54 Chapter
Lina
It’s been two weeks. I made the decision not to get rid of the baby. I don’t know why, but I made that decision. Would I regret it? I don’t think so. The night before I gave my answer to the gynecologist was rough. I thought and thought and thought. Going over every possible option. All the risks. And came to the conclusion that taking the life of a child just because I didn’t know who the father was and because I had once made a mistake was wrong. They wouldn’t find me anyway, and my baby would automatically become an Italian citizen.
Evelina called, but didn’t come, which I was immensely grateful for and happy about. She was the only thing I missed. As a mother-to-be, I shouldn’t be nervous. I had been throwing up a lot lately, I couldn’t eat and I just wouldn’t leave the bathroom. There was no way I could show up to work in that state, so I asked her for time off. Two weeks.
“Okay, get well soon. We have a lot of work to do. In two weeks be as good as new,” she said then and never bothered me again.
How to tell her that I was not a cucumber at all and that in the next seven months, or maybe more, I would not be able to be. But I’ll think about it.
Oh, I got a little dizzy. I walked over to the bed, sat down on the edge and took a deep breath in and out to calm down a little. For what it’s worth, I was really worried. The role of mother would be new to me. And I didn’t understand anything. Yes, within a week I had read two books on motherhood, or whatever it was called? I can’t remember. And I watched a lot of enlightening videos. There were sleepless nights and the unknown ahead of me. But I can do it! Raising my baby without a father! And we don’t need one. Or do they? Vlad or Vladimir? What patronymic should I give the baby when he’s born? Yes, it’s too early to think about it, but thinking about it later won’t change anything. I’ll have to decide anyway.
I stroked my still flat tummy. There’s a little life beating inside me. Yeah, I could use my mom’s support right now. Or better yet, Kostya. He’d be a great uncle, and spoil his nephew. I’m sure it will be a boy. Only boys are born of such overbearing and cruel men.
And I’ve already chosen a name. I didn’t even have to think about it. Konstantin. Konstantin Vladimirovich or Konstantin Vladislavovich? Both options sound good enough. My little kitty has not yet come into the world, and I’m already planning everything. Looked at the website of children’s rooms, a lot of good options. But it costs so much money that I certainly can’t make from Evelina. I’ll have to find another job, and when at the end of the month I get a salary with a bonus, which I deserve – I’ll get a new apartment. I don’t want anything to do with her. I don’t! She’s not a person you can trust. She’s used to using people, and I don’t share that. Getting rich by having someone do all your dirty work for you. And I’m afraid to tell her about the pregnancy, because you can expect anything from her. She’s already her own person in this country, every passerby in town knows her and every third person hates her, I’m sure. I’m sure they don’t like her.
***
Vlad
I’ve been in Rome for over two weeks now. Evelina called me several times, and do you know why? No, you wouldn’t believe it. She wanted to meet me informally. No, she’s not ugly, but she’s way too mature for me. And I’m not a gigolo, and I never have been. And I don’t want to become one. But she persistently called and I had to agree to a meeting to explain everything in person.
The meeting was set for today.
At the entrance to “Cesar” – the elite restaurant in Rome, I was met by the receptionist, greeted and escorted inside. On the thermometer today it was seventeen degrees Celsius, and I dressed lightly enough, and I did not want to sit and chat with Evelina in a stuffy room in spite of the fact that it was high class.
“Good evening,” I said hello to her first as we approached the table where she was sitting and waiting for me.
“Oh, hello. What a pleasure. Have a seat.”
Her lips were painted bright red lipstick! And she was wearing a tight black dress above her knees. And it looked awful, to say the least! Those lips and that dress! And the black patent leather stiletto heels. An expensive prostitute. There was no other words I could think of. Although I realized that she was probably the owner of the yellow Lamborghini parked at the entrance.
“Good evening,” I said hello, pulled back my chair and sat across from her. The place was vintage, lots of glitz and glamour. It was like the Roman Empire. And the entourage was the same. Historic.
“How are you doing? Settling in Rome?”
“Fine,” I answered dryly. I realized that the purpose of our meeting was… Her desire. Did she like me that much, or was it just that she hadn’t been fucked by a man in a long time? Does she think if I’m a tourist I’ll agree to be her boy? Slave?
“That’s good. What are you drinking?”
“Nothing. I want to know the purpose of our meeting and what I understand to be a closer acquaintance.”
“You’re an intelligent man, and that’s good to know.”
“You’re straightforward.”
“And also businesslike.”
“To the point. I don’t like to talk too much.”
“I like you. That’s a fact. Yeah, I’m not hiding it. ”
“I don’t like you. I’ll be perfectly frank.”
“I figured it out. But I’ll get over it.”
“Then I don’t understand anything.”
“I’ll explain everything in more detail and you’ll understand what I want. I’m not a young woman anymore, and I have a problem with my health.”
“Then you should see a doctor. I’m not a doctor.”
“Let’s be blunt. I can’t have children. The mistakes of my turbulent youth have led to this outcome.”
“I won’t give you a child, that’s for sure.”
“I’m not asking you to. I have another request. She will be highly paid when she achieves the desired result. There is a girl. Young, beautiful, sexy. You’ll definitely like her.”
How about you? You’re younger than me. Do you mind? It’s easier that way.
“What am I supposed to do with this pretty girl? I’m not a killer.”
She’s laughing out loud.
“She’s pregnant. I don’t want her, I want her baby. You’ll have to help me. Surround her with care and fake love. And when she gives birth, you give the baby to me.”
“Are you out of your mind? How do you imagine that?”
“It’s very simple. You meet her, you have sex, you propose. She’s a little premature. Take it. I’ll pay you well. You can buy an apartment in Rome and stay here forever. You didn’t run away from Moscow for nothing, did you?”This content © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.
She’s definitely out of her mind. No, I’m not getting into this for anything!
“No!”
“Let me show her to you! Look at her” I take my iPhone out of my purse and find a picture of the girl I’m supposed to fall in love with. For the sake of interest I decide to take a look and I gape on the spot. I’m already up but sit back down because I refuse to believe it. I simply refuse! This is some kind of… I can’t find the words! It can’t be Leena. It can’t be.
I immediately decide to change my mind.
“I agree.”
“I was sure I could talk you into it.”
No. The only reason I’m agreeing to this is to protect Lina from a crazy woman who’s determined to take her baby at any cost.
A baby? I’m just now realizing! She’s actually pregnant! With who? Vova? I was with her, too. The two of us were together. Shit! What a twist! That’s fucked up! I gotta get a grip on myself first and see Lina! Then I’ll figure out what to do.