Ravi turned around and saw me, wrapped only in a towel, while looking me up and down.
"Ravi?" I looked at him in shock. "What are you doing here?"
"This is my house."
"I'm grounded."
"This is my house."
"This is my bedroom."
"You're my woman."
"That's my book."
Ravi's lips curled up slightly, and he snorted a laugh through his nose. This was the first time I had seen him smile. Or rather, this was the first time I had seen an expression on his face. He put down the book in his hand, then got up and walked toward me.
I stood my ground and my hands clutched the towel around my chest.
Ravi stopped ten centimeters away from me and looked down at me. As I avoided his gaze, I took a careful step back. Ravi took a step forward. I took another step back, and the heel of my hand was against the wall. Ravi stood his ground and didn't move.
"What's the matter?" I spoke first to break the awkward silence.
Ravi stuffed his hands in his pants pockets and said, "Do you miss your family?" He kept staring at me to see my reaction.
"I miss my mother." I suddenly felt like a child who needed my mother's care.
Ravi nodded thoughtfully and left. He closed the door gently without locking it.
I went to the bathroom to unwrap the towel wrapped around my head. My long, wet hair fell over my shoulders. I looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes looked a lot like my mother's eyes, and my dark brown pupils were big and bright. I hadn't seen my mother in more than half a month since I was brought to New York for no reason.Was she okay? Did Raul give her a hard time? I turned on the hairdryer, and the warm, soft breeze made my long hair flutter.
I didn't think so. Although my father was very sick and most of the Mafia's affairs were managed by Raul, I knew that my father had never completely given up his power. It was also because of this that my mother would not be in any danger. At least my father was still around.
I went to the bathroom and dried my hair, then carried the book to the bed and continued to read. I didn't know when I fell asleep, but when I woke up, the book was upside down on my face. I took the book away and changed my position to continue sleeping, but I couldn't fall asleep because I was too hungry. I covered my stomach as I tossed and turned in bed. 'I won't be hungry after I fall asleep,' I told myself.
At this moment, I regretted not eating the cheesecake yesterday. If I could have a cheesecake now, I would eat it without hesitation.
I couldn't sleep anymore. I sat up in bed and looked at the clock. It was four-thirty in the morning and the sky was still dark. I walked to the table, turned on the desk lamp, and continued reading.
The sky gradually brightened. Sunlight shone through the cracks in the curtains and into the room. I became more and more energetic as I read, and my hunger became more pronounced. I organized the books I had finished and memorized the content.
I smelled the scent of hot chocolate. I crept to the door and opened it a crack.
Ravi walked to the top of the stairs with a cup in his hand. He set the cup on the table next to the staircase and said, "Maria, come up and take it away." Then he turned and walked back to his room while muttering, "It tastes like shit."
After half a minute, Maria came up. I waved at her over through the door.
"How can I help you, Irina?"
"I'm… thirsty."
"I'll go down and get you some water."
"There's no need to trouble yourself. Isn't there one right here?" I lift my chin and stare at the cup of hot chocolate.
"But you can't eat."
"Yes, I won't eat anything. I'm just thirsty. I need something to drink."
Maria handed me the hot chocolate. I picked up the cup and gulped it down. I placed the cup on the tray in her hand and wiped my mouth with my hand.
"Thank you, Maria." I smiled and waved at her as I closed the door.
I finally wasn't so hungry anymore. I fell asleep on the bed instantly. It was a deep sleep.
When I opened my eyes, it was in the afternoon. The past two days had been a daze. My head felt heavy, and I felt hungry and tired. I had a high bed and a pillow, but the fasting was torturous. I lay in bed in a semi-conscious state.
I saw my door swing open and Ravi walked in. He sat on my bed while running his hand through my hair, and his deep blue eyes were shining. He leaned down and gently kissed my forehead. I could smell the cologne on him. It was a faint musky scent.
The kiss was very light. I couldn't tell if I was dreaming or awake. I said to myself, "Am I dreaming?"
Ravi didn't answer. He just looked at me with his soulful blue eyes, but I couldn't read his expression. I reached out to touch his face to make sure it wasn't a dream. My hand felt the warmth of his skin.
When I opened my eyes again, it was evening and the two-day confinement was finally over. I struggled to sit up in bed, and suddenly, I remembered what I saw. Was it a dream? If it was, why would I dream of him? If it wasn't a dream, why would he be so gentle to me? I scratched my hair in confusion.
I ignored those confusing thoughts and decided to eat first. I stood up. After taking a few steps, I felt my vision go black and my legs go weak. I staggered to the door and opened it.
I rested my hand on the door frame and it took me a moment to register everything in front of my eyes. I walked down the stairs with my hand on the wall and saw Ravi sitting alone at the dining table, which was filled with food. My spirits lifted immediately and I rushed to the dining room.