55. A Heart to Heart

Paul - A park in Bucharest

Without my knowledge, my feet brought me into a park, not very far from the hotel where the summit takes place. My knees feel like they will give way soon under the weight I feel inside my soul.

The night is cold and gloomy, the stars hiding behind thick clouds. The wind blows, making me shiver.

I sit on a bench. A post next to a tree sheds light between the branches, the leaves creating shadows on the asphalt in a mesmerizing pattern.

“Paul!”

“Lexa,” I mutter, watching her coming closer.

“I’m glad I found you.”

“What are you doing here?” I ask, looking up at her.

Her chestnut hair shines a dark red under the tree, and I wonder why I keep getting in love with red-headed women.

I tilt my head back. "Have you heard what happened in the hotel room between me and Laura?"

“How— How do you know that I—”

“I sensed your perfume on the corridor when I left the room.”

“Ah, yeah. I’m sorry, but not really.” Lexa sits next to me. “Paul, I know you better than anyone els