CHAPTER SEVEN

True to Tatiana's words, I wasn't able to walk properly for a few days, but I was…recovering, for lack of a better word. The week that followed was very tough, exams were just around the corner, assignments and projects had to be submitted and of course, I had to study. I don't get free grades simply because I'm dating the professor. Speaking of Viktor, I haven't really had the time to go see him and I know he's busy too but the good news is I get to see him today, I had my assignment and this project to submit. I waited till it was past the time he attended to students, he always stayed back to do some extra work.

I sighed and looked at the time, it was past 5:00 pm, finally. I picked up my file, books, and bag and walked down the empty hallway that led to his office, without knocking I walked into his office and met with the most horrifying scene of my life. Viktor was in a lip lock with this blonde girl that takes his class, she was in only her underwear and he only had his pants on with his belt buckle undone. The sound of the door opening alerted them to my presence, Viktor looked like he had seen a ghost.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to drop off my project and assignment but I see you're busy so I'll just…"

I closed the door behind me and ran as fast as my legs could take me, I heard him calling my name behind me but I only wiped my tears and ran harder. And I didn't stop until I got to the house and closed the door behind me, sliding the lock into place. I slid down the door and let the tears fall, I don't know how long I was there crying but when I looked up, I met the concerned eyes of Tatiana and Dimitri.

"Is everything okay, Arizona?"

I couldn't speak, I couldn't feel, I was just numb. I was carried up to my room and Tatiana arranged me into my bed, with a tiny kiss on my forehead I was alone again, left to cry my eyes out.

I must have fallen asleep while wallowing in my misery because I was jerked awake by the incessant ringing of my phone, I looked at the caller ID and it was the last person I wanted to speak to. Mom. I knew the second she heard my voice she'd know something was wrong, what was I going to tell her. Oh, hey Mom, I got into a relationship with my professor and have been having sex with him for most of the time I've been here and today, I caught him about to have sex with another female student. Please do not be disappointed in me, okay?

I sighed and said a silent prayer to God before picking up the call.

"Hey, Mom."

"Oh, hello sweetie. I've been trying to reach you for the whole of today."

"I'm sorry, Mom. It's been a hectic week and all that, I'm sorry I've not been able to keep in touch too."

"It's alright." There was silence on her end of the line for a bit before she spoke, I was a fool to have believed even for a second that she wouldn't be able to tell when something is up with me. And her calming and soothing voice made me just want to break down and tell her everything.

"What's wrong, Ari?"

"Nothing Mom."

"Arizona, don't lie to me."

"Really Mom, nothing is going…"

"Just listen to me. I know there is something and from the tone of your voice, I can tell it is something big. I can't force you to tell me what it is because you're an adult now and I know you can take care of things. I know you will make mistakes, but no matter how huge the mistake is, always remember home. We'll always be here for you honey."

I placed my hand over my mouth and choked back a sob, composed myself, and waited for a few seconds to make sure I won't fall apart before responding.

"Thanks, Mom. I got it."

"Alright honey, I know you'll want your rest so I'll hang up now. Love you."

"Love you too."

I threw my phone down on the bed and followed, I wanted to go back to sleep, deal with reality tomorrow. But then there was a knock on the door and I already knew who it was and I knew I wasn't going back to sleep anytime soon. Tatiana didn't wait for me to open the door, she came in and lay beside me on the bed, she turned on her side and looked at me.

"You ready to talk about it?" I wasn't sure if I wanted to but I know Tatiana, she wouldn't leave my room until I told her everything, so I might as well get to it.

"Viktor…"

"What about him?"

"I went to his office today after classes…" I choked back a sob and sat up, Tatiana sat up too and moved even closer. I could feel that her curiosity had peaked.

"I caught him in…a very…compromising position with another girl…"

"When you say compromising, do you mean that he was doing…that he was going to…her. He was going to fuck her!?"

I nodded and Tatiana completely went off her rockers. At first, she just sat there and made weird hand motions, and then she jumped off the bed and began screaming and shaking the bed, then she began jumping. I don't know why but for some reason I found it funny what she was doing but I held it in, I began to laugh when Dimitri came in ready to kill someone and instead found Tatiana in the middle of a tantrum. The second she saw him, she ran to him and began to speak rapid-fire Russian to him while Dimitri just stood there not knowing what to do, utterly confused. I doubled over and fell on the floor laughing, that got their attention, Tatiana walked to me slowly, like you would approach someone with mental illness. She stood above me for some time before sitting on the floor with me and wrapped her hands around me.

"Are you okay, Arizona?"

I was going to say Yes but then the scene from Viktor's office replayed in my head over and over again and I began to cry over again, clinging to Tatiana for support and comfort.

"Come on, let's get you out of your clothes, have a bath and some food in that tummy, and then to sleep. Then we're hitting the club again tonight. All in that order."

I was going to protest but she was already taking off my shoes and socks and I knew I had to be well-rested for the club, because like always there was no telling Tatiana no., I went through the motions though I did feel much better after the bubble bath and, I don't know what scent she put in the water but it was so calming, therapeutic plus I smelt good too. I brushed down my hair and put it in a single braid at the nape of my neck. Just because I felt like it, I slapped on some lip gloss and felt like all was right with the world again.

I threw on some jean shorts and a big woolen shirt, took one last look at myself, and went downstairs, the sweet aroma of Tatiana's cooking calling to me before I made the turn to the kitchen. I saw a steaming pot of food on the stove, what I also saw was Tatiana on the counter with her halter top half down and Dimitri between her legs, making out furiously.

"Disgusting…you guys!" They immediately broke apart and arranged themselves, Tatiana made a show of turning the pot on the stove, I don't think she realizes that she already turned it off, Dimitri seemed unfazed. He just laughed, placed a soft kiss on her cheek, and with a wave he was out the door. Tatiana finally grew some balls and turned away from the stove and passed me a plate of steaming hot soup. I wiggled my eyebrows at her suggestively and she threw a napkin at me before settling beside me with her food in front of her.

"You and Dimitri…you guys look so good together. How did you guys meet?"

"Here in Russia. His father had some business with mine."

"Your father owns clubs too?"

"No, clubs are Dimitri's investments. His father is into real estate, he owns several houses and even hotels. We met at a business dinner when his father had invited my family. He was the hottest in the room, we hit it off, and well, like you Americans say…the rest is history."

"That's so cute…very romantic."

"Yes. About you and Viktor…you need to understand this, he's not the only man in the world. You're strong and you will move on. Remember we have exams coming up so you have to bounce back. I can see you're done crying. That's good…the hurt is still there…but you'll walk through it one step at a time. And I'll be here the whole time, holding your hand."

She took my hand in hers and kissed it. I smiled and pulled her in for a hug. She was right on that one, even an amateur like me could see that. I'll just move on; I've learned from my mistakes and I guess life goes on.