Chapter 1

Vera enjoyed the joyride racing her brand-new car. Red Lexus from the Car Dealers, happy and elated, she sang along to the radio while her rather fast driving. The radio played a song performed by some Russian pop star: ”To hell with love". The phone pinged. Vera left it on the next seat without attention, since a brand-new car is not supposed to be scratched at least in the first month. Oleg, as promised, presented her with a long-awaited New Year gift having organized the excursion for Vera to the car sales salon for a vehicle.

Right at the moment he was in Thailand with his family. All his attention was paid to his baby-daughter under a year old. His wife was determined to visit the countries with warm or even hot climate conditions.

Verochka didn't like Thai very much, it was too hot, too authentic, and there were too many animals. Despite all her dislike towards Asia, she often flew there with friends or with Oleg, and by the way, with him she had a great vacation. He had his own Villa in Phuket and the silent servants were equally happy to see either his wife or mistress.

But Vera preferred to travel to Europe, she liked Italy, Spain, Montenegro. Now she would like to go to Courchevel, or Courch as she liked to casually call it, winter mountain air, snow, skiing, lifts, lots of acquaintances, mulled wine in the evenings and making love on the floor by the fireplace.

Well, it doesn't matter, tonight Oleg arrives in Moscow, and at midnight he is seeing me, telling tales to his wife about important and complicated business affairs. We will be together for a couple of days, then I will persuade him to go somewhere on skis, maybe to the Alps, – Vera went on dreaming, – and maybe he will soon leave his wife and …

Vera was deeply in her thoughts at the traffic light and did not notice the light going green. A siren wailed from behind as a black jeep honked like a war elephant blaring with its trunk. The impatient ones went around Vera’s car some of them poked their middle finger through the car window. At the next traffic light, the jeep overtook her and cut off her trajectory, then apparently determining to punish her for the ten seconds time loss because of Vera’s traffic light dreaming, curtly pulled up in front of her. The girl’s foot instantly pushed the brake and the seat belt bit into her ample round chest. The pain spread over her breasts, even though the operation was a few weeks ago, but still, her bosom was still heaving, and the scars were a little sore and itchy.

– This is Moscow, baby! – she muttered and turned into her private drive.

When she parked, she picked up her phone and looked at the display there was a text from Oleg.

"Honey, I'm not going to Moscow in the following two weeks. Having a great sunbathe here. Don't be bored. If you need money, contact Igor, he is going to transfer some money in any case."

The good mood was immediately spoiled. Slamming the door of the Lexus with such a force that the pigeons were scared and flew away from the chestnut tree nearby, Vera came in the entrance and pushed the button of the elevator. The button didn't light up.

Tamara, her elderly neighbor, was wearily descending the stairs.

– Verochka, good afternoon. The elevator doesn't work. This is the third time I've been down going shopping. Sclerosis.

– Good afternoon, Tamara, I see, let me help you. What do you need to buy in the store?

⁃ Oh, don't worry about it. I'll go to Lyuba on the first floor. She's waiting for me. God grant you a good bridegroom. Thank you, dear.

Tamara always used to wish Vera a good bridegroom, the girl laughed cheerfully, thanked the old lady, and hurried away on her business.

But today's mentioning about a bridegroom was particularly painful to hear.

Without any answering, she quickly ran up the stairs wearing high heels. On the second floor her eyes went wet and having reached the fifth floor she opened the door and entered the apartment, the tears were pouring down her make-up face. Apparently, that was the last straw. First there were bad words and rudeness of drivers at the traffic light, then Oleg, the elevator and finally the groom wishing neighbor. Vera took off her high-heeled boots and went straight to the kitchen for an open bottle of wine from the refrigerator without putting off her exclusively sewn coat. Having taken a big gulp of curing white wine, Vera leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes.

Chapter 2

Vera Klimova was born in an average Soviet family of factory workers. Her parents saved some money and sold their country house on the picturesque riverbank for their daughter to move and study in Moscow. They believed their daughter would be an excellent student with her knowledge thirst and talent for the visual arts. The Headmaster of the school where Vera studied, made patronage to one of the Moscow Universities of design and architecture and also helped with the student hostel. The Klimovs could not hold their tears while packing Vera’s bags before her leaving for Moscow. On the one hand, they were desperately going to miss their only child, and on the other, the only job opportunity in a small town was a post-Soviet factory, a miniature of the whole Soviet and post-Soviet inefficient and failed command economic system. It certainly wasn’t a right place for smart and talented Vera, the winner of all high school educational competitions and Olympics in drawing, graphics, and design. Another additional incentive to send their daughter to the capital city of Russia was Dima, her boyfriend from a family of conventional alcoholics. He worked at the factory and put away a lot of booze on weekends, so for Vera's parents, Dima's future without higher education, studies and career growth was transparent and clear as a rock crystal. In the future they didn't want to see Vera wearing a washed-out dressing gown, with hungry children and hard drunk husband.

After graduating from high school with ease and honors, Vera quickly found a job in a company that produced designer furniture and decor. Oleg was the second client who ordered an interior solution for his country house.

Tall, statuesque, wearing an expensive suit and shoes so much cleaned and shiny, that you could use them as a couple of rear-view mirrors while autumn rainy driving. Oleg could not help impressing and fascinating a young twenty-three-year-old girl at a first sight. In comparison with Dima presenting her with a chocolate bar and field daisies plucked nearby the factory, Oleg did not just seem, but really was a kind of a celestial for Vera.

She stayed with him right after their first date. Vera had neither intention nor desire to say “No”.

And now the order was ready, furniture and decor for a country house were designed, manufactured and delivered on time. Vera understood that she might not see Oleg again and was afraid of the foregoing final conversation.

