Hello again.

So this installment will be from Ivan's point of view.

Please refer to the disclaimer in the first chapter for it applies to the entire piece of work.

This is based on Christine Lavin's song/play Shopping Cart of Love: The Play.

GENDER BEND

Audriana A.K.A. Dri = America

Ivan = Russia

Fausta = North Italy

Francis = France

Arabella = England

Mattea = Canada

"And how are you today Mr. Braginski?"

I looked up to see Toris smiling at me from the reception desk. He was the best secretary I could buy and the only one that didn't run away in fear of me. When the owner of a big corporation repeatedly has secretaries running away from him it gets stressful, and also it's bad publicity.

"Very warm," I smiled as I walked towards my office door, "What meetings do we have today?"

Toris blinked twice from shock before smiling brightly again. "Well, our agenda for today is…" And Toris began to ramble off the day's list of duties while cleaning up miscellaneous things in the office. He poured me a cup of coffee with an added nip of vodka, just the way I liked it.

When he was finally done he began to leave to prepare for the first meetings. Toris stopped at the door though, deep in thought and then turned saying, "You look very happy Mr. Braginski. Forgive me for asking this but did you have a very good night last night?"

I smiled fondly at last night's memories before looking at Toris and nodding, "Yes, I had one of the best nights of my life. Hopefully this pattern will continue, да?"

Toris nodded, albeit sadly since I didn't elaborate but if I were to tell Toris then he would certainly confide in his lover Feliks and Feliks was quite the gossip. No, I wanted to keep the source of my happiness a secret until I was sure that it was permanent.

As Toris left I leaned back in my chair sipping my vodka laden coffee. I thought about how such a simple decision could lead to one of the best discoveries of my life.

I have been in America for a couple of years now and I can say that I love the land. Everything was warm, not like cold Mother Russia. People enjoy the heat and are always walking about laughing, talking, and sometimes even singing. Although some of those people, well most of them, were idiots but I ignored that fact until they interacted with me.

Not only that but there are sunflowers here. Sunflowers are the purest symbol of warmth. The way they look up to the sky in hope and warmth just makes me very happy. But this was the only real thing that I liked about America, besides the fact that my little sister is not here to bother me.

I found no real companionship in my time here. Toris and some of his colleagues were friendly with me but through a strict business relationship. Everyone else was either afraid of my height or my intimidating aura.

So it was on rare occasions that I actually went out to interact with any humans because it never led to anything productive. It just so happened that last night was the night that I decided to get some food from the store myself, instead of having it delivered.

As I walked into the store and down the aisles I caught glimpses of a gold streak running around. I tried to catch it in order to see what or who it was but I couldn't find it after a while. So I shrugged and went to the express check-out line.

When it all started I was at the back of the line. It was unusual to have such a long line for the express lane so I listened to other people's conversations. Apparently there was a woman at the beginning of the line that was giving the cashier lady a hard time. I listened more intently and as I moved up the line I figured out the real reason for the hold-up.

The line parted for me as I got closer and closer out of curiosity. I guess being unintentionally intimidating had its perks every now and then. When I reached the front of the line, instead of seeing the sobbing wretch that everyone was describing I saw a beautiful crying angel.

Standing before me was the most stunning woman I have ever seen. She must have gotten caught in the rain because her clothes were drenched but that just meant that they clung to her form, her very curvaceous form. For a woman she was abnormally tall. It was interesting to see her tower over the shorter cashier lady.

Her golden sunflower hair sparkled in the fluorescent lights of the store as it clung to the sides of her face. The temptation to delicately touch her hair and put a strand behind her ear was extremely strong. However my observations were interrupted when the store manager began to drag her away.

I moved forward and said, "I have seven items, I'll take three of yours. да?"

Time seemed to have stopped as everyone turned to me in shock and irritation (cashier lady). I didn't pay attention to them though because I was currently trying to find my breath. When the angelic sunflower turned her gaze to me I couldn't breath.

Everything about this woman before me was appealing but it was her eyes, her beautiful gorgeous eyes that left me speechless. Her eyes were the bluest sapphire that I have ever seen. It was as if her eyes were the deep blue sky that her sunflower hair craved.

