Pyotr" So you're telling me that you're going to be best man at my wedding? " I heard Mary's voice as soon as I reached the room, she was still standing in the doorway, next to Halley. " If you are Marianne Navruz, yes. I'll be best man at your wedding.”" Really? " She insisted." Simon," I greeted, drawing the girls' attention." Hey Peter," Mary smiled, "you never told me about Simon.”" How could I not? " I frowned " I told you I invited him to be my best man. Why hasn't he come in yet?”" Sorry " Halley smiled " It was our mistake. Come on in, I'll show you around.”" You'll show him around? " Mary stared at her friend, "You don't know the house!”" You better park the car first," I suggested.Halley quickly offered to show him the way to the garage, while I walked with Mary out onto the porch, watching the moonlit backyard. " You didn't tell me your best man was so handsome," she nudged me." What?”" Come on, you can't tell me you've never noticed how handsome he
PyotrAs I regained consciousness I felt a small weight on my chest, and with my eyes still closed, I wrapped Mary in a hug, taking a deep breath as I felt her body nestled against mine." What happened to the pillows? " Her voice was still sleepy. " I don't know.”I didn't care about that, I didn't feel like moving or getting out of that situation. " Is it weird that I'm comfortable here and don't want to get up? " Mary questioned through a yawn, finally forcing me to open my eyes.She was lying on my chest with her eyes still closed, and it was a sensational image. Her hair was slightly disheveled and her expression was serene, the same one I had observed other times when she was sleeping. God, she is beautiful!Mary opened her eyes and tilted her face in my direction, and I stroked her cheek before removing a few strands of hair from in front of her eyes." Good morning.”" Good morning.”She sat up in bed stretching, drawing my gaze immediately. I ran my eyes down her perfectly
Mary Pyotr walked away, leaving me frozen in my place. His words still echoed in my mind. What does he mean, "I'm out"?" Mary " Allie snapped me out of my daze." Did he say what I think he said? " I stammered, staring at my friend. He wouldn't break up with me this close to the wedding, right?" What happened? " Allie held my arm, trying to get my attention, while I continued to stare down the hall." Ian was giving me a massage and... He can't break up with me!”" Peter, wait a minute," Simon called as he took his bag, heading for the stairs leading to the garage.The front door opened as Matthew and Halley arrived. Both were confused by the whole situation, not understanding what was going on."Mary, what are you doing? Go after him! " exclaimed Jake." What happened? " I heard Halley ask. I set myself in motion, running to the garage. He can't just leave!" Peter " I hurried over to my fiancé as he closed the trunk " Don’t go!”" Enough Mary," he growled." Peter, let's t
MaryI remained silent, absorbing everything Jacob said. That makes some sense." Besides, if he doesn't forgive you, you can show him what it's like to pick a fight with a Navruz.” Jacob winked at me “I doubt he can handle it.”" I thought the Soviet comrade had already left," Ian remarked nonchalantly as he entered the room." If you don't want to end up with a black eye, you'd better get away from me," I muttered angrily.“Mary, come on, we weren't doing anything." He shrugged, heading for the kitchen." If he doesn't have the confidence to hold you down, it's not my problem. Or maybe it's because he knows this is all a big hoax.”" He doesn't need to hold me, because I don't plan on leaving his side. " I rolled my eyes, stood up, and headed for the balcony." Mary, where are you going? " Allie sighed, "Give him a break.”I ignored her, rushing downstairs to find Pyotr and Simon talking in the barbecue area. The sun had already set and the place was lit by artificial lights, but I
Mary We hung out on the porch for a while before heading down to the pool, Jacob rushed to answer the door as soon as the bell rang, indicating the arrival of the pizzas. I joined him in helping." Hey," I called out as soon as we closed the door, already holding the pizza boxes, "I wanted to thank you for what you told me earlier.”" It was nothing," he frowned." Actually it was, I don't think I could have handled it very well. If it weren't for you, I'd probably be stopping my father from killing Peter right now and thinking of ways to kill Ian. " I looked away. I can't believe I'm thanking Jacob. " You shouldn't have accepted the massage," he sneered." Do you think I did it on purpose?”" I just think you should have thought about it," he shrugged. " Men aren't going to offer you a massage without ulterior motives.”"You massaged me a few times," I looked at him, "and you had no ulterior motives."" Who says no? I tried to hang you every time, but I was interrupted.” he off
MaryI was lying in my bed with a hell of a cramp, and had called Peter earlier in the day to let him know that I would not be working that day.After the mess that Ian had made on our trip, we had anticipated our return. My father seemed inclined to forbid us to return to that house without his supervision, but my mother eventually intervened on our behalf, much to Allie's relief.Pyotr and I have never talked about what happened that night, and I don't know what has been going on in his mind, but I know that he regrets it. He always keeps his distance and every time I try to approach him he pulls even further away. The only thing that has forced him to touch me in the last few days was the visit from the immigration inspector, who surprised us as we were leaving the publishing house. There he acted like the perfect fiancé in love, but as soon as we were alone again everything went back to the way it was before." May I come in? " My mother opened a crack in the door, watching me wi
