I put my gloves and envelope back on the bench, fold my hands in my lap and wait for him to continue. He hands me the other sandwich and waits until I open it before he speaks.
“I had a word with my,” he searches for the word, “contact.”
I’m sure my face betrays my confusion as I raise an eyebrow at him.
“About the task your Ma came to talk to my parents about?”
Why is he being so cryptic? Oh!
“Yes, I do remember that you had a contact.”
“Well,” he smiles and holds out a small disk, “this is the item we asked him to procure. He assures me this is the only copy, so now all we have to do is destroy it. Would you like to do the honours?”
I shake my head, “Alexei, we can’t do that here! We’ll get in trouble all over again.”
His cheeks burn a deep shade of red as he slides it into my results envelope, “How about you dispose of it later. I have a feeling your parents will be more understanding than mine.”
And just as quickly as he brought it up, it is over. All I have to do is destroy this and we will be free of this whole - what would the government call it? - indiscretion.
I fold over the flap on the envelope and place it on the bench between us as I continue eating my sandwich. Alexei, who has long since finished eating, watches me eat.
“So,” he begins after a long pause, “I was wondering if you want to celebrate your results. I know we have my company dinner to go to and I’m sure they would love to recognize you for making the superior pool.”
I almost choke on my sandwich, “What?”
“You don’t have to say yes,” he looks down at his legs, trying to avoid looking at me. “I just know Mr. Giovanti would love to brag that someone like you will be joining the company family. It comes with a pretty fancy desert and probably a bonus on some of the features of our home.”
I don’t think I understand what he is saying.
“So, let me get this straight,” I finish my sandwich and turn to face him. “I achieved top marks in my exam and now, if I let the company brag about me and take my picture, they will pay us for it?”
He nods.
“How does that make sense?” I raise my arms in question.
He laughs, “Oh, it doesn’t!”
I laugh, too. Thank goodness he agrees that this is ridiculous.
“But, I could do it, right?” I look at him, and he immediately stops laughing.
“Would you? Really?” he looks at me earnestly, “I don’t want you to do something you don’t want to do.”
“Oh, I definitely do not want to do it,” I look directly into his eyes, “but I am going to if it means they’re going to give me fancy furnishings and a beautiful backyard. Where do I sign up?”
He sighs, “I thought you were going to hate me for bringing it up.”
“Why? Because the whole system is broken?”
He nods.
“Well, it is,” I lower my voice to avoid anyone hearing me, “but that doesn’t mean I’m going to turn down nice things from your boss.”
He smiles at me, “I’ll escort you home now, if you please.”
I put my gloves back on, carefully pick up the envelope, and walk beside him as we make our way towards my house.
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