Blair
" Come on, did you see the picture? I won that one, Commander," I couldn't help but smile.
I was lying on a sun lounger on a beach near San Juan enjoying my free time before boarding.
" Blair, we are talking about the Duomo in Milan," Dimitri returned, exuding amusement in his voice, "you have to accept that it is a good picture.
" I'm not denying it, I'm saying mine is better," I returned.
It had been two weeks since Dimitri and I had started keeping in touch, and practically every day we exchanged pictures of the places we were, competing to see who had the best destination.
" It's a beach, Blair.
" It's a beach in Puerto Rico, Dimitri," I returned, "Caribbean. Have you ever been to the Caribbean?”
A laugh rang out on the other end of the line, causing me to bite my lower lip, feeling a growing wave of excitement rising inside me.
I loved talking to him, it always made my day more interesting.
" No, Blair. I've never been to the Caribbean.
" Then we need to fix that, Commander," I returned, closing my eyes and feeling the delicious Puerto Rican sun bathing me, "I know some incredible beaches.”
" Is this some kind of hobby? Getting to know as many beaches as you can? " he asked.
I lay on my side on the lounger, watching the contrast of the sand with the extremely blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.
He doesn't know what he is missing.
" Exactly, if I have the opportunity to visit the most diverse beaches, I won't waste my time.”
" I can't disagree, but didn't you say you were coming home today?”
" Yes, I landed five hours ago and I have to be back at the airport by early evening. It will be a quick flight, only four hours.”
" Shouldn't you rest?”
" I am resting while enjoying the sun. Are you going to tell me that you stay in the hotel all the time? " I sat up” You're lucky I'm not in Milan, or I'd drag you all over the city.”
" Really? This could be interesting.”
" Do you have any plans to return to the United States, Commander? " I asked hopefully.
" I already got next month's roster, but I'm not scheduled to go to the States," he reported regretfully.
" What the hell," I muttered in low Turkish, pouting as I watched the blue sky through the dark lenses of my sunglasses.
I was enjoying chatting with Dimitri, but I couldn't help the desire to see him, making it a little less mechanical and more personal. I was not born for virtual friendship. I liked to be present, to have physical contact, to be able to take the person to the places I like!
I was enjoying talking to him, but I was hating all the distance!
" Blair, I have to go. I was supposed to meet the crew later, and…”
" Sure, go have fun," I sighed, "enjoy Milan.”
" Have a good flight later, Blair," he wished before ending the call.
I sighed again, finally putting the cell phone aside, deciding to enjoy the sun.
" I thought you would never hang up," Evangeline, one of the flight attendants who had worked with me on the flight and decided to accompany me to the beach, declared as she reminded me of her presence.
" Sorry, just a guy I met a few weeks ago.”
" Just a guy? " she sneered " it didn't sound like "just a guy.”
I couldn't help but laugh at the look on her face. I had worked with her before, but never really got to know her, and I was enjoying spending time in her company. Even though after that we would spend another eight months without any contact.
" Unfortunately this is the reality," I looked in her direction, "he is just a guy who lives in Russia.”
" Russia?”
" Do you understand why he's just a guy? " I sighed, throwing myself back on the lounge chair and eliciting a small laugh from the girl.
" Okay, what do you say we forget about this guy and find a nice restaurant for lunch?
