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Work and parenthood can be a difficult balancing act at the best of times. But throw in the COVID-19 global pandemic that saw schools closed and many having to become part-time teachers, and things got a whole lot trickier. Keller colleagues share how they coped with parenting in a pandemic.

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Miguel Sanchez Guijarro

HSEQ Manager, Iberia-Latam
Lives in Madrid, Spain

I live with my wife and three children: Mercedes, who’s 13, Miriam, 11, and Miguel, 7. For us the lockdown began on 15 March with no one allowed out. Just recently, adults have been permitted to go for a walk during the day, with children only allowed to go out between 12pm and 7pm with one parent. Even then it’s only for an hour and we can’t go more than 1km away from the house.

I’m still visiting sites and the main challenge is being in contact with our people there from a distance. Two or three days a week I go to the office (we’re allowed out to go to work if necessary) and stay there until 3pm, then come home and keep working until 7 or 8pm.

Before the pandemic I used to travel a lot; now I can spend more time with my family and be part of their daily routine. We’ve tried to shelter the children from the situation as much possible – we think it’s best for their minds when so much of the information coming from outside is not positive for them. When I’m at home I try to help my kids with their home schooling, but I’m terrible at it! 

Kevin Wikar

Area Manager, Keller North America
Lives in Annapolis, Maryland

I live with my wife, Cornelia, and our two children Gabriela, 17, and Stefan, 14. Our state has pretty much been shut down for over a month now, although just recently things have started to loosen up.

Construction is considered essential, so I’ve been going into the office three days week and working from home the rest. The days at home have been challenging.

My wife’s a stay-at-home mom, a former professional in the environmental sector and very well educated, so she’s taken the lead with the children’s learning. My daughter’s school was very well prepared for online, so she tends to sequester herself away. Stefan’s in a middle school that was very unprepared, so in April he was thinking, hey, summer vacation’s started early! We quickly put a halt to that.

They’ve been frustrated like everyone else, but we’re supporting them. My son wants to go out with his friends and my daughter should have had her prom recently. She’s now starting to think about college. We’re trying to guide her to carefully consider what subjects and career path to choose, because a lot of industries are going to be hurting for a long time.

For Keller, we’ve continued to see high demand in public and private infrastructure projects, and it’s been very difficult given the situation to meet that demand. I’ve recently started to travel a little bit further afield. We’re taking every precaution on these visits, but obviously it’s a concern. But as I say to my friends when they ask me why I’m going out to work, these are essential projects that keep our society functioning.
 

Lea Cochrane

Marketing Manager, Keller Australia
Lives in Victoria

I live with my partner, Amos, and three children: 13-year-old Chelsea, Cameron, 9, and Amelia, 5, who’s in her first year of primary school. We’ve also got three dogs to add to the mix!

The kids love ‘iso-life’, as we call it here. For them it means arts and crafts, board game nights, walks and rides, cooking, cubby houses and lots of quality time in and around our home. It’s really advanced their creativity, but they do miss their friends and other family members. We’re a blended family, so for half the week the kids aren’t here, and I can get more work done.

We’ve spent eight weeks at home since the lockdown began and it’s been a real emotional roller-coaster. I love people and enjoy going into work to see my colleagues. I’ve struggled through anxiety, stress, loneliness and the general question of what can I do to cope today? I’m also not a natural homebody. Before Covid-19 our social life was largely outdoors, full of camping and adventures.

On the positive side, I’ve been able to influence and witness my children’s successes in their school work and I’ve contributed to their learning, which has been so rewarding. And working from home has many advantages, like no travel time to the office or school.

Homeschooling has been challenging. We’ve adapted our house so we all have a place to sit and work, but we’re in a small area. Plus you have to set up and use a range of online source materials from three different schools, while trying to remember who has meetings today, at what time and using which platform!

Amelia is learning to read and write so all her work is assisted and requires incredible patience. Cameron is about 50 percent assisted and needs a quality check as he might have hoped to get away with a minimal response in some of his work. Thankfully Chelsea is almost completely independent. She’s been such a great help to me and an inspiration to her younger siblings.

Fortunately I work for an amazing, understanding company with awesome people and I’ve only ever experienced considerate working conditions as a parent.

Jessica Church

HR Manager, Keller North America
Lives in Baltimore

I live with my husband Aaron and we have two sons – Brody who’s six and a half, and Landon who turns four on 31 May. We’re going to be having a pandemic birthday in the house!

