Chapter 26

My face turned red not only because of the kiss but mainly because Alex must have seen it. I didn't know why I cared so much at that moment. Maybe it's because his face took on a completely different expression as soon as he saw us. As if he was disappointed and worried at the same time. He turned his head away from us confused and passed us by without a word. Arek didn't even pay attention to him and after a while he left me with a black hole in my heart. I felt like I had slapped someone in the face. With this awful feeling I returned to the apartment where a homemade cake made by Grandma was waiting for me.

"Welcome home." She greeted me pushing a plate with piece of cake. "Unfortunately that's all that's left because Mateusz got it when I wasn't looking."

"It's okay." I forced a smile and ate the cake reluctantly.

"You don't seem happy." Grandma noticed. "Is something wrong with the taste?"

" Oh, no, it's delicious." I quickly protested. "I just...-" I searched for the right words. Mateusz didn't tell her about my date with Arek in exchange for buying and installing windows. Officially, I went somewhere with Monika.

"I just somehow have no appetite." I finally finished the sentence.

"So, how was the meeting?" Mateusz entered the kitchen drying his wet hair up with a towel.

"It was okay." I replied getting up from the table.

"Where are you going?" Grandma looked at me in surprise.

"I'm going to bed. Thank you for the cake, it was delicious." I managed to force a gentle smile and then disappeared into my room. Soon Mateusz joined me.

"If this bastard did something to you, I'll shoot his ass." He whispered angrily so grandma wouldn't hear anything.

"Everything's fine, really." I replied equally quietly. " Arek was very nice to me."

"Is that so?" He looked at me expectantly. "You look kind of moody so something must have happened."

" It's really nothing. He just tried to make me fall in love with him. That's it." I fell silent for a moment but eventually I couldn't stand Mateusz's hard and attentive gaze and I almost shouted. "Okay, he kissed me on the cheek goodbye and Alex saw it." I hid my face in my hands but I didn't cry. I just didn't want him to see how red my face was at that moment.

"I see now. So that's how it really is." He laughed triumphantly.

"What?" I took my hands from my face and looked at him, not understanding what he meant by that.

"You just fell in love with Alex!"