I’m Seriously Smitten – Anna, what happened to your hands? – gasped Nastya. – They’re fine, – Anna replied tensely. – I’ve got a salon appointment tomorrow morning. My nails and skin will be back to normal. – How did you even get your hands in that state? What have you been doing, working in a quarry? – Svetlana joined in supportively. – Just did a bit of cleaning in a bachelor’s flat, – Anna said with undisguised irritation. – No need to make a drama out of it! – Really? – her friends exclaimed in surprise. – Why are you calling your own flat a bachelor pad? You always called it your nest… And why did you decide to do it yourself? There are people for that… – My flat, – Anna replied emphatically, – is just fine! And always has been! – So, you’ve taken up cleaning other people’s flats as a side hustle? – Svetlana recoiled. – Anna, we’re friends! If money’s tight, you could have said! I’d always help you out! – I’ve got money, – Anna grumbled, – and my business is doing great. – Anna, I don’t understand any of this! – Nastya fretted. – Why are you sorting out someone else’s flat? And why on your own? – Lost a bet? – Svetlana suggested. – If only I’d lost a bet, – Anna looked away and studied the wall. – I’m in deep, honestly, – she said. – So deep, I’d rather lose my business and have to scrub strangers’ flats for cash! That declaration left the girls speechless. To the silent question in her friends’ eyes, Anna said grumpily: – I’ve got a man now. And he’s such a man, I’d rather have fleas, mice, and bedbugs in my flat than him! There was panic, not horror, in her friends’ eyes. – Anna, run! If you’re saying things like this, run! – Nastya whispered. – I can’t, – Anna made a face. – And I don’t want to! I want to go to him, I would never leave him! – What? – Svetlana pulled back. – Is this really you talking? You’ve always been steel! No one could bend you! But now… some bloke!!! – I know! – Anna snapped. – I know! I barely recognise myself! I fumed, I yelled! If anything, I didn’t bang my head against a wall! Maybe I should’ve tried! Svetlana and Nastya were totally lost. But they were dead against the suggestion of Anna’s head meeting the wall. What finished them off was seeing Anna angry at herself. – What about Stan? – Nastya blurted out randomly. – You two seemed good together! And he’s very diligent! Helpful! – You can have him, – Anna brushed the idea off. – He’s no use to me. I even checked! – Anna wasn’t bothered, they were all adults. – Doesn’t even come close to Stepan! – Stepan? – Svetlana grimaced. – So you swapped Stanislav for some Stepan? I was hoping, at the very least, for a Gabriel! – Take your Gabriel and even Raphael! – Anna snorted. – I’ve got Stepan! – Is he rich? – asked Svetlana. – Nope, – Anna shook her head. – Is he handsome? – asked Nastya. – Average, – answered Anna. – Young and hot? – Svetlana asked, just in case, but doubtfully. – Forty-one, – Anna enunciated. – Then why do you want him? – Svetlana asked, teasing. – He knows how to love! – Anna said dreamily, a blissful smile lighting up her face. – He loves so well, I’m ready to give him everything! Right now, I’d give him everything! The flat, the house, the cars! Even sign over the business! As long as he’s with me! As long as he’s mine! Only mine! – You need a doctor, – Svetlana shook her head. – Where did you even find him? – asked Nastya. – Online, – Anna smiled. – I was looking for an evening of adventure… Businesswomen rarely marry. It’s not about having a family, it’s that men can’t cope with a wife’s success. That’s if they don’t outright leech off her and her money. Anna chose herself back in school. She got into beadwork first, then started making jewellery for classmates, and not for sweets! But she studied economics, and the jewellery – now not just beads – became her source of income. Education and know-how led her to see it as a good business opportunity. – Not beads! – Anna used to chuckle. – Handmade jewellery! Unique! Whatever the customer wants! – There are loads of those, – people told her. – You’ll just be another face among millions, scraping pennies! – Who said I’d be a small-time crafter? That would be small, and you can’t really grow from there. You can get by, but not how you’d like. Anna started bringing craftspeople together under her wing. It was a ton of work. Advertising, catalogues, clients, negotiations, contracts, retail spaces. Then more advertising, to market her shop as elite for those who truly appreciate quality! It wasn’t just work – it was a Herculean effort! By thirty-five, Anna was a successful businesswoman with everything and more. Flat, country house, garage for six cars, and none of them cheap. Plus, a healthy bank balance. Anything she fancied could happen with a snap of her fingers! Only, there was no room in her life for a family. And Anna wasn’t really bothered by that. For health, happiness, and drive, she had her “boys”. For a fee, they’d adore her as long as she wanted – and vanish as soon as she got bored. Lately, it was Stan she’d been seeing most. Sweet boy. Anna’s friends even thought she’d settle down with him for good. – Maybe even marry him! – dreamy Nastya said. – Then we’d lose him for good, – Svetlana said sadly. She was seeing Stan sometimes too. Why Anna went down the rabbit