Due to the stay-at-home order, we can only leave our home for exercise and essentials. Some days are really good, my husband gets work done and the boys are relatively well behaved. Some days it’s a disaster of tears and whining – they ask daily when will they get to go back to school and see their friends.
My husband and I work full-time, so at the beginning of our week we talk about our schedule, then every day each of us gets half the day in the home office, uninterrupted. The other half is still working, handling calls, emails etc, plus teaching kindergarten, feeding them countless meals and taking them out on our street to play.

I’ve learned a few things, such as my Wi-Fi reaches four houses down so I can bring my laptop outside, and my kids only seem to yell and scream the moment I get on a call. And I miss working in the office with my co-workers immensely.

Pre-Covid I used to say there weren’t enough minutes in the day and I’m missing time with my boys. So despite the challenges, the situation has given me time to be with them during this short childhood period. For a working mom, this is something I never thought I’d get.

Rosalind Leong

PA to Directors, Keller ASEAN
Lives in Singapore

I live with my husband and two children: Jayden aged 11 and Charlotte, who’s nine. In Singapore, everyone except essential workers are working from home, with one person in the family allowed out to buy things.

As a family, we’ve been doing fine during the ‘circuit breaker’ – our restrictions are not widely called lockdown. We just stay home and go out to get groceries once a week. The children are now on school holiday after almost a month of home-based learning, which has made things easier. During term time every morning we had to log into the online learning system, help the kids set up their video meetings, then help them with their questions, check their answers, submit work, etc.

The main challenge has been the endless household chores. With children around, the house keeps getting messy, so we’re constantly cleaning up after them. Also, Singapore has really hot and humid weather, which means multiple changes of clothes daily, so the laundry’s really adding up! I’m training them to wash dishes, but they’re often still dirty!

Balancing work and parenting hasn’t been too bad. On the bright side, I feel that we spend more time together. On the days that I can’t finish my work during the day, I just work later at night. The fact I don’t have to rush home after work to pick them up means it’s more flexible.

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Read online Marry the Monster by Nicole Keller – LitRes

Chapter 1

Aurora

“Will you marry me,” flies at my back as I grab the door handle to leave the terrace.

This is not a marriage proposal. And not a question. This is a concrete statement. And for some reason I feel uncomfortable.

Freezing in place. It takes me literally a few seconds to pull myself together and seem unflappable again.

I don’t even turn around to face the man. I just throw over my shoulder:

– A bold and non-standard proposal, but … no.

“Believe me, after a while you will change your mind,” in his voice I hear a smile and . .. coldness.

To be honest, in a few minutes of communication this man managed to drive me into a stupor. He manages to combine the incompatible: on the one hand, I managed to feel his interest in me as a woman, on the other … cold hatred, as if I was to blame for something.

And that scares me. And repels. And then it beckons back in the desire to unravel this man.

But we can’t. Even if you really wanted to. Because there are certain obstacles that cannot be crossed or bypassed even with a very strong desire.

– And the wife? How does your wife see it? As you can see, I also know something about you,” I blurt out indignantly and still turn around to read his reaction.

I don’t like her either. So much so that I instinctively take a step back.

His eyes blaze with… rage and hatred. It seems like another second, and the man will pounce on me. But he quickly extinguishes his emotions, again putting on his face an impenetrable wax mask. And I can’t figure out what’s on his mind.

– This is a solvable issue. I will divorce.

A few days before the described events

– Dad, well, why is all this?! I want a simple, quiet and family holiday! Where only the closest will be. The ones I know personally! Mom, well, at least you tell him! – I am indignant, pacing around the living room from corner to corner.

“Daughter, daddy wants the best,” mom says carefully, looking at me with guilty eyes. “He loves you, you know.

I know. As well as the fact that it is stupid to ask a mother for support – she will never go against her father. Loves too much.

My parents met at the institute, in the first year, and since then they have been together. From the very moment that my mother literally ran into my father, not noticing him because of the stack of books in her hands. Just like in the movies.

But their life was not as cloudless as in the films. They went through lack of money, and a hostel, and a communal apartment. But my mother loved and loves my father to this day. She was always by his side, no matter how hard it was, and supported in everything. This is probably why my father reached such heights in business, because he knew that he was loved and expected at home. And he reciprocates with his mother.

There is another fact that makes me proud of my parents. They didn’t have children for a very long time. But, despite this, they did not divorce, and the father did not have illegitimate children. No, they, on the contrary, supported each other, not looking for someone to blame. And many years later, when they had already decided that they would live for themselves or take the baby from the orphanage, heaven sent me to them.

Precisely because I am a late, only and long-awaited child, my parents pamper me immensely.

Even when I am independent and mature.

Even when it’s not necessary.

That’s how it is now.

“Aurora, this will be a quiet and family holiday…” father begins, but I interrupt him ugly.

