“No, leave it for me to tell them. I’d rather do it in person. You just tell Matvei I am bringing a guest, but don’t tell him who or what. I don’t want them banging down my door before dinner.”
She bites at the inside of her cheek and studies my face for a moment. “Ok. But if you chicken out and don’t pitch up at the dinner… Iwilltell him.”
“That’s fair,” I agreed.
Raya leaves, slipping away as silently as she snuck in, and I breathe a sigh of relief that Selene didn’t walk in and find her here and all the awkwardness that would have caused.
I sit for a long time staring at the open door. For Selene to face the interrogation of my family… It’s a lot. It’s not something I want to put her through, but Raya is right. It’s not fair of me to put my family in danger that they don’t even know about. My stomach is tense with knotted anxiety. Selene and I haven’t been getting on. I guess that part is obvious, but something is simmering beneath the surface of it all, and I don’t know if I’m making it up in my head… stupid hope… naivety… who knows.
I guess getting my family’s outside, unbiased perspective will be good for me.
I just really hope that it is unbiased. I hope they don’t just throw her under the bus based on assumptions or over-precaution.
Huffing, I push away from my desk and go in search of Selene. I find her in her room, reading while the twins play at the foot of her bed.
“On Sunday, we have a dinner event,” I tell her when she looks up at me.
She raises her brows. “What dinner?” she asks, setting the book down and looking concerned.
“It’s dinner with my family, at Matvei’s home…”
“No, absolutely not, Simon. Not a chance. Your brothers will hate me before they have a chance to know me. My name alone is…”
“Calm down, Selene. I will make sure that…”
“Did you just tell me to calm down?” she snaps. I hesitate, pushing my lips closed. There is so much fury in her eyes that I realize that just the words “calm down”have tripled her resistance and made her the complete opposite of calm.
“Um, I, um… I meant… There isn’t anything to worry about. You’ll be with me. It’s a family event, so all the wives and kids will be there. I want my children to meet my family, Selene. This is important. My brothers will have questions for you, but at least it will be in a group setting, so it can’t get out of hand,” I explain as best I can.
She sighs softly and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. Giving in, her shoulders soften, and she quietly replies, “Alright. Family dinner it is, then.”
On Sunday, we arrive at five in the afternoon. I hesitate outside the massive doors of my brother’s mansion, my hand hovering over the doorknob.
I didn’t warn them in the slightest. I didn’t even give them a hint.
Once this door opens, it’s going to be a rush of mayhem and confusion for a moment before I can introduce them. After that… the confusion will probably only get worse.
I take a deep breath, and Selene glares at me. “Why are you nervous? I thought you said everything would be okay?” she asks under her breath.
“It will be. Sorry. I was just thinking.”
I grab the handle and open it, pushing the door wide.
Solenne doesn’t even hesitate. She bolts right inside, bursting through the open door and shouting hello as loud as she can.
Several faces turn towards her. Raya grins and kneels down. “You must be Solenne?” she says, holding out her arms.
Matvei walks towards us, his brows knotted. “Simon… welcome… who is…”
He gestures towards my guests.
“Matvei, this is Selene. And this is… our twins. My twins. My children.” I trip over my words. Matvei’s eyes shoot wide for a fraction of a second, then he composes himself again.
“Selene… the mysterious woman who disappeared five years ago?” he asks, his eyes lifted.
“The same,” I nod. My brother doesn’t know about the turmoil I have been through over the past five years searching for her. He doesn’t know how her leaving affected me. But he knows of her. He knows I was hurt when she left.
He takes her hand and shakes it. “It’s nice to meet you, Selene,” he says. It’s a little awkward, but Matvei doesn’t know everything yet. Matvei eyes the twins in disbelief. He’s about to drop down to greet them when Raya rushes forward withSofie and Athena and fusses over the kids and Selene. “Come on, let’s get you a drink. I have a feeling you are going to need it,” Raya says as friendly as ever. “And I’m sure these two little monsters want some marshmallows to roast on the fire with their cousins?”
