Бесплатный фрагмент - See you in St. Tropez

“Have no fear of perfection — you’ll never reach it.”

Salvador Dalí

The early June morning was truly beautiful. A cool pleasant summer breeze felt like soft fabric against the skin and the warm sun rays provided comforting warmth. An unusual mix of sensations resembling a refreshing Aperol Spritz cocktail. You know, like when daily problems suddenly don’t seem so big and people don’t seem so unpleasant. Even the city landscape, usually concrete gray and busy, suddenly appeared lighter and more colorful. More colorful, as if an invisible carnival was being held and cheerful music filled the streets, calling you to join in songs and dances, filling your entire being with a desire to live, be friendlier, more beautiful, kinder and even who you really are.

On a day like this you want to ditch your car at a parking lot in the heart of a big city, and stroll around thinking about nothing at all. You simply want to smile for no apparent reason, or walk into a coffee shop, order a latte, and enjoy it on the patio while people-watching through a pair of sunglasses. It feels especially wonderful when you see a young couple. Is there anything better than that? Perhaps, only a children with a big smile on their face. Interestingly, if it weren’t for those young couples, there wouldn’t be any smiling children. I believe, children must be born from true love. Those children you can easily spot. When they grow up, they stand out above the crowd. Do you know in what way? Just look around. Is there anyone you know whose sincere smile brings joy, warmth, and light to those around them? That’s how you know their parents loved each other very much. Such people have been born from and into love. Having been immersed in it and as they grow, they are capable of emitting this aura wherever they go. When they are next to you, and showing their love for you, your life suddenly acquires a purpose.

An old song comes to mind, “At last” by Etta James. Have you heard it? I think it perfectly expresses the feelings one experiences when love finds its way into their heart. Life’s greatest gift is to meet a person like this. Only those people can love so sincerely, unconditionally, desperately, and ever so passionately. Might you have been one of those children? If so, you must know that whoever surrounds you are the luckiest people on Earth. They’re lucky to have you in their life. It is precisely this kind of people that a wonderful day like today makes you think of. Light, sunny, and so inspiring.

Eva was done with her last exam. Knowing the right answers to most of the questions and winging others, she managed to score an A. She was then relieved as she walked through a long university hallway. Nothing stood in the way of enjoying late summer nights fun with friends. She was finally free to hang out, make and change any plans she wished. Most importantly, she was able to sleep until noon without her mother’s reprimanding disapproval. She pushed open the heavy university doors and ran outside. Thinking she was invisible to everyone, she made her way to the car and hopped in.

“What?! What happened?” Her driver, Sasha, seemed to have dozed off in the car waiting. She clearly startled him.

“Hey there. Were you taking a nap?”

“Yeah, just dozed off for a bit.”

“Right…. it’s like you haven’t slept since 6am?”

“Well, sleep is not exactly the word… I was just dozing off, and maybe just fell asleep for a minute.”

“...and here I am! The party pooper”

“If you insist…”

Eva cracked up.

“Did your exam get canceled?”

“You won’t believe it! I passed! Turns out, it was good I didn’t’ sleep last night. I was here before everyone else showed up — first in line!”

“Where’s my youth…. Can’t believe how much energy you’ve got there! Even I managed to get a couple hours of sleep while you were fixing yourself after the night at the club…”

“See… you did sleep!” She smiled, but Sasha let the remark slide. “...and so, you know, “Shamakhan” is a private club, not just a night club!”

“Works all the same, though… Like a disco!”

“What? Disco? Don’t be ridiculous. It sounds so weird, as if we were in the eighties or whatever…,” She laughed again.

“Well, those were the days! Music was great, nothing like garbage you listen to now…”

“Surely, Cardi B is nowhere near to… damn, can’t even think of a single name from your eighties!”

“It’s because you’re not thinking straight… tired”

“Thank you!”

“Well, if I had no sleep for a day, I would barely remember my name… But since you mentioned, I can help you. ‘Def Leppard’, for example. Nothing like what you were listening to on the way here.”

Eva’s laugh startled Sasha.

“Who the heck is that?”

“I can play…”

“No, I’m good.”

“Eva… this is old school.”

“And I prefer new one”

“What about Freddy Mercury? I saw you listening to him.”

“He doesn’t’ count. He’s timeless. He’s legend! The rest, I’m sorry to say, is only good at some special retro parties and as remixes.”

“Clash of generations….,” Sasha sighed.

“Fuck… my head still hurts from last night beats”

After a night out, drinking rose champagne and dancing, Eva didn’t sleep. She barely had time to stop by her apartments to shower, wash off her party make-up and get changed for the exam. By six in the morning, she had already been there, first in line. She wanted to get the whole thing over with as soon as she could. The moment she stepped out of the car, Sasha fell asleep. Eva was crushed, as she was discussing with her college mates the idea of an exam being scheduled on a Saturday. Wasn’t it obvious to whoever scheduled the test, that it would be so hard to drag your ass to school after a night out.

“How did the exam go?”

“Great! You know, philosophy is my thing. Dad didn’t even have to pay this time. I passed all by myself. And I am so damn proud of myself!”

“He sure will appreciate that.”

“Who knows…. He did promise to get me gelenvagen brabus, and where is it? I am the only one here with just one car. Everyone else has a bunch… for each season…. and me? I don’t have a jeep, or even a sport car…,” Eva sounded hurt.

“Hold on. You’ve got a business car. And not just a car. A custom-made vehicle…”

“...custom made for old people, like my dad. Made to his taste and needs. I don’t have the slightest idea how come this car doesn’t have a fridge. Everything was about his back — a million kinds of massage modes. And no fridge! He just gave it to me when he bought that van, an ugly house on wheels…”

“Come on girl! Ugly huh! It costs more than my apartment.”

“My point exactly! I can never understand how he could have paid this much? I wouldn’t give a thousand bucks for that, seriously.”

“There you go… you know it’s bulletproof? Have you seen the inside?”

“Not yet. What about us? Is ours bulletproof too?”

“Not this one.”

“Why would he need a bulletproof car anyway?”

“You better think of school. Something tells me your dad wouldn’t like where our conversation is going… and of course he will turn it on me.,” Sasha was clearly uncomfortable.

“He doesn’t care, trust me. Can you believe that he gave me this five-year-old rubble with massage under my butt? It drives me nuts!”

“What about your giraffe friend. She doesn’t even own a car. We always have to pick her up…,” fired the driver, noticeably unhappy with the conversation.

“Giraffe? Oh… you’re talking about Elly. She ain’t a giraffe. You even know what stats she’s got? ….Bella Hadid would be jealous.”

“Who?”

“Never mind,” Eva sighed, “...she is a legend among top models!”

“What an unhealthy fashion. Everyone’s is so skinny…”

“Skinny is good. Clothes look great on skinny people. More glam, if you will”

“It may very well be. Yet, it is the clothes that they have to take off regularly, my apologies for being crude.”

“I don’t get it…”

“What kind of men is actually attracted to skeletons? That’s what I’m talking about”

“I didn’t even get it. Sasha, Sasha…,” Eva was laughing. “A lot of men prefer that type of figure.”

“To each, their own, I guess…. As for me, I’m a true connoisseur,” the driver friendly objected.

“Whatever. Let’s change the subject,” asked Eva, having laughed once again. “Look what a nice day it is today! I just can’ be at home on a day like this.,” Eva exclaimed. “Tell me when will another day like this happen again!”

“No idea. Do I look like a weatherman?” Sasha replied indifferently. “So, where are we headed? Home or your mom’s?”

“Do I look like I’ve gone crazy? Mom’s? Don’t be ridiculous, she will kill me…”

“As if she knew you spent the night out…,” Sasha started to laugh but then a seriously expression overshadowed his face. “Or… Does she?” He turned around and looked at Eva in the backseat. “I didn’t tell her anything….”

“I know man, don’t worry. She knows nothing about last night. She thinks I was studying for my exam all night long. Perks of having your own place. Don’t worry about it.,” Eva yawned.

“Let’s go!”

“Where?”

“Downtown”

“Where downtown? Red Square or what…?”

“Why not? I haven’t been there in a million years. The only times I see it are from a restaurant or driving in a car. I want to walk!”

“By yourself?”

“Well, everyone else is stuck at that exam now. Elly will sleep till three, after last night. And we have dinner plans anyway… not until nine, though…,” Eva was thinking aloud, “…I kinda need a late breakfast. Let’s head over to ‘Pushkin’!”

“Got you,” Sasha replied in a serious tone and started the car. The black shiny Mercedes S class made its way onto the street and immediately stuck in traffic. Eva reached into her armrest compartment for cigarettes and a lighter.

“Do you know when are we having the fridge installed here?”

“Not so sure they even will. It’s kinda pricey. You know, when you order a new car it all gets installed initially… custom order. In our case, everything will have to be rebuilt. The guys responsible for your dad’s fleet said the price didn’t get approved yet, and they doubt it ever will. They’re kinda scared to approach him with that.”

“Approach who?”

“Your dad.”

“Oh… I see. Then we will wait for the Jewish Easter, as Elly says.,” Eva concluded with disappointment in her voice. “I told you, we have to find a service center ourselves, I’d pay myself.”

“You know I can’t… without Vadim’s knowing.”

“Who the hell is Vadim?”

“Office utilities chief for your dad.”

“Right,” Eva grinned, “...course, when it comes to buying a new car for yet another slut of his, it’s no problem. And when it’s a fucking fridge in the daughter’s car — the only daughter, I will say, — hell, no!”

Sasha went silent while Eva’s outrage grew.

“You know, Sasha… you kinda live thinking you’ve got everything, but in fact, you ain’t got shit. I hate this! I guess I do need to start seeing a shrink, or else I’ll go nuts.,” Suddenly Eva’s phone rang. The car screen ID’ed comical “Elly. Danger”

“She not asleep?” Eva wondered.

