<div style="text-align: justify;">Mariya was concerned that Vitali might start having ideas. She knew that if he found out what she wanted, not only would her mission fail, they would drift apart forever. Mariya wasn’t sure that was a price she could pay. Having only Vitali as a friend now, she couldn’t risk their relationship, not even for her mission.<br/><br/>Feeling a little relieved when Vitali agreed on taking her to a place where they could be alone, Mariya nodded and followed him to wherever he wanted to lead her. While they walked, Mariya’s mind worked on what she could do. She could say there was nothing, and have him be suspicious, or move on with the idea that she had romantic feelings towards her old friend and hope that worked.<br/><br/>Even if that didn’t work completely - meaning, even if they didn’t end up together -, it might at least defuse some of Vitali’s suspicions. And what if they did end up together? Mariya felt a little nervous at the prospect. Fear and the feeling of butterflies in her stomach competed within her. Taking a deep breath when they finally found themselves alone, Mariya looked for a place to sit and only spoke once they were together.<br/><br/>Taking a deep breath and running her fingers through her hair, Mariya finally spoke, quietly. “I… I’m a little confused, Viti, I have to admit. But I… I will speak my mind, and I hope you understand me a little better than I understand myself”. She paused and stared at her hands for a few seconds. “I’m still unsure about my feelings about you, but… I… I don’t know, I wish we could be together… You’re the only person I have left in my life, and… I don’t really like the idea of seeing you find someone else and forget all about me”.<br/><br/>After these words, Mariya moved and lowered her head in a way that her hair fell on the sides of her face, hiding it. “I’m sorry, Viti. I just needed this off my chest, I… I have thought about this over and over in all these years. If you want me to never mention this again, I will not. I promise”.</div>