Striving for Greatness: A Vladimir Chigvintsev Story

46

I walked into Maks suite to find him and mom there talking to the cops and telling them everything. When she saw me she stood up, walked over and hugged me tightly.

"How did you do?" She asked.

"Third place, but it doesn't matter. You matter, mom. How are we going to tell the others?"

"Honestly, I am too afraid to see them," She said, "I feel as though I have lost touch with my old reality. My son is standing before me as a young man instead of the boy I last put my arms around. It feels so strange. I don't know if I can handle seeing little Alek and especially Artem, who was my husband. I don't have it in me to love him the same way."

The officer left by the kept another posted outside of our door so that mom would be safe. Then Maks walked over to us, having heard the tail end of our conversation.

"You're worried about Artem seeing you.. Well I'm worried about Peta. How do I explain to my wife and children that the woman I love is alive. I can't even breathe knowing that you my marriage will now crumble."

"Don't you dare do that!" Mom told him, "Don't you dare lose your family because of me, I will see if my sons and Artem will have me. You can't love me. Peta is your wife and she's been through enough."

"I can't let you go ever again," he said, "I won't ever let you go. I will spend the rest of my life loving you and making this up to you." He gently pulled her even closer to him until his words were like fire against her neck. He planted a kiss against her neck and she cried.

Then Peta walked in. She stumbled across the doorway and dropped her things. Maddox was being carried by Val who followed behind Peta. Artem and Alek must have returned to their own suite along with the girls.

Mom broke away from Maks' hold on her and stood there in front of Peta and Peta reached out to feel if mom was real. She couldn't believe what was before her eyes. Val began asking a million questions as Peta just stood there in shock, grabbing her son and holding him tight.

I walked out of the room. I had to get Artem. But I wanted Alek to have alone time. So I grabbed them both and told them they would be very shocked but that everything that has happened would make sense.

"What is It? Is this why you ran off after the results? Is this about Maks?" He asked.

"Well, Maks and I were faced with the reality that mom has been alive all of these years and held in captivity against her will. She is right behind these doors," I said as I stood outside of the suite.

"Mom is dead." Alek said turning around to walk back down the hallway.

"Vlad, what is this about? You know your mother passed away when you were 10 years old." It seemed as though Artem was in pain.

I told them both to wait. I ran in the room and asked everyone to clear out to give some space. Maks stayed. I brought Alek and Artem in and they both stood there like statues.

Mom walked over to Alek and slowly placed her arms around him and kissed his forehead.

"You are so handsome," She cried.

"How?.." was all Artem could get out.

Mom let go of my brother and grabbed Artem. She put her arms around him and he grabbed her and held her tightly.

"It is you." He kissed her head.

We spent an hour sitting on the couch all discussing the events that happened 7 years ago. Then the Cops told us they have made an arrest. Because of mom escaping to find us, she was able to alert the authorities and get her captors behind bars while also freeing the other women that they had locked up.

After everyone got over the initial shock, we all were able to celebrate mom's life together. I couldn't help but notice that Mom and Maks couldn't keep their eyes off of eachother. I selfishly became happy. These two have always been destined to be together and now they have the chance. Peta will understand because I know she realizes the same thing I do. And how could she stay married to Maks knowing that he loves my mother?

I am excited for her to return to America and for us to all get over this hump and return to a normal, and happier life.

She is the reason I was striving for greatness and now I realize that it was just destiny. Because I aimed to get to Paris to compete and pushed myself as hard as I could, she was able to find us.