hole of fast-dating apps, no one knew. Maybe she was just bored that night. Fancy a change. When you’ve got sugary Stan around all the time, sometimes you crave something salty. But her profile started getting messages from guys just like Stan. It was dull. Stepan’s “Good Evening!” caught Anna’s attention. – Chat? – he added, not waiting for a reply. Anna decided to amuse herself with Stepan. Meanwhile, she browsed his profile and photos. And she instantly thought: – What are you doing here? Can’t you see my photos – cars, yachts, gold, diamonds! You? Sat at home like my gran! And that face has never met a skincare expert! Not her type at all! But the chat kept going. About everything under the sun. She had to admit, Stepan was smart and educated. – Why aren’t you rich then? Anna asked directly. – Why should I be? – Stepan answered. It rocked her. – What do you mean, why? To have enough! – I have enough, – Stepan replied. – Never want for anything! A watch that costs a million shows exactly the same time as a five-quid one. They chatted all night. Only ended when the sun rose. – Gotta head to work, – Anna wrote. – Have a good one, – Stepan replied. – I’ve got a flexible schedule. I’m lucky! Anna barely thought of her unusual companion all day. But flashes of him kept popping up. In the evening, she turned down a new restaurant launch invite from the owner himself. Made up an excuse. She settled on her sofa with her tablet and messaged Stepan: – Hi! Remember me? – Hi! I’m not senile! If I ever forget something, I find it thoroughly pleasing! Again, they messaged all night. Anna only got a couple hours of sleep before work. Again, she rushed home next evening to chat. After two weeks of internet chatting, Anna really wanted to meet Stepan in person. She said so directly. He replied: – Come over! He sent the address. Anna froze. Tablet in one hand, the other raised. Like she’d lost for words in a real conversation. – What do you mean, “come over”? – she blurted aloud. She messaged it too. – Just come over, – Stepan replied. – But tell me, do you prefer tea or coffee? Is buttercream on éclairs OK, or should I throw steaks on the grill? If it were a mate she’d known for ages, it would’ve seemed normal. But for a first meet, and straight at his place? To a guy? To anyone? Alone! She wanted to reply he’d lost his mind, but she wanted to meet, so instead: – I was thinking café or restaurant, – she wrote. – Ugh! Can’t be bothered! – came back. And Anna remembered the very different social and financial background. – Tell you what! I’ll pay for your cab, there and back. And for dinner – anything! Used to sorting “boys” out herself, Anna didn’t think twice. – I can pay for myself, – Stepan replied, – I’m just genuinely too lazy! Want to meet, come over! I sent the address. – Honestly! I won’t stand for this rudeness! – Anna wrote and dropped the tablet. And ignored it for two days. She tormented herself, but refused to cave. She expected Stepan would apologise, beg, offer any restaurant she wanted! She was waiting for it. But when she picked up her tablet and checked, her message was the latest. He hadn’t even bothered replying. Her outrage boiled over, like a forgotten kettle! Anna let out a stream of unprintable words about Stepan. Well, not just a few words. For two hours she raged. Then, when she calmed down, she realised she missed him. The urge to meet hadn’t gone away. If anything, it was stronger. – What a pain! He’s got under my skin! – she grumbled, reaching for the tablet. He might have been offended after her last message. – Hi! – Anna wrote and waited. – Hi, – Stepan replied. – What’s up? Completely neutral. As if last time had ended with totally normal goodbyes. – Fine, – said Anna. – How about meeting today? Or are you still too lazy? She jabbed, just in case. – You guessed! – Stepan sent a laughing emoji. – So lazy I don’t even want to go out for bread! Making flatbread on the hob. – So, when will we meet if you’re always too lazy? – Anna asked. – You drive? – he asked. – Sure! I’ve got a car! – Working? – Obviously, – Anna was puzzled. She had six cars. If something was up, off to the shop or the market. – I can send the address again if you’ve deleted it, – he wrote. – Come over! *** – Wait! Wait! – Svetlana interrupted Anna, grabbing her arm. – You seriously drove to a total stranger’s flat? – Yes, – Anna said, nodding pointedly. – Weren’t you scared? – Nastya asked. – What if he turned out to be, you know, a criminal? – I took pepper spray, – Anna replied. – Didn’t need it. – You really went to some internet guy’s place? Straight over? – Svetlana was shocked. – That’s madness! – I did, – Anna nodded. – And I’ve never regreted it for a second! Girls, I’m seriously smitten! And, when I figured everything out for myself, I kicked myself for marinating him for two days! If I’d gone straight away, I’d have found happiness two days earlier! – Happiness? What happiness? – Svetlana pleaded. – The kind I’d give anything for! – Anna answered, truly. – That’s not a joke? About the business and everything? – Svetlana frowned. – I’d even take out loans for him! Work it off in some quarry if need be! – Anna said, hand on heart. Nastya’s mouth dropped open in shock. – Go on, – Svetlana demanded. – So you went to him! – I went…

