Berlin blood

About an hour later, Hedwig left the office. She approached them with a proud gait, as befitted Himmler’s chief secretary. — Here are your documents confirming that you are now the personal secretary of Scharführer August Scholz. Hedwig smiled and handed her the documents. Charlotte couldn’t help but smile back. — OK, thank you. Augustus, who decided to wait with Charlotte, carefully grabbed her by the elbow and together they went out into the corridor. Both felt at ease, as if some kind of holiday was planned. In the corridor, spacious and bright, many people looked at Charlotte as a pretty girl, and Augustus began to be jealous. “I didn’t think that you and I would meet like this.” — Scholz said again, looking sideways at her. “I didn’t expect it either, but thank you very much.” You know, you saved me in some way. — Charlotte wanted to admit. She didn’t think that everything would be resolved so quickly. As she walked, she took a mirror out of her purse and fixed her hair. She always did this when she was worried. — Saved? — Scholz was surprised, he arched his eyebrow questioningly. Charlotte looked into his face for a moment, but turned away almost immediately. She couldn’t look into his eyes openly like that. Augustus, noticing this, did not seek her gaze again. — From my now former boss Walter Sachs. — She said quietly with relief. — Why did he annoy you so much? — August asked, putting on black leather gloves. “This is…” she doubted… It’s too early to tell him about this ugly situation. Besides: who is he to her? She pulled up the black glove on her left hand and grabbed the folder. Moreover, not within the walls of the Reichstag. She confidently turned her whole body towards him, but did not dare to look him directly in the eye. August froze, he had rarely been able to be so close to her. — It’s a long story, to tell the truth… Let me tell you it over a cup of coffee or at dinner in a restaurant, but not now and not here. I need to pick up my typewriter and personal file to give to you. Charlotte noticed that she was overly worried. For the first time since what happened with Walter, she goes somewhere alone with a man. August felt that everything was not so simple here. He was disturbed by the girl’s words, so he decided that he should soon find out what Charlotte was hiding. He smiled and, taking her lightly by the waist, led her out into the street. They left the building and, without saying a word, stopped nearby. Augustus finally met her clear gray eyes. — Is this an invitation? — He lowered his voice slightly. — And what do you think? — Charlotte smiled playfully. She liked to flirt with Scholz; it did not seem dangerous. In addition, Charlotte guessed that he liked her too, otherwise he would not have looked so enchanted, as if trying to open the doors of her soul. — Can I count on you today? It’s almost the end of the working day, let’s have dinner? I think neither your sister nor your brother will mind. — He straightened his cap, a little embarrassed. This is the first time he asks a girl out. The sun is shining brightly outside and it’s a little hot in the jacket. —Where do you propose to meet? — Let’s go to the cafe where we met for the first time. — Are you choosing familiar places, August? The man shook his head slightly in agreement. With a half-questioning intonation he said: “I’ll be waiting for you at seven…” he looked at his watch and then at her, waiting for an answer. “I’ll come,” Charlotte nodded. He walked her to the official car, which had been parked nearby all this time, and opened the door, helping her to sit down. Charlotte followed him with her eyes until August’s figure disappeared around the next bend. The girl drove to the office with a happy smile on her face, feeling interesting and needed for the first time in her life. She was glad. She kept replaying the lines of their dialogue in her head, looking closely at herself: was she attractive enough next to him? Could it have caught on to something? Her favorite black suit that she wore to work was gorgeous. A knee-length skirt, a jacket, gloves that she took off indoors, and low-heeled shoes. Getting ready for work in the morning, she, captured by some kind of playful mood, brightly painted her lips, lined her eyes and curled her hair, although she had long wanted to cut it. Now she appreciated her appearance in a new way and thanked the morning mood. Charlotte didn’t intend to fall in love. The weather is beautiful, why not sit on a warm summer evening with a man who, apparently, sees in her something more than a whim? — the girl thought something like this. However, she already realized that she was deceiving herself, reasoning as if she was only taking advantage of the opportunity to relax. While they were driving, she looked from the car window at the situation around her, at the people walking along the sidewalks, at the summer weather