The road to the resort passed in an atmosphere of joy and lightness. The employees enthusiastically joked, played games, and even sang along the way. Everyone felt as if they had returned to their school years and were going on a class trip.

  When they arrived at the resort, an entire service team welcomed them, and everyone felt like an important guest. Anna truly allowed herself generosity in spending, but looking at the sincere joy of his colleagues, Hayk had no worries.

  Very soon, everyone settled into their rooms, changed into swimsuits, and headed to the sea. Arevik also decided not to miss the opportunity to relax. From the very first day of working at this institution, she had constantly been under tension, and now she needed the sea and the sun.

  Arevik spread her towel a little to the side, took off her beach dress, applied sunscreen, and walked toward the water. At that moment, Hayk was watching her from the VIP area located slightly above. He did not want to miss a single movement of hers. When he saw her in a swimsuit, his breathing involuntarily quickened.

  For a moment, Hayk looked away, trying to remain calm, but almost immediately he looked at her again.

  Arevik slowly approached the water. With the tip of her foot, she touched the surface, and under the sunlight the splashes shimmered in all colors, like a prism. She smiled joyfully — and at that very moment Hayk also smiled involuntarily, as if a quiet, invisible connection existed between them.

  Then Arevik stepped in deeper and, with one smooth movement, dived into the water like a mermaid. Hayk could not take his eyes off her. Admiration and slight tension mixed inside him, but he continued watching.

  After swimming for some time, Arevik returned to her towel and lay under the warm rays of the sun. Hayk was still watching her when he suddenly heard Anna’s voice — he had not even noticed her approaching.

  — Hayk, is everything all right? — she asked, stopping right in front of him.

  — Yes, Anna, everything is fine, — he replied casually, stretching his neck to glance again toward the beach.

  — Somehow, I don’t quite believe you, — Anna said. — Although, looking at the happy faces of the others, I’m sure everything is going well.

  — Why don’t you believe my words? — Hayk objected.

  — Because the happy faces of others are my reference point, — she answered calmly. — Now tell me, what should I think when I look at your serious face?

  — Sorry, Anna, — Hayk said softly. — Everything truly is wonderful. You are a real miracle. But…

  — But your thoughts are a little tangled, — she interrupted. — Try to relax. The water is extraordinary. Go and refresh yourself. I’m sure after that everything will fall into place. Let events unfold naturally — we’ve only just arrived.

  Anna winked at him.

  Hayk smiled and said nothing. But he accepted her advice and stood up to go toward the water.

  The days passed intensely. Evenings turned into loud parties, and during the day everyone simply rested and enjoyed the sea. Arevik was constantly among her colleagues and tried to have fun with everyone. But lately she could not find her place, and it all began from the moment she saw Hayk in the sea.

  At first, she did not recognize him. Her attention was drawn to a handsome young man cutting through the waves like a hero from Greek mythology. When he came out of the water, she realized it was Hayk. At that moment, Arevik felt embarrassed and at the same time relieved that she was wearing sunglasses — he could not see how closely she was watching him.

  She knew that Hayk was strong and well-built — she had felt that even during their kiss. But now she was literally admiring every line of his body and could hardly restrain herself from turning her head to follow him, as the other girls did.

  One evening, sadness completely took over Arevik, and she left the party for her room on the second floor. After taking a shower, she put on comfortable home clothes, fell onto the bed, and without noticing it herself, fell asleep.

  In her dream, she was kissing Hayk in a garden. Waking up from the desire that suddenly flared inside her, Arevik sat up abruptly in bed. It seemed to her that it was already dawn, but when she looked at the clock, she saw it was only two in the morning.

  Disappointed, she stepped out onto the balcony, trying to calm her breathing and rapid heartbeat.

  Standing on the balcony, Arevik noticed a silhouette slowly approaching their building. When the figure came closer, she squinted to see who it was. Realizing who stood before her, she quickly crouched down so she would not be noticed. But it was already too late.

  — Arevik, I saw you. Don’t hide in vain, — Hayk said quietly.

  — What are you doing here at such a late hour? — she asked, stepping out of hiding.

  — Move aside, I’m coming up, — Hayk replied and began climbing over the railing.

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  — What do you mean you’re coming up? — she exclaimed in shock.

  — Quiet, don’t make noise, you’ll wake the neighbors, — he whispered, continuing to climb.

  — You’ll fall! Be careful! — she said anxiously and covered her mouth with her hands so she wouldn’t scream in the moments when Hayk lost his balance.

  While Arevik could not find peace from worry, Hayk reached her balcony. He was slightly drunk and apparently at that moment feared neither height nor falling. He had been wandering aimlessly around the territory until his legs brought him beneath her balcony and his mind finally gave way to his feelings.

  When Hayk finally reached her and, with her help, climbed over the railing, Arevik wanted to be angry. But he gestured for her to be silent and nodded toward the room.

  They went inside, and then Arevik finally burst out:

  — Have you lost your mind, Mr. Shalunts! What if you had fallen? What if something had happened to you?.. — she exclaimed and suddenly froze when she noticed blood on his abdomen. — My God, what is this?

  — Damn… I probably caught myself on the grate, — Hayk replied calmly, examining the wound.

  — What were you thinking when you did something like this? Don’t touch it! The wound needs to be treated, I’ll bring the first aid kit.

  — I wanted to climb onto the balcony like in romantic movies. It looks beautiful, — he explained.