– That’s a two hundred man, right, papa?

Father purses his lips and looks away. It’s clear. I hit the bull’s-eye.

“Dad,” I persuade my father, even though I know it’s useless. But I continue out of pure stubbornness. This feature, by the way, I inherited from him. – Well, think about it. I don’t want to see strangers at my birthday party. People I don’t even know their names.

– Let there be no strangers there! my father objected to me vehemently. – Only the closest. Well, and a couple of my colleagues, future partners…

I shoot my eyes pointedly in the direction of my father. What did I say!

“So, after all, there will be a hundred people, of which I will only know you and your mother and two of my friends …” I draw, squinting unkindly and looking at my parents.

– Daughter, well, I can’t squeeze your birthday party! – the father says guiltily, clasping his hands. – My partners, current and future, will not understand! They will say that Sobolev’s business went very badly! Also terminated existing contracts!

“Miron, don’t worry, you have blood pressure,” Mom jumps up from her seat and hurries to pour a glass of water for Father.

I look at them with love, sighing heavily. And I understand that if I want a relationship, a family, then only one like my parents. I don’t agree to anything less.

So, what should I do with them?..

– All right, prepare your holiday. just let’s not be fanatical, okay?

– Aurora, honey, don’t worry about anything! Feel free to choose a dress for the holiday!

Dress? Oh God, why?!

The only thing I hate more than the hype is shopping…But these are the rules of the damn world we live in: neither I nor my mother have the right to appear in society in the same outfit twice. Businessmen will indeed immediately suspect that things are not going well with their father. So if we want to be considered with the father, and his affairs went uphill, then we will have to bite the bullet and raid local boutiques.

Of course I could make a fuss, scream and get my way. Moreover, I have been independent from my parents for a long time: I live separately (in a rented apartment, by the way!), I earn money myself, but I really value my parents, our relationship and appreciate everything they have done for me in this life. And if I have to endure one evening and do what my father wants for his and our good, then is it so difficult?

***

– Done, Avrora Mironovna.

Master turns me around to face the mirror and I am speechless.

– You have done the impossible, Lida! The result is simply amazing! – I give out after a few minutes of looking at myself in the mirror.

– Thank you! The team and I tried very hard, – the girl smiles modestly, straightening my curls.

A beauty looks at me from the mirror, in which I do not immediately recognize myself: radiant skin, circles under the eyes, which I struggled with unsuccessfully for years, have disappeared, skillfully lined blue eyes, well-defined lips, and all this using a minimum of cosmetics. My hair is soft as silk, styled in light waves that fall behind me.

This time I decided to move away from stereotypes and replace the dress with a stylish jumpsuit in bright red with a “surprise”. And his surprise lies in the fact that the front of the outfit looks very modest, I would even say chaste: a small boat neckline, three-quarter sleeves and a straight-cut trousers. But at the back… a completely open back, straight to the waist.

So today I have something to surprise my father’s partners.

Chapter 2

Aurora

I enter the hall and feel like a Hollywood star: I am walking along the red carpet, camera flashes are blinding, everyone is looking only at me, smiling, congratulating me.

Such attention from the outside, of course, is pleasant, but still I feel a little uncomfortable. I would like to pay tribute to those present and run home.

– Happy birthday, sunshine! My mom comes up to me with her arms wide open. He hugs me tightly and stealthily tries to wipe away his tears.

Don’t cry, mother. Today is a holiday. And yours too, by the way. This is for you,” I hold out her favorite bouquet of peony roses. – Thank you for everything. You and your dad are the best parents.

I didn’t even notice how all the guests had gathered around us and were now applauding. And my mother was even more emotional, causing me to cry unbidden.

– Walked away for a minute, and you are already crying! – Pope appears and defuses the situation. – Happy birsday, my dear. You look amazing. And now, dear guests, I ask everyone to go to the banquet hall.

And the evening goes on as usual: congratulations, gifts, conversations, acquaintances… Tired of all this, I go out onto the terrace to be alone.

But even here there is a bummer.

– Tired? Suddenly, a sexy deep voice comes from behind.

I turn around sharply to look at the one who disturbed my privacy.

And it turns out to be Artem Volkov, the most mysterious millionaire in the capital. Little is known about him: the man carefully guards his personal life. But I was lucky: my friend dreams of getting him as a suitor and made some inquiries about him. So, thanks to her, I know a little more than the rest.

Artyom is also incredibly, manly handsome: a burning brunette with brown eyes that look so piercing, burning through. Plump, well-defined lips are framed by a fashionable beard. Artyom has an athletic body, which is now favorably “packed” in a strict classic suit that emphasizes his athletic figure.