Meanwhile, Sasha seemed relieved Eva’s friend had called. He didn’t like the occasions on which he would hear something about his employer that he was not supposed to hear. The last thing he wanted was to witness, or be in the middle of a family fight. Nothing good comes out of this. The family will always make up and blame you for having said something. And you kinda always do say something! It is easy to catch yourself eagerly agreeing that your employer is either too greedy, having failed to give you a rise after five impeccable years of service. Even if you do manage not to say a word, an innocent nod will get misinterpreted to the point where you will find yourself jobless.

“Where the hell are you? Not again!” Eva appeared to be talking to her phone that was sunk somewhere at the very bottom of her purse.

“You want speaker on while you’re looking for it?”

“No way. Elly’s calling. She will say something that I will have to kill you for if you hear it,” Eva laughed. She finally found the phone in her Birkin purse and having disabled the car connection, answered the phone. “I swear to you I thought you’d sleep till five!”

“Please, not that loud,” begged the sleepy voice on the other end.

“Why aren’t you asleep?”

“I wish I was…,” the sleepy voice replied.

“What’s up?”

“I got woken up...are you sitting down?”

“I am in the car”

“Where the hell are you going at nine in the morning?”

“I just got done with the exam. Headed to Pushkin for late breakfast. Want me to pick you up?”

“How long do I have to get ready?”

Eva looked up at the driver.

“Sasha, we gotta pick Elly up. How long till we get there?”

“well, well, well… Here we go….”

Inside her head Eva wondered whether he will ever knock it off.

“Well, if there’s no traffic, maybe twenty minutes…” the driver said.

Eva got back on the phone.

“See you in five. Get ready quick I’m not gonna wait for you like last time.”

Sasha glanced over at Eva thought the rear-view mirror, clearly surprised.

“I guess I’ll have to skip make up then. I bet you’re all done up, though?” her friend asked.

“I haven’t even slept since last night! Got home, showered, changed and was off to college.”

“Girl, you’re crazy!”

“See you soon”

“Ok.”

Having finished the phone conversation Eva smiled to herself. She then noticed the surprised expression on her driver’s face, looking at her through the mirror.

“What?”

“I said twenty….”

“Come on, man. Do you actually believe she’ll get ready in twenty minutes? We’ll be waiting just as long, I’m telling you —” Eva said with regret in her tone. “I wish I hadn’t invited her, though. Now, I feel I am gonna be late for breakfast. All I wanted was to have a normal breakfast, after a night at a club. Not at five in the morning.”

“I don’t remember you ever having a normal breakfast, as you say… In fact, I don’t even remember you making it to college in time for the first class…”

“See… that’s what makes it tricky. Everyone’s going to work or study when we’re driving home after partying.”

“I’m used to it. Though, my wife gets unhappy….”

“Why?”

“She’s jealous.”

“Jealous of who?!” Eva’s face fell with surprise and a hint of disgust, as her inner voice was screaming trashy variants. Like jealous of Eva. Pshaw!

“Go figure what’s in her head,” Sasha sighed and frowned.

Eva felt amused as she pulled a pair of sunglasses out of her purse. On her smartphone, she selected her favorite playlist. Her favorite new school track, that her driver especially despised, was now playing. She turned the phone’s sound up, reached for another cigarette, and leaned back in the seat, having activated the massage feature. Perhaps, having massage seats wasn’t a bad idea after all. She was hoping Elly would be ready by the time they get there

Elly

My best friend lived in a historic pre-revolutionary building located in the very heart of downtown. The property’s beauty was hardly a consolation for lack of parking space. Elly lived with her mother and granny. They were one of those Intelligentsia families, Muscovites in multiple generations, as she would often claim. Her parents had long been divorced and the only thing she knew of her father was the fact he had gone away on an expedition and never returned. He did return though, only with another family. This fact, however, did not bother Elly in the slightest. That’s what she said and I had no reason not to believe my best friend. I trusted her with my life.

She always knew how to dress with taste, her natural beauty made up for the fact her family income wasn’t enough to afford the latest clothing collections. She possessed a look of a real model: long legs, a wasp waist, 5’11 height, and a pretty face with well-defined high cheekbones and beautiful plump lips. What seemed like a greater gift was her ability to eat everything she liked, without putting on any weight. Only a few could forgive such injustice, those who could not, called her a stuck-up bitch, or even a witch.

She attracted all kinds of men. From wealthy ones, or their offspring, to collegemates who would go out of their way to do anything for her. To pass her exams, for instance; Or spend an entire night outside her building, reciting love poems. She was spoiled with the attention of men, it seemed from the moment she was born, and that explained her cold, catty, and at times spiteful attitude she wouldn’t think twice to demonstrate. From time to time, it seemed she was even tired of all the admiration. Whether it was just an act or truth, it certainly added certain charm to her character. From all of her admirers she was drowned to those so-called trustafarians. In my mind, there was little room for a doubt she would soon be scoring her “golden ticket,” getting successfully, yet conveniently married. The “thick wallet” or perhaps his son she eventually will pick — will be her perfect companion. I strongly believed in it, even though could not openly endorse her approach. Elly didn’t mind. She was firmly convinced true love didn’t exist while material issues certainly did. It was a very important element of her belief system, that also featured much pride in her family name, quite prominent in the intellectual circles. She was a firm believer that any nouve riche — new rich, and his family would be honored to blend families with hers, and do everything for herself, her mother, and especially, her granny Rosa Markovna. To be honest, being surrounded by the people she chose to hang out with was never really my thing. However, I did that because she asked. I wasn’t a big fan of “jet set’ — trust funds children, and never missed an opportunity to point it out. I believe all they were was a gang of super-depended and degrading “dwarfs. I was happy not to be one of them. Yes, I myself may have been born into a wealthy family, but I was never a part of trust-fund babies club.

I remember debating about it at our favorite Italian restaurant.

“So, what are you then? A proletarian?” she would snide as I touched down on the subject. I thought of myself as being rebellious. Having a choice, will, and possibility not to hang out with them of course meant I had nothing to do with them.

“I am not on the jet set list, trust me on this one. Maybe ‘on papers’. But I refuse to be labeled. You know what my dad’s like. I am just a daughter of a wealthy man, awho still depends on him. That’s it. But I am Eva Isaeva. I am a person. You will see the day will come when worthy, strong, and independent women will take over the world. I believe in women’s strength and talents without male oppression. Not only is this world ready for such women, it needs them. I will be one of them, you will see!”

“Yea, I see. In the meantime, can you pass me that peppermill? Thank you, my powerful woman,” Elly wouldn’t stop teasing.

“You can laugh all you want!”

“I hope you’re not gonna take part in protests?” Elly asked, having almost choked on her truffle sauce.

“Are you insane? I am trying to make a point here. Can you hear yourself? I am talking about the importance of life priorities! But if you insist, I would take part in something like that, if it will be needed!”

“I am just messing with you! You know stuff they write about in the media this days. Nutcases. I am really scared,” she rolled her eyes. “By the way, Rosa literally made me read “The Catcher in the Rye” and guess what? Having read it, I actually liked it but only because of just one thing… have you read it?

“No”

“Well, it’s more like for teens. It’s about this kid who decides to rebel… Go against his family rules, because he had this life realization, a shock. I won’t spoil it for you, though. You have to read it. But here’s what I really liked and I think that is the point the author was trying to make. Well, so this kid’s friend gives him a very powerful idea.”

“What idea?”

“Well, he basically says that an immature man is that one who wants to die for a right cause, and a mature man will accept and live for a right cause.”

“So deep, but what’s it got to do with me? I was talking about the power of women. In other words, my dear Elly, a day will come and you will see how we girls can work and make enough money to buy Chanel and Bentley!

She listened carefully and then asked with a hint of sarcasm.

“Well, let me know where to apply for a job like that? You may be surprised, but I personally wouldn’t mind working to afford Chanel and Bentley without having to date some daddy’s boy.”

In the moments like this I always found myself stunned at how prudent and mercantile my friend could at times be, and a clinical way she could talk about certain things.

“I can’t produce an answer right now, you know. I don’t really know what to say to this. At least, not yet. I need more time to find myself. I’m sure the day will come soon.”

“What exactly? Find yourself or a million bucks inside a Bentley on the way to a Chanel boutique?” Elly asked, getting her fork in my spaghetti aglio olio — one of the nasty habits of hers, getting into people’s plates. I was glad it probably happened to be her only flaw.

“The day when I am completely independent,” I replied. “Just remember this. The worst thing that can happen to you in life is you finding yourself dependent on someone.”

“If it’s your dad, it ain’t that bad, huh?” Elly sang and winked. “Oh, this is so yummy!”

“Trust me, whether it’s your dad or some random dude, it’s all the same — horrible.”

“I wouldn’t know. I ain’t got a father like that, or some man….,” Elly said and then added, rolling her eyes: “…unfortunately,” She always rolled her eyes whether the situation asked for it or not. It took me a while to get used to it, but initially it was super annoying. Well, I guess that was her other flaw, come to think. Well, as they say, nobody’s perfect.

“Unfortunately?! Maybe… you’re lucky. It’s not like you’re poor and starving to death.”

“Of course not. Not with mom and Rosa,” she always called her granny by her name — those were family ways. “In fact, I am quite content. Everything is pretty good. Knock on the wood,” she gently knocked on the wooden table top, “…but to be honest, I wouldn’t mind someone taking care of those little problems that we do have.”

“You’ve no idea what you’re saying. Imagine you get married to one of those idiots you hang out with….”

“Who?”

“What? Are you serious? Not even denying! You practically agreed they’re all idiots!”

“Of course, I am not stupid. I am a realist. Having said that, I place my confidence in my genetics, the children will take all the best from me, trust me on that one.”

“What if they don’t?”

“What if… what if my aunt had nuts? She’d be my uncle!”

“I see. You’re hopelessly lost to society.”

“Don’t exaggerate. What do you suggest? That I, with my looks and status, work as a manager at some cosmetic store?” Elly’s face winced at the idea.

“It doesn’t have to be this way. Even if you decided to work at a cosmetic store, with a brain like yours you could be as successful as Liliane Bettencourt or even Kylie!”

“Easy for you to talk about it, looking at the grey reality of this world from inside your black Mercedes, or about careers like Bettencourt, who if I’m not mistaken got it passed down to her from her father. Trust me babe, everything is much simpler than that — men rule this world, and thank God, half of them are still straight. And as you may already know, every head needs a neck.”

