Chapter Six

The sunlight was warm against my face. I squirmed and turned around, hugging my pillow to my face. A crease formed on my brow and I opened my eyes to the unfamiliar room. It took a few seconds before the memories hit me.

The wedding.

I sat up at a shocking speed. The realization dawning on me. My parents will not let this go. I looked around the room, I could hear Leo’s collar jingling faintly from somewhere in the house.

What am I going to do from now on?

My gaze drifted to the drawer beside me. A brand new phone box sat there untouched. I blinked confusedly, that wasn’t there when I went to bed.

I slid out my legs from under the covers and pulled on Mikhail’s sweater. I took it off before I went to bed because I thought it might make me sweat.

I hope he didn’t see me bare. The covers were up when I woke up.

Quietly, I opened the bedroom door. The only noises I heard was the sound of a ball bouncing and Leo running around. When I got to the living room, the door was open. Mikhail sat on the couch and absentmindedly tossing a tennis ball to the porch for Leo to fetch and bring back.

He looked back as I entered and gave me a nod of acknowledgement.

“You’re up.”

I rubbed my hands together awkwardly. “Yeah. What time is it?”

“It’s pass noon,”

My eyebrows rose in shock. “You didn’t wake me?” I’ve never sleep that late. My parents wouldn’t allow that.

“I figured you needed the rest.” His dog returned with the ball in its mouth and jumped on the couch next to him.

I felt awkward standing there and just played with my fingers so I wouldn’t feel completely weird. “I saw the phone. You really didn’t have to do that.”

He gave a one-shoulder shrug while tapping on his phone with one hand and petting with the other. “I figured it was better in case I needed to reach you.”

“Still… thank you.” I said looking down.

He turned to look at me again and I found myself feeling extremely shy. “Um… I want to take a shower. But… I don’t have any clothes.”

Without a word he stood up and walked into his bedroom. That’s the only place in his house I haven’t been to. I wonder what it looks like, no doubt it’ll resemble him.

A minute later, he returned with a stack of clothes. Sweatpants, a black t-shirt, and a hoodie that looked like it could swallow me whole. And I thought the one I was already wearing was big enough.

I smiled gratefully as I received them. As I turned to head to the bathroom he casually added, “I can take you to the mall later. For clothes. If you’d like.”

I paused and looked over my shoulder.

“That will be really nice. And maybe we could get something for Leo too.” I said, eyeing the dog who was now lounging on the rug with zero dignity.

Mikhail smirked a little. “He is spoiled enough.”

With that, I disappeared into the bathroom with the clothes in hand. My heart seems to feel light when I’m talking with him. He makes me forget my problems for a little while.

It felt nice to take a hot shower. Maybe a little too hot, steam filled up the whole room. I towel dried my hair and slipped into the oversized clothes Mikhail gave me.

The waistband folded awkwardly with the drawstring pulled tight. The hem of the pants pooled around my ankles.

I caught my reflection in the mirror and sighed. I look so different now, dare I say, I look more me?

Will my parents ever forgive me? I hated the fact that they dictated every aspect of my life but I still love them.

I stepped back into the living room. Mikhail was in the kitchen going through some more shopping bags. He had his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing a tattoo I hadn’t noticed before on his forearm. It looked like a letter.

I stared at it for a moment longer than I should have and he caught me staring.

His gaze dropped to the way too-long pants and hoodie that hid my hands.

“You look ridiculous.”

I was taken aback at his comment. “Thank you.” I rolled my eyes.

“I meant it in a good way,” he said. “You look like you’re being swallowed alive.”

“I kinda am,” I giggled and tugged at the hem. “But it’s cozy so I like it.”

He looked at me again, like, really looked before dipping his hand in the bag and pulling something out. “Here,” he handed me a brush.

“I don’t know much about makeup and styling but I know you need this much.”

I stared at the brand-new brush, in the color cyan, my favorite color actually. Something about him remembering little things, is hitting harder than expected.

“Thank you,”

He nodded like it wasn’t a big deal but it meant a whole lot to me. I watched him for a second, wondering why I’m even here. I know I shouldn’t but I wanted to know.

“Mikhail… that baby room.” he froze, just for a second but he wasn’t expecting it. “I found it when I was looking around-”

“It’s nothing. It was like that when I bought the place from the owners. Forget you saw that.”

I didn’t press about it further, the tone of his voice made that clear. I don’t want to make him uncomfortable with me. I combed through my hair, it was still damp. Leo was by the door, snoring without a care in the world.

I wanted to help him but when I took a step, I stepped on the hem of the pants and almost went face first into the tile floor. He wasn’t close to me but still somehow managed to grab my wrist and pull me so my face hovered over the floor.

Mikhail sighed in relief when he caught me just in time. He helped steady me back on my feet.

Then “Let me,” he crouched and folded the ends of the pants so I wouldn’t constantly step on them.

“You ready to go to the mall?”

I nodded my head. “Yes, immediately please.”