And now this man is standing in front of me and looking with interest. And suddenly I am annoyed by his attention to my person.

– Did we switch to “you”?

– Yes. Literally just now, – he smiles with the most attractive smile in the world, only his eyes remain serious. “And I suggest you run away from this boring evening.

– What makes you think that I’m bored? I raise an eyebrow in surprise, crossing my arms over my chest.

– Because you are here, not there, along with everyone else.

– Logical. But no.

“You don’t even know what you’re giving up,” Artyom still lowers his voice, and goosebumps run down my spine. And not from the cold.

“It doesn’t matter,” I cut off, trying to be convincing so that the man himself loses interest in me. But he doesn’t seem to hear me.

– I know an amazing Japanese restaurant nearby. The table has already been booked. And don’t even try to say that you don’t like rolls: I know that you adore them.

– Ready, huh? – out of indignation, I don’t notice how I still turn to “you”.

“Yes,” he lifts his head proudly, putting his hands in his pockets.

– Laudable, commendable, – I hold out, taking a step forward. Artyom’s eyes light up with a victorious gleam. But I won’t go anywhere with you. Not now, not tomorrow, never.

– Why? – the tone immediately becomes hard, and the look – icy.

– I don’t think I should give an already known reason.

And I pass by without even looking in his direction.

“Will you marry me,” flies at my back as I grab the doorknob to leave the terrace.

This is not a marriage proposal. And not a question. This is a concrete statement. And for some reason I feel uncomfortable.

Freezing in place. It takes me literally a few seconds to pull myself together and seem unflappable again.

I don’t even turn around to face the man. I just throw over my shoulder:

– Daring and non-standard proposal, but … no.

“Believe me, after a while you will change your mind,” in his voice I hear a smile and … coldness.

To be honest, in a few minutes of communication this man managed to drive me into a stupor. He manages to combine the incompatible: on the one hand, I managed to feel his interest in me as a woman, on the other … cold hatred, as if I was to blame for something.

And it scares me. And repels. And then it beckons back in the desire to unravel this man.

But we can’t. Even if you really wanted to. Because there are certain obstacles that cannot be crossed or bypassed even with a very strong desire.

– And the wife? How does your wife see it? As you can see, I also know something about you,” I blurt out indignantly and still turn around to read his reaction.

I don’t like her either. So much so that I instinctively take a step back.

His eyes blaze with… rage and hatred. It seems like another second, and the man will pounce on me. But he quickly extinguishes his emotions, again putting on his face an impenetrable wax mask. And I can’t figure out what’s on his mind.

– This is a solvable issue. I will divorce.

– Ninety-nine percent of men say so. And I don’t know of another case where they fulfilled their promise. Let’s stop this pointless conversation. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for me to get back to the guests.

And for the rest of the evening I feel an evil look burning through my back. As if aiming at the heart in the desire to kill.

What the hell?!

Who are you, Artem Volkov?! And what do you want from me?..

Chapter 3

Aurora

I’m standing at the airport, at the exit of the terminal, among the other greeters, almost biting my nails with excitement. My beloved and I haven’t seen each other for about a week, and I already miss you wildly.

Yes, we called each other by video call, wrote messages to each other almost around the clock, but this is not the same. Nothing can replace the warmth of your beloved and strong hugs and hot kisses.

We’ve been meeting secretly for a little over half a year now. Why secretly? Because my parents, as soon as I announce our relationship, they will immediately mentally marry us and wait for grandchildren. And I don’t want to rush. And no one is asking me to marry.

Why don’t I tell my friends at work? Don’t know. Do not want. Probably because I sincerely believe that happiness loves silence. And the last thing I would like is for someone to climb into our vanilla world with Oleg, like a bear, destroying everything along the way.

– Aurora! – I hear my beloved calling me from a completely different side. I turn around sharply, and my lips stretch into a satisfied and happy smile.

Oleg is not visible behind the huge bouquet of my beloved chrysanthemums. I run up to him and still manage to hang on my beloved’s neck.

“I missed you,” I whisper in my ear, slightly flirting.

– Hello, dear. This is for you. I’m sorry I wasn’t at the party.

I accept the flowers and immediately bury my nose in the bouquet, inhaling deeply the amazing aroma.

– It’s okay. You haven’t missed anything. Boredom was deadly.

Except for the acquaintance with Volkov. And it’s good that Oleg couldn’t come back from his business trip earlier, otherwise the fight would have been unavoidable. He is my hot and jealous man. He guards his own worse than Cerberus.

I drive away unwanted thoughts and look up at Oleg again. God, how did I manage to get into him up to my ears?! This is the first time with me. That I look at a man and I can not see enough. Breathe. I want to touch him constantly to make sure that this is not a dream.

