9
1061 Words
Milana
Annika was really happy to see me. She jumped to hug me the moment she saw me. She was in her room, reading a book. She's so smart for her age. I moved my bags to my room and Boris left.
“I'm so glad that you are here, Milana. Papa told me that you were coming today and I have been waiting for you.” She says as I follow her back into her room. Her room is so pretty, neat and coordinated. She's so neat for a six-year-old. I still can't believe that she was alone in here.
“I'm glad too. And I'm going to do my best for you, Annika. I hope we get along well.” I tell her. We are already getting along and I hope that it goes on like that.
“Which book were you reading?” I ask curiously, and my eyes land on the book which seems to be an English book.
“It's a book that Papa got me. It's for beginners in English. I'm trying to perfect my English.” Viktor told me that. He said that I would be giving Annika English lessons. Luckily, I'm very good at English.
“How good are you now in English, Miss Annika?” I ask in English and she chuckles before replying.
“A little be—better, miss Milana.” She replies and I laugh, picking up the book which I begin to flip through.
“You're doing so well, Annika,” I tell her as she's quite fluent for her age. With time she would be perfect in English. I spend some time going through the book and I ask her to pronounce a few words for me from time to time.
After that, Annika offers to show me around the house. I was really ecstatic to see and damn… everything was perfectly arranged and right in place. Even for a house that did not have any maids or servants. If there was one thing that I noted while Annika was showing me around, it was that Viktor loved his personal space. It was so obvious.
She took me to the kitchen and I ended up making some food for her. We both ate and Annika requested that I play a game with her. She was such a cute little girl and there was no way that I was going to say no. She played up until it was evening.
Her father was not yet back and when I told Annika to go to bed, she refused. She insisted on waiting for him as she said that she always waited for him. I decided to wait with her, but it was already 8 in the evening and her father was not yet back. So I persuaded her to go to sleep, it was hard, but she agreed, and it had been about an hour since she fell asleep.
I sit at Annika’s bedside, watching her sleep. She is so adorable and nice. A smile forms on my face as I tuck a strand of her hair away, pulling up the duvet to cover her properly.
After I'm done, my phone rings in my pocket and I stand, rushing out of the room, not to wake Annika up with the sound. It's my mother.
“Mo—” I begin the moment I pick up the call.
“Where is the money I ask from you, Milana? Huh? Is it until I die that you will consider sending some money over? Why are you so heartless? Tell me?” she demands but I say nothing as I take in a deep breath. I don't have any money.
“Mama, I don't–”
“You need to stop this Milana. Stop being so incompetent. Stop being a useless daughter. Other daughters take care of their parents, but you… you…. I need money.” My eyes fill with tears at her words. With what I'm going through in my marriage, I yearn to have a supportive mother at least, but no. She makes my life miserable along with Maksim.
She's the reason that I married him. She borrowed money from him and the only way out was me marrying him. She knows that Maksim beats me up. But her words are, ‘Endure. Love does not just come about. He will love you soon.’
“I don't have any money,” I tell her but my words only anger her and she hisses under her breath.
“Calling you was a mistake. You are a mistake Milana. A big mistake. Other daughters take care of their mothers but you??”
“Mama,” I call in tears. The tears that I've been trying so hard to hold back, drop from my eyes.
“Mama, I already told you how hard things are. I'm still trying to put some things in place and I just started this new job. I'll send some money over once I gather enough. But please, can you just stop? I can't suffer in his hands and then you. I need some breathing space.” I sob, slowly sniffling as I try to wipe my tears away.
“Mila—”
“Just stop calling me for now. When I have money I'll send some. But for now, please just stop.”
“Mi—” She does not get to finish when I end the call. I at least deserve my mother's support but she's not helping in any way. She makes things worse for me.
I sniffle and the more I try to wipe my tears, the more only end up falling. Everything is so suffocating. Dealing with an abusive husband and an unsupportive mother can be draining. Trust me. I just want to get out of all of this.
I sniffle softly. Mama calls back, but I end the call and switch off my phone. After successfully cleaning my tears, I turn to go into Annika’s room to check on her before going to bed but I pause in my tracks when I see someone standing there.
He's tall and looks imposing and intimidating. His grey eyes are exactly blending with the darkness as his huge figure stands there looking at me. Me?
“S…sir.” I stammer. What is Viktor Ivanov doing here?
- Writer