in Berlin, and felt, contrary to what she expected, an inner uneasiness. The drugs that the psychiatrist gave her, although they helped, sometimes stopped working at the most inopportune moments. Like now, when she, sitting in the same car with the driver, feels extremely uncomfortable and unconsciously stays closer to the door. Arriving at the office, Charlotte first went to Walter’s office. She walked with her head held high, like a general’s wife. She walked and realized that she was now free from this place. He saved her. She always wanted to be strong and not give herself a reason to depend on men, but now she understood her friend Joanna, who loved to once again pretend to be weak so that her husband would court her. Walter’s office was too small and uncomfortable. The gray walls and brown table that stands here are clearly out of place, as is the chair, which looks more like part of an old living room. And that disgusting smell of tobacco. Cheap tobacco, which she can’t stand. She could only stand the smell of expensive tobacco, which was another reason why Walter annoyed her. His perpetually oily hair, which he styles with gel, looks terrible. Even his bright blue eyes of a “true Aryan,” as colleagues said, aroused only hostility in Charlotte, although, admittedly, some might have seemed beautiful. Every time she was alone with him, she felt unpleasant and scared, but she successfully hid it behind defiant behavior. This look especially pressed on her. Walter couldn’t see anything in front of him, so his secretaries typed the text much larger than usual so that he could at least read something without glasses. He considered it not respectable to wear glasses prescribed by doctors. She burst into his office without even knocking. She didn’t care what he said, because now, as before, he had no right to push her around. The man sitting at the table suddenly moved the chair he was sitting on too sharply. It creaked heartbreakingly across the floor. Charlotte froze right next to the table, impulsively resting her hands on it and with a triumphant smile leaned slightly towards the owner of the office. Walter inhaled indignantly to hiss, he was not in the mood to talk to her now: “Are you completely crazy, breaking into the boss’s office like that?” Charlotte grinned even wider. She wanted to smack his impudent, smug face, but she knew that he would not like the news anyway, so she was in no hurry. — Did you mean to say the former boss?.. The girl realized that Walter had not yet been informed. This is even better, because she can enjoy his sincere emotions. She took a more decent pose, straightened up and casually asked: — Haven’t you called from headquarters yet? — What? No! — The man frowned with suspicion. — What have you done? — Nothing. I am no longer at your disposal and have come to collect my personal file. “She lifted her chin up proudly. — Why suddenly, your whim? Or have you lost your mind? “Walter sincerely didn’t understand why she said that, and what she managed to do at the main headquarters that they should have called him. Charlotte felt herself becoming calmer and calmer. The small victory over Walter briefly satisfied her. The walls in his office pressed on her, but she breathed steadily so as not to give herself away. — Himmler’s order. — she said much more evenly than at the beginning of this farce scene. “From now on, I don’t work here, but go to the personal disposal of Scharführer August Scholz.” — Why suddenly? Are you trying to deceive me or have you gone crazy? Is this idiot your boss again? — the phone rang. — Stay here. “Walter picked up the phone and began to listen carefully to what they were saying to him. And the more he listened, the larger his eyes became in surprise. Charlotte, who had been standing all this time with her hands folded independently, just grinned. Yes, he did not expect such a turn of events. After hanging up the phone and looking at her, he quietly, almost spelled it out, it was clear that he was shaking with rage: — B-bitch! Do you think he will save you? Do you even know what he does and what he is responsible for? If he wanted to embarrass her with this, he failed. — He is responsible for the construction of concentration camps. And, unlike you, he never limited me. Working with him was a fairy tale! — Shut up! — he came close and muttered through his teeth — Come on, go work for him. You’re just a dirty whore who decided she could pretend to be an innocent girl. But I know your nature! — He raised his voice and lost control of himself. “I wasn’t the one who dragged you into bed and I wasn’t the one who raped you.” — Charlotte answered him with hatred. “Your reputation is still clear only because of my silence.” If I had nothing to lose, you would have already lost your post. — She, holding back her trembling, smiled sweetly. She really wasn’t in any danger. He retreated. Everything