Ivan's Lover

40

Mila enjoys her food. She finds herself almost jealous of how attached Remi was to Ivan. A man that she only knew as her father for just a little time now. And yet, she knew if given a chance Remi would run to Ivan in a heartbeat. It was almost too much when she didn't even dare touch the plate Mila made for her.

Remi rather eats off Ivan's plate and that made her roll her eyes. Yet it was still adorable and that was even more annoying. Ivan scoop just a bit of vegetable onto the spoon before carefully placing it in front of Remi. She turns her head, causing Ivan to sigh.

"Mangialo," Ivan speak as he use his other hand to turn Remi's head.

She whines shaking her head no. Mila turns to Ivan confused.

"When do you speak anything besides English?" She asks him in a hushed tone as her family was in the kitchen talking.

"I speak several languages. Italian is just easier for Remi to learn as of right now." Ivan tells her. "Remi, stop playing with me and eat," Ivan says causing her to pout.

Ivan didn't care as he put the spoon closer to her lips. She eats it nonetheless as Mila slightly hit Ivan's arm.

"You can talk to her nicer," Mila whispered to him.

"That's why she acts like that. You baby her."

"She's two Ivan."

"About to turn three. You spoil her." Ivan says as he scoops more vegetables into the spoon.

"Says the one who buys her things all the time," Mila says rolling her eyes.

"The toys are rewards. She doesn't play with them when she acts like this at my house. You don't give her those kinds of punishments."

"No, because she's two Ivan. She just doesn't know any better."

"Are you going to use that excuse when she's five? Or eight? Or twelve-"

"Well, it's obvious we have two very different parenting skills. I just think you're just a little bit... harsh." Mila mumbles before stuffing her face with the sweet corn.

Ivan places the spoon in front of Remi's mouth for her to eat. He leans back in his chair and shrugs his shoulders.

"It's not like I pop her, which I think you could consider. Especially when she refuses to clean her mess, I can't stand all that crying and whining. All that fussing pisses me off." Ivan says dropping his spoon on his plate.

"You can always read a parenting book or go to parenting classes or something Ivan. A softer approach is better with small children." Mila suggests to him.

"What do you do when she's fussy?" Ivan asks picking up his glass of water.

Mila swirls her fork around her food. "I ask her nicely or I bribe her candy."

"So in other words you reward her for doing something she's supposed to do?"

"Ivan you're an as-"

"I thought we weren't supposed to use that language around her?" Ivan asks cutting her off.

Mila clenches her jaw before dropping her fork down harshly on the plate. Ivan smirks as he drinks the glass of water as Mila leaves the room. She walks down the hall and closes the bathroom door. Groaning loudly as she places her face in her palms.

Now second guessing on whether bringing Ivan along was a good idea or not. She goes to the toilet and sits before removing her face from her palms. She crosses her arms over her chest rolling her eyes. She mocks his voice in a hushed tone in irritation.

It almost fascinated her how Ivan can easily change her mood. Whether that be happy or mad, sad or tense. After spending quite some time in the bathroom, Mila was still in the same spot trying to find some peace. Honestly, she didn't want to leave out the bathroom.

Unaware that she never locked the door, it opens revealing Ivan. She glance over at him before turning around until her back was facing him and she was staring at a blank wall. She didn't care how childish she looked, she was still stuck on the fact that Ivan got under her skin in just a matter of minutes.

He closes the door quietly before walking over to her. Still with arms crossed over her chest, she shifts on the seat. Ivan sighed as he combs his fingers through her hair. His touch caused her eyes to flutter as he moves them to the side.

"I didn't even do anything to you and you're mad at me. Why am I in the wrong?" He asks her.

"You're an asshole." She tells him, not bothering to answer his question.

"Well, I'm not apologizing because I didn't do anything wrong. And don't think you're just the best person in the world. You know I can't stand your sister but you left me alone with her." Ivan says rolling his eyes.

Mila sighs quietly. "I guess we're somewhat even then." She mutters before standing up and turning around.

She walks over to Ivan and uncrosses her arms. He pushes a strand of his hair away from his face.

"You know, if you still want to take out your frustration I mean, we're all alone-"

"I'm leaving now." Mila sighs as she walks away from him.

"You're no fun." Ivan says following behind her.