PRINCESS OF THE EAST. Vida Lagodina

did it all come from? – I once again looked expressively at her, and then looked around the house and looked out the window onto the street where my father walked to the house, giving some instructions to Azat, who was carrying my suitcase.

      – Honey, let’s wait for my father, but for now… come in. But take off your shoes! she added and pointed a finger at my sandals. – I sighed heavily and obediently took off my shoes. – Alina will show your room. – Mom looked expressively at Alina, who nodded, took my hand and led me to the second floor.

      On the floor were chic rugs with high fibers and intricate patterns of bright colors.

      – Alina, well, at least you explain. – She smiled slyly and I realized that I was right in my suspicions. They hit something.

      – The parents themselves will tell you everything, but for now … – She solemnly opened the wooden door and pointed her hands at the room. – She’s yours!

      It was difficult to call this room a bedroom. It was dark here, despite the windows and light walls. The bed was covered with a multi-colored plaid, and on the dresser stood a vase with freshly cut flowers. Trying to reassure myself that this is only a week.

      – Thank you, – I looked at her and smiled weakly. At this moment, I felt a huge fatigue lying on my shoulders. Alina looked at me with her green eyes, framed by thick black eyelashes, after which she stepped towards the door. – Wait, – I called, and she stopped. I went to the dresser, where I got a vase of flowers and handed it to Alina. – Take them to yourself. I hate cut flowers.

      She looked at me in bewilderment, but she took the vase.

      – Good. She answered embarrassedly. – Come on, I’ll show you my room. By the way, the bathroom is down the hall. I have my own bathroom in the bedroom, so we can say that this one will be your own, because the parents also have their own bathroom in the bedroom.

      – Excellent … – I muttered, following her along the long corridor, feeling a little prick of envy. Finally we stopped. Alina impatiently opened the door, and as if I got into the dollhouse. Everything was so pink and white that it caused nausea.

      – Here! Design itself developed. And she chose the furniture herself. Everything is as I imagined since childhood. And what a view from here! – she went to the opposite wall. – Look, one window overlooks the garden and the other overlooks the pool. – We have our own pool, can you imagine? At first glance, I fell in love with this house. The first few days I didn’t go anywhere. I could not believe that I really live here. The school is almost across the road, but I still drive with Azat. – A smug smile appeared on her face, and I continued to try to understand what was happening here.

      – When, you say, you moved here? I asked cautiously, taking a few uncertain steps toward the window. The view from it really opens beautiful.

      – Uh… This… probably three months have passed. she answered embarrassedly and tried to pretend that she was interested in the pleats on her skirt.

      – Three months! – I opened my eyes wide, feeling how everything in my head was throbbing with tension and indignation. – Why didn’t you tell me anything?

      I felt irritation, anger, resentment. I was overwhelmed with emotions, and I realized that I was ready to explode.

      – Our parents wanted to surprise you. They pulled to the last. – She pouted her lips as a child and was offended as if I had been hiding a luxurious house from them for three months.

      I closed my eyes, ran a hand over my face, and then abruptly turned around and quickly went to my parents, whom I found in the living room on the ground floor.

      – Three months! I thundered, walked around the sofa and stood in front of them, arms crossed over his chest. – You lived here for three months and didn’t tell me anything! – Mom looked in panic at Dad, who slowly straightened up and calmly met my angry look. – When I was worried while studying, I thought about how hard it was for you, and was ready to give the last penny so that only you all would be fine, you… move to a luxurious home, hire a personal driver, buy expensive clothes! What’s happening?

      – Yura, I think you should tell her. – Mom put her hand on her father’s hand, and he comfortably patted her hand, and then, grunting, got up from a huge soft sofa.

      – You’re right, Annushka. – He came to me, put his hands on his shoulders and looked into my eyes. – Honey, we haven’t told you anything to make sure of everything. Our business has gone uphill. Do you know what business opportunities are here! he said with a broad smile on his face, and I narrowed my eyes. – Let’s just say that we found a partner who became interested in our restaurant. He invested his money, and here we are. A dazzling smile appeared on his face, and a light lit in his eyes.

      – And all this happened in a matter of months, – I concluded, arms crossed over my chest and not believing in such magic.

      – Yes. – He nodded impatiently.

      I sighed heavily, unable to get rid of the feeling of anxiety that gripped me.

      – Good, – I was in no hurry to believe them, in any case, sooner or later I would find out the truth. – I will pretend that I believe, but… if you are deceiving me, then know that I will be very offended.

      – Well, what are you, dear! – Father squinted at mom, and then took my hands. – So! I suggest tonight to mark your graduation. You can’t imagine how proud I am that I have a daughter like you! – I hugged my father, trying to suppress tears. Actually, I’m not a very emotional person, sometimes even a little callous and rude, but when you hear such words from relatives and loved ones, everything inside you turns upside down from an overabundance of feelings.

      – I don’t even know… is it worth the money. – Maybe we should stay home together? – I pulled away from my father and looked at my mother, who was still tense. – A simple family dinner.

      – I do not accept any objections! – Father again drew my attention to himself. – More recently, a wonderful restaurant with a view of the bay has opened in the city.

      My father was determined, and I had no choice but to give up.

***

      Alina lent me one of her fashionable, expensive floor-length evening gowns (I’m afraid to imagine how much it costs), which was a little small for me, so all my (though not very) forms were covered. Despite the fact that it was closed, I felt as if I was wearing an open swimsuit.

      – Honey, this color is very suitable for you. You need to buy more things in blue tones. – Mom looked at me and grunted approvingly.

      – Who bought this? – She opened her eyes wide, and looked at me with an innocent look. It was evident that mom carefully selects the words.

      – Please, just don’t swear. Your sister and I hired a personal stylist. In fact, he helps us buy these stylish outfits.

      I took a deep breath, swallowing a stream of new questions, which I am sure no one answered.

      – Come on. – She took my hand and led me to the side of the restaurant, which simply shouted with all its appearance that it was very expensive.

      Without further ado, we were led to a table from which we really saw a beautiful bay that had already begun to absorb the sun into its abyss.

      – I ordered the best dishes! – Father proudly notified us.

      – Are you sure we can afford it? – I asked, sinking into a luxurious chair upholstered in white velvet, and began to look around.

      – Of course it’s expensive! – He answered lightly.

      The restaurant was not very many people. A waiter immediately approached us