So sorry for the late update, had a bit of a writers block and didn't want to publish anything I wasn't happy with and gave enough. Hopefully it wasn't too back waiting for me :)
Have a great weekend all!
R POV
"So they were definitely getting it on in there?" Tatiana grinned sneakily as we were sitting down in the lounge for tea.
I nodded, "I'm 100 percent sure of it"
Her eyes narrowed at me, "How can you be so sure?"
I raised my brows as I had the cup at the tip of my lip, "I of all people should know what it sounds when you're getting it on and they were definitely getting it on" I said before sipping on my tea.
"Who were getting it on?" Dimitri just entered wearing a cheeky smile on his lips. I rolled my eyes, "Julia and Andrei last night right before I interrupted them to have our talk"
Dimitri kissed my temple before he sat down next to me, pouring himself a cup of tea.
"Well, he's your son so I don't really understand why you're so surprised?" Tatiana said with a shrug, but I could see her hiding a smirk behind her cup of tea.
I just rolled my eyes, but Dimitri laughed out loud, "She is right about it though"
I shook my head, trying to hide my smile, "So what would you propose we should do to help them? I know it's not really our problem, but as a mama, I will always want to help my sons out"
"I know you will love" Dimitri kissed my temple again, "And in one way I don't want to get into their business because I want them to do this naturally and figure it out on their own. But it couldn't hurt to help in some way, as long as you guys don't start meddling with them" Dimitri shot the both of us a pointed look.
Tatiana huffed, "I don't meddle, and I'm just giving them a friendly push"
"More like to shove" Dimitri muttered before sipping on his tea. Tatiana shot him a look and I snickered into my teacup.
"So what do you think we should do?" Tatiana asked, giving me a look, clearly knowing I had thought about this.
I put my cup down, "Well, I don't want to intervene too much I thought maybe we could just offer Julia her a room until the summer, or even autumn. That way she will be around and both Adam and Andrei can get to know her better but in different ways. Adam and Julia seems to be really good friends and I think a friend would be really good for him and maybe she can even coach him to be more confident around girls"
Dimitri chuckled, "I knew you'd think about this in a very productive way, but I agree, Adam could use a little confidence" He smiled.
"Thank you," I smiled, "I just thought it might be a good idea, we just have to ask her what she thinks about it. I'd actually love to have some female company around." I smiled.
"Are we not enough for you?" Dimitri asked, raising his brows not hiding his smile. I elbowed him and smiled, "Of course you are it's just nice to have some girly talk from time to time. I really get along with her and she's an amazing girl!"
"She is," Tatiana smiled, "I couldn't agree more with what you just said, and it'll be good for Adam because I think Julia would be good to him as a friend. Yet also good for Andrei, because I think she can teach him a lot as a person and maybe, something more"
"But neither of you are going to intervene in that something more, right?" Dimitri asked eyeing the two of us again. I rolled my eyes, "No, we're not."
"Good."
"They told me I could find you here."
All of us turned around hearing the voice of Julie. My face lit up, "We were just talking about you and I was going to ask Dimitri to maybe go look for you"
She blushed a little and stopped mid stride, "Oh"
I instantly knew what she thought we were talking about and I snickered, "Nothing bad will happen, don't worry. We just wanted to ask you something, but first I think you wanted to say something or were you looking for someone?"
"Oh ok" she relaxed a little, "And yes, I was going to ask you Rose actually, if you could maybe show me some of the shops in the village, I really would like to get some new clothes, I've gotten into a shopping mood"
"I'd love to do that," I grinned, "We could do it maybe on Wednesday, then I have the morning off."
"Great" Julia smiled and took a seat next to Tatiana.
"Well, she's a woman after all" Dimitri joked as he refilled his cup, "Would you like one Julia?"
"Yes please" She smiled.
"It'll be good for you" Tatiana smiled, taking Julia's hand, "Girl time is always nice"
Julia smiled and nodded, taking the cup from Dimitri nodding a thank you then she adding some sugar and milk before she said, "So what was it you wanted to ask me?"
"Oh yes, " I said just finishing my cup of tea, "Well, this is just a suggestion, but since you and Adam is really becoming good friends and I liked having you around, Dimitri and I wanted to ask if you'd maybe like to stay here for the rest of spring and for as long as you'd like during the summer. It's just a suggestion and you will be far away from home, but I just asked Tatiana and she thought it might be good for you. Of course, it's completely up to you what you would like to do" I smiled kindly.