We stared at each other appraisingly for a few seconds before the manager broke the atmosphere by hauling her up and placing her back in line. The check out lady was furious but what else could she do? We both had ten items each, just enough to make it in the express line. When the sunflower tried to pay for the food I stopped her and then offered to carry the bags for her.

The way her cheeks puffed out in a pout was absolutely adorable. She thought for a moment and I just stood there and enjoyed the show. Every emotion that she felt you could see in her eyes and I loved it. I've never met such an openly honest person.

She allowed me to carry the heavier bags while she carried the rest. A compromise, how adorable.

"May I walk you to your car?" I asked when we walked out of the store.

Her face scrunched up before a couple of tears fell down her cheeks. I panicked and while balancing the bags in my hands I dug for a handkerchief in my coat pocket. Once I retrieved it I lightly touched it to her wet cheeks.

"Please don't cry," I pleaded. Although she looked absolutely stunning with tears in her eyes I also wanted to see a smile on her face.

She sniffled before taking the hanky from me and using it herself. "S-sorry," she mumbled sadly. After blowing her nose she stopped and looked at me apprehensively. At first I thought that she was now realizing that she might not want to be near me until I heard her mumble, "C-Can I t-tell you why I don't have my car?"

I nodded eagerly, glad that she wasn't becoming afraid of me and she went into the longest tirade I have ever heard. When she mentioned a fiancé my stomach lurched. Of course she was taken, I should have known. Then she continued her story and my heart began to lift. He left her, which is a bad thing for him but good for me. She was single now and back on the market.

It startled me how much I was interested in her. I had just met her but with every passing second I knew more and more about her. How this idiotic Frenchman, Francis, could have run out on her I would never understand. When she was done she took a deep breath and then stopped walking.

"Um… T-thanks for listening…" She mumbled as we waited for the little white man to signal that it was all right to cross the street.

I don't know if the sunflower knew this or not but whenever she gets shy she starts to pout and nibble on her bottom lip, which is absolutely adorable. She was doing that at this point in time before she continued speaking.

"Oh!" she squeaked before she turned to smile at me and put her hand out while disgruntled people shoved passed us. "I'm Audriana F. Jones! But you can call me Dri. Please to meet you! You were a real hero back there ya know?"

I actually felt myself blush. I buried my face deep into the scarf around my neck while grasping the offered hand and shaking it.

"Ivan Braginski. Pleased to meet you as well," I said. It didn't look like Dri was going to move anytime soon so I prompted her by moving across the sidewalk. Sadly the light had already changed.

"Ivan!"

Suddenly I felt a pair of arms wrap around me and pull. With an oomph I fell backwards but not onto the ground. The pair of arms around my waist were abnormally strong and they held me up just long enough for me to get my bearings.

"Are you all right?"

I turned to look into worried blue orbs. Something warm exploded in my chest at the thought of another human being caring about whether a taxi hit me or not. I smiled kindly at her and nodded.

Her bright smile almost blinded me as she grabbed my arm. "Good, because now it's safe to cross. Geez Ivan do you need glasses or something?"

The rest of the walk was near-death experience free and we got to talking. Dri looked like a typical blonde and at first acted like one that is until you actually listened to her. She didn't even blink an eyelash when I told her of my love for lead pipes. Imagine that! No one has ever done that before.

Of course when she mentioned her adoration for America and hamburgers I could not help myself finding it absolutely adorable. Dri seemed more energetic as time went past. Finally we ended up at her apartment and I almost died again.

For such a beautiful woman she had an ugly apartment. There was trash everywhere strewn with clothing, papers, miscellaneous items, and unknown objects. I placed the bags on the only clean surface, her ironing board. I looked at the sink. Those dishes could move on their own if they so wished. Then I looked at the roach motel that did move on its own.

I turned to Dri and found her watching me. With the most dazzling smile I could muster I said, "You look like the kind of woman who shouldn't be having dinner by herself tonight. да?"

And then I said "Please, allow me to take you out for dinner tonight. I would like to take you out to my favorite restaurant, the Quilted Giraffe."

Well, I did buy this food for tonight but if it meant spending more time with Dri then I wouldn't mind. A home cooked dinner would be too casual for this setting. Although taking her to an extremely expensive restaurant may be over the top as well but hell I could afford it everyday if I wanted.

