Damned: Chapter 33) Tilted

There was something that seemed sad about her. There was her face seemed to drop and age- almost like she was deprived of something- or someone.

“Oh, a new face in the neighbourhood?” she mirrored my smile back at me.

The way she smiled reminded me of Vitaly’s oh so scarce rare genuine ones- the ones that would only happen once in a blue moon that is. Now that I mention it and observe her a little more, her smile seemed to be the only familiar trait to him. She was quite a short woman, almost my height- slightly taller whereas Vitaly seemed to be well over six feet tall. She was quite an average-sized woman and her eyes were not distinct like her son’s. Hers held a softness, a tenderness like honey. Clearly, he perhaps took more of the resemblance from his father.

“Actually, not exactly.” I swallowed as I began to speak again yet held the calm and sweetness in my tone, “I wanted to meet with you, Mrs. Rostov. Vitaly wanted to be here but he couldn’t make it due to some work.”

“He’s always working.” She stated quite disapprovingly and moved to the side, “Please, come in.”

 Doing so, I was also greeted by another woman who came out of what seemed to be the living room with a cup of tea.

“Oh my, I didn’t know you were having guests, Mrs. Rostov,” the woman shyly laughed.

“No, actually it was a bit of a surprise,” I politely responded.

“I didn’t get your name, love?” his mother turned to me.

“Katherine Donovan. Or you can call me Katrina if you’d like.”

“What a pretty name for a pretty face. Please do make yourself comfortable, I’ll just be back I forgot to feed Albert.” She stated as she walked off hurriedly.

“Be careful,” the woman warned, “You’ll fall if you’re not careful!”

“She never learns,” she shook her head tiredly and turned to me, “Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Lillian Spencer. I often look after Mrs. Rostov in her condition.”

“Her condition?” I asked worriedly.

“Oh it’s nothing serious or life-threatening, just she needs to ensure that there is someone to check up on her ever so often. She gets scared.”

“You worked here for a long time?”

“Few months,” she shrugged, “She’s a sweet lady and that son of hers- like holy hell is he a sight.”

“Holy hell precisely,” I sighed.

“Albert is such a greedy dog,” his mother said in amazement as she entered from the side entrance of the house.

Before I could have spoken, Lillian spoke, “Mrs. Rostov, you know I informed you that I had to leave earlier than usual today. Will you be okay here?”

“Of course I would, I’m not a baby Lillian.”

“I know you’re not but don’t forget to take your medicines before bed okay? You know it calms the nerves.”

“Yes yes, now hurry off or you’ll be late for the function.”

With that, Lillian left and Mrs. Rostov sat next to me on the sofa and spoke with a smile.

“You said you’re friends with Alecovich?”

“Yes, we- we’re a little more than friends actually.” I lowered my eyes and blushed.

“Oh God, finally he wants to settle down now. My father-in-law always had him with him day and night. He never gets time for himself.”

The way she said that made me wonder if she knew what exactly Vitaly does. Somehow, I don’t think she knew.

“I assure you, he managed to steal some time away. Would you like to see pictures?” I beamed as I took out the phone and gave her to scroll through the pictures I asked Adrian to Photoshop with my dear Rostov and I together.”

Even though she would have possibly believed me in whatever condition she was in, I still did not want to take the chance without solid evidence which is why I asked Adrian to edit the pictures for me. Of course, I felt entirely horrid of the situation. Of taking advantage of this woman’s happiness and I felt my stomach drop every time she swiped picture by picture and her smile seemed to light up even more than I possibly think it could have ever.

“I cannot tell you how happy I am right now.” She stated and I saw a tear roll off her face but she wiped it away quickly.

You’re so damned, Katherine Donovan. 

For the entire time, I was spending with this woman I regretted it. My guilt was eating me while she was forcing me to finish my dinner. She wore her heart on her sleeve. She trusted too easily. She didn’t deserve these lies I told just for my own selfish reasons. Sure this was a safe place, Vitaly would never think about looking for me by his mother. I mean why would he anyway? I couldn’t hurt this woman who was so hospitable to me. Taking a deep breath, I stuffed the last broccoli in my mouth and noticed Mrs. Rostov eating gracefully from across the table.

“Do you call Vitaly often?” I spoke, breaking the silence.

“He’s usually busy,” she responded dryly and snapped her eyes back at me, “Would you like me to call him?”

