It's been exactly a month since I signed a contract with Levi.
All this time I did not remember about my book, but today after receiving a message from him, I reluctantly responded to his invitation to the New Year celebration in the publishing house.
And from the very morning my thoughts were busy with the New Year. Before, I've never celebrated any holiday. But this year, I changed my mind.
Now, I felt a certain responsibility and in my head I had only one plan - to find a gift for Leon.
But I was prevented from going shopping.
As soon as I got in the car, the university chancellor called me and told me he needed to talk to me.
I drove my car and headed toward the university.
The beginning of the day was not rainy, but nevertheless, today it was very cold. So cold that I had to wear gloves and a scarf.
When I ran into the university building, I immediately ran towards his office.
I was still shaking from the cold and already had time to regret not wearing my warm sweater.
But once in Chancellor Richardson's office, I immediately stopped shaking.
In a small room where there was one table and several chairs, it was very warm and I immediately felt the aroma of coffee.
Seeing me Richardson gleefully exclaimed, "Professor Skye! It's so good to see you. It's such a rarity to see you in my office."
"Did you want to talk to me about something?"
"Yes. Please sit down."
Richardson, as I just called him by name, was a good man with a good heart.
I liked him because he never tried to learn anything about my life or the lives of others.
And I, too, almost didn't know anything about him.
He always kept a distance between himself and others, and he spoke only about work.
As soon as I sat in the chair, he started saying, "Professor Skye, I think you already know why I called you."
"I don't know."
"Well, yes, of course. You missed the conference again."
"I always miss them."
"That's why you work the most. You don't waste time on all kinds of meetings. And that's good," he said. "You see, our university has a contract with one university. So, we decided to arrange a teacher exchange. You, professor, the hope of our university. That is why I decided I'd send you."
"Where will I go? To another country?"
"Yes. Socrates University. You know this university is famous for its outstanding alumni."
"I didn't think you'd want to send me to another country. This university is on the other side of the globe."
"Is there a problem with that? Professor Skye, you've always wanted to leave. So here's your opportunity. In addition, the Socrates University is waiting for you."
"How long will I be there?"
"Three months, " he replied and smiled. "For that I thought you would be happy with this news."
"I'm glad. Of course. I've always wanted to go to the city L."
"Yes, it is very beautiful and besides the architecture of this city is just breathtaking. You like the ancient style. When I saw this city, I immediately remembered you. You will definitely find your inspiration there and maybe there, you will even write another book that will become a masterpiece."
Before, if I was offered to leave here, I'd love to accept the news.
But for some reason now, I felt a little sadness.
However, I couldn't refuse. To leave this place, to be alone with myself, I think I needed it.
"Chancellor Richardson, thank you. You've given me a great opportunity," I said.
"Well, then, with the beginning of the new year, you fly to the city of the most beautiful architecture."
When I left his office, that's when I felt like, all these three months, I'd miss the city where I am now.
The people who stay here.
Leaving the campus, I still went to the car and decided to go in search of a gift.
After lunch, the fine snow began to fall whirling to the ground which completely forgot about such a cold.
I loved watching the snow and how people rejoiced at the sight of it.
I've always wondered how a person can enjoy such natural things as snow or the arrival of summer.
Arriving on the street where everything was decorated, I stopped near a small shop on the roof of which was written "Gifts and souvenirs."
Inside the shop, I was happily greeted by an elderly man who was fixing an old watch.
Once among the different things that attracted attention with their originality, I suddenly wanted to buy everything here.
Various figurines, wooden boxes, musical dolls, vintage books, notebooks with yellow pages, different watches, toys and decorations, all this fascinated me.
But most of all my attention was drawn to wooden boxes.
But noticing among them, one box that was black with small patterns of stars, I stopped and asked if I could look at it closer.
And then I was not mistaken in choosing this box. When I discovered this, I found that there was a mechanism inside and it was worth opening the lid as the planets and stars began to twirl.
It was a solar system surrounded by many small stars.
The full solar system was spinning and glowing and cost me to close the lid as everything stopped.
"Perhaps this is my best creation," said the shopkeeper smiling softly.
"So you made it?"
«Everything was made my me here.»
"Very beautiful."
"Do you want me to pack it?"
"Yes please."
Wrapping it in green paper and a red bow, he said, "Happy New Year to you."
"Thank you. You too, Happy New Year."
It was the first time I'd bought someone a gift.
I was glad and I couldn't wait to give it to him.