St. Petersburg, Russia [4]

Mia

["guys, I'll be waiting for you at the Commode Jazz Clubs at 16.00, tomorrow morning I'll fly back to Germany with Yura. See u Soon"]

Joseph

["See you at CJ"]

Olga

["k"]

Valter

["I'll be there with Jade."]

Joseph

["Looks like we're going to celebrate something 🤣"]

Olga

["Something happened? 👀"]

Mia

["come on Valter, you better be honest" 😋👏👏]

Valter

[😊]

Valter and I just arrived at the Commode Jazz Club, the atmosphere was relaxed, with complete facilities, karaoke, board games, watch movies, watch live music, even a library.

The types of drinks available are a large selection from cocktails to various brands of liquor. Russians love Vodka so much, they even have a Museum of Russia Vodka.

We were greeted by Mia, Yura, and Olga who congratulated Valter and Me on the official occasion. "I'm happy with today's news," Mia whispered in my ear while glancing at Valter and winking. "Thanks, Mia". I replied, smiling and blushing. "I'm waiting for you in Germany," Mia whispered again.

It's farewell night for all of us because Mia and Yura are going to Germany tomorrow. Olga will return home, Liana and Joseph will continue their journey to Moscow. "I will miss you". I said softly. Yura approached and hugged me. "We'll meet Jade again." Liana continued staring and smiling warmly at me. "When are you both going to leave St. Petersburg?" Asked Joseph, looking at Valter. "We'll be in Finland the day after tomorrow." Valter took my hand. We told stories and enjoyed listening to live Jazz music.

After being satisfied with listening to music, we then moved to the bar. We started playing a board game called "Dixit" as a challenge, whoever lost would have a shot of Vodka. It was already late at night and we were still enjoying being together at the Commode, it seemed Yura and I were becoming drunk and started distracting others because losing too many times.

I swept my entire gaze to every corner of the room inside the Commode, my head a little heavy and dizzy, but still, at 60 percent consciousness, I think. Suddenly my eyes stopped at a figure that looked familiar to me, he looked straight and sharp, and I caught him taking my picture through his cellphone camera.

Ah... I recognized him... He was the same person in the canal, in the grocery store, and at the diner. I'm sure. This is not a coincidence! This is IMPACT!

"Hey... you... STOP"

I shouted out loud, everyone looked at me. I walked furiously closer to him...

I felt like I was walking on a cloud, my body was lighter than usual after drinking vodka. I almost caught the cellphone camera that person was holding if only Valter didn't rush me into his arms and calmed me down.

"Sorry, she's just drunk," Valter explained coldly to the person as he dragged me away from the place that person was standing. I couldn't wriggle and scream, Valter's hug dampened my anger. I don't remember what happened after.

I opened my eyes slowly, my head felt heavy, and my body felt sore as if I had been hit by 100 tons of steel, I saw light slipping from the curtains, I tried to try to remember what happened last night. Instantly, I realized that I wasn't in my apartment, and Oh God, I was even wearing a t-shirt that I didn't know. Where am I?

I hurried to get up, even though my body felt heavy, behind the door to my room I smelled the fresh aroma of the coffee. I walked to find the origin of the coffee aroma and found Valter there.

"Good Morning Jade," said Valter. That morning Valter looked fresh and healthy, his perfume aroma said he had taken a shower and was ready to go through the day.

"Morning," I said softly. I dragged my heavy body and sat on the dining table chair right in front of Valter. I look messy and just woke up. "Would you like a cup of coffee?" Asked Valter. "Yes, please." My reply was weak.

"Where am I Valter?" I asked, wanting to be sure. "You are in my apartment, last night you were drunk and I brought you here," replied Valter. "What does this mean?" I asked, pointing at the oversized t-shirt I was wearing. "Oh that, I just changed your clean clothes, your clothes are dirty and smell of spilled alcohol," continued Valter, pouring coffee from the Moka pot into the cup.

"Hmm... I don't remember anything... did we?" I looked worried and panicked.

"Of course not. I'm not the type to take advantage of the situation," he said casually. "Thank you," I said softly, looking at the end of the coffee cup that Valter handed me. How can I be calm, when you changed my clothes without my permission, I thought to myself.

"Are you all right, Jade?" Asked Valter, breaking my reverie.

"Yes, I'm fine, only my body hurts... and I'm trying to remember what happened at the bar," I said.

"By the way, I still remember clearly when I screamed... There was someone who was stalking me, and that I've seen them before. Do you remember that? He was the same person who almost ran into me when we were in Murmansk grocery, the same person when we were at the queue at the cashier at Teriberka, also the same person. same time when I met you by the canal on the first day I was here. "I said worriedly.

"Are you sure? You were drunk at that time," said Valter thoughtfully.

"I was drunk, even if I'm wrong, why did he take my picture, with his cellphone?" I asked again. "Do you have any acquaintances in this city?" Asked Valter. "Not at all," I replied. "Hmmm... A little strange, but never mind Jade, don't worry too much. You have me, I can take care of you," added Valter. "If you want, you can spend the night here before we go to Finland," he said again.

"Yes, it's hard to guess. Danger can come from anywhere. Thank you, Valter," I said softly. "You distance yourself, saying thank you. I am not a stranger to you. If not, you do not need to say it. It is my duty." Valter replied flatly. This man had a different romantic side, cold, stiff but quite touching.

That's enough!

The image of that stalker continued to haunt me, I've never been that drunk before, it's hard enough to gauge the truth. Was it just a wrong look? Even if it was true, what motive was there for a man to stalk me? If he wanted to rob me he could easily break into the apartment.

BEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPP!

I was shocked out of my reverie, the deafening sound of a car horn from behind made me spontaneously jump to the left, my body shakes and I lost balance. I successfully landed on the curb with my body sitting sideways.

Valter jogged over to me and helped me up.

"Are you okay? I'll carry you," said Valter.

"I guess I'm okay, just a little shocked. But why? I'm not walking on the road, why should a horn make me jump?" I said softly.

"Sometimes something we don't want happens," said Valter as he carried me away. Bad thoughts haunt me, someone is stalking me. now he almost got. "Jade, are you still thinking about last night's thing and relating it to the events that just happened?" Asked Valter.

"Hmmm... yes, I feel uneasy. Too many coincidences. Why is that person always around where I went. 4 meetings, and in 3 different cities, even far apart." I sighed.

"It's too early to conclude," added Valter.

"Get me out of here Valter, I'm worried." I stuttered. Valter hugged me, calmed me from those bad thoughts. "Calm down Jade, we'll go tomorrow."

👥👥👥