is as she says, but that doesn’t mean things can’t change his way again. He needs time. — Free. “Walter waved his hand and walked around the table to find her personal file. — Go away! — He slammed her folder on the table. Then, paying no more attention to her, he turned to the window and lit a cigarette. He took off his cap and casually threw it on the table. Charlotte was convinced that it was her folder, turned around and walked away from the office, out of the building, and, in principle, away from it all. She needed to go to her therapist — Bertha — and get new sedatives, as well as her favorite sleeping pills. Her pulse quickened and she quickened her pace to quickly get out into the fresh air. She walked along the endless streets of Berlin and saw herself in all the shop windows. She didn’t know how to interact with people normally without taking pills or scratching the skin on her wrist until it turned red. She was scared, and every time she caught herself thinking about locking herself at home and not going out at all. Her hatred for people grew. She hated them more and more for their openness and the ability to not wear masks in front of others, or so it seemed to her. Everyone in this world hides themselves, but there is no such person who does it one hundred percent. She forgot what it was. Entering a building marked “mental hospital,” she began to look for her doctor. Charlotte didn’t particularly like this place. It reeked of death and depression, and there was also a terrible smell of people who didn’t want to live or simply gave up. After the First World War, soldiers who had gone mad were kept in psychiatric clinics. It was unpleasant for her to be in this place, everything was white, from people to walls and floors. White is terrible. Since childhood, Charlotte cannot stand bright colors. They seem empty and lifeless to her. Quickly going up to the second floor and running between groups of people who suffered from personality disorder, she knocked on the office and entered. — Charlotte! — exclaimed the doctor, sitting behind the papers. She was a middle-aged woman with barely visible gray hair and brown eyes. She hugged the girl and then invited her to sit down. — Something happened? — she said, putting away her usual selection of medications. — No, I came to get some medicine, I need it. — There was a plea in Charlotte’s voice. — You couldn’t refuse? — The doctor looked at her seriously. Charlotte couldn’t bear her reproachful look. — No, I’m still afraid and can’t overcome myself, but I think it will pass. Today I’m going on a date with a young man. “I think that this will be beneficial in your treatment; you were able to rediscover a lot in yourself after that incident.” — There were positive notes in the doctor’s voice. — Yes, you are right, but still there are still a lot of problems. — Everything has its time. — the doctor summed up and, having given her the medicine, hugged her like her own daughter. Bertha did not have a husband or children, and they met Charlotte a long time ago, after Charlotte, having returned home from the boarding house, did not leave her room for three or four days. The mother became worried and invited Bertha. It turned out that Charlotte was prone to nervous disorders, so unrequited love destroyed her. Bertha helped her well then, and their friendship grew stronger from that time on. Thanking her again for the medicine, Charlotte went home. **** August sat in his office and, looking at the yellowish lamp, thought about what would happen next. He would not say that his office was different from others: a table, two chairs and another cabinet where reports, folders and much more were stored. An ashtray filled with cigarettes, since he was too lazy to empty it, a telephone and a pen that always smudges. He wanted to replace it, but there was no time. He understood that during his entire service in the SS he had changed, but did not yet understand how. He became ruder and stricter — that’s a fact. He began to devote more time to work and get up earlier. He began to drink black bitter coffee, although he had previously hated it. He also started smoking more. Apparently, the difficult days at work were taking their toll. He also took sleeping pills. It was impossible to sleep without him, because he worked until one or even two in the morning, and when he went to bed, he was occupied with restless thoughts. But when he managed to fall asleep, he saw his father and mother, and his past life, his childhood. Sometimes back in his youth, when he was not as shabby as he is now. I wonder how Jens is doing? He hasn’t seen him or Rudolph since he moved out. They never spoke on the phone. They were too busy with everyday life. They have become those adults who were previously considered too boring. He thought and thought. He felt how his work in the SS had changed him and was continuing to change him. He