Blair" I don't understand, we had your engagement dinner a few weeks ago," I stared at Abby.We were both seated at a table in a restaurant near the airport where I was waiting to board my flight to my next destination. Initially I left home thinking that I would board at 10 o'clock for Argentina, but in the end, due to a flight attendant who had the flu and obviously could not fly, I would board at 3 o'clock for Amsterdam." Yes, but my parents didn't like not being there and want to have a reception," she explained, "you are my maid of honor, Blair, you have to go.”I checked my cell phone for any sign of Dimitri. Yesterday he hadn't texted me for the first time since we met, and I was finding the silence strange." Did you hear me? " Abby frowned." Yes, I just think that going across the country for a second engagement dinner is overkill! " I looked away from my cell phone, turning my attention back to my friend." It's not just about that, Blair," she returned, "I have to talk t
BlairDimitri came toward me with a restrained smile on his face. My hand was wrapped around his as I held it out to greet him. My own smile was more spontaneous in his presence, although I wasn't sure how to act now that we were finally face to face." Hey commander, I almost didn't recognize you without the stained clothes," I teased him. " You're not carrying any cups, so I think my clothes will be safe. At least until we get to the restaurant," he assured him, "I'm staying at the Sheratom, do you want to go there?”The Sheratom was one of three hotels within the airport complex, which also had a train station that would take us to the center of Amsterdam in about fifteen minutes." Are you kidding? We're not staying in a hotel with an incredible city to visit, Commander," I denied." I already know Amsterdam," he laughed." But you have never visited it in my company, I assure you it will be a completely new experience," I wrapped my hand around his, pulling him toward the train
BlairWe finished eating, deciding to leave that subject aside. After splitting the bill, we were soon back on the streets of Amsterdam." What I mean is that getting married in the same church as her parents is important for your friend," he resumed the initial subject as we walked side by side." Again? " I groaned " I shouldn't have told you.”" But you did," he teased me.To my relief, I spotted something that could distract us from the subject." A market! Let's go shopping, Dimitri." I ran ahead, leaving him behind.He shook his head with a half smile on his lips before following me. I passed all the stalls, scanning the products for anything of value.This was one of my favorite parts of every trip. I loved to find souvenirs that reminded me of the destinations I had already visited, and usually it was some decoration for my apartment. Which perhaps would eventually turn me into a sort of international hoarder." Look, Commander. I need those boots! " I exclaimed, picking up a
Dimitri I was making the payment with my credit card while watching Blair with the doll and the flowers I gave her in her hands.She was so beautiful it was almost unbelievable. More than that, she was funny, intelligent and witty. Everything that I had already realized in the past few days had been confirmed in these few hours we had spent together up to this point." Do you want me to wrap the bouquet or is your girlfriend going to carry it? " The lady who attended me indicated the flowers that I was still carrying." Here, you can wrap it. But she is not my girlfriend," I explained, handing the bouquet to the woman." No? You act like a couple, maybe you should think about the possibility," she smiled, picking up a long acetate box and placing the flowers there, "a pretty girl like that doesn't stay available for long.”I just smiled as I picked up the package. I knew she was right about Blair, and if the situation was more favorable, I might try something serious with her. But I
DimitriI came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my waist and went to the bed of the hotel room I occupied in Vienna. It was past seven in the evening and I felt exhausted from all the excitement of that day. First thing in the morning I flew back to St. Petersburg and after a few hours of rest, I boarded the plane for Vienna. I turned on my cell phone, leaving it on the bed before going to the window, looking at the bright street full of old buildings where countless people were walking, despite the bad weather. My mind wandered to memories of the previous day, when Blair's company had been so present. I walked back to the bed, picking up the cell phone that vibrated with the new messages that came in.I ignored Joe's messages threatening to move to St Petersburg for good and opened the message Blair had sent me in the morning."Commander, I don't think you understood that the flowers were for your mother."I had left the bouquet at the hotel reception in the morning t
DimitriI ended the call until I reached the gallery. Blair loved every detail I showed her and I was glad that I could distract her at that moment, the only way that situation would improve was if I was closer to her. " Look, I'm just saying that the last painting.... WAIT.”I stopped my steps immediately, not knowing what had happened." What?”" Can you turn the camera a little? " she asked " to the left.”" NO " I turned in the opposite direction as I understood what she had seen.How can she find places like this?" Please, Dimitri," she pleaded as I backed away and headed for the flea market she had somehow spotted." I'm only going to buy one thing," I warned." Then I'll have to choose well," she hummed.I couldn't help smiling as I walked between the stalls, showing her everything on display." Dimitri, look at those old photos," Blair indicated." They are people you don't know, Blair. Don't even think about it," I warned." You have no creativity," she complained." I'm no