– To you or to me? I ask in my ear teasingly.

Oleg looks at me with burning eyes, in which I read a lot, but suddenly, instead of answering me in the same spirit, he takes me by the arm and leads me to the exit.

– Not there and not there. Today we are going to a special place.

– Special? – I ask again, like a fool, blinking my eyes.

– Didn’t you think that flowers were my whole present for your birthday? – Smiling slyly, Oleg opens the door of the approaching taxi.

– So you asked me not to take the car for this?

– In part, yes.

Beloved has thought of everything: he doesn’t even name the address where we are going, but only hands the paper to the taxi driver, who reads it, nods, smiles slyly, and moves off.

– So, where are we going? I ask, carefully looking out the window, trying to guess the route.

Suddenly Oleg pulls me by the waist and presses me to him so that I… feel all the bulges of his body. I feel a blush fill my cheeks, and I look away in embarrassment.

Beloved raises my face and, looking straight into my eyes, quietly says:

“You talk too much today, Aurora,” and kisses my lips, lightly biting the lower one. Oleg kisses me so passionately that my head begins to spin.

We pull away from each other with great difficulty, and my man leans his forehead against mine.

“I was incredibly bored,” he whispers, breathing heavily.

“Me too,” I answer softly and catch the taxi driver’s laughing look in the rearview mirror. I get embarrassed again and look away.

But Oleg doesn’t care what strangers think about us, and he again attacks my lips, tormenting them.

“Almost arrived,” he says after a while and takes a piece of black cloth from his pocket.

– What is it?

“This is a blindfold so that you don’t peek,” the beloved replies, unfolding the fabric.

– You know I don’t like surprises like this…

– I promise you won’t be disappointed. Do you believe me? – He asks seriously, again hypnotizing with his gaze.

“I believe,” I blurt out without thinking.

Oleg blindfolds me and helps me get out of the car when the car brakes after making two turns and driving a little straight ahead.

We go up the steps and enter the building. Judging by the noise of the doors opening, the elevator arrived. Oleg leads me by the hand, and we go up.

– Can you open your eyes already? – I’m interested, but I myself shake a little with impatience.

– Now, one more step, one more… Like this. Everything, now you can remove the bandage.

Impatiently I rip off the fabric and freeze with my mouth open. Around, wherever my eyes fall, fresh flowers. Different: roses, chrysanthemums, orchids, freesias, irises… And they all exude a sweet fragrance that immediately envelops me in a thin cloud.

And in the midst of this flower splendor – a table for two opposite the panoramic window, which offers stunning views of the city.

“Stunned,” I drawl, putting my hands to my cheeks. – It’s … go crazy, Oleg! Is this all for me?! – I still cannot believe that he, being on a business trip, in another country, at constant meetings and meetings, was able to organize all this. This is so touching!

– Of course, my love. Let’s go.” He pulls me over to the table and pulls out a chair to help me sit down.

Immediately, as if from nowhere, a waiter materializes, laying out the cutlery and holding out the menu. I heard about this place and I can say that the cuisine here is amazing, and therefore the choice is especially difficult.

– Do you mind if I choose the wine to my taste? – the voice of a loved one pulls me out of my thoughts, where I already enjoy the masterpieces from the chef.

– No, if you also order dinner yourself, I will be grateful. Because it seems to me that I will sit here until the morning, until I try every dish.

Oleg grins and places an order without looking at the menu. And I am again moved to tears: he clearly named all my favorite dishes. I have such an attentive man…

The waiter leaves after writing down the order, but returns literally a minute later with a bottle of wine.

Behind the waiter, men in suits appear and sit down not far from us on chairs that I didn’t notice right away. Musicians. And they immediately start playing my favorite piece. I can’t hold back the tears of happiness and joy.

I’m sipping wine from a glass, admiring the views of the evening city and enjoying classical live music, as Oleg invades my thoughts again.

– Let’s drink to you. I am very happy to have such an amazing girl in my life.

– Thank you, my love. I am also glad that in my life there is such a caring and attentive man. For us, – I clink glasses with my beloved, take a sip and put the glass aside and on time.

Oleg suddenly gets up from the table and kneels in front of me.

– Aurora, beloved. During these few days that we are not together, I realized that this can no longer continue. I want to wake up every morning and see you in my bed. Hug. Kiss. Admire. I want all men to envy me, because I have the best woman. Most most. In general, – and at this moment Oleg takes out the treasured velvet box, opens it and hands it to me. I can see in his eyes and gestures how worried he is. But I also worry no less, because now the phrase that all girls dream of hearing will follow.

