REVISED: 13 January 2019

4. The New Ally

-;-

Beep beep beep!

Beep beep beep!

It was already past eight in the morning and Maria fluttered her eyes open; the loud and annoying alarm tone of her smartphone was very effective enough to wake her. In half-conscious state, she immediately pressed the mute button and laid her head back to the pillow.

"I want to sleep longer in a cold weather like this." She whispered and stared at the boring beige painted ceiling. Her six-hour sleep is not yet enough to regain her energy. She went back to Astoria hotel at 1am in the morning after hanging out with a man she only met two days ago. Maria recalled their memories together and giggled, oh if they only knew each other for a long time, she will not consider it as friendly hangout but a romantic date.

She can evoke every single minute she spent with him such as the delicious Russian meal, the violin music in the restaurant, the joyful Christmas songs that filled the shops, the many lights surrounding the shopping district and the moment when they exchanged their contact numbers…

Oh shoot! Maria quickly grabbed her smartphone, hoping there was a single text from him! Tapping the screen open, she was disappointed to see her inbox empty.

"Oh well, it's not like I was interesting anyway." She sighed, threw her smartphone on the bed and headed to the shower room. Maria needs to attend an important meeting today, which was the reason why she was in Russia in the first place.

She will finally meet the human personification of the Russian Federation! Well, they never interacted before, but Maria was certain that she saw him a few years ago. The memory had been already blurry, but she can recall few details. Nine-year-old Alfred decided to take her with him in the previous World Conference; his hand tightly holding hers as they made their way to the food's table. In the centre of crowded people, seven-year-old Maria noticed a teenage boy alone, eyes bored at the people who danced together.

"Big brother, who is he?" young Maria asked Alfred, who was busy eating a cheeseburger next to her seat. She pointed her little finger at the teenage boy and Alfred shot her a displeased look in return.

"That's Russia! You better stay away from him, he's dangerous!" Alfred replied in a hasty voice and keep on consuming his meal.

Shaking the faded memories away, Maria immediately thought, 'Was he actually dangerous?' Alfred commented on how he resembles a wolf in sheep's clothing. He said that he tried to build a good relationship with him, however, Russia was not fascinated about it. She knew that her big brother do not really get along well with that man, one of the reasons why she never had the chance to meet him.

After taking her shower, she was now dressed in an elegant white blouse and red skirt that reached below her knees. She put a light make up on her heart shaped face and fixed her long dark hair. Dangerous or whatever, Yao said that he is very handsome. And one of the most important tasks in Maria's mind was to look pretty!

While tying up her hair in a bun, she heard her smartphone made a single beep, signifying a text massage. Was it Ivan? Her heart finally raced as she quickly grabbed it and tapped the screen open…

Then a sudden wave of disappointment crashed into her.

From: Wang Yao (王耀)

+86-930-8062977

Hey, Maria! Remember to meet me at the main entry of Winter Palace, 11 am sharp! Text me as soon as possible when you're already at the front gates, okay?

Quickly glancing at the clock, she noticed that it was already 10:30 am. She almost took two hours to prepare herself that she forgot to eat breakfast. Looking one last time at the large bathroom mirror, Maria was certain she looks presentable and leave the hotel immediately.

It was very cold in Saint Petersburg, her white winter coat and pink scarf was not enough to keep her warm. She grabbed her smartphone and quickly sent a text message to Yao; Maria cannot wait to go inside.

In a moment, she saw Yao exited the main entry and began to walk towards her. He hugged her and put an arm around her, "Let's go inside. He is now waiting for you!" he said excitedly.

She did not say anything as they walked the large hallways, but she noticed the several journalists and cameramen inside. When they saw them, they started to block their way, asking them many questions such as 'Who are you, Miss?', 'Are you our new ally?', 'Why are you with Mr. Wang Yao?', 'Where are you from?'

Luckily, some guards quickly pushed them away. Maria has been always a shy person; she cannot stand those cameras watching her every movement.

"Yao, tell me honestly, was my meeting with Russia supposed to be publicized?" Maria asked her companion, for God's sake, she only knew that this was supposed to be private!

"Forgive me that I did not tell you about it, but Russia just wanted to inform his people about his new ally." Yao said, holding her hand tightly. "There are more in the meeting room."

"Why don't you just tell me his name?" Maria asked, frustrated. She suddenly felt that something was not right; she stopped herself from walking further.

Yao looked at her, his eyes glint with something Maria cannot really tell. "First, he doesn't have any idea who you are or your whereabouts. Second, you have no idea who he is either. Third, do you think that it was a fair condition?"

She rolled her eyes and groaned that Yao wanted to make everything a surprise.

They were now at the door of the meeting room, her heart beating fast, for a moment, she suddenly thought about Alfred.

What would he say to her after this? Maria never heard a word from him since their conflict at the beach. When she formed an alliance with her former enemy, China (Yao), Alfred did not stop her. Would he stop her this time knowing this is Russia, the one he dislikes the most?

