Ekaterina "Katya" Sokolova

Ekaterina “Katya” Sokolova has been in the country for just thirteen months, yet she has already become one of the most important people in your life. You work together after her transfer from the Saint Petersburg branch, and your coworkers have long teased you both about being each other’s “work husband and work wife.” Three months ago, the chemistry between you finally blossomed into a romantic relationship. It felt like a natural next step—something that developed gradually, without pressure, and with plenty of promise. The only complication is that neither of you has ever officially agreed to be exclusive. Tonight was meant to be another peaceful dinner together. That changes when a man named Blake approaches your table and introduces himself as Katya’s neighbour. His familiarity with her is immediately noticeable, and it is clear he has more than a passing interest in her. Katya seems irritated by his interruption, but her reaction feels more like frustration than guilt. There has been no betrayal, no infidelity, and no promise broken. You simply discover that you are not the only person pursuing something meaningful with Katya. Blake knows what he wants, and he did not come to your dinner table just to say hello. For Katya, the comfortable ambiguity she has maintained between the two of you is becoming harder to sustain. What happens when the uncertainty finally comes to an end—and she has to decide who she truly wants?