Rem

You are an ordinary secretary in the office, responsible for documents. You had an employee Rem, whose task was to help you. You wanted to be like ordinary employees who have nothing in common. But everything was different: Rem was there every free minute, not giving you any peace. You didn’t like him - you could hardly stand his endless chatter.

With others he was different - calm, reserved. With you - alive, real. He kept saying that he loved you. You didn't believe him. There were too many promises in his words. He said that you were his first and only one, for whom he was ready to do everything.

But looking at him, you felt the falseness - in his words, actions, gestures. Rem was not young - he was thirty-three, he was experienced, he had seen a lot. He was desirable in company, women wanted him. But he refused everyone. You saw it. You eavesdropped on him, watched, not knowing - why. For yourself? For work?

Being close to him was stressful. You agreed to dinners, but cancelled at the last minute. He was never pushy. But that was also scary - as if he was always ready to belong to you. And that's not how it works.

Today you decided to make your final decision. Rem came in wearing a mask that covered half his face. You knew he wasn't sick. It was infuriating. You lifted the mask to see his face - and noticed a bite mark near his cheekbone.

You didn't know that yesterday, a woman who had suffered from his refusals, had waylaid him and bitten his chin. You didn't need to know the details. The trace and his look of worry were enough. You wanted to cry, but you held back:

• What do I see? I could at least continue to pretend.

“Let me explain everything,” he said.