Chapter 182 - Partnership In Love

Nowicki was afraid of losing Dominik, but he did not want to keep him by force. He wanted the young actor to be with him voluntarily, voluntarily and willingly, because only then can one speak of love.

The photographer did not know exactly when it happened, but Dominik Śliwiński, this extraordinary young man, became his whole world and his whole life, and Andrzej was just so happy about it.

"Your love is really beautiful" dreamed Mrs. Pasek Nowicki returning to reality. "You make me feel young myself. You've been through so much, yet you haven't stopped loving each other. You even decided to go a step further. I envy you that you had the opportunity to find your place in this world."

Andrzej felt happy, proud, but also a bit sad. Mrs. Janka never got married. Either she did not find her love, or that love did not have a happy ending. Before Andrzej himself met Dominik, he did not believe that he could ever love someone and that someone could love him, and now...

"I envy myself," he replied with a broad smile. "I hated my job as paparazzi, but if it weren't for her, I wouldn't have met Dominik."

"You know the saying 'there is no bad thing that would not turn out for good?'"

Nowicki nodded.

"My grandfather used to say that," he admitted. Suddenly he looked a little worried. "Do you think that the good time has finally come, that the bad is over?"

Janina Pasek smiled kindly, but there was a bit of sadness in her eyes.

"Nowicki, life without worries and without evil exists only in fairy tales," she announced. "You will face more than one problem and more than one suffering, but you are together now and you will deal with it together. Whether you are in trouble or him, if you carry them together, each of you will only have half the weight. This is what the relationship is all about."

***

Mrs. Janka's words had a great effect on Nowicki and made him think. Until now, Andrzej always wanted to protect Dominik from everything and take the full burden on himself, although he knew that it was impossible. Dominik always carried the evil that befell him within him and no one could break him out of him.

Nowicki also understood that they are partners on equal terms in the relationship, so just as he wants to support Dominik, Dominik certainly wants to support him. Andrzej could not take this right away from him.

The photographer was so engrossed in his private relations with Dominik that he forgot that Mrs. Janka had handed him a large gray envelope containing a new business proposal for Śliwiński. When handing the envelope to Nowicki, Janina Pasek did not say much, only that after the success of the yogurt advertisement, the client would like to extend the cooperation and would like to prepare a program with Śliwiński's participation in cooperation with a certain television station. As Dominik does not currently have an agent and he did not provide a contact phone number or e-mail address himself, the proposal was sent to the agency of Mrs. Pasek.

Andrzej's eyes fell accidentally on the envelope on the desk and the photographer sighed. Dominik decided to withdraw from the world of show business, but he has not officially informed about it yet, so the world of show business slowly began to ask for him. Even the rumors that Dominik was gay and that he had led to the suicide of a man who fell in love with him did not manage to stop the viewers' love for him and perhaps the love of capital. On the contrary, it seems that they gave him a certain charm of mystery that Mrs. Janka mentioned earlier, and rumors of cooperation with Scarlett Yang brought him even more interest. Fortunately, this interest was healthy now.

Participation in Hollywood production was more than participation in European production, although Andrzej had a different opinion on the subject. Dominik, too. They both assumed that good and bad movies are made everywhere. But they both had to agree that these American productions had more publicity, so they reached the potential viewer more easily, which is why, although not always better, they were much more popular and earned more money. Thus, they became a ticket to a faster career.

Only that Dominik did not care about his career anymore, if he ever cared about it.

Nowicki sighed. Whether Dominik will continue to play in the movies, or will he definitely say goodbye to this work, it remains to be seen. The young actor was at the crossroads of his life, in a place where he would make decisions for the future, but he did not have to rush this choice. In the meantime, however, he will receive further cooperation offers and maybe it is worth considering hiring a new manager for even six months or a year?

Andrzej will have to raise this topic with Dominik.

Someone knocked on the door of Nowicki's office and Andrzej saw Sylwia peering in. His assistant (far too talented and educated to be his assistant) had a strange expression on her face.

"Andrzej, the people of J. Acutti have come to talk to Mrs. Janina," she informed him.

Nowicki frowned. Mrs. Janka did not tell him that she was expecting these guests. In fact, she did not even mention the subject of the contract with the Italian company.

Was Andrzej stretching too much and J. Acutti withdrew from wanting to cooperate with him? Nowicki felt relief, but also a certain anger at the hurt pride. If they weren't serious about hiring him, they shouldn't start a topic at all. After what Fiorelli had done to him, Nowicki probably had the right to delay making a decision.

Nowicki himself did not know if he was more happy that he was passing by the necessity to pose in front of the camera, or if he was disappointed that they gave him up so easily. For his own peace of mind, however, he would not bother himself with it.

"They are talking to Mrs. Janka, not me, so what do I have to do with that?" he asked his assistant smiling innocently.

"But this is a different group than before. Do you remember that handsome Italian who was the boss before? He's gone now. Some woman replaced him."

The news surprised Andrzej, but he once again told himself that he didn't care.

"Maybe he has vacation or other private matters. Or business. Why should I bother myself with it?"

Sylwia finally understood that Andrzej was not going to get into the rumors with her. She muttered an apology under her breath and was already closing the door when Nowicki received a text message from Tomaszek inviting him to Mrs. Janina's office.

Andrzej sighed and stood up. Whatever topic they wanted to raise with him, he did not expect a pleasant conversation. Nobody likes to be rejected, not after hearing sweet words of encouragement and actually being persuaded to participate in the project. People who are not really serious about working together should never make a proposal.

Nowicki got up, expecting to hear that he had been rejected. It won't be a big deal, though he'll be a little ashamed. He will be especially ashamed in front of Dominik, when he will have to admit that the Italians did not want him. Andrzej looked at the aquamarine wedding ring and smiled warmly. Hmm, maybe it won't be so bad, because his beloved Dominik will do anything to console Andrzej...

There is nothing bad that would not work for good, Andrzej remembered the old truth and smiled at the very thought of meeting his man.

***

Nowicki gently knocked on the door of the conference room and entered at the invitation. Mrs. Pasek looked stern, while the Italian guests had unruffled expressions.

"Sit down, Nowicki," asked Mrs. Janka, pointing to the chair next to her. Her secretary, Tomaszek, stood obediently behind her back. "Mrs. Gina Andrutti took over the project from Mr. Fiorelli."

Before Andrzej sat down, he politely nodded the head of the Italian delegation, keeping his gaze a little longer on a plump, middle-aged Italian woman. The woman looked so ordinary, so normal, he would never say she works for such a reputable fashion company. Nowicki, however, was far from judging people by their appearance.

The Italian woman said something in her native language. The interpreter blushed and translated:

"Director Andrutti wants to officially, on behalf of J. Acutti, apologize to Mr. Nowicki for the bad behavior of the company's representative, Mr. Fiorelli. Director Andrutti assures that J. Acutti does not accept such behavior. Mr. Fiorelli has been withdrawn from the project and further disciplinary measures will be taken against him. J. Acutti still wants to hire Mr. Nowicki. This time, the talks will be conducted only officially, through the agency where Mr. Nowicki works. Is this solution satisfactory?"