Dimitri
Joe did not delay me at all, and at the appointed time we were in the car on our way to the city where my parents lived, about three hours away from St. Petersburg. I didn't visit them that often, but I tried to keep in touch regularly.
" Tell me cousin, how is Maria? " Joe teased me.
" What I told you back then still applies, Joe. Stay away from my sister," I threatened, referring to a time during Maria's adolescence when she found herself in love with him.
Joe never got involved with her, but he liked to tease me about it. I knew that despite his fame, he would never hurt his little cousin. But that didn't stop me from threatening him every time he brought it up.
" I'm just saying, I saw her pictures on the internet and the years have only done her good," he insisted.
" You know what else has improved over time? My aim," I glared at him, earning a laugh from the guy.
" I don't think you'd have the guts to do me any harm, cousin.”
" Do you really want to find out? Besides, if you've seen pictures of the whole family, you'll notice that Yuri is about my size. I bet he would love to get revenge for all the times you teased him when he was younger.”
My younger brother was always the butt of Joe's jokes, but now that he's almost eighteen, I doubt that it's that easy to make fun of him. Joe laughed again, looking out the window at the landscape we were quickly leaving behind.
" You're complaining, but you'll miss me when I'm gone, cousin.”
" Joe, I hardly stayed home at all while you were here," I returned, "I'll be fine.”
" And when you were home you refused to go out," he returned, "you need to learn to have fun.”
" Believe me, I have fun, I don't need your help for that.”
And that was true, as much as I rarely went out and visited any of the clubs in St. Petersburg, I never failed to enjoy myself when I was in other countries, I always tried to use my time off abroad to get to know as much as possible of the place where I was, and I always had company for that. I just had enough of the nightclubs in my city, everything was different when I had so many cultures at my disposal.
" Before I go, you must accompany me at least once.”
I ignored him, tuning the radio to some music station, making him snort before looking out the window again.
The rest of the trip to my mother's house was uneventful, Joe and I making small talk in between the advice I was trying to give so that the man could get along with his family.
" I'm not denying that you have a great profession," he explained as we neared our destination, "I just don't understand why I would have to follow in your footsteps.”
" And you don't. What your father means is that he expects you to do something with your life. You are a graduate for a reason," I pointed out, "go back to painting, try to sell your paintings, do something.”
" He considers everything I do the biggest waste of time," Joe complained, "he treats me like I'm still a teenager.”
" Do you know what an adolescent attitude is? Running away from home after an argument," I took a deep breath, "If you had stayed and made your point, maybe he might respect you a little.”
" He doesn't respect anyone," he returned immediately, ending the subject.
We arrived at my mother's house around dinner time, and she seemed surprised to find us there, but didn't hesitate to welcome us.
" What I mean, Auntie, is that he doesn't believe I can do anything useful," Joe told my mother about his discussion with his father as we helped her set the table for dinner.
" That's not true, Joe," my mother declared indulgently, "you graduated, that proves you can do it. My brother is just a little hard to express himself.”
I took a deep breath from hearing the same complaints over the past weeks since he arrived in Russia.
" I already told him this.”
" You should listen to your cousin.”
" He said I should get back to painting, but what's the point? " Joe continued his complaint as if my mother were some kind of family therapist.
One more week, that's all I can take, and besides, I'll be spending most of it in Lisbon, so it won't be too hard.
" This way you could prove him wrong, you need a better incentive than that? " Maria pointed, entering the dining room.
Joe promptly left what he was doing to hug my sister, kissing her cheek, much to my displeasure. She had become a beautiful woman in her thirties, her pale skin contrasting with the brown hair and green eyes she had inherited from our mother, so that she always attracted the attention of the boys around her.
" Maria, look at you," Joe stood up, winking at my exasperation, "you have changed so much.”
" Joe," I let out in a warning tone.She alternated her gaze between the two of us, searching for the meaning of this interaction.
" What? She deserves compliments, cousin. That's all," he assured my sister, hugging her, "Time has only done her good.”
" Thank you, Joe," she gave her cousin a suspicious look, probably remembering all the times he had run away from her advances.
" You see, she always did like my compliments, didn't she, cousin? " He slung an arm around her shoulder, smiling at me.
Only a week, Dimitri. He'll be gone in a week.
My mother just shook her head as if this was just childish nonsense and went into the kitchen.
" I'm not sure, Joe. Before you were only interested in complimenting my friends, remember? " She returned the compliment with an almost innocent smile.
Joe laughed, and, unperturbed by my sister's comment, tightened his half-hug a little, making them even closer than before.
" You're right, Masha. I didn't think very well back then.”
" Some things never change, and I guess I'm too old for that nickname," she returned, making me smile.
