Mikołaj stayed after hours again. He felt better during the day, but around three o'clock came the solstice. He wanted to leave early, but he had too much work to do. Today, at the latest tomorrow, he had to close the third complaint and there were still no documents. It happens, but why will he have to explain the mistakes that others have made and bear the consequences for them?
Because this is the fate of the head of the department who does not want to blame his people. Both Ewka and Łukasz were younger than him by age and seniority and neither of them dealt with the matter of complaints. If someone could blame this defeat, it was only Elwira and himself. Elwira, because she should have dealt with the matter beforehand, himself, because he could notice that such an embarrassing customer is hanging over them and take personally for this complaint.
Tomorrow he will have to give the client an answer regardless of the decision.
Today was actually the last opportunity to find lost documents.
"Achoo!" he sneezed and felt his nose getting wet. Really, runny nose? So he actually caught a cold somewhere?
His phone rang. He picked up.
"Mikołaj, come with us to drink!" He heard Mirek's overjoyed voice on the phone. "Sylwuś just got an A!"
"Congratulations, but I can't. I'm at work."
"And why do you speak so vaguely?"
"Runny nose."
"Oh. Then get out of this office and go to the bar. Vodka will put you on your feet."
"When I really don't have time."
"But I am asking so nicely. Sylwuś, too. He feels stupid because of the last incident."
"Make a party like normal people, at the weekend, then I'll think about it. Mirek, I really can't today," he added regretfully. "Apologize to your boyfriend from me and drink for my health."
"Ok, if you change your mind, we'll be at the bar until at least nine."
"I will remember. Bye!"
Up to nine? They were going to finish early. But Mirek's lover was only in the final year, so he probably has school tomorrow. He'll get sermon at home for drinking midweek anyway. However, youth has certain rights.
Mikołaj shook his head.
Wait a minute, he is just as young. He is only twenty-six years old. He should, like Mirek and company, drink in the middle of the week and not worry about a case that others have fucked up.
At that moment he sneezed again.
"Oh!" a familiar voice spoke from the door. "So you are sick."
Mikołaj came to Ewka's desk, on which stood a box of tissues. He took one and wiping his nose, he thought he would have to buy one for himself tomorrow.
"Can I help you with something?" asked Mikołaj.
"Not necessarily. I heard voices and wanted to check who was sitting with you after hours. Phone?"
"Yeah," he sneezed again.
"You should end for today and lie down. Otherwise you will fall apart completely."
"I can't. I have one more complaint."
"Do you care so much about it?"
"I know it's groundless, but I have no proof of that." We have ambiguities in the documents and I am sure that the client made a false statement when signing the contract, but without the contract I will not be able to prove it. "
"What amount?"
"Seven thousand."
"It's not much. Just accept the complaint."
"The guy is tricking us."
"You can't win every battle. Sometimes you have to sacrifice something to achieve a result on a different plane. If you put too much energy into a lost and insignificant case, you will lack it for other, more important ones."
"I can't stand the thought that he'll succeed."
"Idealist," Stefan smiled. "It's sweet, but impractical in business. Seven thousand is nothing for our company."
"Hey, that's my two salaries. Gross."
"Your department is poorer by one man. You are currently the most experienced person in it. You think that what arrears and mistakes will arise if you leave the office for a week because of illness? Think practically. Don't understand me providently, you are not the navel of the world, but you are a cog in a large machine. Good machine operation depends on the efficiency of all its parts. Even small ones. "
Is this a compliment or an insult?
"I'll take you home. We'll buy medicine along the way."
"Thank you, you don't have to."
"Why do you refuse? Do you think I will try to fuck you?
The question was asked in a serious, calm tone, without a typical, seductive smile.
"No," he replied, blushing.
"Don't get me wrong, I want your body and I like your company, but I'm not some insatiable beast. We agreed that when you are ready you will give a sign. And now you should rest first of all."
Does Stefan say it all seriously? Which guy puts leisure over his own desires? Probably only one who does not desire so much.
Or - gay?
Mikołaj was still not convinced. He looked longingly at his desk and still open complaint.
"I can see that your red eyes close themselves. I'll give you a ride home, so you don't have to go out at night with a fever. You get stuffed with drugs, sleep, and tomorrow you get up refreshed and fresh. Only benefits."
"I agree" he resigned. He was really tired. His work was gone, his nose was dripping, and his eyes were stinging and closing.
Maybe it was due to a cold, or maybe it was just influenced by the Szwedas presence, but Mikołaj did not feel comfortable when they were waiting for the elevator together and then went to his car. After all, the relationships between them were indefinite. Strange indeed. Professionally connected by their cooperation, it was obvious, and privately? Who were they to each other? Accidental buddies to fuck? Not even that.
Anyway, Skrzynecki felt strange.
"Where do you live?" Asked Szwedas. Mikołaj gave the address.
"Do you know where it is?" He asked.
"I know. You know, I grew up in Warsaw. When I returned to Poland, I drove a little around it to remember old places. It has changed a bit over these fifteen years, but not quite.
"You haven't been in the country for so long?"
"My father left when I started high school. After a year he brought me to the States. I finished school and studies there. But I must say that I missed this country a little."
"You didn't come on Christmas or so? For the holidays?"
"No. I don't have a family here."
Mikołaj glanced at the car driver. Stefan spoke calmly, without stupid self-pity. He simply stated the fact.
It's strange, Skrzynecki thought, but for some reason I feel good in his company.
"You influence people well, you know?" He said, not thinking about the subject.
"Yes?" He smiled. "Maybe. The same can be said about you."
"About me?"
"Yes. You have a lot of warmth and energy in you. People like working with you because you not only appreciate their efforts but you also give your best."
"Exaggeration."
"Really? You know, you can learn a lot from gossip."
"Gossip is just gossip."
"And yet I am able to agree with them."
Skrzynecki blushed to the ears. He wanted to swearly say that he didn't believe it anyway, but he only smiled.
"Well, we have a 24-hour pharmacy," said Szwedas and pulled over. Due to the time, he found a parking space without difficulty. "Wait, I'll buy you medicine ..."
"Well, now you are probably exaggerating" Mikołaj was annoyed.
"Then I'll wait."
Skrzynecki got out shaking his head. He muttered something under his breath.
A Szwedas is a good guy, he thought. Sympathetic, likeable, helpful. Maybe they could even be friends if it wasn't for having sex together. He could have either one or the other. Never both. He knew from experience that it was simply impossible. If he sleeps with a woman at least once, he will never be with her as before. Immediately she wants them to go out together, she will be jealous of each new acquaintance, of each buddy, and finally she will start to mention the wedding, the house with the garden and a group of kids.
But wait, isn't he playing a feminine role between him and Stefan?
Like hell!
None of them was a woman. Maybe in bed Mikołaj was a passive person, but at work they were equal - except that the Szwedas was a specialist independent of departments, specially imported from abroad and for that he had power over virtually all departments.
The massacre, Skrzynecki lowered his head. In this relationship he is a woman!
Wait a minute, in what relationship?