She looked between Tatiana and I as she was sipping on her tea, she then cleared her throat setting her cup down, "Is this a scheme of yours to push me towards Andrei?"
I was stunned by what she just said and by the look of it, so was Tatiana! Dimitri on the other hand, laughed outright, "I knew I liked this girl, " he grinned, "Although it might seem, so it might be fun to just get to know both of them" Dimitri continued, "Also see the new scenery, Russia is famous for its different environment and we have plenty of nice places to see. It's a suggestion, of course"
She looked between Tatiana and I as she was sipping on her tea, she then cleared her throat setting her cup down, "Is this a scheme of yours to push me towards Andrei?"
I was stunned by what she just said and by the look of it, so was Tatiana! Dimitri on the other hand, laughed outright, "I knew I liked this girl, " he grinned, "Although it might seem, so it might be fun to just get to know both of them" Dimitri continued, "Also see the new scenery, Russia is famous for its different environment and we have plenty of nice places to see. It's a suggestion, of course"
She nodded, taking another sip of her tea, "Well, I do really like Adam's company, we're really becoming good friends and Andrei" She sighed and shrugged, "I bet being around him shouldn't be that bad.
Tatiana elbowed her trying to hold back a smiled, "Just so you know the boy that might drive you mad also has his good sides.
Julia smiled, nodding, "I know, and I'm very happy and thankful you want me to stay. I really love being here and I've had some really good times in this palace" She grinned.
"Then it's settled, " I grinned, "Feel free to stay for as long as you'd like! Yourroom is your room now and let me know if you'd like to change anything to make it more yours. Never be afraid to ask, we want you to feel like home"
"Thank you so much Rose" she smiled, "Thank you to the both of you"
Julia POV
It felt good and a bit strange to accept the invitation to stay for a few months. The good part was that I really liked hanging out with Adam and we were becoming really good friends and I really felt he was growing as a person by spending more time with me, and I wanted him to be more confident. This way I still get to help him and also become even better friends!
I also really like Rose and Dimitri, they're really funnytogether, but at the same time I have great respect for them. They're very good role models and I think they're taking good care of both their family and their country. I would love to turn out like something even close to who Rose is when I grow up.
Then there was the weirdest part or weird person. Andrei.
Ever since out talk I thought it would all feel much easier because he gave me a much greater insight on who he is and how he works, and I thought this might turn out better then I thought! But every time we've tried to have a conversation, it either ends with one of us getting frustrated and leaves or it's just very quiet and the most awkward small talk in the world. And at dinner, he just tries to come with funny comments and I admit a few hours worked. But many have also failed...
The first week wasn't all too bad it was mainly awkward every time we were left alone in a room together, or when they tried to get us to talk in events in front of people. Or just generally be nice to each other. It was all awkward and at times I stopped and gave my decision a second thought... Was this really my brightest answer to this idea?
When Tatiana was still there, she left a week after I decided upon staying, it felt like it sort of helped. Or maybe not, I was having tea with Tatiana and Rose in the lounge when Andrei entered asking Rose something, about a person who I can't remember his name, that had a paper that he promised Dimitri he would take a look on.
"He's away this week, Andrei and I'm pretty sure I've told you that" Rose smiled giving Andrei a pointed look.
"Oh, it must've slipped my mind." He said putting his hands in his pockets.
"Or you weren't listening" Suddenly slipped from my lips and Rose and Tatiana's eyes were on me and I realized my mistakes. I put my tea down and wouldn't even dare to look at Andrei, "Sorry it just slipped"
I could hear a huff, and it definitely belonged to Andrei.
"Would you like a cup, my dear?" Tatiana asked. I still didn't look up I just kept my eyes firmly on my cup.
"I'd love to"
I could see him move in the corner of my eye. He sat down just across from me and I dreaded whatever conversation that would soon appear among us because it would happen, I knew it would and it might not end very nicely.
He poured himself some tea as Tatiana and Rose spoke about their trip to the village the other day visiting the local school and then the orphanage nearby. I really love the way Rose works because it feels like she see's everyone and she really works hard for helping people who are in need.
"So Julia I've always wondered, how come you gave me a fake name the first time we met?"
The question took me so off guard I spit out some tea. Rose and Tatiana's eyes were on us, I think they even heard the question that caused me spitting out my tea.
"You gave him a fake name?" Tatiana said, giving Julia a surprised half smile.
