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See you in St. Tropez
Nigina Kadyrova
Luxury restaurants, chic cars and easy life of Moscow silver-spooners can drive anyone crazy, but Eva and Elly expose the arrogance of it-crowd. Suddenly they learn about the death of Bella – girlfriend of Alan, son of a Russian oligarch. The beauty’s life was ruined by a video in the messenger, posted, allegedly by mistake, by her friend. Eva and Elly decide to express their condolences to Bella’s mother and find out the shocking truth. The tinsel shine of a glamorous party loses it’s charm…
See you in St. Tropez
Nigina Kadyrova
“Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.”
Salvador Dalí
Based on a true story.
SPECIAL EDITION
© Nigina Kadyrova, 2023
ISBN 978-5-4498-6192-4
Created with Ridero smart publishing system
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.
