Going Up | ✓

Full Circle - (26)

Full Circle. 

I've never really believed in violence as a method for sorting things out or showing feelings, but the idea of killing someone - most particularly Ivan at this point - seems extremely appealing.

I freeze the moment the words tumble out of his lips, staring at him with wide eyes. 'What did you just say?'

He looks at me, determinedly holding my gaze, as though he knew I was going to react like this. 'I want you to meet my parents,' he reiterates.

I raise an eyebrow. 'When? Are you planning something with them for your birthday?'

It occurred to me last night as I lay in bed, awake long after he'd fallen asleep, that Ivan's birthday is on the 15th - now a mere four days away - and I have absolutely no idea what to get him.

He smiles lightly, but there's something flickering in his eyes, almost as though he's worried about what I'm going to say. 'Yes. We're having a big lunch today-'

'Excuse me?' I shriek loudly, my eyes widening in panic. 'Are you saying what I think you're saying?'

Amusement spreads across his face. 'Well, darling, that depends on what you think I'm saying, doesn't it?'

'This isn't the time for jokes,' I hiss vehemently. 'Are you trying to tell me that you're inviting me to meet your parents today?'

Ivan shrugs, seemingly at ease with the impromptu information he's just sprung on me. 'Yes.'

'Oh, I can't believe you,' I groan, putting my head in my hands and methodically massaging my scalp, trying to help myself calm down even the slightest bit. 'Please don't tell me they're actually already expecting me there.'

I'm met by a silence, which gives me all the answers that I need.

'Are - you - serious?' I punctuate each word with an albeit light punch to his shoulder. 'Are you honestly expecting me to turn up there when I've hardly got any clothes here without having made anything and oh my goodne-'

Ivan cuts me off by placing his hand over my mouth, shaking his head. 'Look, you look great in what you're wearing-' he ignores my scoff, '- but if you want, we can stop by your flat on the way there so you can get ready, all right? Oliver can change as well. As for making something, you're in luck, because there's a chocolate mousse I made the other day in the fridge.'

'You made a chocolate mousse?' I raise an eyebrow questioningly, momentarily forgetting my anger. 'Seriously?'

He scowls. 'Yes, I did. But come on, we've probably got to start thinking about getting going because knowing you, you're going to take forever to choose an outfit and to decide you look all right.'

I groan, shaking my head. 'I really don't want to do this,' I whine, wincing at the thought of meeting his family. I'd bet an arm and a leg that he told them about what happened with us recently and I seriously don't want to face them at the thought of them disapproving of me because of what happened.

Ivan stops, turning to me. 'Why not?' he murmurs quietly, rubbing his hands up and down my arms in a comforting gesture.

I sigh, glancing down at my hands. 'Because what if they don't like me?' I mumble. 'I don't know if they're going to approve of me, or whatever, and what if-'

'Ssshh,' he shifts closer, pulling me onto his lap. 'Don't say that,' he says softly. 'You're incredible, Poppy, and if they can't see that, then that's entirely their loss. They will like you, though, Lillian thought you were great the other day when she met you.'