– Aurora, will you marry me?

Chapter 4

Aurora

– And you? What did you answer?!

And the girls look at me impatiently, waiting for the continuation of the story. I was silent all day, not sharing my joy with them. No, it’s not about trust or something else, on the contrary, I don’t have anyone closer to Sabina and Polina. Just… wanted to savor the moment. Get used to the new status. Bride…

– Well, of course, I answered “YES”! I take a ring out of my pocket and put it on my ring finger.

– Wow! Here is a diamond! A worthy choice for a girl like you! Sabina admires.

– Well, what is it, stop it…

– No, Aurora, – Polina interrupts severely. – Sabina is right: you need to value and respect yourself. And know your worth. And then your man will not dare to treat you with disdain.

Of course, I have my own opinion on this matter, but today I don’t feel like arguing.

– But be that as it may, we are very happy for you! My friend hugs me tightly. But you are a partisan! Wow, so many months from us to hide the groom! Another friend is called!

“Don’t be offended, girls,” I smile, hugging my colleagues. By the way, you are invited to the wedding as bridesmaids. Cancellations are not accepted!

The girls all at the same time, squealing with joy, rush to hug me. It probably looks wild from the outside: three adult girls hugging in the middle of an office in a serious company. It’s good that most of the staff went home. By the way, it’s time for us too.

Let’s go home girls. I still have so much to do… Horror, how much to prepare for the wedding…

– It’s nice work, you deserve it, Aurora.

– Any girl deserves them. And we will definitely take a walk at your weddings, girls!

We go outside and the cell phone rings. Oleg. Only on him I have such a melody.

I quickly say goodbye to the girls and answer the phone, wanting to hear the voice of my beloved as soon as possible.

“Hi,” I purr into the phone, out of the corner of my eye noticing a tinted black SUV pull up next to me.

– Hello, sunshine. I got bored…

I want to answer that I did too, but then two bald “closets” fall out of the car and come up to me, standing in front of me.

I immediately feel uneasy, and the hand with the phone slowly drops down.

– Aurora? Hello Aurora! What happened?!

Oleg yells something at the other end of the wire for a few more seconds, but then turns off. He calls again, but one of the big boys shakes his head in warning. As hypnotized, without looking, I turn off the phone.

– Good afternoon, Aurora. Come, please, with us, – and points to the “coffin-car”.

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I answer as firmly as possible, raising my chin up. I imperceptibly scroll the ring on my finger, turning it with the stone inward. This trick, of course, will not save me in an unequal fight, but it will give me a few seconds of a head start. – Let me pass.

– And yet we insist. The owner asked me to tell you that nothing threatens you. You just talk.

Master… who could it be? And what does he want from me?

My father is a businessman. And quite successful. Of course, he has enough ill-wishers and envious people. But enemies, like this in broad daylight kidnapping a person right from the street … It’s even hard to imagine who could be capable of this.

I take a step forward, intending to just pass by. But both “cabinets” block my way, looking point-blank.

– Avrora Mironovna, please don’t waste your time or ours. The sooner you talk to the boss, the sooner you’ll be home.

– So your boss will just let me go? I sneer, narrowing my eyes. I’m scared. So much so that my hands are shaking. But by all means, I must not show my fear. That’s what my father taught me. And I’m doing my best to keep my voice from trembling, and the whole look saying that I don’t care.

“Of course,” says the “closet” on the right, as if I’m talking utter nonsense. “The chief is not beaten on his head to kidnap the daughter of a famous businessman. He just calls you to talk, that’s all.

Again he points to the car.

Sighing heavily, I soberly assess the situation. As luck would have it, there was no one on the street and in the parking lot: everyone fled to their homes. I definitely won’t be able to resist two ambals, even if I run very well. And there is only one thing left: to submit to circumstances and, at the first successful opportunity, run away.

My father also taught me this. Even in childhood. Now I understand why he drummed these wisdom into me, a twelve-year-old girl. That’s just for such cases.

Proudly tossing my head, giving the “sixes” a contemptuous look at the owner, which is still unknown to me, I turn and go to the “coffin-cart”. Well, let’s talk, the mysterious kidnapper of beautiful girls.

Kingpin opens the door for me and helps me into the back seat of the car. As soon as I sat down in my seat, I realized that I was not alone in the cabin.

– You?!

My indignation knows no bounds. It’s just … the height of arrogance and rudeness! I said it all last time!

In front of me is Artem Volkov. And he turns in my direction, raises his index finger up, calling for silence.

– I heard you, David. No, we will not reduce the tariff rate. For us it is unprofitable.