Blair " And then? What did you think? " I whirled around in front of the cell phone camera, showing my mother my outfit. " You look great with your new haircut," she complimented from the other side of the screen, "it should be easier to pin up now.” " Mom, focus please," I groaned. " Sorry, but I don't understand what you want me to see," she returned. " Mom, I showed you three different outfits," I threw myself on the bed in the hotel room I occupied in Madrid, "I have fifteen minutes to finish getting ready.” " You look nice in all the clothes," she returned. " You're not helping," I muttered. " I don't even understand what you want help with! Shouldn't you be back today?” " I am, but I have two hours before I have to go to the airport, so I can have lunch with a friend at the hotel restaurant," I hurriedly explained, "and I need to meet him in ten minutes, so if you can help.” I went through the options I had sorted out, trying to make a decision. Why couldn't I just cho
Blair " Let me get this straight, the guy you say is just your friend spent the day introducing you to a city in another country on his cell phone and bought you an old music box? " Abby asked sitting next to me on the couch the next day. " I know what you are thinking and you are wrong. Dimitri and I just have a lot in common. Maybe she wasn't so wrong, but I would never admit it. " Like what?” " We work traveling the world, we know many countries, we speak many languages," I listed. " This is all obvious, you met at an airport," she rolled her eyes, "but what about personal tastes?” " Well…” At this point I had to admit that we didn't have much in common. In fact, it seemed to be the complete opposite. I loved beaches and he loved historic cities. I liked to find flea markets and unknown places while he opted for museums, famous sights and classic restaurants. But still I had loved to let him plan a full day for us. " Well? " Abby insisted. " He's helping me discover
Blair Taking advantage of Dimitri getting into the shower, I grabbed everything I would need to get ready, leaving the room, heading toward my sister-in-law's door. I knocked, expecting her to answer, surprising myself to hear her angry voice as soon as she approached. " Dimulya, I swear to God, if you don't leave me alone..." She opened the door in a burst, shutting herself up when she saw me. " Am I in the way of some imaginary fight between Siblings? " I frowned, staring at the girl who was wearing a robe with a red heart print on a pink background and loose hair. " Sorry, it's a... sibling thing," she said, "Do you need anything?” " Any chance you could help me get ready? " I forced a smile. " Come in," Masha smiled, taking my hand and pulling me inside. " I bought this dress the last time I was in Paris and didn't get a chance to wear it." I walked over to her bed, where a gray nude sleeved dress embroidered with some stones lay, putting the coverlet on where I carried my
DimitriThe noise of the shower started to sound in the bathroom of the room, causing me to breathe a relieved breath before I snuck out of the room, fiddling with my cell phone in an attempt to find out if everything was going according to plan, without being able to find out anything, since we had agreed that I wouldn't deal with anything directly so that Blair wouldn't find out if he fiddled with my cell phone.I went to Masha's room, which was next door to the room we always occupied when we visited my parents, and knocked on the door, being greeted by my sister still in her robe and with a towel around her wet hair." What do you want now, Dimulya? " she rolled her eyes." Is everything all right? Someone said…”" Can you stop worrying? I told you everything will be fine," Masha complained at my insistence on the subject.But I couldn't help it, I was anxious and wanted everything to be perfect that night. It had been two weeks since I had officially asked Blair to marry me, and
Blair" They only returned my cell phone after I put on the dress. You should have seen the look on Dimitri's face when he answered the call and saw me in my wedding dress," I reported to the women of the Voitovich family. We were all in my mother-in-law's kitchen preparing lunch, or rather, my mother-in-law and Katia prepared lunch while Masha pretended to do something and I was forbidden to go near any food, it seems that the avocado salad story really scared them." And how did Dimitri react? " Katia asked as the others laughed." To help, he said in front of all my friends that despite my insistence on the subject, he would not marry me," they laughed even harder." It's just like my brother to do that," Masha assured, grabbing a pot of fresh mushrooms for her mother." He loved to tell everyone I knew that I was trying to convince him to get married. I swear I came close to strangling your son at least four times," I confided to Joanne.My mother-in-law motioned for me to get up
