Chapter 9: Chekov's abode.

We were silent on the way. She continued on listening to music, while I was spacing out, waiting for us to finally reach our destination.

"I bet it's another house again.." I thought.

It felt like so many hours has passed, that we've visited every corner, and place in the city yet we still haven't arrived. "Just how far are we going?" I complained. I was in the verge of passing out, and my body longs to lie down on a bed to sleep.

"We're near. Sit tight." she replied. I sighed and just leaned back on my seat, crossing my arms.

We passed by a very dark alley, yet she didn't open the car lights. "Hey, it's dark. We'll be in an accident if you don't open the lights!" I was panicking and anxious.

I can't see a thing. My body started trembling, and a warm liquid I felt on my cheeks dripping down to my chin. Am I crying? Fuck. I hugged my shaking body as I sniffles. "This is embarrassing." I mumbled, but continued on crying. My heart was racing, it was becoming hard for me to breathe. I feel like I was being choked. I was panting, trying to catch my break, when the darkness in my sight became dizzy.

I tried myself to be quiet as possible, for Galina to not notice. The music she puts on was stopped, or maybe I also couldn't hear it. I was helpless. Why now? I can't afford to have an episode in this situation....

I held on my chest, clenching on it to lessen the pain I was feeling.

A hint of light finally came on sight, as I tried to breathe slowly and deeply. To my surprise, Galina stopped the car and looked at me. Her dark enchanting eyes met my messed up teary eye. At this moment, my anxiety was being calmed. "You can surpass it, Maxine." she reached for my hand, squeezing them altogether.

Her voice created a sensation of relief in me as I nodded at her as a response.

I continued breathing slowly, continuesly repeating what Galina said in my mind. "I can surpass it...I can do it.."

Eventually, I was calmed down. But my heart still beats fast, not because of my episode, rather, it's because of something I was unaware of. I'm sure it doesn't have connection with my attack.

"How are you feeling?" Galina asked. My mind must be messed up, but right now, I think of her as a caring person, despite knowing that she's the same person who intended to kill me earlier.

"I'm fine now.. Thank you." I replied.

A look of relief appeared in her face, as if she's really worried about me.

"I'm sorry, I should've really opened the lights."

I was surprised by what she said. She sounds genuine, sincere. Is it okay for me to think that this is the true her? Can I just enjoy this moment where I actually have someone in my life?

I gave her an assuring smile, "It's okay. I was amazed when you can drive while seeing nothing." I replied.

"I was training a night vision. I apologize for being inconsiderate." she responded. I gave her an awe expression and nodded when she handed me a bottle of water. "Drink water." she added. I hesitantly received the bottle she reached, "Thank you."

"After we passed by this building, we will finally reach our destination." she pointed at a rundown building of bricks on our right ahead while I nodded and took a sip of water from the bottle.

Galina bided for me to be ready and comfortable again before starting the engine. After another turn, a huge bright mansion was on sight. With fountains and shit.

"I should've known it will be a big village-size mansion. Why did I even thought of a house?" I soliloquized. I laughed at myself for underestimating their power, and overestimating their skills, but was it?

"Let's go." Galina said after she had parked the car under a bridge-like garage. I followed her inside. There are only workers who had greeted us, and as expected, the entrance hall was just as wide as my living room.

"This feels like a palace." I mumbled. Galina chuckled, "This is our official family abode, whereas relatives meet each other." she answered.

Huh, so like a permanent reunion venue? They filthy rich.

We are now at their seems like living room. There are people sitting on the golden sofas, holding a glass of vodka with the bottle on the table. Two men and a woman.

They seems to be chatting, but was interrupted by our presence. All of them looked back at us, or maybe at me, with a judging expression as their eyebrows raised.

"Galina." said by the man, who seems to be on his 50's. Part of his hair is already white, but he has little to no wrinkles at all, just eyebags.

"Good evening. I hope we didn't interposed your great time."

The man who said her name stood up, getting into a welcoming pose. "Oh, no, not all! Come, drink with us." the man offered. I looked at Galina as she looked at me, she nodded and pulled me to sit beside her.

Drinking liquor in a living room... It's weird.

"So how are you Galina? Who's she? I thought you're bringing your husband." the young woman talked to Galina, with a hint of disappointment on her voice.

Galina raised her eyebrows on her, expediting her gaze into a dagger. What an awkward position.

"Why?" she replied.

The old man crudely laughed, "We are just curious how the both of you are doing." he uttered. The young woman eagerly agreed by nodding her head. "We're fine. This is Maxine Golubev.." Galina spoke. I gave them a smile and a wave as Galina said my name, not knowing its continuation.

"She's my mistress." she added.

The three people were shocked, so am I. I abruptly looked at Galina with my eyes widened, and saw her smirking. "What the fuck? I thought you'll drop the mistress thing." I whispered. "Huh? Are you not? But you willingly spread your legs on me."

I was exasperated by her smug face. Good thing she's gorgeous, I could've smacked her face otherwise.

"Oh, uh, I see haha. Nice to meet you, Maxine. I'm Ross Pavelovich." the old man reached his hands to shake. I smiled at him as I take it. "Huh. I didn't know illegals could be introduced formally." the young man spoke. His aura was literally screaming Arrogance.

"I also didn't know that, until you were born." Galina replied.

"You-" the young man couldn't finish his sentence when Ross intervened. "Enough."

"Sorry about that Maxine. Fyodor doesn't really like new people. Btw, I'm Dmitri Leonidovna!" the young woman uttered, and waved at me instead of going for a handshake. I waved back, "It's okay." I replied.

"That annoying arrogant bastard is called Fyodor Leonidovich. He's Dmitri's brother." Galina said and took a sip from the guy's glass.

She stood up, glanced at me and looked back at them. "We'll be going to rest. Have a good night."

I also stood up and let her have her way before me. As we were heading to the stairs, I looked back at them and waved again.

"What a sweet lady. I don't know why she agrees to be intertwined with a bitch like Galina." I heard Fyodor complain.

I also wonder, how did I get tangled up with a woman like her? Now I won't have the audacity to turn back anymore, this is my decision. Unless I'll run away in the middle of the night.