Chapter 120 - Andrzej Has A Secret Friend?

Mrs. Janka, because that was what Andrzej had called his boss recently, was smiling at the photos he presented to her. She looked at each one with great attention and put them on the desk so that each of them was clearly visible.

"Hard to choose, really," she said. "Not only is Dominik beautiful as a dream, but you also captured him perfectly, although I must admit that working with both of you on the set was not the easiest one."

"What to do?" He grunted to hide his confusion. "Now you know what he is like."

"Cookie with cream. The assistants still blush at the mere mention of the session."

Andrzej also blushed. When asked to look seductive, Dominik first looked around at people around them, causing them a thrill of anticipation, and then adopted one of his most charming smiles. One of the assistants squealed, and almost tangible particles of sex began to hover in the air. The erotic tension grew to such an extent that Andrzej had difficulty concentrating, and soon the actor himself noticed what was happening and suddenly felt so intimidated that he stopped cooperating. Having had enough of all of this, Nowicki asked all women out of the plan - except for Mrs. Janina, of course. Only then could they return to work.

"This boy has a million dollar smile," said Mrs. Pasek shaking her head. "Only which picture to choose? Which to choose?"

"If you can ..."

"Do you have any types?" she looked at him curiously.

"I would suggest this and that," he pointed to two.

Mrs. Janka frowned.

"Why? To tell the truth, I like these two the least. Dominik looks the least sexy on them. You're not jealous, are you?"

"No, but look closely. I took this picture right after all the girls left. Do you see the look of relief and relaxation on his face? Just like a respite after a hard day's work. A moment of well-deserved pleasure without remorse."

"Nowicki, you have your head on your neck."

"In turn, this second photo is a moment of anticipation and promise. Something beautiful is going to happen, something wonderful that you've been waiting for all day, maybe longer. We all know what's gonna be next, so we don't have to bombard our clients with this. Will the promise itself not tempt them to reach for this product? A promise that they will feel like this after eating it" he pointed to the first photo.

"You know, Nowicki, most photographers wouldn't even show me these two photos. I wanted sex appeal, so they would insist on the ones that attracted me at first glance. They seduced me in a second, but you're right, the before and after pictures are more interesting. I will show the client both versions, but I will opt for yours. Looks like you know your model really well."

"I guess you could say that."

Mrs. Pasek shook her head, unable to take her eyes off the photo.

"As much as asking to be seen in a movie again," she said. "Hasn't he changed his mind?"

"Not yet, but he got a new script. He has promised to read it, but he is not enthusiastic."

"You think it's because of what happened to him?"

He knew she meant abduction.

"Partly. It's probably more complicated. Dominik was very young when he started acting and for many years he did just that. I think he really wants to live normally like his peers and make up for a lost youth a bit."

Janina Pasek smiled sadly.

"That's why I don't hire teenage models. They may be enthusiastic and beautiful and people are eager to look at them, but children should be children as long as possible. When I started, I was the same age as Dominik. Those were crazy and bitter times. The world was different then, but youth was just as stupid."

"Do you regret it?"

"Maybe. After all, 'young people can go crazy...'" she cited old poem. "Let us leave it, however. Better tell me, how are the preparations for ..."

***

Dominik did not want to stay at home. In fact, he had a great desire to go out, anywhere. He was irritated by Marczak's visit and felt as if he was about to choke. Get out, just get out of the house and get some fresh air.

It wasn't too cold for November. The temperature was definitely positive and the sun encouraged to take a walk. So why not put on a jacket and go out? Just go where?

He had lived in Warsaw for seven years, for two in this quiet, peaceful district, almost in the suburbs, which was Wola Grzybowska, but he did not know her, and even less the city. Always at Marek's side or under the care of a chauffeur, he did not bother to get to know the area. Once he was among people, he attracted their attention and eyesight so much that he deliberately avoided contact with them. Acquaintance with Andrzej began to change it and the actor was already with him, Paulina and Martynka in many places. He liked the Warsaw Zoological Garden the most, because it was the first place he visited in this nice company. Nowicki also took him to Łazienki, to Wilanów, Powsin, to the Old Town, and of course showed him his Praga. They visited several museums and visited a few restaurants, and with the girls he was even in several shopping malls. These places were interesting and cool for him, not because it was their own feature - his company made the time spent there so nice. Śliwiński could now go to each of them, but he did not want to do so. Not alone.

But he didn't want to stay at home either. He grabbed his jacket and left. Just like that, for no real purpose just to get some fresh air.

It was early afternoon, but the shadow in front of him was long. In late autumn, even at noon, the sun was low and it warmed poorly. The children, however, who ran past him with backpacks on their backs, did not seem to mind. They laughed as they soared up the dozens of maple leaves lying on the pavement. Across the street, a young woman was driving a stroller with a baby. She was overtaken by a middle-aged runner. From the opposite direction, towards Dominik, an old man was approaching, on a leash he has a small dog of unspecified breed. People lived their own lives and nobody paid much attention to him.

There weren't many shops in the area. Public transport was so developed that it was enough to take the high-speed train to be literally in a few minutes in the very center of the city filled with shops, galleries and supermarkets. For those who did not necessarily like to wander half the city every morning to buy fresh bread, there were local shops offering these products. In one of them, Dominik had been shopping since he moved here, and it was the only store he visited quite regularly. Now he also walked in and politely said "Good morning" to the saleswoman and her only customer.

They both smiled politely and Dominik approached the boxes with vegetables. He chose three plump tomatoes, a few carrots and a green onion, asked for a box of his favorite tea and white cheese, paid and left.

He only walked a few steps when he got the impression that he was being followed.

Could it be paparazzi?

Or maybe another crazy admirer?

His heart beat harder. Please, he thought despairingly, I don't want to go through this anymore!

He didn't want to show that he was nervous, but he looked around nervously nonetheless.

"Mr. Śliwiński!" He heard and almost jumped. A huge man in a dark tracksuit was approaching him unhurriedly. In broad daylight, in front of the people, he shouldn't do anything illegal, but Dominik took a vigilant position.

"Sorry to disturb you, but I noticed you were upset. Something happened?"

"I don't understand what you are talking about?"

"Mr. Bambus told me not to reveal myself to you, unless something happens."

"Are you… following me?"

"Oh, okay," the man scratched his head. He didn't get too close so as not to invade Dominik's personal space. "After the recent events, Mr. Bambus prefers not to risk and sent me just in case."

"And who is this Mr. Bambus?"

"He's a friend of Mr. Nowicki. So… did something happen? Can I help?"

"Thank you, it's all right" said Śliwiński with an uncertain smile. Was this man really his bodyguard?

"Good," the man in tracksuit smiled. "Please don't tell Nowicki that I'm watching you. He'll be furious. Mr. Bambus made the decision himself and it will be a problem."

Dominik did not understand anything at all. Who was this Bambus that gives him protection behind Andrzej's back? Judging by the bodyguard's appearance, probably not a policeman.

"And why did Mr. Bambus decide to grant me protection? It's not his business, is it?"

"Actually, no," he admitted, "but you are Mr. Nowicki's business, and everything about him interests my boss."

This answer only raised more questions.