The conversation did take place, but not the one she had expected.

"Babe, I'm married. I like you very much, I'm crazy about you, but I won't leave my wife," he took a sip of water and called for the waiter.

Late autumn drizzled outside, but Vera's jacket was wet with cold sweat, and she felt as if there was a puddle under her chair, it seemed she was melting like a snowman by the fireplace, she stood up and looked around.

The waiter came over and helped her to sit down, while her lover looked through the menu with no attention.

"I'll have Caesar and duck in cranberry sauce." Dear, what would you like? Oleg asked solicitously.

Vera shook her head, nausea rising in her throat:

"I'll have some water and lemon, please."

When the waiter left, Oleg continued calmly.

"Don't worry, sugar. I really want to date you. Really. I want to spend my time with you. I rented an apartment for you in Sadovy Blvd it’s in the center. I'm more comfortable there, near my office. And your job is nearby. Here are the keys and the apartment number. My assistant Igor will send the money on your card so you can go there right away. Everything is as it should be. I will see you there after you move to your new place. We will celebrate. If anything happens, call Igor, he will help you order movers or whatever. I'll be out of touch for a few days, flying away on business. Don't be bored. Take care of your new home. Bye. Stay here and feel free to order something else. Tell them to add your order on me”.

He was such a handsome and statuesque as on the first day of the meeting. He went to the exit, talked on the phone, the driver hurried to open the door of an executive class car. Vera followed Oleg with her eyes until his car disappeared into the traffic. The waiter interrupted her thoughts:

"Anything else?" Do you want the menu?

Vera curled her icy fingers into fists under the table.

"Yes, red wine, please." Bottle.

– Just a moment. It will be served.

Two years have passed since then. And now Vera was also clutching a bottle of dry red wine in the kitchen with her icy fingers. She was still in her memories.

Chapter 3

Vera moved to a new apartment in Sadovy Blvd, rented by Oleg, as they say, without any present and clear problems. She didn't need any help from the movers, just called a taxi and went down to the first floor with two wheeled suitcases.

– Which airport are we going to? – taxi driver took his device to turn on the navigator.

– First, Tsvetnoy Blvd, please, – the girl closed her eyes and leaned her head back on the passenger seat.

Moving from one rented apartment to another is a good thing, but sad. On the one hand, you change the environment, streets, shops, make new neighbors and acquaintances, explore nearby attractions. On the other hand, you feel like an eternal wanderer, who moves from one guest to another with the feeling that it is still not your home.

Parents, when they heard the news of the move on the phone, were as happy as children. Mom, judging by the sobs, was crying with joy, and dad kept repeating what a good girl his daughter was. Saying she had received a promotion at work, Vera reassured her parents she would not have to pay more for housing, that there was a corporate apartment and she would live there for the time being, she sighed while she holds this position. She immediately transferred to her parents' card forty thousand rubles, which she had to pay for a month to the owner of the previous home and told them to buy a new washing machine, because the old one almost broke did not work properly.

Vera very quickly put her things inside the closet, arranged her shoes in the hall, and took her cosmetics to the bathroom. A couple of favorite books were already on the shelf by the sofa.

The window faced the park and the view must be beautiful in spring, she thought as she was wrapping herself with a warm housecoat. The rain beat on the windows with anger and fury and the wind tore off the last, most persistent yellow-brown leaves.

Vera dialed Oleg in the late afternoon.

– Honey, hi. My love, I moved. Yes, the apartment is beautiful. I liked the view very much. Yes, good. What time? Of course, I’m looking forward.

Oleg arrived exactly an hour later than promised. Vera went mad with joy and happiness. She laughed and kissed such dear and beloved lips, eyes, hands, inhaled the smell of his skin and hair, admired his profile. Even when he left the room, closing the door, Vera had a little ache in the back of her head and somewhere in the area of her heart, but she quickly drove the pain and fear deep beyond the limits of her boundless love.

Now she knew why he often left the room when he received an incoming call. Previously, she thought that he was talking about business issues and just did not want Vera to hear about money or partners, but now she knew who he was talking to. It was She, he was talking to. He probably calms her down, tells her that there is a traffic jam, a lot of papers to read and sign at work, a meeting with a partner who has flown in from a different time zone.

– Babe, why are you so sad?

Vera sat there thinking, fighting the pain and fear that had crept up her throat again like two huge snakes, and she didn't notice him come back into the room.

"It's all right. Oh, how was your trip?

– You know, great, held two meetings, signed one pre-contract for the opening of a representative office in Milan, and even managed to go shopping.

Oleg set the glass on a low glass table and opened a leather travel bag.

– Honey, I'm coming to you straight from the airport, so after 40-45 minutes I'm leaving. I must show myself at home. So I won't stay with you long, but tomorrow, I think I will. But I'll check the time. This is a gift for you from Milan.

In a blink of a eye she held on the palm of her hand the most recognizable box of the most recognizable turquoise-azure color in the world. With trembling hands, the girl opened the package, light splashed into her eyes. Vera picked up the chain on which hung a diamond pendant in the form of a heart and sparkled as if it was a real star in the frame. She put on the necklace and stroked the heart with her hand as if trying to warm a cold, lifeless stone.

"Like it?"

"Of course, my love! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

Vera threw herself on Oleg, embracing his muscular body, he had no time to respond her emotions and let the bag fall on the floor.

Vera’s two snakes raised their heads and hissed, pulling out their hideous stings. The bag lay open and Vera clearly saw the similar box of the similar size, brand and the most recognizable color in the world. She was ready to bet that the box contained the similar diamond heart that glittered on her cleavage with the fire of a star.

Oleg calmly closed the bag, put it on the floor, and drew his mistress to him.