«Did you see what she arrived in today? They say daddy gave it to her for her birthday.»
«And the bag? Easily costs a couple hundred thousand!»
«Forget the bag. Look at her manicure—those rhinestones alone are worth my monthly stipend!»
Marina frowned, listening to her classmates whisper. Vika Solovyeva, the only daughter of a well-known developer, as usual, sat in proud solitude at the back of the classroom, absentmindedly flipping through something on her gold-encased phone.
Her long, blonde hair fell in perfect curls over her shoulders, and her impeccable makeup made her look like an expensive porcelain doll.
«I wonder what goes through their heads?» Marina thought, sneaking a glance at her classmate. In two years of study, Vika had hardly spoken a couple of dozen words to anyone. She arrived at classes in luxurious cars (seemingly a new one every month), aced her exams impeccably, and disappeared without taking part in any student life.
«Probably just thinks about clothes,» snorted Katya, Marina’s friend, following her gaze. «Typical rich girl. I heard her on the phone yesterday—every other word was ‘Milan’ or ‘Paris’.»
Marina nodded, though something inside resisted this simple explanation. Sometimes, she caught a strange expression in Vika’s eyes—as if she saw through everyone, thinking about something distant and not at all glamorous.
«Remember how she did her environmental thesis last semester? About the impact of humans on wild animal populations. Where does a ‘typical rich girl’ get such a topic?»
«Come on,» Katya dismissed. «Probably her dad’s aides wrote it. She just put on lipstick and read it out.»
But Marina remembered that day. She remembered how Vika’s eyes lit up when she talked about the issues facing homeless animals. How her voice quivered as she showed statistics on animal cruelty. At that moment, she seemed completely different—alive, genuine.
But then she put the mask of cold aloofness back on.
Their chance encounter happened on a chilly November evening. Marina rushed out of the shopping center, clutching a bag of groceries, and stopped dead in her tracks.
At the entrance, squatting down, Vika Solovyeva was feeding a large stray dog. Her perfect fingers with holographic manicure carefully broke off pieces of sausage. The dog—dirty, with matted fur and clearly a hurt paw—devoured the treat greedily.
«Easy, easy, don’t rush,» Vika’s voice, usually cold and detached, sounded unusually soft. «Haven’t eaten in a while, poor thing? I know, I know.»
The wind fluttered her expensive coat, but she seemed not to notice the cold or the dirt under her knees.
It had always been there, Marina suddenly realized. Those strange absences from classes, mysterious departures from lectures, secretive phone calls. She remembered seeing a bag of dog food in Vika’s bag once and didn’t think much of it—maybe she had a pedigree dog at home.
After feeding all the sausage, Vika suddenly took the dog’s face in her manicured hands and spoke, looking straight into the dog’s brown eyes:
«You know, I understand you. Really, really. It’s like no one sees the real you, right?»
The dog whimpered softly.
«I remember begging my parents to get a dog when I was a kid,» Vika continued, as if talking to herself. «But dad kept saying, ‘Why do you want a mongrel? If you want, we’ll buy a pedigree puppy from a breeder. With a pedigree, with diplomas.’ But I just wanted a friend. A real one. Someone who would love not for expensive gifts and status.»
Marina felt a lump in her throat. Suddenly, she saw a completely different Vika—not the glamorous cover girl, but a lonely girl who had hidden her true self behind a perfect facade.
«Okay, no more sadness!» Vika stood up decisively, dusting off her coat. «Let’s go.»
To Marina’s astonishment, the dog, limping, followed the girl. Without hesitation, Vika opened the back door of her impeccably clean car.
«Come on, buddy, jump in. We’ll take you to the vet, then we’ll figure something out.»
«Hey, what are you doing?!» Marina blurted out.
Vika turned around, and for a moment, their eyes met. There was no embarrassment or defiance in them—only a deep, hidden sadness and determination.
