This week was so busy but uneventful. We sold almost all the flowers we had in stock, and I think we hit a new higher profit mark on our report. Since the mafia man came to the shop, I have been very careful not to look or sound worried, but inside, I am slowly dying.
The sum of money is impossible to pay without attracting Alexey's attention. He is the one who checks the money coming in and out of the shop… and my personal bank account has little money since I let them into the business. I have to find a way to gather the money I owe the mafia.
I bite my lip, deep in thought, searching for a solution. Distracted, I crack the eggs and accidentally drop the shells into the bowl. I reach for a spoon to fish them out. As I open the drawer where I usually keep the utensils, my mind still occupied with the money problem, I end up hitting my head on the open cabinet above it.
"Damn…" I massage the top of my head, glad the hit isn't visible. Alexey will ban me from using the kitchen as well.
His steps are heard on the stairs, coming down from upstairs. The kitchen and living room are separated by a one-meter tall wall on which the wooden table is resting, in a rustic way. In the living room, there is a TV on the wall and one grand, inviting sofa.
"Morning!" He calls out to me while tossing himself on the sofa and turning on the TV. I close the cabinet and push in the drawer, thanking God that he didn't see me hit my head.
"Morning!" My mind is a mess. I try to greet him properly, but it comes out like a lifeless meow. Gulping, I continue my work in the kitchen without saying another word. My head hurts a bit, but it will go away.
The beaten eggs are frying slowly as I toss in some condiments. I put some slices of bread on the plates and some tomato salad. Soon, I arrange the plates on the table, then cut the omelet in two, placing one piece on my plate and a bigger piece on his.
"Breakfast is ready! Let's eat while it's still hot." My eyes wander around the kitchen for a double-check to see if I cleaned everything. All is clean and sparkling.
"Ohhhh… this smells delicious!" Alexey takes a big mouthful, his eyebrows shooting up as he glances over at me.
My worries vanish instantly when I see his happy face. He has that effect on me. I don't know why my heart is beating so fast. He is supposed to be a friend, like he told me. But for some reason, my instincts are telling me we were more than that, or I might have had a crush on him. A big crush, probably, given the way my body reacts, even though my memories are lost.
"Enjoy, enjoy…" I smile back while taking a bite as well. I'm glad I can give him a reason to smile. He's usually so tired and serious. It's almost as if something is always on his mind—something that consumes his energy…
After breakfast is finished, we plan to visit a friend of ours, the man who helped us so much since we came here. He and his family are really good people. I always enjoy my time with them.
I stand by the door while I wait for Alexey to lock it.
"All done! Let's get in the car." He heads down first, and I follow, focusing on his back while trying not to trip on the wide stone steps leading down from the house. There are about fifteen stairs in total, and they feel steeper than usual today. The car is parked at the bottom on a smooth concrete platform, tucked neatly next to the garden that borders the driveway.
Glancing at the flowers planted by the side of the stairs, I trip. My eyes widen, realizing that I might go to visit with a broken nose. Not that Elisa will be surprised.
I watch myself get closer and closer to the ground in slow motion, and the sensation of falling gives me a headache. My body tightens up, and I get this unsettling feeling in my chest.
Fear…
"Watch your step, Nina!" Alexey shouts as he grabs me mid-air. I cling to his arm, my back pressed against his chest, and his worried voice snaps me awake. My legs dangle as he supports me in his embrace. Though his face is hidden, I can feel his heartbeat thudding against my back and his breath puffing against my ear. He lowers me down with a soft, careful motion.
"Please be more careful." He frowns while standing in front of me. Straightening my hoodie and fixing my ruffled hair, he maintains an angry expression while checking if i hurt myself.
My words won't leave my mouth. I just watch him while my mind is still frozen from the shock. My lips move, but no sound comes out.
"Are you hurt anywhere?" He looks at me with concern as I return his gaze. Why does he seem as though he's the one who fell? The fear in his voice lingers with me…
"I'm… okay. Thanks for catching me." I mumble while lowering my gaze.
"Good. Let's go then." He steps in front of me and glances back to see if I follow him without tripping.
