May 2012
I was struggling against his grip. I ran to my mother and told her everything her boyfriend was doing to me. She didn't believe me and shrugged it off.
I couldn't deal with them anymore. That night, instead of sleeping, I was packing. Everything I needed was with me. I would go first thing in the morning.
I couldn't stand this country anymore. But then, Matteo. I couldn't leave him alone. I guess my plan will wait for a few days. Or weeks.
Even months...
I was walking toward the store which was surprisingly close from the house. I had two tall men following me three feet away. I can't blame Alexei for assigning them my protection.
It felt weird. Different. I only ever had one relationship and I must of done something bad because he left me the minute he realized things were serious with me.
He got infuriated when I told him that I wouldn't abort. He tried to force me to an abortion but I got away thanks to Matteo. I promised him I wouldn't talk to him anymore.
Then, he left without a word. I love my sons, i couldn't imagine a world without them. Nikolai's strength and kindness and Matthew's spirit and enthusiasm.
I entered the grocery store and I felt eyes on me. I was dressed in a grey hoodie and leggings while intimidating men followed me around. I started walking to the frozen area and approached the ice cream.
***
I ended up buying four packets instead of 2. I couldn't decide if they wanted strawberry, chocolate chip, chocolate or cotton candy. They started cheering with excitement when they saw me.
When I was about to close Alexei's office door, I spoke. "Do you want to come?" He lifted his eyes and he was about to say something when he just stood up.
He grabbed my hand and went downstairs with me. I kept trying to hide my smile and he squeezed my hand tighter. I faced him and his gorgeous face when he pressed his lips to mine.
These moments. Where we just showed a symbol of affection and stayed silent afterwards that made my heart flutter. I had never felt like this. My heart was aching.
It never aches.
I sit down next to Alexei and see how the boys struggle to prepare their ice creams. "Nu vă faceți griji băieți, o voi face. De ce nu mergeți amândoi să vă jucați în timp ce eu și Alexei facem înghețate (don't worry boys, I will do it. Why don't you go play while me and Alexei make the ice creams)?"
They nodded and smile. I was left alone with Alexei. We started preparing the cones. "Why do you only speak Romanian with them? Are you scared I'm going to understand?" He jokes playfully.
I smile and kiss his cheek. "I want Nikolai and Matthew to know how to speak their origin language as well as English. Now that they'll restart school, they will only learn French and English."
He frowned. "What do you mean? They stopped?" I look down. He forces my face up as he grabs a hold on my chin. "Explain."
I continue preparing the ice creams. "Before I met you, I really was extremely poor. We lived in a crappy apartment, one bed, and I couldn't possibly send them to school. They didn't have new clothes and no material." He nods, listening.
"And now they will be sent to a very good school." I lift my head toward him. "I'll pay. They missed a few years, I'll make sure they have a good education and maybe then you will stop worrying about them."
