Vlad hated karaoke but loved us, and an opportunity to spend money, so he would ask me to let my driver Sasha off for the night. He gave us his driver and bodyguard, and paid for all of our fun. Just because he could. Because we were his friends. Very few people could wrap their minds around this idea, and therefore were often envious, spreading all kind of rumors behind our backs. It only proved my point that the majority of people surrounding us were cowards who could never bring themselves to say what they really thought to our face. Talking shit behind each other’s backs was an accepted norm, or even an example of appropriate behavior.
Spreading rumors is a prerogative of those individuals who still have some brain, as one is prerequisite for such a creative process in the first place. However, it is merely a result of slow degradation that shows, and any further development can only manifest itself in precisely that kind of notions of creativity: coming up with various gossip, hearsay, tittle-tattle, speculations of all sorts. Having analyzed it all thoroughly in my head on multiple occasions, I was no longer surprised and came to piece with the sad fact. I finally accepted it. Not that I consider myself very smart, but I do believe I have a good and ethical conscience. Throughout my childhood I was taught what the good and bad values were. It is precisely because of this it was imprinted in my mind that gossiping was low, and that I should do my best to avoid having anything to do with it. Perhaps my parents strove to cultivate and develop Pavlovian conditioning regarding gossiping, and I must say they succeeded. Elly didn’t like gossips either, however her explanation was that those who gossip have the same facial expression and they get older sooner. It really didn’t matter though what explanation we both had or whether we even shared one, since neither of us enjoyed gossiping. We were nowhere near that kind of conversations and neither was Vlad, not since the time he befriended us anyway. We should never deny or underestimate the power of the impact one’s environment is capable of.
“Bro, I called you but you didn’t pick,” said one of the two freeloaders.
“I was at the gym.”
“I thought that.”
Of course, he “thought that”. It was kind of obvious Vlad didn’t want to pick up the phone.
“Sparring stuff, huh?” the leech continued to inquire.
“Yeah… you didn’t say hi to the girls?” Vlad asked, clearly displeased.
“Didn’t have a chance yet, bro….” “Chip’ tried to appear sincerely confused to Vlad… “-girls, you look stunning as always. Queens!” he added hypocritically.
You know, compliments from such people often sound like insults. We tried to smile. Behind “Chip’, stood “Dale’, accompanied by two grey mice looking girlfriends.
“These are my sisters,” Vlad said in a serious tone, “ – especially this one – Eva.”
The faces of two girls accompanying the leeches seemed to wince. They clearly didn’t enjoy being ignored as Vlad didn’t acknowledge their presence even with a simple nod. That fact however didn’t stop the freeloaders from sitting down at the table and joining dinner at Vlad’s expense which repulsed me even further. People like those two, pursued yet another hidden agenda besides having a free champagne and meal. They wanted to be seen as part of our rich and influential circle, and food and drinks were just a nice bone.
Of course, Vlad wasn’t particularly rich or influential. His father was, and that sufficed. Period. However, Vlad wasn’t merely his father’s shadow. He was a person. Many could debate as to what kind of person Vlad really was – odious, crazy… the list could go on forever, but a person nonetheless. Besides, his condescending attitude particularly towards those two individuals was totally justified. That didn’t mean he would behave this way towards another person. In fact, when it came to me, he was always kind, caring, and charming. He was simple, much like a brother I always wished I had.
“Did you hear his especially Eva?” Elly whispered in my ear. “He’s real asshole.”
“Don’t get offended, you know how he is…” I shrugged my shoulders, trying to calm down Elly.
“Sometimes I wish I didn’t! I’m sick and tired of these kids. And where did my billionaire go, anyway? The evening couldn’t get any worse…?”
“What do you suggest?”
“You know what…” Elly said in a cheerful, cunning voice and squinted.
“No idea…”
“Let’s go over your guy’s…” I could her a hint of begging in her voice. “There are always tons of handsome men. Unlike these kids here.”
“Elly, sorry but I really don’t feel like going there tonight,” I was perplexed.
“Why?”
“Cuz, i just don’t feel like it!!!”
“You actually sound like you kinda do…”
“Well, kinda do and kinda don’t…”
“Why is that, I wonder?”
“Elly. He doesn’t even write me, or call after our last date. I don’t want to chase after him.”
“Chase after? No girl, you just happen to run into him. It’s so plausible you both like the same places…”
“It would have worked if… he weren’t the owner of that place.”
“But you have to admit it’s a darn good place. I like the idea of that restaurant being private…”
“True. I don’t even know whether I like him or his restaurant better… Anyway, next months or something.”
“What kind of nonsense is that. Don’t tell me you schedule your visits there and mark those visits on the calendar with a red marker.” Elly’s eyes rounded with disbelief. “You take everything too seriously. Be simple. It’s not like you’re marrying the guy.”
“Of course not. I am never getting married!”
“Cool. Me too. Not today, at least,” Elly laughed. “Let’s go! Call your Sasha,” she ordered bossily.
“Don’t be pushy ok?” I’m not going anywhere.”
“Don’t tell me it finally happened?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re falling for him, yes? Mr. Shh.”
“What? Are you insane or what? I’m most certainly not…”
“If you weren’t we’d be there already.”
“Screw you. You’re my friends, you’re supposed to support me!”
“That