Young Mistress Maja

Chapter One-3

***

In January 2018, Maja was eighteen, and she was in her A Level year. She was taking Economics, Business Studies and Law, with a view to going to university. Maja wanted to take a degree in Economics and follow her father into financial services.

Easter came and it was off to Kristina’s. Maja was looking forwards to seeing the family again, and she was relishing having opportunity to remind Natalia that she’d not forgotten her provocative behaviour from last year.

It was a great disappointment when she got to Kristina’s to find out that Grandma Natalia had flu and wouldn’t be joining them. Later in the week she’d recovered sufficiently to receive visitors and so Kristina and Maja spent an afternoon with her.

It was so nice to see Natalia. Maja could tell she’d been ill. Natalia was slim, but right now she looked thin. The good news was that she was on the mend. Her appetite had returned, so she’d soon be back to her normal self again.

It was just so nice to cuddle her when they greeted. They had a lovely afternoon talking. Both Kristina and Maja told Natalia about their plans for university and she was especially interested to hear about their escapades with boys.

Natalia joked with them about how useless all the men of her age were. Then she had a serious talk with them about not being so focussed on career and thinking they could have fun with men, that they forgot that it’s much better to settle down and have children early.

“Sometimes I reflect on my life and I’m so glad I met your Grandpa when I was young, Kristina, and that we settled down and had a family. The thought of being my age and not having a family horrifies me. It would have been such a waste. And I can’t tell you how much satisfaction I get out of my children and grandchildren. It’s wonderful. I wouldn’t exchange that for anything.” This advice became firmly rooted in Maja’s mind, and she often reflected on the matter.

Before they left Kristina joked, “Granny is really at the cutting edge of things now Maja. She’s got a laptop, internet connection and uses email. Hey, talking of that, why don’t you two swap email addresses?”

“Great idea Kristina,” said Natalia.

So, they did.

When it was time to leave, Maja cuddled Natalia. She did feel thinner and Maja wanted to make sure that cuddle made up for what they hadn’t been able to share because Natalia had been ill. As she drew Natalia to her and rubbed her back gently, Maja said,

“I’ve really missed you Auntie Natalia. Please get better soon and let’s keep in touch on email.”

Natalia responded as if she was a sponge, soaking up Maja’s affection. She kissed Maja on the cheek and gave her a radiant smile. Maja returned the smile and lovingly ran the back of a finger down Natalia’s cheek, and then it was time to leave.

Maja hadn’t forgotten about taking revenge on Natalia, but that would have to be another time. But seeing her again revived those desires in Maja and she often thought about her fantasy with relish.

***

May half-term holiday arrived, and Maja’s A Levels would begin in a month. She’d been invited to stay with Zoltan and his wife Mira, who had been family friends from before Maja was born. They had a son called Laszlo, who was twenty, and in his second year of a Law degree at Budapest university. He still lived at home. He and Maja had known each other since they were little, and they generally got on well. Zoltan and Mira were a couple of years older than Maja’s parents. They also had an older daughter who had just left home and started work after completing her degree. Zoltan was a criminal lawyer and Mira worked for an insurance company.

It took around three and a half hours to get to their town on the bus. Maja had a small case with some clothes and a rucksack with some A Level notes, for revision purposes. As the bus trundled along, Maja looked out of the window at the passing suburbs and began to think.

‘It’s two years since I last stayed with them, but we see them a couple of times a year. It’ll be good to have a talk to Laszlo about life at uni. I wonder how he’s changed? Will he still be “so laid back that he’s falling apart,”‘ she thought, as she stifled a giggle. Laszlo was a guy who didn’t let things make him uptight, but that could be a bit irritating for others because he did everything to his timetable. That didn’t mean he didn’t get important things done. He usually came up with the goods, on time, but his way of operating could grind against people who liked a more orderly life.

Maja arrived on Friday afternoon. Over the weekend they all went for walks together during the day, and then relaxed together in the evening. It was nice to spend three evenings with Zoltan, because on Monday morning he would be starting a new case which meant being in another town and coming home early the following Saturday. Laszlo was there on the first two evenings, but on Sunday night he went out with his friends.

Mira, Zoltan and Maja were relaxing together on Sunday evening.

“I’m out at quarter-to-eight in a morning, so if you could leave using the bathroom until then,” said Mira. “Take whatever you want for breakfast and Laszlo should get his own. During the holidays we’ve given him some chores to do. He’s to wash up the breakfast and midday-snack things by four in the afternoon, before I get home and start cooking. Drying them and putting them away, plus emptying all the bins in the house is on his daily list too. But I’d appreciate it if you make a snack at midday for you both, if he’s here of course.”

“Yes, that’s fine Auntie Mira. I’ll be here most of the time anyway because I’ll be revising. I’ll make the most of the garden bench to do it, if that’s alright?” said Maja.

Mira smiled. “Great idea. The garden is nice right now. With only the birds singing it should be pretty quiet round here.”