Im lost.

Emily! Whats happened to your hands? Laura stared in disbelief.

Its nothing, Emily replied, tension colouring her voice. Ive got a nail appointment first thing tomorrowtheyll sort my skin and get my nails back to normal.

How did you manage to get your hands in such a state? What did you dosign up down at the quarry? Chloe chimed in, unable to hide her concern.

Just a thorough clean in a bachelor pad, Emily snapped back, irritation seeping through. Honestly, dont make it a drama!

Are you being serious? The friends traded glances, baffled. And since when do you call your flat a bachelor pad? You always said it was your cosy nest

And why are you doing it yourself? There are people for that

My flat, Emily said sternly, is perfectly fine. It always has been.

So youve taken on cleaning other peoples places for money? Chloe recoiled slightly. Em, were your friends! If you had money trouble, you could have told us. Id have helped you out any time!

Ive got money, Emily grumbled. And my business is doing fine.

I feel like Im missing something, Laura fretted. Why are you tidying up someone elses flat? And doing it yourself?

Lost a bet? Chloe suggested.

I wish, Emily admitted, avoiding their eyes and studying the wallpaper. Honestly, Im in over my headId almost rather lose the business and clean other peoples homes for a living!

Her confession hit them hard, leaving confusion and alarm hanging in the air.

Seeing their faces clamorous with silent questions, Emily finally said, frustration clear:

Ive got myself a bloke. And honestly, I wish Id got fleas or mice or bedbugs instead.

Their faces didnt reflect horror, but raw panic.

Emily, run! If you feel like that, run! Laura whispered desperately.

I cant, Emily grimaced. And I dont want to! I want to run to him, not away. Never away.

What? Chloe blinked, stunned. Is this really you? Youve always been iron-clad! Inflexible! Nowsome bloke?

I know! Emily bit out. I know! I barely recognise myself! Ive raged and shouted at myselfjust short of banging my head against the wall. Actually, maybe I ought to try that.

Laura and Chloe were utterly at sea. And the suggestion of wall-meeting gained nothing but firm protests. What shook them most was watching Emily, typically unbreakable, lose her battle to herself.

What about Mike? Laura blurted out. You two were good together. Hes always so careful. So accommodating!

You can have him, Emily waved the thought away. Hes no use to me. Ive tried! Trust me, he doesnt even compare towell, not even to someone like Ben.

Ben? Chloe grimaced. Just like that? Youve replaced Mike with a Ben? I thought at least youd landed an Alexander!

Oh shove your Alexander, and take your Sam with him, Emily snorted. Ive got Ben.

Is he loaded? Chloe asked.

Nope, Emily shook her head.

Good-looking? Laura wondered.

Just ordinary, Emily replied.

Young and fiery? Chloe tried, eyebrow cocked.

Forty-one, Emily said, pronouncing each syllable.

So what do you want with him? Chloe mocked, bemused.

He knows how to love. Emilys tone turned dreamy, a blissful smile unfurling on her face. He loves in a way that makes me want to give him everything.

Right now! The flat, the house, the cars! Even the business! So long as hes by my side! So long as hes mineonly mine!

Youre bonkers. Chloe shook her head.

So where did you even find him? Laura asked.

