For a moment, I thought they were going to argue. I felt my shoulders lift as my body tightened.
“Is this about the new car?” Lukyan added.
“Oh, no, you didn’t do it, did you?” Avgust spat back. He had a wide smile, and I wondered what was happening.
The youngest one, called Timofey, bursts out laughing. “Yes, he had to. His ex-girlfriend touched his old car,” he added between bursts of laughter.
Everyone laughed. I felt my shoulder relax. There was no fight coming. Seeing them bantering with each other was nice.
“You’re telling me he bought a new car for that reason?” Iosif asked, heaving. “It’s like the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Bro, what’s wrong with you?”
“I had to!” Lukyan huffed. “She had her poisonous hands on it. I didn’t want to take any chances.”
“Now suddenly she had poisonous hands?” Avgust asked between laughs.
“Wait, the best is, he was about to propose to her,” Timofey added.
Lukyan sat back and folded his arms across his chest.
“Wait, wait,” one of the women said. “Can’t you stop? Look at him. He is trying his best not to laugh.”
“Shut up,” Lukyan huffed as he tried to muffle the laughter. “I was young and stupid, okay. I couldn’t see the danger she held at that time. She sugar-coated things.”
“Young and stupid?” Iosif asked. “Now you’re just young, no longer stupid?”
Lukyan shook his head as he pushed his chair back. “Okay, okay,” Iosif said, taking a deep breath. “Enough, let’s move this out.” He got up and took my hand as he led me to another room.
We moved to the lounge area for nightcaps. I stood on one side, watching them talking and laughing. Timofey was standing to the side of me. “So, you’re the youngest?” I asked, shifting closer.
“The youngest brother, but luckily not the youngest. That would be Zhenya,” he replied, grinning.
“Oh, she’s not here tonight?” I pried.
“No, she’s home with her husband. But I’m sure you’ll probably meet her soon as well,” he responded.
Smiling and flickering my eyes, I tried to soften him up. I wanted to know more about Iosif, and I felt he was the one most likely to talk.
“Do you know why I’m here?” I asked innocently. “Why does your brother feel the need to protect me?”
He smiled softly. I could see he was about to spill the beans as Iosif interrupted. “Of course, my dear…,” he started saying, but then closed his mouth.
“I’ve told you, it’s for your own safety,” Iosif chipped in. His tone was deep and stern. I knew he was lying about something.
Everyone was quiet, looking at us. “I think it’s time to head home,” Lukyan said, placing his glass down.
“Yes,” the two sisters agreed as they started moving towards the door.
We walked with his family to the door and saw them off. As Iosif closed the door, I turned to face him. “What the hell was that? I never get any clear answers from you?” I spat at him.
He met my gaze but didn’t say a word. He gestured for me to go upstairs. Feeling my anger building, I stormed up to my room. Iosif was following closely. As I entered my room, I turned and slammed the door shut.
Chapter 11 - Iosif
That was a close call. Clara was more resourceful than I had anticipated. She had really impressive skills with words. She nearly got my brother to reveal everything, my biggest secret. But I couldn’t tell her the truth yet, the timing was very bad.
For now, it was better if it stayed in the dark. Stepping back from the door, I told myself it was a good thing she slammed it shut in my face. If not, I might have told her myself.
This would keep her on her toes. I headed back down and poured a cup of coffee. With my coffee in hand, I went to my office. She had not come back out. I wondered if I should check on her, just to ensure she was okay. I knocked and listened. Then I knocked again, but there was no response.
