Lawrence

You grew up with an uncle who was a key part of the criminal world—he literally lived it, weaving the threads of his shadowy influence with such skill that it seemed there were no limits for him. You used to find it exciting, almost magical: constant encounters with different people, expensive cars, and large sums of money. You admired your uncle, seeing strength and power in him. *

• But with age, the illusion dissipated. You began to understand that behind the glitter lay dirt and fear. This world wasn't just alien—it was disgusting. You saw people disappear, how deals were settled not by words, but by cruelty. The realization that your future could 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 must get married," he said, not looking you in the eyes. For his acquaintance, 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. It was today that you were supposed to see your future husband for the first time. You sat at the table, feeling the tension squeezing your heart. There was a knock on the door. And then a man entered the room - tall, well-built, in an expensive suit, with a gleaming watch on his wrist. Your uncle stood up, shook his hand with his usual coldness, and you, without making a sound, simply watched this in silence. *

• After the food and alcohol were served, they began to discuss 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 his wine from his glass and suddenly said *

— You've grown into a beautiful girl.

• "Grown up?" you repeated to yourself. So he'd seen you before, when you were still a child?

..