Blair" Dimitri, are we only going to spend two days at your parent’s house? " I asked as I sorted through the clothes to put in the suitcase we would share for the weekend." Yes, you can take that dress," he pointed to a short flowered dress as he stopped beside me at the closet door. " This one? " I took it apart." Yes, I've never seen you wear it," he smiled.I smoothed the fabric, trying to remember the last time I wore it, definitely before I met Dimitri. " Are we going out? You didn't say anything to me.”" It's my mother's birthday, maybe we'll go to a restaurant, or maybe do something at home," he separated two shirts.That's when I remembered his little burst of post-morphine sincerity almost two months ago. " Is your sister going to cook?” " I don't know," he pondered, reaching over to grab his suitcase from the top shelf of the closet.A few weeks ago I would have called him out for that kind of effort, but I had to realize that I couldn't lock him in a bubble after w
BlairI walked through the streets of St. Petersburg feeling out of place. This place was still not my home, I felt lost at every moment, especially away from Dimitri. But I promised him that I could manage alone in the market, and I never ran away from a challenge.It would be quick, I just needed to get some milk and coffee, it was no challenge. At least I thought it wasn't.As soon as I entered the supermarket and started walking between the shelves, I realized that my mission would not be as simple as I had imagined.All right, coffee is still coffee and milk is milk. I just need to find them. I did a quick search in the translator and walked between the shelves, looking at several products that I didn't even know what they were for. Milk and coffee, where are they? It wasn't hard to find the coffee, I didn't know which brand to choose, so I just grabbed the prettiest package and hoped it was good. But when I found the milk, I froze at the sight of so many options. Which one sho
Dimitri" Dimitri, is your mother coming today? " Blair asked from the kitchen.I got up from the couch I was settled on, making my way to the kitchen, finding her standing in front of the open refrigerator door, investigating the contents of some jars my mother had left when she visited us three days ago.It had been a little over a week since I had been discharged from the hospital, and, despite assurances that I believed Blair and I would do just fine on our own, my mother showed up every three or four days with the excuse of bringing some food and checking if we needed anything." I don't know, why?”" I was thinking of buying food today, but if she comes, you know she'll insist on cooking," she explained, closing the fridge before opening a cupboard, "I guess I'll have to do some shopping later.”" You will Shop alone? " I frowned.Blair had started learning Russian since she moved in, and I must say she was doing well for someone who had only been learning for a week, but she wa
DimitriIt was late afternoon when my mother pushed the wheelchair that she had insisted on renting so that I would not make unnecessary efforts. I obviously intended to return it as soon as possible, but in my hurry to leave the hospital behind, I accepted everything she proposed without arguing.It was so good to be home. I watched the walls of the elevator, longing for it to go up faster, all I wanted was to get into my apartment and find Blair! " I can see your anxiety, you can control yourself a little, she won't run away," Masha sneered.She had accompanied my mother while Blair continued to stay in the apartment to clean up while she waited for my arrival." Quiet," I muttered in a smile as I drummed my fingers on my leg." Don't get on your brother's nerves, he can't wait to see the new decorations in his apartment," my mother scoffed.I frowned, lifting my face to face them both. What's all this about new decorations? " What?”But before I could have any answer the elevator
DimitriIt was already the ninth day since the accident and I was recovering more and more. I couldn't wait for Blair to come visit me, she had landed in the morning and I longed for her presence. I couldn't stand to live away from her anymore, before I was willing to wait as long as it took and endure that insane routine from the beginning of our relationship, but after my near death experience, distance was no longer an option for me.And, lucky for me, she thought the same.So much had changed in such a short time. I walked to the window, watching the movement outside the hospital. It seemed like forever since I had been outside those walls, I couldn't even remember what it felt like. I spent a few minutes standing there, lost in my thoughts when a knock on the door caught my attention. My surprise was complete when I saw who had entered the room." Olga…”Your visit was not exactly an unpleasant surprise, the two of us had managed to find a middle ground in our coexistence over
BlairI arrived at my loft in Newark early the next evening, feeling exhausted from jet lag, but struggling to stay awake for the next few hours. I had a lot to do before I could move.After ordering my dinner at a local Indian restaurant, I grabbed two suitcases from my closet and started to put away some clothes and shoes. Tomorrow I would have to buy some bubble wrap to pack the decorations that I would take to my new home.My new home. How have things changed in such a short time? It has been almost a month since I received the call about my parents and left my apartment. That day I could not even imagine that I would come home just to pack everything.I managed to fill an entire suitcase before fatigue overcame me. I fell asleep amidst a pile of clothes on the bed, waking up only the next morning with the ringing of my cell phone. " Good morning, Commander," I greeted him with a yawn." I don't even need to ask if you slept well, the drool on your face already answers," he teas