Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Squeezing Marina’s fingers, I nod. “Okay. How do I invite them?”
We spend the next thirty minutes adding all their numbers to my phone and sending out personal invitations for tea this coming Thursday.
Mam pats my cheek lovingly as she gets up. “I go take nap.”
As soon as we’re alone, Marina says, “Always remember you’re a queen now, and that gives you all the power.”
Gathering the cups, she takes them to the sink before leaving.
With a lot to think about, I get to work, prepping the lamb shank so it can go in the oven, as it will need a long time to cook.
Usually, I’d make it with mashed potatoes, but not ready to face that vegetable yet, I make roasted butternut, cauliflower with cheese sauce, and Yorkshire puddings to soak up the gravy.
It’s the first time I’m getting to cook for someone because I want to, and instead of it being a chore, I find myself enjoying every second.
Wanting a cozy mood, I set the kitchen table instead of the one in the dining room, and even find a candle, which I place in the middle of the table.
I check that there’s enough freshly squeezed orange juice for Rodian, and with everything ready, I hurry to our bedroom so I can change into something prettier.
Picking the red blouse and white skirt with a red flower pattern that I finished making yesterday, I get dressed before pulling a brush through my hair.
Just as I come down the stairs, the front door opens, and I hear Rodian say, “Blyadʹ, that smells good.”
“No inviting me to dinner tonight?” Andrei asks jokingly.
“Hell no.”
I hear Andrei chuckle for the first time. “Have a good night with your wife.”
“Trust me, I will. See you tomorrow.”
As I reach the bottom of the stairs, I watch as Rodian shuts the door, and when he turns around, a broad smile forms on his face. “Wow. You look breathtaking, moya krasavitsa. Is the outfit new?”
“Yes.” I meet him in the middle of the foyer, and as he bends down, I stand on my tiptoes to give him a kiss. “I missed you so much today.”
His beard has grown longer, and when he presses another kiss to the tip of my nose, the bristles tickle me.
“I missed you too. Is there time for me to take a quick shower?”
“Of course.” I nod. “Just come to the kitchen once you’re done.”
While I cross the foyer, I watch him take the stairs two at a time until he disappears from my sight.
I check on the food before pouring a glass of orange juice for Rodian and a Coke for myself.
Sitting down on one of the chairs, I check my phone, and seeing dozens of messages, my eyes widen, and I gasp.
As I go into them, I realize they’re all from the wives. Every single last one RSVP’d.
My God! Thirty-seven women are coming here on Thursday morning, and I have to entertain them.
The moment I hear Rodian’s footsteps, I set the phone down and get up to take the serving dishes out of the oven. Placing them on top of the stove, I turn around just in time to say, “Ta-da.”
“Iisus Khristos, moya krasavitsa, that’s nothing short of a feast.” He grins as he comes closer, and hooking his arm around my waist, he smiles lovingly at me. “Thank you for making me dinner. I can’t wait to taste your cooking.”
“Sit down while I dish up. Can I give you some of everything?”
“Not some,” he grumbles playfully as he takes his seat. “A lot.”
I load his plate to the brim and place it in front of him before helping myself.
When I notice he’s waiting for me, I say, “Dig in, my love. I don’t want it to get cold.”
He cuts into the tender lamb shank and takes a big bite, and as I sit down across from him, I watch as his eyes drift shut and he groans as if he’s orgasming. “Fucking delicious. This has just become my favorite.”
A type of happiness I’ve never experienced before floods me. I didn’t know it could be so rewarding to feed someone I love, especially after the long day he’s had.
I get to take care of him.
Rodian focuses on eating for a while, cleaning half the plate before he slows down enough to ask, “How was your day?”
“Good. I completed two designs.”
“Yeah? How many do you plan to make?”
I shrug. “I don’t know yet.” Picking up my glass of Coke, I sip on it before saying, “I sent out invites to the wives of your senior men.”
His left eyebrow lifts. “Are you ready to deal with that kind of pressure?”
No. Not by a long shot.
Avoiding the truth, I reply, “Marina explained how important it is that I meet them, so I’m arranging tea for Thursday morning.” Stabbing a cauliflower, I ask, “Do you know any of them? Or can you suggest who I should pay close attention to? Marina said the wives could influence their husbands, and the last thing I want to do is mess things up for you.”