«What about they had talked?» Oleg thought, worried. «I hope Vera didn’t say something that could destroy my plans.»
«Oh.» Ruslan attentively looked at Lana. «Well, it’s good. When will your father arrive?»
«Are you looking for a sponsor?» Lana snorted, but her smile died immediately in view of Ruslan’s face, filled with pain. Not answering, he got up and walked away, and Lana concentrated her attention on the conversation with Oleg.
Vlad Lapin was talking with David VanStein and some other professors from the University. A smiling Megan approached and interrupted them. «Enough talk about work.»
«You’re right, honey,» David said with an apologetic smile. His guests looked at the Russian women.
«Ladies,» called one of the professors. «Why do you hide in the corner? Come here and sing to us. I’ve never heard Russian songs.»
«I can’t sing.» Nina got embarrassed, but Marina calmly went to the middle of the room. Placing her feet on the stool, she took her guitar, and sang.
She was singing in Russian, so the Americans listened without understanding the words. Marina’s voice sounded very emotional, and everybody saw – she put her heart into the singing.
Suddenly Megan VanStein noticed that the other Russians were visibly confused as she intercepted exchanging glances. When Marina finished, and all the people applauded, she asked, «What was this song about?»
«Just a love song,» Vera hastily answered, and Megan did not like the look on her face.
«One girl loves one man,» Marina sighed, walking back to the couch.
«Yeah, one married man,» Nina Lapina said very loudly and laughed.
A deadly silence reigned at once.
Vlad quickly nudged his wife, and she looked at him, then around the room with naive surprise, as she did not expect her phrase to have had such an effect.
David saw Marina glare at him. Framed with the puff of her fluffy straw-colored hair, her face went red, and he was amazed, feeling his own cheeks blush as well. The guests exchanged whispers.
«I see it’s a very frequent situation.» Lana gave Oleg a wink.
«What do you mean?» wondered Oleg.
«I mean when a girl loves a married man,» she answered very quietly, staring at him.
Little by little the party resumed its normal course, and when Lana’s father entered the hall, only a few people noticed.