Viktor stood before Xandrova. She turned around and walked toward the closed window. Viktor watched Xandrova's expressionless face until she finally said what she was thinking. "But, Viktor... that woman has sworn to take you away from me. Didn't you hear her?" Xandrova opened the bedroom window as she spoke to her husband. She seemed reluctant to turn around. 'It seemed that Zoya had been incited by a woman I didn't even know.' Viktor stepped closer to Xandrova while talking to himself. Now, he stood beside his little wife. "Zoya, do you believe every word that comes out of my mouth?" Xandrova pulled her husband's right arm so that their bodies faced each other. "Viktor, what do you mean, do you doubt my sincerity?" Viktor knew that his wife had been under an emotional attack from earlier. "If you truly love me, then listen, Zoya!" Viktor took both of Xandrova's hands and looked at her intently. "I don't recognize that woman at all. You and I only met her last night in the
As a young woman already the wife of a poor man like Viktor, it wasn't easy. Viktor never made any demands of Xandrova. But when she found out that another woman had openly said she would take Viktor away from her, Xandrova began to think of ways to keep Viktor by her side. "You're truly beautiful, Zoya. No wonder so many men are captivated when they see your charms!" Viktor praised his wife sincerely. For him, having Xandrova was the most beautiful thing in his life. "It's a blessing for me to have you, Zoya." "Don't tease me, Viktor!" Xandrova pursed her lips. She looked the other way to avoid eye contact with Viktor. "I realized that I'm not beautiful and I don't have body goals like that woman!" Again, Xandrova pursed her lips for the second time. 'Oh my! She's still thinking about Viona,' Viktor thought as he shook his head. "I'm just trying to tell you the truth, Zoya. I love you for who you are. Just trust me!" Viktor looked back at Xandrova's smiling face. "Really?"
"I know her, Viktor. If you're curious about her, I can introduce you to her." 'Judging by the look on her face, Zoya wasn't angry with me at all. Was she not jealous of the prima ballerina? However, I didn't know what was in her heart.' Several perceptions arose in Viktor's mind. He looked at Xandrova who was focusing on the ballet dancers. "Where do you know her, Zoya?" "Oh, Olesya Zakharova was my best friend when we were at school." Xandrova answered Viktor's question without turning around. "Zoya, how many acts does Giselle's performance consist of?" Viktor asked Xandrova, who was enjoying the ballet performance in front of her eyes. "Two acts, Viktor." The first act had begun. All eyes in the Mariinsky Theater looked up at the stage. Viktor took Xandrova's hand. Viktor watched scene after scene on the stage until the scene where the main character ended his life. The music changed. Finally, there was a roar of applause from the audience. "Aargghhh! The first act set i
Viktor widened his eyes, as did Xandrova. He saw his wife staring at Maksim. "What does that mean, Maksim?" Viktor was taken aback that Xandrova wasn't behaving as usual. "Ha! Ha! Ha! Since when do you have no manners for me, Miss Zoya?" Maksim sassily teased Xandrova. He touched Xandrova's pointed chin in front of Viktor. Oh, it certainly made Viktor's blood boil to see it. "How dare you flirt with someone else's wife, Mr. Maksim!" Viktor stepped closer to Maksim to get Xandrova away from the shameless man. "Caleb, take Miss Zoya away from here!" Caleb bowed and replied, "Yes, Mr. Viktor. Caleb turned to Xandrova. " Come on, Miss!" "But, Viktor ...." Viktor stared at Xandrova for a moment, then nodded for his little wife to follow his wishes. "Go with Caleb! I'll catch up with you, Zoya." Xandrova finally left with Caleb. Time like this was, of course, put to good use by Viktor. "Listen to me carefully, Mr. Maksim!" Viktor grabbed the coat lapel Maksim. "Oh, take it ea
Viktor closed the hotel room door with his foot. He leaves the cardlock in place to keep the light on.Viktor steps into the bedroom. He laid Xandrova down gently."You look exhausted, Zoya."Viktor placed his wife's handbag on the nightstand. Then, he removes the boots Xandrova is still wearing.***The summer vacation is over. Viktor and his wife had returned to the Konstantin family mansion in the Leningrad district."Where's Grandpa? Why is he nowhere to be seen?"Xandrova asked the maid who had faithfully cared for her since she was a toddler."The Great Master is waiting for you in the dining room for breakfast.""The dining room?!"Viktor saw Galana's eyes nearly jump out of their sockets. However, Viktor remained as calm as ever."Yes, ma'am."Viktor followed his mother-in-law and wife's footsteps to the dining room. For some reason, his instincts told him things were about to get out of hand."Hello, Papa-in-law."Galana greeted Gennadius first. The 50-year-old woman pressed
Viktor and Xandrova were stunned to hear Davidoff utter such inappropriate vitriol.'What the hell is Papa David?! Has Papa never once respected Grandpa?! And, Mama... as a wife, did she never advise him?!'Viktor ran through the questions in his mind. He noticed that Gennadius' face was flushed with a tightened jaw."Pa, it's not nice to talk to Grandpa like that!"Viktor spontaneously rebuked Davidoff in a slightly high tone. He also threw a glare at Davidoff."Ha! Ha! Ha!"Davidoff laughed at Viktor's behavior. And, Viktor was even more furious to see Davidoff acting like someone who had lost his mind."So funny, isn't it?! You can say that because Grandpa Gennadius has given you so many facilities, Viktor! As for me?!"Davidoff looked at Viktor who was opening his eyes wide and aiming at him."Oh, so that's why Papa had the nerve to say that to Grandpa?" Xandrova spoke up. She nodded as she looked at her father. "And, Mama ...." Now, Xandrova turned her face to Galana. "Why are yo
And once again, Xandrova reassured her husband. However, it was clear from her gaze that Viktor couldn't believe her.A summer breeze entered the Konstantin family's dining room through the wide-open windows. The warm rays of the morning sun greeted Viktor's snow-white skin just like Xandrova's beautiful, well-groomed skin. The couple lived under the same roof in the Konstantin family's luxurious mansion. It's a classically designed mansion that showcases the decorative side of the past."Get on with it, Viktor, and don't beat around the bush like this!" Davidoff exclaimed to his son-in-law who was never considered."I'm sorry if you all waited so long for my decision. Because to be honest... this is really difficult for me."'If I make the wrong decision, Papa and Mama will blame me for what happened to their daughter, right?' Viktor thought hard about this. Viktor was confident in his assumption just now."Because I don't want you and Mama Galana to blame me for what will happen to
Viktor was sitting across from his wife. He openly talks about his concerns over Xandrova's decision to return to education. The couple were silent as well as staring at each other. "All right, Viktor. I understand and agree to all the terms you said earlier." Viktor smiled and was relieved to hear Xandrova say so. "Okay, Zoya. I'll have Andriy take care of all your college preparations." Xandrova nodded in agreement. "Yes, Viktor. I'll be waiting for good news from you." Viktor rubbed the top of Xandrova's head, then walked to the balcony of her room. He walks while playing with his smartphone. Viktor: Andriy, take care of Zoya's paperwork and make sure she's treated well at college! That's Viktor. Just sending a short one-sentence message without any further ado. *** Today is Viktor's first day of work at the Konstantin family company located in the Moskovsky district of St Petersburg, Russia. He went to the office with Gennadius as well as three other men, one of whom was