It's like a madhouse here. I'll probably be stuck a few more days," Petr says, his voice low and weary through the phone.
"Really?" I try to keep my tone even. "I thought you'd be back tomorrow. We were supposed to go to Libor's, remember? He's organizing something again."
It's been three days since Petr left, and the emptiness has been eating at me. At work, everything I touch falls apart. Yesterday, I snapped at Valeria so badly I'm still ashamed.
"I know," Petr sighs. "He called me too. But it's impossible. The problem here is bigger than we thought."
"I understand," I murmur. "I miss you terribly."
Do I really understand? Or am I just lying to myself? A part of me always knew this would happen. Petr's company isn't small. There will be crises. There will be trips. But knowing doesn't stop the ache.
"I miss you too. I'll fix this as fast as I can. Then I'll get on the first plane, I promise."
When I hang up, the silence rushes in. The last few days have been like this. Once, I would have grabbed a book and drowned in its pages. Now, even romantic stories remind me of Petr and sting too much.
I step out of the salon and call over my shoulder, "Danuš, I'm going out for a while, please take care of everything here." I don't wait for her answer. Yesterday I decided to apologize to Valeria. And tonight? Tonight I'm not going to sit at home and rot. Libor's hosting again. Why not go? Anything's better than this.
"Sára, what are you doing here?" Valeria stares at me as if I've turned up from the grave.
"Hi." I manage a small smile. "I wanted to apologize for yesterday. I've been… off lately."
"Oh, it's fine. I don't even remember what happened." Her smile is warm, and it hits me—I couldn't ask for a better friend.
"And… would you come with me to Libor's tonight?" I ask, eyes pleading. "I'm tired of sitting at home eating myself up."
"Of course. I was going to call you, but you got here first."
Relief floods me. We stay at Val's for a while, planning how she'll pick me up later. For the first time in days, my mood lifts. The world turns a shade rosier.
Later, Valerie yells from my living room, "So, where have you been for so long?"
"I'm coming!" I call back, trying to steady the eyeliner on my eyelid.
"Well, hurry up. I'm putting down roots here," she jokes, collapsing onto my sofa.
I step back from the mirror, eyeing myself. Black pants, white shirt, a slim tie, a fitted jacket. For once, I've put in some effort.
"Hey, who are you dressing up for?" Val's eyes widen, teasing. We both laugh.
"No one," I shake my head firmly. "Definitely not." Even as I say it, the memory of Petr flickers through me, sharp and jealous. But tonight, I tell myself, I won't think of him. I'll enjoy myself.
Libor's party is, as always, grand. We grab champagne, move through rooms full of people, and chat with acquaintances. Hours slip by.
"I'm going to the bathroom. Wait here." I whisper to Val. She nods, absorbed in conversation.
Crossing the house, I admire Libor's taste—modern colors, bold furniture, not a single outdated piece in sight. I wonder where he hides the old things.
Then I hear it.
"Have you heard that Natasha met Petr in London?"
The words freeze me mid-step. I press myself against the wall, straining to hear.
"If you mean Petr Soukup, then yes. My husband went there with him. They're together all the time. Do you think they got back together?"
"I don't know," the other voice says. "But they say they did. I'm curious how it'll end when he gets back."
My vision blurs. My breath stumbles. My knees buckle and I slide down the wall, stunned. Tears well without permission. He said business trip. He said London. And I… I trusted him.
Somehow, I force myself up. My legs move on their own, carrying me through the house at a near-run. I don't see faces, don't hear voices, just the pulse of betrayal roaring in my ears. I cut through the garden and out the front door, fumbling for my car keys.
Behind the wheel, I swipe at my eyes with trembling hands, start the engine, and drive. Home.
Inside, the silence feels heavier than ever. I rip my phone from its charger, switch it off, tear at my clothes like they're choking me, and collapse onto the bed.
"How could he do this to me?" The whisper breaks into a sob. "How could he?"