"We have developed a new algorithm that will allow…"
And then what Katya feared the most happened. Igor raised his hand and asked:
"Katya, how will this algorithm interact with the existing system?"
His voice, deep and calm, seemed to paralyze her thoughts. Katya opened her mouth, but could not utter a sound. The seconds of silence stretched into an eternity. She felt a cold sweat running down her back.
"Я… it's… – Katya stammered, trying to gather her thoughts. – We're still working on that aspect of it."
The answer sounded unconvincing even to herself. She couldn't get any more words out. Katya sat back down, feeling her cheeks burning with shame. The rest of the meeting passed like a blur.
Back at her desk, Katya stared at the monitor, unable to concentrate on her work. Igor's face and his questioning look stood before her eyes. She remembered how recently she had spoken confidently at such meetings, how easily she had found answers to any questions. What was happening to her?
Katya's thoughts involuntarily returned to the house, to the monotonous days filled with worries about the children and endless attempts to please her husband. Sasha lately was increasingly delayed at work, and at home was silent and irritable. Katya sighed, remembering their last conversation, which had been more like Sasha's monologue about the dirty fronts in the kitchen.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed movement and looked up to see Igor walking past her table. Their gazes met again, and Katya felt a wave of heat run through her body. She tried to smile, but it came out more painful than welcoming. Igor nodded and walked quickly away, leaving behind a faint trace of a subtle scent of men's toilet water.
"Katya, are you okay?" – Ruslan's voice brought her out of her daze and made her shift her gaze to him. She hadn't noticed him walking over to her desk.
"Yeah, sure," Katya tried to put a carefree tone to her voice. – Just a little tired."
Ruslan crouched on the edge of her desk, his face expressing genuine concern. "You didn't seem like yourself at the meeting today. Maybe you need help with a project?"
Katya hesitated. On the one hand, she hated to admit her weakness; on the other, Ruslan's suggestion could be a lifeline in the sea of her emotional chaos.