Page 92 of Heal Me

When we walk into the restaurant, it only takes me three seconds to find Louis with my eyes. From a distance, he is an exact copy of Denys, and I need to take several deep breaths so I don’t faint.

He hasn't changed at all, except that his always short blond hair has grown back, and his skin is a little tanned.

"Hi," he smiles.

I hug him. His hugs are warm and pleasant, he does not let me go, making it clear that everything is fine between us, that he does not hold a grudge against me.

"You've changed," he notices in surprise, and then quickly adds. "For the better."

"Thank you," I smile.

Sebastian pulls out a chair for me and we sit down. Live music plays in this elegant restaurant, which is decorated in light and warm colours.

Denys always liked restaurants with live music.

"There is almost nothing left of that thirteen-year-old girl who could kill me with a look when I took sweets from her," Louis laughs, and memories cover me. For me, he was always Denys's older brother, who rarely appeared at home. However, every time he came, we talked for hours about everything in the world. I knew that he wanted to become an architect, I knew which university he wanted to study at, I knew which girl he was dating.

God, I knew everything about him, he was my second brother, and I neglected it. I left him alone when he needed someone so much.

"How are you doing?" I finally ask.

"Good, I am currently working on a new project, so I will stay in Kyiv for a month. What about you?"

"Yeah, good," I answer briefly.

"I'm fine too, if anyone is interested," says Sebastian and we start laughing.

"How are you, Seb? Have you found someone, or are you still single?" I notice Sebastian hesitates to answer, glancing at me.

Is he really hiding something?

"No," he finally answers, and I take a sip of water. "Why is everyone so interested in my personal life?"

I turn back to Louis. If my vision and hearing were a little worse, I swear I would have seen Denys in front of me.

The same perfect features, the same eyes the colour of the Pacific Ocean, the same sharp nose and red lips. Everything is the same, but so different.

Next to Denys, I felt like I was part of something big, like I deserved something, like I was special. He gave me everything. Love, care, support...

He gave me himself.

"By the way, I heard that you are on an internship at a hospital, is that true?"

I'm surprised. Where did he hear that?

"Yes," I answer, "I interned there for two months, but I no longer work."

"Why?"

I love the sincerity of Louis' questions. If he asks or tells something, then he is really interested.

He always looks carefully at his companion, never looking away. I learned to do the same, I'm not afraid to look people in the eye. Louis taught me to hide my emotions behind a glassy gaze, but there is only one person whose emotions I cannot hide from.

Why did I quit? There is always only one answer. Danylo.

"Change my plans," I lie, no one needs to know about Danylo and me, even though we don't exist.

"In general, do you like to study there?" Louis sips his semi-dry red wine without taking his eyes off me.

---