's voice cut through the rain, a

. I'll get soaked," I protested

t," he replied, and before I could even

s already soaked to the bone, so I trudged home at an unhurried pace. To be honest, my mood for gues

eeked out from the living room and gaspe

most perfectly realistic sneeze echoed through the spacious hallway,

I would've brought you an umbrella," Mom exclaimed as she

that fast. But her excessive con

then went on the offensive. "I'm so tired, and I'm soaked. Maybe you co

if you start feeling worse, please

ed, barely holding ba

airs to my room. I needed to take a bath and change as quickl

. My stylist hadn't just chosen my look and wardrobe, but had also r

te loungewear-a short top and shorts

ontact lenses online and simply pick them up later. I checked the c

silent as a fish until th

irritably as I answered the call. "Valen,

re completely fine," came his si

y could happen t

as he often did. "Nothing must happen to you! Not a single bruis

me all of this yesterday. W

e. Giving you a vacation was a mi

t. Be human," I

se, he continued, "Nadya,

by the minute, like a workplace productivity log-every step, every cutlet I eat

ect. I need something from you. I wa

o! No! No! End

as coming, but I decided t

ppear anywhere. My best friend asked me to do

went silent. Already a good sign-at least

nge

you hear me? Those curves shou

randed collect

rand ex

t asked Nina. But before I had

ditions. First, your face must not be visible.

d, already celebrating

ell you

. I a

stare at the screen for too long. I won'

rig

r I'd be participating in the photo shoot. In response, I

tely wanted to sleep, but my plans were abruptly interrupted by a quiet knock on the door.

hy are you

my mother who e

a woman