit Lyosha, the remaining family members were sitting at a peaceful tea party. Unexpectedly, Rashid appeared in the living room.
– Where is Amir?
– Darling, say hello, we have guests.
– I see. I need Amir.
– What is the urgency?
– I will explain everything later.
– Sit down to dinner.
– Dinner is fine. Let me clean myself up. Nina did not know what was going on, and she patiently watched what was happening. Rashid returned in a good mood and joined the family feast.
Amir was visiting Lyosha and did not know about his father’s arrival. Lyosha was happily married and lived quite well. He became a worthy member of the family, and lived with the parents of his young wife in their house. During this period, they had a daughter, and Lilya was expecting her second child. Lyosha had an internship at Rashid’s clinic, and he was not bad at it. – Well, how do you like it here? Drawn to Moscow? Lyosha shrugged his shoulders in confusion.
– «I don’t know myself. Sometimes those times are not enough. I certainly got into another world. But I like it here. I am used to.
– My father is calling us back. He literally insists on our moving to Laos.
– And what is your decision?
– Honestly. I would not like to. In fact, I live much better in Bangkok than here. I am like a fish in water there. I see you already have children. But we are still in search of ourselves.
– You still have plenty of time. You will have time. We are the ones sitting around doing nothing.
– Yes, you cannot be called idlers! Each of them kept silent about how they miss those carefree times when they were students and lived together under the same roof. – So you do not want to go back to Moscow.
– What, do you have a suggestion?
– No. I was just asking. I just cannot believe you are a native of Laos now. Lyosha did not like this joke, but he did not say anything.
– It is possible that yes. I already have almost two children. Where I am going to take off.
– Wow! How much you have changed. I could not even think that you would ever become such a family man. After sitting a little longer, Amir went to his home. Sultana did not go with him to visit, deciding to spend this evening with her mother-in-law. Besides, she did not want to meet her husband’s ex-fiancee. Amir returned late in the evening, when everyone was already sitting in his or her rooms. Rashid met him at the front door.
– You have finally come. Amir started in surprise.
– Dad. What a habit. Rashid smiled.
– Come in. And Rashid opened the door of his office for him.
– What is the urgency? He cannot stand it until morning.
– I wonder which one of us is not patient. I saw the Guilt, but I could not do anything.
– «What were you going to do?» Did you want to kill her? It will not work. This is the type of people. She will just ruin herself, you will see. Just have to wait.
– And you are patient. I was wrong. Okay, go ahead. But this does not mean that you are not in danger.
– Good night, Dad. Rashid smiled back again, and the office door closed quietly. Sultana was waiting for her husband in bed, in a beautiful lace negligee, coral color.
– «You’ve been gone so long.
– You did not want to come with me. But in vain. We had a great time. We have not seen each other for almost three years.
– This is the deadline. Sultana said with a laugh. We had a great time with your dad, too. He told us about the New Year in Moscow.
– Yes, and what is interesting there? To be honest, nothing good. It used to be better.
– I think so too. What used to be better? When Lyosha and I were there. When we went to the club with him. It seemed to us then that it would never end. Now we are both married.
– Yes. When you went to the club with him, I was on the verge of death. I did not have as much fun as you.
– I know. I should not have started this conversation.
– No. It is not your fault. You had your life, your destiny.
– Now we have our life, our destiny. You were in my destiny long before we met. That is why we are together. Sultana snuggled up to Amir and felt the warmth of his body, his soul. She felt his love, and it was quite enough for her, Amir did not need to repeat the words of love several times a day, just one look from him was enough, and Sultana was happy.
– What did your father say?
– Nothing special. He is worried about our lives, and he is trying to get rid of the Guilt.
– What a nightmare. And I didn’t know Rashid was capable of it.
– Me too. But I’m sure he’s not capable of it. Although, when he is angry, it is better not to argue with him.
– I noticed. Sultana wanted to say, «I noticed you in anger,» but she kept silent in time and lay relaxed on the pillows.
Exactly a week has passed since the escape from Thailand to Laos. Once a man with a scar sat in front of a mirror and looked at his face. He tried to find a flaw, to see the slightest defect, but his face was exceptionally clean and beautiful. – I have been waiting for this hour for a long time. That is what happened. Now I have no barriers. I am ready.
– It is too early for you to leave the premises. Wait until tomorrow.
«I’ve waited too long. With these words, the man thanked the doctor and left the clinic building. He went outside and made a call. – I am ready, wait for the guests. At this difficult time for all the inhabitants of the world, people disappeared quite often. So it could not be difficult to kidnap a person. Robots replaced people in many industries, most of humanity was out of work,
