Chapter 1

Donna

Jess hurried me along, watching her reflection in the mirror, her eyes wide as she tried to apply the third coat of mascara to her eyelids.

"Don't you think it's too much? That's fine, Jess."

"I like being exaggerated, now go finish getting dressed, since we're late."

We were getting ready for some parties and I'd have stayed at home myself, but Jess insisted and according to her, it's going to be really nice. Matthew is our friend, but his boldness and freedom make him a man without character, so I avoid him when I can.

"I'm going to call a cab. In the meantime, make sure you come down soon." I said as I went downstairs to the living room, where it was quiet.

While the cab didn't arrive, I took the opportunity to look around the garden. This time we were lucky, Jess and I split our expenses, so it's not too much of a burden for either of us. We've been living this life for five years, some even say we're girlfriend and boyfriend. As usual, she was wearing one of her dresses with a huge cleavage on her breasts, beautiful but very extravagant.

"Did she really need all that?" I asked and she smiled. I know I shouldn't meddle in your life, but when you're drunk you go out with anyone and then your only option is to whine to me. "You're beautiful, Jess. But I'm not going to look after you today, please!"

"You're boring, aren't you?" Half annoyed, she went to change, came back in a less low-cut dress, it was better for her, I hate those guys who look like they're going to rip a chunk out of you.

"I heard about what happened at your work, I always knew Roger was a complete asshole. Have you looked for a lawyer?" Jess's ex-boss is a bad character, he wanted to take advantage of them in exchange for jobs and money. But now he's gone too far, the worst would almost have happened if it hadn't been for Matthew arriving in his office.

"My father already knows, his lawyer is already taking care of everything, soon the bastard will be paying for it."

"I'm relieved." I touched her hand, showing that I would be with her at all times.

We were together in almost everything, but Jess is rich and works in a jewelry store called Granfina, which is the stuff of people who have a lot of money. Although she's very rich, she gives herself the opportunity to live intensely, making the most of life.

"When I get married, I want you to be my godmother. I want you to be my children's godmother too." Her spontaneous way was something I admired most about her.

"Of course I'm going to be all that and then some." She was a light in my life, she's been by my side since I lost my parents in a terrible car accident.

From a distance you could see the nightclub, full of flashing lights in front, not to mention the huge sign in vibrant neon colors. Jess got out of the cab excitedly, I paid the gentleman and we went to the queue.

"We're VIPs, I wish." Smiling, she touched my shoulders with her fingertips and turned me around. "It wouldn't be any fun waiting to get in. "That's one of the advantages of being known. "Donna Mitchell and Jess Garbo."

I looked around, most of the things there were gold and silver, everything was pure luxury. Jess soon spotted some friends and ran over to hug them, while I tried to fit in...

"Hi, Donna... you look great, I'm glad you decided to come with Jess. Can I give you a hug?" Matthew had a smile on his face, it was clear how happy he was to have graduated.

"Of course!" I pulled him into a hug when I saw a man staring at us from behind his back. "I'm so glad you made it, that you didn't give up. You're going to be a great doctor, I'm sure of it." I said, still hugging him.

We walked away and he told us about some of the things he'd already done, but that stare at me was making me uncomfortable. Matthew is like Jess, he goes for the heat of the moment and didn't think twice when he pulled me close to the man, whom he was about to introduce when Jess appeared beside me.

"You're that Russian friend, aren't you? Matthew always spoke very highly of you." Jess asked, putting everyone off.

"Himself. I'm pleased to be here today, it's a great day." His loud, strong voice left me with a strange feeling, he seems to seduce just by speaking.

There was no place for me there, everyone was talking about the same subject, I was barely taking part and I don't even know why I came. But since I was here, I'd at least spend an hour, so it wouldn't seem like I didn't even want to be here. I took a glass of champagne and sat back, leaving the VIP area for a few minutes.

Mikhail

Today is a happy day for me too, I never thought my best friend would graduate in medicine and today he's commenting on this great day. At home I left problems to be solved later, Andressa deserves to think a little about the stupid thing she did...

I was chatting to Jess, an attractive and beautiful woman, but I noticed her friend's absence a few minutes after we met. The air was hot, I needed to cool down a bit, it was going to be a long night and I didn't want to get into any trouble during the evening.

"A double on the rocks, please!" The girl was quickly pouring me a glass, when I realized that the girl was also there and seemed to have no direction in life. "Loneliness can be cruel at times, you don't seem to be happy." I thought, watching her smile as she realized it was me who was talking close to her ear.

"Loneliness is a very lucky word, I prefer to call it peace." Her voice was soft, sweet and calm, and although she seemed to be a little driven by alcohol, she didn't appear drunk.

"Meeting people like you, I wonder what you think about Matthew." It was a celebration, a farewell to him, would it be strange to try to get close to someone I found interesting just for one night? Fuck it, this woman was taking my concentration and I wanted to know more about her. She's so... challenging and seems so sweet and empty, all at the same time.

"We're not friends, well... we're not close. I always thought Matthew was an asshole, I only came because of Jess and because he insisted I come. And you, what made you leave Russia? Do you really live there?" She turned around, facing me and staring at me for the next moment. "You have great English, you know that?"

"It took me years to acquire that accent... Matthew encouraged me to learn it when I lived here for a few years, but I had to go back and take over the family business." I replied sarcastically, because that wasn't my intention. "He's a good person, he's just a bit unregulated from time to time, but he's a good person."

She was interesting... he talked about her, who lived with Jess, but intended to move to another city when she finished college. She had plans, dreams and seemed to have willpower too. Noticing her way of speaking and expressions, she reminded me a bit of Andressa from before, before she became the cold, selfish woman she is today.

"Do you want to dance? This music sounds good and I feel like losing it tonight." Her hand touched mine and pulled me onto the dance floor the next moment, where I found myself complementarily lost in that gaze so full of sparkle and something else I couldn't decipher.