Charlotte returned carrying a platewith three more biscuits, only these didn’t look uniform or out of a box. These were different sizes and shapes, and they didn’t look great. They were homemade.
“I totally understand if you don’t want to try them,” Charlotte said.
“Then it’s his loss,” Ivan said, taking a biscuit and immediately having a bite. “Because they’re delicious.”
I wasn’t going to have my wife liking Ivan more. Taking a biscuit, I put it on my plate and sliced my knife through the center. I wasn’t a big fan of pasta or meatballs, but I did happen to love a sweet treat and some cream. Charlotte had brought two small bowls with her, one with jam, the other with cream. Spreading jam onto both sides, I then added some cream so every bite had some of what I wanted. The biscuit was buttery, soft, and not too sweet. The jam fixed the sweetness for me, and I couldn’t keep my eyes open as I released a tiny moan. It had been a long time since food had made me do this. Food was merely fuel to me. I liked good food, but this was different. This was delicious and mouthwatering, and I couldn’t quite contain myself with the taste. It was so good.
Within a few bites the biscuit was gone. I complimented my wife and noticed how her cheeks turned a beautiful shade of red. It was rare to see a womanblush, or at least it was for me.
I had every intention of sending her away so Ivan and I could depart to my office. Ivan insisted on coffee, and only after we had a nice cup did Charlotte leave, and wewent to my office.
Other than our wedding, that was the longest time I’d spent with Charlotte. Stepping into my office, I went straight to the hard liquor. “Can I interest you in a drink?”
“You refuse to spend any time with your wife,” Ivan said.
“Work takes priority. You know this.”
“Ah, I know this, but I also know the value of doing what I say. You and Charlotte are not expecting,” Ivan said.
This caused me to grit my teeth. Slavik already had a child with rumor of a second on the way. I believe Andrei and Adelaide were already pregnant and she was due soon, perhaps. I wasn’t sure on the finer details.
“Charlotte is not pregnant.”
“Ah, but you haven’t consummated your marriage either.” Ivan took the glass of whiskey I offered.
“She’s eighteen years old.”
“In case you’ve forgotten, Charlotte will be nineteen in a couple of weeks. She’s also legal.”
“She is young,” I said.
Ivan chuckled. “All women start out young, Ive. They are born as babies and grow into children, eventually teenagers, and then young women.”
“My wife is still a teenager.”
“True, but she is your wife, and if you stopped being anywhere else but at home, you’d see there is more to Charlotte than her age.”
“You had business to discuss with me.” I wanted to get off the topic of my wife. Eighteen, nineteen, it made no difference to me, shewas still young.
Ivan smiled and after a second, he started to talk. “I have twocandidates with potential for taking over Oleg’s territory.”
“Who are they?” I asked.
He finished off his whiskeyand gave a yawn. “You know, after all this traveling, I suddenly feel rather tired.”
“I have business to discuss with you,” I said.
“And we’ll talk tomorrow.”
Ivan had brought our conversation to a close and I knew it was because he was pissed at me over Charlotte.
Lottie
It was late and I couldn’t sleep.
The meal had gone better than I imagined. I also didn’t mind sitting across from my husband. I’d been able to steal glances at him. I’d not seen him for a little over a month, and I think I’d forgotten what he looked like.
I liked his eyes. They were blue, quite a bright, beautiful, intense kind of blue. I couldn’t help but be somewhat drawn to them. Were they the color of the ocean? I’d never seen the ocean, so I didn’t quite know what it looked like. I’d seen pictures and movies, but not in real life.
He’d eaten my food and enjoyed it. I loved that. Ive wasn’t one for compliments, but he’d told me it was good, so I was taking it.
Why couldn’t I sleep? I’d done my usual exploring in the morning, and then worked up a bit of a sweat in the kitchen. Ivanhad also arrived, which in itself was stressful, even if he didn’t scare me. I knew I should be afraid. Either way, I couldn’t sleep. Maybe some warm milk, or some water, or maybe even a hot chocolate would do the trick.
Climbing out of bed, I leavethe bedroom, being careful with my steps. I don’t know how Ivan and Ive would react to someone sneaking around the house. The last thing I wanted to do was get shot at while attempting to fall asleep.
No one stops me or shoots me on my way to the kitchen, and stepping inside, I see it is spotless. I go straight to the fridge and see some milk already open. Taking out the carton, I find a cup, fill it with milk, and then place it in the microwave. Each noise I make sounds incredibly loud and I don’t mean to be. Using the microwave means less dishes. I only have to worry about my mug, no saucepan or spoon.
I’ve never been one for hot chocolate, and as I rummage through the cupboards, I find a small package labeled”Hot Chocolate.” Looking over the packet, I wrinkle my nose as it looked gross. Opening the top of the lid, I take a sniff. It smelled okay, but I wasn’t a big chocolate lover. Putting the box away, I grabbed the vanilla and some sugar.
The microwave beeped, and I dived for it, quickly opening the door. Why was it so loud?
My milk was hot. I inserted a spoon, gave it a stir, attempting not to hit the side of the cup. Adding a couple of teaspoons of sugar and a dash of vanilla, I picked up my mug and left the kitchen, making sure to put everything awaybehind me.
I don’t go straight to my bedroom. Instead, I take a quick detour. My husband’s office doorwas completely closed, and there didn’t appear to be any light inside. I wonder if they finished their business. I wasn’t curious about their business. The less I knew, the better.
Moving past the library and the movie theater, I instead went to the game room. Hubert had taught me how to turn the room on, and I found the main power switch, lightingit up. This was kind of a bad idea as I was sure it made a big noise. Most of the games were on mute, but there was still a start-up sound. I waited several minutes for the sound of footsteps and threats. Nothing happened.
Taking a sip of my now warm sweet-vanilla milk, I look around. The games looked like a lot of fun. Reaching over, I lifted the triangle thing that contained the balls on the pool table and then touched one of the balls. They’re heavy. This surprised me. I’ve never played pool before in my life. Never touched one of the balls.