I look at the stairs, and I can feel a new fear unlocking. But I can do it! My mind is reminding me that I promised myself not to rely on him anymore.
With a small step, I try to go down. The difference between the stairs isn't that big, but to me, it looks like an abyss. I squint my eyes as my foot touches the step, and I smile. I did it!
Alexey watches over me and smiles approvingly.
"Good job! I could wait for you, but Elisa wont be happy if we arrive late. Give me your hand now. I'll guide you down. That's what friends are for…" He grabs my hand and starts to walk down as I follow him, knowing the chances of falling are now almost zero.
"That's what friends are for," he says… My heart aches at his words. Even though I don't have any mental reservations about it, it still feels strange.
He drives in silence to the house where our friends live. I watch the houses pass by as he speeds up, but not crossing the speed limit. Theo mentioned that Alexey speeds up more when he's with them. I really appreciate that about Alexey.
We arrive, and I knock. Simone, their child, opens the door and jumps into my arms. I feel myself falling on my back, but Alexey's hand supports me.
Phew… I look at him with a thankful expression.
"Nina! Alexey! You guys finally arrived!" Theo hugs Alexey, while Elisa hugs me.
"Nina, how are you darling?" Elisa drags me into the kitchen after I greet Theo. Glancing back at Theo and Alexey, I hear them announcing that they will go buy some dressers for the lunch we're going to prepare until they return.
"I'm alright. Alexey takes good care of me." I smile while sitting on a chair, ready to be given some potatoes to cut.
"He's definitely a man who loves you… as a friend." She adds and frowns. Elisa doesn't believe Alexey and I are just friends. And, I kind of have second thoughts as well, since she keeps saying this. But the truth is that we are just friends.
"I'm trying to take care of him too… though." I mumble as I handle the knife, cutting the potatoes into smaller pieces. Is not fair that only he takes care of me.
"Darling, the only way you can try taking care of him is by cooking for him. I thought you well how to cook. Don't try anything else." She looks serious at me while setting the oven on and putting the pot over it.
Her knee-length dress waves as she moves around with careful and precise steps to avoid Simone. I think the dress really fits her—modest and simple, yet feminine. Nothing like my hoodie and sweatpants…and nothing like my clumsiness and lack of doing things without making mistakes.
"Yes, sir…" I feel like laughing it off, but her attitude makes me feel that if I laugh, I might find a knife pointed at me.
"You know what happened when you tried to help him move the flowers around the shop." She glances at me, and I pout.
"I didn't noticed the water dripping out of the box…" I remember Alexey's shocked face when I was over the floor with the boxes of freshly ordered roses spread over me , because i slipped. Usually the flowers have some bags of water around the stem to keep them fresh.
"And when you tried to drive him to the bar." She raises her eyebrow, staring at me. Simone is laughing while repeating Alexey's curse words… Elisa shoots him a glare.
"That… The car appeared almost out from nowhere so of course I tried to avoid it." I don't want to remember how much Alexey scolded me. That car was new and I crushed it into the tree that was near the intersection.
"No. You simply can't control your car, darling." Her words crush me, and I have no excuses.
"You're right…" I finish cutting the last potato and carry the bowl to her, the water inside trembling with each step I take.
Simone is behind me, playing his favorite game "jumping on people", so he jumps on me. I feel my back crack while falling with the bowl of water and potatoes right at Elisa's feet. The five-year-old boy is tumbling with me, and my body acts like a cushion, shielding him from the fall.
Elisa sighs and helps me get up.
"Maybe you should give up cooking as well." Her short smile makes me feel slightly better, knowing she meant it as a joke. Hopefully ….
"Simone, go to your room and pray." She glares at her son, and he leaves the kitchen quickly and silently. I didn't even see when he vanished. I would too… not gonna lie. Elisa is scarier than Theo. She is the depiction of a religious woman scarier than a man with a six-pack and standing two meters tall.
She gives me a change of clothes, and we continue working in the kitchen until the boys arrive.
Guess we'll have a happy lunch now, since the misfortune happened before they arrived.
Ha… Or so I hope.