Blame It All on Me. Alternative Ending

Chapter 20. Tell Me I'm Not Going Crazy

He looked at Kirill again appraisingly, then came closer and suddenly extended his hand to him.

"Apologies. And thank you. For her, especially..."

Kirill's upper lip twitched lightly in a disgusted grimace, but he nodded and also extended his hand.

"I believe you were leaving?" he asked with exaggerated politeness, almost immediately breaking off the handshake. "I will not detain you any further."

He stepped aside, while Maxim looked at the exit, and then turned to Arina:

"I'll come see you again."

"Don't even think about it," the girl muttered. "I said everything."

"No, we haven't finished yet," Maxim cut off.

"We have! I do not wish to see you anymore. And if you don't calm down, I'll go to the police after all!"

Maxim's face darkened and he took a step towards her, but stumbled upon Kirill, who seemed to appear out of nowhere in his way. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest with such an expression on his face that Maxim, looking at him, only cussed briefly and wisely chose to leave the room.

As soon as the door closed behind Maxim, Arina leaned back on the pillow and pressed her palms to the face.

Kirill sighed as he lingered on the spot.

"Probably better for me to visit another time, too..." he drawled finally, running his hand through the hair at the back of his head.

"No..." Arina stopped him, lowering her hands. "No, don't go..."

Kirill looked around hesitantly, then took the nearest chair and sat down after all.

Arina looked at him silently for some time, unable to tear her gaze away.

Now, when he had her full attention, making her once more wonder at the astonishing likeness, she was again struck by the awfulness of the situation. Yes, he clearly was interested in her... Especially judging by what her mother had told her. And that was great, but... She still felt no joy at all. Rather, on the contrary – she was in a near-despair state. How would she tell him? Admit that she had seen him in a dream? In some sort of delirium? And that she was attracted to that non-existent image? Not exactly the best beginning of an acquaintance. That is, if he doesn't proclaim her a psychopath... Conceal it? Perhaps that would be the best solution but she was almost tearing apart from the inside... Once again tearing apart... but this time in a different way.

"This..." Kirill pointed to his scar awkwardly, misinterpreting her concerned gaze, "is not the 'inmates'.

"Oh, don't let his words get to you." Arina winced. How could she be so wrong about a person?

"I know what it looks like..." Kirill continued nonetheless, rubbing the scar idly. "It was two years ago, during a retrieval mission – I was working as part of the operational staff of the Federal Rescue Service – there was a construction collapse and I was hit with debris. Managed to keep the eye by miracle, but due to the injury the vision in this eye decreased severely, and I had to switch to less risky activity." Kirill fell silent for a moment and then added awkwardly: "Don't know why I'm explaining this..."

"K..." Arina stumbled, "Kirill, trust me, this doesn't worry me in the least at the moment..."

"Really?" Kirill's face brightened up a little.

Arina forced a smile. If only you knew...

They were silent for some time.

"So it was him driving that day..." finally Kirill clarified, although that was obvious.