Chapter 30 Mallow
Great men are not born great, they
grow great
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Irina's point of view:
He came home late last night. I pretended to have slept. He undressed and went inside the toilet, his shirts smells of fresh blood. I understood what he just did. Sometimes every month, Ruslan and Dad often come home smelling like that. It didn't mind me, I guess I am used to it now.
I didn't know when I fell asleep but when I woke up the next morning, my husband was in no place to be found. I didn't see him on the bed as I expected. I felt so angry but not disappointed, I guess I am getting used to waking up without him in bed.
I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom, I took a shower and went out of the bathroom. I went to the other room to dress up. After that, I went out of the hotel room to the reception area.
"Good morning ma, what can I do for you?" The receptionist asked in her native Thai language.
"I don't understand your language," I said to her.
"I am sorry Mrs Atono, I said what can I do for you?" She translated for me into English.
"Have you seen my husband around?" I asked her.
"Yes, he went out of the hotel early in the morning." She asked.
Of course, he went out without informing me.
"I feel bored, is there any place I can go to in this hotel?" I asked her.
"There are so many places that you can go to free your mind and to make you cheerful. We have the spa area, the bar area, the club area, we have the swimming area, etc." She explained.
I smiled brightly at her after the hearing of the swimming area.
"Where is the swimming pool located?" I asked her.
"It is located on the left side of the hotel, do you need anyone to escort you there?" She asked me.
"I am coming, let me change into my swimming dress," I said to her as I left the reception area for my hotel room. I quickly unpacked my bag and searched for my bikinis, I settled for a peach coloured bikini, put on my mini gown, and went out of the hotel room to the reception area.
"I am back," I told the receptionist.
"You look beautiful." She said in awe.
"Thank you," I said to her with a genuine smile.
She called a staff member to escort me to the pool area, and I followed her willingly and delightfully.
"Here you are ma. I hope you have a nice time, I will leave you now" she said and left.
The pool is filled with people. There are many crowds that I kinda regret my decision of coming here. I could feel the glances of the people on me.
This is so absurd, I wish to go back but I am already here so there is no turning back.
I went to the swimming pool bench and lay down.
I watched how the people are playing, swimming, and romancing in the pool. There are also some outside the pool aswell doing the same and also flirting with one another.
I closed my eyes enjoying the peaceful way the breeze is hitting me. I might fall asleep at any moment from now.
"Hello," A man walked up to me and sat on one of the benches facing me.
"Hey," I said to him giving him my full attention.
"Mā thả xarị thī̀ nī̀ khn deīyw khn s̄wy" He said.
"I don't understand Thai," I said to him as I looked over the pool area.
"My bad. I said what are you doing out here alone, beautiful lady?" He repeated his question.
"Obviously for fresh air and to have fun," I replied to him as I faced him back.
He looked handsome and collected. He has a cute face and a button-shaped nose. He smiled uniquely and his face expressed his feelings. He is so handsome but not as roman except that Roman has a scary face. He has a low cut.
"That's cool. Do you mind if I join you?" He asked.
"You already joined so no need to ask," I said.
"You got me there. I am Mallow and you are?" He introduced himself.
"I am Irina," I informed him.
"A beautiful name for a beautiful lady." He complimented. If I was not married, I would have been flustered by his words.
"Oh my! Thank you, Mallow." I appreciated his admiration.
"Russian accent, I see." He said as he chuckled.
"Is it obvious?" I asked him.
"Yes." He replied.
"I am a Russian. Born and bred in that country." I told him.
"You are beautiful." He complimented.
"Thank you," I said.
"I wish to take you out tonight, it would be so stupid if me if I don't take this beautiful goddess that needs to be worshipped out on a date. Are you free tonight?" He asked.
"I am sorry but I am married." I showed him my wedding ring.
He frowned for a few seconds before he restored his smile to his cute face.
"Your husband is such a lucky guy. He should know your worth. He should know that you are a rare gem that can't be found so easily." He explained making my heart explode with adoration for him.
Does my husband know my worth?
That is the question I can't answer right now.
"Are you here for a vacation?" He asked.
"I am here for my honeymoon" I replied to him.
"Oh! So where is your husband?" He asked looking around.
"He...." I stuttered.
"Did he leave you here by yourself?" He asked with a frown.
"No, he didn't. He stepped out to get me stuff." I lied.
I didn't know where my husband went. I woke up to find him missing just like yesterday.
"Oh! That's nice." He said.
And that was how we started talking. We talked about stuff. He is quite talkative. He keeps talking nonstop. He talked about so many things I am not aware of and a few things I am aware of.
I just kept responding to him by nodding my head and saying words like really? Huh! Hm and so on.
I looked around the pool to see Roman doing the same. I waved at him to let him know where I am. Probably, he was looking around for me. He walked us to where I was with a frown on his face.
"Who is that?" Mallow asked as he also watched my husband as he walked towards us.
"That's my husband." I smiled as I said it with pride.
"Oh!" He exclaimed. Roman has a deep frown on his face as he walks towards me. His eyes continuously switched to Mallow and me. He looks like he is trying to control his anger.
"Hello," I said to him as he got here.
"Hey." He said as he stared at Mallow.
"Hello, young man. I happen to be your wife's new friends so don't kill me with your eyes." Mallow joked.
"No offense." He lied as she said on my bench. I sat up for him to sit down.
"So what have you been to?" He asked me.
"Nothing much, I just discovered that there is a pool here so I came over here to enjoy the air," I replied to him.
I am annoyed at him for leaving me alone in the morning. I am annoyed that he was nowhere to be found in the morning. I am annoyed at everything and at him.
"Okay."
Mallow and I continued our discussion, Roman didn't interfere. He was speechless the whole time. It was like they threatened him not to talk but I am used to him being quiet around me.
"We should go, the sun is setting and I need to rest." He said as he stood up.
"Okay." I agreed with him as I was also prepared to get up.
"I should walk you to your doorstep," Mallow said.
"There is no need, I can walk her," Roman said angrily but in a calm way. I know he is not used to this. He is just trying to be cool.
He looked at me waiting for me to decline his offer but I accepted totally.
"It's no problem, dear. He is just trying to be nice. He is my friend and I don't see what's wrong with it. Let's go, Mallow." I said to him as I stood up.
"Thank you darling," Mallow said and Roman scoffed at that.
Mallow and I walk at the front while Roman trails behind us for the sake of my security.
Mallow truly did walk me to my doorstep.
"Thank you so much," I said to him.
"It is nothing. I will see you around." He smiled at me.
"Have a nice day."
"And you too." He said and he left.
I walked inside the room with Roman behind me. He closed the door behind him and walked in.
"What was that about?" He asked me.
"About what?" I asked him back.
"You know yourself, you know the world you find yourself. You know it is dangerous out there but still you didn't care about it. You started talking to a stranger? You went out without telling where you went." He said with anger. The veins on his face are so much more visible right now as he boils in anger.
"And so? What's wrong with making friends and talking to a stranger especially where there are so many people?" I asked nonchalantly.
"There is nothing wrong?" He asked.
"He is just a good guy. Maybe if I had seen my husband beside me in the bed early this morning as I woke up, I wouldn't have met him, or if I were lonely." I fired back at him.
"Do you even know where I went... Forget it, you don't deserve to know." He said as he sat on the back and ran his hand through his long hair.
"He is a good guy. He even asked me on a date." I said trying to convince him.
"What?" He asked you on a date?" Are you that ignorant? Do you even know what a date means?" He asked me.
"I haven't gone to one so why would I know?" I shrugged.
He was silent for some time then he spoke.
"Then let's go to one. Let's have a date." He said.