23

Anger rises from the depths of my soul. Who the hell does this little pimple think he is?

“And why did you decide I’ll disappoint her?” I ask angrily. “I have serious intentions toward her.”

The kid just laughs, glaring back at me.

“Listen, my mom is just carried away right now and maybe even a little in love, so she doesn’t notice anything. But I don’t believe you. You won’t fool me that easily. Even though you have kids, you’re a shady type, and I’m sure you’ll screw up soon enough. And you won’t keep up with her pace of life. You two don’t fit each other.”

“I’ll take that risk,” I look at the kid with a challenge, but he just shakes his head hopelessly, chuckling.

“Go ahead, try. We’ll see. You’ll be the first one to run away from her, just like all the others she tried to give a chance to.”

That conversation really pissed me off and hit a nerve. The confidence of that kid that I’m not serious about his mother, or about life in general, irritated me like hell.

Everyone thinks I’m careless and irresponsible, and it’s honestly starting to piss me off! That kid, and even my relatives, every now and then throw the same kind of thing at me.

If Kirill hadn’t met Vicky, he wouldn’t have been much better than me when it comes to women! And anyway, if it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t have met Vicky in the first place!

He just got lucky that he found the one woman who blew his mind with a single look. It’s not my fault that I never had that kind of emotional, soul-deep experience with a woman. It’s not because I didn’t want it. They came and went, but none of them stuck in my soul or stayed in my memory. Was I supposed to marry the first random woman I didn’t love just so people would start seeing me as a respectable man with serious intentions?

But I don’t love and can’t lie to myself! I’m not one of those people who bends under forced circumstances so someone out there might start thinking better of me. That’s hypocrisy and falsehood, first of all toward yourself.

“I won’t let her down, and her job doesn’t scare me,” I say confidently, and the kid rolls his eyes mockingly.

“Yeah, sure…”

Honestly, Ann’s brat is damn annoying! But there’s nothing to do about it, I’ll have to find a way to get along with him. Let him get used to the fact that his mom isn’t alone anymore. She may not be completely mine yet, but I’m not letting go of her! I’m not going to miss a chance with a girl who, for the first time, has sunk this deeply into my soul.

Frowning, both Kirill and I reach the kiosk with sweets and buy the ice cream everyone ordered, grabbing a couple more treats as well.

As we get closer to our spot, I keep looking at Ann more and more. She’s sitting next to Solomiya, and they’re enthusiastically talking about something while looking at my niece’s dolls. So beautiful, kind, sweet, though she definitely has character too, which is another plus. Her graceful movements, that proud piercing look, that figure and intriguing energy — everything about her drives me crazy. And we haven’t even slept together yet!

Seems like it’s time to admit to myself that I’ve fallen in love like a schoolboy. I don’t even want to look at other girls anymore, like they all faded in an instant.

I need to try harder and stronger to make her fall for me, and so…

“Oh, Soli, your braid came loose. Come here, I’ll redo it!”