Lana knew the real reason her friend declined—it had to do with her frequent late-night outings. Unless someone from the factory got assigned to room with her, that brown-eyed heartthrob would likely be a regular guest. In Olga Nikolaevna’s house, Victoria couldn’t afford to live so freely.
“We have to move on,” Lana’s mother said, shaking her head.
They were sitting in the dim room of the house, which felt instantly empty after the death of its master.
“Someone else will run your father’s business now. If we don’t find a manager, we’ll have to sell it.”
“And then what?”
“I don’t know yet, sweetheart. I just don’t know…”
Lana quit the factory, and due to family circumstances, she soon received her diploma.
Victoria continued working in her old position as assistant sales manager. Still, the two friends didn’t drift apart. They visited each other often and spent their free time together whenever possible.
“You need someone from the metal business,” Victoria said thoughtfully.
“Finding a metalworker isn’t the problem—finding someone trustworthy is,” Lana sighed.
“True that.”
Victoria, much like during her studies, was going through her internship half-heartedly—just to check the boxes. Her current benefactor supported her financially and in every other way. One more year of work, and she’d be a free bird with a degree in marketing in hand. Of course, having a diploma—even if it wasn’t in your true calling—was essential for a sense of security. Being a smart and educated beauty was better than being just a pretty face. A college degree gave a name some weight. And Victoria was earning hers with iron patience. And after that… dreams—they have wings, and no horizon can hold them.
“How’s your love life?” Lana asked, interested in one person in particular.
“I’m seeing one, and seeing another behind his back,” Victoria admitted, bitterness in her voice.
“Why someone else, if you’ve already got the one?”
“So I don’t have to need anything, Lanushka,” Victoria said, pressing her lips together and giving her friend a weary look. “My sweet guy is broke as a church mouse. Gave everything to his ex and walked out the door.”
“And who is it you’re seeing?” Lana asked, getting a little tense.
“Rob. By the way, I keep forgetting to ask—remember that morning you came to get your stuff?”
Lana nodded and turned a little pale. Of course she remembered that morning. She would never forget it for the rest of her life. Unaware of anything, Victoria continued:
“Did you happen to see him?”
“Who?”
“My Robert?”
Your Robert, Lana repeated to herself. Out loud, she said, “I actually saw him naked.”
“Excuse me?!”
“He walked in, dropped his towel, and got dressed right in front of me,” Lana explained in a calm tone. “Then said goodbye and left.”
Victoria burst out laughing.
“He probably didn’t notice you.”
“Oh, he noticed. First, he winked at me. Then he said you were expecting me later. He even showed off his muscular butt,” Lana added, keeping her eyes fixed on her friend as she recalled the fateful morning.
“What a shameless man! Strange—he didn’t even mention it to me…”
Lana shrugged, still staring at her lucky friend with a hint of anger. Victoria, oblivious to the storm in her friend’s heart, waved it off and said,
“Probably forgot.”
As if her friend had been too insignificant to remember or even mention. That pushed Lana over the edge.
