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“Thank you. I just… this is all so intense. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I don’t know if I should try to join the family business or if I should go to school. There are so many major life things happening right now, but I have the best support system behind me.” I’m fighting back tears. I have never felt more loved and appreciated by my family than I do at this moment.
“Shit, I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m so sorry.”
I shake my head. “No, you’re not upsetting me. It’s just nice to know that I belong here. For the first time in my life, I actually feel like I belong. I feel like an Umarova, and you all have welcomed me in such an amazing way. I adore you all. You’re even better than I could have imagined.”
Out of nowhere, my phone starts ringing, and Emily goes quiet. I don’t recognize the number calling me, but I still decide to answer it. “Hello,” I say with a shaky voice.
“Xava?” a deep, heavy Greek accent greets me. “Is something the matter?”
“A-Ambros?” I stutter out his name, completely taken aback that he’s calling me right now.
“Yes. You haven’t answered my question. Are you all right?”
“Yes, I am. Um, how did you… how did you get my number?” I left him a note, but I specifically remember not leaving him any of my contact information and regretting it. Hell, I’ve been regretting it so badly today.
“I have my ways.” Ambros chuckles, and I can pretty much imagine how his nose is crinkling, and the lines around his lips are indented.
“I’m glad you called, but would it be possible for me to call you back in a couple of hours? I’m out looking at apartments with my cousin’s wife.” Ambros doesn’t know who my family really is to me, and I’m not sure if I’m going to tell him. Maybe one day he’ll deserve to know the truth, but if it’s just this surface-level thing between us, then I’m not going to tell him.
Emily is mouthing “Who is that?” to me, and I mouth back, “Ambros”. She raises her brows and then smiles brightly at me.
“Of course. I’ll be waiting for your call. Have a good day out.”
“I can’t wait to call you later. Talk to you soon, bye.” I hang up the phone, and Emily begins laughing so hard.
“What?” I say.
“I can’t wait to call you later. Xava, you didn’t leave any wondering. He knows you like him now.” I didn’t even realize I said it, but what the hell. I’m pretty damn certain Ambros knew I liked him the day of her wedding.
“Come on and show me these other places, okay?” I walk out of the bedroom, and Emily continues cackling behind me. She’s really getting some good old-fashioned enjoyment out of this. I don’t mind. I’m just stuck wondering why Ambros even went as far as he did to get my number.
Has he been thinking about me too?
Chapter Nine
Ambros
I don’t have any jobs lined up for the next couple of days, and while I could stay in Mykonos and enjoy the beauty of the city… I’ve decided I need a change of scenery. Typically, I leave so I can enjoy some peace and quiet away from my family. While that’s in order, I desperately need to see Xava again.
I called her yesterday out of the blue. I had gotten her number from a friend who, in no time, discovered her phone line was on the same plan as Ruslan’s. I keep wondering what she is to him because, for cousins, it seems like he has a very close protective barrier around her. I remember the way he looked at me the night of the wedding. Almost the same way a powerful mafia father would look at a man pursuing his daughter. She told me they were cousins, but could they be more? Is Ruslan old enough to be Xava’s father? He would have been young, yet it’s possible.
She was out looking at apartments with Emily, so she called me a couple of hours later when she got home. We were on the phone for four whole hours. I don’t think I’ve been on the phone with anyone for that long, yet talking to her felt so relaxing. I don’t even like being on the phone. With Xava, though, I could imagine talking to her for hours, maybe even days. There’s this innocence about her that is really hard to find in this day and age.
I’m now in Grozny, waiting to meet Xava. I had my private plane fly into a smaller airport out of the city, and I’m staying at one of the most prestigious hotels in Grozny. It’s called Grozny City Hotel and is located in the city center. A newer, recently updated high-rise with elegant dining and a fully working spa. I’ve rented out the executive suite for a few days while I’m here.
I have to admit, I’m impressed by how well the suite is decorated. It’s nothing too fancy, a studio suite, yet it still has luxurious embellishments. I figured I didn’t need a massive suite since I’m likely only going to be here for a short while. It’s not like I’m going to spend much time here anyway, besides sleeping and getting ready for the day.
There are large floor-to-ceiling windows on my left at the end of the room. The floor is covered in a plush cream-colored carpet, which seems to be impeccably cleaned. Not one stain mars it, with not one part where it isn’t the same tone. Bright red velvet curtains hang from each of the windows in the room, and the same tone is carried over onto the comforter of the bed. Gold designs and accents are scattered around the room. There’s a small vase on the night table beside the bed, and the comforter has bits of gold threadwork running throughout it. Not to mention, the pillows on the couch are the same red as the comforter and the curtains. Overall, this suite has a very comfortable yet historic vibe to it.
I glance down at my phone and anticipate that Xava should be here any moment.
Xava and I made plans to go out to eat, so we’re going to a newer restaurant that’s on the outskirts of the city center. It’s closer to what I’d call a suburban area, but Xava called it a private sector.
I asked Xava to meet me here, and she confirmed she would. Her driver, Rolando, is going to be taking us to dinner, but I’m really hoping to have her come back here tonight. In all honesty, I’m craving it. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her since the night of Emily and Lom’s wedding.
My phone vibrates in my hand, and I smile the second I see her name.
Xava