“Perhaps you’re right. but those fans of yours are nothing but sons of those heads. Thus, I can’t even begin to comprehend what body part they actually are. I seriously doubt you can be their neck though…”

“You’re so…. bad. You know what? You need to learn how to be honest in a nicer way. Or maybe even learn how to keep your mouth shut. Otherwise, it might be challenging for us to get you married.”

“I don’t want to get married. I’d rather be single than with some pathetic guys…. that kind that follows you everywhere.”

“Who are you talking about in concrete?”

“I don’t even know who to pick from all of them. They’re all the same. Honestly. Neither on the outside, nor inside — all shallow. The only solution they know to any problem is their dads.”

“What do you want from me?”

“I want you to finally start appreciating yourself. For starters. And secondly, I want you to spread me the trouble of having to hang out with them, or join them for dinners. I can’t even find another word that would fit their description, other than idiots. I can’t even eat in front of them, they spoil my appetite.”

“That will keep you in shape. For free.”

“Do I look like I’m a free rider? If you noticed, I never even order anything when one of those idiots invites us to eat out. I’d rather pay for you…,” this time it was me who rolled my eyes and laugh, “…of course, if you don’t order Dom Perignon. If anything happens, all those guys won’t be able to eat at McDonalds without their dads, and you know it!”

“There’s a family behind each of them. That’s why I doubt there will ever be a need to work at a McDonalds. Trust me.”

“Even worse. It’s like you’re marrying an entire family!”

“That’s the way it’s always been. Read any classic novel.”

“I don’t know what books you’re talking about. Maybe, some perverted novels. I always read the other kind. But if you’re O.K. with that, go ahead, it’s your life. I have no right to judge. But remember you will have to bend over and get out of your way to please the whole family, find all their skeletons they hide in the closet, and wash their dirty laundry. Do you really need it?”

“You’re taking it too seriously. For real, you know what they say? Take yourself seriously, but life easy. Or was it the other way around?” Elly laughed.

“Nonsense.”

“Don’t worry…,” Elly said and placed her hand on top of mine. With a serious face, she added, “...some of them have very handsome dads.”

“You’ve got to be kidding!” My jaw dropped when I heard her say these words. With her index finger she touched my chin as if forcing me to close my mouth, wide open with surprise.

“Elly, I thought nothing will surprise me about you after that night at Mario’s

“I know, right? I am unpredictable. And you Eva, are really cute. Seriously. Don’t ever change. Chicks like you are hard to come by. And Eva, honestly, please forget that night.”

“Whatever. If you want to live with those idiots, be my guest. Don’t tell me then, I haven’t warned you.”

The car suddenly stopped, having pulled up in front of Elly’s building. Sasha turned on the hazard lights.

“Looks like you were wrong, Eva. There she is, smoking. Seems like she’s been waiting for a while — half way done with her pack of cigarette,” the driver said sarcastically.

“I can’t believe it!” Eva agreed with a surprise in her voice. “Something must have happened.”

“You said five minutes. I’ve been here for half an hour!” Elly seemed crushed, as she opened the door and got into the car. “Hello there, Sasha”, she snapped without even looking at the driver. Their hostility was mutual for what seemed to be no apparent reason.

“I was sure you’d take forever!” Having exchanged kisses, Eva looked at her friend in disbelieve. “You really didn’t put any makeup!”

“Look at you, all suspicious. What is it, don’t you trust your best friend?”

“Well, it’s just so not like you…”

“You won’t believe what just happened…,” Elly mumbled, frantically looking for something in her purse.

Elly wore jeans, a white wife beater t-shirt with no bra underneath. “Probably intentionally.,” Eva thought as she assessed her friend’s outfit that noticeable flattered her naturally beautiful breasts. She had a light-grey cardigan and boots same color. Her beautiful hair was let down and fell on her feminine shoulders. Elly possessed that kind of natural beauty that complemented and enhanced the clothing, and not the other way around.

“You won’t believe it.,” she went on. “But I have to prepare you for the news you’re about to hear!”

“What the hell happened?”

“You’re gonna drop dead! I promise you!”

“Tell me!” Eva was begging.

“Hang on. Let us take a walk instead. It is like a tree minute walk, if we cut through the square. Otherwise we will be driving for hours in this traffic. Cuz you’ve got to know the roads…,” that remark and a look of disapproval were addressed to Sasha.

“Knock it off! Sasha’s got nothing to do with the traffic situation. And my car doesn’t have wings!” Eva cut her friend short. She did not

appreciate her friend’s openly expressing her irrespective attitude towards her driver. She sensed the fury of the driver and avoided looking at him.

“You know, you’re right,” she added peacefully. “I am down. Let us take a walk in the fresh air.”

“You mean freshly polluted?”

“It was your idea! Though, I did want to take a walk today. The weather’s fantastic. Let us get out.”

“Look at the rich girl, deciding to take a walk without bodyguards’ entourage — amongst us, commoners. I think, today it is going to snow. I was sure you would say NO…”

Sometimes Elly sounded so dumb.

“Was it supposed to be funny, or what?” she gave her friend a screw loose sign.

“Sorry, boo. I must be under the weather from lack of sleep… and that news.,”

Elly got out of the car. Eva followed her friend, having asked Sasha to wait for them at the restaurant. Just as Elly was about to reveal her mysterious news, her phone rang.

“Gosh… what now?”

“Who is it?”

“Rosa,” Elly sad, look of despair on her face.

“What is up, na?

Eva was walking beside her friend, smiling and listening to the conversation Elly was having with her funny, sweet granny. She loved listening to them talk, their conversations resembled some comedy sketches. Her grandmother would make a great topic for a stand-up comedy, getting her and herself famous altogether. The sun had reached its peak and Eve was hot. She took off her light white leather coat, and was now in a t-shirt. The upcoming summer had been predicted hot. The bright sunlight made everything around them saturated with colored, filling the world with positive vibes. It felt like something magical was about to happen. Have you ever felt like that?

Eva found herself wondering whether a miracle will be happening soon; Perhaps, a fridge will magically pop up in her car and she will finally be able to enjoy her rose champagne on the way to clubs, late Friday nights; Or perhaps something entirely different will happen. She will meet her real — flesh and blood — boyfriend. A young, fit, and handsome guy with piercing blue eyes and big heart… Lost to her imagination, she felt so good as if she had real wings. She felt like she was floating through the green boulevard, smiling to everyone on her way. She saw people smiling back; Although one lady seemed to have freaked out and rushed away which made Eva laugh. She was now contemplating on what kind of news would force Elly to leave her house with no makeup on. Is she finally getting married to one of those idiots she hangs out with? Or maybe she found a sugar daddy among their fathers. While she was consumed in her thoughts, they had reached the restaurant and were now inside. All that time Elly was on the phone with her granny, and seemed to be arguing with her passionately, as if trying to prove something. Eva was convinced she was right about her friend’s marriage soon to take place. “They’re probably arguing about the wedding dress…,” Eva thought to herself.

“Good morning…,” the waiter greeted them. The hostess was nowhere to be seen.

“Morning. By the window, please,” Elly said in an arrogant manner.

“Where would you rather dine?”

“Here, on the first floor, right?” Elly asked Eva, completely ignoring the waiter.

“Is there anything on the patio?” Eva wondered looking at the waiter and smiling.

“I’ll see what I can do. Follow me,” happily replied the waiter, never once having lost the 17th century young man character, the number one rule at this fancy place.

Elly rolled her eyes with disapproval as they followed their waiter. She was ranting on and on about how she would have preferred the first floor and about her conversation with Rosa. Eva kept nodding, but was really consumed by her own thoughts. They picked a table on the patio and ordered cold water.

“And two glasses of wine!”

“Elly, what wine? It’s not even noon!” Eva suddenly felt embarrassed in front of their waiter. “I mean… I wanted to get us some rose bubbles, but you didn’t give me a chance.”

“Ruinart?” the waiter asked

“Perfect. I need a minute to think about breakfast, though. Maybe after the first glass…”

“Hmmm… I don’t know about the champagne…,” Elly seemed hesitant.

“What’s up? What happened that you’ve decided to drink in the morning?”

“I think I’d do a vodka shot.”

“Oh my god, you’re scaring me. What happened? Why vodka?”

“Please, just a glass of white wine. We can’t be drinking champagne after what I am about to tell you…”

Eva felt uncomfortable.

“What happened? Is everything all right?”

“With me — yes, thank God.,” She looked at the waiter who was still there. “You know, we’ll get a bottle.,” Elly said. The waiter nodded and went away.

“Here… listen…”

“You’re scaring me…”

“Well… you’re so easily impressed. I don’t want to traumatize your fragile psyche…”

“Come on already. Tell me. If you are gonna take longer, you will see me kick the bucket, as Sasha likes to say.”

“What Sasha?”

“My driver, Sasha.”

“Oh him…. I should have guessed. Who else would say such a thing…”

“Leave him alone! I’m starting to think you fancy him…”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. So, listen… You remember Bella?”

“Besides traumatizing my fragile psyche, you think I have memory issues?” Eva placed her phone on the table, having enabled the silent mode. “Let me guess… she’s dating one of your idiots, right?” Eva produced a snort while laughing.

“Not exactly…,” she ran her fingers through her hair, fixing a stubborn curl behind her ear. Then, she coldly added: “She died.”

The silence hung between two friends. What seemed to be a semi-smile froze on Eva’s horrified face that had been grinning just a few seconds ago. They started at each other, both not knowing what to say, or even what to do in that instant. As if a computer’s operating system froze and needed to be rebooted.

“Here’s your glass of rosé,” the waiter broke the awkward silence.

“Thanks,” Eva heard herself say. Her voice sounded weak, tears rolling down her cheek.

The waiter, not knowing what to do, uncorked the bottle and splashed some wine into the glass — an invitation to taste. She looked at him in surprise which made him fill the glass to the top and quickly disappear, asking no further questions.