She looked like she was in deep thought about this whole situation. I stood there waiting, hoping she would agree. I had seen her wondrous smile but had yet to hear her laugh.

So she said to me, "Why would you take me there? You don't even know me. And I'm- Like, I'm having the worst day of my whole entire life!"

Something clicked in my mind and I tried my best to look sad as possible while hiding the smirk that threatened to break through.

"Well I too am having a bad day and I must do something to cheer myself up. You see, today I was fired at my job, my car was stolen, and when I came home from work, I found a note stuck to my refrigerator, with a heart shaped magnet, from my Fiancée, saying she had run off with somebody else!"

Dri's eyes widened and she put her hand over her extremely attractive chest in shock as she said "Are you kidding? The same thing happened to me!"

And I said, "Yes - I'm kidding!"

I wanted to burst into laughter at the surprised look she had on her face but I waited. If I laughed first then it wouldn't work. So I smirked instead.

Dri took one look at my face and then burst into laughter. I laughed as well until she leaned on my arm for support. The warmth from her hands seeped into my arm. I felt heat rising to my face when I realized how much I craved more contact.

She looked up at me with the biggest hero smile and said, "I think I'll take you up on that offer."

"Good," I said before bowing my head and turning towards the apartment door, "I shall see you at seven then."

That woman was way too enticing for her own good and yet I couldn't wait for dinner tonight. On a second thought I turned back to Dri and grabbed her hand. I gently held it and bowed. "Until then."

And with that I walked out the door. As I breathed in the fresh air of the evening a bright smile appeared on my face. I would see my sunflower again later tonight and take her out to the best restaurant my money could buy.

I finally found someone who didn't cringe when I stepped closer or winced when I talked. Dri listened to me with rapt attention and her smile blinded me every time. I was completely entranced.

When I picked her up that night my breath was taken away again. I wouldn't have believed it but Dri could look more stunning when she dressed up. The deep blue cocktail dress that she wore complimented her eyes.

At the dinner we-

"Mr. Bragniski you have a call on line one," Toris said, bringing me out of my thoughts.

I scowled at the interruption until I picked up the phone.

"Ivan! How's it goin'?" A cheerful voice asked.

A soft smiled spread across my face as I leaned back into my chair. "So far so good. Much better though since you've called."

"D-Don't be silly…"

I chuckled and began to play with the fringe of my scarf. I was going to ask her out for dinner again but she began to talk.

"Well I suppose you should get back to work. Sorry for interrupting… Um… Ivan?"

"да мой солнцецвет?" I asked in Russian. I knew she couldn't understand the last part but maybe when our relationship blossomed more then I would refer to her as my sunflower in English. Maybe.

"W-Would you like to go out again? My treat! I know this really great hamburger joint that I know you would love! It would be the perfect place to pop your hamburger cherry!"

I began to cough as I heard her laughter ring from the other end of the line.

"Aw… Don't be shy Ivan! I'll make sure that your first time goes smoothly! Ahahahahaha!"

I chuckled a little bit but otherwise just buried myself in my scarf. Honestly this woman. I blamed the Frenchman for this side of her but I really didn't mind.

"Well? Yes or no?"

A blush slowly crept up my face as I responded, "да, that would be lovely."

"Awesome! Seven at my apartment then?"

"да. I shall be looking forward to it."

"Good! So will I! Bye Ivan! Have a good day at work!"

"Goodbye, мой солнцецвет," I said while smiling.

"Man, I need to learn some Russian! Ahahaha… Bye!"

And with that she hung up. I chuckled as I placed the receiver down and then leaned back into my chair.

Toris coughed subtly, making me look up. I was suddenly reminded of a mother looking at her child lovingly. With a very quiet voice Toris tenderly said, "That's wonderful Mr. Braginski. Congratulations."

I stood up saying, "Thank you but we should get to work."

Toris nodded in response but continued hesitantly, "How…?"

A big smile spread across my face as I said cheerfully, "I went shopping."

The face that Toris made was priceless. I just hummed lightly as I breezed passed him. Oh yes, shopping was indeed my favorite thing to do now.

Yeah for chapter two! Whoo!

Please enjoy and next is chapter three! (The other couples shall be in the third chapter)