No, just look at him! Who is he anyway? Crazy millionaire?! Yes, even my father does not allow himself such an attitude and behavior! Send your sixes after me so that I can sit with him in the car and listen to his negotiations?!

I grab the door handle, but suddenly the locks click and the car is locked.

– Release me immediately! I shout at Artyom in the face.

He had just finished talking and put his phone in his pocket.

– Aurora, Aurora. Why be so nervous? I’ll have to teach you patience.

– I don’t need to lecture! – I mint, barely restraining myself in my hands so as not to hit Volkov in the face. – Let go, I say. I don’t have time to entertain you.

– That’s not why I called you. We need to talk. Let’s go, – this is for the driver, who immediately starts the engine and moves the car from its place.

– Do we need to?! I almost choke with indignation. “I don’t need anything, I already seem to have explained everything in an accessible way!”

“It’s not far, you’ll definitely like it,” Artyom doesn’t seem to hear me. “Moreover, I didn’t have time to give you a present on the occasion of your birthday that day. So I corrected myself and prepared a surprise.

Recently, I hate surprises!

Chapter 5

Avrora

“I think you wanted to talk, not eat,” I sarcastically remark when Artyom’s car stops near a fashionable restaurant. – The place, by the way, is so-so.

Artyom grins again, looking me up and down with some kind of cold-furious look. But it only lasts for a fraction of a second, and in the next moment I think that it is all a figment of my imagination.

– One doesn’t interfere with the other, right? he drawls in a velvety voice. – Went.

I stay where I am, hoping that Volkov will get tired of messing around with the capricious girl and leave me alone. But no.

Artyom walks around the car from the other side, opens the door for me and holds out his hand:

“Please,” he says mockingly, waiting for me to deign to put my hand in and get out of the car.

But I deliberately ignore him, raising my chin high and literally floating out into the street.

Artyom pretends that this is how it should be, and goes forward, silently ordering to follow him. Patience in a man like Jesus.

In fact, the interior of the restaurant is very chic. Elegant and tasteful. I would love to hold some kind of celebration here, not just to have dinner.

A nice receptionist leads us to a table that stands apart from everyone, by a small vertical waterfall. The lights in the hall are dimmed, and candles of various shapes and sizes are placed around us, which gives the atmosphere an intimacy.

– Well, what did you want to talk to me about? I eagerly ask when the waiter takes the order. “I don’t have much time, I want, you know, to get my freedom back as soon as possible.

And never again meet your icy and evil eyes, I add mentally.

– Speaking of freedom. Since you’ve spoken.

Artyom takes a small book in a leather cover out of his pocket and holds it out. The passport. I turn in my hands, wondering why I need it.

“There, on the fourteenth page, open it,” he explains to my questioning look.

I open it, and there…under the stamp of marriage…the stamp of divorce. With a certain Inga Lapina. A familiar surname…

– By the way, I always keep my word, – Artyom adds, seeing my stunned look.

And there is something to be surprised about. As for the divorce, I blurted out just like that, because situations when a man declares that he and his wife do not live together, that he is about to get divorced, but in fact he is not in a hurry and is not going to, are not uncommon. And Artem … took and divorced. Because I said that he is not free for me, which means that, as a man, he is banned.

– What if I asked you to jump from a high-rise?

“I am a man of my word, Aurora, but not a fool,” he cuts off in an icy tone, as if I had just seriously insulted him.

“Okay, let’s say,” at these words, his eyes flash with evil fire again. – And what does it give you?

– A lot. For example, the opportunity to make you mine, – and he smirks insidiously, but I feel uneasy. I’m starting to fear this unpredictable man.

– What? I try to appear indifferent. I try, because in fact I’m in shock.

Due to the fact that I am the daughter of a famous and wealthy man, various guys and men took care of me. And each of them tried to please me: someone showered with diamonds, someone offered foreign travel to anywhere in the world, someone did crazy things.

Good Bad Girl – Nicole Keller How is it? Resurrection, I think? Albina asks, sipping her cappuccino.

Every two weeks the girls and I used to meet in our favorite cafe for another “women’s council”, as my friend Asya called it. We just had a good time sharing the latest news, problems and experiences with each other. We have been known here for a long time, so the cafe administrators themselves booked our favorite table for regular gatherings.

– Well, well … Goncharova! What is Mark?! Why don’t I know anything about him? Asya asks, crossing her arms over her chest, offendedly.

I immediately blush to the roots of my hair. What can I do, I do not like to be the center of attention! I’m always lost and embarrassed. And, despite this, Asya took it and “set me up” in a big way.

