More Than Friends, page 1
More than friends
By Nina Lobe Selič
Copyright © 2024 Author Nina Lobe Selič
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Dedication
To my family, for understanding my little hobbies and always supporting me. Your love and encouragement mean the world to me.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 1
Café Aroma was buzzing with the lively chatter of patrons and the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee. Eva sat at her favorite corner table, her long chestnut hair gently cascading over her shoulders. Her light blue eyes sparkled as she watched the world go by. She loved wearing simple yet elegant clothes that reflected her professional yet relaxed approach to life.
“Hey, Eva! How are you?” Ivana asked as she joined Eva, placing her bag on the chair beside her. Ivana was slightly shorter than Eva, with short dark hair and vibrant green eyes. She always had a smile on her face, reflecting her optimistic nature.
“Ugh, today was exhausting at work,” Eva replied with a smile. “But I’m looking forward to this moment of peace. How about you?”
“I’m good, thanks. How are things at home? How are Luka and little Ana?”
Eva sighed and smiled. “Luka is as busy as ever, and Ana is growing up too fast. I can’t believe she’ll be fourteen soon.”
Ivana nodded. “Time really flies. How’s everything at the software firm? Still enjoying it?”
Eva enjoyed the challenges her job as a project manager brought. She was proud of her achievements and always strived for improvement. “Yeah, work is challenging, but I like it. There’s always something new to learn,” she said, taking a sip of her coffee.
In her free time, Eva loved reading books on psychology and attending yoga classes, which helped her maintain her inner peace. Although she always appeared cheerful, she sometimes felt the pressure to be perfect in all aspects of her life. These thoughts she often shared only with her closest friends, like Ivana.
Ivana and Eva had known each other since high school. Their friendship was strong and deep, as they always trusted each other with their secrets and troubles. Ivana was the one who always knew how to listen and give advice, which meant a lot to Eva.
“You know,” Eva began, her voice softening, “sometimes I feel like I’m stuck in this everyday routine. Taking care of the family, managing work, and making sure Ana has everything she needs… It can be overwhelming.”
Ivana reached out and squeezed Eva’s hand. “I understand. It’s a lot to juggle. But you’re doing an amazing job, and it’s okay to feel that way.”
Eva nodded, appreciating Ivana’s support, but deep down, she felt a sense of emptiness and loneliness that she couldn’t quite articulate. There were thoughts and feelings she couldn’t share, even with Ivana, because she wasn’t sure how to express them.
As Ivana chatted about her latest project, Eva’s mind wandered. She loved her family dearly, but the daily routine was stifling her creativity. Her scientific mind craved challenges and stimulation, but lately, life felt like a series of repetitive tasks.
Eva often found herself lost in thought, yearning for the days when her work excited her and her mind buzzed with new ideas. She missed the thrill of solving complex problems and the satisfaction of seeing her projects come to life. Now, her days were filled with managing schedules, household chores, and ensuring Ana had everything she needed.
“Sometimes,” Eva thought to herself, “I feel like I’m just going through the motions. My brain isn’t being challenged, and my heart feels… numb.” She glanced at Ivana, who was still talking enthusiastically. Eva envied her friend’s passion and energy.
“How do I explain this feeling?” Eva wondered. “It’s like I’m stuck in a loop, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t break free.” She knew Ivana would listen, but she also knew that Ivana couldn’t fully understand the depth of her frustration.
Eva’s logical mind struggled to make sense of her emotions. She was used to finding solutions, but this was different. There was no clear path, no problem to solve. Just a lingering sense of dissatisfaction that gnawed at her.
“I need something more,” Eva realized. “Something that will reignite my passion and stimulate my mind.” But what that something was, she couldn’t yet define.
*
The next morning, Eva walked into the sleek, modern office of the software firm where she worked. The open-plan space buzzed with activity, and the hum of computers filled the air. She made her way to her desk, her mind still lingering on the conversation with Ivana.
As she settled in, her boss, Mark, approached her desk. He was a tall man with a friendly demeanor and a knack for motivating his team.
“Good morning, Eva,” he greeted her with a smile. “I wanted to talk to you about a new project that I think you’ll find very interesting.”
Eva’s curiosity was piqued. “Sure, Mark. What’s it about?”
“We’re developing a new kind of wearable device,” Mark began, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. “It’s a smart health monitor that not only tracks physical activity and vital signs but also uses advanced algorithms to predict potential health issues before they become serious. It’s cutting-edge technology, and we need someone with your expertise to lead the programming team.”