“Why are you crying, silly?” Elly seemed worried with such a sincere concern on her face which Eva thought she rarely saw her friend display. She was clearly worried, despite the unspoken taboo people like Elly had on openly expressing their emotions. Being an iron lady, a snow queen, she never showed what she really felt. Never. That was the reason many openly disliked her for her coldness, arrogant confidence, and condescending attitude. Elly never cried. But in that instance her heart was filled with pain and compassion that have forced the iron mask she had worn off her face. Although, she did not really cry, you could see something in her eyes — the eternal sadness, and to Eva’s surprise, warmth and unmistakable urge to help a friend to cope with the terrible news.

“Eva, stop crying or I’ll cry myself!”

“I don’t even know why I reacted this way,” Eva said weeping.

“You sure you don’t want wine?”

“No, thanks,” Eva said, taking another sip of champagne.

“Poor guy,” Elly said, looking at the waiter who stood at the opposite corner of the restaurant, discreetly looking at two friends. “He’s probably worried for you. I bet he wishes he had brought vodka.”

“Tell me, how did it happen? I still cannot believe it. I cannot even say it aloud. How old is she? I mean was…,” having realized the extent of the tragedy, Eva burst in tears all over again.

“Eva, baby. Please, do not cry. Had I known…. I would have had you over to tell you… and then we would’ve come here. I should’ve listened to Rosa.”

“Listened to Rosa?” Eva was confused.

“She said you’re rather sensitive, yet you try to look strong and rebellious. But in reality, you’re just a baby whale who’s still holding on to the mother’s flippers…”

“She’s right. As always,” Eva sadly agreed. By then she had stopped crying but her cheeks were wet and eyes puffy.

“I hope she’s right only about that. You’ve no idea, all the time we were walking here she was screwing my brain, trying to convince me not to go to the restaurant dressed like this.”

“What’s wrong with your outfit? I think you look amazing for someone who only got four-hour sleep.”

“She doesn’t think so. She told me I looked like a pale moth and today there may be just the right man who will pass by me without ever noticing. Or, even if he noticed, he wouldn’t be as impressed. When it comes to men it’s all about the first impression. Don’t you look at me like that. It is not my idea, it’s all Rosa’s. She believes that if a man sees you all beautiful, stunningly dressed, that’s how he’s going to keep seeing you forever — even when you’re not wearing any makeup or dressed in a bathrobe… In other words, if he likes you the way you are naturally, with bed hair, without makeup, just like I am now, then no matter what you wear later — he will perceive you as a simple woman who isn’t capable to impress any other men. And since all men are primitive, according to Rosa of course, and driven by natural instincts, the other kind of women — who are able to attract other men. Don’t know if I made much sense, but something like that…”

“What kind of trash is that. Utter nonsense. Now you have to wear a corset and have a whip in order to be loved?”

“I wish. If only you knew what I have to listen every Friday night before going out. She is never pleased. Now, I look too humble, and pale. Other times, vulgar, like a whore. She’s a true Madame Paradox. She makes me sick,” Elly rolled her eyes and took another sip of wine. “And now imagine me having to listen to this nonsense non-stop! And today it went on over the phone. God have mercy on my poor ears.”

While Elly was complaining about her granny Eva finished her glass.

“Another one, Madame?” asked the waiter who seemed to have suddenly popped out form the thin air, startling Eva. “Oh, my apologies. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“No worries. Yes, please. I’ll have another one. I’m not hungry though, thanks.

The waiter disappeared.

“He annoys the heck out of me,” Elly snapped. “Anyway. Just promise me you won’t be crying anymore! Otherwise I won’t be able to tell you the rest… of what I know… or keep learning about.,” Elly was now looking at her phone which she never turned off.

“How do you keep learning…?”

“Well, Instagram of course. Why do you even need one? Are you even subscribed to anyone? You never seem to know what’s going on.”

“You know I don’t like gossips!”

“I do know. But I can’t believe you’re not even slightly curious?”

“No. Besides, what you just told me is no gossips, it’s a sad, sad news. How could this happen?” Eva’s face fell, though this time she managed not to cry. “And what does Instagram have to do with any of that?”

“Come on. There is now a new hashtag. #RIPBella. So far, twenty-seven posts.”

“And what are they about?”

“Well obviously mostly bunch of hypocrites. I’ve literally been in shock since morning. How could people be like that. How could anyone hate a person, turn away from her, because of that story, you know; And now after she hanged herself, write how much they loved her and how much she meant to them. blah blah blah…”

“What? Hanged herself???”

“Yes, she did. The girls wrote she hanged on a strap from her silk negligee.”

“You’re kidding? Is that true?” Eva was in shock. She leaned back in her chair in an awkward position without seeming to care about how she looked. Her “24/7 perfect look control,” was now disabled. “When did it happen? Today or yesterday?”

“Hey girl, slow down on that champagne….,” Elly was looking at the empty glass her friend was still holding in her hands.”

“I can’t drink anymore. I was planning for one glass and Benedict’s eggs.”

“Eggs Benedict,” corrected Elly.

“Pardon?”

“You said… Benedict’s eggs…,” Elly said barely containing laughter.

“I couldn’t have said that,” Eva disagreed. “You misheard me.”

“Either way. Sounded weird,” Elly was now laughing.

“Elly, even if I did misspeak, you know what Chekhov said on the matter — Good breeding is shown, not by not upsetting the sauce, but by not noticing it when somebody else does,” Eva sounded clearly displeased, her voice cold.

“Ok, sorry.” Elly was trying to stop laughing. “I won’t argue with Mr. Chekhov. I completely agree. But you can’t deny the name of the dish, is weird. I am positive, you were not only one who misspoke about the eggs in such a way.”

“Elly! Will you stop it. It’s not the time…”

“Ok then…” Elly took a big sip of wine hoping it will help with the hysterical laughter.

“So, when did it happen?” Eva asked in a serious tone.

“Well… turns out, it happened three weeks ago but it wasn’t until today that everyone found out.”

“Oh my god. Three weeks, Elly. She’s been dead three weeks and we find out about it today? From Instagram? What kind of world are we living in? What kind of society? It hurts me to even think about it. Poor girl… She couldn’t take it. When everyone found out her secret and turned away.”

“For the first time, I am inclined to agree…,” Elly sighed and took another sip.

“Where is she buried?”

“Why do you ask?”

“What do you mean why? We will go say good bye. Today. Bring some flowers to the grave.”

“I don’t think it’s a very good idea, to be honest… we weren’t really close, were we? In fact, not at all.”

“What do you mean not at all? You can’t be so insensitive. We attended the same dinners on multiple occasions, sang karaoke together a couple of times, even danced together at that wedding of your weird friend… you know, the one with big teeth. That day, she gave me the flower bouquet she had caught and said she wished me luck finding a great boyfriend….,” Eva started to cry, overwhelmed with the memories.

“Come on, please don’t cry. You’re so sensitive, really. You’ve got to toughen up, I’m telling you,” Elly rolled her eyes. By then, it seemed Elly’s sadness had faded away and Eva was looking at her good old friend — invincible, overly confident Elly, with an immense self-control. “See…. good thing I told you to throw those flowers into the river.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean why? First, she hanged herself. Secondly, it isn’t exactly a god thing to receive flowers from a girl with a low level of self-esteem and social responsibility.”

“Elly!!!”

“Sorry. It isn’t really my place to say, I admit. Anyway, it was a good thing we stopped at the embankment and threw those flowers….”

“Is that why you were so insistent on me throwing the flowers away? I thought you simply didn’t want me to get married before you,” Eva said without a hint of emotion. “Just kidding,” she added.

“Look at you there, you told a joke. Not a very funny one, but nevertheless. I am happy. I was starting to worry what happened to you. Welcome back, you’ve been missed!”

“Elly, sometimes you’re so obnoxious. However, I want to tell you that I am happy to have you in my life as my best friend. I love you, Elly.”

“And I love you too, babe,” Elly said with a serious face,”. So, I guess we should get married then?”

“I think day after day the joke gets sadder and sadder,” Eva smiled, but there was a hint of sadness. “I guess, if I don’t meet my Mr. Right in ten-year time, we might as well get married!”

“Does that mean you’re confident I am not gonna meet anyone in the next ten years, right? Are you sure?”

“No, I didn’t mean it this way! You know that. My bad!” they laughed. “Life is so unpredictable, though. There once lives a person — today, and tomorrow they’re gone. I don’t care if this is gonna sound trivial, but we really should appreciate each and every day. Each and every moment.”

“Agreed.”

“I wish we didn’t have to learn such a tragic news on a wonderful day like today… I can’t stop thinking Bella will never see a day like this again, or will never feel the beauty of nature, or a touch of the loved one. It gives me shivers. Wasn’t she the same age as me? She just turned twenty-one. I can’t believe it. She didn’t even get to live! What has she got to see in such a short life she had?”

“I think she had seen more than a woman in her fifties alright….!”

“Elly! It’s is so inappropriate of you to say!”

“Look, I may have agreed I made an inappropriate remark the first time. But please, don’t make her out a saint, either! Everyone knows what her life style was… and she would never have found a decent boyfriend, had she continued to live like that… You know what I mean.”

Eva have her friend an angry look and Elly decided to change the subject.

“Weird…,” she said, “ — only today did everyone find out…. don’t you think so?”

“See what kind of hypocrisy modern society has to deal with? I hate to even think about it.”

“Oh well. Look, there’s an update. A new post from, you won’t believe who!” Elly was looking at her phone with disgust. “Guess who?”

“pRATty girl?!”

“Yes! Just another instance where she lives up to the nickname you gave her. Look at the photo she posted!”

Eva looked at her friends’ phone. Disbelief was written all over her face.

