“Good. Go and get ready now. Alexei will be home soon,” she winked.
I rushed up the stairs, almost skipping towards the bedroom. She was right, of course. He would be home soon, and I wanted to surprise him and show him exactly how grateful I was.
And I knew exactly what dress I would wear to do it, a satin backless black number I had found in the closet. It was perfect whether he wanted to go out, a smile twitched my lips, or stay in.
I took a shower and got dressed quickly with my hair curled over my shoulder and my lips glossy. And I looked good. Even I could admit that. There was color in my cheeks now that had nothing to do with the blush on my face, and my eyes sparkled with new life.
Because I was happy, and now my sister had a chance at life. I wasn’t just happy, I was ecstatic, and it was all because of Alexei.
With one last look at my reflection, I draped myself on the chair opposite the door and waited.
I wanted the first thing he saw when he came in to be me.
Chapter Seventeen
Alexei
My arms were full of supplies, everything a budding artist could ever want, because that’s what Amy was. She hadn’t told me outright or asked me to get her anything, but she never did. That was because Amy wasn’t the kind of woman to ask for anything for herself.
She had a giving soul, and I was beginning to think my grandfather was right. She was a good match for me, the kind of woman I needed without even realizing it.
Dumping the bags into my driver’s arms, I found myself smiling. Being happy and content was sure a weird feeling for me. I wasn’t used to it. Up until this point, I had always just built a wall around myself and gotten on with things, but being with Amy these last few months had changed that.
She made me happy, so I wanted to make her happy in return, and I was hoping the art supplies would do that. I’d given her other gifts of course, like the diamond stud earring she had been wearing this morning, but they were almost unfeeling. I wanted to get her something personal, and I had a feeling the art supplies would do that. After all, I found her sketches all over the house, and she was pretty good.
“Where now, sir?”
I thought about it. More than anything, I wanted to go home and see my wife, especially after the message had sent her earlier. The one that would make her happier than any gift ever could.
I had made good on my promise and found her sister the heart she needed to live. The arrangements were already being made, and God, yes, I wanted to see my wife so badly it was like a dull ache in my chest.
“Home,” I said softly, catching my driver’s knowing smile. The whole world could clearly see how happy I was. Not that any of them said anything. Well, apart from Nikolai.
He liked to tell me at every given opportunity that he knew she would make me happy, and who could argue with him, because I was. Giddily. It was almost embarrassing. Maybe it would have been if I cared what other people thought about me.
“Yes, sir.” He moved towards the front of the car. Usually, I would drive myself, but I wanted to pick Amy up in style tonight, and that meant a chauffeur. I’d already booked the most sought-after restaurant in the city for us, one where the usual waiting list was over a year. She deserved that. Plus, I wanted to talk to her about our honeymoon and get an idea of places she had always wanted to visit.
After her sister was better, of course, I knew she wouldn’t leave until then. Still, we could plan. The thought made me pause. Was I really standing here in the middle of the street and planning a future with a woman that two months ago I couldn’t stand?
Oh, how times had changed.
“Actually, I need to speak to my grandfather first. Then home,” I said firmly, sliding into the back seat. It was late to visit him, but I knew the carers would let me in, and I wanted to run something by him before I went home.
There was no traffic, so we made good time. “Keep the engine running. I won’t be long,” I said to the driver and jogged into the building.
As always at this time of night, it was a hive of activity. The receptionist snapped her head up as I approached. “Mr Petroviov,” she saidin surprise. “We didn’t expect to see you today.” She flashed me a smile. “It’s very late.”
“I know.” My smile grew charming, which came so much easier to me now.” And I promise it will be a flying visit. I just wanted to say hello, really.”
Her face softened. “You’re one of the good ones. So many of our guests don’t get visitors at all. Nikolai is very lucky to have two.”
“He has a guest now?”
“Yes, go on through.” She waved me forward.
There was only one other person who would visit my grumpy old grandfather. She was the only woman alive capable of putting a smile on his face, and on mine as well, for that matter. Amy was here, which meant I got to see her an hour earlier. My heart skipped a beat as I pushed open my grandfather’s door.
It stuttered again and then stopped altogether as the woman sat at my grandfather’s bedside looked up and stood ever so slowly. I couldn’t help it, so I took her in, slim and dressed impeccably, her silvery blonde hair was secured at the neck in an elaborate twist. Not one single hair out of place.