«What I consider right,» she simply replied, helping the dog into the car. «You know, sometimes you just have to be yourself. Even if everyone around expects something different from you.»
With those words, she got behind the wheel and drove away, leaving Marina in complete bewilderment.
I will continue the story, revealing Vika’s story and developing the plotline.
The next day, Vika did not show up for classes. And she was absent the day after that as well. Marina found herself constantly looking at the empty spot at the last desk, wondering in her head: where did she take that dog? What happened to it?
By the end of the week, curiosity got the better of her. After classes, Marina gathered her courage and approached some classmates who were closer to Vika.
«Do you know where Solovyeva is? Haven’t seen her for a while.»
«Who knows,» shrugged Anton. «Maybe she’s off to Europe again. Although,» he paused, «lately her car has been seen often near some old warehouse.»
Marina immediately remembered a conversation she had overheard Vika having on the phone: «No, dad, I can’t come now. I have important things to do. Yes, more important than the show in Milan!»
It was as if the pieces of a puzzle were starting to fit together.
An hour later, Marina was driving to the old industrial district. She didn’t even know why—after all, a week had passed since that encounter. But a persistent inner voice insisted that she was on the right track.
Near the dilapidated building of the former warehouse, there was a familiar car. And from around the corner came the sound of lively barking.
Marina cautiously looked around the corner and froze. In an inner courtyard, enclosed by a high fence, dozens of dogs were running, playing, and simply basking in the sun. There were large and very small dogs, well-cared for and some not yet fully nourished. In the midst of this canine kingdom stood Vika—in simple jeans and an old sweatshirt, her hair casually tied back—distributing food among the bowls.
«I’ve been wondering when you’d figure it out,» she suddenly said without turning around.
«How long have you been doing this?» Marina managed to ask.
«Almost a year,» Vika sat down to pet a puppy that ran up to her. «At first, I just fed them on the streets. Then I started treating them. And then I realized they needed a home. At least a temporary one. Dad gave me money for a new car—I bought this warehouse. I did most of the renovations myself, spent almost all summer here.»
«That’s why you never went to parties with us?» Marina guessed.
«Yes. You know, all those expensive clothes, cars, parties—it’s all a facade. Dad’s dream, not mine. But here, I am real.»
Vika finally turned around, and Marina saw in her eyes that same expression—only now she understood it was not emptiness, but a deep, all-consuming love. Love for those who had been abandoned, betrayed, who had lost hope of finding a home.
«You know, that dog you saw at the shopping center has already found a home,» Vika smiled. «Generally, they get adopted quite well. Especially if you don’t lie about their breed and titles, but just tell their stories. By the way, do you want to help? We’re always short on hands.»
And Marina, looking at this completely new, unfamiliar, but so genuine Vika, suddenly realized—she wanted to. She really wanted to become part of this little miracle hidden behind the peeling walls of an old warehouse.
«Where do we start?» she asked, rolling up her sleeves.
Time flew by unnoticed. Marina now came to the shelter almost every evening. Gradually, she learned the stories of each dog, learned how to approach even the most distrustful ones. And she also got to know Vika better.
It turned out that behind the mask of a spoiled «rich girl» hid an amazing person with a big heart. Vika not only maintained the shelter with her own money but also ran a social media page where she shared the stories of her charges. Without embellishment, without unnecessary pomp—she simply wrote honestly about each dog’s fate.
«People need to know that they are not just taking in an animal, but a friend with its own character and history,» she explained to Marina. «Then there are fewer betrayals.»
That evening, they sat together on an old couch in the break room. Snow fell outside, and the shelter was quiet—the dogs had already had their dinner and were sleeping in their places.
«You know what I dream about?» Vika suddenly said. «I want to someday open a real shelter. A big, modern one, with a staff of veterinarians. So that we could help not only dogs but also cats. To have facilities for rehabilitating sick animals.»
«Why not now? You have the means.»
