"Good morning!" Andrzej heard a cheerful, female voice. He looked up and saw Marta smiling, his neighbor. The girl studied veterinary medicine and during the summer holidays she worked as an assistant in one of the animal clinics. She was only a little shorter and slender than him. She had a pretty face and brown hair cut short. "Are you coming back or are you leaving?"
"I'm moving out," he explained.
"Oh," she was genuinely surprised. "You didn't mention that."
"It came out suddenly and I'm not moving out permanently. A friend has a little trouble and we'll be roommates for a while."
Marta also had a roommate. It was not surprising when the prices of flats in Warsaw looked like they were and the students were poor everywhere in the world.
"Do you rent your apartment?"
"No. I think we will deal with this problem quickly" he smiled at her although he was still not happy.
"If there is anything I can help you, let me know."
It was nice of her, but he couldn't expect anything else from this intelligent, lovable, and in a way sweet girl. Although he knew her much shorter than Paulina, both of them were good friends for him and he could always count on them.
"For sure."
"I'll see you. And speak up sometimes."
"Sure. Hi."
Marta entered her apartment, so Andrzej had nothing left but to pack his old car and go to Wola Grzybowska.
Before he left for the street, Nowicki sat and thought for a few minutes. If he goes to Śliwiński now, he will not be able to leave his house for some time, and Marczak's impudent behavior required that the matter be dealt with as soon as possible. He doubted the manager would visit his apartment personally. Probably hired someone to do the dirty work. If it was someone local, there is only one person who will be able to help Andrzej in this game.
Although reluctantly, Nowicki took out the phone and made the call.
***
Dominik looked haggard, but much better than two days ago, when his exhausted body did not even allow him to get out of bed. Freshly bathed, with long hazel hair still damp, he sat on the couch wrapped in a soft blanket. Hearing the door open, he looked in their direction. Andrzej met his gaze and felt a painful stab in his heart. Dominik's beautiful, always cheerful aquamarine eyes, which could seduce even a nun, were now dark with sadness. The corners of Śliwiński's lips lifted slightly, as if he was trying to smile, but the effort was too hard. Andrzej could see that this unsuccessful attempt to warmly greet him, actually was painful for Dominik. He tried so hard not to burden others with himself, but at this point in his life he desperately needed someone. The conflict he fought within himself was a loser, because no matter which side wins, he will have a feeling of defeat.
"You look better" Andrzej smiled warmly. He wanted to be the support he needed for Dominik, a pillar on which to rest his sadness. "And how do you feel?"
"Okay, thank you."
"I'm sorry it took so long" Nowicki went to the couch. "I wanted to take care of a few things right away."
"Do not worry about it. I had time to think about this and that."
"Yes?" Andrzej felt anxiety. Dominic spoke perfectly calmly, but his sad eyes showed that he was in suffering. Petite and brittle, he looked as if he was about to break into pieces.
"Can… I have a request for you?"
"Yes, of course."
"Please call someone from your editorial office. I want to make a statement."
"Statement? On what topic?" Andrzej felt a strange anxiety. Dominik wasn't quite himself now, but didn't he come up with any extreme idea? If so, his career could be put in jeopardy.
"I want to officially announce that I will not be in Baptiste's film. If you don't call someone from your editorial office, I will contact another magazine."
"All right, I'll do it. When?"
"Preferably right now. I want to get it over with."
"But ... don't you think you're too weak now? You should rest ..."
"I should make a statement before someone else does," he said firmly, and then looked Andrzej deeply in the eyes. There was such determination in his gaze that Nowicki felt completely defenseless.
"As you wish. Just don't exert yourself too much."
"Thank you for taking care of me."
Something in the tone of his voice and that insanely sad gaze moved another string in Andrzej's heart. Once again he felt hatred for Marczak for how much he had hurt Dominik.
Śliwiński was weak and sick, but his explanation made sense. The media boomed from rumors about his participation in French production. Dominik's decision to resign from this venture after the recent events was irrevocable, so it was natural that he would want to curtail this topic. But what will he give the reason for his decision?
Dominik's face expressed determination, sadness, hope and gratitude. This mixture made Andrzej only sigh. In addition, the actor looked determined. His first interview with the media in years was inevitable, and the fact that he chose Nowicki's magazine testified to the trust that the photographer had his favor. Andrzej took out his cell phone and called the editor in chief. His reaction was entirely predictable.
"What? Śliwiński wants to talk to our journalist? I am sending Piotrek immediately."
Andrzej immediately associated a short-cut blonde in designer glasses, about his age. It was he who wrote the article about Śliwiński's housework. It was not a work of art, but it was not expected from material like this. Even Dominik didn't mind that article.
He didn't have to give the actor's address, after all, he had one himself from the editorial office. He hung up and looked at him.
"You got it. He'll probably be here in twenty to forty minutes."
"Thank you" Śliwiński was very serious. His mouth has obviously forgotten how to smile since the events of the party. "Could you please welcome him? I'll go get ready."
"Oh yeah, sure."
"Thank you," he said once again. "Sorry to burden you with all this."
"Come on! What are friends for?"
Dominik looked at him for a moment. Andrzej could have sworn that he sees him trying to smile again.
You'll be smiling again. You will laugh and feel joy. I promise.
Andrzej watched his slender figure struggling up the stairs. Will everything be alright? Isn't it too early to appear in the media? It is true that it is only a newspaper, but will a journalist sent by the editorial office not smell the sensation in his tired appearance and create another rumor? Nowicki recognized the reporter's face, but did not know what kind of person he was.
He looked around the apartment with a watchful eye. Śliwiński did not clean in it for about a week, but it was so well-kept that no dust settled on the shelves. Andrzej picked up the abandoned blanket from the couch and put it in the dresser. He carried his belongings to the upstairs room he was now in and went back downstairs. Just in case, he wiped the table and swept the floor and waited.