“You don’t have to act like something you’re not,” she says, forcing me to look at her again.
“You don’t like what I am, and I don’t like you not liking me. So this change is necessary for survival.”
“It’s not that…” She stops, then adds, “I think I should leave.” She turns away.
I call after her. “If you don’t finish that sentence, I’ll assume you meantit’s not that I don’t like you.”
She pauses for a second, then sprints away. I look down at the steaming bowl with a grin.
Now I’m feeling emotions like a teenager again—heart racing, butterflies and all.
chapter 36
Matleon
I see a missed call from Dad when I come out of the bathroom. I walk into the closet while calling him back.
“What did you do?” he asks without preamble.
“About?”
“With Iselyn.”
“I’ve done a lot of things,” I say dryly, “but I’m pretty sure you’re not interested in your son’s sex life. So I’m guessing Damir Mikhailov complained that I hurt his daughter.”
“Yes.”
“We’re figuring out our relationship, Dad.”
“Keep doing that. But right now, Damir is furious with you. He called to tell me he’ll only send his daughter back with you if you can assure him she’ll live happily.”
“And how exactly am I supposed to do that?”
“I don’t know. But whatever he puts on your plate, you deal with it without losing your temper. Going against the father of the woman you love never ends well.”
I chuckle as I pull on a black half-sleeve T-shirt. “Personal experience speaking.”
“Yes. And Damir is still better than your mother’s father. At least he isn’t trying to marry her off to someone else.”
I laugh. “Dad, don’t you think it’s funny? The man Grandpa wanted Mom to marry is now your son’s father-in-law.”
“Don’t laugh about it.”
I laugh harder. Dad hates talking about that time.
“Bye,” I say, still chuckling. He cuts the call.
I step out of the closet and catch my reflection in the mirror. I’ve got a woman to impress, good looks will definitely help. I look much better after actually sleeping last night. All thanks to my angel.The thought of herbrings a smile to my lips and a flutter to my gut. I rub my stomach. I need to feed these butterflies before they die again.
And breakfast will be with the Mikhailovs. Mother-in-law asked me to eat all three meals with them, but I haven’t received any call from her yet. That means breakfast isn’t ready. Which also means I should get there as soon as possible.
I enter the house quietly since the door is already open. In the kitchen, mother-in-law is talking to a woman who looks like the cook.
She looks up when I step inside with slow, steady steps and gives me a bright smile. I return it with my most charming one.
“Come, sit here. Breakfast is almost ready.”
“It’s okay. I’ll wait outside,” I say innocently, glancing toward the stairs. “Mr. Mikhailov will be angry if he sees me here.”
