Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Blair

The next day, Dimitri tried to convince me to visit the city, but I refused to leave the comfortable warmth of his apartment heater for even a minute before it was time to go to his parents' town.

We left around six o'clock in the afternoon, and I spent most of the way in silence, just observing the ice-covered landscape while feeling more and more apprehensive about this meeting.

Had I really agreed to come to Russia just to meet my boyfriend's family? What was I thinking?

" You're quiet. What's the matter? " Dimitri looked at me out of the corner of his eye.

" Are you sure I won't be an intruder? It's a family celebration," I sighed.

" Blair, you're not an intruder, you're my girlfriend," he assured me.

" I know, but it's not like we're married.”

" Blair, for all intents and purposes, as long as we're together and it's possible, I want you to be wherever I am. I don't care if we're married or not. But please don't bring up the subject of 'marriage' today, or we won't be leaving here until we sign the papers.

I let out a small smile at his comment, calming my anxiety a little.

" I promise to behave if you are able to go one second without trying to put a ring on my finger.”

" I've never given you a ring, Blair. I can't say the same for you," he sneered.

" You accepted the ring, does that mean we've been engaged since our first date?”

" This will definitely go on the list of the weirdest first dates I've ever been on.”

I laughed at his response, calming my anxieties, at least for the next thirty seconds.

" Will they like the presents?”

" Of course they will, you always choose the best gifts, remember? " Dimitri reassured me.

" But a box of chocolate is not original. I should have bought that Shisha for your father," I sighed despondently.

My father-in-law will surely think I have no imagination with a gift like that.

" Blair, first of all, that Shisha was huge, how did you expect to bring it? Secondly, my father doesn't smoke, what would he do with a shisha?”

I grimaced a little at that answer, I don't smoke either and I have an ornamental one in my apartment. What's the big deal?

I kept quiet again for the rest of the way, watching the snow-white landscape, until we entered a residential neighborhood.

Anxiety threatened me again when Dimitri finally parked in front of a large townhouse. The lights were all on and the interior seemed very busy.

" Rest assured, Blair, everything will be fine," he intertwined our fingers, forcing me to look into his eyes.

He's right, I do look like a teenager. What could possibly go wrong? I already talked to his mother, and besides, he wasn't afraid to meet my family.

I can do this!

" I'm fine. Don't worry," I assured him with a smile.

He gave me a brief kiss before opening the door to disembark. I followed his example, carrying the strawberry roller cake we bought earlier, helping him to get the gift bags from the trunk.

" Are we late? Looks like everyone is already there," I questioned, walking carefully beside him to the entrance of the house.

The last thing I wanted was to slip and fall in front of my boyfriend’s parents house.

" Don't worry, everyone is there because we don't have guests, at most Katia with my brother," Dimitri assured, unlocking the door.

I felt my heart skip a beat as I entered the living room and found the entire family gathered around laughing in animated conversation. Everyone fell silent at the sight of us, and seemed curious about me, but my gaze was fixed on Olga who was sitting in an antique armchair with a mug in hand, looking extremely at ease among the family.

Dimitri looked as surprised as I was, but he recovered more quickly and headed toward his mother, who had stood up to greet us.

I followed him in a mechanical manner, unable to look away from the woman, who responded happily.

Dimitri whispered something in Russian to his mother, who responded with a smile before turning to me.

" Blair, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Come, I'll introduce you to everyone while Dimulya puts these packages on the tree over there," she indicated a Christmas tree set up in the corner by the fireplace that was filled with packages.

I thought there wouldn't be a tree!

Dimitri muttered something else in an almost inaudible tone, but was promptly ignored by his mother.

" Blair, this is Yaroslav, my husband. My daughter Masha, Yuri, and his fiancée Katia.”

She led me around one by one, introducing me, and when she came in front of Dimitri's ex, she hesitated for a second, which was enough for Olga to take the lead.

" Blair, it's so nice to meet you in person," she offered me a wry smile.

Great bitch, if that's the way you want to play it, I can play yours!

" Olga, my pleasure. I didn't expect to see you here today," I put a smile on my face to answer her.

I felt Dimitri's sister's gaze on me, and soon he approached.

" Well, this is a family celebration and I'm practically family, didn't Dimulya tell you? " she returned.

Of course you think you are family!

" Oh yes, Dimitri explained to me about the importance of the new year to you. But tell me, where is your family?”

That question seemed to leave her speechless, and for a moment a strange atmosphere fell over everyone while I kept an innocent expression on my face.

" I didn't want to come alone, so I invited her," Katia spoke up.

" But are your parents alone? " I looked at the girl with a confused expression.

Olga merely forced a smile, saying something in Russian to Dimitri, who answered her in the same way.

" Blair, are you still holding this? Come on, I'll show you where to put it," Joanne decided to interfere, pointing to the roller cake I was still carrying.

She led me into the dining room, where a table was already set with various types of food.

" I'm very happy that you've come," she began.

" I'm glad to meet you too," I assured her, feeling more at ease just in her presence.

" I'm sorry about this misunderstanding, we didn't know Olga was coming," Joanne pleaded.

I can imagine the bad situation that woman was in. One son decides to bring his sister-in-law, who is the ex-girlfriend of the other son, on the same day that the latter decides to introduce his new girlfriend to the family.

" Don't worry about it. As she said, she is practically family.”

" You know who she is, right?”

" Yes, but for me the only thing that matters is who Dimitri is. So don't worry, her presence won't affect me," I smiled, even though that wasn't the whole truth.

" You're a good girl, Blair. I'm glad my son met you," she assured me before turning to the door. “You can enter at once, Dimulya.”

He walked into the dining room without the slightest embarrassment at being caught spying.

" Didn't I teach you that it's ugly to listen behind the door? " She stared at him indulgently.

" Can I talk to Blair for a moment? " he took both of his mother's hands in his, kissing them.

She merely smiled and left us alone there. He waited until his mother had moved away before he began to speak in Turkish. Although he was not yet fluent, he was progressing very well, and we were both able to communicate in that language.

" I am sorry about that, I had no idea she was coming," he hugged me, kissing the top of my head.

" Your mother just told me the same thing, so I guess she decided to surprise everyone," I pushed him gently so that I could look into his eyes.

" Just remember that I love you and don't let her affect you in any way," he ordered.

" Affect me? Commander, that won't happen," I laughed in response.

" Come on, I want you to meet everyone," he pulled me back into the room.