Eva felt a spark of excitement. This was exactly the kind of challenge she had been craving. “That sounds fascinating! What would my role entail?”
“You’ll be responsible for overseeing the development of the software that powers the device,” Mark explained. “This includes designing the algorithms, ensuring data accuracy, and integrating the device with our existing health app. You’ll also work closely with the hardware team to make sure everything runs smoothly.”
Eva nodded, her mind already racing with ideas. “I would love to take on this project. It sounds like a great opportunity to push the boundaries of what we can do with wearable technology.”
Mark smiled. “I knew you’d be the perfect fit for this. Let’s set up a meeting with the team this afternoon to go over the details and get started.”
As Mark walked away, Eva felt a renewed sense of purpose. This project was exactly what she needed to reignite her passion and stimulate her mind. The challenge ahead was daunting, but it was precisely what she craved. Her mind was already racing with plans and ideas, contemplating the best approaches and strategies. The spark for exploring new possibilities and the sense of purpose she had been missing started to come back, filling her with excitement and determination. She couldn’t wait to dive in and start making a difference.
That afternoon, Eva walked into the conference room, where the rest of the project team was already gathered. Mark stood at the head of the table, ready to kick off the meeting.
“Thank you all for coming,” Mark began. “As you know, we’re about to embark on an exciting new project: developing a smart health monitor that can predict potential health issues. Eva will be leading the programming team.”
Eva smiled and nodded at her colleagues, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation.
“Let’s dive into the details,” Mark continued. “Our client is a major healthcare company based in the United States. They have high expectations and a tight timeline, so we’ll need to be on top of our game.”
He clicked a button on the remote, and a presentation appeared on the screen. “The device will track physical activity, heart rate, sleep patterns, and other vital signs. The real innovation lies in the predictive algorithms we’ll develop, which will analyse this data to identify potential health risks before they become serious.”
As Eva listened intently to the meeting, her mind buzzed with ideas. This was precisely the kind of challenge she had been longing for. She began planning her approach, considering various strategies and envisioning the potential outcomes.
“One important thing to note,” Mark added, “is that our client wants us to work closely with their team in the U.S. This means there will be a significant amount of travel involved, especially during the initial development phase.”
Eva felt a jolt of surprise. Travel hadn’t been part of her routine, and the thought of frequent trips to the U.S. was both exciting and daunting.
“We’ll need to coordinate with their engineers and healthcare professionals to ensure seamless integration,” Mark explained. “Eva, you’ll be our main point of contact, so you’ll need to be prepared for regular trips to their headquarters.”
Eva nodded, trying to process the information. The opportunity to work on such a groundbreaking project was thrilling, but the travel aspect added a new layer of complexity. Her mind was racing with thoughts about how this would impact her family life. She knew she needed to discuss this with Luka before making any commitments.
“I understand,” Eva said. “I’m ready to take on the challenge. This project has the potential to make a real difference, and I’m excited to be a part of it. But I do need to discuss the travel requirements with my husband first.”
Mark smiled understandingly. “Of course, Eva. I don’t want to assume anything. Please take the time you need to talk it over with your family. Let me know if you have any concerns or if there’s anything we can do to accommodate your situation.”
As the meeting wrapped up, Eva felt a renewed sense of purpose. The project was exactly what she needed to reignite her passion and stimulate her mind. The travel would be a challenge, but it was also an opportunity to grow and push her boundaries. However, a knot of anxiety tightened in her stomach. She worried about how her husband would react and whether he would take on the household chores and responsibilities that usually fell to her. Eva knew she needed to ensure everything was in place at home before she could fully commit to this new venture.
Chapter 2
That evening, the aroma of roasted chicken and vegetables filled the kitchen as Eva busied herself with dinner preparations. The clinking of utensils and the hum of the oven created a comforting background noise.
“Mom, where’s my blue notebook?” Ana’s voice called from the living room.
“It’s on the coffee table, sweetie,” Eva replied, stirring the pot on the stove. Ana, her energetic fourteen-year-old daughter, was already preparing for the next day of school. Her curly brown hair bounced as she ran back to the living room, clutching her notebook.
Luka walked into the kitchen, loosening his tie and glancing at his phone. “Smells good,” he said absentmindedly, giving Eva a quick peck on the cheek before sitting down at the table. Luka was a tall man with dark hair and a serious demeanor. He worked as an engineer at a local firm, often bringing work home and leaving Eva to handle most of the household responsibilities.
