Viktoria couldn’t wait to tell Günter what she had learned about the Slovaks. He could finally relax, and she could make friends. A married couple running an accounting business—her husband wouldn’t object to that, even though she understood his concerns. In Germany, they had lost several friendships over unpaid loans. Günter simply wanted to protect them from another awkward situation and disappointment.
Dajana and Adrian, however, seemed to have a stable financial background. Even so, Viktoria no longer longed for deep friendships. What she needed was simply someone to lounge with on the terrace after work, accompanied by a coffee or a cocktail. She didn’t want to dress up, put on makeup, and go out to a restaurant or bar. She just wanted to shuffle across the courtyard in shorts and flip-flops. She wanted to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the residential community and the poolside courtyard.
“Not bad,” Dajana thought as she watched Viktoria walk away. “I could actually get used to this.”
She enjoyed the light conversation, the everyday topics, and the calmness that the German woman exuded. Viktoria showed no signs of anxiety or worry—feelings that plagued Dajana daily. The private tutor seemed to be in perfect harmony with herself and the world. No doubt, her financial security and evidently loving relationship with her husband played a role in that. As these thoughts ran through her mind, a wave of envy washed over Dajana. She was still at the very beginning of the path Viktoria had already walked with ease. And unlike Dajana, the teacher had never even struggled to find a job—German private schools had welcomed her with open arms.
“Great,” she grumbled to herself. “I was just starting to like her, and now I’m so jealous I could kick her ass!”
Yet at the same time, she felt an intense urge to see her new friend again, to spend as much time with her as possible. She needed someone to give her hope, someone whose mere presence could sustain her. Viktoria’s expensive clothes, elegant fragrance, and serenity represented the world she was impatiently waiting to step into.
“So, will there be another girls’ afternoon?” Adrian asked.
He stuffed a few dried fruits into his mouth, and before he even chewed and swallowed them, he puffed up his cheeks with whipped cream. Dajana was genuinely amazed that none of it shot out through his nose.
“Shame she didn’t get to see this,” she remarked sarcastically.
“I don’t want the kids to eat all of it. It’s not good for their teeth,”Adrian mumbled, barely intelligible.
“And what about yours?”
“Too late for me,” he grinned like a kid after a big meal.
“Viktoria’s great. I’d like to get closer to her,” Dajana changed the subject.
“Me too. You could use some time to unwind.”
“I mentioned that I’m an accountant, by the way.”
“And?”
“She seemed surprised.”
“Told you! Believe me, these rich folks care about who they associate with.”
“I don’t think Viktoria is like that. She’s a very kind, good-hearted woman.”
“We’ll see. For now, I like her too.”
What he didn’t add was that he also wouldn’t mind watching their guest—a long-legged, shapely, glossy-haired, doll-faced beauty—more often. If he could see her regularly, it wouldn’t be hard to picture that stunning body while making love to his wife.