«My father,» Vika smiled sadly. «He thinks it’s a whim that will pass. He says there’s no point wasting time on homeless dogs when you could be building a career in his company. He doesn’t even know about this shelter—he thinks I spend the money on shopping.»
At that moment, Vika’s phone rang—it was «Dad» on the caller ID.
«Yes, dad. No, I can’t right now. I have an important meeting. Yes, more important than the Christmas reception.»
Marina saw how her friend was nervous, how her fingers trembled. And suddenly she decided:
«Maybe it’s time to tell him the truth?»
«He won’t understand.»
«Try it. Show him this place, tell him about your dream. You’re his daughter—surely he’ll want to make you happy?»
Vika was silent for a long time, staring into the darkness outside the window. Then she nodded resolutely:
«You’re right. Enough hiding. But I have a big favor to ask,» Vika nervously fiddled with her sweatshirt sleeve. «Could you be here tomorrow when I talk to my father?»
«Of course,» Marina replied without hesitation. «But why?»
«You see,» Vika hesitated. «I’m so afraid of this conversation. I fear his reaction, his disappointment. It will be easier if there’s someone here who understands me.»
Marina looked at her friend closely. It was strange to see her like this—flustered, uncertain. Where was the haughty beauty from the last desk?
«Of course. And you know what? Your father can’t fail to understand. You’re not just helping animals—you’re creating something important. It’s a business too, just a special one.»
Vika hugged her friend impulsively:
«Thank you. For believing in me. For staying to help that day. For everything.»
The next day she called her father and asked him to come for «a very important conversation.» Marina saw how nervous her friend was, how she nervously adjusted her hair, glancing at the clock.
When a stately Maybach pulled into the yard, Vika turned pale. But she squared her shoulders and went to meet her father.
Solovyev Sr., a tall, imposing man in an expensive suit, stopped at the threshold, surveying the territory of the shelter. His face was inscrutable.
«So this is where you’ve been disappearing to,» he finally said.
«Yes, dad. This is my shelter. These are dogs that need help. We treat them, feed them, and look for new homes.»
«We?»
«I and my friends—volunteers. Dad, I know you think this is a waste of time. But look…
Vika began to explain—about each dog, about how important it was to give them a chance, about her dream to create a real animal assistance center. She spoke passionately and fervently, and Marina saw how Solovyev Sr.’s expression gradually softened.
Then, a miracle happened. Babushka, an old dog with a gray muzzle that Vika had recently picked up on the highway, limped over to them. He cautiously sniffed Solovyev’s shoes and then trustingly pressed against his legs.
«Well, well,» he murmured. «Just like my Jack.»
«Jack? The dog from your childhood you told me about?»
«Yes. Just an ordinary mutt. Saved me from bullies when I was a boy. My most loyal friend.» Solovyev bent down to pet Babushka. «You know, I always wanted to open a shelter. After Jack. But life got in the way—business, money.»
He straightened up and looked intently at his daughter:
«But you’re making it happen. And your eyes sparkle. Will you show me your plans for the new center?»
Six months later, on the outskirts of the city, the modern «Faithful Friend» center for helping homeless animals opened. With spacious enclosures, the latest veterinary equipment, and a staff of specialists. At the opening, Vika and her father cut the red ribbon together—both in jeans and t-shirts with the center’s logo.
«You know,» Marina whispered to her friend, «you still became what your father wanted to see.»
«In what sense?»
«A successful businesswoman. Just in your own, special way.»
Vika smiled, watching her father enthusiastically tell the journalists about plans to expand the center.
«Probably. Sometimes you just need to gather courage and take off the mask. Then it turns out that something real was hiding under other people’s expectations all this time. You just have to let it show.»
She bent down to pet Babushka, who, as usual, was bustling nearby:
«Right, buddy?»
And the dog, as if agreeing, barked loudly, making everyone laugh.
Thus ended the story of a girl who was not afraid to be herself. And about how behind any mask, an amazing soul might be hiding—just needing a chance to reveal itself.