Online, Emily said, her lips quirking up. I was just looking for a little evening adventure

Women who devote themselves to business rarely settle down. Its not about having a family; its that many men simply cant cope with a successful wife.

Unlesslets be honesttheyre living off her work and her wallet.

Emily chose her path back in secondary school. Shed got into beading as a hobby, and a year later, was designing jewellery for her classmates. And she didnt accept chocolate as payment!

She went on to study Economics, but the jewelleryno longer just beadsbecame her true income.

Her degree gave her new perspective; she realised it could be a solid business.

No, not beading! Emily laughed off the question. Handmade jewellery! Exclusive pieces, bespoke designs!

Theres thousands of those around, people scoffed. Youll be just another craftswoman! Scraping by on pennies!

Who said I planned to be a craftswoman?

That wasnt big enoughnever could offer the life she wanted. Instead, Emily started gathering creative talents under her wing.

The work was enormous. Adverts, catalogues, clients, negotiations, contracts. Then came retail partnerships. And more adverts, to position her shop as the premium choice for those with real taste.

It wasn’t just a jobit was a Herculean challenge. But by thirty-five, Emily had become a successful businesswoman, with everything and more.

A city flat, a country house, a six-car garage with all the high-end vehicles. Plus a healthy bank balance.

Anything she wanted was just a snap of her fingers away.

Except space for a family. Emily didn’t really miss it, though. For well-being, mood, and energy, she had her boys.

For a tidy sum, theyd lavish her with affection, as long as she wanted it. And vanish just as quickly when she’d had enough.

Lately, Mike had been around morea sweet boy. Her friends wondered if she might finally settle with him.

Maybe shell marry him! mused romantic Laura.

Then wed lose him for good, Chloe sighed.

Shed met Mike herself from time to time.

No one knew what possessed Emily to download the fast-dating app. She was just bored one evening. Wanted a change.

When youre surrounded by sugary Mike all the time, sometimes you crave something salty.

Her profile triggered messages mostly from more Mikesdull. So a simple Good evening! from some Ben caught her eye.

Fancy a chat? he added, not waiting for permission.

Emily decided to amuse herself chatting with Ben. Reading his profile, she scrolled through his pictures.

Her first thought was pure bafflement:

What are you after? Do you not see my photosIm in cars, on yachts, dripping in gold and diamonds! And you? Sat in your grannys old living room. And your faceno sign of a decent beauty regime!

Not my level.

Yet the conversation continued. About everything under the sun. She had to admitBen was bright and well-read.

So why not wealthy?

She asked him, point blank.

Why would I need to be? Ben replied.

That answer floored her.

What do you mean, why? For comfort!

I have enough, Ben answered. Im wanting for nothing. A million-pound watch tells the same time as a fifty-quid watch.

They talked and talked. Only stopped when the dawn crept in.

I need to head to work, Emily texted.

All the best, Ben replied. My hours are flexible. Easier for me.

All day, Emily couldn’t shake off thoughts of her strange companion, even as she tried not to dwell. His words kept surfacing in her mind.

That evening, she turned down an invite to the opening of a new restaurantthe owner himself had asked. She cited urgent work, then curled up on the sofa with her tablet, messaging Ben:

Hey! Remember me?

Hey! Im not senile! If I do forget something, thats half the fun!

Once more they chatted almost till sunrise. Emily barely slept, then rushed through her day, eager to get home to text Ben again.

Two weeks of these online exchanges, and Emily could resist no longershe wanted to meet him for real.

Being frank as ever, she messaged: Shall we meet?

He sent back: Come over!

And then gave her his address.

Emily froze: tablet in hand, other hand poised in mid-air. It was just like those moments when words desert you mid-conversation.

What do you mean, come over? she demanded, out loud.

She typed out the same question.

Just come over, Ben replied. But tell medo you drink tea or coffee? And are eclairs with cream okay? Or should I do steaks in the air fryer?

If a long-time friend had asked, shed have thought nothing of it. But for a first meetingto visit a mans home? On her own? Immediately?

For a second, Emily wanted to write, Well, arent you bold! But the urge to meet him didnt let up. So she wrote diplomatically:

I thought wed meet in a cafe or restaurant.

Cant be bothered! came the reply.

Just then, Emily remembered the gap between their social and financial worlds.

How about this: Ill pay for your taxi, to and fro. Cover dinner too. Everything!

