In the Captivity of Temptation

46:Conversation

Milana

Both men seem to freeze for a moment. I see Andriy's surprised look and Ihor's utter bewilderment. Ihor is coughing heavily, his face contorting into a grimace of anger. Andriy just stands, as if struck by lightning.

I greedily inhale the air, filling my lungs, and repeat to myself like a mantra, "All is well, all is well. Just breathe, just breathe. Everything is fine."

Then suddenly I feel the touch of a broad, warm palm on my cheek, and I look up.

" Sorry for scaring you," the beloved eyes look intensely, taking me captive, and to my own surprise... I start to sob.

Damn hormones. Salty drops slide down my face one by one, dripping from the chin onto the blouse. His touches are so desired and sweet at this moment that I involuntarily close my eyes and seem to reach out to him. And damn it, I want to be in his arms. Poliansky seems to read my emotions.

" Well, well. What is it, little one? " he says, his palm swiftly moves from my cheek to my slender neck, the other palm rests on my still trim waist, and Andriy pulls me to his sturdy torso. Wraps me in such strong arms. " All is well, all is well now.

I inhale the pungent aroma of perfumes mixed with his own scent through my nostrils. I close my eyes. I enjoy it.

" Milana, " Ihor's voice comes as if through a dense fog.

I open my eyes. I come to my senses. Reluctantly, I slightly pull away from the strong chest. I feel how the masculine warm palms disappear from my waist. But he is in no hurry to leave.

" It’s fine, all is well. I'm okay, " I say, wiping the wet trails from my cheeks with my palms, and I step aside from Andriy.

I understand perfectly that we need to talk, but definitely not in Ihor's presence. My friend is angry, but right now, I don't care, because he had no right to do what he just did, and especially to decide anything for me. I approached him.

" Ihor, " I say firmly. " Thanks for the lift, but I'll take it alone from here.

" Milana, " he growls angrily. " I don't think that's a good idea. This guy…

I feel my blood boil again.

" I think, " I nearly spell out the words, "that the decision is up to me." I shoot a furious glance from under my eyelashes and tilt my chin up.

His face takes on even sharper features, and his eyes darken with anger. His male hands clenched into fists until the knuckles whitened. Then those same fists unclench, and he says with feigned calm:

" Alright. Whatever you say, " his words completely contradict his facial expression. But he says no more. Instead, he turns around and walks around me, heading to his car.

I turn around and wrap my arms around myself. It's been chilly since morning, and by evening, even cooler. In a strange stupor, I watch as Ihor gets into the car. All his movements clearly show that he is, at the very least, furious. But I don't care, because I am just as mad at his words and actions.

He starts the car. The engine roars, and clouds of dust burst from under the wheels. Then the car starts and soon disappears around the corner. I just sigh and shift my gaze to Andriy.

" Milana, " he takes a step towards me. " All is well?

" Yes, " I nod.

" Shall we talk? " he asks tensely.

" Yes, but I'm really tired and wouldn't mind a cup of tea," I say with a half-smile and watch as Andriy's face instantly changes.

In a moment, warm palms lie on my forearms, and the concerned turquoise eyes seem to want to peer into my soul.

"Sweetheart, are you feeling ill? Can you walk?

For a moment, I'm stunned by the onslaught of these strange and unexpected questions. After all, I haven't told anyone about the hoped-for pregnancy, not even my parents. So this concerned expression in the beloved's eyes nearly moves me to tears, and then turns into hysterical laughter.

While I laugh, Poliansky completely freezes with a comical and slightly bewildered expression on his face. Finally, having calmed down, I say:

" God, Poliansky, everything's fine. Don't look at me like that. I haven't lost my mind, I can walk, and the mood swings," it's just hormones, breathe out, " I say ironically, and watch how this robust figure indeed calms down.

I chuckle and head towards the entrance. He catches up with me and gallantly holds the entrance door as I enter. We silently reach the apartment. I replay the events that just happened in my head. Analyze. I want to ask him so many questions... And get just as many answers.

He also seems thoughtful. And again, tense. I can't figure out why. Got scared of a pregnant woman? Or maybe he's thinking right now whose child it is? The latter thought makes me uncomfortable, and I involuntarily frown. Mechanically, I insert the keys into the lock slot and unlock the door, open it, and enter the hallway of my apartment. I turn on the light and turn back to him. He is still standing in the doorway.

" Coming in? " I ask, raising an eyebrow.

