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“That’s actually not my fault.” he glanced out the window, observing some of the passersby that strode along the sidewalk. “Anton was raised with the whole code of honor thing and now he can’t stop being that way. I’ve asked him to call me by my real name several times but he does it only if it’s just the two of us”
“Huh, I see.” I looked out the window, my eyes searching for the man who was our current object of discussion. His response was vague, but I decided to let it slide. I was enjoying the moment too much.
The café was soon replaced by the dim glow of a cinema. We settled into our seats, the anticipation of the film’s beginning adding a sense of excitement to the air. As the comedy played out on the screen, we were laughing like teenagers. The sound of his laughter was intoxicating, a melody that resonated within me. For the first time in so long I felt completely at ease. Especially, when Ivan used any chance he got to sneak a kiss or cop a feel.
As the credits rolled and the lights came up, Ivan turned to me, a genuine smile on his lips. “I haven’t had this much fun in years,” he admitted.
“Who knew the ever so serious Ivan could actually enjoy a comedy?” I teased, my words laced with a playful edge.
“What can I say? I suppose even the most formidable of us have our moments,” he replied, his tone light. It looked like he allowed himself to let go and embrace the lightheartedness of the evening.
I chuckled to this and headed toward the exit. Ivan followed me, placing a possessive hand on the small of my back. A zing coursed through me. I was on the verge of jumping him when he whispered, “I have a surprise location for you,” a mischievous glint in his eyes. Before I could react, he led me toward the waiting car, my hand tucked into his.
The journey was a symphony of silence, the soft hum of the car’s engine a backdrop to my relentless curiosity. Each turn of the road, each passing building, seemed to hold the key to our destination. I was a captive audience, trapped within my own intrigue, and Ivan reveled in it.
The drive was short, yet every second felt like an eternity as we ventured into the unknown, and I couldn’t help but steal glances at Ivan, hoping to get a hint or something.
As we arrived at our destination, the scene bathed in the soft glow of the night, I realized that this was a defining moment.
Abruptly, the car shuddered to a halt, and my heart skipped a beat. The suddenness of the stop caught me off guard, leaving me momentarily disoriented. Ivan’s hand found mine once again, his grip steady as he led me out of the car and into the embrace of a new realm.
Before us stood a grand bookstore, its façade illuminated by the soft, golden light that spilled onto the sidewalk. I gasped, a rush of excitement flooding my veins as I turned to face Ivan. The starstruck expression on my face mirrored the awe that gripped me. He stood there, a smug smirk playing at the corners of his lips, his eyes sparkling with satisfaction.
“Since I knew you were a lover of books,” he began, his voice a low, velvety whisper that sent shivers down my spine. “But I always found it difficult to know exactly what kind you would like or if you had already read them, I decided to bring you here myself.”
My heart swelled with sheer elation and without a second thought, I wrapped my arms around him, my voice filled with genuine appreciation. “Thank you, Ivan,” I murmured, the words carrying a weight far greater than their syllables.
We stepped into the bookstore, and I felt as though I had crossed the threshold into a realm of endless possibilities. Shelves upon shelves stretched before me, each one a treasure trove of knowledge and imagination.
My fingers danced across the spines, trailing over titles that spoke of adventures yet to be had. Ivan’s presence lingered behind me, a silent guardian of this new chapter. I gathered an assortment of Japanese novels, my heart racing with the anticipation of the worlds that awaited me within their pages.
As I moved through the aisles, a thought brushed against my mind like a fleeting whisper. I reached for a collection of colorful picture books, each one a promise of shared moments and whispered tales. It wasn't too early to get some books for our child. I was going to indoctrinate them into the beautiful world of words.
Turning to Ivan, I found his gaze fixed on me, his eyes tracing the contours of my features with a quiet intensity. His presence felt like an anchor, grounding me amidst the sea of possibilities that surrounded us. My hand instinctively found its way to my belly, a tender gesture that connected me to the life growing within.
With a warm smile, Ivan nodded in approval, his demeanor a blend of calm assurance and genuine interest. By the time we emerged from the bookstore, the sun had surrendered its throne to the night sky, and the cityscape had transformed into a canvas of twinkling lights. I suggested a leisurely stroll through the park, the notion of an evening saunter imbuing the familiar surroundings with an aura of novelty.
Our steps echoed through the quiet park, the sound punctuated by snippets of conversation that flowed effortlessly between us.
We eventually settled on a wooden bench, the weight of our shared history and unspoken emotions settling between us. Silence enveloped us like a cocoon, the world around us fading into insignificance as we sat in each other’s company.
A subtle shift in the air signaled a change, and I turned to find Ivan’s gaze fixed on me. His proximity was both unnerving and exhilarating, the tension between us a palpable force. Slowly, he drew closer, his presence a magnetic pull that defied reason. My heart raced, the anticipation of the impending kiss electrifying the atmosphere.
But just as the tension reached its crescendo, the moment shattered. Ivan’s phone rang, the intrusive sound cutting through the delicate thread that had woven itself between us. We shared a rueful smile, the momentary disappointment giving way to a sense of shared understanding.
He picked up the phone and I watched as his face slowly morphed from one of concern to complete shock and finally rage.
"What the fuck do you mean by that, Anton?" He barked. I shrank in fear as I wondered what could've happened to cause such a change.
"Fuck!" He yelled and cut the call before turning to me with a panicked look, "Audrey, we need to leave. We need to leave right now! It's not safe."
Chapter 20 - Ivan
"Boss, I just got word that there's been several attacks on multiple of our warehouses across the city. Reports say it's the Bianchis," Anton informed me.
"What the fuck do you mean by that, Anton? That's impossible," I whispered, "Their organization is scattered. Their Don and all of their capos were wiped out that night, so how the hell is there a coordinated attack against us?"
"I don't know, Boss, but I'm afraid it's something we'll have to deal with now."