– What kind of person are you, Izmailova, huh? I groaned, dropping my head into my hands. – I told you a secret, shared, so to speak, emotional experiences, and you …

– Hey hey hey, Katya, do you have secrets from us?! Sasha exclaimed indignantly.

– So, tell me, come on, Goncharova, who is Mark, and why we still don’t know about him. And preferably with a photo. To make it clear. And there we will decide whether this man is worthy of our girl or not! – Asya sums up for everyone.

Looking at my friend with an unkind look, I begin my story. And the more I talk, the more my girlfriends’ eyes widen. And only Asya calmly continues to eat her piece of Prague cake, as if it does not concern her. I would have such self-control!

– What’s the problem, Kat? Such a wonderful guy likes you, according to your story, he is not a fool, and differs from the bulk of the majors. What are you up to? Sasha immediately asks, as soon as I shut up.

– Sasha! Well, how can you not understand, girls, he is my student! And younger than me!

– For three years! Albina snorts, showing her disdain. – You can say that you do not have this difference!

“Albin, you understand…,” I groan, clutching my head. Here’s how to prove to these stubborn people that it’s not so simple?! That not only my desires, but also principles are involved here?!

– Katya! Stop acting like you’ve escaped from the convent! Being older than a man is not a crime! my friend scolds me severely. – How do you live in the Stone Age, by God!

– Yes, you understand! – I try to get through, irritated. “Having a relationship in the workplace is unethical. You know very well that I am against office romances!

– And I don’t want to hear anything! You can’t live with stereotypes. We have to change and keep up with the times. And generally speaking! Have you seen yourself from the side? Yes, your eyes light up when you talk about Mark! I haven’t seen you so inspired, even when I met this jerk Vadik. Even though he was, according to you, an angel of heaven.

I roll my eyes and grit my teeth in frustration. I intend to continue to defend my point of view, even if the cafe administration kicks me out for hooliganism. She almost picked up the words for her tirade, but then Asya intervenes.

– I bet, Katyuh, why is it weak for you to fall in love with this student? she asks matter-of-factly, smiling slyly.

What?! I was so shocked and outraged by the proposal that all my fuse disappeared abruptly.

– Yes, I will not argue! I say wearily as I sip my coffee.

– So weak. Eh, well, then I’ll give that designer handbag to one of the girls, – the friend sighs, sadly propping her cheek with her fist.

Silence reigns at the table, and I even lean forward from excitement, instantly forgetting about everything.

– What, the one, right? True true? – in a whisper, as if afraid that Asya will now laugh and say that she was joking.

“True,” the friend nods heavily. “Seduce this Mark of yours, and she is yours.”

“We support the dispute,” Sasha added for everyone. – But if you lose, our whole company goes to the spa for the whole day at your expense.

Damn, damn, damn! But it’s for a good cause, right? Once is not a crime, is it? Oh well, it was – it wasn’t! Given the desire of the other side, namely Mark, it will not be so difficult to do this…

I’ve never been so wrong in my life…

– Hands on, girls! I agree.

Chapter 1

Katya

The wake-up call woke me from sleep, where I basked in the scorching sun to the sound of the surf, drinking pina colada. Despite the fact that I was at sea twice during the summer, I would prefer to be on the coast now, and not that’s all …

I am a teacher at one of the most prestigious universities in our region and country. Only here it is considered prestigious not for any special merits to the Motherland, but because the offspring of high society “study” (and to be precise, sit out their pants) in it. In other words, the cream of the “golden youth”.

And when I imagine that in an hour and a half I have to be in the very center of the snake’s lair, I will shudder. Yes, it’s not like going to the sea twice, here you have to pay extra, like miners. For harmfulness and for work “in hazardous production.”

But what can I do, I chose this life myself. I wanted autonomy and independence. I wanted to prove to my parents that I was worth something even without their name and connections.

No, don’t think, I have a great relationship with my mom and dad! And I love them madly. But they put pressure on me with their authority and overprotection. I am the only and late child in the family, so my parents are shaking over mine, like Koschey over gold. And also the father is a retired general, and the profession left a certain imprint on him. Well, you get it, right?

At one fine moment, or rather on the day of receiving a red diploma, I got tired of parental control, and I told them that I want to enter adulthood. Mom immediately grabbed her heart (yeah, only for some reason on the right side), and father, as always, approached the issue in a businesslike way. And after almost three hours of intense negotiations, I was still able to defend my intentions. With a few losses, but still. My teachers can be proud of me, not for nothing that I diligently puffed over my textbooks for five years. So I’m worth something.

My best friend and part-time classmate Lilia said that I would make a first-class lawyer, but I don’t agree with her. In order to be the best at something, you must, first of all, love your job.