Chapter 49 Anxiety
Maria's POV
I’ve checked my phone at least twenty times in the past five hours. Repeatedly confirm that the ringer is switched on. At 7 AM, dawn is breaking, but it’s not fully light yet. I pull myself out of bed, walking towards my ensuite bathroom. Turning the light on, it reflects off the shiny surface of the white marble.
Splashing some cold water onto my face, I tried to erase the circles under my eyes. I glance up into the mirror, and I can already tell it’s not working. Moments like this make me miss giving up cigarettes five years ago, because right now nicotine might be the best shot to calm my nerves.
Sharp, biting pain took my mind off worrying. Looking down at my hands, where I've been practicing how to shoot and basic self-defense, my hands were blistered on my trigger finger and the middle of my palm. I had been squeezing the gun like my life depended on it. It hadn't been the first time I've ever held a gun. Daddy would let me hold his hunting rifle or his AR, but he never let me hold a handgun before, much less shoot it. As far as Daddy was concerned, guns were for men because they were the protectors of the home.
The sun filtered into my room as the sun was rising, and I realized now I won't be able to sleep if I even went to lie back down. Quickly throwing on some shorts and a sleeveless shirt, because I didn't think the guards would appreciate me walking around in pajamas, I exited my room to go towards the magnificent chef's kitchen.
Walking into the kitchen each time just always took my breath away. As a little girl, I always dreamed of something like this, staring at magazines my mom would buy at the grocery store, wondering what it would be like to live in such a luxurious place. I never thought I'd be stuck as a waitress or never have the funds to fix my crumbling house, where I grew up. Sigh, thinking about this kind of stuff would definitely kill the mood if I wasn't already worked up.
Setting the burner phone that Aleksander gave me on the counter, I walked over to grab some cereal out of the pantry. Opening the pantry, I was shocked to see Fruit Loops; I definitely didn't think a man like Aleksander would love something like that. Did Europeans even eat sugary stuff? Pouring me a big bowl and topping it off with some whole milk it satisfied my sugary cravings. Sitting at the large kitchen counter on one of the stool chairs, I set out to eat my breakfast. Mmmmmm.....each bite was like pure heaven in my mouth. I finished up my cereal pretty quickly and placed the bowl into the empty dishwasher along with the spoon. I would definitely not be accused of not cleaning up after myself. Thinking to myself, I don't even know if a man like him has maids... but he's super rich, probably a billionaire... don't they all have maids, chefs, and support staff? But then again, he's a man of the utmost discretion... would he let just anyone off the street into his residence, even to clean?
Going down the hallway, I still haven't seen any of his guards. Were they still asleep? Rubbing my eyes, I kept a lookout for any sign of Henry or the others. I found the door that led out back towards the backyard, where the massive European-style gardens were, with the most beautiful infinity pool I've ever seen. Sigh, I don't think I'll ever get over seeing or even being at a place like this. Shoving the thoughts of insecurity deep down, I stepped out.
Touching the beautiful red rose bushes and blue hydrangea bushes, I leaned down and inhaled. "Perfection," I whispered, loud enough only for me to hear.
Stepping around the last row of bushes, I stopped in my tracks. In front of me was a large, and I mean large, water fountain. Rising from within the garden, an 8ft-tall fountain stood as a sculpted centerpiece, elegant and commanding without overwhelming the space. Carved from pale limestone, it looked as if it could stand the test of time.
The base is a wide, circular basin edged with delicate floral reliefs delicately hand-carved with ivy designs cascading down the sides. At the very top of the fountain was a cherub with her arms and wings outstretched as if welcoming you into a hug. Out of her mouth came the clearest blue water falling into the basin of the fountain. I couldn't comprehend how the water was so blue, yet clear at the same time. It looked like the pictures I've seen of the Gulf of Mexico in Panama City, Florida. I'd always wanted to see the ocean, but we never had the money or time to go. Pushing back tears that had formed, trying to burst their way out of my eyes, I stepped back and sat on the stone bench overlooking the garden. This felt like peace......something I haven't felt in what felt like years.
Forgetting I had my tote bag with me, I reached down and grabbed a new mystery book I found late last night in the side drawer next to the bed. I had started reading the first few chapters when I realized I couldn't sleep. Kicking my feet up onto the bench, I opened my book, becoming completely engrossed in it and ignoring my surroundings.
What had felt like hours went by in this newfound paradise. Out of nowhere, I felt a firm, hard grip on my shoulder. I must have jumped five feet in the air. Screaming and flailing my arms out in straight survival mode, not knowing who or what was behind me. His laugh spilled out low and warm, a rumble from deep in his chest. "Relax, Maria! It's just me," Henry murmured, clearly entertained by what just transpired. Blushing, knowing my face to the tips of my fingers must be beet red from embarrassment.
"Oh my god, Henry, you scared the fuck out of me," I said with a screech, playfully hitting him in the chest. He looked put together, like a man made to be a killing machine, fully decked out in black military-style armor, with pistols at his sides.
Rolling his eyes at me, and laughing, "I had to come find you. I knew you were out here, but I was trying to give you some space and stay at a distance."
Fidgeting with his hands was his first nervous tell, something that Aleksander had taught me the day we went back to the Metro Diner looking for answers about what had really happened that night. "Spit it out, Henry," I tell him, not wanting to waste another minute. "We heard from Aleksander that he has Dimitri," he quickly said.
Feeling my heart trying to burst out of my chest, I interrupted him before he could tell me anything else, "Where is he??? Are they ok?"
"There's more, Maria. And this problem is probably more important than Aleksander patching up Dimitri right now."
Again with the hands, and now his eye was twitching. He sighs, "I don't know how else to say this, so I'm just gonna spit it out. The Pakhan is coming."
"The Pakhan?" confusion settling over me. "What is a Pakhan?"
Henry's eyes showed he was completely perplexed, rubbing his hand over his face in a low, calm voice.
"I forgot that you're not Russian. The Pakhan is Aleksander's father. He is coming here from Russia, Maria."
Holy fuck.......his father was coming? A mirage of emotions settled over me.
By hearing this news, I knew just one thing............ Shit was about to hit the fan.