AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Really?” I stuttered, my suspicions rising.
“Yeah, he texted me this morning,” she continued, her tone light. “So, are you ready for a girl’s day?”
It was difficult to believe Volk wanted me out of the house to “clear my mind.” It wasn’t like him to be so … considerate.
Despite my reservations, Marina’s excitement was infectious, and I reluctantly agreed. Digging out some warm clothes that Dasha had brought me days ago, I grabbed a long black coat to ward off the cold. Marina led me outside to a large black 4x4 parked next to a red Porsche—neither vehicle I recognized.
The guards were engrossed in their phones and barely noticed us as we climbed into the vehicle.
And so, it began.
Marina had been driving for over an hour, and I felt myself growing sleepy. She refused to reveal our destination, insisting it was a surprise.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
“A bit,” I replied. My stomach growled embarrassingly, prompting her question.
“We’re almost there, don’t worry.”
I rested against the window, closing my eyes and feeling the car’s warmth on my cheeks. In the silence of the car, thoughts of Volk, Dasha, and my mama swirled in my mind, growing more vivid with each passing second. After what felt like an eternity, the car slowed. Opening my eyes, I saw a beautiful lake ahead. Marina parked, turning to me with excitement in her eyes.
“Welcome to our little winter wonderland,” she said, clearly delighted.
Looking around, I saw a grand white house with large light green windows nestled among tall pine trees. Their green needles contrasted sharply with the white snow-covered ground. A small pier extended into the lake, adding to the breathtaking view.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
Stepping into the cold air, I shivered and wrapped my coat tighter.
I followed Marina towards the house, taking in the serene surroundings. The tall pine trees stood proudly, adorned with heavy snow on their branches. The frozen lake glistened in the sunlight, faintly echoing with the sound of cracking ice. We climbed the steps to the front door, where Marina knocked twice.
A woman greeted us with a warm smile as she opened the door.
“Marina, tak rada tebya videt’! Marina, I’m so glad to see you!” she exclaimed, pulling her into a hug.
“This is my friend, Sofiya,” Marina said in English. “We’re here to relax for the day.”
The woman greeted us with a warm smile and introduced herself as Anya. Her Russian accent was even thicker than Volk’s, Marina’s, or Dve’s, which only added to her charm and made her seem even more welcoming.
“Come in, come in,” she said. “It’s freezing out there.”
We stepped inside, welcomed by the comforting warmth of the house. A fire crackled in the fireplace, filling the air with the scent of pine and cinnamon.
“Make yourself at home,” Anya said, gesturing towards the living room. “I’ll make you guys some tea.”
As Anya disappeared into the kitchen, Marina motioned for me to sit down. I sank into the plush couch, enjoying the cozy vibe of the room with its soft cream walls and pops of green and red.
Marina sat beside me, beaming. “Isn’t this place amazing?” she asked, taking my hand in hers and locking eyes warmly with me.
“It is,” I replied with a smile.
She rubbed my back absentmindedly. Then, she gently pushed my hair away from my face, her nails brushing lightly against my skin. A chill crept down my spine as her thumb grazed my lower lip, her gaze lingering there, making me feel a bit awkward.
What was happening?
Anya returned with a tray bearing two warm cups of chamomile tea, plates of roasted chicken with green beans, and a slice of Russian honey cake. The aroma filled the room, making my stomach growl loudly.
“Spasibo, Anya,” I thanked her, grabbing a plate and digging in, savoring each bite.
