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It’s not a ring, it’s not a ring, it’s not a ring…
It’s a ring. It takes my breath away. It’s an elegant masterpiece, a broad white-gold band set with three rows of diamonds. With tears in my eyes, I set the box down and try to understand what this gift means.
“Vadim…” I whisper, lost for words.
“Look inside,” he says, handing me the box.
I try to remember how to breathe, then take the ring out. On the inside, I discover a delicately engraved inscription:
You + Me + 1,000
“Plus one thousand?” I ask, struggling to get the words out.
“A thousand years. That’s how long I’m going to love you.”
He no longer looks proud or arrogant. There’s something vulnerable and childlike in his eyes. Something deeply sincere.
His declaration draws a sob from me. I want to throw myself into his arms, but I’m too overwhelmed to move.
“Put it on.”
I do as he says. It fits me perfectly. Vadim tells me that it’s a unique piece designed and made just for me—which makes it even more precious in my eyes.
“Now we’re even,” he says, glancing at the watch gleaming on his wrist.
He leans forward to kiss my neck.
“‘You + Me’ will be with us wherever we go.”
His words, beautiful as they are, make my heart ache. This ring is a magnificent proof of love—not a marriage proposal.
***
I am about to fall asleep when my phone buzzes on the nightstand. I grab it, taking care not to wake Vadim, and successfully unlock the screen after a few clumsy failed attempts. A text message appears:
[Unknown number
He’s mine.]
Exactly like the last time. Unknown number, no indication of who sent it. This time, I decide to tell Vadim. He groans when I shake him lightly.
“Sleep, Alma…”
He pulls me against him and wraps me in the comforter.
“Vadim, it’s serious.”
My sleeping Adonis grumbles something incomprehensible, then finally sits up.
“Read this. It’s the second one I’ve received.”
He frowns as he reads the message, then seems to think for a few seconds, before tossing my phone onto the rug.
“What? You’ve got nothing to say about it?”
He stretches his long limbs, then lies back down.
“It’s the press, Alma. Some asshole journalist trying to goad you into talking. Go back to sleep.”
