Chapter 3
"Rose."
I looked up and saw Lissa standing in front of me, her hand extended in an offer with my hot chocolate. I took it and gave her a tight smile. "Thanks, Liss."
"What happened?" Lissa asked.
I took a sip of my hot chocolate. "I had my future told to me."
Lissa stared. "I'm not sure if you're being serious or if I should be laughing.
I shrugged. "Dimitri's ancient grandmother just found me. She was the woman that Abe had business with when we were in Baia. She's what I guess they call a vrăjitoare. Whatever. She's crazy. Told me that she's seen mine and Dimitri's futures… 'they are merged.' She called me Roza and asked if I believed in fate. I think the old bat found out that we are legally married and just wanted to fuck with me."
Lissa laughed. "Maybe. Serves you right. You're always messing with people."
We both started laughing. A minute passed before Lissa spoke again. "You should get back. Check on Abe. See how things are going… with Dimitri. I know it's awkward, but you have me, Eddie, and Abe. You can get through this. Dimitri just has to be okay and heal and then the two of you can figure out what you have to do to take care of this." I stood up and locked my arm with hers. We walked in silence. I don't think Lissa knew how to handle this situation.
Eddie was waiting for us when the elevator opened. "Abe is waiting to talk to Dimitri's family with you. They are in a private waiting room down the hall."
"Okay. Lead the way." I stated with a tight smile.
Eddie paused. "You know I'm here for you. Just say the word and I'll get you out of here."
I laughed. "Protective much? I can handle myself."
Eddie returned my laugh. "I know you can, but I'll always be protective over you and Lissa."
We continued walking down the hall until we reached the very lasting waiting room. I could see through the window that Olena and the witch were seated close together. Olena had her head down with her eyes closed, her lips ghosting each other as if she were speaking a silent prayer. The witch had a calmer expression… almost as if she were bored. Strange. Abe was standing next to the door with his phone in his hand. "Kizim." He looked up and walked over to me. He placed his hand on my back. "Figured we might as well get formalities out of the way." Abe placed his hand on the doorknob, opening the door and directing me through. As soon as I sat down, I felt eyes on me. I looked up and saw Olena and the witch staring intently.
Olena's shoulders tensed as she looked Abe up and down. "You. You are the reason my дорогой сын is here!"
"Formalities. Your son chose to work a job with me. No one forced him. This was not intentional." Abe spoke, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Zmey. Always a snake. I told Dimka to stay away from you. Now he's in surgery with a 50/50 chance of paralysis. And for what? Just to be a pawn in one of your games?"
I felt myself getting angry. My hands were already in fists. I felt my nails digging into my palms. "You have no right to talk to him like that." I spat out. I felt Abe's hand on my arm.
"Geri çekil kızım." Abe said calmly. "No need for hostility."
Olena glanced between the two of us. "And who is this? Another person you blackmailed into working for you?"
Abe was silent for a second. "Quite the opposite. This is my darling daughter. Your daughter-in-law."
If looks could kill, I think Abe would have died then and there. "She most certainly is not! I would know if my Dimka was married. Such an awful thing to lie about." Olena locked eyes with me. "Whatever you are trying to get from my son will not work."
"Look here, lady. Whether anyone likes it or not, we are legally married. I was the one contacted. I was the one who made the decision to save your son. You should be thanking me. All you are here doing is judging a situation you have no idea of!" I could feel the tension increasing in my body as my voice grew louder. Who was she to come here and judge me? To treat me like some gold-digging whore.
"You're lying."
"Enough." The witch spoke. "She turned toward Olena. "This one speaks the truth. She and Dimitri are legally married."
Olena stared at her mother. "How?"
"A chance encounter almost four years ago. They met and an impression was made. They married on a whim with Ivan present in Baia." The witch said matter-of-factly.
"An impression? You call all of us being so trashed on rocket fuel an impression? Whatever. I don't remember the details. I was too trashed. I didn't think it was real. Now, I am left to deal with this. As soon as your son has recovered, we will fix this."
The witch looked over at me. "It's already fixed. I told you. I'm never wrong. Your futures are merged."
Olena shook her head. She was about to say something as a doctor walked into the room. "Belikov?"
"Yes." The witch responded.
"My name is Dr. Alto. I wanted to update you on Dimitri's condition."
Vrăjitoare (Romanian): witch, fortune teller
дорогой сын (Russian): dear son.
Geri çekil kızım (Turkish): Back down, daughter.
