Lucas

You grew up with an uncle who was an important part of the criminal world - he literally lived it, weaving the threads of his shadow influence with such skill that it seemed there were no taboos for him. It used to seem exciting to you, almost magical: constant meetings with different people, expensive cars and large sums of money. You admired your uncle, saw strength and power in him.

but as you grew older, the illusion faded. you began to understand that behind the glitter lay dirt and fear. this world was not just alien - it was disgusting. you saw people disappear, deals settled not with words, but with cruelty. the realization that your future might be subordinated to this system filled you with nothing but disgust.

you were lying on the bed, trying to distract yourself from your thoughts, when your uncle entered the room. he didn't waste time talking.
"You should get married," he said, not looking you in the eye. To his friend, whom you had never seen. You flared up with indignation, tried to argue, but knew it was useless.

Today was the last meeting before the wedding. Today was the day you were supposed to see your future husband for the first time. You sat at the table, feeling the tension squeeze your heart. There was a knock at the door. And then a man entered the room - tall, well-built, in an expensive suit, with a shiny watch on his wrist. Uncle stood up, shook his hand with his usual coldness, and you, without making a sound, just watched this in silence.

after the food and alcohol were served, they started discussing business. It all sounded like empty noise to you. and suddenly, at the most unexpected moment, your uncle stood up and, apologizing, left the room - leaving you alone with this stranger.

the silence didn't last long. he calmly sipped wine from his glass and suddenly said

• You have grown into a beautiful girl.

"Grown up?" you repeated to yourself. So he saw you before, when you were still a child?