"You don't look too well" Marczak said softly as they disappeared into the corridor. "Are you okay?"
"Better than a month ago."
"I heard you were sick."
"You could say that."
The truth was, however, that the series of betrayals committed by his lover broke his heart to such an extent that Dominik was unable to eat, sleep or get out of bed. He spent several days exhausting his body in this way, and it took a lot of effort, not only on his part, but also on his new friends, to get him out of this pathetic state.
It was Andrzej who saved him then. If not for him and his warm concern ...
"I wanted to visit you then. I came to your house, but I was not allowed in. I tried calling but you didn't reply to any of my messages. I was very worried about you."
Did Marek really have such feelings then? Indeed, the messages he left sounded desperate.
"Sorry, I didn't want to worry you. Only I ..."
"It's okay," Marczak touched his hair. The back of his hand brushed Dominik's cheek
The actor retreated instinctively a few millimeters. He was unable to make another move. Marczak's touch was paralyzing.
"The most important thing is that you are healthy. Do you know how much I missed you?"
Dominik felt his throat go dry.
"Every day without you was a torment. You rejected me so suddenly, without a word of explanation. I felt such anger and such despair that I couldn't even think normally. I wanted to see you so much, talk to you. I knew that if you gave me this chance, things would turn out all over again."
"What?" Dominik felt shocked. Marczak really feels it all or is he lying again to keep it with him?
"Come back to me," Marek said fondly.
"I can not."
"You do not love me anymore?"
"I love you, but it hurts too much to be with you."
"I thought you liked me being a little harder sometimes."
"It's not that," he blushed. Why does this conversation have to be so difficult? "Being with you brings me nothing but emptiness."
"You said otherwise before. You said you were happy."
"I was before I saw my eyes."
"It's him, isn't he, the photographer?" Marczak grasped Dominik's elbow, hard, brutally, as when he knocked him to the ground to take him by force.
"Let me go! It's not him, it's that! This is your aggression and dirty games! How could you recommend me to someone to have sex with me?!"
"I've never done anything like this."
"Do not lie! I'm sick of your ploys, deceptions and empty, sweet words. If you really loved me, you'd let me go."
"No, I love you too much to lose you."
"You'll lose me anyway. I just ... You don't really understand that if you don't give me back my freedom, I ..."
Marek's lips silenced him as they pressed against him with passionate force. His arms gripped him so tightly he felt excruciating pain.
And fear.
Every cell in his body trembled, but he felt no pleasure in any of it.
"Oh, sorry," he heard someone say, and suddenly he was free.
"Think about what I was talking about" said Marczak and left.
After these words there was an ocean of silence.
"Mr. Śliwiński, are you well?" He knew the voice, but couldn't recognize it. His body trembled and his head felt dizzy. "Mr. Śliwiński?"
"I need… some fresh air."
"Of course. This way, here's a balcony." Someone took his arm, gently, not like Marek, but he twitched anyway. "Lean on me, you are very pale."
"Thank ... Thank you ..."
Fresh air blew around him pleasantly giving his lungs a breath, but he still didn't have the strength. He leaned against the railing and leaned beyond it. Warsaw, illuminated at night, was a beautiful sight, but he saw it as if through a fog. He felt like then, when the assistant of the French director told him it was Marek ...
Dominik closed his eyes. The man standing next to him said something. He didn't listen to him, he couldn't. He flinched as he felt a touch on his shoulder.
"Please drink this, it's ice water. You look really bad. Maybe I should call a doctor?"
"Thank you, you don't have to. During the summer vacation I contracted a cold which I cannot heal. I'm better now, thank you."
"For sure?"
"Yes. This party, so many people and smells, made me a little dizzy."
"Oh. And this man didn't do anything to you?"
Dominik was too weak to feel ashamed that someone had seen him in such a situation.
"Of course not," he chuckled. He wasn't himself yet. "Sorry, I can't remember your name."
"Werner, Maciej Werner, we only met today."
"Yes, I remember now. You're a screenwriter."
"And the director. That's why I dared to approach you today."
Yes, Dominik began to remember that this was the only job offer he received today.
"Do you have anything to write? I'll give you the address where you can deliver the script. I promise to read it."
"Really?" Maciej Werner rejoiced.
"At least this is what I can do to repay for today's help. You actually saved me from a scandal. If I had passed out then…" Dominik shook his head.
"Surely everyone would be very concerned about your health," Werner assured him earnestly.
"Thank you for saying so. Well, do you have where to write the address?"
"Oh yes, of course."
Dominik dictated the relevant information to him. Immediately afterwards, they both returned to the party.
The actor did not feel well. As soon as he got among the people, the crowd began to overwhelm him and take his breath away. He didn't regain his strength after what Mark had done to him, so all he wanted now was to disappear from this place and from all these people's eyes. If he had to respond to greetings and smiles, the rest of his energy would crumble any minute.
However, he could not go out alone. It wouldn't be fair if he had abandoned his companion. A little impatient with it taking so long, he finally found Marta. She stood in the company of Bruno Kwieciński and his companion. She was smiling, she seemed pleased. Dominik didn't feel right ending her evening just as it was just beginning, but he just had to leave this place.
"Sorry, can we leave now?" He asked. He paid no attention to the reactions of the others in the crowd.
"Of course," she replied immediately. "Are you feeling bad? She asked as they took a few steps away."
"A little," he admitted. "Andrzej said that I don't like crowds, right?"
"Come on then," she replied without further questions.
"Thank you."
They caught a cab, and though Dominik was still not feeling well, he insisted on dropping her off first.
"I'm sorry you didn't have a good time" Marta smiled reassuringly at him.
"No, I should apologize for spoiling your evening," he assured. "You look very beautiful today, and I didn't even tell you that in time."
"You really think I look pretty?"
"Of course. Creamy looks good on you. You were a real decoration for tonight. I wish it lasted longer. You must be disappointed."
"Not at all," she shook her head. "I was having a really good time even though I was terribly nervous. I have met so many famous people! I know that none of them will remember me, but I will have something to remember in my old age. Just like a date with Dominik Śliwiński."
"I'm very honored."
"But ... Dominik, you really don't look very well," she said softly so the driver wouldn't hear her.
"I am all right. I'll feel better when I go to bed."
"You have a headache?"
"Some. Nothing to worry about."
"I don't think you have had too much alcohol. Well, I decided, I'm not letting you go home alone."
"Marta, really, don't worry about me. I really didn't drink too much ..."
"What a typical guy you are! So act like a man and don't argue with a woman."