Opposite Dash sat a young man, her age. His deep brown eyes studied the girl with undisguised interest, as if trying to solve the riddle of her cold beauty. He was dressed in a simple suit and was not used to the ostentatious luxury of this metropolis. Dash met his gaze several times, but each time, as if embarrassed by this silent dialogue, she lowered her eyes, looking at her graceful hands with perfect manicure – a real work of art with miniature patterns.
The boy kept his eyes on her, and a slight smile gradually blossomed on his lips, full of charm and intrigue. After gathering courage, he stood up and moved smoothly to the seat next to Dash. The air between them became electrified, filled with unspoken words and invisible tension.
I’m sorry to disturb you,“ he said in a soft, velvety voice, trying to block out the surrounding noise, his words like a warm breeze on a cool evening, „I can’t help but wonder what you’re listening to. It looks like it’s something incredibly fascinating. Your face. it seems to reflect a whole universe of emotions.
Dash, keeping her gaze on her hands, replied with a slight chill in her voice, as if defending herself against this unexpected invasion of her privacy:
– Audiobook.
– Oh, how interesting! – The boy became animated, his eyes lit up with genuine curiosity. – What is the book, if it’s no secret? Judging by your keen look, it must be amazing. Maybe it’s a new bestseller or, on the contrary, a forgotten classic?
Dash finally looked up, meeting the stranger’s gaze. Something like interest flashed in her emerald eyes, like a ray of sunshine breaking through thick clouds.
– «The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov,» she answered, and there was a note of pride in her voice, as if she were sharing a precious secret. – An amazing work from the early 20th century. It’s a book about love, about loyalty, about the struggle between good and evil. And you know what the best part is? There’s something mystical about it, something that resonates with our time despite the fact that it was written so long ago.
The boy was confused for a moment, his eyebrows raised slightly, creating a slight wrinkle of surprise on his forehead:
– I must admit, I haven’t heard of such a book. Is it something new? Maybe some modern adaptation of a classic?
Dash couldn’t hold back a surprised look, her eyes widened as if she had heard something incredible:
– I’m surprised you don’t know. This book is all the metropolis is talking about right now. It’s a real classic! – in her voice sounded genuine amazement. – Bulgakov created a whole world full of symbols and allegories. His anti-hero is not just a character, it is the embodiment of a force that tests people for strength. And the love of the Master and Margarita? This is a hymn to the real feeling, which can overcome any obstacles.
– Well, you know, – the guy shrugged his shoulders, his lips curved in an embarrassed smile, creating charming dimples on his cheeks, – it’s a big metropolis… Maybe I just haven’t had time to immerse myself in the literary life of the city. You know, moving, a new job – it all takes up so much time.
– Wait,“ Dash suddenly straightened up, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, as if a thousand tiny stars had lit up in them, „you’re not from here? Are you new to our town?
The boy nodded, his smile widening into an open and friendly one:
– From here now. I recently moved to this amazing city. You know, it amazes me every day. The skyscrapers, the technology, it’s like something out of a fantasy novel. And now there are some literary revelations, – he laughed softly, and his laughter seemed to fill the carriage with warmth and cosiness.
Dash suddenly smiled back. She shook her blue curls playfully, and the air was filled with the light scent of exotic flowers, her signature perfume.
– Well,“ she said with a sudden warmth in her voice, as if the ice in her heart had begun to melt, „perhaps you should take a closer look at our literature. I’m sure you’ll find much of interest. You know, sometimes the classics can tell us more about the future than the most daring fiction.
The transport continued its journey through the futuristic metropolis, gliding smoothly between skyscrapers like a silver fish in an ocean of glass and concrete.
Chapter 4
The sun, barely above the horizon, was breaking through the dense web of neon signs, billboards, and drone couriers hovering in the air. The rays of light, refracting in this haze, coloured the streets of the metropolis in bizarre, almost unreal shades – from deep purple to electric blue.
On the outskirts of the centre stood another NeuroHub, a colossal complex combining elements of a residential skyscraper. Its walls, mottled with thousands of windows, reflected the surrounding city, creating the illusion of an infinite urban landscape.
It was here, in one of the many corridors of the NeuroHub, that the four friends – Faza, Dash, Nova and Anna – leisurely descended the wide staircase covered with a soft, muffled covering.
Dash, walking in front, was the epitome of the beauty and grace of the future. A tall brunette with precise facial features, she moved with feline fluidity, turning every step into a small performance. Her tight synthetic leather jumpsuit, changing colour depending on the light, accentuated every curve of her slender body. Dash’s long eyelashes cast intricate shadows across her high cheekbones, giving her look depth and mystery.
Following Dash, holding hands and whispering animatedly, were Nova and Anna. Their ringing voices, imbued with notes of fun and slight excitement, echoed through the corridors.
Faza was at the end of this small procession, but his confident gait and attentive gaze showed that he was not a casual traveller.
Passing by the automated kitchen, where the girls were starting to prepare NeuroHub’s breakfast, the company heard a ringing female voice:
– Hey, girls! Where are you going this early?
A young woman in a snow-white jumpsuit looked out from behind the counter, looking curiously at the company passing by.
Dash, without turning round, only turned her head slightly, tossing it over her shoulder with a slight chuckle:
– We’re going to the cottage, honey. Sometimes you need to get out of this plastic bag and get some fresh air. Although I must admit, I’d love to take your pasta with me.
Faza winked slyly at the girl in the kitchen as he passed by:
– «Don’t worry, Marie, we’ll definitely be back. Your culinary masterpieces are something worth living in this NeuroHub for.
Marie, a young girl with freckles on her nose, instantly blushed at the compliment and, smiling embarrassed, disappeared behind the kitchen door.
Suddenly there was a loud, almost deafening ringing in the corridor. The neural network controlling all the systems of NeuroHub ostentatiously sounded it, imitating the sound of an ancient telephone set of the beginning of the XXI century. After a long beep, which seemed to make the walls vibrate, the artificial intelligence spoke in a voice remarkably similar to the voice of a famous announcer of the last century:
– Greetings, you are calling at the real presidential palace. What can I do for such an early guest?
Nova and Anna, unable to stand it, burst into loud laughter. They began to clap each other on the shoulders and hug each other, almost falling down from laughter.
– Oh, Dash,“ Nova said through her laughter, „this is all because of your recent request, remember?
Anna, wiping tears from laughter, added:
– Yes,