But is there really a road? Some believe there is, while others simply live — using everything they see and have for their own good.

It happened in the most ordinary way. A casual scroll through the feed — and suddenly she stumbled upon the account of a handsome man with a wide, white-toothed smile. Photos and videos of the most beautiful corners of the world — and there he was. Young, attractive, showing off his body. How much she wanted to be near him — and with him.

 

A few admiring comments — and he noticed her. His attention to her photos and videos began to warm her inside. A light thrill — as if the most handsome guy at the disco winked at her and made a sign. A moment later — and he’s already dancing in front of her, taking her by the hand and leading her to the center. She stops noticing anyone else. Any music sounds right beside him. Everything he says makes sense. So many interesting thoughts come from that charming man! He seems serious, witty, tactful, even wise.

 

Despite his youth, he gives advice — and she takes it. He’s so natural and easy to talk to that she steps into his world without effort. Everything before him now seems dull, lifeless. She starts to see how limited her life really is. She could drop everything and fly away with a tiny suitcase to some exotic trip — just to walk through the narrow streets of Marrakesh, sail the canals of Venice, or stand in awe before the Taj Mahal… with him.

 

But instead — routine: dishes, laundry, floors, potatoes. And that man, always asking: “Why do you need so much?” His world is pragmatic and orderly. Everything must be planned, no excesses, always watch the clock, check the price tags — not just pick a cute thing off the rack and pay with a card. Why hold back, if you have millions? And those endless boring explanations — why you can’t spend more. The more you spend, the more you earn. That’s what the universe says — through the voices of the most popular coaches.

 

Just when she’s about to take off, he says: “We’ve already spent too much this month.”

And she goes, “Let’s count it toward future income!”

Or, “Let’s use another card!”

And he replies, “There is no future income. And money doesn’t just appear on cards.”

Greedy man.

 

But her hand still rested calmly in the strong, rough palm of that stingy miser — while, outside the limousine window, the lights of expensive shopfronts flashed by.