Her Russian

Chapter 23-He's Wearing Me Down

Galina was so happy.  For the first time in a long time, when she smiled it felt real.  She still missed the hell out of Ilia and he was constantly on her mind.  

It was the weak moments when she would just sit and look at her phone, his number pulled up, and her finger hovering above the 'Dial' button, that she wanted to scream at herself.

She was on her third full week at Zoom and she was starting to get her regulars and finding a good routine for herself.

Galina also was resigned to the fact that Ilia was not going to have his men back off, so she started waving at them in the mornings when she'd leave for work and bring them coffee, just making sure they were taken care of.

About an hour into her shift, Tori yelled for Galina that she had a delivery.  She couldn't imagine who in the world would be sending her something and then she saw the man carrying peonies.

Should she take them?  Should she send them back?  Oh dear Lord!  Oh he was sly this one but she couldn't bring herself to take it out on the flowers so she accepted them, gave the delivery man a tip and took them inside.

Tori was standing over her shoulder.  "Oh my gosh those are beautiful!" she exclaimed.  "You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend!" she said.  "I don't" Galina said quietly.  The expression on Tori's face fell.  "I'm sorry Lina.  I didn't know" she replied.  "It's okay, Tor.  You couldn't have known" Galina told her friend.

As Tori walked away, Galina took the card from the envelope and began reading.  Congratulations on your new job.  I truly hope it gives you what you need right now and I hope I didn't overstep my bounds by sending you flowers but I saw them and thought of you.  Always Yours, Ilia

She couldn't help the emotional roller coaster going on inside her heart at this moment.  But his words were sweet and enduring, especially the ending where he said always yours.  Was she still his?  She was still at the point where she didn't know if she wanted to be his anymore.

She sat them on a shelf behind the counter that way she could enjoy seeing them and smelling them but right now, she needed to be courteous and gracious so she sent Ilia a text.

Me:  I just received the most beautiful arrangement of peonies and I didn't want the day to get away from me before I said thank you.  I hope you are doing well and having a great day.  G

She hit send but didn't expect anything back, especially right away.  He was probably at work or something, so she went back to work.

When she came out into the store from the back, Galina swallowed hard when she saw Ilia's mom sitting alone at one of their tables.  Taking a deep breath, she walked over to her table.

"Valeria, it's wonderful to see you" Galina said politely.  The dark haired woman looked up and smiled when she saw Galina standing in front of her.  "Galina my darling.  I didn't know you worked here" she said smiling.

The girl nodded and said "Starting my third week today."  Valeria looked around for a moment and then asked Galina if she was nearing her break time.

"I can take one, yeah" Galina responded.  She told Valeria to wait and she would let her boss know she was stepping outside.

"There's no one outside.  Would you like some coffee or tea and we can go out there?" Galina asked.  Ilia's mom said some tea would be the ticket.

After they were settled, Ilia's mom started the conversation.  "I know my son hurt you, Galina.  And for that I am truly sorry.  I normally stay out of things like this, but there is a whole underlying situation that you are not aware of.  Now having said that, it's Ilia's place to tell you.  He doesn't know that I'm here but I am asking you to please, just hear him out and give him another chance."

Galina set back and stared at the woman.  Her heart went out to her and she understood what she was asking of her, she just didn't know if she was ready for this yet.  

"Valeria, I understand what you are saying and I hear you but I walked in and found your son, half dressed, with a woman on his desk and it was not a good position for one to find themselves in.  Especially when I thought it was me he wanted and not my money" Galina found the words loathsome after they left her mouth.

"I need to be on my way" she said sadly, standing up.  Galina reached for her arm.  "I can't promise anything other than I will try, when I feel the time is right.  I will talk with him.  That's all."

Kissing her cheek, Valeria said that was all she could hope for, thanked the girl for listening and said she would see her soon.

The rest of the day went off without a hitch.  It was a steady stream of customers all day until it was closing time.  Galina had gathered a number of treats and coffee that would be thrown out and took them to Erik and Yuri.

"Hey guys" she said cheerfully, handing them the bag of goodies and coffee.  "Thanks Galina.  You are spoiling us" Yuri said laughing.  "I'm going to have to get a larger size belt" Erik added.  They made her laugh.  They were great guys and she really didn't mind them looking after her.

"It's going to be a little later than usual, closing up" she told them, starting to walk away.  "Galina, let us give you a ride home tonight.  It looks like rain plus it's later than normal and we don't want you walking."  This from Yuri.

She didn't argue but was grateful.  "That would be amazing guys.  I'll see you in a bit" she told them going back inside.

While getting the counters wiped down and things washed, dried and put away, her phone pinged.

Ilia:  Sorry for the lateness of my reply.  I was in meetings all day and had to see about some properties.  I'm really glad you liked the flowers.  I hope you are taking care of yourself and getting rest.  Maybe we could talk later?  I will leave that up to you.  Goodnight, my little kot.

Oh he was good.  Very, very good.  He was slowly breaking her down and rendering her defenseless.  She wanted to go back but now after everything she was scared.  Did she really want to put her heart out there again?

She had tomorrow off and knew exactly who to call that would give her good advice and would also let her know if she was just losing her mind or if this could actually work, again.  Maxim.  She would talk with him.