“No,” I tried to reply without a panic, “He doesn’t know I’m here, he’ll be upset with me knowing I drove all the way here to meet you alone.”

“Yes, it is dangerous out there. There are so many missing persons nowadays.”

Your son probably kidnaps them.

“It’s getting so late. You’ll stay here won’t you?” she asked hopefully.

“As long as you’re okay with me being here.” I smiled back trying to brush off my guilt.

The sound of the dog barking loudly echoed through the house when suddenly she slammed her hand on the table, “That damned dog! I can never get peace with him around!”

The way she said that- her tone- I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t startled by it in the slightest way. She cupped her face in hand and I felt like she felt somewhat ashamed as she just stared down at the plate of food and exhaled. Brushing her hands through her hair, she apologized quietly and stood taking her plate to the kitchen. Quietly, I stood and followed her to the kitchen placing my plate in the dishwasher.

“I’m going to freshen up, I’ll meet you when I’m done or would you like me to show you to your room along the way?”

“I’m fine yet,” I assured her and she nodded then proceeded up the stairs.

To the side, I noticed all the medications stacked there on the counter. This was actually more than what I could have imagined to be quite honest.

Olanzapine.

Quetiapine.

Carbamazepine.

Valproate.

Taking the bottles in hand, I stared at them confused. These were antipsychotics. Used for conditions such as bipolarity and depression. It would have explained all her sudden outbursts and erratic statements throughout the day that I’d noticed in her presence. Of course, it wasn’t harmful or a threat to me, I just never expected her to be going through so much. I left the thought carefully behind and walked up the stairs when my eyes fell upon the first door on the left side of the hallway. Something about that room kept drawing me in like a moth to a flame. As I near it, the door almost seemed to be drifting itself open but obviously, it couldn’t possibly do that unless this place was haunted and dear God I sure hope it wasn’t because Vitaly was already enough trouble for me to handle anyway.

I took a step inside and suddenly felt my heart suddenly clench. The atmosphere of the room felt so lonely and cold yet the room seemed polished and every item was in perfect position as if it had just been cleaned only today. There was a huge desk at the corner and to the side was a very masculine-looking vanity which was a deep dark oak brown. Walking closer, I stared at my reflection in the mirror and sighed as my eyes dropped to a very familiar-looking item placed there. My fingers grazed across this very bronzy necklace.

It looked so familiar.

Where had I seen this before?

Taking up the necklace to observe it, I turned it around and my head suddenly ached. There was this very peculiar sort of writing on it. I’ve seen this already. Just like the one, the boy wore in my dream. That boy…

“It was Vitaly’s,” Mrs. Rostov suddenly spoke up from behind.

 Startled, I nearly dropped it but thankfully didn’t.

“I’m sorry,” I panicked quite embarrassedly, “I shouldn’t have been in here.”

“Oh no, I was going to bring you to this room to stay in anyway,” she assured me kindly, “It’s his bedroom.”

“Oh,” I said feeling my face for some odd reason burn up.

“You can freshen up and get some rest if you’d like, it’s already very late.” She worried.

“Thank you,”

She smiled in response and left. Honestly, I felt disgusting- both internally and externally. I hadn’t taken a shower since morning and I was aching to do so and wash away my lies and selfishness. Shutting the door lock for the night, I headed to the bathroom when my elbow suddenly hit the closet door open revealing many shirts of his. I ran my hand along all and for some reason, I felt as if I could even smell his rich spicy cold cologne. This shouldn’t be so pleasing I mentally slapped myself and headed to the shower where I stripped down and turned the sweltering water on to cover my body. After I was finished, I couldn’t help but throw on one of the shirts. I took out the dark navy blue and threw it over me noting how its length reached just above my knee. What a tall man he really is.

I sat on the bed, unable to fall asleep. My memory kept jogging back to everything that happened thus far and my head ached so badly. I held Vitaly’s necklace in my hand unable to collect all my thoughts. What was it about this necklace? Why was the boy in my dream wearing it? Was that… No, it wasn’t possible. It didn’t make sense. Nothing made sense anymore. Why was I even here? Someone would have found me eventually. A sudden wash of hopelessness swept across me as I hugged onto the pillow. How badly I wished things were different. I wanted to breathe without suffocating. I wanted to be happy again.

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