Nowicki was not vindictive, but he believed that misconduct should be punished. He could not report the incident to the police, he absolutely could not cause a scandal, but the Italian should pay for his act, so Andrzej had a sincere desire to abuse him a little.
In addition to what Nowicki also admitted to Dominik, that he felt great gratitude towards Mrs. Janka, because she hired him at a time when he really needed this job and she did not try to take advantage of his desperation, but allowed him to develop. He felt that he should pay her back with a good of the same size, and the contract with J. Acutti was something any agency could dream of. So Andrzej was willing to sign this contract... right after he had a little bit of abuse about this Italian.
Dominik was a little happy that his beloved was noticed and that such potential was also noticed in him. Andrzej's beauty, a little raw, was really alluring and the world deserved to be able to enjoy his eyes with it. J. Acutti had a really good reputation and was a top class, luxury brand. Someone like Andrzej Nowicki suited them perfectly, and they suited Nowicki.
Depraved people were in every kind of business. Probably every big company has some crazy employee, or at least a villain. At least, based on his experiences, Śliwiński believed. One rotten apple can infect the entire basket, but you should not cut down the entire orchard because of one rotten apple. There are definitely less drastic measures to deal with a harmful specimen. Likewise, one should not condemn an entire good company just because someone had a bad experience with its representative.
Dominik put another log on the fire. Andrzej slept peacefully, relaxed and so wonderfully beautiful! The young actor was proud that this beauty was noticed by a reputable company that produces some of the best and most famous perfumes for men and high-class clothing in the world. Dominik might even get jealous that the company hadn't approached him, but J. Acutti didn't work with already famous people - they made people famous. There was nothing to envy, but to be proud of.
For Dominik and Andrzej, the past year was full of adventures and experiences that changed their lives. There was a lot of evil this year that almost wiped Dominik out of this world, but there was also the wonderful, infinite good that Andrzej had become for him. Whatever extraordinary force put Nowicki on Śliwiński's path, the actor was infinitely grateful to her, because Andrzej helped him open his eyes to how toxic his life had been so far and change it to something as beautiful as that night. Last night of Christmas.
***
For some reason, Mrs. Janka kept smiling, making Andrzej Nowicki feel a bit uncomfortable under her gaze. Andrzej was not a genius, but he was also not stupid and he knew that his boss had noticed a clear change on her photographer's finger. From that moment on, her lips never stopped smiling and her eyes shone almost like a small aquamarine in a ring.
Yes, Nowicki felt a bit uncomfortable, but only a little. Mrs. Janka was a really honest and wonderful person who loved her employees like a mother. Since most of the people working for her were very young and had sensitive, artistic souls, the woman looked after them with special care, ensuring that they did not get hurt. That's why Andrzej felt no shame in front of her, only a slight embarrassment.
"Yes," he admitted, although he was not asked about anything. "We exchanged wedding rings with Dominik..."
Mrs. Janka laughed as if she were fifteen and found out that her beloved idol was coming to her town.
"Congratulations!" she called, getting up and went to Nowicki. Without asking for permission, she embraced him warmly and tenderly, as if she were indeed his mother. And this was the warmth radiating from her that Andrzej felt. "I forgive you for not inviting me to the ceremony. The most important thing is for you to be happy!"
"Er ... thank you" Nowicki felt intimidated as if he were seventeen years old again. "There was no celebration or ceremony. We did it privately, after returning from Christmas Eve dinner..."
Mrs. Pasek released him and returned to her desk. Andrzej was surprised to see that the old lady was wiping her eyes. The sight filled his heart with great warmth. Mrs. Janka was supposed to be just a boss, but she really loved her employees and Andrzej felt touched that she enjoyed his happiness so much. Her acceptance and her support in the decision they made with Dominik were very important to him.
"I don't know Dominik well," said Mrs. Janka, sitting down at her desk again (thank God for waterproof mascaras!) "But it seems to me that he was very happy with your proposal."
"How do you know it's me ...?" Andrzej asked surprised.
"It's obvious" Mrs. Pasek waved her hand. "That boy would never have dared to do that. He is totally gay, but you... Well, it cannot be denied that women were not alien to you and that you still sometimes feel something when looking at their charms..."
"Mrs. Janka..." Andrzej decided that the boss's words were too personal, so he gently asked her in his tone to change the subject.
The woman, however, completely ignored him and continued.
"Nowicki, it is biology. You react to women. Your mind and your heart are with the man, but your body knows its. You probably will never change that. "
"Are you suggesting that I betray Dominik?" Andrzej asked gloomily.
"God forbid! All I'm saying is that you are not one hundred percent gay who only sees men, so Dominik couldn't have felt completely sure you would be with him. He also couldn't ask you to always be together because he was afraid all the time that he was an adventure for you, a temporary crush, and one day you would go back to your old tastes. But knowing you, if you made such an proposal to him, you really are serious about him. Not about any man, about him. It was for him that you changed your life and worldview, and I'm damn happy that you did. I may be a naive romantic, but how much must you love him if you are giving up your natural instincts for him!"
Andrzej had never thought that way and suddenly felt ashamed. He didn't want to cheat on Dominik with any woman. Sometimes when he saw a very erotic photo or a woman's behavior, Nowicki felt sexually aroused, but then he had no fantasy what he would do with the woman. His thoughts immediately ran to Dominik.
"Very" Andrzej admitted smiling with a blush. "I am no longer a teenager who is solely controlled by hormones. Dominik... it started out weird and unexpectedly, but he is my conscious choice. No one has ever aroused such emotions and feelings in me as he did, so... Man is above his instincts. How can I ignore this wonderful man and not want to spend my whole life with him just because my pants twitch when I see a woman?"
"That's why I like you so much, Nowicki. There should be more men like you in the world."
"You are flattering me," Andrzej blushed.
"Really?" Mrs. Pasek laughed. "You remind me a bit of people from earlier generations. Gentlemen who lived a hundred years ago. No, I don't think you're old-fashioned, that you don't fit in with these times. I am just glad that you are not someone for whom selfishness is the overriding trait, as it is for most young people today. The fact that you chose Dominik..."
"This is pure selfishness on my part," said Andrzej in a calm voice. "After all, he is the most beautiful, loved being in the world. Mrs. Janka, I am a terrible egoist because Dominik... is my everything. I asked him to always be with me, because if I lost him..."
The faces of Marek Marczak and Maciej Werner stood before Andrzej's eyes. Marczak loved Dominik, Nowicki was sure of it, but Marczak's love was distorted to a great extent. Marek was so afraid of losing his lovely lover that he turned him into a prisoner of his love. He took away from him the right to meet with others, the right to decide his own fate, the right to exist without Marek's constant presence. Werner went even more brutally imposing his love on Dominik. They both loved, but their love was warped and dirty because it did not take into account Dominik himself. However, they were most afraid of losing him, which is why this fear took their minds away.
Andrzej also felt a terrifying fear that he would lose this wonderful man, but he was even more afraid of causing him pain. So he decided never to force him, but to offer him a real partnership in love and in everyday life.