Bella

Bella was a good acquaintance of ours. Well, perhaps, not a very good one — just an acquaintance. Elly couldn’t stand her from the moment she first saw her. She’s always thought her to be pretentious and fake, in everything from her name to her ten-carat ring with a bright yellow diamond. As soon as Elly would spot Bella on the horizon, she would instantly get annoyed and would always say: “Where did she come from?”. I came up with my own explanation for my friend’s behavior: just like two suns cannot share one sky, two egocentric, overconfident, and beautiful women cannot share one company of friends. Indeed, Bella seemed to be interested in the same type of people that would always follow Elly around — the rich men’s sons. Of course, apart from that fact they were two entirely different characters and it went without saying that I gravitated towards Elly in most ways, including the way she looked. Elly was tall and skinny, with long legs and beautiful breasts. Her brown hair was complemented by the green, captivating eyes with intense, and somewhat predatory gaze. Bella’s look was entirely different. Quite fit, though not as tall as Elly, she did possess sexy hips long hair extensions of chocolate color that looked completely natural. It was clear when it came down to the amount she spent on it, she didn’t think twice. It wasn’t a secret that by the age of twenty, she had managed to “tune up’ her entire body. She had toilet bowl-white teeth veneers, unnaturally narrow nose, Botox enhanced eyebrows that gave her face a somewhat bitchy expression. A close friend of hers had told me in confidence that even her once sticking out Dumbo ears now were fixed up. What Bella reminded me was of a photoshopped glossy magazine model, that had materialized in front of me. Imagine sitting and chatting with her, while she looks ever so perfect. Not a hint of extra facial mimics, for which my mom would always tell me off: “stop frowning”, or “stop wrinkling your forehead” she would often say. Bella was so perfect that after the encounter with her, you would be happy to see your live, yet somewhat imperfect face, in the mirror. Guys had even given her a nickname — Bella Tuning. They would actively hit on her when drunk, or having fought with their girlfriends. What she didn’t have though, were classy admirers, and that constituted a key difference between her and Elly. My friend was regularly taken out on dates, guys literally melted when they were looking or talking to her. They were ready to tolerate her cold, at times cruel remarks, showered her with flowers. Rumor had it, once a guy who Elly had turned down on numerous occasions earlier, got drunk and called Bella. Not only did she accept his dinner invitation, but also treated him a “desert’, if you know what I mean. Elly couldn’t stand Bella. I, however, didn’t mind her company. It was both interesting and entertaining to me how in the world a tiny girl like herself could have done so much to her body, that ato thirty-five-year-old established woman wouldn’t have had a chance to do, and most importantly, WHY? Having said that, I found myself actually liking Bella. Ms. Tuning was always funny, down to earth, and very easy to be around and talk to. Elly often tried to convince me otherwise. She would say Bella was a notorious bitch, wishing good to nobody. I strongly disagreed. In contrast to most of our boring, predictable, and hypocritical peers, who were lacking identity, style, and being unable to say a word without their parents approval, Bella most definitely stood out. A defiant child to her parents and free spirit, she always had an opinion of her own. It seemed, much like a butterfly, she lived one day at a time — full of emotions, and sincere feelings. Besides that, we didn’t know much more about Bella. Maybe, a fact that she did have rich parents. According to her, her dad had died few years earlier, having left a big chunk of money to her mother, who lived in Monte Carlo. She spoke very little of her mother and when she did, her mother disapproval of the daughters lifestyle was always implied. She was a doctor, a very intellectual woman. One more thing we knew was that Bella was her only child. Her mother had her at the age of forty and it was attributed to this fact she had always been overprotective of Bella. That was the reason Bella left Monte Carlo once she had turned sixteen and came to live with her auntie here in Moscow. She lived here ever since, never ever wanting to go back or regretting the choice she had made. She had a kind of French last name everyone had difficulty remembering or even pronouncing. Either it was Bardot, like Bridget, or Boudreaux, like wine. Her collection of bright, colorful name brand clothes she wore probably featured all color palette of Birkin purses. It also included a variety of evening dresses from couture, diamond, exquisite perfume as expensive as a car. She was frequently seen being driven in Bentleys or Rolls Royses. However, Bella herself was quite humble, speaking little to none of the fortune her father had left her. Many, if not everyone in our circles fell for her money and chose to ignore her rather easy virtue. Her mother would always be spoken of as a decent, honest woman who struggled with her daughter behavior of a silly, shallow party girl. “She is too young,” they said. “She will outgrow it,“they were convinced, “There’s one in every family”. Apparently, that was what money could do — temporarily cover up unpleasant truths and contain the extent of social conviction.

It was that finally battle of good and evil that happened a few months earlier. Elly and Bella, as if competing for the title of bohemian

beauty, as I like to think of it. We were having dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant “Mario” in the company of a mutual friend. I really loved the place for both its atmosphere, and food. Naturally, in there dined predominantly men who came to the restaurant to enjoy food. Girls, however pursued an agenda entirely different. All dressed up and ready, they patiently waited to be noticed by some of the restaurant regulars. Some of them went as far as paying the waiting staff for letting them know when someone of interest would arrive at the restaurant. Elly and I liked the place because watching all that unfold was even more entertaining than a new play at a theatre. I kid you not, from the moment we made it through the doors, we were immersed in a magical, untold atmosphere of wealth, super wealth and euphoria. White table cloths, live music, dim lighting, candles, sparkles of true diamonds and cheap jewelry imitations — vanity fair as it is. And of course the most important — the audience itself.

However, people of our ages tended to gravitate towards places appropriate for the age, thus we were ones of very few of the kind here, which of course was a pleasing fact. Among our peers we would often feel like in a kindergarten. It was at places like this that we felt most at ease.

That evening, just like any other Friday night, we went an extra mile, having put on our most stunning outfits. I wore a dangerously short black dress with a golden Versace meduse pins. I was still tan after my Maldives vacation with mom a month before. I was extremely pleased with my hairstyle and makeup as I was leaving a beauty studio. As a gay friend of mine likes to say, don’t leave the house until you want yourself in the mirror. It was exactly how I felt that evening. Elly looked like the main character Elvira from the “Scar face” movie. She wore a stunning emerald dress with a slit all the way along hip. Her hair was elegantly styled into Hollywood curls that looked especially beautiful on her. Without boasting I will say, no matter where we went, we would attract a lot of attention. Of course, we acted like we weren’t aware of the fact and only planned to have a glass of Dom Perignon. You understand me, right? In other words, it was otherwise a rather ordinary Friday evening.

“Look who’s here!” whispered to me Elly, holding her breath soon as we sat down.

“Where?”

“There! Two tables to the right!”

“There are tons of people. Who are you talking about?”

“The cutest one, obviously!”

“The dark-haired guy with a Hollywood smile?”

“Yes.”

“Well, he is cute. Handsome. Stands out. And who would he be?”

“Darn it, Eva. Do you ever watch news or read magazines?”

“Everything you just said is so last year…”

“I see,” Elly rolled her eyes a little too theatrically. “This is Andrei B. I’m not telling you his last name… A name that loud, you will fall off your chair. And stop acting so restlessly!”

“I am not acting restlessly. The dress is way too short, I’m trying to get comfortable. So, who is he?”

It was quite annoying the way Elly chose to speak riddles to get me to ask more questions. It allowed her to dispense information slowly with a smart, professor-like face.

“This is one of the richest guys in the country...maybe world!”

“Huh! I am shocked. He… and every other man here.”

“You know what your problem is? You manage to always miss the most interesting because you think you know everything better than anyone else.”

“Go screw yourself.”

“Not only is he incredibly rich, Eva, he’s also one of the most generous and refined man on the planet…”

“And you know this how?”

“I have my own sources,” Elly said looking important, “...my nails lady told me. You know, that one Sasha goes to.”

“What Sasha? My driver?” Eva laughed.

“Ha. Ha. Ha. — she took a little pause — Well, you don’t really know her. Anyway. She’s the owner of a beauty salon, and an art connoisseur. In other words, wife of a rich old fart.”

“And you share the same nails lady with her????”

“You think I should change her?”

“Just think. If she gossips about that Sasha, what kind of things about you she tells others?”

“Darn. I didn’t think of that. There are certainly things about me….”

“Are you serious?” Eva cut her friend short.

“You know, nails lady is sorta shrink. Don’t you ever talk about yourself with yours?”

“No!”

“Wow. What a strength! O.K., I’ll think about it tomorrow,” frowned my Scarlett O’Hara wannabe friend. “So, Sasha said she had met Andrei at one of the private parties she used to go to before she met her old fart. She and the other girls there were from a modeling agency specifically invited to that event. So, he kinda liked her, they hung out for a couple of days and then he asked…”

“I thought you were gonna say dumped…” interrupted Eva.

“He did, eventually. Why the hell would he need her for anything serious?”

“So, what are you getting so excited about then?”

“He ASKED her what she dreamed of? Sasha said she wanted to have her own condo in the heart of Moscow. And you know what happened?”

“Let me guess. He bought her a condo!”

“Exactly! Inside the condo was a porsche panamera, too. But that’s not the point —” Elly was barely whispering now, “-Sasha says, with a man like him, she would…. have fun… without all these extra perks… you know what I mean?”

“You mean… because he’s handsome and generous?” I was confused.

“Girl, I feel sorry for you sometimes! It’s time you get rid of your innocence. You sound like a child, honestly,” Elly hummed with betrayal. “He is very good in bed. I hope you don’t need any extra explanations on this one!”

“Fuck. You.”

“Oh come on! It was a joke. Where’s your sense of humor? — she smiled. — well anyways… returning to the subject! You know, such a high opinion coming from a whore… it must mean something.”

“Elly, no offence, but I am not gonna listen to this dirty shit. It literally makes me physically sick.”

“What dirt are you talking about. Just look at him. He’s a high-breed. Wealthy and generous. And hot. It’s a rare combination even in movies…” Elly sighed romantically. “Look at his gaze, so deep. Imagine how much he could tell… or show…”

“Listen to you… you’ve found a modern days Pygmalion.”

“Right on point!”

“I was just kidding…” I started to say, but Elly didn’t let me finish.

“Look at who just came to to sit at the table next to him! Alan’s dad and his friends. Tonight, an oligarch at every table.”

“I couldn’t care less. Stop looking around like a savage villager. I hope you’re done with your nails lady’s stories, right? Seriously, I’ve heard enough!” I really did start to get frustrated. What I do want to know is where is Vlad?”

“Oh, don’t remind me of him. I hope his tires will get flat or something… Hope he’ll be late. Wish he wouldn’t show up at all!”

