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“It was a surprise for Katerina,” Alex says, resting a hand on my knee. “She didn’t know.”
“Wow.” Joanne makes big eyes. “That’s a biggie. Careful, Alex. You’ll win the boyfriend of the year award.”
He clears his throat. “How’s Ricky?”
“Busy. He has an exhibition coming up in the new year. We hope you’ll be there.”
“We’ll try our best to make it,” Alex says.
She turns her attention to me. “When are you planning on coming home?”
I glance at Alex.
“We’re playing it by ear,” he says. “Katerina has been working too hard. She’s taking a much-needed leave of absence.”
“Really?” Joanne says, not hiding her surprise. “And the hospital let you?”
“I was heading for burnout,” I say, cringing inwardly at the lie. “It was either granting me extended leave or accepting my resignation.”
She blinks. It’s the first she’s hearing of my supposed burnout. I can almost see the wheels turning in her head, the suspicions forming. But then she must decide I’ve simply been swept off my feet because she says with a sly smile, “I’m sure they don’t want to lose you. And you’re right. You deserve the break. What about Thanksgiving and Christmas? Will you be spending the holidays there?”
“We haven’t discussed that yet,” Alex says.
If she notices that he keeps his answers vague, she doesn’t comment. I’m guessing she’s decided we’re madly in love and doesn’t want to get in the way of that. Instead, she splays her hands and asks cheerfully, “So, are you having fun?”
Infusing my tone with as much excitement as I’m capable of, I tell her about the sights I’ve visited and the food I’ve tried.
Joanne grins. “You make it sound so beautiful. Russia is definitely going on my bucket list.”
“You and Ricky will have to come visit.” Alex draws patterns around my knee with his forefinger. “There’s plenty of room here for you to stay.”
Goosebumps run over my skin, making me shiver.
Her grin widens. “That’s very kind. We’ll definitely consider it.” Then she glances at something to the side and her face falls. “Oh, shoot, I have to go to a meeting. I’ll call you again soon.”
“Sure,” I say, already regretting having to say goodbye. “Don’t work too hard.”
“Send me more pictures.” She blows me a kiss before the screen goes black.
There’s a moment of silence, during which I process a strange sense of loss. A part of me already feels disconnected from my old life.
Alex closes the laptop.
“Thank you,” I say, keeping my tone upbeat. He has enough on his plate. He doesn’t need an emotional girlfriend too. It’s probably just PMS.
“You’re welcome, my love.”
We sit like that for a moment, neither of us saying anything.
“Would you like a cup of tea?” I ask to break the silence.
“No, thanks. I have to get back to work.” He stands. “I have to attend a function in a couple of weeks. It will be a formal affair. I’d like you to come.”
Igor’s words still ring clearly in my mind. “I don’t know, Alex. Do you think it’s a good idea?”
“I wouldn’t have suggested it if I thought it was a bad idea,” he says with a quirk of his lips.
I leave my untouched tea on the tray. “Maybe it’s best if I stay at home.”
He narrows his eyes, giving me one of those piercing looks that sees right into my soul. “It’ll send the wrong message if I go alone.”
“What message?”
“That I don’t respect you.”
I blink. “Why would people think that?”
“When a man keeps a woman in his house but doesn’t show her off in public, he’s telling the world what her place in his life is in no uncertain terms.”
“That she’s his mistress?”
“Exactly. You’re not a dirty secret I have to hide.”
“My reputation is hardly worth your life.” Or our lives, for that matter. “In general, do you have to go?”
He nods. “Not going will make me look like a coward. We can’t let our enemy think we’re scared. That’s what he wants. I’m having the gala venue secured. I’ll have men there before, during, and after the event. Besides, a lot of powerful government officials and private sector leaders will be attending. The security will be top notch.” When I don’t reply, he says, “Aside from the fact that I refuse to hide with my tail between my legs, my presence is imperative.”
My hands turn clammy as I think about everything that can happen at a public event. “Why? What do you mean?”
“I’m in the process of entering into a joint venture with a company that manufactures small, portable nuclear reactors. If the Russian government gives the green light to this technology, we’ll be able to provide clean, affordable energy to many of the outlying communities here and in the neighboring countries. This gala will bring together the key players in the energy sector and their decision-making government counterparts. If all goes well, it will speed up the approval of this technology.”