Maria had always been independent, and that was one of the reasons I didn't get directly involved in Joe's advances, even though I threatened him. I knew that she could take care of herself.
" We should both go out later, for old times' sake," he ignored her comment, causing me to frown.
All right, I don't want to get involved and fall for his teasing, but him asking her out? That's out of line!
" I'm sorry Joe, but I already have plans with someone else," she removed my cousin's arm from her shoulder, "but you can reminisce about old times with Nadia, she still lives next door.”My smile widened even more, I really don't need to intervene.
" You'd better give up, Miller. She's not interested," I teased my cousin. But something caught my attention, causing me to frown as I addressed my sister, "and who do you have plans with?”
" The best part of being an adult is not having to answer to anyone," she returned, "so I have plans with someone who is of no interest to either of you.”
" She has a secret boyfriend, cousin," Joe whispered, "you'd better interfere, secret boyfriends are never a good thing.”
" And what do you know about it? " She rolled her eyes.
" I know a lot, I'm usually the secret boyfriend," he returned.
My cell phone vibrated in my pocket, causing me to distract myself from the little argument that had formed between the two of them. I unlocked the screen, finding a new message from Blair.
"You're not the only one with a great view, Commander"
That was the caption of the photo of the girl in front of a hotel room window from which it was possible to see a beautiful cathedral in the middle of a sunny city. Blair was wearing a light blue dress with white prints and her hair was a little damp, indicating that she had arrived in town in time for at least a shower.
I restrained a half smile as I read the message before checking the time, preparing myself to reply next.
"Are you okay? It seems to be hot in there.”
The answer didn't take long to come.
"The weather is great. Luckily I got rid of the cold in Istanbul.”
I couldn't help laughing at this, it was strange to think of her so at ease while outside my mother's house the temperature was close to zero degrees and the sun had already set.
" Why is he laughing? " Maria questioned my cousin.
" He must be talking to his secret girlfriend," Joe confided.
I took a deep breath ignoring them both, mentally thanking my brother for being at his girlfriend's house, turning my attention to something more important at the moment.
" You would hate to be in St Petersburg right now then. "
"I'm definitely a beach girl, Commander.”
" Hey, I want to meet this girl," Maria complained.
" The good thing about being an adult is that I don't owe you any satisfaction, Masha," I returned, receiving a frown in return.
" How do you like this cousin? " Joe laughed.
" Mama, Dimulya is dating and won't show me with whom," she shouted suddenly.
" I am not dating, she is just a flight attendant I met this week," I returned snidely, "and what does Mama know about the person you are going out with today?”
" She knows it's not a boyfriend and that's enough," she hummed.
Luckily my mother didn't seem to hear what Maria said, and I was grateful for that. All I didn't need was to have to tell my mother everything in detail. It wasn't enough that Joe was telling my sister everything he knew about Blair, which wasn't much.
But I could use the moment to resume my conversation and I wasted no time, I couldn't stop talking to her.
Blair" Come on, did you see the picture? I won that one, Commander," I couldn't help but smile. I was lying on a sun lounger on a beach near San Juan enjoying my free time before boarding." Blair, we are talking about the Duomo in Milan," Dimitri returned, exuding amusement in his voice, "you have to accept that it is a good picture." I'm not denying it, I'm saying mine is better," I returned.It had been two weeks since Dimitri and I had started keeping in touch, and practically every day we exchanged pictures of the places we were, competing to see who had the best destination." It's a beach, Blair." It's a beach in Puerto Rico, Dimitri," I returned, "Caribbean. Have you ever been to the Caribbean?” A laugh rang out on the other end of the line, causing me to bite my lower lip, feeling a growing wave of excitement rising inside me. I loved talking to him, it always made my day more interesting." No, Blair. I've never been to the Caribbean." Then we need to fix that, Comman
Blair" I don't understand, we had your engagement dinner a few weeks ago," I stared at Abby.We were both seated at a table in a restaurant near the airport where I was waiting to board my flight to my next destination. Initially I left home thinking that I would board at 10 o'clock for Argentina, but in the end, due to a flight attendant who had the flu and obviously could not fly, I would board at 3 o'clock for Amsterdam." Yes, but my parents didn't like not being there and want to have a reception," she explained, "you are my maid of honor, Blair, you have to go.”I checked my cell phone for any sign of Dimitri. Yesterday he hadn't texted me for the first time since we met, and I was finding the silence strange." Did you hear me? " Abby frowned." Yes, I just think that going across the country for a second engagement dinner is overkill! " I looked away from my cell phone, turning my attention back to my friend." It's not just about that, Blair," she returned, "I have to talk t
