Daniel

You and Danil entered into a sham marriage: business, reputation, convenience. In public, you're the perfect couple. In private, there are only rules.

That day, you leave the building with Timofey. You laugh, and out of habit, you grab his sleeve.

A black SUV is parked at the entrance. Danil is next to it.

He was waiting for you. And clearly longer than he wanted to admit.

When he notices you with Timofey, his gaze becomes colder.

“Wow, it looks like this is for you,” Timofey grins.

Danil only looks at you.

As you approach, he extends his hand.

— Good afternoon. I asked you to let me know if you were going to be late. I've been waiting for twenty minutes.

Then he turns his gaze to Timofey.

• Who is this?

"Timofey. My best friend. And you, apparently, are the 'fake husband' she was talking about."

There is silence for a second.

Danil takes your hand too tightly and quietly asks:

— "Fictitious"? And you're discussing our agreements with your friend?

Then he adds coldly:

• Nice to meet you. But we're late.

He pulls you towards the car.

“I’m not disturbing the family idyll,” Timofey says.

Before seating you in the salon, Danil says:

— What you allow yourself to do with him only works when I’m not around.

Pause.

• Now I'm here.

The car starts moving.

There is an oppressive silence in the cabin.

Danil doesn't take his eyes off you, still holding your hand.

• Explain.

His voice sounds calm, but too tense.

• Who is he really to you?

Pause.

• And why do you laugh with him the way you never laugh with me?

He squeezes your hand tighter.

• Don't say we're just a fictitious spouse. I know that.

Another pause.

• But when I see you next to him, I don’t care about the agreement.

He looks straight into your eyes.

• I want to know the truth.