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“It’s nice to know you’ve picked something you’re passionate about,” Vik added, always more willing to show his support than Yaro. “Have you picked a school yet?”
Nodding, I smiled at them both. “I have. I’ll have you know, I’ll be staying right here in the city. I’ve already been in contact with the university, and there’s room for me in the fall semester.”
While he had been resistant to the idea initially, Yaro seemed to come around. “At least we’ll finally be able to keep an eye on you.”
“I knew that part would earn me your blessing,” I chided, sipping the vintage slowly.
They both chuckled at that as Yaro shook his head.
“Knowing your track record when it comes to not letting us know where you are until after the fact, this will be a blessing,” Yaro murmured, wearing his previous exhaustion on his face. “You’ve given me enough stress for a lifetime.”
“You’re always exaggerating,” I returned, ignoring his usual nagging. “But yes, I’ll be close to home, and you won’t need to worry about me. Everything will be grand.”
“I’m sure Bianca will be glad to hear it,” Vik said, sounding more encouraging. “Plus, you have a niece and nephew that will love to see more of you too.”
“And I’ll be over as much as I can be. Just promise me you won’t try and fill me in on everything work-related,” I mumbled, tired of being swept into their world despite how I never wished to be.
“No promises,” Yaro murmured.
“We’ll keep business-talk at a minimum. I don’t want the kids hearing anything until they’re older,” Vik confirmed, giving our eldest brother a look, to which he only shrugged and sipped his whiskey.
“Good. I’m ready for something new. Something of my own.”
“And what happens to your studies when you find some rich European diplomat to run away with?” Yaro questioned with a cocked brow.
Europe. The reminder left a bitter taste in my mouth.
I had my connecting flight there, and while I hadn't expected anything of extravagance to happen before I even reached Africa, I had been pleasantly surprised.
The hotel I was staying at had a decent bar, and rather than rotting away in my room, I decided to check it out. It didn’t take long for an attractive stranger with a Russian accent to join me. He offered to buy me a drink, and we talked for some time. Even more surprisingly, we connected really well, and it was nice to have such a genuine conversation.
One thing led to another, and I found myself hooking up with him. The sex was just as good as the conversation, and despite my habits, I found myself hoping for another opportunity to see him.
By some strange coincidence, he happened to be from New York. I assumed that would be my chance. I asked if I might see him again after my trip for a date and to reconnect, but it didn’t go how I had expected.
He told me he would’ve agreed if things had been different, but his work was dangerous, and he didn’t want to pull me into the middle of it. Despite being interested in me, he wouldn’t risk it. He refused, and we ended up going our separate ways.
It stung more than I cared to admit, and I went through with the trip anyway, trying my best to forget about him.
I had done well enough, until Yaro’s mention of it. The memory soured, and I silently urged myself to drop it. To forget about the stranger and our time together, regardless of how amazing it had been.
It left me feeling surprisingly hollow, but I knew I couldn’t dwell on it.
My trip to Africa taught me there were bigger problems to have, and it put mine into perspective. In the grand scheme of things, being rejected was insignificant.
Remembering myself, I pulled a tight-lipped smile and shrugged. “If that happens, then I guess I’ll transfer to Oxford or something. I’m serious about this.”
“Regardless,” Vik began, lifting his glass as he attempted to steer the conversation in a new direction. “We’re both proud of you for embarking on this new journey. I’m sure you’ll do just fine. Here’s to you, Anastasia.”
“That’s soon-to-be Doctor Levov, to you,” I said, gently clinking my glass against theirs with a genuine smile. “And thank you. I can’t wait to get started.”
“No matter how you plan to do it, you were born to change the world,” Yaro said, softening with his support. “We’ll be with you all the way.”
Warmed by their words, I couldn’t help but feel like I was finally on the right path.
Even if I had been burned at the beginning of the trip, going to Africa changed the trajectory of my life, and I was prepared to take that leap of faith.
No matter how difficult med school may be, I was determined to focus on my studies and my new goals. I couldn’t coast on my family’s name forever, and it was time to make a change for the better.