“How can you say this?!”

“Well, he’s got us a table here, payed for it. The rest is irrelevant. He doesn’t have to be here,” Elly was looking right through me with a dreamy smile on her face. “Yes!!! Yes!!! He looked!!! He just looked over! Ever so discreetly but I saw it!” she was whispering full of excitement.

“Who?”

“Who I was just telling you about?”

“So, what?”

“Well, if he comes say Hi, I won’t mind…”

“Oh Elly,” I sighed and decided to massage Vlad to see what the holdup was. While I was sending the message, a hostess approached our table. Bella and two girl friends of hers were following. The hostess gave us what seemed like a condescending look and went away.

“What the hell is that?” Elly hissed through her teeth.

“No idea…” I wasn’t any less surprised.

“Hi there, girls” Bella greeted us with her usual mannerism is the voice. Her two friends smiled nicely.

“Hi there,” I tried to sound friendly in contrast to Elly whose face was green with anger, matching her emerald dress.

The message came through:

“Training ran late. David and his friend might beat me.”

“With three friends,” I said quietly to myself, having read the message.

“What? Elly asked, frowning.

I handed her my phone.

“Bella, where’s David?” I inquired in the friendliest way possible.

“I don’t know. He should’ve been here by now. I hope he will be late…” Bella replied and laughed. She and her friends politely sat at the opposite end of the table making sure they weren’t bothering us, in theory.

“I hate this idiot.”

“David?

“Him too! But right now, Vlad!”

“He didn’t mean to…”

“Stop defending him. He’s such an asshole.”

“Come on. Look, they’re sitting all the way there. They don’t bother you.”

“Didn’t you see what happened when they came over?”

“The hostess’s look?”

“No, besides that. Huh, you did notice that too, didn’t you?”

“I did. And i don’t care. If anything, it was kind of funny.”

“It would be funny if it weren’t so sad,” Elly remarked. “Now everyone here associates us with her — the most popular slut of the city. She’s practically a walking I AM A WHORE sign.”

“Stop it!”

“He must think I am like that too now.”

“Who?”

With her eyes she pointed in the direction of the man she had been talking about before Bella showed up.

“Elly, I don’t mean to disappoint you, but I think he doesn’t even think about you at all. First. And second, he’s got plenty going on without you. But there is light in the end of a tunnel. The good news are, form what I gather from your story, he likes whores, you heard that from Sasha.”

“I think I’m gonna pass out….”

“Oh, calm down! No one cares, just relax. Remember, TGIF!!! Relax.”

“That’s one way to support a friend,” Elly grumbled. “Even Alan’s dad is looking at us weird now, look! If only had I known…. Too late now, no matter what you do, we are losers cause we sitting at the same table with them. Fuckballs!”

“Why do you always have to be so fixated on who sits with who? Just listen to me — hear me — NO-BO-DY-CA-RES! Honestly.”

“You’re right. I gotta look happy. Frowning isn’t gonna help,” she smiled. “Is this better?”

“Now try it sincerer, that will do!”

“O.K. let’s talk about something else or I’ll get sad again.” Elly opened the menu content of which we already knew by heart. Pretending as if she was studying the possible options she said to me, keeping her eyes on the menu: “I can feel his gaze on me. Look, I’ve got goosebumps. I’m getting a frisson!”

“Fri… what?”

“Skin orgasm.”

“You’re nuts!”

“I know it’s energy exchange!” She seemed agitated. “Let’s talk about something else so that he doesn’t sense I’m thinking about him now and…”

“...and doesn’t get a frisson in his pants?” I laughed out loud.

“You’re so crazy. I envy your imagination! Anyway. Tell me can you believe her mom’s a doctor?” asked Elly not even trying to conceal the look of disgust as she glanced at the opposite end of the table. “Just look at her. She’s so ratchet. Like a white trash. Can’t anyone else see it?”

“White trash?”

“Of course! Just watch her. No matter how hard she’s trying to hide her essence, I can see right through her. You know, you can take her out of a trailer park, but you can’t take the trailer part out of her! Zero elegance and evil less sophistication. And you know why?”

“Elly, if i have to be honest…”

But my friend didn’t let me finish knowing I was about to change the subject.

“Sophistication…” — she went on and on as if she didn’t hear me — “...is an innate trait. It’s a privilege, transmitted by certain genes, you can’t just work it out in yourself, you can’t cultivate it, no matter how many diamonds your jewelry features, or a fancy university diplomas you have. Sophistication, much like feminine is a thing one’s born with, it can never be attained.”

“I think you got off the wrong foot, having woken up on the wrong side of the bed after a sleepless night.”

“On the contrary, I slept fine. It’s just seeing that trash drives me insane.”

“Please, spare me the drama. Elly, I strongly disagree. Even if she were from a trailer park, don’t you think there are doctors too! Why do you think this way of people?”

“I speak nothing but the truth! Truth of life. I’ve nothing against trailer parks, villagers, and small shit-hole towns. But I can’t stand grifters such as her. She lies through her teeth and makes things up as she goes,” Elly shrugged her shoulders. “Look at her friends! It’s like some kinda shapito circus.”

“Just friends. What’s wrong with them? And they’re born here, the same city you were born in. They even go to the same school you go to.”

“So, what. We may be from the same city, and even go to the same school. Only I was born, and have always been living by the Kremlin. And those are just suburban queens.”

“Elly! How are you even friends with me? I come from another country!”

“Oh, don’t get me started here. Your bloodline speaks for itself. You’re an honest, decent lady with iron integrity. Sometimes, way too good. You know how they say — a tattler is worse than a thief?”

“Here we go. Even I got my fair share,” I laughed. “Elly, you’re such a chauvinist. Did you know?

“I take after Rose,” Elly roller her eyes. “I don’t even care who comes from where. Even if she -” my friend glanced in the direction of Bella — “…was born inside the Kremlin, or on the Red Square, she would still scream trailer park to me. Look at her, she’s nothing.”

“Elly. Will you stop it! I can’t listen to this anymore. This can’t be you!”

“Sorry. It’s just they’re so annoying. I don’t want to share a table with a bunch of whores. They are kind of from wealthy families. And don’t look at me this way, Eva. You know the lady’s first rule: not to sit at the same table with night walkers.”

“I think you’re getting a PMS. She’s not one of those. She’s just a silly girl. Way to trusting.”

“Can you even hear yourself? Trusting? You are too trusting, Eva! Where do you think she got all those diamonds from?”

“She said she…”

“Yes. Yes. Yes. Her daddy died and left her a fortune. Australian golden mines and blah blah blah… You can’t be that stupid to believe in all this?”

“You can’t accuse someone of lying just because you don’t like them!”

“I can’t stand her and I can’t help it.”

“I can see that. Calm down, chew some mints.”

“As if it will help. Besides, I know I have a great intuition.”

“One would argue. Your intuition was quite silent when you agreed to this dinner with…”

“Shut up! Don’t even say that name. Are you even my friend? Please, forget all about this.”

“My silence comes at a price.”

“No doubt about that,” Elly smirked. “You see that friend of hers, the one who looks like a depressed mouse? Who is she? And the fat one? I wouldn’t be surprised if she looked hard for them to bring them with — to look like a superstar next to them.”

“Elly! You’re so vicious! Knock it off!”

“Whatcha girls talking about? Me?” Vlad suddenly appeared behind us. He had finally made it to the restaurant. He was the only decent guy from our hangout who we both liked as a friend.

“Here you are, finally,” Elly snidely hissed.

“Bet you hoped I wouldn’t make it?” he grinned.

He bent and gave kissed each of us on the cheek. Instead of saying hi to Bella and her friends, he resorted to a polite nod. He sat down next to me, thus making me one in the middle. “In between the rock and a hard place, as always,” I thought to myself.

“Vlad, what’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong, Google? he asked Elly laughing.

“You don’t love us, Vlad.”

“I love Eva, but you… you are a real bitch.”

“Asshole!”

“Because of you, my best friend has been suffering for two weeks. Doesn’t leave his house. You didn’t have to turn him down that harshly. You know he’s so into you. I warned him it’s not gonna end up good. He sounds like he’s been flushed down the toilet and here, look at you laughing and shining social butterfly. You haven’t even thought of him once… poor guy.”

“Vlad, let’s not start, ok? I don’t need a man who can’t keep his promises.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, first he was begging me to go to Paris with him for the weekend. I said right away, we’re not sharing a room in the Ritz. He said he wasn’t even thinking to suggest that and that each of us will have our own room, that he already payed for two rooms. Besides, my visa expired, and so he said he’d take care of it, too. He said that will send his driver to take my passport… and that was it.”

“Well, he failed his exam because got high night before and his dad pulled his plug… cut his ‘allowance’…”

“My point exactly. I don’t need a sucker who can’t go to the bathroom without his daddy’s permission.”

“A trip to Paris isn’t exactly going to the bathroom…”

“I didn’t say it was. You did…”

“I know you. You don’t think twice to say something nasty about anything.”

“What’s wrong? By the way, speaking of Paris. Even Paris stank shit up until nineteenth century, my dear Vlad. Karamzin, traveling at the time around post-revolutionary France, was utterly shocked, traumatized if you will, having seen luxury and shit intertwine. You know what he suggested?”

“He didn’t tell me…” Vlad burst into laughter.

“He recommended to stay at the terrace of Tuileries Garden. It is from there that you could enjoy a stunning look over the city without having to smell its fragrances. ‘Don’t get any closer’ he’d say, because it stinks,” concluded Elly, disgust written all over her face.

“Yes, I remember that,” I joined the conversation. “His son, years after that in his letters described his trip to Paris in a funny way. He wrote something like “closer and closer, it stinks more and more! Hurray. We’ve arrived.”

“You could come up with a song. You nailed it. You get an A”

“So, do you!”

We burst into laughter. Vlad seemed bewildered, with a hint of pettiness, watching us laugh.

“Eva, let her be silly. But you, why are you laughing?” he looked at us as if we were out of our minds. “You girls want a piece of advice?”

“No!” we answered in a perfect unison.

