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Ivan shrugs, taking a swig of his drink. "Oh, you know. Same old, same old."
He pauses, glancing around the ballroom. "I gotta admit though, I'm kinda glad this is it - the last event and all. Won't have to keep coming around campus anymore."
I raise an eyebrow. "Oh? Won't you miss it at all?"
Ivan shakes his head. Then, he leans in closer, lowering his voice. "Truth is, it'll be a relief not seeing Martha so much anymore."
This admission takes me by surprise. I knew Martha has flirted with Ivan a lot, but I didn't know he was so conflicted about it.
"What's going on there?" I ask. "I thought you didn't like her?"
"I do, that's the problem. But nothing can happen there." Ivan sighs, looking uncomfortable. "You know I'm promised to someone else. Martha is too much of a temptation."
I laugh and give Ivan a playful nudge with my elbow. "Never thought I'd see the day when a woman left you this flustered, cousin."
Ivan glares at me, his face reddening slightly. "It's not funny."
"Oh, come on," I say. "Martha's just a pretty girl having fun. Can you blame her for being drawn to a handsome eligible bachelor like yourself?"
Ivan rolls his eyes. "You know the family won't approve if anything happens with her."
Sipping my drink, I reply more seriously, "You're right, they likely wouldn't. But who's to say they ever need to find out?"
Ivan shakes his head firmly. "Doesn't matter. Forget I ever said anything about it."
"No one's saying you should marry the girl," I point out. "Just have a little fun before your arranged marriage. Blow off some steam."
"That's easy for you to say, you have no idea how hard it is. Martha's not one to take a hint. Easier to do my duty if I’m away," Ivan retorts. "You somehow got lucky and married for love. The rest of us don't have that luxury."
"Well, I can't argue with that. Although I did actually give up my family and my planned future to get it."
I chuckle and pat Ivan on the back again. "Well, congrats on making it through university with your virtue intact."
We share a laugh as Ivan relaxes.
I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see a text from my brother Aleksandr saying he's arrived at the hotel.
I weave through the crowd, scanning for Sara. She's by the dance floor with Martha and some other girls from her program. Her face lights up when she sees me approaching.
"Sara, my brother is here. I want you to meet him," I say, taking her hand.
She smiles brightly. "Oh wonderful! I can't wait."
We make our way through the crowded hall towards the lobby. I feel a twinge of sadness thinking about Aleksandr. He just turned nineteen and he will now be taking over more responsibility in the family business. My decision is about to turn his life around.
Pushing open the ornate glass doors, I immediately spot Aleksandr waiting by the concierge desk. Aleksandr turns and nods at me as Sara and I approach.
"Brother."
"I'm glad you could make it."
I take a step back and gesture to Sara beside me. "Aleksandr, I'd like you to meet my wife, Sara."
Sara beams, her grey eyes sparkling. "It's wonderful to finally meet you, Aleksandr. Dimitri has told me so much about you."
"The pleasure is mine," Aleksandr says formally, extending his hand.
But Sara steps forward and wraps her arms around him in an enthusiastic hug. Aleksandr stands there awkwardly, his outstretched hand hovering in the air behind Sara's back. His eyes meet mine over her shoulder, widening in surprise.
