Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Zenovia

Maksimillian looked at me in utter disbelief and shock.

‘Doamne! What was I thinking? Why did I even say that?’

“Given that I… don’t… have anything to do,” I added as an afterthought.

The corners of his lips started to lift up into a smile. “Okay. What do you do, Zenovia?”

I took my cell phone and thought it was good to send him a copy of our signed deal. “What’s your email?”

He chuckled, watching my face. “This… I think this is a good idea!” he said and gave me what I wanted.

I suppressed a smile and sent him the copy of the document. “What do you mean good idea? Don’t ask what I do, by the way, because I’m not asking you what you do. I think it’s better that way.”

He slowly nodded, giving me a measuring but disappointed look. Although he tried to hide it away, I could just read it in his striking eyes.

“I know now where I can contact you, Zenovia.”

I laughed. “I can always deactivate my email when this is all over, Maksimillian.”

Now his face turned serious as he ground his teeth. I could see how his jaw muscles jerk. But then, to my surprise, he slowly smiled.

“Alright. Let’s not think about the end of this deal yet. Do you have any plans for tomorrow?” He drank his canned juice, without bothering to pour it in an empty glass next to it.

I shrugged slowly. “Of course, I have. My friend and I planned this two-week vacation, in fact. In a day or two, she’ll join me here,” I answered truthfully.

“Oh, a friend? A guy friend?” he queried, an eyebrow slightly raised.

I burst out laughing. I couldn’t help it. When I looked at his face again, both his eyebrows were raised.

“What’s so funny?” he asked, almost irritated.

I stopped laughing but was still smiling. “She’s my best friend actually… and my doctor,” I said. My smile faded, and I averted my eyes. I then resumed eating, not knowing why I had to fill him in on the last information. Did I want him to know a little about me even though I didn’t want to?

‘Căcat. I must be crazy!’

“Oh.” It was the only word that came out of his mouth. That mouth that gave me pleasure just a little while ago. Because of this thought, my heart skipped a beat and pounded hard afterwards. I’d never forget how he made me feel.

I have a dull pain in my private area, but mostly, I could still feel the wetness because of the bleeding. I just knew it soaked my clothing now. Crap! I should wear a sanitary napkin because of it. And I had no idea if it would go away soon. I forgot to ask Antonia about it to be prepared.

“So, where do you want to go tomorrow?” Maksimillian asked.

“I was planning to go to Bran Castle, but I don’t want to go if my friend isn’t with me yet, since she wants to see it for herself, too.”

“The option is?”

“I read a review on Mount Tampa. Since I want to not see hoardes of people, I thought it would be a great change to just head up on the mountain. It’s said it’s only a twenty-minute walk to the summit where we can see the Brașov sign. So yes, I would like to go hiking, see that big Brașov sign on the mountain up close and then just spend a few hours there, I guess, before going back by a cable car and have late lunch after that.”

“Okay. Count me in!” he decided.

My jaw dropped. “Seriously? Are you just going to abandon your aunt?”

He chortled softly. “Trust me, she won’t mind at all.”

I narrowed my eyes while staring at him. “You’re such a bad nephew!”

He laughed at my accusation. “Are you a good niece?”

I pulled my mouth down and shrugged. “Unfortunately, I don’t have uncles or aunts. My parents are the only child my grandparents could produce. So… I don’t have cousins either.”

He slowly nodded, smirking.

Căcat! I just told him more about myself. Again!

I chewed on my inner cheek, thinking what to say or do next.

He smiled, knowing that I realised it. “What will you do after late lunch?” he went on.

I shook my head. I hadn’t thought far ahead since Antonia wasn’t with me. But I blushed when it occurred to me that I needed to work on my future baby. With him.

I cleared my throat and just steered my sight away from him. However, I already caught the naughty look in his stunning eyes.

Ah, Doamne!

***

Maksimillian

When Zenovia got up from her chair to go to the bathroom to brush her teeth, I noticed the bloodstain in her clothing. I pressed my eyes after closing them and got up to change fast.

I went out of the room, almost running down the stairs to the ground floor, since I couldn’t wait for the lift. My mind’s eye recalled there was a small magazin (convenience store) nearby, so I jogged there, ignoring my bodyguards that watched the hotel and eventually saw me going out.

Glad the small magazin was still open, I immediately went to look for that thing Zenovia would need.

There were only a few short rows of products displayed, so I scanned where the tissue papers were, as sanitary napkins and wet wipes were usually placed there nearby. At least, I guessed that, if they had the same arrangement around here.

From the left, there were chocolates, biscuits, candies and drinks; the next row had canned goods and other kitchen condiments; right after that was the bathroom products, so I headed there with long strides.

I examined the packs of different brands, not knowing what to buy though. There were thick pads and ultra thin, as well as daytime or nighttime ones. I had no idea what difference would it make.

Chert! I should’ve asked Zenovia about it. Or would she be embarrassed if I did?

Okh kak nravilas'! (Oh, fuck that!) Maybe the thick one is better, so that she wouldn’t have any leak?

The middle-aged man behind the counter stared at me while I paid for a pack. I stared back at him, and he placed the pack in a small plastic bag.

Chert poberi! (Damn it!) Why was he looking at me like that? Didn’t he have a wife or a daughter?

I was about to leave when I thought of buying ice cream for Zenovia. It might cheer her up.

‘But why do I want to cheer her up?’

Because she just lost her virginity to me or what? That I didn’t want her to feel bad because of her condition? Well, maybe that. But I had no exact idea. I just wanted her to feel good by this.

I went to the right corner of the store and peered at the different flavors of the frozen treats. Now I had no idea what kind of flavor she’d like to eat or if she had any allergies.

Maybe chocolate is safer? Or maybe vanilla? Strawberry?

I frowned, not knowing what to pick. Fuck it!