People said that younger children should obey and listen to their older siblings. They will always protect them from danger no matter what.

She suddenly thought of backing out now, go to her big brother in New York, and beg forgiveness for her rebellious act. He will forgive her, Maria was sure of it, Alfred just loves her so much!

However, going back to him means there would be less freedom. She will be in his clutches again. Following his orders like how it used to be, as if she was a mere puppet and someone holds her strings.

Yao glanced at her before opening the door, trying to ask her if she was certain of the decision.

Behind this door is the freedom itself and Maria was determined to seize it! She will show Alfred that she was not a child anymore; that she can now make her own decisions!

Maria gave Yao a nod and with a smile, he opened the massive door loudly. And everything completely shocked her!

The room was very large; the ceiling was decorated with expensive looking chandelier. Walls are made of marble and it is decorated with golden mouldings. The windows are very large; Maria could see the snowfall outside. The chairs and the large table look like it was made a hundred years ago. However, what enthrals her the most is the man who sits on the throne.

"May I welcome this person, who wants to be your new ally?" Yao said, holding Maria's hand as they walked towards the familiar man on the elegant chair, "Meet Maria dela Cruz, the Republic of the Philippines!"

All people cheered but Maria did not seem to care about it anyway, the cameras recording her movement did not matter anymore. She pulled away from Yao and walked in front of that familiar man, her heart raced faster as she found herself face to face with him…

The man looked at her with the same expression, surprised, speechless, and his violet eyes glint a flare of happiness with a mixed of confusion.

"YOU AGAIN?!" Maria and Ivan said in unison.


-;-

Tbilisi, Georgia

Tamar Eristavi took a sip of wine as her emerald eyes watched the news with an intense look. Looking at her former husband in TV, Tamar could not feel anything other than a solid hatred. Just by looking at his stoic face, she cannot help not to remember all the terrible things he did to her.

"Forming an alliance with me means I will help you strengthen your military and in return, you will supply me large amount of food for the coming winter. You and I should also help each other in need, with no 'ifs' and 'buts', do you agree with this?" Ivan said to the young woman on TV. Tamar realised that he still speaks the same manner after all these years.

"I will but…," the young woman said, whose name is Maria of the Philippines. Tamar recognised her. She was the adoptive Asian sister of Alfred of the United States. But why does she sides now with Russia, of all people? Did a conflict arise between them?

"…once I signed this paper, do you promise that you will let me decide my own free will?" Maria asked softly.

"Of course, but that means you will break your ties with the United States, with your older brother." Ivan replied and gave her a pen. The news showed how they both signed their official agreements; a loud cheer among the politicians could be heard from the background.

'Foolish little girl.' Tamar commented as she watched the scene where Ivan asked her to become one with him and she cheerfully agreed. The live broadcast had finally ended and only an advertisement of Georgian wine (she was currently drinking) shown on the screen.

Maria seems she has no idea about the cost of her actions by cutting all relations from her brother. The United States of America is the most powerful country in the world and Tamar knew how those little islands of Southeast Asia enjoyed the privilege under America's protection. Philippines have always been one of America's favourite Asian allies, everyone knows how those two were close to each other.

Hearing her making a rush decision to join Russia was like a joke to her ears; Tamar could not almost believe it!

Drinking the remaining wine left in her cup, Tamar suddenly thought about Alfred. He was really a kind man. He helped her against Ivan before, when he forcibly claimed that South Ossetia and Abkhazia was a part of Russian territory. Everyone knew those disputed lands had always been a part of Georgian sovereignty! Just because they were married does not mean Russia has the right to claim her lands. His actions showed how selfish and he was insulting to her people.

Why she married him in the first place was not her choice at all. Tamar admitted that he captivated her when she first laid her eyes him. He was very attractive, one of the best-looking man Tamar had ever seen in her existence. When Ivan asked her hand in marriage, who was she to decline? She was just a little weak nation while he was big and powerful; he could keep her safe under his protection.

She did not know him well enough until they lived under the same roof. She learnt that behind his alluring demeanour, there was nothing other than cruelty. His dreams were the most selfish thing she knew; defeating the United States, conquering nations by means of bloodshed, using nuclear weapons that could take a million lives, Tamar could not stand it anymore.

Even so, she learnt to love him during their marriage. It became her habit before to make his favourite dishes so he will eat it after his long tiring day at work.

Aye, the good old days…

She suddenly thought about poor Maria, the girl have probably fallen for the Ivan's manipulative charm.

Tamar realised she wanted to help Alfred to get her little sister back because it was the only way she can repay all the good things he had done for her. She also felt that she needed to warn Maria, Tamar was afraid that the girl might end up like her, that she might end up being slaved under his 'protection'.

With a grin shown on her lovely face, Tamar could not help but to think helping Alfred will be her key to show to Ivan his lesson.

Tamar closed her eyes and smiled, she will get her long awaited revenge no matter what.

End of Chapter