  — You watch romantic movies? — Arevik smirked while looking for the first aid kit.

  — Why not? I’m quite a romantic guy, — Hayk said and gave her a sly smile when she turned toward him with the kit in her hands.

  Arevik was stunned. She had seen him in different situations, but like this — for the first time.

  Noticing her confused look, Hayk laughed softly.

  — What are you laughing at? — she asked, because she was in no mood for laughter.

  — That stunned look of yours always makes me smile, — he said, then added more seriously: — It hasn’t changed since the day of your interview.

  — You noticed me that day? — Arevik asked quietly, feeling her heart begin to beat faster.

  — Of course I noticed. How could I not notice that amazed look of yours?

  — I’m sorry if it embarrassed you, — she said, remembering how many times she had been caught looking at him.

  — It doesn’t embarrass me, — Hayk replied softly. After a pause, he added: — It’s better than that look full of hatred you gave me that evening in the garden.

  Arevik remained silent. She carefully began wiping the bloodied areas with a clean damp cloth, but her hand stopped at the wound, and she took a deep breath.

  — I wasn’t looking at you with hatred that day, — she suddenly said, — I was just scared.

  — I scared you? — Hayk asked in surprise.

  — No, not you, — Arevik replied quietly. — I was scared because no man had ever touched me before, and I simply didn’t know how to behave.

  — So you didn’t have a boyfriend before? — Hayk уточнил.

  — Somehow there was never time for that, unlike you, — Arevik said, carefully applying the medicine onto the bandage.

  — And where did you get the idea that I had relationships? — Hayk asked in surprise.

  — Well, considering the document I signed… I think such a thing is issued only under certain circumstances, — Arevik replied with a slight reproach.

  Before Hayk had time to object, Arevik immediately, without hesitation, applied a medical bandage to his wound. The pain from the medicine was sharp, and Hayk involuntarily cried out, turning his gaze to Arevik and asking, almost angrily, why she had caused him pain. But in her eyes he saw quiet condemnation — a reminder of the document she had been forced to go through. Remembering her distress, Hayk instantly calmed down and pushed away his anger, allowing Arevik to carefully continue treating the wound.

  — What if I tell you that this is the first time I’ve ever seen that document? — Hayk said, watching Arevik’s reaction.

  — I don’t believe you, — she answered sharply, gathering the remaining bandage.

  — You think I had relationships? — Hayk asked again.

  — Of course, — Arevik said confidently, — because… — but she fell silent, realizing her words would reveal her feelings.

  — Because? — Hayk insisted, grabbing her hand as she tried to pull away.

  — Mr. Shalunts, let go, — she said in a half-commanding tone.

  — Arevik, speak, — Hayk insisted.

  — Because… because it’s impossible that a man like you hasn’t had relationships for so long, — she said loudly. Then, after a pause, she added desperately: — Especially because it’s impossible not to fall in love with you.

  In surprise, Hayk released her hand and felt awkward when he saw Arevik rubbing the place where he had touched her, now reddened.

  — And what do you feel for me, Arevik? — Hayk asked almost inaudibly.

  — I beg you, Mr. Shalunts, — Arevik replied, firmly believing that this conversation would lead to nothing good.

  — Are you speaking to me so formally on purpose, so that I keep my distance? — Hayk asked, unwilling to let the matter go.

  — I speak formally to hide my feelings and to remind myself of my position, — Arevik said. — I beg you, Mr. Shalunts, since that day my inner peace has been disturbed.

  — Believe me, Arevik, you’re not the only one whose inner peace has been disturbed, — Hayk said quietly, trying to ease the tension a little.

  — Your situation is different, — slipped out of Arevik involuntarily.

  Hayk froze. She still didn’t believe him. She didn’t believe that he could be inexperienced, that he could have fears. At that moment, he finally decided to clarify everything once and for all.

  — Why, Arevik? — Hayk asked quietly at first, but then pain sounded in his voice. — Why do you think that someone like me couldn’t possibly have no relationships?

  Arevik looked at him attentively. His despair was obvious, but she still doubted.

  — Or do you not believe that someone like me could be interested in you? — Hayk continued. He caught her gaze and, noticing doubt in it, took a deep breath. — You don’t believe that I can think about you endlessly… fall in love with you… lose my mind over you?

  He stepped closer. Now almost no distance remained between them. Hayk silently waited for an answer.

  Arevik looked into his eyes, trying to understand — was this reality or a dream too perfect to be real? She wanted to say that she believed him. She wanted to confess. But the words stuck in her throat.

  — Hayk, I…

  — Me too, — he interrupted softly.

  The fact that she had called him by his name for the first time became, for him, the removal of boundaries. And he kissed her.

  Arevik immediately responded. This kiss was long-awaited — not an impulse, but a confession. When they pulled away for a moment to catch their breath, Hayk felt how fast her heart was beating.

  — Are you afraid of me again? — he asked gently.

  — I’m not afraid, — Arevik whispered. — This time it’s different.

  — What is different? — Hayk asked with a slight smile.

  — I think you know.

  — I know. But I want to hear it from you.

  Arevik lifted her eyes to him.

  — This time… it’s because of desire.

  After those words, Hayk no longer held back. He showered her with kisses, and their closeness became the natural continuation of what they had hidden for so long. The night dissolved into their feelings, and they made love until dawn.