Sophia Present day
Taking a peek at Maxim, I see his expression is unreadable. What is he thinking?
“And that’s how I met Luca.”
“How did you guys start dating?” Is he going to make me tell him everything?
“For a whole week straight, I would see him as I left the house and when I got back. No matter the time. He always knew. He would smile at me and keep walking.” I’ve always found that charming in a very creepy way and should have seen that as a red flag. If I got home at midnight, he would pass by. Knowing what I know about him now, someone tipped him off.
“On the last day of the week, I got home earlier than normal. I had lost my first patient, and I didn’t handle it well.” My heart still hurts when I think about that baby.
“When I got home, he was there, sitting on the steps waiting for me with roses. Something happened the moment our eyes met. I’m not sure what came over me. It could have been the loneliness, my state, or my attraction, but I ran to him and hugged him. He stayed with me, consoling me for the rest of the night, and never left.”
“Why did you guys break up?” Why does he want to know so much about my and Luca’s relationship? It’s a thing of the past.
“We dated for almost two years. The first year and a half were amazing. I couldn't be happier. We were planning to move into a bigger house. We talked about marriage. I loved him, at least at that time, I thought I did. I thought he loved me as well.” I feel tears forming behind my eyes. This is the part I didn’t want to talk about.
“One day, we were as close as anyone could get to perfection, and the next, we weren’t. For the last four months of our relationship, he would come home later than usual and smell of alcohol and other women’s perfume. I looked the other way because he was having a hard time, and I thought things would get better. But it didn't. He started to abuse me mentally. He would tell me how I let myself go, that I was gaining weight. He even went to the fridge and threw all the food out, so I wouldn’t be tempted to eat, and he wouldn’t get stuck with a fat pig of a wife.” Tears roll down my face.
“I’ve had issues with my weight my entire life. I’m a recovering anorexic, and him telling me those things sent me into a spiral. I wouldn't eat and started over-exercising. I was pushing my body. One day at work, I fainted from the lack of nutrition. My friend was worried about me and pushed me to get help. She knew something was wrong, but I kept fighting her. She won in the end, and I made an appointment to see a nutritionist to help me lose weight the correct way and a psychologist to talk about my problems.” Noticing Maxim’s fist is clenched so hard, I place my hand on him to calm him and give myself the courage to keep going.
“The day we broke up, I had planned to confront him. I waited for hours for him to get home. He got home around four in the morning, all bloody. I felt bad, helped him shower, and got ready for bed. When I took the items out of his pocket, I saw his phone. When I went through it, I couldn’t help myself, and the things I read broke the last unbroken piece of my heart. It’s one thing suspecting someone is cheating on you, but seeing actual proof is different.” The tears are falling faster at this point.
“I picked up all his belongings, put them in bags, and left them by the door. When he woke up, I told him to leave and that he and I were over. I remember him staring at me, not saying a word. When I was done and said all I had to say, he got his belongings and walked out the door and out of my life. I haven't seen him until today.” The look Maxim gives me shatters me. I break out into sobs. I’ve never told anyone the full story of Luca and me. I feel like a weight has been lifted. Maybe this will help me heal.
“You are the strongest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. I won’t pretend I’m not anything more than a villain, Sophia. But you never have to worry about me making you feel that way. You are the most precious person in my life, and I’ll spend every day putting all the broken pieces back together again.” He pulls me into his arms, and I bawl my eyes out.
“Let's go home.” I nod, and we make our way to the car and drive home, where he makes sweet love to me, and I forget about everything but his name.
* * *
I can’t believe it's Friday, the day before Elena and Andrei's wedding, and now It's time to get around to buying a dress. Work has kept me busy the last few days. I had said I wasn't going to go, but Maxim finally asked two nights ago. It’s hard to say no when he does that delicious thing with his tongue that drives me crazy. Heat starts to form in my lower stomach at the thought of his mouth. Stop it, Sophia, you’re at a store.
Looking through the racks, I find a few promising prospects. After trying on a few dresses, I may have found the one. It’s a black dress with a layer of lace and a slit on the right side. It also has red roses scattered throughout, flares out from the waist down, and the top is a heart-shaped corset with off-the-shoulder puffy sleeves. It’s stunning. I look around for accessories and go with a black rose choker and a pair of black pearl earrings. These items will pair perfectly with the dress.
After I pay, I walk back to work. This boutique is close enough that I don’t need my car. My phone pings, and a smile forms on my face when I see Maxim sent me a message. It’s the way these small gestures make me feel that I know I’m falling for him.
Maxim: Hello, krasavitsa.
He broke down the other day and told me that krasavitsa meant gorgeous after I told him I would start calling him barracuda if he kept calling me flounder. I felt very dumb for not figuring that out by myself.
Maxim: Did you find a dress?
Me: Yes, I did. I found the perfect dress.
Maxim: Where are my pictures?
I must look like a love-sick puppy making googly eyes at my phone by the way I’m smiling like a lunatic at his message.
Me: You'll see it in person.
Maxim: Must you ruin my fun? I’m positive you looked beautiful. You could wear a potato sack, and I would still find you the most beautiful woman.
Maxim: I can't wait to see it on you, but what I’m more excited to do is take it off.
This past week has been one of the best weeks I’ve had in a long time. Maxim makes me feel like it will all be okay. I might be starting to believe him.
Maxim calls me.