𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐮𝐬𝐭

32

"Respect should and does go both ways." I hummed with a light shrug, allowing my eyes to take in his finely pressed shirt that fit him perfectly.

"No, you should tell me if-"

"I should do a lot of things and if I don't want to do it, I don't."

"I see what you're doing." He muttered seriously not at all fazed by the grin I sent him.

"What am I doing?"

"You're deflecting."

"No, I'm not," I craned my neck back to make sure he held my stare, "I'm making you sure you don't have to choose between me and your mother. I don't want that, and you shouldn't even have to, even if she doesn't respect me. And really you should have more faith in her."

"I do have faith, but my mother could be intense sometimes and I'm sure she'll size up the woman who is with her only son. And what you're saying is that you won't tell me, and you'll live with that." He stated.

"If it honestly makes you feel better and eases your mind, I'll make the decision for you."

"No." He answered back with rapid fire, shaking his head.

"Then you and I will both have to live with it then." I concluded. His eyes flicked between mine and I could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he tries to make up an option.
I could never let him do that and if it does come down to it, I'll make sure to take the first step. I may not know what it is to be nurtured by a mother but I know you could never give that up so easy and if you did it would just put him through misery.

He sighed after a long pause and nodded slowly in defeat. His hands held my face before he pecked my lips.

"I don't think I am allowed to feel like this, but I like it." I didn't get the chance to question as he pulled away and threaded his fingers through mine while pulling me out the door.

We're met by the humid midday air, the high sun and cloud less sky doing nothing to help it. The spanning garden matched the splendour of the mansion behind us. The well cut hedges held up with grandeur under the blazing rays of the sun that drew extra attention to the occasional specs of colour from the flowers.

Two tents stood to the far left of the yard, stopping because of the short trees that ran along behind it. A bar stood below one and the other held chairs but few were occupied. It was like the sun didn't touch them as they sat out in it comfortably. It was expected for his family to be eye catching seeing as he was nowhere near average himself.

I told myself that it was perfectly fine to be even a bit nervous, I mean I am human. Most times or rather all the time, I revelled in the stares I got not in an unhealthy way at least I hope so, and more in I knew why I received the stares and was proud of that.

But right now, in front of what I think is his entire family, people with similar attributes not only career wise, I felt nervous. Attributes that never seemed to skip a generation, Jesus.

"Cousins, meet Dariya my girlfriend, Dariya meet mostly all my cousins, my father has no siblings but..." He left the words out in the atmosphere as he splayed his hand towards the circle of people.

"We aren't your cousins." Galina spoke up from her chair that she lazed over carelessly.

"I know." He retorted.