by BWWM Club
“Got any tweezers?” he asked and she pointed to the hooks next to the door.
“My purse,” she whispered.
“Don’t move.” He commanded as he walked towards the door. When he came back with her purse, he handed it to her and she rummaged through it before she pulled out a pair of tweezers. He sat back down and pulled on a pair of latex gloves, the only ones in the first aid kit. He took a generous cut of cotton wool and wet it before he wiped off the blood to get a better view of the shard of glass wedged in her foot. She looked at him and took a long deep breath. “You need to stay perfectly still now, okay.” She nodded and took another deep breath. She then closed her eyes and winced as she felt the shard being pulled out of her.
“There. All done.” She opened her eyes as he used an antiseptic soaked cotton wool to clean her wound. He then put a band aid on her and then looked up at her. “How are you feeling?” he asked and she shrugged.
“It stings a little but you didn’t have to do all that,” she said as she pulled her leg from his hand.
“Of course I had to do it,” he said. “I don’t mind taking care of you.”
She looked up and smiled.
“I never got you a refill,” she said and he shook his head.
“No, you sit down. I’ll do it,” Evgeni said before he stood up and gathered the messy cotton swabs and first aid box. She watched him as he walked to the kitchen. “As soon as I mop up the kitchen floor. That place is a health hazard”
“All the cleaning agents are under the sink,” Athena called out. “And it is not hazardous to anyone’s health just…the slipping aspect.”
“What is it Americans say? Apples and oranges?” Evgeni said and she smiled.
As she sat there waiting for him to come back, all she was thinking at the moment was how she was not going to be able to wear heels for a while. That wouldn’t work out with new client meetings particularly if the client was a man who was a little too into femininity. She wasn’t sure how long she had been waiting before he finally walked back to where she was.
“I don’t know what you prefer but I made a call to my favorite Thai joint and ordered us dinner,” he said. “Hope you don’t mind.”
She shook her head and smiled.
“I’m famished, actually and I am pretty sure that everything Carla made is all…finito.”
“Good, because the food should be here in a few minutes, I like Savanh’s for its efficiency,” he said as he sat down.
“Savanh. I’ve heard about it but I have never really dined there,” she said and then frowned. “Wait, they do deliveries? I thought they are kind of like the Uber of restaurants.”
“They are and they just recently started making deliveries. Literally three or so weeks ago.”
“Is that so?” she asked as she leaned back against the seat. He reached for one of the cushions and secured it behind her.
“Comfy?” he asked.
“Yeah, thank you. And you are spoiling me a little too much,” she said in a soft voice. “I don’t want to get used to living like this. You know I have been comfortable doing all this by myself, right?”
“I know and you have been doing a great job so far but,” he took her hand in his. “You don’t have to do it alone anymore.”
She took a deep long breath and sighed.
“I…I have never dated a man like you,” she said in a soft voice and he shook his head.
“A European American?” he asked and she smiled.
“No. A man whose foundation donates five million dollars in a single night, a man who makes more in an hour than I make in a year…” she never had a chance to finish what she was saying. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her softly. “What are you doing?” she asked.
“Trying to figure out why you think I want anything more than the pleasure of calling you mine,” he said and she frowned.
“You want me to be yours?” she asked both surprised and confused and he nodded.
“Why do you think I am here right now? I have wanted you since that night at the benefit.”
“Why?”
“Because for the first time I was myself with someone who saw me as just another man at the benefit. The way I have always wanted to be seen,” Evgeni said as he drew small circles on the back of her hand with his thumb.
“And how is that?” she asked.
“As Evgeni Markovic the red blooded man and not billionaire businessman Evgeni Markovic.”
She smiled.
“I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me who you were right away,” she said.
“In my defense, I saw a beautiful intriguing woman who had absolutely no idea who I was.”
“Is that a good thing?” She was not really sure.
“Yes, a very good thing. Someone was interested in me for the man I was, the man I am.”
“Interested?” she asked as she looked at him.
“Well, I would like to assume that was the case,” he said and she smiled. “So when did you know?”
“My friend Carla…She was on my neck about getting out of my shell and I told her that I did, well technically. And she had me Google you,” she said in a soft voice. “Well, that’s how I knew.”
“And?” he pressed.
“What do you mean ‘and’?” she asked.
“Does that change your mind about me or anything?” he asked. She took a long minute before she shook her head.
“No, it didn’t. I just don’t know how I can…” her voice trailed off. “I’m just not sure I can be fully committed to a new situation and everything.”
“I am willing to wait,” Evgeni said.
“Really? But for how long?”
“I told you, you are the first woman I’ve met in a long time who doesn’t picture my bank account on my face as we have sex,” he suddenly snapped and she raised an eyebrow.
“We haven’t had sex,” she said with a smile.
“In a manner of speaking Athena. I just…I just want someone who I can connect with on every level possible including the intellectual,” he said.
“Is that a way of asking me to dinner in so many words?”
