Games of Saints

Chapter 38

After the conversation, we all have lunch together. Then I say goodbye to my mom and brother. Vlad will take them to a different city, he’s supposed to hire a guard just in case, to make sure everything is fine with the housing and to help them settle in. He said he would be gone for a few days.

— Take care of yourself, my little star, — my mom whispers when we hug in the yard.

Sviatoslav is already at the wheel, waiting for Sofia and Timur. Dobry is waiting on the porch, though he’s waiting for me. He’s supposed to take me to the city. They even officially handed me the keys to Vlad’s place. Actually, he put them in my hands and left a kiss on the tip of my nose. That’s how our goodbyes ended.

— You take care of yourself and your brother. Listen to Vlad.

— I know, I know, dear. Everything will be fine, you’ll see. I will file for divorce, take away his parental rights, and we will be free.

— That’s how it will be, — I whisper in her ear.

— That’s it, we need to run, or we will never stop hugging.

— I will be waiting for our meeting, mom.

— I love you, my daughter.

— And I love you.

Mom gets into the car. Meanwhile, I hug my little brother:

— Take care of mom, okay?

— From dad? — he asks. The lovely little eyes of the little wonder look so adult-like.

— From dad, dear. I love you.

— And I love you. Will we see each other?

— Definitely, — I smile. — When everything is over and the adults solve their problems, we will go to the amusement park. Do you want?

— Very much, — Timur hugs my neck and kisses me probably a thousand times on the cheek. — With Timur and Vlad.

I throw a quick glance at Dobry, then at Sviatoslav's car.

— Alright, my good one. Okay, get in with mom.

My brother sits in the back seat. A few seconds later, Vlad already disappears behind the tree trunks. I can’t even exhale and realize that I won’t be seeing them for an indefinite time. I look at Timur. His gray-blue eyes are calm, measured, as always.

— Are you worried? — he asks.

— What if he finds them? Or something happens on the way?

Dobry smiles.

— We are responsible for what happened to you, Yuliana. Twice. You suffered from the Wild one. We won’t let him harm you anymore.

I sigh.

— I really hope for that.

Timur nods and says:

— Get in. We are going too.

* * *

Autumn begins with rain. Three days have passed since Vlad took my mom and brother to another city. I don’t even know which one... but it’s all good. Timur called, telling me that the new apartment is very nice, although he didn’t like the school, but he’s not upset because he’ll be the coolest there since he’ll be arriving with a guard. I don’t know what Sviatoslav imagines about everything, but I hope he understands that they need to stay inconspicuous. Then Vlad called. He reminded me about studies, said everything is under control, so he’ll be back in a few days. The conversation was dry and indifferent, as though we had never had anything between us and now there is mutual disdain. His cold tone painfully sliced through my ears. It felt like the distance and separation had taken away from me even what was...

I walk to the academy. I cover my head with an umbrella, but the strong wind constantly tries to snatch it away. I speed up. I pick up the pace. I don’t know what I was thinking when I decided to take a walk this morning in the rain? I thought that in this way, I would take a breath of freedom. Because it's about to touch my whole soul, scream loudly that I did it!

I look down at my feet. Only about a hundred meters left to the academy. I turn around. Two men are following me, guards hired by Timur.

“Just in case,” — said my husband’s brother.

I turn my back to them again and unexpectedly knock someone down. The umbrella flies from my hands and falls onto the wet asphalt.

— I’m sorry, — I immediately say, looking up at the victim.

— Yuliana! — exclaims a girl’s voice.

Katrin. It’s Katrin!

— Hi, — I respond somewhat dazed.

— I'm so glad to see you!

— I… — Katrin hugs me as if we are friends who haven't seen each other for several years, — me too, — I whisper hoarsely.

— You look amazing! — she exclaims with delight and releases me from the hug.

For a few seconds, I examine the girl. She hasn't changed. The same bob cut, the same gray intelligent eyes. Small. A backpack on her back, in a short skirt and black tights. A large blazer on her shoulders, not her size, and not oversized.

— You too, — I reply.

— I want to apologize right away! — she looks into my eyes. — Back then I was so impressed by your fiancé… If you remember, I adore his works. So, I couldn’t help myself and left to hear you. I’m sorry that it turned out that way. I hope he didn't get too angry?

I force a pleasant smile.

— It’s okay, don’t worry.

— Really? Star, if you’re upset, just say so. I deserve it! It’s just… It’s so important to me.

I nod at her. I remember Vlad saying that such people only need benefits, however… Is he suddenly wrong? After all, let Katrin have let me down, but not intentionally, right? I didn't manage to resist at times and entered his workshop myself. I was absorbed in the paintings. Do I have the right to judge her, considering she’s his fan?

— I’m not upset, — this time I smile sincerely.

— I take your word for it.

Katrin picks up my umbrella. Wiping the raindrops from her forehead and grabbing my hand, she heads toward the academy. She enthusiastically tells me that she found housing, that she really likes the city and everything around. Even today’s weather. And I, feeling lonely for a few days alone in the apartment, offer her to spend the night with me. After all, why not break Sviatoslav's rules if we have no future anyway? Why not take a look at his paintings again? He won’t find out. And I… This way, I can somehow take revenge for his cold and indifferent tone. For the wounds on my heart. For the fear of what will happen next.

I surprise myself. I never thought something like this would pop up in my head. But… Time goes on, people change. It's enough to be quiet, right?

— That’s a cool idea, — Katrin responds enthusiastically. — Will your fiancé mind?

I don’t say we’re married now. I decide not to tell her anything at all.

— No. He’s not in the city.

The girl’s gray eyes start to shine with happiness.

— So we can celebrate the beginning of the studies?

— Celebrate?

— Yes, after classes! Our group is gathering. Are you not in the loop, or what? Is there a chat? — she bombards me with questions.

— No, — I answer all of them.

— Oh, right, you passed right away, and we had to retake. Don’t worry, you’ll get to know everyone.

The academy greets us with coolness and the scents of paint. It’s pleasant to feel them again, to immerse myself in the world where my dreams become real. I forcibly push Vlad out of my head and dive into student life.

Time flies quickly. Classes, mostly introductory, pass like a few minutes, not hours. However, they keep us almost until seven in the evening. Katrin introduces me to the classmates, there are only ten of us, and sparks life into the moment. Her energy is infectious. I notice that being around her makes me happier too. Problems disappear for a while, replaced by acquaintances, impressions, and the anticipation of relaxation.

After classes, we all walk out of the academy into the yard together. Katrin holds hands with one of our guys, — Mark. His friend approaches me, it seems to be Anton:

— Missing home? — he cheerfully asks. — Are you coming with us?

— To celebrate? — I smile.

— Of course she is, — Katrin is already nearby. — We are four, hey, who else? — she addresses the others.

In the end, almost everyone declines, only one girl remains. I didn’t manage to talk to her today. So when she approaches closer, I ask her name:

— Sasha.

— I’m Yuliana.

— I know, I remembered, — she smiles.

Sasha’s blonde hair is tied into a high ponytail. She doesn’t quite fit the beauty standards: chubby, like a cupcake, pale, as though blood doesn’t run in her veins, only her cheeks are rosy. Dressed in a baggy dress that does worse than intended.

— Let’s go then, — Mark pulls Katrin. — While the rain hasn’t started again.

I don’t really like him: he’s cocky and bold. Anton is much nicer. But I nod. And we head out of the academy yard.