Arthur
Yeah, it was a great meeting. Why is she being so mean to Alex? It's not like she's a bad person. Her personal life is her choice. But the important thing is that she's pure and bright at heart. Alex has never betrayed me, has never bewitched me, and she won't do it. Okay, stop thinking about it. I have to call the restaurant, make a reservation and meet Alexa at the appointed time. I wonder who told my mom I was coming? How does she know about my relationship with Cecile? It must have been Emma, my sister told me. How could I have forgotten about her? But she decided to be the first to remind me.
"Brother, where the hell have you been?" She asked me angrily into the phone.
"Hello to you, too glad to hear you."
"And I would be glad to see you. It's been half a year, and I call my mother, who is all in tears picks up the phone, and says that you do not want to communicate with your family."
"Emma, you know our mom likes to exaggerate."
"I know, but even she can't play like that."
"Emma, it's gonna be okay."
"Okay, why don't we get together tonight? What do you think of my idea? Little Rudy wants to see his uncle already."
" I'm sorry, but I can't tonight."
"Well, I wouldn't have it any other way. Mom was right, that Alexa is your favorite."
"At least don't start, Emma."
"Okay, I'm not starting, I'm finishing," she said and turned off the phone.
I feel guilty about them, but I know perfectly well what will happen if I don't see Alex tonight. She'll be offended. And she'll be avoiding me for a long time to come.
Alexa
I arrived at the appointed time, at the appointed place after another interview with the director of the new series "Elevator", the plot of which is developed in the distant future, in an enclosed space. Many similar series have already been shown and released on television with this theme, and what is the peculiarity of this one, I still do not understand. But, Roy Stevans, didn't even want to listen to me or answer the questions posed. He looked at me, and I felt like he was ready to attack me right there in the office. Of course, it ended with another invitation to dinner in a romantic setting.
I had to refuse, because tonight I was supposed to meet my best friend. I went into the restaurant and walked to the table where Arthur was waiting for me.
"Alexa, my dear, let me give you a hug," Arthur said when I came closer to him.
"Arthur, and I you. Look, have you grown taller in six months, or is it just me?"
"It must seem to you, because we men stop developing, both mentally and physically. And you continue, so it turns out that you develop before us, and you continue to develop after us."
"Have you decided to lecture me on adolescent puberty, Madame Richards?"
"No, I think you knew much earlier than anyone else. I'm sure you didn't lose your virginity to your husband, either."
"Yeah, you're right. Of course not my husband. Let's change the subject."
"Sure, have a seat," he said and pulled back a chair for me.
"Mercy, you're so gallant. You must have learned Swiss etiquette."
"It is not necessary to learn, every man should know how to treat a woman, whether she is his wife, mistress, sister, mother."
"Oh, I didn't notice the word mistress in your vocabulary before? What's changed?"
"Yeah, you got me. I foolishly slept with a Swedish woman. Well, you know, I didn't regret it."
"I told you a long time ago, it's time to get out of the virgin boy act."
"Well, I'm a long way from you."
"It's just you know me better than anyone."
"Maybe I do. Although I don't think you tell me everything."
" Oh, Arthur. I sometimes don't trust myself and you talk about trusting you."
Alexa
"Can we order something already?"
"I'd like a drink. I've had a rough day today."
"Yeah, what happened?"
"You know my passion for writing, right?"
"Yeah, of course I do."
"Anyway, I've been writing a novel for the last two years."
"And you didn't tell me anything?" He asked and looked at me in surprise.
"Well, what was the point of telling you, it wasn't finished, was it?"
"What about it now? Is it over?"
"Yes, it's over now."
"So what's the problem? Take it to the publishers, let the whole world know about your talent," he tried to cheer me up more gently.
"It's not that simple, Arthur."
"Why not?"
"There are a lot of nuances."
" So tell me about them."
"I need a lot of money. A lot of money."
"Wait, I know that if a publisher likes the idea of a novel, the storyline, they'll publish at their own expense."
"Not always."
"I'm sure everything in your novel is perfect."
"Thank you, Arthur," I thanked him with a heavy sigh. He looked at me and realized that I wasn't telling you the whole story."
"The problem is something else, am I right?"
"Yes, you're right."
"What exactly is the problem?"
-"What is the problem? The problem is that all those horny old things just want to sleep with me. That's the problem. They don't see me as a talented writer, they only see me as a sexual object. And my men can't give me that kind of money, for that I have to become an extra-class prostitute. And so I just do not earn. First of all, I would have to work for more than twenty years, and secondly, I would not be able to overcome myself and my pride."
"Oh, I'm sorry, but you should know that. You're sexy and it's obvious that they want you. All men want you."
"Arthur, you don't want me, do you? You don't see me as a sexual object. Why can't most men do the same? Just ignore me?"
"Are you kidding me, Alexa? I don't see you as a sexy woman? What makes you think that? What makes you think that? Just because I don't want to cross that line between friendship and one-night stands doesn't mean I don't want you. I just know the consequences of it all. I don't want to lose someone so dear and close to me. And that's what always happens after sex. People either become lovers or break up. I don't want that outcome."
"Thank you for being honest with me. Thank you for not dodging my question."I couldn't, because you've cared about this for a long time.
"Yeah, you're right. I've been thinking about it."
"When's the waiter coming over?"
"When we call him, I guess."
"Waiter," he called him over to us.
"The lady would like a drink. What will you offer us?"
"Wine, champagne?" The waiter called Peter turned to me.
"I'm thinking white wine. It's dry."
"Excellent choice. What brand do you like?"
"Arthur, I don't know them, you choose."
"All right, let's have Winery."
"Excellent choice, sir. You got it," the waiter said and left.
"So, you like wine?"
"Yes, it's my favorite drink."
"So where were we?"
"My problems."
"Huh? About your sexuality. Are you still questioning that?"
"No, I'm not."
"Good for you. Besides, you're not the quiet type who doubts her sexuality."
"Yeah, you're right, I'm not the quiet one."
"Alex, will you at least let me read your novel?"
" Do you think you'd be interested?"
"I think I would. And I promise I'll read it to the end, I promise."