“That was not what I was doing but if it is working, I would have to say yes,” he said quickly. He looked into her eyes and smiled. “Tell me it worked.”
“Maybe it did,” she said just as they heard a knock on the door.
“Dinner’s here,” he said before he stood up and walked to the door.
When he walked back to where she was, he sat down and began unpacking the food containers from the paper bag.
“So does this count as our first dinner date?” she asked and he shook his head.
“No, this was not a date. I have to ask you and you have to say yes and then get dressed up and I pick you up,” he said as he held two containers in his hand. “Cashew chicken or spicy chicken fried rice?” he asked.
“Is it okay if I have a little of both?” Athena asked as she frowned. She had never been okay with just sticking to one order. A smile played on Evgeni’s lips as he nodded.
“I don’t see why not.”
She took one of the food containers and inhaled deeply.
“This smells amazing,” she said under her breath and he nodded.
“Yeah, it is pretty amazing.”
He leaned back and took a pair of chopsticks from the bag.
“But Athena,” he started as he looked into her eyes. “I need you to make me a promise.”
“What?” she asked as she looked at him.
“You are going to tell me what you are keeping locked up in that pretty little head.”
She shrugged.
“What makes you think I am locking anything up?”
“I know that you are because one secret keeper knows another.” He opened his own food container. “And I did find you crying your eyes out in the Aquarium parking lot.”
She took a pair of chopsticks from him and smiled.
“I’ll show yo
u mine.” She took the cashew chicken container and opened it. “But only if you show me yours.”
He opened his own container and smiled at her.
“You’ve got yourself a deal, Athena Davis,” he said before he took a bite of his chicken.
Chapter 5
“This is not a good look,” Athena thought as she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the reflective wall as she made her way to Carla’s restaurant. She was in a knee length, elbow sleeved dress and a pair of sandals. “I miss my heels.” A woman gave her a strange look as she walked into the restaurant and Athena sighed. “I really, really miss my heels.”
“Hey,” Carla said when she saw her. “I was beginning to think you were not going to show up.”
Athena leaned forward and gave her friend a quick hug.
“Sorry, my last minute went on a little longer than I expected it to,” she said as Carla led her to the back. “Oh wow, private table…chef’s table, right?”
“Right,” Carla said smiling. “You must feel very special right now.”
“Well, of course. I am kind of a big deal, you know,” Athena said matter of factly and Carla rolled her eyes.
“Yes you are. I even noticed the sandals you are rocking with that dress.”
Athena bit her lip and nodded knowingly.
“Please, don’t hold back the sarcasm on my account.”
“I had to, honey. You are in a killer dress which should be probably worn with Louboutin heels or something but no, you thought that a pair of sandals would do,” Carla said. “Heading to the beach later or something of the sort?”
“I have a cut on my sole, okay?” Athena said rolling her eyes.
“A cut? What the hell happened?” Carla’s voice was full of concern.
“It’s no big deal. I just stepped on broken glass, that’s all.”
“Whoa, did you walk blindly into a crime scene or something?” Carla asked and Athena shook her head.
“No, I dropped a cup in my kitchen. Seriously, it is not a big deal.”
“If you say so,” Carla said matter of factly.
“I do, missy,” Athena insisted as Carla signaled one of her waiters.
“So, I know that I might not get all the dirty details since I didn’t see you yesterday but I want to hear everything,” Carla said. The waiter brought two plates of BLT sandwiches and Athena smiled.
“You are really trying to butter me up, aren’t you?” she said as she looked at her sandwich. She had always loved Carla’s BLT sandwiches. She was not sure whether it was how she toasted the bread with cheese or the fact that she used extra crispy bacon. Either way, she knew that she loved the simple taste of Carla’s BLT sandwiches.
“Well, I do need to know what happened and the happier you are, the better the situation will be for me,” Carla said as she took a bite of her sandwich. “Plus, I still have a couple of hours before the evening rush.”
“Well, I don’t. I have to get back to work.”
“And that is why I settled on sandwiches rather than a five course lunch.”
Athena smiled again.
“Ever wonder if maybe you are a bit too involved in my life?” she asked and Carla shrugged.
“I know I should be offended but honestly, I don’t really care and the answer to your question is, no. I do not think that I am too involved.” She took another bite of her sandwich as the waiter brought them two bottles of water. “I am just the right amount of involved.”
“I had a feeling you would say that,” Athena said before she took her first bite. “Dear Lord, that is so damn good,” she said under her breath.
“Good, now you tell me what happened with Russian Moneybags,” Carla said and Athena shook her head.
“He has a name, you know?”
“Well, even his name sounds rich. Like, mob boss kind of rich though.”
Athena frowned.
“No, it doesn’t!”
“Really, Athena? The guy’s name is Evgeni Markovic and I am almost sure that if he pulled the accent off, the really heavy one and flashed a toy gun at some poor baker, he would get like twenty grand or so for ‘protection’.” Carla opened her bottle and took a long sip of her water.