“Then listen and don’t’ tell me I haven’t warned you. If you want some decent guys — like myself — to like you…” he went silent for a moment to emphasize the importance of what he was about to reveal, “-stop it with your overly intellectual pretentious jokes, OK? I mean it like an older brother. That’s a turn off.”

“Hey bro, can I ask you something?” asked Elly with a clear sarcasm in the voice.

“See what I am talking about? Sometimes it’s better to say nothing…. and life would get so much better. When I didn’t know you Elly well enough I used to think ‘she was a hot as fuck’, pardon my language, but that’s like the best compliment we guys use.”

“You guys?” Elly smirked.

“Us…. decent serious guys. Shut up for a minute, will you? I’m not done yet… So. ‘Crazy long legs and stuff’. But once you opened your mouth and spoke…. and you spoke two words to each that was said to you. So, then I stopped thinking of your legs and started thinking you sounded like a Google-Sirt hybrid.”

“You’re so retarded, Vlad,” Elly laughed.

It went without saying Vlad did have the privilege of being able to tell the truth to our faces, like a true friend. It was mutual. Elly never took offence, just ignored it at times. We knew nobody besides three of us will ever hear it. Vlad didn’t hesitate to stick out for us and defend us to anyone who dared to say anything disrespectful or even cast a weird look. He was indeed like our older brother. Despite being young, Vlad possessed quite a few qualities of a mature men. Not only was he generous, but he also cared deeply about his friends and those he loved — a very few people. Most importantly, he knew how to keep secrets. Among his flaws was his brutal honesty. The words he sometimes chose would cut those he happened to talk about like the sharpest blades. There was however one person he had never joked about. That was me. Occasionally he would say something funny, silly, and not super offensive about Elly and I together, never once was his fun making directed at me. Rumor had it amongst our friends, that we were secretly dating — an utter nonsense. What I thought it was all about was his respect towards me.

“Eva. You seem very quiet today. Or Siri won’t let you say a word?” He looked over at Elly but saw nothing but indifference.

“Don’t say that about Elly. Don’t call her Siri.”

“What about Ok Google?”

Vlad really enjoyed and would often laugh at his own jokes and if someone happened to not get it, they were immediately “blacklisted’ by Vlad. I was lucky, I liked both his sense of humor and the way he laughed. Such an infectious laughter he had, I never heard anyone laugh quite like that.

“Come on, Vlad. Better tell me… I know you don’t like me that much, but Eva. Why don’t you like her?”

“I don’t get what you mean…” Vlad was sincerely confused.

“Well…. we talked about having dinner, just three of us, right?”

“Elly, don’t be weird. Do I have to get lost when guys call me asking where I am at? Or ignore them when they come to say hi?”

“I’m not talking about your guys…. tell me, what are THEY doing here?” Elly quietly hissed.

“Well...they’re with D.”

“Right. When I heard David’s gonna be here too, I almost threw up.”

“Siri, I am proud of you didn’t,” Vlad burst into loud laughter.

“Honestly, that David of yours is the source of all problems. I’ve never even seen someone that fat. Even if I looked hard enough I wouldn’t probably find anyone like that.”

“Why look then? He’s one of the kind and you’ve found him already. Everyone knows D. He can solve any issue, right bro?” Vlad spoke loudly now addressing a chubby guy with a silly smile who had just approached the table behind Elly. Don’t be fooled, his silly smile was paired with sharp, intense, and calculating gaze.

“Sure, bro… you just let me know and I’ll fix it,” the chubby guy was spitting saliva as he spoke with his usual lisp. “Elly, Eva! Hi girls, looking good tonight.”

“Hi dear,” I tried my best to smile.

I didn’t despise David the way Elly did. In fact, I was quite indifferent to his or his friends presence. I was quite entertained watching them interact.

“Yo D! Here’s the thing. Elly was just saying you lost weight. And some muscles going for you. She’s been thinking of you all the time and wondered why you didn’t notice that. She’d love a date night.” Vlad was laughing once again having winked at bewildered David who was now smiling in a silly way, but now looking directly at Elly.

“Vlad! Are you forgetting to take your meds? You shouldn’t skip.” Trying her best to make indifferent look, Elly replied and took her electronic cigarette out of the red silk purse. “Oh, now I AM gonna be sick for real,” she whispered to me.

“He’s looking at you now… “I whispered back. “I think he didn’t get it… that Vlad was actually joking.”

“Fuck. I don’t even wanna smoke now.”

“A good opportunity to quit. Let’s call it David Effect.” I could barely contain the laughter that was filling me up.

“Still looking?”

“Who? David… or the handsome billionaire?”

“Oh, right. I forgot all about him because of these freaks.”

“Well… the billionaire isn’t. He’s looking, but at our laughing guys now.”

“Here we go. I’m so done. They’ve ruined it.”

“What have they ruined? There was nothing to ruin in the first place.” I laughed.

“But there could have been! They’re killing the game.”

“What can I say: c’est la vie.” I shrugged my shoulders. “But if this will make you feel better, David is still looking at you like a big crazy-in-love cat.”

“Shut up, will you?”

“No way!” a wave of laughter was growing in me.

“I’m begging you!” Elly herself was on the verge of laugher.

She was sitting with her side to David and looked stunning her dress that reached all the way to the floor. The long slit revealed her incredible sexy legs. Of course, she had stroke a pose initially to attract the attention of the handsome billionaire, but the pose seemed to backfire having drawn David.

“He’s eating you with his eyes…” I tried to be careful and not to look at David directly. “He’s drooling now.”

“So disgusting,” Elly closed her eyes. “He’s horrid. You know his managed to talk his parents into buying his ex — that bag of bones — a used Bentley”.

“I know who you mean… be quiet please.”

“Well… I know, to each their own, but still… but how could anyone sleep with him for a used Bentley? No one could fall that low. She must have a zero self-love or respect. You know, one thing…. when you hook up with a friend, drunk. Then we’d be talking about poor taste. And everyone has different tastes anyway…”

“So smart of you, I’m writing it down…” I giggled.

“So, she conned this tub of lard, and dumped him. Left him crying into the pillow, drinking and feeling worthless…

“So…?

“So, what?”

“What are you trying to say? If memory serves me correctly, I have seen it and heard all about it. It was actually me who told you all that.”

“Are you sure?” asked Elly jokingly. “Relax, I’m just messing with you.”

By then the restaurant was packed. On Friday evenings every table featured a company of very rich and influential men — much like the one Elly seemed to be obsessed about that evening. Most of them were accompanied by younger girls, however it was the kind of work that they engaged in that added a few extra years to their looks. Our table was good. It may have been not the best one, but considering the hierarchy of people who were present, we occupied a decent level.

“Hey Google, Chunky wants your number. Your dress slit overloaded what’s left of his brain… take my advice…”

“NO!”

“…go on a date with him, you have a chance he’ll stick around. He may even give you a beat up ‘Rolls’ He’s into non-conventional personalities, such as…”

“Are you serious? Did you just compare me with that bag of bones of his?”

It was then that Vlad realized he may have gone too far. He was raised by a good father and knew the difference between decent lady and a whore. He knew better not to mix one with another.

“Sorry, boo. My bad. I’m really really very sorry. Don’t get mad, Elly babe.”

“Vlad… how could I be mad with someone who’s clearly mentally challenged?”

“You’re such a bitch, though. Poor, poor David,” Vlad rolled his eyes.

“I think we’ll be on our way.”

“What?” Vlad couldn’t hide his surprise. “What’s up? Eva, you too?”

“Of course me too. You want me to stay here alone. You know all the things they’ll come up with to talk about tomorrow.”

“But what happened? Anyone care to explain?”

One of the Vlad’s flaw was that when something went not according to his plan he would turn into a small, spoiled boy.

“I’ve been trying to ask you a question for the last fifteen minutes and you don’t give me a chance and interrupt!” fired Elly, clearly annoyed.

“Ok, ok, I’m listening,” Vlad expression was now serious. He seemed to have transformed into one giant listening ear.

“I wanted to ask you two very simple questions. First, how could you do it to us? Arrange for us to be sitting at the same table with those whores…” with her eyes she pointed at the opposite end of the table, “ — and the second question; for how long are you going to continue feeding those free-riders?” with that she looked up at the people who had approached our table.

“Hey Vlad, what’s up man?”

In front of us now stood the capital’s two most notorious slackers who we had nicknamed Chip and Dale. And don’t be fooled with their second-hand Ferrari with out-of-town license plates, and their expensive garments, which they wouldn’t mind wearing price labels on. This particular couple emitted a cold and detached arrogance which I found especially repulsive. I never wanted to be at the same tables with them as seeing them would always spoil my appetite. Those were true freeloaders. It was acceptable to invite and treat dinner to actual public figures, someone who’s really popular, such as an actor, a tv host, or an extravagant politician — the expenses are justified by having an insightful and mutually beneficial conversation and time spent. I agree it’s so wrong, but at least there’s an explanation. However, having those two at the table had zero benefits. It would have been fine, if they possessed a nice, friendly personality and sense of humor. The only thing that they had going for them were their cold, condescending, arrogant faces.