becomes a person who sometimes doesn’t care about himself. This is no longer justified by the good of the country; Augustus almost consciously pushes himself to the point of exhaustion. Sometimes he cannot start work for hours because he needs to break himself every time. He carefully studied the documents of everyone who worked at the construction site, including non-commissioned officers. And how difficult it was sometimes for him to understand that all these people, all one and a half thousand people, would later live here. Mostly they were either political prisoners or Jews. The concentration camp should be operational at the end of July and the first Jews should be stationed there. August sat and thought why Hitler was against the Jews, what was wrong with them. He saw these people at the construction site and did not go close to them and, as the rules prescribed, looked at them with some arrogance. Augustus followed the instructions, but did not understand nationalism. For him, Jews are people just like himself. The persecution began immediately after Hitler came to power. August clearly remembers how he and Rudolph woke up at night because someone was breaking into their apartment and knocking, asking what their nationality was. The soldiers saw the SS uniform and only then retreated, apologizing for the disturbance. The Jews were driven out onto the street, where they could stand for hours in confusion and wait for a car to pick them up. Jews were removed from all positions in political parties, fired from everywhere. Nobody needed them. Many lived on the streets, hiding from the nationalists. August, when he passed by, felt sorry for them, but he killed this feeling in himself, considering it weakness. The humiliation did not end when the Jews were caught. From the windows of his office, August often observed the following picture: when the workers were given a break, the Germans were fed better and given more food than the Jews. Every time August looked for glances full of envy and desire for revenge, he frowned worriedly, but wanted to remember this expression of hatred on other people’s faces. You need to understand that for these people, after everything that happened to them, he is first and foremost a German, an Aryan, an oppressor and an enemy. He walked away from the window and sat down again to write his papers. Construction is not his place. All three objects are gray, covered in darkness, despite the sunny days established in German territories, places full of hopelessness, where the sky is black, and it’s hard to breathe from the dust in the air. Whenever possible, he left there as quickly as possible. Later, sitting in his office at headquarters, he often thought about his origins. All officers, non-commissioned officers and ordinary privates were carefully questioned about their genealogies, going almost to the seventh generation. And, of course, the headquarters learned that Augustus was an aristocrat, and by blood too. However, no one said anything. He was proud of the purity of his Aryan blood, and his desire to serve for the good of his homeland. He often went to the mirror and examined his features. In his eyes, he no longer sees a teenager who has just come to serve. A twenty-four-year-old man in military rank and uniform looks at him, whose blue eyes reflect sadness and world-weariness, whose barely grown hair sticks out from under his cap. He doesn’t want to cut them. He used to have long, straight hair that reached his shoulders: he grew it out as soon as he arrived from the academy, because he didn’t like short haircuts and considered them ugly. The SS again needed to cut his hair, and he made this small sacrifice. Now, before leaving the office, he went to the mirror to straighten his collar. I wanted to increase my confidence — August smiled at the reflection. Charlotte is waiting for him. **** Charlotte ran home to get ready for dinner with August. She couldn’t wait to wear that black velvet dress. She dropped her bag and, wrapped in a towel, went to the shower. My heart was happy. She herself didn’t know why, but for her Augustus had never been a serious man. She thought of him as a young man, mysterious and charming, hiding his scars, but still just beginning to experience life. It was not fear that he aroused in her, but rather curiosity mixed with adrenaline. In his company she felt alive. Coming out of the shower, on the way to the room, she noted that the boots standing on the threshold belonged to Franz, which means he also came early today. Why did it happen? He said yesterday that he wouldn’t come home. — Franz, are you home?! — she called her brother to make sure. — Yes, it’s me, why are you suddenly at home? — Unexpected circumstances. I was transferred. — Translated? “Franz arched an eyebrow questioningly and leaned on the doorframe. “Now I will again be subordinate to August Scholz.” She smiled