ROMANÍAN

“They say that the language of angels is inaccessible to human ears. But when na angel wishes to speak to you, it is not necessary to produce sound. The sound of the heart is the language of angels". Ski Center, St. Petersburg Twenty years ago... -Help me find her, we have to be faster, come on!!!- Kazimir removes the snow with his bare hands in desperation; every second is precious. -I’m trying! We should call for help, the signal is lost. “Even Sharif isn’t sniffing,” Anna says breathlessly, plunging her body into the thick snow. -Are we in the right place? Her mother told us she was dropping her off at the third station. -Kazimir, she’s just a little girl, she may have left out of fear and the blizzard caught her, we took our time getting there. -Wait Anna, Sharif found something up ahead, it’s got to be her! -Faster kazimir, dig faster!!! -Where are you, little girl, I gave you a sign – Kazimir is exhausted, but continues to remove the layers of snow with his bare hands. Sharif, his Labrador, digs without stopping, no doubt she was there. -Here, here it is, I’ve found it!!! Help me kazimir, I see one of the hands – Anna screams in desperation as she barks insistently. - Look, she’s still breathing. I hope to God she’s not injured, we’ll have to get her out of there. The little Romanian is carried into the car. The couple take care to warm her body while they arrive at the hospital. Her biological parents are unfortunately found dead days later. Norilsk, present day Human Reproduction Research Center -Hey Kira, you can keep talking I’m listening. I need to analyze these samples.” Romanian is at the microscope looking at a slide with blood. -I didn’t mean to interrupt you, but your parents have assigned another agent to walk with you. The man looks like a closet, so big – Kira lets out a laugh. -One more poor bastard to follow me around like crazy. I’ll soon make him give up like the others. Let him wait outside. When he’s done, I’ll call him. -Romanian, the problem is that this one doesn’t look like the others, I think he has a bad mood. Like, ante social. -Ah yeah? -Then he’ll wait longer. Tell him I’m very busy. -Kira frowns, wondering what to say to the man. -Hello, sir...what’s your name again? -“Lwide.” He replies, giving Kira na icy stare. -Mr. Lwide, I’m sorry for the delay, but the Romanian is finishing na analysis and will be with you shortly. Would you like some coffee or water? - Don’t worry Miss Kira, I have all the time in the world. I don’t need anything. Thank you. -All right. Then I’ll go back to my room. – Kira walks out of there a bit awkwardly. Lwide looked like a block of ice. Na hour later... Romanian finishes her analysis, it’s after twenty o’clock. She didn’t even remember the man she had left waiting. She turns off the lights in the lab and finds Lwide staring at the Northern Lights through the window. Then she realizes that she has kept him waiting too long. She adjusts her overcoat, oblivious to the low temperature outside. Romenian decides to interrupt the strange man’s silent observation. -Beautiful picture, isn’t it? – she positions herself behind him, who shudders at the sound of her voice. Lwide turns around slowly. -Good evening, miss, I’m sorry I didn’t see you approaching; it really is a wonderful picture. -Have you never seen na aurora borealis before? -I confess a few times, but not this beautiful.” He speaks, mapping her face in a split second. -Let me introduce myself. I’m Romanian Mikaela Vandenberg. And you must be the bodyguard! -Please! My name is Lwide. I was assigned to accompany you, I heard you need security. -You’re different from the others. I don’t know what it is, but I don’t think you should be in this service. -And what service would fit me better than that, do you have any other options?”. He baffles her with a cold, inquisitive stare. His voice is low, possessing a warm yet firm sound; something good to listen to. Lwide has grayish eyes highlighted by thick dark lashes. He has fair skin and black hair in na elegant ponytail. He is tall enough that Romanian has to look down on him. He’s elegant in a navy blue jacket; he doesn’t seem to move a muscle when he speaks, a veritable marble statue. Romanian decides to break the ice with na awkward question. -I’m sorry to intrude; I know that everyone works in what they have na affinity for. I just thought you could be doing something less boring than running around all day chasing a girl. -It shouldn’t be that dull. I’ve worked for heads of state, religious people, psychopaths, billionaires. It shouldn’t be so bad to follow na intelligent woman who dedicates herself to noble causes. -Hum, I see you’ve been studying up on me! -She cracks a slight smile and Lwide sees the sun rise before her eyes, she looks like her sweet Yelena. -“Yes, I need to know who I’m going to