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Alina sighed and folded her arms. “I think this is all too much,” she answered as soon as the last words escaped her mother’s mouth. “She seems really nice. I like her.”
Elena clicked her tongue. “What did you say?”
Alina opened her mouth to respond.
“No, don’t answer that,” Elena said. “I don’t care if you like her or not. Don’t you get it? She’s playing us as much as we’re playing her. She came out of nowhere and stole what rightfully belongs to us. Why do I have to keep reminding you about that?”
“She doesn’t seem to be pretending. I think she’s being honest when she says she wants to help us.”
With another irritated hiss and a wave, Elena shook her head in disappointment. “You’re young . . . and stupid. I thought I raised you smarter, taught you about the world. I guess I failed you.”
“Mother!” Alina said.
Elena rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe you’ve been fooled by that act. What has gotten into you, Alina? Turn around, look at how we live. Do you really think a few thousand dollars will save us? Will that help you become a doctor? Wake up, will you!”
Alina mumbled something like a sulking child, but Elena could tell she was thinking it through.
Elena waited a moment for an answer, but when none came, she rolled her eyes and started walking away. Alina followed quickly. A sign that she was backing down—as always.
“I understand, Mom, I do. But maybe we can talk to her, make her see, and then we don’t have to—”
Elena twirled around, her eyes wide and filled with irritation. Trembling with anger, Elena grabbed Alina by her arm and shook her. “Stupid! Sometimes I wonder,” she said, her chest heaving. “Sometimes I wonder if you truly came out of my body, if you have truly suffered with me all these years.” She let go of Alina.
Alina, cheeks flushed and eyes wet, rubbed her arms in silence.
“How can you be so childish? The Americans are selfish. She’ll sit down with us and her lawyer, give us a few thousand dollars, and then feel like Mother Theresa herself, expecting us to fall to our knees before her.” Moving closer to Alina, Elena sighed. “Is that what you want? To miss our only chance at making it out of here?”
Alina’s lips shook and she started sobbing, her shoulders shaking as she closed her eyes to hold back the tears that seeped out anyway. Elena rolled her eyes and looked away. She swore under her breath but then softened her voice. “I’m only doing this for you, Alina. You’re all I have left. What kind of a mother would I be wanting anything less than the best for her daughter? I have to protect you. That’s my job.”
Running a thumb over Alina’s cheek, she rubbed off the thin trail of black eyeliner left by her tears. “I want you to go to school and fulfill your dream, be a doctor like you always wanted.” She smiled. “Remember how you always came to my side with that rope around your neck, playing doctor? I’ll never forget how happy you looked.” Elena patted Alina’s cheeks and looked away. “It’s not like anything bad will happen to Olivia; I can promise you that. I just need her to see that she’s not the rightful heir to the Rusu fortune.” She gave Alina a quick glance. “With a little persuasion, of course,” she said with a smirk. “A little scare, that’s it.”
Alina sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I’m sorry, Mom. You’re right.”
Elena held out her arms and welcomed Alina into her embrace. “That’s my girl.” She pulled away. “Now go in and start cooking dinner while I take a walk to the market and get more cigarettes for us. It won’t be long.”
Alina nodded.
Elena watched with lips pressed tight until Alina had gone inside. Once the door shut, she rushed behind the small wooden shed next to the house and pulled out her cellphone, glancing left and right before punching in some numbers.
The line beeped a few times before it clicked as the connection was made. The cracking voice of an old man came through the other end with a stiff “Hello?”
Elena looked around once more, then whispered loudly, “They are on their way.” That was all she said before she ended the call and let the phone slip back into her faux leopard coat’s pocket. Her lips spread into a thin smile as she rushed onto the path that led into town.
.
CHAPTER NINE
Christian took another glance at Olivia as he drove down the small country road. Destination: Magura Castle.
Fused into a lovely blue sky, the sun cast blinding rays that reflected off the dirty windshield. It was one of those pretty late afternoons. He turned again to Olivia, tempted to ask if she was enjoying the view. Her gaze was distant, her eyes moving around the mountains and sky. Who wouldn't love this view? Green hills popped up in the distance, patched with yellow cornfields and brown farm sheds. In the backdrop, huge mountains formed a wall of blue spanning across the horizon.
Christian smiled. This was Romania, and it was his home. He turned to Olivia; the tour guide in him couldn’t help himself. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
They passed through groves of trees with orange leaves brushing in the wind. Dark green bushes lay farther ahead like clumps of broccoli stacked together by some organized giant.
Olivia mumbled a yes with a slight nod.
Didn’t even bother to look at me. Christian focused back on the picturesque view, enchanted by nature’s various colors: the blue splashed against the green and orange tones. It almost looked fake, like a beautiful painting had been spread across the windshield. It made him think of their destination, of how much of a contrast that would be.
