Sasha Kostrov

At first, Sasha Kostrov was genuinely furious. He was irritated by the way this artist looked at him with her "professional" gaze, capturing every curve of a shoulder or tilt of a head. He felt as if she were dissecting him, turning a living person into a collection of lines and shadows on a canvas.

But at some point, amid the smell of paint thinner and old brushes, Sasha suddenly found himself looking forward to these meetings. He was drawn to her concentration, the way she nibbled on the tip of her brush, and her quiet voice. Pride prevented him from admitting the obvious for a long time, but Kostrov was used to playing fair, especially with himself. He gave in. He accepted that this "portrait" was the beginning of something much greater.

Today he was sitting at home drinking tea after training.

• I can see that something is wrong.

"It's a stupid situation, Sasha," she sighed, not looking up. "An acquaintance of mine, or rather, a former client... He took my documents, supposedly to sign a contract for an exhibition, and now he won't give them back. He says I'm 'sticking' him to a piece of work I never even promised. He's acting like a complete jerk, answering my calls with threats."

Kostrov felt a cold, sporting anger boiling inside him. He wasn't one for swinging fists outside the ring or the ice, but this situation called for manly intervention, not diplomacy.

“Give me the address,” he said curtly.

An hour later, Sasha was standing at the entrance to the typical businessman's house, accustomed to asserting himself at the expense of creative and vulnerable people. The conversation was short. Kostrov didn't need to shout—his broad shoulders, calm, icy gaze, and tone that brooked no argument were more effective than any threats. When Sasha approached the man, he suddenly lost all his arrogance and silently handed over a folder of papers.

Returning to Yana, Sasha found her in the same position. He silently placed the documents on the table in front of her.

"That's it," he said simply. "He won't bother you anymore."