“I can’t believe you even said that,” Athena said, stifling a laugh.
“So, come on. I am dying in suspense here,” Carla said in a whisper. “What happened?”
Athena dabbed the sides of her mouth with her thumb and index fingers and smiled.
“Well, I got home and found him waiting for me,” she started.
“He has a key to your place already? You are moving pretty fast,” Carla said matter of factly.
“He was waiting in his car in front of my apartment building you idiot. No one said anything about him being in the house.”
“Your story telling skills suck,” Carla said and Athena shrugged.
“So, anyway, he was waiting outside my building and I invited him in. Offered him a drink but I was a little too nervous though.” Athena took another bite of her sandwich. “That was when I broke the cup.”
“When you offered him a drink?” Carla asked.
“Well, I had already…we had already had a drink, mulled apple. I was getting him a refill and he was there talking to me and I don’t know what I was feeling…but I was suddenly feeling hot and cold at the same time and confused and….” Athena’s voice trailed off.
“You blushed, didn’t you?” Carla asked.
“I don’t think so…” Athena stammered and her friend smiled.
“Yes you did and you are blushing now,” Carla said laughing. “I honestly never thought I would ever see the day.”
Athena shrugged and took another bite.
“I just don’t think I have it in me anymore,” she said with a sigh.
“What do you mean you don’t think you have it anymore? You sound eighty or something,” Carla pointed out.
“Because sometimes I feel eighty. Hell, sometimes I feel like I'm freaking century old.” Athena shook her head. “It’s like I don’t know what to do, what to say, what…I just choke when it matters the most.”
Carla shook her head and took another sip of her water.
“See, right there, that is your real problem,” she said and Athena raised an eyebrow over the other.
“What is? What are you talking about?” she asked.
“You are trying too hard, that’s your problem,” Carla said as she interlaced her fingers and rested her elbows on the table. “I know getting back on the saddle is hard but you are too young to live your life alone.”
“I don’t intend on doing that, you know,” Athena said.
“Really? At the rate you were going…at the rate you are still going, I kind of see a future for you that is a little lonely.”
Athena shook her head as she took another bite.
“But what if…” she started before Carla put a hand up.
“I already know what you are going to ask and I have to stop you right now,” she said. “You want to ask what if he doesn’t measure up to the kind of life you had pictured for yourself and Evan, right?”
Athena almost rolled her eyes. Her best friend knew her too well, it was sometimes uncomfortable.
“Keep in mind, you are not looking for a replacement because if you are, you are being unfair to yourself and to Evgeni,” Carla started. “No one can ever be exactly like Evan and if that is what you are looking for then you are definitely going to miss out on the great personality Evgeni has.” She reached across the table and took her friend’s hand in her own. “How about you just give life a chance, huh? Close your eyes and ears to what the obvious dictates and see where your destiny takes you.”
Athena forced out a laugh.
“Since when are you so Zen?” she asked and Carla shrugged.
“Maybe I have always been and you were always a little too busy to notice,” she replied.
*****
By the time Athena got back home that evening, al
l she wanted to do was get into a shower and then maybe soak for a long hour. But she had agreed to a dinner date with Evgeni that evening. She walked to her room and stripped off her work clothes before she walked into the bathroom. She turned on the water and stood under the warm jets. It had been a long day and it almost felt as if the water was washing away every sore knot she had in her body. She leaned against the cold tiled wall as the water ran down her back. At the back of her mind, she was trying to figure out what she was going to wear that night.
When she finally got out of the shower, she was almost half an hour later. She dried off and stood in front of her closet. She had to pick out something that flattered her body but also decent. She pulled out one of her new dresses and a smile played on her lips.
“I knew I bought you for the right reason,” she thought as she held the dress against her body.
*****
Evgeni straightened his jacket with one hand as he stood outside Athena’s apartment. He didn’t know why he was so nervous. It was not like he had not done this before but something about this girl just made him feel all warm and fuzzy. He was even second guessing the navy slim suit and sky blue shirt he had on – something that had never happened before. Not even with Natalya.
“Here goes nothing,” he thought as he softly knocked on the door. It took just a few seconds before Athena answered the door. “Oh wow,” he thought as he looked at her.
She was in a burgundy long sleeved bandage dress that reached just under her knees. She had straightened out her curls and she had matched her outfit with black strapped heels.
“You look amazing,” he said in a soft voice.
“And you look…really good too,” she said, smiling.
He leaned forward and kissed her cheek softly before he brought his hand from his back producing a bunch of roses.
“Wow, you went all out. Didn’t you?”
“I did tell you that I wanted to go the whole nine yards with you and that included buying you flowers at some point.” He looked at the roses in her hand. “The only problem is I don’t know you well enough to know whether you are a rose person or…but I figured I couldn’t go wrong with red roses, right?” he asked and she nodded.
“Yeah, I guess so,” she said. “Maybe if the evening goes well, I will let you know what kind of flowers I like.”