advise. Your parents told me that you live here somewhat isolated. In this town, there are rumors of people not happy with some of your research. -Bullshit! I’ve been analyzing some river water and soil samples. I was just doing a favor for a friend of the local residents’ association; it made some companies uncomfortable. But I’m not in any danger.” She laughs as she ruffles her hair. -Won’t you feel cold in just this overcoat, miss? It’s below 15 degrees outside. You should put on another coat. -I don’t feel cold Lwide. I’ve already adapted to the long frosty seasons of this place, that’s what attracted me to this town. -Well, if that’s so. We can go. I’ll follow you in the car right behind. -Won’t you drive for me? I thought you’d do like the rest of us. -It’s not my job to drive. I have to be aware of everything around you. Being next to you, I would be scattered with possible conversations. But rest assured, you will have your privacy preserved. - How do you know I thought of that, lol? -No question, miss, we acquired over time working with customers. -I understand... Let’s go. Romanian leads the way. The long corridors of the laboratory are empty and their luminosity is low, being only illuminated by the side lights that indicate the exit. Lwide follows her in silence, you can hardly hear his footsteps, it bothers her, he is really different from the others who wore a shoe with wooden heels, which made a noise similar to tap dancers. She opens the exit door that leads straight to the parking lot, it seems that outside it is well below -15 °, she feels the icy wind hit her face. She stops for a few seconds to find her car; she takes one last look at Lwide before getting into the car. Her guardian stands with his hands on top of the car ready to leave, but she doesn’t want the evening to end there, and invites him to dinner; he is forced to accept. Romanian heads towards a well-known restaurant frequented by tourists. In this season, for three months, we have nights that seem to have no end. For tourists, it’s a very cautious period due to the low temperatures. Locals, on the other hand, have adapted to these changes, as the days will be endless the next season. As Romanian and Lwide enter the place, it is reasonably crowded. But she always finds a table reserved by her friend and owner. -Hello Romenian, nice to see you – Anastasia greets them leading them to a table further back. -Thank you dear, you know I never let you know. I don’t have a set time to leave. But let me introduce you to Lwide. He’s working with me now. -Please Lwide, I hope you enjoy our menu. Do you have any preferences? -Thank you, miss, your restaurant is quite cozy. I enjoy clams, oysters, raw fish. I don’t think such delicacies would be difficult to come by in this region, would they? -Certainly. You will try it and come back again. -I will certainly return to try the meats. I confess I like it rare. But not everywhere I’ve been able to get it just right. -I can see you’re very demanding Lwide. You know how to appreciate good food. -Anastasia leaves them alone and goes to get the meal. - So Lwide, do you speak any other languages besides Italian and English? -Incredible! Your accent is perfect; do you speak any other languages? -I speak six languages in total Miss Romanian; it is necessary when working with different personalities. -You could be working in any other business, at the embassy as a diplomat! -I have worked in other areas for the Italian government. I have worked in other countries as na interpreter for famous personalities, as a clergyman. But at the moment I do what I really like. -Very well; I think so too, that’s why I’m in this wonderful end of the world.” She laughs. –Let’s enjoy our food, which looks appetizing. Romanian chats during dinner quite comfortably in the presence of the guardian who barely stammered. After finishing, they stay there for a while longer enjoying the good music; then they head for the building. -We have arrived Lwide. Thank you for the evening, I see you won’t be so hard to bear. -She speaks in a debauched tone -You may proceed to your home, I am safe. -I am also residing here, Miss Romanian, right next to your apartment. -Are you kidding, is this a joke? -No, it’s not. -But this is ridiculous! I don’t have to live in a reality. -Call it what you will, Miss. -Now let’s go upstairs, I don’t intend to turn into a snowman. -Lwide stares at her. -Whose brilliant idea was that?” Romanian wryly asks. -It was mine. I prefer to be as close to the customer as possible. But if it bothers you, I’ll change it tomorrow. -Forget it! I just won’t allow you to invade my privacy. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going in. -Have a nice evening, Miss Romanian. -You’re welcome. They go into their apartments. There is a feeling of emptiness from now on.