I have an epic tale to tell you about Kim tonight.
How you doin? Want me to drop some food by your place on my way home?
Ok, I’m guessing you’re asleep by your lack of response. No soup for you!
Just as I was about to close my phone, another message from Max came in.
Holy shit, Sephie! Did you hear that explosion? It was really close to your apartment. Are you okay? If you don’t respond this time, I’m for real coming to check on you. I don’t know exactly where that building was that just exploded, but I know it was close enough to you that you should’ve felt it.
What explosion? I didn’t hear anything, nor feel anything. But I also didn’t want him coming to check on me, so I responded right away.
I’m still alive, Max. I was sleeping last night when you texted. What explosion are you talking about? I didn’t hear anything or see anything, so I have no idea what you’re talking about. Clearly it wasn’t as close to me as you thought.
Max: There was a warehouse a few blocks from you that exploded a few hours ago. Firefighters are still working on putting the fire out. I just heard about it on the news at the gym. I’m glad you’re okay, gingersnap.
Aw, you love me. You really love me, Maximus Decimus Meridius.
Max: If by “love” you mean that I want to strangle you, then yes. Yes, I do. Too soon?
Haha only you can get away with that. Maybe a little too soon. Let the bruises heal next time.
Max: You know my world would crumble without my gingersnap. <3
Nerd. Thanks for checking on me.
I walked into the kitchen to find Andrei, Viktor, and Misha still there. They all looked very tense and were speaking Russian quietly.
“You guys wouldn’t be tense about that building that exploded close by, would you?”
They all turned to look at me with wide eyes.
“How do you know about that?” asked Viktor.
I held up my phone and jiggled it. “I’m afraid I have bad news, boys. The whole city knows about it now. Is that why you all look like you want to kill someone right now?”
Andrei chuckled and instantly relaxed. “We’re sorry, sestrichka. Come, please. I make you coffee this time.”
“Seriously. That marriage proposal is still on the table.”
It was Misha’s turn to look shocked as Andrei and Viktor both laughed.
“Where’s Ivan? And Stephen, was it? I didn’t meet him. I just heard his name last night.”
“Ivan is on his way back here. He was at that building that exploded, yes. We think it was a trap,” said Viktor.
Misha clicked his tongue at Viktor and said something in Russian to him. Viktor just shook his head and said, “she will find out sooner or later. Boss wants us to be honest with her, so I am honest with her.” He looked at me like a proud older brother, winked, and added, “she’s stronger than she looks.”
“You know I can only marry one of you, right? Andrei already got the proposal. Are you trying to steal it from him? That’s rude, Viktor. But I might warm up to the idea of you two fighting over me.”
He laughed as there was a sharp knock on the door. Misha went to the door, gun in hand. Andrei covered him and Viktor stood in between me and the door, his hand on my arm like he was ready to pull me away at a second’s notice.
Misha just said, “Ivan” as he opened the door. Everyone relaxed as Ivan’s imposing figure filled the doorframe. His bald head and face were covered with soot. If he wasn’t already wearing all black, I would’ve bet good money that his clothes were covered in soot as well.
Sephie
“Well, you look like you’ve had an exciting morning,” I said.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.