They seemed to accidentally run into Vlad at various trendy places. With a look as if it was them who were paying for everyone, they would join the crowd at a table, looking down at everyone around them. I never did understand how come Vlad always allowed this to happen. I once confronted him about this, but all he said was: “Come on, why not be nice?”. It was how what was initially planned as dinner for three, turned out to be a crowded event with so many participants that a bigger table was often required which inevitable skyrocketed the check’s amount every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The fact that they brought along their friends didn’t help the matter. We were always bewildered by those who were able to date individuals like Chip and Dale — all of their chicks looked the same, most of them resembling pale jellyfish or grey mice. Little did we know…

Vlad

Vlad — a true leader — is an assertive and dominant alpha male, despite being younger than most people in our circle. Being born with a platinum spoon in his mouth, he was used to paying for everyone around him, traveled only private jets, and was always accompanied by his entourage of bodyguards. Everyone seemed to be weary of him, trying not to be a focus of his sharp sarcastic remarks. He didn’t hesitate to address them to whoever he pleased which at times made him look like one of those stupid rich kids. It wasn’t entirely true though, for having always had access to what seemed to be an infinite source of cash, he was always striving to make a living on his own. That aspiration, however, didn’t go hand in hand with the notion of education which he never seemed to care about. Streets were his school as he often would say, having probably picked it up from a gangster movie or two. Street smart as he was he set up an underground casino where his own kind of people — other rich kids — would come gamble, however the idea turned out to be so good that more mature, and “seasoned’ individuals would often frequent his little establishment. Elly and I didn’t like the idea from the start but Vlad reassured us that with his connections in high places, wherever those places might have been, coupled with a big case of cabbage, as he liked to call cash, he would never have to face an unresolvable issue. Despite his reassurance his idea seemed stupid, even dangerous to us. “Trust me, one would need to know everything about my little club in order to cause any trouble. Everything! And there are only two that do, besides me. They’re as interested in making money as I am. So, we’re pretty safe,” he would say. I thought it sounded childish and naive, though the only thing I could do was to shrug my shoulders. We never went there, not that Vlad was actively inviting us, either. Everyone sort of knew that it was a place to go to after our routine Friday dinners. They would play poker and other card games, betting insane amounts of money all night long. Elly and I preferred going to sing karaoke or male striptease club.

Vlad hated karaoke but loved us, and an opportunity to spend money, so he would ask me to let my driver Sasha off for the night. He gave us his driver and bodyguard, and paid for all of our fun. Just because he could. Because we were his friends. Very few people could wrap their minds around this idea, and therefore were often envious, spreading all kind of rumors behind our backs. It only proved my point that the majority of people surrounding us were cowards who could never bring themselves to say what they really thought to our face. Talking shit behind each other’s backs was an accepted norm, or even an example of appropriate behavior.

Spreading rumors is a prerogative of those individuals who still have some brain, as one is prerequisite for such a creative process in the first place. However, it is merely a result of slow degradation that shows, and any further development can only manifest itself in precisely that kind of notions of creativity: coming up with various gossip, hearsay, tittle-tattle, speculations of all sorts. Having analyzed it all thoroughly in my head on multiple occasions, I was no longer surprised and came to piece with the sad fact. I finally accepted it. Not that I consider myself very smart, but I do believe I have a good and ethical conscience. Throughout my childhood I was taught what the good and bad values were. It is precisely because of this it was imprinted in my mind that gossiping was low, and that I should do my best to avoid having anything to do with it. Perhaps my parents strove to cultivate and develop Pavlovian conditioning regarding gossiping, and I must say they succeeded. Elly didn’t like gossips either, however her explanation was that those who gossip have the same facial expression and they get older sooner. It really didn’t matter though what explanation we both had or whether we even shared one, since neither of us enjoyed gossiping. We were nowhere near that kind of conversations and neither was Vlad, not since the time he befriended us anyway. We should never deny or underestimate the power of the impact one’s environment is capable of.

“Bro, I called you but you didn’t pick,” said one of the two freeloaders.

“I was at the gym.”

“I thought that.”

Of course, he “thought that”. It was kind of obvious Vlad didn’t want to pick up the phone.

“Sparring stuff, huh?” the leech continued to inquire.

“Yeah… you didn’t say hi to the girls?” Vlad asked, clearly displeased.

“Didn’t have a chance yet, bro….” “Chip’ tried to appear sincerely confused to Vlad… “-girls, you look stunning as always. Queens!” he added hypocritically.

You know, compliments from such people often sound like insults. We tried to smile. Behind “Chip’, stood “Dale’, accompanied by two grey mice looking girlfriends.

“These are my sisters,” Vlad said in a serious tone, “ — especially this one — Eva.”

The faces of two girls accompanying the leeches seemed to wince. They clearly didn’t enjoy being ignored as Vlad didn’t acknowledge their presence even with a simple nod. That fact however didn’t stop the freeloaders from sitting down at the table and joining dinner at Vlad’s expense which repulsed me even further. People like those two, pursued yet another hidden agenda besides having a free champagne and meal. They wanted to be seen as part of our rich and influential circle, and food and drinks were just a nice bone.

Of course, Vlad wasn’t particularly rich or influential. His father was, and that sufficed. Period. However, Vlad wasn’t merely his father’s shadow. He was a person. Many could debate as to what kind of person Vlad really was — odious, crazy… the list could go on forever, but a person nonetheless. Besides, his condescending attitude particularly towards those two individuals was totally justified. That didn’t mean he would behave this way towards another person. In fact, when it came to me, he was always kind, caring, and charming. He was simple, much like a brother I always wished I had.

“Did you hear his especially Eva?” Elly whispered in my ear. “He’s real asshole.”

“Don’t get offended, you know how he is…” I shrugged my shoulders, trying to calm down Elly.

“Sometimes I wish I didn’t! I’m sick and tired of these kids. And where did my billionaire go, anyway? The evening couldn’t get any worse…?”

“What do you suggest?”

“You know what…” Elly said in a cheerful, cunning voice and squinted.

“No idea…”

“Let’s go over your guy’s…” I could her a hint of begging in her voice. “There are always tons of handsome men. Unlike these kids here.”

“Elly, sorry but I really don’t feel like going there tonight,” I was perplexed.

“Why?”

“Cuz, i just don’t feel like it!!!”

“You actually sound like you kinda do…”

“Well, kinda do and kinda don’t…”

“Why is that, I wonder?”

“Elly. He doesn’t even write me, or call after our last date. I don’t want to chase after him.”

“Chase after? No girl, you just happen to run into him. It’s so plausible you both like the same places…”

“It would have worked if… he weren’t the owner of that place.”

“But you have to admit it’s a darn good place. I like the idea of that restaurant being private…”

“True. I don’t even know whether I like him or his restaurant better… Anyway, next months or something.”

“What kind of nonsense is that. Don’t tell me you schedule your visits there and mark those visits on the calendar with a red marker.” Elly’s eyes rounded with disbelief. “You take everything too seriously. Be simple. It’s not like you’re marrying the guy.”

“Of course not. I am never getting married!”

“Cool. Me too. Not today, at least,” Elly laughed. “Let’s go! Call your Sasha,” she ordered bossily.

“Don’t be pushy ok?” I’m not going anywhere.”

“Don’t tell me it finally happened?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re falling for him, yes? Mr. Shh.”

“What? Are you insane or what? I’m most certainly not…”

“If you weren’t we’d be there already.”

“Screw you. You’re my friends, you’re supposed to support me!”

“That is exactly why I am telling you not to be fixated on someone who doesn’t even call you and not to care about him. Wanna have fun? Get in the car and go. Eva, you never fail to surprise me. It’s not like he’s paying for your fun.”

“Never! I always pay for myself. With my own money.” I laughed and then added: “I mean my dad’s money.”

“My sentiment exactly. Your money. You don’t owe him anything and he should be thankful you even looked at him and went on a date.”

“You know I didn’t want to talk about him this week. I even asked you not to. Look what you’re doing now…”

“Right. You fell for him.”

“Stop it!”

“No, you stop it. I am serious. You can’t fall for his type of men. Never. You’ve got plenty of other guys around. Younger guys.”

“You were saying you hate them young, like five minutes ago. It was you who wanted to go to a place with older men.”

“Listen, we are women. We have the right to say one thing, and then another. Anyway. Any women, if she is in her right mind, has to

relax and tease them older men and shake her tail feathers.”

“Sounds gross.”

“What exactly?”

“Well, first off… women have neither tails, nor feathers.”

“You may not have it…” Elly laughed, “ — Even Rosa has. You should see what happens to her when she spots a cutie.”

“Your grandma? Isn’t she too old for that?”

“Don’t make me laugh…. Au contraire! A real woman is never too old…”

“I don’t know about that.”

“I do! Come on, call your Sasha. Let’s go dance. Let’s see how your guy will be staring at you. And I will have fun listening to you constantly asking whether he is looking at you. Please, come on!!!”

I was about to answer but Vlad suddenly joined our conversation.

“We’re heading to that karaoke place. No casino tonight. Someone told me we got busted,” fired Vlad with a frown on his face.

“Vlad, you’ve gotta stop it. You are really getting into something. I know your dad and stuff, but why even get into trouble? Besides, even your dad might get mad and pull your plug. You will be financially frozen. Then what?” Elly was trying to reason with Vlad.

“I know what I’m doing. And don’t bring my dad into it. The universe doesn’t revolve around him. I never complain to him or ask him about anything. I resolve everything myself.”

“Vlad, you’re a true Al Capone,” I added cheerfully trying to break the awkward silence.

“Why are you telling him this. He really believes he’s some kinda gangster. Don’t play along into it. He has no idea what he’s doing. He’s still a baby. A good old spanking is what he needs!”

“Google, I’m starting to suspect you’re into me. Look at you getting all kinky…”

“Yea as if there was anything to be kinky about… the only fantasy I have is you popping out of existence.”

“That is why I love Eva….”

“Finally, you admitted it.”

“Stop this. Vlad, I am entirely with Elly on this one. You’ve gotta stop it,” here I was, between the rock and a hard place again. “Who could’ve said anything?”

“That is a very good question,” Vlad’s face darkened.

For the first time that evening a voice form the opposite table spoke:

“Vlad, if you’ve got any trouble, let me know. I know people who could fix stuff,” the voice belonged to Bella Tuning.

“I’ll take care of it,” Vlad snapped in a tough voice. He didn’t like Bella and was not trying to hide it. “What I do want to know, what kinda rat did that…”

“I hope nobody from the people around here,” Elly said.

“Of course not, dear,” Bella spoke with somewhat artificial mannerism. From her tone it was clear she didn’t like Elly either, though she tried her best to appear friendly and smile. However, I couldn’t help to notice at the same time she was throwing a challenge at my friend. “We’re all friends here, isn’t that right?”

“Seriously? I wouldn’t have thought,” said Elly, rolling her eyes.

Once again, I caught myself thinking about what Elly’s deal was when it came to Bella.

“Any ideas?” I asked.

“No dear. Not a single one,” Bella replied, maintaining her sweet voice. “Whoever it was, I am sure they’re not here.”