Maksimillian
The doctor, speaking in English, thankfully, informed us it was shock and stress that was the reason why Zenovia fainted. He assured us that the babies were fine, though.
“The babies?” My eyes were round. “Y-you mean, we have twins?” I turned to Zenovia, who was still half lying on the bed while I was sitting on the side edge of it. No wonder her belly was so huge. I could see how my love must have suffered living all alone in this condition. My hands balled into fists.
“I-it’s a boy and a girl, Maks,” she told me with teary eyes.
I held her hand and took it to my lips before I caressed it. “I’m so proud and happy to have twins with you, moye solntse.”
“We can keep her under observation for the night if you need to be sure of her condition or you can go and come back if something happens. She’s due anytime soon, though,” the doctor added.
My heart danced at the sound of it. Zenovia would finally deliver our babies soon! I was ecstatic and thrilled! I couldn’t wait to see our children!
I looked at her again, grateful that I had found her finally, after such a long search. It was purely coincidental.
“I-I think I’m fine. I want to go home for now, doctor,” Zenovia told him.
The doctor nodded and instructed her once she started to feel the contractions and her water break.
I carried her to the car regardless of her protests that she could walk.
“I’m heavier than before, Maks.”
“Nonsense! Besides, I missed carrying you in my arms, moye solntse,” I told her and deposited her carefully inside the rented car, in the backseat.
“How did you know I’m here?” she asked when the car moved towards her rented house, as she instructed my bodyguard.
I wanted to bring her to the hotel I booked, but I did not want to start a fight with her right now. So, I let her.
“It was pure chance,” I replied. “As you know, the city once belonged to the Russian empire in the second half of 18th century to 1917, so some Russian journalist did a report on it. One of my people who’s tasked to find you happened to see you in the picture at Freedom Square. It was not that clear, but I would recognize you even the tip of your hair, moye solntse.” I touched her hair and ran the back of my knuckles on her soft cheek.
She blinked and looked away. “You shouldn’t be here, Maks. If he knows you found me and he learns that I’m pregnant⸺”
I frowned, losing her. “What do you mean? Who’s he?”
She swallowed. “I shouldn’t have said that… I shouldn’t have,” she mumbled, pressing her lips together. I could see the anxiety starting to set in like a thin blanket all over her.
I held her by the arm. “Zenovia, look at me!” I ordered her.
She hesitated for a moment or two, but she did turn her head and look at me. Her eyes were watery. I could see fear in them. But for what? Why?
“Who is he? Why aren’t you supposed to see me and be with me?”
“I-I don’t know, Maks. I don’t know who he is! I-I was just told not to see you again. I-if I did, h-he would kill everyone that I care about… my mum, my dad, my brother, Antonia… you…” Her tears began to race downwards to her chin. Her lips trembled as she spoke. “Y-you have t-to go, Maks… before he’ll know that you’re here. I d-don’t want him to know I-I’m about to deliver our children! I must keep them safe! You have to understand, Maks!” Her voice cracked. She then turned her face away from me, looking out of the window and behind us, afraid that someone might be following us.
I had no idea someone blackmailed her, that was why she was in hiding.
“I thought you just ran away to keep the baby all to yourself, Zenovia. I couldn’t let it happen. I want to share our baby. Turns out, we have two. For that, all the more that I can’t and I won’t leave you alone. Do you understand?”
“But you agreed!” she pointed out.
“Well, I changed my mind.”
“You can’t just change your mind, Maks! Especially now. Just think about our safety, all right? And I don’t want my family and you to die, so just leave me alone!”
I ground my teeth, trying to hold my temper. “As I’ve said, I will not, Zenovia. Whoever it is that blackmailed you, I’ll find out who he is!”
I dialled a number on my phone to reach one of my people in Romania. He was instructed to send people to protect every family member of Zenovia’s, including her best friend Antonia. If something happened to them, I’d have their heads next.
After I spoke with him, I turned to her. She was looking at me with wide eyes.
“W-what were you doing?” she queried.
“If I need to send a private army just to protect your family and best friend, I’ll do it. So, trust me. I won’t let anyone harm them, Zenovia.”
“Maks!”
“I can’t lose you again, moye solntse.” I cupped her cheek and kissed away her tears. “You have no clue how I suffered when I couldn’t find you! Now that you’re here with me, I won’t lose you again. No matter what you’ll tell me, I’ll stay by your side. I won’t leave you again. Not now, not ever! Do you hear me?”
She cried hard, and I wrapped my arms around her trembling body.
“I promise, I will protect you, okay?” I whispered in her ear, coaxing and soothing her at the same time.
I caught my breath when she hugged me back. I sniffed her scent, which I missed so much! I buried my nose in her now longer hair and squeezed my eyes shut. Her soft floral scent filled my olfactory sense.
“I love you, moye solntse! Please, let me stay with you, will you?”
“Maks…”
“I can’t live without you, Zenovia. All those months that I couldn’t see you, hear your voice or make love to you was driving me nuts! I couldn’t function well without you. Most of the time, it was my cousin who ran and made decisions for the company. He’s also getting crazy because of me.” I chuckled.
“Does it mean he wants you to find me then?” She wriggled free from my embrace to look at my face. She held one cheek and caressed it, making me close my eyes to feel her touch.
“No, he told me to move on, but I couldn’t,” I answered her truthfully.
“So, how are we going to do this, Maks?”