She was used to footing the bill for her boys, so she wrote it without a hint of shame.

I can pay for myself, Ben replied. Honestly, Im just feeling lazy! The thought of getting ready, going out, travellingthen heading backcant be bothered! The weathers grim, too.

So, if you want to meetcome over! Sent you the address.

You know what? I wont tolerate this rudeness! Emily fired back, tossing the tablet aside.

She left it untouched for two daystormenting herself, but refusing to budge.

Of course, she expected Ben would apologise, beg her forgiveness, offer any restaurant, any pub she liked!

She waited. Yet when she finally opened the messages, hers was last. He hadnt even bothered to reply.

Her indignation boiled over like an abandoned kettle. Emily let loose a flood of thoughts about Benmost unprintable.

Okay, maybe not a flood, but for two hours she vented her frustration.

Afterwards, she realised how much she missed their conversations. Her yearning hadnt wanedif anything, itd grown.

Hes got under my skin! she muttered, reaching for the tablet again.

He could have been offended by her last message.

Hey! Emily texted, then sat in anxious anticipation.

Hey, Ben replied. You alright?

Totally neutral. Like shed said goodbye normally last time.

All good, she replied. How about meeting today? Or is it still too much effort for you?

She went for the jab, just in case.

You know me! Ben replied, sending a laughing emoji. Im so idleeven fetching breads too much! I make flatbreads in the frying pan instead.

So when will we ever meet, if youre always too lazy?

Do you drive? he asked.

Yes, Ive got a car!

Does it work?

Well, yes Emily was baffled.

She had six cars. If one hiccuped, it went in for repair or straight out for sale.

I can send you the address again, if youve deleted it, he wrote. Come over!

***

Wait! Wait! Chloe interrupted, grabbing Emilys wrist. Seriouslyyou went to a mans house youd never met before?

Yes, Emily nodded emphatically.

Werent you scared? Laura gasped. What if hed been, I dont knowa criminal or something?

I brought pepper spray, Emily admitted. Didnt need it.

You actually went to some random guys house off the internet? Straight up, his home? Chloe was beside herself. Thats just reckless!

I wentand I didnt regret it for a single second!

Girls, Im lost.

Looking back, when I realised how I truly felt, I cursed myself for those two days I kept him waiting!

If only Id gone at onceId have found happiness two days earlier!

What happiness? Chloe demanded.

The kind Im ready to give up everything for! Emilys reply was sincere.

Youre joking? About the company and everything? Chloe frowned.

Id take out loans for him! Work it off in the quarries if I had to! Emily vowed, placing her hand over her heart.

Lauras mouth dropped open.

Go ontell us more! Chloe demanded. So you went to him!

I didThat flat of hisdefinitely his grannys old place, I promise. There were porcelain dogs, faded curtains, and biscuit tins everywhere. It was nowhere near my world. But the moment Ben opened the door… Emily paused, her eyes gleaming, I felt like Id arrived somewhere Id belonged all along.

Chloe scoffed, but softer now. What, even with all the lace doilies?

Especially with the lace doilies, Emily admitted. He made me tea. Real tea. No fancy porcelain, just chipped mugs. We talked for hoursno interruptions. We didnt mention work or money or cars. Just books, stupid memories, favorite biscuits. He didnt care who I was, or what I ownedonly that I was there.

Laura squeezed Emilys shoulder. Was it love?

Everything with Ben was quiet. Gentle. Yet every moment, I felt seenreally seenfor the very first time. We cleared his kitchen table and played cards late into the night. I lost all track of myself, of my world, of everything except that feelingthat simple, wild happiness.

Chloe stared. So what now?

Emilys grin was trembling and fierce. Now? Now Im keeping him. Not because he dazzled me with promises. Because hes taught me how to live without needing to count a single penny or prove a single thing. Because when I look at him, I see everything I ever chased, standing in front of me with the smallest, most ordinary smile.

Laura bit her lip, smiling tearily. Chloe rolled her eyes, but her voice softened: And your hands?

Emily lifted them, red and rough, but light in the air. Worth every minute. I gave up comfort for love. Turns out, Id do it again every day.

The girls laughedat her, with her, for herand suddenly, all the questions faded.

Im lost, Emily repeated, brighter now. But its the best kind of lost a girl can be.

And as laughter filled the room, Emilys heart settled into something newa kind of rich quietness, full of hope for everything ahead.