Five Years Ago
I take a deep breath, trying to get my thoughts in order.
Whew, just a little bit longer—and freedom! No more classes, no more term papers, no more exams, but that’s not even the best part… The best part is no more Gordich!
Never again!
This incredible feeling of long-awaited freedom makes me grin from ear to ear, but the moment I turn my head, the smile vanishes from my face. The demon. He’s piercing me with his heavy, steel-colored gaze and staying silent. Silent, because he knows that, at last, I’ve beaten him!
“Well, Nika, I don’t even have anything to nitpick about,” our beloved rector, Michael Ostapovich, says to me with a kind smile, forcing me to break eye contact with Gordich. “I’m not sure why there was a need for an additional evaluation,” he adds, though he knows full well why it was necessary but tactfully chooses not to dwell on it. “Vlad, don’t you agree with me?”
Oh yes, the demon definitely disagrees, completely, but even he doesn’t dare go against his direct superior and mentor.
“I agree, Michael Ostapovich,” he forces out.
“Well, that’s great! Then congratulations, Veronika Zakharivna! You can start celebrating your honors diploma. I’m glad we had such a diligent student. I’m sure you’ll handle the paperwork without me, so I’ll be on my way,” he says, then pauses, glancing first at Gordich and then at me, as if silently warning us that he won’t tolerate another conflict. “I’ll see you at the graduation ceremony, Nika. And Vlad, I expect you in my office after all your classes.”
“Thank you for everything, Michael Ostapovich,” I reply, my voice brimming with satisfaction.
And why wouldn’t it be? I’ve finally managed to put this unbearable professor, Vladislav Romanovich, in his place. For reasons I can’t fathom, he took a dislike to me almost from the very first class. He even promised I’d never pass his exam, which sparked a real fear in me that I’d have to kiss my dream of a perfect diploma goodbye.
And I probably would have, if it weren’t for a good friend who didn’t leave me in the lurch. He helped arrange an independent committee for the exam in the form of his father, who, as it happens, is the university rector.
Some might say it’s shady to use connections like this, but I didn’t have a choice. I believe it’s better to take action and get the result you want than to risk failing right before graduation just because of one jackass whose ego is so inflated it could probably rival the Burj Khalifa.
“Satisfied?” my personal nightmare asks coldly as the door closes behind the rector. “Not everything can be solved through the bedroom, Homenko. Though…” He looks me up and down with such disgust that I suddenly feel like a bucket of slop has been dumped over my head. “I’m sure you won’t stop with Alex. You’ll keep hopping from bed to bed, looking for new opportunities for yourself.”
“Through the bedroom?!” I ask, shocked, unable to believe he’s accusing me of something like that. “I don’t know what kind of nonsense you’ve cooked up in your head, Vladislav Romanovich, but I have nothing to do with those kinds of methods. So, you’d better keep that filth you mistakenly call your personal opinion to yourself,” I snap at him angrily, clenching my fists to keep from doing something I’ll regret.
“Don’t forget yourself, Homenko. I can still make sure no decent company will hire you.”
“You think that’ll stop me?” I scoff, showing all my contempt. “If they don’t hire me, I’ll start my own. I’ll achieve everything I’ve planned, so get used to the fact that you have no power over me,” I say, growing even more irritated, though I’m not sure how that’s even possible at this point. “Just give me the grade I’ve earned and let’s say goodbye for good.”
Gordich looks like he wants to say something but abruptly changes his mind. Instead, he complies with my request and hands over my grade book. I step toward the desk to take it, but at the last moment, he doesn’t let me.
“There’ll come a day, Homenko, when all your… hmm, skills won’t help you anymore. And then everyone will see who you really are,” he hisses, standing up from his seat and leaning toward me so our faces are just inches apart.
The gesture throws me off for a split second, but then I pull myself together and reply confidently, matching his tone:
“There’ll come a day, Vladislav Romanovich, when you’ll regret your words. I promise you that!”
“I highly doubt it,” he responds skeptically.
“That’s your problem. Now,” I yank the grade book from under his hand with force, “see you… never!”
With that, I stride confidently out of the classroom, saying a final goodbye to the jerk who turned the last six months of my student life into pure torture.
But now, that’s all in the past.
I didn’t say “never” for nothing. It’s the perfect ending to our situation.
I never want to speak to him again. I never want to hear his voice. I never want to see his displeased face with those cold, iceberg-like eyes.
****
From the Author:
Welcome to the story of Nika and Vlad ❤️
I know it’s hard to believe right now that these two could ever be connected in the future, but… they just might be :)
So, move on to the first chapter and start getting to know these characters who are definitely worth your attention :)
Wishing everyone a pleasant read, and I’d be grateful for your support of the book with stars (hearts) and comments ❤️