See you in St. Tropez

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.

“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.”