Stay With Me

18

Alexei watches from his car Mercedes smiling as she hugs her grandmother with her gown on and her cap in her hands. Alexei leans his head on the window of the car with a small smile. Her grandmother pulls her away excitedly before taking a picture of her on her phone.

Watching her smile and be so happy without him crushed his heart. He just wanted to get out of his car and hug her tight. To tell her how proud she should be for finally graduating. But he knew he couldn't. He couldn't ruin her special day.

His phone rings alerting him. He tears his eyes away as he tries to find his phone. Realizing it was on the floor, he picks it up and looks at the caller ID. Recognizing the unknown number he answers it. Placing his phone against his ear.

"What?" He asks as he looks back at Mercedes.

A few of her college friends go to her and smile as they all looked like they were excited.

"Where are you?"

"You're getting on my nerves. I'm on my way."

"Well, the plane is-"

"I said I'm on my fucking way, Boris." Alexei snaps before hanging up the phone.

He looks away from her and starts his car. Letting out a loud sigh, he drives off. His eyes looked at the road with something telling him to go back. But he doesn't listen to it. He just deals with the guilt and pain.

❍

As much as he liked America and found the most beautiful girl that would never leave his heart, he couldn't stay. He wanted to leave as soon as possible. His cousins left about a week ago with only him to deal with the silent house all by himself.

He couldn't stay in that house for one more second. He couldn't sleep in bed when all he could think is her, the clothes that he bought for her reminding him of her. Even the empty drawers remind him that she's not back.

The kitchen he grew to love to cook was now a place he hated. He didn't want to spend more than a second in that kitchen. Not even to get something to drink. The bed, the bathroom, his office, the living room, everywhere she went was now cold and untouched.

The only thing he wanted was the ring and all the memories they shared. To relieve most on his phone, to watch her smile and laugh. Even sleeping, he just wanted her through a screen. Because at least then he can remember the love they shared in Russia.

He leans his head back. Boris was asleep across the plane while Alexei sigh loudly. Closing his eyes, it doesn't take him long to sleep. Nothing but silence fills the room. For a while he was asleep. Enjoying the peaceful but also dreadful silence.

Until he hears her voice.

His eyes flutter open. Laying in bed with the sun shining down on him. He sits up in his bed as Mercedes comes out from the shower. A towel wrapped around her body as water dripped down from her hair. She smiles at him.

"You should've showered with me, I use up all the hot water." She tells him as she walks over to him.

Alexei chuckles as he leans his head back. Mercedes remove her towel dropping it on the ground before getting on the bed. She straddles his waist as she wraps her arms around his neck. Alexei pushes her curls behind her ear.

"I should've but I doubt we would've done much washing up." He tells her causing her to laugh. She clears her throat before playfully nudging his sides. A small smile on his lips.

"Alexei, I think I know what I want for my graduation gift." She says smiling from ear to ear.

"Finally. I've been waiting for a long time." Alexei says causing her to giggle.

She playfully hit his arm. "I want to go to Russia with you. I want to see your home, I've been looking it up actually. Russia is really beautiful." She smiles at him.

"For your graduation present? I was expecting jewelry or a car." He tells her with shock.

"Well, I don't care about those things right now. I want to spend my time away from school with you. Can we go?" She asks leaning close to him.

His eyes flutter before closing as their lips meet one another. He moans softly in her mouth as he pulls away.

"Are you trying to bribe me dekta?" He whispers as he grips her hips with his hands.

"Is it working?" She asks as she pulls one of his hands between her legs.

He chuckles darkly as his hand move on its own. She let out a shaky breath as her hands grip the back of her hair.

"I'll make the arrangements after I'm done with you." He says before turning them around in bed. Her laugh echoes through the room.

He opens his eyes finding himself on the plane. Boris is now awake on his phone. He curses under his breath before walking and grabbing a flight attendant's hand. She looks down at him with fright.

"A drink." That is all he says.

She nods before she quickly walks away. Alexei pushes his hair back as he groans softly. How could he stop thinking about her when she's everywhere he goes?