" Of course.

I turn halfway around. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice how Andriy comes in. I take off my shoes and close my eyelids. Bliss. Perhaps I should move on to lower-heeled footwear or even flat-soled shoes, because my legs get terribly tired. I open my eyes, massage my neck with my fingers, and catch a brief glance from Andriy. I head to the kitchen and can feel how he is following me.

Why do I get the impression that he is nervous?

I approach the electric kettle and press the button. Then I fall onto a chair and wearily lean back into the backrest.

"Where's your tea and cups? " The corners of his sensual lips slightly curl up.

"Top shelf on the left," I decided not to argue. On the contrary, I even enjoy how he takes out two large ceramic mugs and perplexedly examines my tea jars.

I confess, I love the variety in my tea. I order Indian, Chinese, Ceylon, and others, so now I just smile, watching the comical expression on Andriy's face. Finally, taking pity, I wave my hand:

" That jar with green tea. And the one next to it, "with the white flowers. That's jasmine. Please add a few pieces.

Andriy studies the contents of the jars so seriously that it once again makes me laugh. I watch as the beloved man concentratedly on preparing tea for both of us, curiously sniffs the jasmine flowers, and then comments:

"So that's what this flower is called.

"Meaning?"

"You often smelled like jasmine, " he puts aside the jars of tea, takes the mugs and sets them on the table, and I just open my eyes wider at this discovery. Turns out he remembers such details…

He pushes my cup closer to me and sits opposite. Tension that consists of so many unsaid words and unrevealed secrets hangs between us again, almost sparking.

I stare into my cup. I wonder where to start. I analyzed his behavior today, the suggestive looks, the touches... And a sudden realization hits my mind:

"You remembered everything, didn't you? "I look at him hopefully.

He tenses up again. I see how his jaw nervously twitches and the muscles on his sharp cheekbones play.

" Not exactly, "he replies tersely. " Milana, I have a lot to tell you... But still, I'd like to start with the most important.

" What's that?"I widened my eyes.

" About the pregnancy, of course, "he purses his lips.

" Of course, "I repeat ironically. And then I decide that there's nothing to hide. He might not believe, after all, that it's his child. I will love it all the same.

He pushes his cup aside and places his hands on the table, interlocking his fingers. Pierces me with a turquoise gaze:

"And how long have you known?"He waits, doesn't rush, but his gaze becomes predatory. I tilt my head up.

Since we were in the hospital. They took blood for tests and found hCG hormone," he raises an eyebrow in surprise, and I explain: " This hormone indicates pregnancy. "I withstand his heavy gaze and continue: "Then, a few days later, they repeated the blood test. The hormone level had increased. So, the doctors reassured me"it all was fine with the pregnancy and it was developing. Then they explained that since the term was so small," it probably saved the little one. They recommended just living a calm and healthy lifestyle.

I finish, and Andriy's eyes shoot lightning. I see how hard it is for him to control himself now." The vein on his neck throbs wildly, revealing his fury. He clears his throat.

"And you didn't plan on sharing the news with me?" he lets out dryly.

I sit up straighter on the chair and just tilt my head higher.

"No, I didn't plan to, "I carve out clearly and don't look away.

"Why, Milana?" he seems genuinely hurt, so I involuntarily bite my lip to hold back the treacherous tears that suddenly welled up.

"Because I didn't want to intrude into your life and ruin your happiness, even with that bitch.

"So I might never have known I was going to be a father..." he murmurs in confusion, then turns his head to the window.

Only his tightly clenched lips and brows drawn to the bridge of his nose reveal the chaos of his feelings right now. Finally, I can understand him. When I found out I was going to have a child, I first reacted with complete numbing, and then with wild joy. But I accepted the bitter irony of fate later. When he didn't remember me…

I sigh. Those moments can't be changed. So it is what it is. I see how he tries to recover from what he heard and digest the news. Yes, unpleasant, but the hard truth is better than sweet lies. To occupy myself with something, I take the mug in my hands and bring it to my lips. I take a sip of the still very hot tea and put it back on the table.

Andriy," he turns his face toward the sound of my voice.

There is no more anger in his eyes. Instead, an incomprehensible emotion appears. Is it guilt? I try to understand, and then he softly says:

"I suppose I can understand your motives, Milana, "I just arch an eyebrow. What does he mean? " I acted in a somewhat similar way," his broad brows again crept to the bridge of his nose. "But let's go from the start.