The Brother (Whip 5) ✔️

Chapter 9

SASHA

I take a big breath before stepping out of the plane, my hands shaking as I descend the steps.

I try to control my face, putting on a fake smile as we enter the airport and get in line for the passport control but I doubt that I succeeded judging by the look of concern that's gracing Mr. Lewis's face.

"Are you alright?" he asks as soon as we are done with the passport check and are getting our baggage, one of his hands gently touching mine for just a second before he quickly snatches it away.

I blink, then blink again, goosebumps spreading across the skin he has touched, and just for a moment, I forget my anxiety, before I shake my head to clear it.

"Yeah." I say since the man is looking at me, waiting for an answer.

"I'm just not a big fan of flying." I continue, praying to all the deities that he believes the blatant lie that has just come out of my mind since I'm really not in the mood for explaining my fucked up family dynamics and just why the thought of being in Russia after so long is making me feel sick to my stomach.

After all, the main reason why I dislike being back is closely connected to my brother, and it would feel like a betrayal if I talked to anyone about it, let alone my boss.

Mr. Lewis, thankfully, buys the excuse, nodding in understanding before turning away and leading us out of the airport and into the car waiting to take us to our hotel.

The ride is long and mostly quiet, my fault really, since any time Mr. Lewis tries to start up a conversation all I can manage is a word or two until the man eventually stops, that look of concern returning to his face, though, he says nothing.

I, on the other hand, just look through the window, my mind and my heart a mess as my eyes watch the once-familiar streets race by.

I feel so confused, at once both petrified and excited to be back in the place I've called home for so long. I have so many happy memories in Moscow, growing up with Misha, playing outside, going to school, and yet, all those memories are now eclipsed by what happened that October 2011, that I can't help but feel uneasy and ready to go home even though I just got here.

There is also the question of my parents, the fact that they are so close, and that if I only wanted I could be on their doorstep in a matter of an hour, laying heavily on my mind.

I miss my mother so much, our last time together branded into my memory, and any time I close my eyes, I can see her again, I can hear her sobs as I pack my things. I've been so angry then, learning what happened to Misha and blaming my parents for kicking him out, but most of all, at myself for not doing anything, for letting it happen, too scared to act.

"Sasha?"

I shake my head to clear it, the image of my mother dissipating as I turn around to see Mr. Lewis watching me expectantly.

"I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" I say, my cheeks growing warm as I look away.

"We have arrived." Mr. Lewis says, a frown appearing between his brows as he watches me, his lips parting slightly as if he wants to say more but thinks better and just smiles slightly.

"Oh." I say, turning around to see that we have indeed arrived at the hotel. "Okay." I say before getting out of the car and waiting for Mr. Lewis to do the same before following him into the hotel.

I need to get a grip, I think as he enters the hotel; this trip is too important to Mr. Lewis and I need to be on my A-game.

So, I shake myself out of my gloomy thoughts, resolute to not think about the past any longer as I follow my boss inside.