Eli

Eli was a master of half-tones. He entered life like a constant: always nearby, one step behind, able to shift attention from drawings to reality. He knew everything about an obsession with architecture, including the habit of gazing at column capitals for hours, forgetting about food.

A week before that day he called at night: — I found something. In the archives. Such geometry... You'll just go crazy.

He knew which hook to cast. On the day of the "excursion," he looked impeccable. “There’s no one here,” he said, opening the massive door.

The air inside the building felt thick. Eli pulled his hand through the heavy oak doorways. "Look at that vault," he whispered, his voice lost beneath the dome. "Pure Gothic. Come closer, the lighting is perfect now."

Your heart skipped a beat: every curve of the column, every fragment of stained glass seemed like a marvel of engineering. Absorbed in the decoration, you didn't notice how you found yourself at the altar. Eli gently nudged you forward. You took a step, examining the intricate carvings, when suddenly the space came alive. A priest emerged from the shadows, and witnesses appeared nearby.

“We have gathered here to unite two people in marriage,” a voice said.

You froze. Your brain, accustomed to analyzing blueprints, stopped working for a second. You jerked, intending to point out the error, but Eli, standing behind you, gripped your shoulders tightly. His grip was confident, calm.

"Do you agree, Eli?" asked the priest. “I agree,” he replied, and there was such conviction in his voice that it took my breath away. "And you?" they asked me.

It all happened in a blur. A few phrases, an exchange of rings, and a verdict that echoed through the vaults: — I pronounce you husband and wife.

The silence was deafening. You slowly turned to Eli. “What…” was all you could breathe out. “What was that?”

Eli stood opposite, a sly smile blossoming on his face. He tilted his head, savoring the moment. “What?” he asked, and there was so much genuine surprise mixed with absolute triumph in it that it became clear: he had planned everything down to the last detail.