Stay With Me

6

Alexei knocks on the white door. He waits patiently outside before hearing the door open. Mercedes let out a nervous chuckle. She was wearing a black shirt with gray leggings, and a mix of matching ankle socks.

"Alexei? What are you doing here?"

"We haven't talked for two days. I was worried-"

"I-I'm sorry. It's these exams, they're kicking my ass." She cut him off while pushing her hair back.

"You look like a mess." Alexei sighs as he cuffs her face.

Mercedes chuckles as she places her hands over his. "Do you still like me looking like this?"

"I think I like you more by looking like this. Want me to make you some tea?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry that I made you worried." She apologizes before turning around.

Alexei's hands drop down to his sides. He takes a step inside and closes the door. Mercedes goes on the couch and pick up her laptop before placing it on her lap. Alexei sits down beside her and rubs her thigh.

"Your grandmother's home? Usually, I would've heard her by now."

Mercedes shakes her head with a smile.

"She's out visiting her sister. Now be supportive and stay quiet, I need to focus." Mercedes sighs as she focuses on the white screen.

Alexei nods as he removes his hand from her thigh.

❍

"Mercedes? I'm home."

"I'm right here," Mercedes says as her fingers write down her notes in her notebook.

Alexei looks over his shoulder before smiling at the elderly lady.

"Hi, Miss Robertson."

The elderly woman gasp as she closes the door.

"Mercedes you didn't tell me Axel was coming back over."

"It's Alexei, Miss Robertson." Alexei reminds her as he stands up.

"My memory isn't what it used to be. The poor thing has been on that couch for a few days on, these universities are getting harder these days." Miss Robertson begins to ramble as Alexei walks them into the kitchen.

"She said she's doing exams. She has been studying all day." Alexei tells her.

"They eating her alive, but in the end, she will do good. I'm so glad this is her last year, then I get to see her walk across that stage one last time. Her parents would be so proud of her." Her grandmother smiles as she washes her hands.

"I'm sure they are."

"Enough about Mercedes, how have you been? I haven't seen you around in a couple of days, you all Mercedes talk about now these days. Every time she sees you she always asks me what I think of her outfit."

"Really?" Alexei asks amused. The corners of his lips twitch.

Miss Robertson nods chuckling.

"Yep, I'm glad she has someone. Her last boyfriend-oh lord. I never liked that one, he could be so nasty. He hardly respected me. He had Mercedes fired from her internship at the dentist's office around Maybel Street. Poor baby came home crying, she even changed her major."

Alexei's eyes darken as he stands up straight. The thought of Mercedes crying angered Alexei.

"What was his name?"

"Bryan I believe. Oh, I made Mercedes pumpkin pie, she deserves a treat for working so hard."

Alexei doesn't answer as he closes his hands until they were fists.

❍

Alexei walks into the dentist's office. Behind him were two other men, all dressed in black. Alexei wearing a black short-sleeved shirt with denim jeans as he wore shades. The receptionist clears her throat as Alexei looks down at her.

"Does a Bryan guy works here as an intern?"

The woman nods as she begins to pick up the phone. Alexei quickly grabs her hand in a tight grip making her gasp loudly. He gives her a smirk as he moves her hand away from the phone.

"Just tell me what room he's in. I'll be in and out." He tells her.

"Third floor, he works in the kids center."

Alexei let her hand go. "You two stay here," Alexei speaks in Russian before walking away.

He goes to the elevator and presses the button. He waits patiently until the elevator doors open. He walks right in and presses the third floor. Before the elevator door can close a woman and her child walks in.

She mumbles an excuse me before pressing the fifth floor. Once the door shut, the elevator music feels the room. Alexei notices the woman discreetly pulling her child close to her. He scoffs quietly as they stay silent.

When the elevator doors open Alexei walks out first, the room was empty with children's art and books around the room. A man walks out of the room, holding a clipboard he looks at Alexei strangely.

"Hi, how can I help you?" The man asks him.

He was around Alexei's height just a bit shorter. With golden brown skin and black hair that was shaped up.

"Bryan?" Alexei asks him.

"Uh yeah-"

"You dated Mercedes right?"

The man scoffed quietly.

"You supposed to be the new boyfriend?"

Alexei chuckles darkly as he takes a step closer to Bryan. Bryan doesn't back down which Alexei notices. He didn't know if Bryan was brave or dumb. Either way, he had to somewhat applaud him.

Alexei looks down at him, he tsk before sending a right hook at Bryan. The punch makes Bryan stumbles back before falling on the floor. Alexei glares at him as he walks toward him.

"Man what the fu-"

"Listen, suka, you're not worth me getting blood on my shirt. Let this be a reminder, if I catch you anywhere near Mercedes, I'm going to kill you. And I advise you not to run to your big shot lawyer of a dad, with all the dirt I have on him, I can get him to never work again in his life. Have a nice day Bryan." Alexei threatens him before walking away.