"Today's colleges are not the same as they were decades ago. Studies are just one part, while these days, they encourage students to do fun stuff and engage in other extra-curricular activities. Besides, modern and city girls are quite different from those in that backwater place you were staying in all these years. Are you not curious to meet them?" Taya asked with a pinched smile.
Viktor's eyes lit up as he leaned forward again, "You are right. How could I forget my personal misson? I guess I should update myself on the type of women that live around here. Taya, you really are the best. You know how to hook me in. Let me give you a bear hug as thanks."
Viktor leaped over like a bear, but Taya quickly pushed out her hand towards his chest and said with a wary look, "Just your words are enough as appreciation."
She didn't know why she was still feeling irritated seeing him so happy at the mention of a chance to get acquainted with women.
Viktor pursed his lips as he got pushed back towards his sofa and sighed, "Now, Little Taya does not hug me like before. I am hurt."
Taya rolled her eyes and said with a forced smile, "Your head is filled with women that you didn't even ask what undergraduate degree you are going to learn. Did you?"
"Oh yeah, what will it be?" Viktor asked with a spark of curiosity and continued, "I suppose it will be the same as Tiana's field, huh?"
"She is already enrolled for a B.Sc degree in the Computer Science field. Today is 2nd January, and her classes are scheduled to begin on 7th January. It took all my effort to somehow push her to join this engineering field since she only wastes her time by doing pointless things for the rest of the time. I am quite worried about her future if she doesn't make use of the opportunities that I had laid out in front of her. After all, she is my only child, and I plan to entrust her with everything after my time," Taya said with wrinkled brows.
Viktor saw through her worries and said, "Relax, she's just an eighteen-year-old girl. I am sure there is plenty of time left for you to train her. Besides, what if she is interested in something else? What if she doesn't want to become a leader of a conglomerate like you but something else? Won't all this be pointless?"
Taya let out a heavy sigh as she shook her head, "Oh, please don't. She should at least learn some useful skills and knowledge to survive in the present world. Otherwise, people will only make a fool out of her. You have no idea how many snakes and rats I have to deal with every day and how some stick close to grab any opportunity they can get to take what we built."
She continued with a serious look, "That's why I want you to guide her whenever possible. Behind your frivolous attitude, I know you understand people more and have immeasurable experience of life itself, something which no one else or I can ever compare to. So this is also the reason why I want you near her and protect her from any harm."
Viktor had a look of disbelief as he stared at Taya.
Feeling his gaze, Taya crinkled her eyes and asked, "What?"
Viktor said with a soft chuckle, "Wow...it's just that I never thought you would one day talk like this...you know, being so protective and motherly. I just feel like I am sitting before another Taya and not the troublesome girl I knew. I guess this is why most say that women change once they become a mother."
"Hmph, obviously people change as they grow old. You are the only one who is stuck in age and nature, no matter how many years pass. And you know why I became like this, don't you?" She asked in a complicated tone.
Viktor coughed as he cleared his throat and said, "Well, actually, I have one condition if I am going to accept your request."
Taya felt that he was up to something and asked cautiously, "What is it? I can fulfill whatever needs you want, be it a luxurious car, a mansion, or anything the Snow Family owns of course. But don't expect me to hook you up with some woman. I believe you have the skills to do that yourself, don't you?"
"You get me wrong, Taya," Viktor sighed and continued, "I don't need all this materialistic stuff. You know how I am beyond all mortal things. After all, everything is transient, including life."
Seeing him speak like a wizened sage, Taya knew he was definitely up to something shady and lowered her crescent-shaped brows as she asked, "Tell me what you really want?"
Viktor quickly jumped over to the sofa Taya was sitting on, who got startled but maintained her composure as she looked ahead.
He then eyed her like a lamb as he said with an intense gaze, "You know what I want...don't you, Little Taya?"
Taya felt flustered as she crossed her arms over her bountiful bosom and said, "Of course, not! How can you be so shameless? And here I thought you said you were above all mortal desires."
"Come on. It's not like we haven't done it before. In fact, if my memory serves right, I remember you begging me for it. Don't you too?" Viktor asked with a sly smile.
Taya slightly winced as a reddish hue crept up her cheeks and looked at Viktor with a piqued expression.