“I think I can deal with that,” replied Maja with a laugh.

Maja, who was wearing a smart, black, shortish skirt, a white blouse, black tights and four-inch heels, crossed her legs and rested both palms on one knee as they spoke.

‘Wow, Maja’s really becoming a beautiful young woman. She’s so stylish in the way she dresses and has become really confident,’ thought Mira.

“One thing to be aware of, Maja,” interjected Zoltan. “Laszlo can be manipulative. He uses his laid-back character to divert attention from the fact that he’s being lazy sometimes. He likes to avoid helping around the house and just passes it off as a joke with his mother, when I’m not here.”

Mira gave a slightly embarrassed laugh at Zoltan’s last comments. “Mother’s and sons; fathers and daughters, Maja. They exploit our weaknesses,” said Mira, apologetically.

“Some of us!” said Zoltan in a light-hearted tone. “Maja, when I tell Laszlo things he doesn’t want to hear, he knows what people feel like when I’m cross-examining them in court. It just doesn’t always work out too well when I’m away though,” he said, looking at Mira, with a smile.

“Yes, Laszlo can be a bit of a handful sometimes,” added Mira, quietly.

“Anyway Maja, don’t let Laszlo play the ‘I’m a couple of years older than you card.’ Otherwise, he’ll smooth talk his way out of doing his duties and leave them for you to do. I’ve told him not to do that, so if he tries to, just put your foot down,” said Zoltan. “Okay ladies,” he continued, in an up-beat manner, “I have to go prepare for tomorrow now, so enjoy chatting. But Maja, don’t let Laszlo wind you around his little finger and don’t back down. Alright?”

“Yes, that’s fine, Uncle. Not a problem.”

Mira went and put some relaxing music on, and the two women continued chatting. “How do you feel about your exams, Maja?” asked Mira.

“I should be fine,” answered Maja, with a smile. “I’ve put the work in, and I feel ready for them.”

“I’m pleased about that. And what about boyfriends? Anyone interesting on the horizon?”

Maja laughed, then un-crossed and re-crossed her legs, straightening her skirt with an elegant movement as she did so. Without consciously thinking about it, Mira found herself doing the same.

“Well, I haven’t got a steady boyfriend. I meet up with a couple of guys but getting involved wouldn’t be sensible as we’re all going our separate ways to university soon.”

‘Really sensible,’ thought Mira. ‘But you’re so pretty Maja. I bet guys are falling over themselves to get your attention.’

“Any thoughts about whether you want to get married in the future?”

“Oh, I do Auntie, because I want a family.” Then, with a smile, she added, “I’ll have a little fun at university but get that all out of my system by the time I start work. Then I’ll start looking.”

‘You’re thinking it through, aren’t you? And with you, I know you mean it. You really are planning your life out. Wow!’ were the thoughts passing through Mira’s mind as she listened.

Maja, un-crossed and re-crossed her legs again, gently pulling the hem of her skirt in the process. Mira followed suit, but this time she was aware of it. She also became aware that she couldn’t keep her eyes off Maja’s legs, and try as she would, she found herself mirroring every change of posture Maja made.

“Would you like me to make us a drink?” Mira asked.

“That would be nice, Auntie. Black tea with milk for me please.”

As Mira walked to the kitchen, dressed in a pencil skirt, blouse, heels, and tan tights, she became aware of her manner of speech towards Maja. It dawned on her that Maja’s confidence made her feel as if she were the younger of the two. In fact, she was thirty years older.

The following morning, Maja went in the shower once the bathroom was vacated, went downstairs and had some toast. Laszlo appeared around half-past-nine and grabbed a bowl of cornflakes and a coffee. The two of them had a nice chat as Laszlo ate his breakfast. He told Maja about the social life at university and how much he enjoyed it. The chance to meet lots of new people of a similar age and outlook excited Maja.

“Flippin heck, Laszlo, the way you describe it, I’m surprised you get around to doing any work.”

Laszlo laughed as he pushed back his centre-parted hair from his face, with one hand. “You know me, Maja,” he said with a cheeky grin and a twinkle in his eye. “I come up with the goods when it matters, still manage to party, and don’t even break into a sweat.”

That made Maja laugh. “Seriously though Laszlo, are you doing okay at uni?”

“Yup, my average assignment and exam grade is a good, Upper Second. I know it’s my personality and I’m lucky in that way, but I can enjoy life to the full and still do well in my studies.”

“Sounds great to me,” said Maja, with a smile. They chatted for a while longer about what Maja should expect in her early days at uni, then Laszlo looked at his mobile as it beeped.

“Okay, Maja, have to scoot. Meeting some friends. See you for the meal tonight.” With that, Lazlo got up and headed for the coat rack next to the door and grabbed his jacket.

“Err, Laszlo. What about your duties?” said Maja.

“Oh, there’s just a couple of things, but I’m sure you won’t mind doing them, as you’re here all day. Right, until tonight then.” With that Laszlo quickly headed for the door.