I'm coming from the airport with Rolan's mother in the passenger seat. Roland was kind enough to let me know of his mother's illness. She was involved in a major accident years before Rolan and Nikolai came into their lives, and it hindered her eyesight. Medications and surgeries have been able to help her see thus far, but not for long. Her sight is getting blurry, and she can't see a thing without her glasses now. He also made sure to inform me not to treat her like a sick patient. He said she hates it and it spoils her mood. He also listed certain foods and snacks she will want to eat but is not allowed to eat. I've been repeating the names of those foods and snacks in my mind so I won't forget. These days my mind is like a browser with lots of tabs open and a series of downloads. I'm trying my best to keep up with my memory. "Are you always this quiet, or am I the cause of this awkwardness?" I turn to meet her squinted eyes and her smiling lips, completely at a loss for what to s

"She likes gardening. She also likes to read but had to put a stop to that when it began to strain her eyes. She loves animals and will definitely love to hear how you've been managing the ranch after your father passed. Mother is not as energetic as she should be. She won't take up most of your time; she only wants to bond with someone who's about to be a member of her family, no need to be nervous. As long as you don't treat her like a patient… you both are good to go."I'm tongue-tied and unprepared. I totally wasn't expecting him to try and help me out. If all he said is true, then having a conversation won't be so bad. I did tell him my problem, and just like he promised, he helped find a solution for me. Maybe this marriage thing is going to work. I find myself smiling like a fool; my face brightens up, and I immediately return to reality."If you say so, I would have no problem speaking to her then. Thanks for telling me what she likes.""And you don't necessarily have to talk

I start the engine and drive outside of the garage, down the lane to the ranch. The sun shines on the smooth green pastures where the cows are out and scattered, chewing on the grasses without a care in the world, surrounded by white wooden gates of medium height. A worker is right at the left corner of the field; he spots me and waves with his hat. I do the same as I drive by.“This looks beautiful. I must say I'm surprised,” Mrs. Dimitri looks amazed by the view in front of her. “You manage the whole ranch?”“I have help. It's not easy running the mafia and a ranch,” I say as I take a turn to the right, heading up the hill toward the stables. It's beginning to get hot, and I hope it won't be a problem for Mrs. Dimitri.“No, it's not, but you're doing a good job, dearie,” she cooes. I feel her gaze on me, but I don't divert my eyes away from the road. “Will you be able to leave this behind?” Another feeling of déjà vu washes through me again. My lips tug upwards; she notices. “Did I

"I went into the kitchen and made one of my favorite tea recipes, Creamy vanilla flavored peach ice tea. Taught your chef something new today, he should pay me." Mrs. Dimitri makes me smile again when I see her holding two plastic cups with dome lids filled with a foamy peak creamy orange-colored iced tea."I knew it would make you smile." She hands me a cup, and I take it, uttering a small thank you. The cold drink somehow makes me feel better about the drive. Costa, our driver, leads us to the Lexus where we take our seats at the back and settle.She watches me with eager eyes as I place the straw between my lips and take a long sip of my drink. My eyes close involuntarily; the heavenly taste commands them to do so. The sweet peach flavor bursts on my tongue, mixed with the vanilla ... I can't help but hum in approval at the taste.I pull the straw away. "It is divine." I moan before slipping the straw back in and enjoying the rest of it."I'm glad you love it. There is more where i