BlairDimitri came toward me with a restrained smile on his face. My hand was wrapped around his as I held it out to greet him. My own smile was more spontaneous in his presence, although I wasn't sure how to act now that we were finally face to face." Hey commander, I almost didn't recognize you without the stained clothes," I teased him. " You're not carrying any cups, so I think my clothes will be safe. At least until we get to the restaurant," he assured him, "I'm staying at the Sheratom, do you want to go there?”The Sheratom was one of three hotels within the airport complex, which also had a train station that would take us to the center of Amsterdam in about fifteen minutes." Are you kidding? We're not staying in a hotel with an incredible city to visit, Commander," I denied." I already know Amsterdam," he laughed." But you have never visited it in my company, I assure you it will be a completely new experience," I wrapped my hand around his, pulling him toward the train
BlairWe finished eating, deciding to leave that subject aside. After splitting the bill, we were soon back on the streets of Amsterdam." What I mean is that getting married in the same church as her parents is important for your friend," he resumed the initial subject as we walked side by side." Again? " I groaned " I shouldn't have told you.”" But you did," he teased me.To my relief, I spotted something that could distract us from the subject." A market! Let's go shopping, Dimitri." I ran ahead, leaving him behind.He shook his head with a half smile on his lips before following me. I passed all the stalls, scanning the products for anything of value.This was one of my favorite parts of every trip. I loved to find souvenirs that reminded me of the destinations I had already visited, and usually it was some decoration for my apartment. Which perhaps would eventually turn me into a sort of international hoarder." Look, Commander. I need those boots! " I exclaimed, picking up a
Dimitri I was making the payment with my credit card while watching Blair with the doll and the flowers I gave her in her hands.She was so beautiful it was almost unbelievable. More than that, she was funny, intelligent and witty. Everything that I had already realized in the past few days had been confirmed in these few hours we had spent together up to this point." Do you want me to wrap the bouquet or is your girlfriend going to carry it? " The lady who attended me indicated the flowers that I was still carrying." Here, you can wrap it. But she is not my girlfriend," I explained, handing the bouquet to the woman." No? You act like a couple, maybe you should think about the possibility," she smiled, picking up a long acetate box and placing the flowers there, "a pretty girl like that doesn't stay available for long.”I just smiled as I picked up the package. I knew she was right about Blair, and if the situation was more favorable, I might try something serious with her. But I
DimitriI came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my waist and went to the bed of the hotel room I occupied in Vienna. It was past seven in the evening and I felt exhausted from all the excitement of that day. First thing in the morning I flew back to St. Petersburg and after a few hours of rest, I boarded the plane for Vienna. I turned on my cell phone, leaving it on the bed before going to the window, looking at the bright street full of old buildings where countless people were walking, despite the bad weather. My mind wandered to memories of the previous day, when Blair's company had been so present. I walked back to the bed, picking up the cell phone that vibrated with the new messages that came in.I ignored Joe's messages threatening to move to St Petersburg for good and opened the message Blair had sent me in the morning."Commander, I don't think you understood that the flowers were for your mother."I had left the bouquet at the hotel reception in the morning t
DimitriI ended the call until I reached the gallery. Blair loved every detail I showed her and I was glad that I could distract her at that moment, the only way that situation would improve was if I was closer to her. " Look, I'm just saying that the last painting.... WAIT.”I stopped my steps immediately, not knowing what had happened." What?”" Can you turn the camera a little? " she asked " to the left.”" NO " I turned in the opposite direction as I understood what she had seen.How can she find places like this?" Please, Dimitri," she pleaded as I backed away and headed for the flea market she had somehow spotted." I'm only going to buy one thing," I warned." Then I'll have to choose well," she hummed.I couldn't help smiling as I walked between the stalls, showing her everything on display." Dimitri, look at those old photos," Blair indicated." They are people you don't know, Blair. Don't even think about it," I warned." You have no creativity," she complained." I'm no
Blair " And then? What did you think? " I whirled around in front of the cell phone camera, showing my mother my outfit. " You look great with your new haircut," she complimented from the other side of the screen, "it should be easier to pin up now.” " Mom, focus please," I groaned. " Sorry, but I don't understand what you want me to see," she returned. " Mom, I showed you three different outfits," I threw myself on the bed in the hotel room I occupied in Madrid, "I have fifteen minutes to finish getting ready.” " You look nice in all the clothes," she returned. " You're not helping," I muttered. " I don't even understand what you want help with! Shouldn't you be back today?” " I am, but I have two hours before I have to go to the airport, so I can have lunch with a friend at the hotel restaurant," I hurriedly explained, "and I need to meet him in ten minutes, so if you can help.” I went through the options I had sorted out, trying to make a decision. Why couldn't I just cho