London Has Your Eyes

Chapter 31. Anton

Can I tell you how many times I've seen Sasha like this in all the years we've known each other? Zero! She had never been so broken. No matter what was going on, there was always a light of hope in her, and she was optimistic about things and looking for a way out. But now things are different. A fragile, defenceless woman with faded eyes. I want to hold her close to me and not let her go until a ray of sunshine returns to her.

I look at her in the car and clutch the steering wheel tightly. Bloody Englishman! Why, as soon as she is next to him, something happens that knocks her out of the rut?! What did she see in him? Smug little bastard.

Sasha's phone vibrates. I gently take it out of her hands. Daniel, who would doubt.

- She's flying away, - I answer the phone.

- What?! - he asks. His voice is clearly alarmed.

- What did you hear, she's about to go in for a landing. She's flying back to Russia to clean up the mess you idiots made, - I'm so angry at everything that's going on. Especially him.

- I still don't understand what happened. What is THERE in Russia that has knocked her out so much? I know you and I didn't really get along, but I never meant to hurt Alex. She is dear to me, - he mumbles.

- Really? Is that why you and your buddies spread the photos around? - I don't want to explain to him the complexity of the situation, I don't want him to ever appear next to her.

- It's just photos, what's the big deal? - he gets annoyed.

- It's a photo with you, asshole,- I growl into the phone.

- I don't get it. Does she have someone in Russia? Is that the whole point? – He asks his questions again. How I want to tell him that yes, and that he'll never get her, but I know women and their ability to forgive everything.

- She has, but not in the way you think. It's about her family. That's all I can say. I can't say anything else. If she didn't say it herself, then I'm sorry. It's none of my business.

- When is her departure? - He asks with hope in his voice. No, I won't give him any hope.

- In half an hour. You won't make it in time. And I don't think she'll want to talk to you. I've never seen her like this. You've somehow managed to find her weakness in one day. Leave her alone, - I cut it off.

- I don't...- He starts babbling back, but I hang up and erase the incoming call.

After a while, I dial Max's number. But he drops my call. Stubborn asshole. Olivia dials me herself.

- How are you doing there? - she asks. - Tomorrow's the wedding and I can't think of anything but Alex's story.

- I'm taking her to our place, I'll calm her down and change her tickets. We need to send her back to Moscow today.

- Is it that bad? – she sympathizes, my emotional girl.

- Max didn't even talk to me, although we have always communicated well with him. And Sasha... Pfft, she's out, - I sighed.

- You're not going to miss our wedding because of this, are you? - she asks.

- What? Of course not. Even if the world starts to fall apart, I'll crawl through the ruins to marry you. I love you, baby, - I assure the most beautiful woman.

- And I love you. Keep me informed, - she worries, I can hear it even over the phone.

- I'll tell you what. You go to bed now, get some rest for the both of us. I'll take care of it. I'll write you the most detailed message. You'll wake up in the morning and read it all. I want our wedding day to be the happiest day for you, baby, no matter what.

- You're a miracle. - She says and hangs up.

We get to my house. Sanya is still out, which is no surprise. I rake her in my arms and carry her into the flat. I put Sasha on the sofa, put a blanket over her, and go to get her tickets. I call the airline, scrolling the website. The next flight is in five hours. Great. She can get some rest, and so can I. I go to my bedroom and fall into bed, having set the alarm.

I'm woken by a sharp scream. Alex has woken up and is rushing around the apartment again. When the first fright wears off, I run downstairs. She's sitting on the sofa with her head down. Fell asleep again? No, I don't think so.

- I think I fell asleep,- she says. - What time is it? I'm good, huh? When it's time to deal with questions, I'm asleep. What's wrong with me?

- I'm all done, your flight's in three hours. So you're a little ahead of your alarm clock, - I reassured her. She doesn't look so good: red puffy eyes, tangled hair, and such a lost look.

- I'm sorry about last night. You have a wedding tomorrow, an important event. And here I am with my problems. I've taken all night, - she apologises.

- One more word in that vein, and something will come flying at you. Yeah? - I try to lighten the mood. Though I know it doesn't help much in this situation.

She smiles. It's not over yet.

- You're not changing. I need to get cleaned up. I can't go to the airport looking like this. Where's my phone? - she asks.

- In the kitchen, - I try to sound as neutral as possible.

- Did he call? - There's so much hope in her voice, it makes my heart ache.

- Max or Danny? - I clarify.

- Both.

- No, no one called, - I lie.

- Oh,- she drops her shoulders. - I'm going to take a shower.

While she is basking under the jets of water, I make us some coffee and make a light breakfast. It's like we're living together again. Memories come flooding back in a kaleidoscope. We were happy. Not everything was perfect, of course, but we were happy. And now I'm marrying Olivia, and she's shaking in tears. How could things have changed so much?

- I think I've come back to life a bit, - she says as she gets out of the shower. - Coffee? Thank you.

- You should get something to eat, and then we're off to the airport.

- All right, - she agrees. It's so simple, so familiar and so appealing.

As we drive to the airport, Sasha keeps glancing at her phone. But it stubbornly remains silent.

- Why doesn't he call? - Finally she asks.

- Who? Max? He won't even talk to me, so don't expect him to call now. He needs time to cool off, - Max's behaviour this time even bothers me.

- You're right. But I wasn't talking about him. I was talking about Daniel. He's been calling and texting me so persistently, and now he's quiet, - she wonders.

- I don't know what's on your Daniel's mind. But anyway, I wouldn't talk to him yet. If he's created this nightmare for you, let him sit on the bench. He brings you nothing but trouble, - I want her not to talk to him. I want him gone. Is that fair to her? I don't know. I just want to protect her.

- Anton...

- "Anton" what? Am I wrong? - I'm angry.

- I don't want to talk about it now. I just want to go to Moscow. As soon as possible. I'll deal with everything else later. Are you going on a honeymoon with Oli? - she changes the subject.

- Yes, but in a month. She's turning in a big project, it's the final stage. So we can't leave yet.

- Will you help me find a flat here? For me and Max. If all goes well, - her voice trembles in indecision, and she sighs heavily.

- Of course. He will come with you, I have no doubt. He loves you. Very much. And you know that. He'll calm down, you'll talk, and everything will work out, - I assure her. I'm sure it'll all work out. Max is not an idiot.

- That's all I dream about,- she says.

We arrive at the airport just before boarding begins. Alex apologises for the millionth time for the wedding, thanks for the millionth time for help, hugs for goodbye and hides in the security area.