I was the old lover, too pathetic to let go of the past, or she was a woman who had no problem sleeping with me while her husband was away.
Closing the folder, I stood up and gave the fucking house one more glance. “You like it?”
Michael snorted at my question, while snapping a few pics on his phone. “Like it? Fucking love it! Too bad me and Vi—” He stopped before saying too much and then cleared his throat. “Too bad I can’t afford it for now.” The cover up was so lame, but I wouldn't comment on that. Did he think I had no idea about his relationship with Vitya?
I got inside the car, opened my window, and shouted, “Hey, Michael.” He turned around and lifted his chin. I threw the keys at him, and he caught them easily. “The house is yours.”
“What?” His voice was laced with shock as he shook his head. “Radmir, it’s too—” Not bothering to listen to his reply, I drove back to headquarters, ignoring the images of pure joy on Vivian’s face when her eyes first saw it.
“You bought this for us?” she asked with wonder as she swirled on the porch, her eyes shining brightly at the beauty. All I could focus on was how fucking perfect she was with her flowery, white dress as her dark locks swayed back in the light breeze. Her lips dark red, swollen from our deep kisses.
“It’s our home, baby.”
“You are crazy, Russian,” she said, then dashed toward me. I had just enough time to brace myself as she jumped on me, wrapping her arms and legs around me. “But I love you anyway.” Caressing her cheek, I placed a soft kiss on her hair.
“You do? It’s good that I bought this house, then.”
She leaned back, palming my head. “The best idea ever. We will start a life here.”
Her last words accompanied me as I drove farther and farther away from the place that was supposed to be heaven on earth for us.
July 2017
Houston, Texas
Vivian
“Let’s drink a toast to my daughter and future son-in-law!” Dad said loudly. The people around him cheered as the “happy couple” gave in to a passionate kiss in the wide-spaced dining room where my family held important or high-society gatherings. Tina, my sister and the future bride, tilted her head back and laughed as her fiancé, John, trailed a few kisses down her neck, holding her just inches away from the floor in a movie-like dip. He brought them up, swirled her in a circle, and she wrapped her arms around him, sighing happily.
A bittersweet smile appeared on my face, but to cover it up from the media, I raised the champagne glass higher and took another sip, praying no one would notice it had been my second for the night. Although it wasn't a lot, it sure as hell would create unwanted attention and the press would start claiming Alex and I had marital problems or some other idiotic excuses. With six years of experience in the business, I couldn't call this a marriage, I had merely learned to survive with the sharks. As long as you gave them something, they would leave you alone.
Drinking during social gatherings didn't make me feel better about the situation, but it sure helped to keep the pretense alive and well.
“Oh, they are perfect for each other.” My mom sighed, her eyes misty with tears she wiped away with a tissue. “Who would have thought?”
“Yes, they sure are.” They gave me hope that some members of my family could find happiness and actually hold on to it without fear of it being torn away.
Mother furrowed her brow, which was impressive considering all the Botox and plastic surgeries she had through the years. Although in her mid-sixties, she didn't look a day older than fifty with her shoulder-length blonde hair, sky blue eyes, and fit body, which she took care of religiously. The only wrinkles on her flawless, tanned skin were those in the corners of her eyes from all the laughing and smiling she did.
Too bad they were all fake.
“Vi—” she started worriedly, but thanks to freaking God, before she could dwell on it, we were interrupted by a bouncing Tina, who almost knocked me on my ass from the fierce hug she gave me.
“Vivian!” Her orchid scent washed over me, while her bony arms dug into my skin painfully, not to mention how my neck hurt from looking upward so I could hold her gaze. Considering she was almost six feet tall to my five foot three, it happened a lot, but with her five-inch heels, I felt the strain. “Look at my ring.” She extended her hand in front of her, giving me a good view of the magnificent three-carat diamond ring, a princess cut by Tiffany’s. The light from the chandelier above us reflected in it, almost mesmerizing the person who gazed into it. It looked exceptionally elegant on her long, manicured finger.
Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I said, “It’s very beautiful.” Unintentionally, my thumb brushed over the stone as it reminded me of another ring.
Only the other ring had sapphires surrounded by white diamonds.
John joined Tina, wrapping his hand around her waist, and my eyes clashed with his in a long stare. I hoped he read in them that if he ever dared to hurt my sister, the consequences would be severe. He chuckled and nodded, acknowledging my threat.
“Don’t worry, Vi.” He brought her closer to him while gazing lovingly at her. “I’ll take care of her. I know how important she is to you.”
Tina rolled her eyes, while catching the waiter with drinks. “Umm… hello there? I’m not a child.” Then someone called them, and with apologies, they left to tend to other guests.
John and Tina had met in Paris a year ago, where he fell in love instantly and tried everything he could to get her attention. After the disaster she experienced with her first husband, who was the male version of gold-digger, Tina swore off marriage and kept refusing him. The guy did everything he could: expensive dinners, romantic surprises, gifts, attention. She finally caved when he took care of her when she was sick for an entire two weeks. Tina claimed that if the sight of her all red with a runny nose didn't scare him off, nothing would.
It probably helped he had inherited a fortune from his family, so he didn't need her money.