joyfully — And why do you keep bumping into each other? — he rolled his eyes. “These are coincidences, and besides, it’s much better than working for Walter.” — Are you glad you left? — the question was asked seriously. He looked at her, not embarrassed by the fact that she was wearing a towel. — Of course I’m glad. — Charlotte began to do her hair, although her hair was still slightly damp. — Why? — Franz, don’t start, you know why. I hate this idiot, and by the way, it is your fault that I ended up in this situation. — Having said this, she twisted a strand of hair in curlers. — According to me? “Franz looked at his sister in surprise and came closer. — Who left the apartment then under the pretext of going for a walk? And don’t make a fool of yourself, maybe Walter will believe you, but I once shared a room with you, you can’t fool me. “Okay, you’re right,” he exhaled and raised his hands up in surrender. Franz noticed that his sister was getting excited. It’s in her nature to get started at half speed for any reason. If she fell in love, then she fell in love immediately; if she hated or despised, then to the end. — Yes, I really was at the same time with him then. We agreed, he paid me three hundred and fifty marks. — So you sold me to him?! “Charlotte couldn’t help herself and almost shouted it. She did not expect such a truth. — Charlotte, at that time I really needed money. “Franz began to move away from her, realizing that now the end would come for him. — Oh, well, yes, I forgot that you spend all your money on your entertainment. You’ll need to check your wallet, otherwise maybe you got into it too?! — Charlotte, don’t cross the line, you’re my sister, but still! — Franz also began to boil. He was a fool and he admitted it himself, but he wouldn’t take it from his sister. “I’m offended, Franz, I thought it was a coincidence, but you sold both yourself and me for some three hundred and fifty marks.” So how did this happen? — She turned away and began to put on makeup. She felt disgusted; she didn’t know that her brother would do this for the sake of an average amount. — Charlotte, I lost to him at cards then, I was bluffing, I didn’t have that amount. He suggested you, and I agreed. But please don’t turn your back on me, please. I have nothing to do with your transition to the Gestapo. I wish you a good job with August, I know that he is a good boss. Please don’t close yourself off from me. — He turned his sister towards him and, taking her hands, looked intently into her eyes. — Okay, but just because he is an idiot and you are an idiot, tomorrow you will go and give him this money. “Charlotte didn’t know why, but she couldn’t stay angry with her brother for long. Maybe, looking into his eyes, she saw their late grandmother there… The same flame dancing in the depths of the pupils. She went to her bag and, taking her wallet, handed him the required amount. He shook his head in agreement. There was no need to say that Agnet should not know anything. Both understood this all too well. The older sister periodically communicated with the parents, who tried to establish contact with the children only because they wanted to take custody of them again. Charlotte got dressed, cleaned herself up, and took a raincoat, which she wanted to throw on late in the evening, since she did not plan to leave Augustus before ten, or even eleven. She left the house and headed to the desired bar, asking Franz to meet his sister and tell her where Charlotte went. Only after this can he himself go in all four directions. She flew through the busy streets of the city and noted that the city had changed a lot in the short period of time during which Hitler was in power. The birth rate increased greatly, and among the girls more and more often, therefore, there were unemployed people who took care of the housework, and, in Charlotte’s opinion, sat on their husband’s neck. No, it’s not that Charlotte criticized this lifestyle, she just considered it unacceptable for herself. After all, when you are dependent on one person, it is a very big risk for yourself. She never saw herself as a wife and mother. No, she will never restrict herself to such limits; she will always have affairs without crossing the boundaries of long-term relationships. Burden yourself with a family? Excuse me. With these thoughts, she entered the cafe. The interior and menu here are quite simple, but many people like the cafe, so there are always few empty seats. August sat at the end of the hall, taking the same table she would have taken herself. She walked across the entire hall and, putting down her bag, said: — How long did you have to wait? August barely understood the question. Charlotte was beautiful: her black velvet dress emphasized her figure in the best possible way, set off the gray color of her eyes, making them deeper and more attractive. — No, what are you talking about? — the