Mary We watched the movie like that. I finished the truffles and enjoyed Pyotr's body heat. I was loving every second of it and didn't want it to end." Shall we watch one more?” He seemed to think so too, since he suggested it as soon as the movie was over." Do you choose? " I bit my lip, staring at the Russian man.It was like a dream! I had never been with Peter in a situation like this. He was being so careful, so gentle, and I wanted it to last forever, but a knock at the door interrupted us. My mother opened a crack, assessing our situation for a moment." Mary, dinner's ready," she sounded dull, "Are you okay to come downstairs or...?”" I can come down," I assured her. " I'm much better.”And it was true, I didn't feel as unwell as I used to." I guess in the end you just needed a little attention," she teased." Hey, I wasn't faking it," I complained, getting up." I didn't accuse you of pretending." She gave me an amused look, while Pyotr put on his shoes." But you're a
Pyotr I felt lost at work without Mary's presence. She had called me in the morning to say that she was not feeling well and would not be at work, and I could not give her that much attention because of a meeting that lasted all morning. I hated Mariane's absence on these occasions, because since the first meeting that she accompanied me, I realized that I felt more secure when she assisted me. The way she looked at me while I was speaking conveyed confidence, making me feel big, strong, as if I was capable of doing anything. And I would enjoy that feeling as much as I could. Being alone in that room was uncomfortable, but I managed the situation well. When had I become so dependent on her presence?Ever since I caught Mary with Stewart I can no longer deny that I have feelings for her. My reaction that day was nothing but pure jealousy, and I almost threw everything away because of it. And the way she played me left no doubt in my mind that Marianne has me in the palm of her hand.
Mary I kept alert during dinner, but nothing different happened. Am I becoming paranoid? Do I not know my father well enough anymore? " The most awaited time has come," Omar smiled as the plates were cleared away, "time for dessert.” I frowned as a Red Velvet cake was brought to the table by a waiter my father had hired for the evening. My surprise increased even more when he handed a cake knife with a spatula to Pyotr. " What's going on? " I stammered in confusion. " I thought it was clear that this is a celebratory dinner, Marianne," my father explained as if it were obvious. “Doesn't the cake tell you anything?” " That you've lost your mind and I can have you committed and take over the publishing company? " I tried. " What do I do with this? " My husband whispered to me. " I'm sorry to disappoint you dear, but my sanity is still intact," he smiled, "but it was a good guess.” " Can someone explain it to me? " I asked. " Don't look at me," Ian shrugged, "I've just been inv
MaryThe next day was the same as the others. Breakfast, walk with Libby in the park, lunch, physical therapy. I was surprised to get a call from my dad inviting us to his house for dinner.This was strange, because he usually took us to some restaurant or something, but I decided not to argue. At the agreed time we went to my parents' house." Why the last minute invitation? " Pyotr asked " Your father usually likes to plan things in advance.”" I don't know, he must be feeling lonely," I yawned. “I just hope he doesn't try to drag us off to some opera or theater or whatever.”" I warn him, you're tired," he assured me, taking me in his arms as we reached the door to the old man's house. He climbed the steps to the front door, setting me down and supporting me so that I could take the few steps to the door and ring the bell.To my surprise, it was Ian who answered, staring at me with a nonchalant look on his face." Hey, you're standing up " he smiled." Can you support her while I
MarryWe remained silent until we were in the car going back to the apartment." I'm sorry about that, he shouldn't have brought Margot here without consulting you," Pyotr sighed." We got through it," I stared at him, "She had a chance to explain herself, and now we can move on, Peter. We have closed this chapter of our lives.”" Really?”" Pete, I told you I've forgiven you," I pointed out slowly, "Don't you think you need to do the same?”He remained silent, after a quick glance. I knew how much he blamed himself for my condition, but I didn't want him to stay with me out of guilt, but because he loved me." I'm sorry," he finally spoke up, "I... I just hate seeing you like this thing.”" And I hate being like this," I took a deep breath, "but there's not much you can do about it, is there?”" If I had told you... " He looked away." If I hadn't decided to drive at that moment," I retorted, "If I had slowed down, or if I had remembered to buckle up, who knows. If I had…”" Mary…”"
