26 Breakdown

“Yes, my mistress!” I bow to Ann, who sits there smugly, looking at me victoriously with her nose held high.

I swear, I didn’t want to let her win, and I didn’t! The girl turned out to be a good actress, a rare bitch, and a master with a joystick!

“How the hell did that happen?!” I couldn’t calm down while the kids were laughing their guts out at my defeat… to this little dandelion!

“But I told you I’m the best Mortal Kombat player,” the brunette laughs mockingly. “About ten years ago there was a tournament and I took first place in the region. Back then I used to spend hours glued to games.”

“How many more terrifying secrets are you hiding?” I ask playfully, but Ann’s gaze suddenly turns distant and cold. She quickly lowers her eyes, then raises them again with a sly smile.

“Looks like it’s time for my slave to order us some food. You invited me over and you’re not even treating me to anything!”

“As you wish, my mistress,” I look at the beauty, imagining her in a black leather suit with a whip. With her, I’d gladly be a good obedient slave with chains around my neck, fulfilling any of her whims. Damn! “But actually, I prepared in advance! My house is full of food specially cooked by our chef for today’s meeting.”

With that, I put down the joystick and obediently head to the kitchen, where several pizzas, pies with different fillings, cookies, and compote with other drinks are already waiting. I wanted to make an impression, so I asked the cook to help me whip all this up.

While I’m taking the food out, Ann comes to help, carrying the dishes and pouring drinks for the kids.

“You have a very cozy kitchen,” the girl breaks the silence while I load the first batch of pizza into the microwave to heat it up.

“Thanks,” I smile at the beauty.

“And there’s another photo here,” she points to a family picture stuck to the fridge with a magnet. In it, Vicky and Kirill are surrounded by the boys, holding little Solomiya in their arms while looking at each other in love.

Damn! I didn’t even think about the photos!

“Yeah…” I hesitate, already trying to find a way out of this photo situation. “It’s really hard for the kids without their mother. They miss her terribly, so the psychologist recommended leaving photos around the house. That way they see their happy family and their mom, as if she didn’t abandon them but just… stepped out somewhere. A subtle psychological move!” Hopefully she buys that bullshit.

“I see,” Ann sighs sadly. “Your kids are so wonderful. I can’t understand how anyone could abandon their children! They’re your own flesh and blood! You carried them, gave birth to them through pain and suffering…” my beloved starts getting worked up, sincerely angry. “But you’re amazing. I truly admire you!”

“Oh, believe me,” I snort. “It’s not all that smooth. They need a good female role model in the family. We have a lot of misunderstandings and disagreements. Sometimes I feel like climbing the walls from not knowing what to do with them next or how to get closer to them. Right now they’re still kids, so it’s kind of easier, but what about later? And Soli? I’m absolutely terrified of her first period and puberty! I have no clue how you girls even talk about that stuff among yourselves! And what the hell am I supposed to explain in that situation!”