Act Two

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" (1) *Доброе утро, Lilya. How is your hip doing?" Yakov speaks up once Lilia answers her phone. "Oh, good morning, Yasha. It is feeling better than the other day. Still bruised but it's not as sore now." The brunette hums on the other end. Yakov is happy to hear that Lilia is doing better. "I'm glad to hear that, Lilya. I hope you recover quickly. I feel so bad that you are injured and missing your practices." Lilia smiles softly as she listens to his calming voice. Something about it is so soothing. She wants to listen to it all day. "Again, thank you for helping me. I feel so bad for the trouble you went through just for me." Yakov waves it off. "I would cross the entire ocean for you, Lilya. You know that if you need anything, then tell me. I will do whatever it is that you need." Yakov loves taking care of Lilia. He would drop anything to be there for her, no matter the issue.

"I only wish you told me sooner so I could have done something about it then." Yakov brings up, leaning against the kitchen counter. He was curious if she had seen a doctor for it yet. He's always worrying about the people he cares for getting hurt. On the other hand, Lilia was not planning on it. She couldn't handle more bad news so she took care of it herself along with Yakov's help. "I'm sorry I did not mention it. I did not realize how bad it was until after you left." Lilia quietly sighs as she looks down at her hip. "That's okay. As long as you are healing then I don't mind. Next time, you better tell me though." Lilia chuckles lightly, nodding. "I will, I promise. I can't thank you enough for it. It means a lot. You... mean so much to me, it's..." Yakov is silent, listening and waiting for the woman to find the right words. "A treasure." Lilia's voice hushes to a whisper. Yakov can tell that his heart is swelling again along with the butterfly feeling. "Of course, Lilya."

The two chat for a while longer over the phone. Yakov has a lesson in an hour so he uses as much of his free time to talk with Lilia beforehand. "Yasha, before you go, can I ask you something?" Yakov looks up from the floor of his kitchen to gaze out the narrow window. "Sure. Anything, Lilya." Lilia clears her throat before starting. "Anna... forgive me for not remembering her name but what is going on now? I want to know what is happening between the both of you... and now me. Why did she approach me to tell a lie? Have you done anything about it?" The blonde purses his lips, thinking over the whole situation. "That... I have not seen her since then. I will talk to her about it and try to set it straight again. It seems that no matter what I tell her, it goes in one ear and out the other, unfortunately." He sighs, rubbing his temple. "I see. I don't know how close you two are, I don't want to step on anyone's toes. I only want to understand what this whole... thing is." "I understand, Lilya. I would be concerned too. I will pull her aside today when I see her. Trust me, I want this back to normal as much as you do."

Yakov has noticed that this only started once Lilia came into his life.

On the way to the rink, Lilia is the only one on his mind as usual. Ever since he spoke with his mother only a few days ago, things have been starting to make a bit more sense. For example, his mother said that Lilia must feel something towards him if she accepted the offer of being an official couple and being the one to kiss him first. Even without knowing for sure, at least he has the reassurance that Lilia is not using him for anything. Otherwise, it would be more obvious if she was. Yakov feels guilt for allowing Lilia to get injured on their date. The fact that she did not tell him right away also concerns him. It is in the past now and he can not change it. It is her right to tell him what she wants to share so he must respect that and he does. Along the line of injuries, Kira's often visited Mischa since her accident. Hopefully, she will be recovering soon and coming back to train before the end of the year. The man eventually makes it to the rink's parking lot and strolls inside with his skate bag. None of his students have arrived yet so he waits on getting ready.