MaryI awoke feeling the warmth of Pyotr's skin enveloping me, I snuggled into his arms, as that feeling of fullness came over me once again. Every part of my life was whole again.After Peter took me to the terrace yesterday I had no doubt, he is the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, I could never give this up. After I had this certainty, the rest was easier.We enjoyed our evening at home, and after dinner went straight to bed. I outlined Pyotr's face with my fingertips, thinking how lucky I was to have him by my side." What time is it? " he murmured, his eyes still closed." I don't know," I kissed him softly on the lips. Hearing the protests from the other side of the door " But the kitty and Libby didn't like that they slept outside.”" They'll have to get used to it," Pyotr laughed, moving away to look for his cell phone. “I will prepare breakfast.”" If you help me get dressed, we can do it together." I sat up in bed, looking around for my clothes." Help you? Why
pyotr" Pyotr? " Denise's voice caught my attention " Can you help me a little?”" Excuse me? " I closed the door, turning towards her." She doesn't want to do the exercises," the physiotherapist explained, walking towards me. “Could you…”" Sure," I sighed, walking into the living room.Denise had moved the furniture aside, laying out a mattress on the floor. Mary was lying there, she was panting and covering her eyes with her arm. " What's the matter? " I questioned."I increased the weight on her ankles” The woman indicated as I sat down on the floor beside her." It hurts," Mary whined." How much does she need to do? " I sighed.Every time Denise introduced a new exercise, or increased the weight, I had to intervene to get Mary to do the exercises." Ten," Denise said, "Ten on each leg.”" Anne," I pulled her arm away from her eyes. " Come on, just ten.”" But…”" You can do it, моя девушка¹ " I assured her, caressing her face " Come on.Mary took a deep breath, starting to do
PyotrIt was the first week of October, Mary had started physical therapy and slowly she was allowing me to get closer.First we were able to have a conversation, then she began to allow me to help her, touch her, and finally we were back to sharing a bed.As promised, I was giving her space, and it seemed to be working. Little by little we were on our way to becoming the couple we were before." Are you ready? " I questioned Mary as I heard the ringing of the doorbell. It was almost time for her physical therapy session and she seemed a bit down today." Sure," she sighed, as I walked to the door." Is everything alright? " I frowned, interrupting my path." It's nothing," as usual, she guided her chair to the window. I hated to see her like this, but according to Denise, her physical therapist, Mary was responding well and would soon be using the walker." You know you can tell me anything, right?”" Answer the door, Pyotr," she said, "Soon Denise will give up and leave, you shoul
MaryThe sound of the door opening caught my attention. My mother stepped forward to help my husband who came in carrying some bags, Libby and the kitten that were in their transport cage." Sorry for the delay," he smiled, "I thought I'd better come by and get them both at once, I'm sure they'll miss you.”My mother took the groceries to the kitchen, while he released the two from their little prisons. It seemed like a century since that Friday when my perfect life fell apart." He's huge! " I exclaimed as I saw the kitten run towards me and jump into my lap.Libby did the same, but stopped at my feet and whined." How are you feeling? " Pyotr approached." Fine," I assured him, "Can you put her on my lap too?”" That's a start " Pyotr fulfilled my wish, while I stroked Corgi's ears and the kitten nibbled her paw." I'm going home " My mother commented as she approached me " I'll be back tomorrow, okay?”" All right " I smiled." Don't push or rush," she lowered her tone, "Just don't
MaryAfter a hellish week in that hospital, I was finally able to go home. According to Dr. Clark, the surgery was a success. Slowly the feeling in my legs was returning, although I didn't have the strength to move them, which was a bit painful.I hated going back to the apartment with Pyotr, I wanted to keep as much distance from him as possible. It was hard to have all those conflicting feelings inside me. I loved my husband, I wanted him to be around, I wanted his support. But I couldn't forget what happened. I felt anger towards him. Not for my situation, despite what everybody said, I didn't blame him for that. But I blamed him for our situation, I blamed him for feeling alone so many times, I blamed him for not being able to trust him, I blamed him for not being able to feel his touch without me remembering everything, I blamed him for having that whole fight tarnish the memory of the first time he told me he loved me.How can we get through all this?" Here we are," my mother
PyotrI went back to the apartment at night, knowing that I couldn't stay with her while she was in the ICU. I felt lost being in the apartment alone. I went to our room, deciding to take some things to the room on the second floor.It is already Tuesday and I haven't slept properly since Saturday, which means I am exhausted. But I couldn't sleep there alone. We still weren't sure about the success of the surgery, and even if it had been successful, it would take Mary a while to walk again. I fell asleep on the couch around four in the morning.Omar, Elena and I came to the conclusion that it would be better to tell her about the report only when she went to her room, so as not to disturb her recovery. I visited her in the morning, and didn't have much to do for the rest of the day until the next visiting hours, so I decided to go to the publishing company to see how things were going.As soon as the elevator doors opened, Halley stared at me in surprise. Her gaze then turned to conte