“Thanks,” Eva said, returning to her cooking. “How was your day?”
“Busy, as usual,” Luka replied, not looking up from his phone. “I’ve got a lot of deadlines coming up.”
“I see,” Eva said, feeling a familiar pang of frustration. She juggled her job, household chores, and taking care of Ana, while Luka seemed increasingly distant and preoccupied with his work.
They sat down at the table, and Eva watched as Ana eagerly dug into her food. “Mom, you won’t believe what happened today!” Ana exclaimed between bites. “We had a surprise quiz in math, and I think I aced it!”
“That’s fantastic, Ana!” Eva replied, smiling. “You’ve been working so hard.”
Luka looked up from his plate, nodding in agreement. “Great job, kiddo. Keep it up.”
The family chatted about their day, with Ana excitedly sharing more stories from school. Eva felt a pang of guilt as she thought about the upcoming conversation with Luka. She knew she needed to discuss the travel requirements for the new project, but she wasn’t sure how to bring it up.
After dinner, while Luka retreated to his home office to catch up on work, Eva took a moment to gather her thoughts. She practiced what she wanted to say, trying to find the right words to explain the opportunity and the challenges it would bring.
“Luka,” she rehearsed quietly to herself, “there’s a new project at work that I’m really excited about. It involves developing a groundbreaking health monitor, but it also requires a lot of travel to the U.S. I need to discuss this with you because it will impact our family life.”
She took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination. This project was important to her, but so was her family. She needed to find a balance and ensure that Luka understood her perspective.
When Luka finally emerged from his office, Eva was ready. She looked up at him, her heart pounding slightly. “Luka, can we talk about something important?”
He nodded, though his attention seemed divided. “Sure, Eva. What’s on your mind?”
Eva took a deep breath. “There’s a new project at work that I’m really excited about. It involves developing a groundbreaking health monitor, but it also requires a lot of travel to the U.S. I need to discuss this with you because it will impact our family life.”
Luka looked up from his phone, finally giving her his full attention. “Travel? How much are we talking about?”
“Quite a bit, especially during the initial development phase,” Eva explained. “I’ll need to coordinate closely with the client’s team in the U.S., which means frequent trips there.”
Luka leaned back in his chair, a skeptical look crossing his face. “That sounds like a lot, Eva. How are we supposed to manage everything here without you?”
Eva felt a pang of guilt but pressed on. “I know it’s a big ask, but it’s an incredible opportunity for my career. I believe we can make it work if we plan carefully.”
Luka considered her words, his initial skepticism giving way to a different thought. If Eva was away, he’d have more freedom and less of the daily grind. He didn’t say it out loud, but the idea of having more time to himself was appealing. “Well, that sounds like an amazing opportunity for you, Eva. I’m sure we can manage. Ana and I will be just fine. It’s not like you’re the only one who keeps things running around here,” he said with a reassuring smile.
Eva felt a mix of relief and frustration. She appreciated Luka’s support, but she knew he didn’t fully grasp the extent of her daily responsibilities. “I know, but it’s a big change. I’ll be away a lot, and there are so many things I handle at home. I just want to make sure we’re prepared for that.”
Luka waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll figure it out. Ana’s old enough to understand, and I can step up where needed. Besides, it’s not like you’re going to be gone forever. We’ll make it work.”
Eva nodded, though she couldn’t shake the feeling that Luka was underestimating the impact of her absence. She managed most of the household planning and chores, and she knew it wouldn’t be as seamless as he imagined. But for now, she decided to focus on the positive. “Okay, I’ll let my boss know that I’m on board. Thanks for being supportive, Luka.”
He smiled and gave her a quick hug. “Of course, Eva. This is a great opportunity for you. We’ll be fine.”
Eva forced a smile, but inside, she felt a twinge of disappointment. She had hoped Luka would express that he would miss her and be more gentle about the situation. Still, she appreciated his support and decided to focus on the positive. “Thanks, Luka. It means a lot to me.”
As she prepared for bed that night, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. The project was exactly what she needed to reignite her passion, but she knew the road ahead would be challenging. She just hoped that Luka and Ana would truly be okay with the changes to come.
Later, as she lay in bed, her thoughts continued to swirl. She thought about the logistics of managing the household from afar, the missed dinners, and the school events she might not be able to attend. She knew Luka meant well, but his casual dismissal of her concerns left her feeling uneasy. “He doesn’t see the full picture,” she thought. “He doesn’t realize how much I do to keep everything running smoothly.”