man finally woke up. — This dress suits you very well. You look… gentle in it. — he said the last word as if stretching it out. — Thank you. — He helped her sit down, and, calling the waiter, they took two steaks with potatoes. Until dinner arrived, they decided to talk a little about work and later move on to more personal topics. August was eager to find out the details of the story with Walter. He hoped that Charlotte would remember to tell it. He sat down more comfortably and, straightening his jacket and tie, looked at his companion again. Today she wore a tourmaline set of jewelry: a pair of earrings and a ring, which were in perfect harmony with a dress that went just above the knees and also showed off her shoulders. — August, tell me, what do I have to do? I won’t just write reports. — Charlotte put her hand to her cheek and smiled relaxedly. The pills took effect, the remnants of anxiety left her. — No, of course not. You will travel with me to sites, draw up reports, and also take them to Himmler or his adjutant. — Tell me, do you like this activity? What is this project for? — Charlotte thought that she really liked his voice, it calmed her and gave her confidence that she was safe. — This is the construction of several concentration camps intended for political prisoners, as well as for Jews. Today I received new papers. — the girl accidentally met his gaze and a chill ran through her skin. He completely charmed her. — Are you seriously? I thought that all the Jews would simply be taken out of the country and resettled abroad. “Previously this was the plan, but now the Fuhrer’s plans have changed, and he wants to keep Jews in camps so that they work for the good of the Reich. You know, they get fired from any job. — Food was brought to their table and it smelled very tasty. — Yes, I know. Have you heard that some more laws are planned? There is a lot of talk about this in the Gestapo. And, between us, beyond. — she said, picking up the cutlery. — Yes, a lot of documents go through you. Charlotte, let’s not talk about work today, since we are in an informal setting, I will explain everything to you tomorrow. The only thing I want to please you is that you no longer have to get up at six in the morning, work starts at nine, so you can get up later. — He unfolded the napkin and placed it on his lap. — It really makes me happy. Okay, let’s not talk about work anymore. — Maybe we can talk about childhood? — He opened the champagne and poured it for her and himself. He didn’t want her to be embarrassed, so he wanted to loosen her up, but not too much. “You have chosen a good topic for conversation, Scharführer August.” — she laughed — It was probably like all children. There are three of us: the eldest is Agnet, she was seven when Franz appeared, and nine when I appeared. Agnet always calmed us down when our parents punished us for another prank. Franz was not a favorite. He was always brought up to be tough and cruel, out of considerations that he was a man. I wouldn’t say that I was the favorite either. I am the youngest and I was always left either with my grandmother, where I spent six months without meeting my parents, or in various boarding houses. In general, as you can see, we are not a very close-knit family. My mother worked two jobs: during the day she was a hairdresser, and at night she sometimes worked as a waitress. My father was an engineer, and we practically never saw him. We were silent. Charlotte took a sip from her glass and asked: — How was your childhood? Sometimes it seems to me that you know more about me than I know about you. — Well, how can I tell you? You know that I had an older sister, Mia, whom my parents adored. I first studied at a closed lyceum, then, as soon as I returned home, I was sent to a military academy. At home I was ignored, my upbringing was left to chance. My sister went to Austria, where she studied at a gymnasium for girls, and later got married and returned only after her father’s death in thirty-two. I left when my mother died, and Mia was left with our family’s debts. Where they came from and what’s wrong with her now, I don’t know. To be honest, I don’t really want to be interested in this. — Don’t you think that we are similar? “Charlotte looked Augustus directly in the eyes. — In some ways, yes. Charlotte, I know this is an unpleasant topic for you, but tell us about the story with Walter. — He leaned over and, taking her hand, kissed her wrist. Her heart froze and Charlotte couldn’t tell whether it was from fear or delight. She counted to ten and, only after a short break, spoke: — Let’s start with the fact that I was not interested in men and I myself never approached first. That evening I ran away from my parents and came to Franz, since he had his own apartment. I, standing on the threshold, asked to stay with him for a while. He allowed it. Walking into the apartment, I