100. Reencounter

100. Reencounter
"I'm so sorry you had to go through that, ma'am, we searched for you tirelessly," he looked at me intently, "Nikolay has had it the worst, he didn't want to eat either and could barely sleep, he seemed like a living zombie, he just planned to rescue you and see you again."

I felt a tightness in my chest.

"He should have stayed to rescue me," I muttered with a pained voice.

Will sighed, probably thinking the same as me.

"I told him to stay, but you know how stubborn he is, besides rescuing you, he wanted to seek justice and take revenge, he couldn't bear knowing that his brother…"

"He's not my brother anymore," I said with a dry voice, my chest burning with pain.

"Well," he said compassionately, "Nikolay is very impulsive and would do anything to protect you, he almost went crazy without you, so he wanted to have Mike's head before he fled the country, but he assures that he'll be with you as soon as we arrive in Moscow."

"Okay," I sighed, leaning back in the seat.

"He hasn't rested and ordered to search for you day and night everywhere, all these men are ours, they've been tracking your trail for months by Nikolay's orders."

My Nikolay.

"Thank you very much, Will, I know you've done everything you could and more, I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart, and thank you too, Tyler," the latter smiled and shook his head.

"I had to do it," he smiled faintly, "it was my fault for not being able to protect you, I should have fought even harder, no matter if I lost my life," he spoke with anger and determination.

I looked at him cautiously.

"Was it too harsh on you?" He smiled half-heartedly and nodded, "I'm so sorry, but it wasn't your fault for all of this."

"I know, ma'am, but I had to protect you better, and that's why I'm here, seeking a second chance," he seemed ashamed.

"From my part, I'll give it to you, I'll talk to Nikolay so he can also give it to you," I said with a small smile, and he nodded.

We talked a little more about my stay in that little cabin and how they found out I was there because one of Mike's goons let it slip during a drunken night.

Oh my goodness, what madness.

I took a painkiller for my headache and fell asleep for the remaining 5 hours of the flight.

"Ma'am," I slowly opened my eyes, "we're about to land," I nodded.

Those had been the most restful hours of sleep in a long time.

I sat up and fastened my seatbelt. I checked the time; it was midnight. Would Nikolay be waiting for me, or would he have fallen asleep?

A knot settled in my stomach. How had he been? Would he be happy to see me?

My steps weren't fast enough to get home to my love. My nerves increased as we got closer. What would I find at home?

We entered the mansion's garage, and I sighed in relief. I was home.

I quickly went up in the elevator, which, as usual, wasn't as fast as I wanted it to be. The doors opened, and the familiar smell of my house filled my senses. I looked around the foyer, and everything was the same. I felt my legs trembling again.

I walked through the living room, heading to our bedroom.

My heart was pounding very fast when I stood in front of the door to the room I shared with Nikolay. I grabbed the doorknob and turned it to open it.

The room was dimly lit; I lay down on the bed and breathed in Nikolay's scent, still embedded in the fabric. Tears rolled down my cheeks, and I smiled, placing my head on the pillow, longing to have him by my side again.

I don't know at what moment I fell asleep, but my eyelashes fluttered when I felt a sweet and gentle caress on my cheek, accelerating my heart with fear, but then calming down as I distinguished the silhouette in front of me.

It took me longer than planned, and to no avail, that damn Mike had given me the slip, and I was foaming at the mouth with anger, but first…

I had to see Margaret; I could deal with that issue later.

I had my best men searching every corner of Russia and, if possible, the world. He wasn't going to escape after what he had done; I wouldn't allow it.

I arrived home well into the night and looked toward the entrance, feeling an overwhelming urge to run to where my wife was, surely waiting for me.

Had she missed me as much as I missed her? I hoped for that with all my strength.

My steps were muffled by the carpet; I had stripped off everything and needed a refreshing shower to be ready for Margaret, but this urgent need to see her led my steps directly to our bedroom.

I entered without making a sound; everything was silent and even filled with peace; one that I hoped would last a long time between us.

Everything was dark, and it took me a few seconds to focus on the love of my life, curled up in our bed, sleeping on my side of the bed.

Tears rolled down my cheek uncontrollably, tears of happiness, fear, sadness for leaving her alone all this time. I leaned against the doorframe and cried silently.

Being away from her had been a total hell.

I approached the bed and looked at her small body under the sheets, her beautiful and relaxed face while she slept.

By God, she was as beautiful as I remembered her.

I gently stroked her cheek and felt breathless as I did so, feeling as if life was returning to my body. I grabbed her hand, feeling electricity coursing through my entire body.

"Margaret…"

I felt her squeeze my hand, and her beautiful eyes opened slowly, fixing her gaze on mine. The air left my body; that look, those eyes had been the protagonist of my best dreams, and now I had her in front of me, and I could only stare at her in awe.

My love, my life.

Her eyes filled with tears, just like mine, and I squeezed her hand.

“You're my dream come true,” she caressed my cheek, thinking she was dreaming.

I certainly was. 

“Are you real?”

I nodded slowly, because the words were stuck in my throat.