I swallowed, "I-I"
"What was it? Mildred?" Andrei had half a grin on his lips as he looked off into the far distance trying to remember it.
"Margret" I blurted admitting to my crime. I silently cursed myself because now it was clear what I'd done. I could feel both Tatiana and Rose eyes on me. Shit!
"Yes! Margret, Margret Harding"
I shot him a glare and he grinned sipping on his tea.
"Why would you give him a fake name?" Roseasked, putting his cup down clearly interested in this.
I bit my lower lip, "Well, " I sighed, "I had heard certain things, " I said slowly, "About Andrei, and not particularly good things and I just wanted to see who he was and how he acted without knowing who I was"
"I didn't even know you were coming" He said shooting me a look before rolling his eyes.
"You did" Rose said then, "I told you about Julia's coming"
"Yes, but I expected her to be some single thirty year old miserable woman"
"Now I'm sad that I wasn't cause then you could've avoided being slapped across the face by me in front of a few hundred people" I said feeling snappy.
"What's up with this moodiness that you have Julia?" Andrei said wearing a very teasing look on his face. "Is it your time of the month?"
I was fuming, he is so fucking annoying I just wanted to hit him again, this time I wanted to him with a fist.
Rose cleared her throat, "How about Tatiana you give Andrei the paper he's looking for, it's in Dimitri's office in the files on his desk"
"Lovely" Tatiana said, getting up, "C'mon Andrei" she said giving Andrei a look.
"I still haven't finished my tea," he said, trying to stall. I rolled my eyes still feeling the sparks within.
"Get off your behind mister, we're going"
He was protesting as Tatiana pulled him up and dragged him along.
This was just one of our little disagreements. We had them often in the beginning. We could find about the smallest things, just snap at each other or just throwing witty comments here and there. I think people in our surroundings were getting pretty tired of it too. We made everything so awkward and I don't know how to stop it to be honest.
Two weeks ago when Dimitri and Adam went outside to practice their fencing Andrei was in the library and I walked in there thinking all of them were in there.
"Oh," I stopped awkwardly when I realized it was just Andrei in there. I swallowed quickly noticing my throat was clenching together a bit, was I nervous? Why am I nervous?
I noticed he was sitting there reading. He looked very relaxed but his eyes never left the book. I studied him when he said, "What? "
Not even looking up, he just kept his eyes in his book.
I cleared my throat, "I didn't know you could read"
His eyes left the book and raised a brow at me, I realized quickly what I just said and started fiddling with my fingers, "I mean I didn't know you were reading" I licked my lips, "Or enjoyed it"
His eyes moved back to his book and he said, "Well I do" and then nothing more.
I pursed my lips feeling completely out of place, should I go? Should I stay, but that would just be even more awkward... I looked over my shoulder trying to think of something to do or how to progress from here. Just as I was about to turn around and leave he spoke.
"You don't have to leave just because I'm here"
I cleared my throat again, "I just didn't want to disturb you..." I said, still feeling awkward.
He snorted a chuckle, "No you're avoiding me, and I know you are"
My eyebrows got together, "Excuse me? How would you know that? It's coming for people reading wanting some peace and quiet"
"Well, maybe I enjoy your company when I read?" he said meeting my gaze now.
I licked my lips again, my throat felt like it had gone dry and before I could say anything he continued, "Do you like to read?"
I looked down at my feet and nodded before looking up, "I do"
"Then grab a book and sit down, sitting alone in the same room could be our first step to be just slightly comfortable around one another"
It actually didn't sound that bad. We wouldn't have to talk, but we could get used to being around one another and feel more comfortable.
"Would you like that?" He asked since I still hadn't given him an answer.
I nodded, "Yeah, sounds cool"
He nodded, "Pick a book of your liking and grab a seat"
"Thank you, " I said, nodding towards him once before I walked along the big shelves keeping hundreds of books. I really enjoyed reading and it was sort of the first thing, well at least what I knew, that we had in common so maybe this would be a good thing.
I sat down after picking a bit on a sofa across from him. He was very laid back, feet up, slouching and all, I liked it, it made him seem more relaxed and composed. Natural.
He caught me looking at him and my eyes instantly moved down into my book. I peeked up a few seconds later and he wore a small smile on his lips as his eyes were again glued to the book. This made a similar smile appear on my lips as my eyes returned to my book.
Maybe this was the start of something new, something more comfortable. Something good.
So do you think it'll get better or will it just go into pieces? Can they make it? And will Adam find anyone?!
Lot's of Love!