saw Walter. He didn’t seem strange to me, although he kept asking me if I had a lover or fiancé. Like a fool, I answered that no. Then Franz, under a false pretext, went out for a walk and left us alone. After. — She faltered and only now August understood everything. — he raped me. — She finished, and, inserting the cigarette into the mouthpiece, lit it. “Charlotte, I’m very sorry that everything happened like this.” — He looked at her with sadness. Now he hated Walter even more. “And I’m sorry I made you remember.” Charlotte thought that she had never forgotten about it for a minute, but she said nothing, preferring to answer the first words. “That’s not the worst thing, August, the worst thing is that his brother was at the same time with him.” Walter paid him three hundred and fifty marks. Now I know my worth. — She smiled bitterly and allowed him to finish the contents of the glass in one gulp. — Charlotte — everything is wrong! You are worth anything, but not money. A person cannot be valued by money! Only in your actions and words do I see great value. You are a beautiful young girl, I didn’t think I would say this so soon, but I like you. — he said this in one breath and Charlotte froze with a glass in her hand. Didn’t she hear? Does he really like her? She looked into his blue eyes and, shaking the bottle, quietly asked: — Tell me, what does that kiss mean? I don’t want to wander in illusions. Before my imagination takes me far, far away from where they never return, tell me… — I thought a lot about you. Charlotte, I… — I don’t want to go home. Can I stay with you today? August thought for a moment that it was wrong to give in to her now, to do as she asked, but he could not resist either her pleading look or his desires. “If your family doesn’t mind, the doors of my house are always open for you.” — They won’t mind. Let’s finish the champagne and head to your place. August nodded in agreement. They got up from the table, Augustus paid for dinner. It was about ten in the evening, the lanterns were starting to come on. The last rays of the sun were setting over the horizon. They walked slowly and looked around. Everyone thought about their own things, they walked side by side, but not close, so as not to violate each other’s boundaries. They both could only exchange freedom for true love. Sometimes they caught each other’s fleeting glances and gave each other smiles. Every movement seemed incredibly important. Entering the entrance and going up to the third floor, he opened the door for her. — Welcome. — Thank you. — She walked along the corridor. The apartment was cozy, but a little cluttered. Apparently, Augustus hasn’t sorted out all his things yet. A small corridor ended with a closed door; on the left was a kitchen combined with a living room. Charlotte felt as comfortable as she had not felt in a long time. — Shall I put the kettle on? — Yes it would be nice. Do you have milk? — Do you drink with him? — Exclusively with milk. — This is the first time I’ve met such a person! — Yes, that’s how I am. — She smiled and walked into the kitchen. The table is against the wall, there are two stools. He took the mugs and, putting the kettle on, they began to wait for it to boil. They just sat and looked into each other’s eyes. None of them dared to break this silence, the pause that they both needed so much. They sat and watched without looking away. When the kettle boiled, Augustus was the first to look away and, having poured them some tea, sat down again in the same position. She didn’t want to lose this fight, so she watched until she felt like she was drowning in them, it seemed like she knew the whole universe. — Tell me, do you want to dance? — August asked unexpectedly. — I? Why not. — She took a sip of tea. “Okay,” he stood up and headed towards the gramophone. Turning on a tune that was very popular at that time, he gallantly approached Charlotte and, holding out his hand, asked: “Let me invite you…” bending slightly, he eagerly awaited her answer. — Certainly. “Charlotte put her hand in his, and he spun her in a smooth dance. At some point, they dissolved in each other and, when the boundaries were completely blurred, August touched her lips with his. Charlotte gave herself up to the demanding kiss and did not notice how the music ended. There was complete silence of the night. They continued to stand in the living room, kissing, not seeing each other, since there was almost no light. The moon looked through the window, the lamp illuminated the corridor and this was enough to distinguish the outlines of faces and hands. These were two souls who realized that now everything was clear to them without words. Action was important to both of them. They were overwhelmed with love, it was love for the very nature of man, his inner world, his nature and the way he shows his love. They both felt as if their souls had touched each other.