Previously: Long time ago, Slovakia (Eva) used to have a big crush on Lithuania. Convinced her feelings are one-sided, she left Russia's house to live with Czechia (Hynek). Shortly after, she puts their convenience marriage to an end.

Years later, she meets equally shy Canada. Just when things are about to get serious, their relationship suffers an undesired break. Once the couple reunites, they don't feel the same way anymore. Toris does his best to help Eva out of the dead-end relationship. All his attention frustrates her beyond words, but eventually, she and Matthew break up.

Come on, Eva, you can do this. You can do anything if you put your mind to it.

Except that my mind is what I'm slowly going out of, she observed.

It had been months since the Slovak broke up with her boyfriend. She didn't really mourn, she'd already gone through that suffering part while officially still in a relationship. They were steadily drifting apart for some time and ending it was just a coup de grace, even though it took all their courage.

Maybe she wasn't that crazy in love with him during those last months, still, she couldn't help but admire him for all the help he would provide around the house. Now that he was gone for good, she had no one left to count on but herself.

Everything started when the new bookshelf arrived. Looks easy, she thought as she started assembling the pieces. Except it wasn't. The parts didn't fit and she never really used a screwdriver before (except as a makeshift weapon), so she got tired quickly. Despite trying to do a little bit of assembling everyday, she didn't seem to be advancing at all.

Then the couch. She ordered a new couch for her house, unfortunately, it arrived before she had the old one removed. When that finally happened, she realized that she didn't really know how to move the new one from the cellar up to the living room.

After that, the washing machine that stopped spin-drying, the bathtub started to leak and the light in her pantry stopped working for no apparent reason. And it was a hell of a timing, too. Having recently invested pretty much everything into new developing business, she didn't even have enough euros left to pay a plumber.

That day, as if it wasn't enough, her car broke down. And, as she just realized, her mind was about to do the same.

A doorbell made her startle, as it so often did.

"Hey there, babe!" A familiar dirty blond American was standing in her doorway, grinning. "Mind if I come in?"

Oh, God, not him, Eva thought. He's so loud and I already got a headache.

"Sure." She smiled politely and stepped aside. She noticed a large box in his arms.

"I brought you the stuff you had at Matt's house," he explained, putting it down.

"That's... so nice of you. Can I get you a beer or something?"

"No problem. I was heading to Europe anyway. A beer would be cool, thanks." He looked around the room while she rummaged in the fridge.

"I didn't know you were into DIY," he marveled at the mess that was supposed to be a bookshelf by then.

"Well, I figured I'd try," she mumbled in embarrassment. "Anyway, as you can see, it's clearly not my thing."

"I'll help then," the American offered. Before she could politely refuse, he was on it. "It's easy, really, you just put this here... Then this and that together…"

"Al, you really don't have to," she objected, but he wasn't listening.

"Now this... Hey Eva, can you get me an electric screwdriver?"

Electric screwdriver... How did I not think of that in the first place? she mentally moaned once she'd got it from the attic.

She prepared him some snacks and they chatted for a while. Truth be told, she never really thought highly of her ex's brother, but having company felt good. The smaller country closed her eyes and relaxed a little.

"Ta-daah!" he yelled. She opened her eyes again to see a perfectly assembled bookshelf.

"Wow, Al," she breathed, "I... I don't know how you did it, it's impressive…"

"No big deal, I'm the hero after all." He winked. "I'll just wash my hands and then I'm off."

"Sure." Eva wondered whether he was just trying to be nice or it had something to do with her not wearing a bra at that very moment. Or both.

I'll ask him to help me with the couch, too. She felt bad about using him, but she was getting tired of sitting on the floor every day. He seems so kind, I'm sure he won't refuse.

"Say, Al," she ventured as he got back, discreetly undoing the top button of her shirt. Just in case. "I'm terribly sorry, still, it would be most helpful-"

"Yeah, why not? What is it?"

A while later, they were sipping coffee on the brand new couch.

"Alfred, I don't know how to thank you," the girl said, somewhat uneasy.

"I can't leave a lady in a bind, can I?" He flashed her a seductive smile. "By the way, how did you end up this broke? I thought things weren't that bad around here."

"They aren't." She shrugged, "It's just that we've been opening a few fast food restaurants recently and-"

"Fast food?" His ears picked up on her words. "Like what?"

"Let me see." She thought for a while, then gave him a list.

"Wait!" he exclaimed in thrill. "Those are all my chains! You mean to say that you're broke because you're making me richer?" He looked almost troubled.

I'm merely trying to make my economy grow, she whimpered to herself, but said nothing, just shrugged again.

"Wow, dudette! That's… something! I'm... moved. Wow," he mumbled. "Can I do something else to help? All you have to do is ask!"

Please don't shout when you talk, she thought, yet again, she kept it inside.

"Honestly, you really don't have to-"

"I'm not leaving until you let me make this up to you," he declared, calm, sincere and determined.

When he stops yelling and trying to dominate others for a while, he becomes kind of sweet. I'll tell him about the car and that's it, she promised herself.

It's been a while, the Slav observed as she finished her chamomile. I'd better check how he's doing. She peeked through the window and the tea almost flew out of her nostrils.

Probably to avoid getting stained, Al had taken off his T-shirt and his well-toned chest was now gleaming with a thin layer of sweat in the merciless summer sun.

"Oh. My. God," she whispered, sliding down, her back against the wall. He was just like his brother, but… Hotter. Drop dead gorgeous, to be accurate. How come she had never noticed?!

I want to lick off every last drop of that sweat. A familiar tingling sensation took over her body, followed by a wave of heat.

In the meantime, the American finished his task and got back inside.

"Anything else that needs to be done?" He looked at her, eyebrows up.

Me, she felt like saying.

In the end, her friend repaired the bathtub, the washing machine, even the light.

"Looks like my job here is done," he said and got ready to leave.

"Alfred... Thank you again. My morale is so much better now." The brunette pecked his cheek. Suddenly, she felt his head move and their lips almost brushed. She stepped away at the last moment, pretending she hadn't noticed his invitation.

No. NO. I don't think so.

He was fun, friendly and skilled. And hotter than hell. Still, he liked to… Well… Let's say he wasn't exactly famous for his faithfulness. She knew for sure he would lose all the interest in her once he'd got what he wanted. And her fragile heart didn't need that.

"Eva, as you probably know, it's my birthday next week," he started, interrupting her thoughts.

The girl nodded. The 4th of July, of course.

"It falls on the same day as the conference at Italy's place, so I decided to have a party in the hotel we're all staying in. You should come."

"Oh my, I... I don't know if that's a good idea," she muttered, then lowered her eyes.

"Matt's not coming so at least you can enjoy yourself, after the break up and everything…"

The crude reminder of reality hurt Eva somewhat. She hadn't quite moved on yet.

"I... I promise I'll think about it," she managed.

-END OF CHAPTER 1-