“You remember Misha, Elisse, and Zhenya,” he said, turning to me. The introduction was fleeting as I noticed one of the guards waiting for him. “Come, ladies,” he added, walking tothe downstairs entertainment room. “I’ll have the kitchen staff bring you something, and I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Great stuff,” Zhenya called out as he left us. Turning to the couch, she pointed as she spoke. “Well, I guess it’s just us. Let’s sit.”
The faces in the room lit up with smiles as we all sat down. I was eager to get to know more about the family. I could see they also wanted to know more about me. Yet, I had to be careful and not let slip who I really was.
I knew his sisters had no idea that I was an Aslanov. For now, Iosif wanted it that way. But I also thought it was better until I knew the reasons for his actions. Misha and Elisse sat on one double couch, and Zhenya and I on the other.
“How did Iosif and you meet?” Zhenya asked.
“Funny story, actually,” I replied, grinning at her. “We met in a bar.”
Before I could continue, Elisse spoke up. “I find that hard to believe. It’s not like him to go out, especially not to bars.”
Feeling a tad uneasy, I lowered my gaze to my lap. Zhenya shifted next to me. She placed one hand on my shoulder as she took my hand with her other one. She leaned closer as she spoke. “Don’t get discouraged. Ignore Elisse. Iosif is a good man, and how you met doesn’t matter.”
Looking at her, I smiled. She smiled back at me and then gave Elisse a warning look.
“What?” Elisse shot back. “It’s not like we’ve ever heard of him going to bars.”
“I heard he had gone once or twice before. But he isn’t someone who would spend all their time there,” Misha interrupted.
“You see,” Zhenya said, squeezing my hand. “He does go out, just not often, so it’s not like we don’t believe you.” Her tone was even and filled with confidence.
Elisse took a sip of her drink. Turning her head, she looked at me as if she were studying me. When she spoke, I heard a hint of distrust coming through. “You dress quite well. Who is your family, or where do you come from, if I may ask?”
I wasn’t sure how much Iosif or Avgust had told them, so I answered cautiously. “My family is strict. We moved here a couple of years back.”
Elisse nodded, but I was sure she wasn’t satisfied with my answer. It felt like she was grilling me. I was sure it wasn’t the answer she was looking for. But, for now, I felt it best to keep who I was a secret.
“Enough about family,” Zhenya said, picking up her glass. “I want to know more about you.”
I was relieved to have the subject changed. “Yes, no problem,” I said. “What would you like to know?”
Zhenya smiled at me as she spoke. “Well, hopefully, we will have many more visits. As I’m sure, we won’t get to know all about you in one. But we can try.”
We all laughed, and I knew I was going to like her. “What do you do for a living? And what do you like to do for fun?” Zhenya inquired.
I smiled at her as I replied. “Currently, I am assisting at a library. It’s not my dream job, but I’m not sure what is yet.”
Before I could continue, Elisse interrupted. “Books aren’t my thing. I prefer shopping. Do you like shopping, Clara?”
“Elisse,” Misha said sternly. “Let her talk.”
I nodded at Misha and continued. “I like fashion and art.”
“In that case,” Misha added. “I have to agree with Elisse. Shopping is way more fun than any of those options.”
“We can all see the two of you belong in a mall,” Zhenya replied jokingly. She rolled her eyes at her sisters, and we all burst out laughing.
“I do wish to travel the world one day. The trip we were on was amazing. But there are so many other places I still want to see,” I added softly.
Zhenya bumped me lightly with her shoulder as she spoke. “Hang around, and Iosif will make that happen. He loves traveling, you will see the world with him.”
“Good to know,” I replied.
Just then, Iosif popped his head around the door. It was just before lunchtime. “You all staying for lunch?” he asked, popping his head into the room.
“Yeah, sure, why not?” Zhenya replied. She smiled at him as he nodded in acknowledgment.
