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I spent the rest of the day thinking, but it faded along with a presentation for a seminar on Czech history. The presentation took me a long time: I had to describe the biography and the influence of a historical figure on the development of the Czech Republic in a fairly short and accessible way. My choice was a national hero – Jan Hus. I didn't like to do things with my sleeves rolled up, so the presentation was very good. To stretch my back and legs, I occasionally took a break from the laptop monitor and wandered around the room, or went to the kitchen to make coffee. By evening, I had no energy left. After editing the last slide, I closed the laptop, looked at my watch and was surprised at my stamina: six hours! It had gone by quickly, like one minute!

It had long since gone dark outside the window, and only a lone streetlight dimly illuminated the street and a piece of the neighbourhood.

Like an oxygen-deprived dolphin, I needed a breath of fresh air: my head felt like it was cast in bronze. So, putting on my coat and boots, I went down to the courtyard. The evening was quiet and cool. Everything breathed freshness. I put my hands in my pockets and began to wind round the lantern. After the long hours I had spent in the stuffy flat, I was glad to feel the freedom and clarity of my tired mind again. The evening air seemed to bring me out of my lethargic sleep. Glancing at the windows of my flat, I regretted that I would have to go back there. But suddenly, out of nowhere, a stubborn desire to walk around evening Prague was born in me.

Evening Prague is not safe for lonely girls, but that fact never scared me, so I headed to the Nusle Bridge. It was quite a long walk to my favourite bridge, but I spent this time thinking and contemplating the gloomy beauty of the Gothic churches and the old, unique Prague architecture, as fascinating in its mystery as Baudelaire's poetry. Besides, there were always a lot of tourists in Prague, so I felt completely safe.

Half an hour later I was on the bridge, and as usual, leaning on the railing, surrounded by protective bars, I admired the evening Prague. Its lights shone in the darkness, filling the evening with joy and grandeur. Prague. My beautiful favourite city! My favourite country! How lucky I am to be born in the Czech Republic and to be part of this beautiful culture!

The noise of passing cars did not disturb me: I was deeply immersed in my thoughts and stood like that for about an hour, not taking my eyes off the lights of the city. Occasionally, noisy teenagers passed by me, but I just smiled, thinking that once I was not a quiet person either.

Suddenly, some animal instinct made me feel someone's gaze on me. I glanced cautiously to my right.

Not far from me stood Cedric Morgan. He was watching me.

I was immediately confused.

"What is he doing here? Why is he here? In Nusla?" – I wondered.

Cedric headed in my direction.

"He's coming to me?!" – A terrifying thought pierced my brain. I felt embarrassed and awkward, and my feet felt like they were stuck to the pavement. I prudently kept my eyes fixed on the Nusle neighbourhood under the bridge, pretending not to be embarrassed at all, and only glanced at Cedric when he came very close.

– Good evening," he said in a slightly surprised tone, stopping beside me.

– Good evening," I replied politely, having no idea how to behave in this unexpected situation.

– I didn't expect to see you here.

– Actually, I come here quite often, so I could say the same about you. – I shrugged my shoulders.

Cedric smiled. He was irresistible in the lantern light.

– It's strange. I come here almost every day, but this is the first time I've seen you here.

– It must be because I'm always on this side of the bridge," I suggested cautiously. – Which side do you usually come from?

– That side. – Cedric waved his hand in the opposite direction.

– Just as I thought.

– How far away from here do you live? – He suddenly asked.

The question surprised me. Why would he want to know?

– I think it's about half an hour's walk from here to my house.

– You walk here?

– Yes. Do you think thirty minutes is too long?

– I don't. It's just that I don't walk much and I mostly get around by car.

"No doubt you don't know what a tram is!" – I thought, and I couldn't help smiling at the thought that Cedric probably never took public transport.

– I live in the country," Cedric explained in a cool tone, obviously misinterpreting my smile.

– I didn't mean to offend you," I said, embarrassed. – I just thought you'd probably never taken a city tram before.

– Yes. I'll admit it," Cedric grinned.

There was silence. I didn't know him, he didn't know me, and we were just mutually silent.

– Could we reschedule for Monday? – I suddenly blurted out. I desperately didn't want to face him tomorrow. I wasn't ready to confront him. – Don't think I'm getting cold feet again. I had some problems with my flat," I lied to make myself look convincing.

– Of course," Cedric said calmly.

I was relieved.

– It was great that we'd met so unexpectedly. I wouldn't have had a chance to warn you, and you'd have been sitting in the library for nothing. Perhaps it would have been a good idea to exchange phone numbers! – I said cheerfully.

Cedric didn't answer, and I thought I had offended him, but when I saw the good-natured expression on his face, I knew I was wrong. I wanted to leave; there was an awkward tension between us, and silence made it worse.

– Well… I'll be going," I said, tucking my hands into my pockets. – Good night.

– Good night," Cedric said indifferently.

I forced a smile out of myself and hurried away.

"Thank God he didn't ask to see me off!" – I thought with relief, imagining what would have been going through my mind if Cedric Morgan had been walking beside me. Even silently.

With a firm and fairly quick step I headed home, overjoyed at my unexpected reprieve. Now I had five days to think and try to understand Cedric. Though I don't think I could ever understand him.

I reached the edge of the bridge, but I heard footsteps behind me. A chill ran down my spine. The footsteps were getting closer, and as they got closer, my brain filled with stories of maniacs. Horrific gory scenes. After all, it couldn't be Cedric: he'd stayed standing on the bridge and couldn't have caught up with me so quickly.

Footsteps sounded just behind me. I took my hands out of my pockets, clenched my fists, and turned around.

– Shit! You scared me! – I exclaimed: it was Cedric.