I open my mouth, unsure what to say next apart from, "Did you eat?"
"Yes."
She goes into her room without another word, closing the door quietly behind her.
I'm left staring at her door again. An hour passes and I’m half losing my mind. I can’t take it anymore. I'm at her door, fist raised, ready to knock. I let it hover in mid-air.
I've never apologized to anyone. At least, not for anything significant. I’ve never had to explain myself outside of Bratva business to the Pakhan and I definitely never had to ask anyone for forgiveness.
Yet here I am. Knocking on Nala’s door about to do just that.
"What is it?" She opens it halfway, her body blocking the entrance.
"Can we talk?"
She looks at me and for a second I think she's going to ignore me. Reluctantly, she opens the door wider, slowly with caution as if I'm now a threat.
"Do you need me to read something for you?"
"No."
"Then there’s nothing to talk about.” She starts to close the door.
"Pchyolka, please,” I beg, desperate now. “Let me talk to you."
She tightens her fingers around the door handle. "Don't call me that.”
"Why not?"
"You know why. It sounds like you care about me." She blinks once, then twice. "We both know you don't."
She pushes the door shut. I shoot out my hand, stopping it.
"I have some things to say. Just let me in."
She lets go of the door and wraps her arms around herself. "Fine. It's your apartment. I can't stop you."
"No,” I shake my head. “This is your room. I want you to tell me it's okay.”
She wrinkles her brows, squinting at me. "What's wrong with you?" Her eyes search my face. "You want my permission? Roman, this doesn't sound like you."
"I know."
I let out a long, low sigh, no longer trying to hide anything.
"I've been thinking,” I say. “I realize I’m not as smart as I think I am.”
She stares at me, one tooth nibbling at her bottom lip. Seconds pass, before she makes up her mind, stepping aside. "Alright. You can come in."
CHAPTER 15
NALA
"Tell me,” I say, folding my arms. “How you’re not so smart."
The door closes behind him. We stand a few feet apart, facing each other. Roman looks… off, almost nervous. I’ve never seen him like this.
"I shouldn’t have said those things to you this morning.”
