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Post by Dina on Jan 19, 2009 15:43:16 GMT 3
Chapter 15
9th September 2006
Satine woke up to the rain’s sound; feeling the sweetest warmth as she was wrapped in her lover’s protective arms.
She couldn’t help but smile to the picture she was given, on such an exquisite morning. Marat was still peacefully asleep, his arms around her silky body, his face buried in the thick softness of her dark hair.
She wished she could move away from him without waking him up.
She wanted to make some breakfast for him; he always were very hungry the mornings, she was pretty sure after that kind of night they had; he would be even more.
As she tried to move his arm from her; he tightened his grip on her hips and kissed her neck playfully.
“Where do you think you’re escaping?” he mumbled barely awoke. “Wanted to feed my new boyfriend!” she replied amused “Heard he was the starving kind on mornings!”
She felt his smile on her neck so she returned to face him to see his happy face. She never felt happier, ever.
“You’re the prettiest boy I’ve ever had in my bed!” she confessed smiling. “Am I?” he asked playfully. “Yes mister!” she confirmed “You most certainly are!” “Good because I was about to say something corky to you…” he started. “What would that be?” she asked amused. “Something like…you’re the most amazing work of art I’ve ever seen on a morning!” he murmured to her sensually. “You idiot!” she threw playfully to him “That’s nothing corky! I didn’t know you could sound so….” “What? “he asked amused. “So charming and romantic for God sake’s!” she affirmed throwing herself into a passionate kiss. “Morning beauty queen!” he finally said. “Morning!” she replied simply before she confessed “I’m happy!” He considered her for seconds and caressed her boob. “I know!” he replied smiling “You know why I do?” “Because you’re happy too!” she replied. “Touché Boss!” he said. “How about feeding you?” she asked rolling on his top. “Feed me from here first!” he demanded caressing her lips. “I think those are already fresh and ready for you to taste!” she said bringing her lips closer to his. “Delightful!” he murmured getting a hold of them.
“So you really wanna come with me to Moscow?” he asked happily “You don’t think we’re going too fast?” he asked as they were having breakfast in her kitchen. She stood from her chair, sat on his lap and embraced him lovingly. “Fast?” she repeated amused “It took us over twelve years to finally get here! Even I think that taking it slower is dumb!” “Even you!” he repeated pleased “So it doesn’t freak you out to get involved in a relationship when it’s with me?!” “I guess not!” he answered beaming. “Oh miracles really do exist…you were so right…” he said. “As it happens exactly; every time!” she went on for him laughing. “We are seriously going to be a happy mess, don’t you think?” he asked smiling. “I seriously think we will!” she replied laughing “I just hope we won’t end up killing each others!” “Oh I think we can already consider those past twelve years as a successful test!” he said “Aren’t we both still alive? Now we’re just adding the amazing sex to the fun!” She laughed and stood up: “We are so sex-fabulous together that’s right!” she said walking to the stairs “Now I’m feeling like showering again, aren’t you? “Oh I am!” he replied excitedly following her.
10th September 2006
“Still I wished you paid us a visit yesterday!” Rauza said to Marat’s attention at JFK’s airport “It’s not because you won another GS that you have the right to disappear!” “Sorry mom!” Marat mumbled amused “I kinda was busy!” “That’s right!” she replied with humour “I know what it means!” Marat blushed and shyly smiled to Satine. “And you sweetie?” Rauza asked “Why haven’t we seen or heard from you neither? “ Satine smiled and calmly answered: “You can’t imagine how messed up it gets after a GS final!” she said frustrated “The sponsors, sports agents…everybody wants a piece from the champion and I’m the one who has to deal with these!” “Oh dear!” Rauza said sorry for Satine “This new job sounds even more stressful than I figured!” “Indeed!” Satine replied sadly. Dina who was watching the weird scene thought something was ‘strange and different’ with her brother and Satine. “They didn’t…” Dina started thinking “No they would not!”
Sheremetyevo International Moscow Airport
The same day :
“I’m so happy we finally arrived!” Rauza declared as they were waiting for checking their luggage. “True, I feel totally exhausted!” Satine said. “Oh dear you’ll have time to rest, don’t you worry!” Rauza announced “And Mikhail will be so happy to have you too with Dina at home…we’ve missed you so much!” “Mom why would you think Satine is going to stay at your house?” Marat asked amused. “Because that’s what she did the last times she came!” Rauza replied defensively “And besides I like having her home!” “I don’t doubt that mother!” Marat said smiling “But the last times she came I was dating Dasha and now I’m not!” “Yeah well…” Rauza tried to say. “Satine is going to stay with me!” he said leaning to give his girlfriend a lingering kiss “I need her to!” Rauza and Dina were speechless. “I knew there was something!” Dina hissed. “Are… are you two…” tried to ask Rauza. “Seriously mother; how surprised are you?” he asked amused “I’m gonna get our luggage!” “Marat Mikhailovich Safin!” Rauza said dignified “Would you come back here and explain to us!” Marat slowly came back giggling. “Yes mother?” “Are you kids together now?” Rauza asked looking at Satine. “Yes we are!” Satine said calmly “Do you approve us?” Rauza was already shedding happy tears when she hugged Satine and Marat. “If I approve?” Rauza repeated crying “I’m the happiest mother!” “I didn’t think you guys would ever open your eyes ever!” Dina admitted. “Yeah well!” they both replied laughing. “That’s the best thing you’ve ever done in your life son!” Rauza informed Marat “Now I’m sure you weren’t being totally absurd!” Satine laughed out loud, amused by Marat’s face expression. “Winning a bunch of GS titles and other tournaments isn’t something you could be proud of saying your son achieved?!” he asked offended. “For you maybe!” Rauza countered “For me; the good thing is that you finally opened your eyes on this amazing young lady, who was the real source of your happiness for years and you weren’t even noticing it!” Marat smiled and kissed Satine again. “True mom; you too are right!” he sighed playfully “Like every single time! Now I’m gonna get the luggage before someone take them!”
12th September
“God Marat, open up!” Sasha said ringing Marat’s door bell “I know you’re here…your landlord said you haven’t left the place since you arrived!” Minutes later…. “You never give up, do you?” Marat said opening the door to his friend dressed in underwear. “Hello to you too Marat!” Sasha replied amused “I missed you too…and I don’t like giving up, nope I don’t!” “Get in jerk!” Marat said getting back to his place “So why are you disturbing me so early?” “Early?” Sasha said astonished “It’s 4:37pm! How soon is too soon with you?” “Hey handsome!” Satine said embracing Sasha from behind and giving him big kisses on the cheeks “That’s been a little while!” “Didn’t know you were here Sissy!” Sasha replied happily “If I knew I’d brought flowers!” “You could have brought them to me instead!” Marat teased. “You haven’t done anything exceptional to get flowers!” Sasha countered. “Hello! I’ve just won the US Open!” Marat said stunned. “Bummer!” Sasha said “You’ve already done that three times before! That’s nothing exceptional, even Roddick managed to do it once!” “And what did the missy here do that is so exceptional?” Marat asked intrigued. “She was born!” Sasha replied laughing. “You deserve some cake for saying that!” Satine replied amused. She disappeared in the kitchen and left the guys alone. “So you guys are on speaking terms again, that’s good!” Sasha noticed. “Yeah indeed!” Marat replied a moment. “I think we should go Shamil isn’t so thrilled about you taking your sweet time to come practice!” Sasha announced “Put some clothes on…don’t think your accoutrement will suit him!” “My accoutrement was perfect for the task I was doing before you showed up!” Marat said wickedly. Sasha looked stunned. “You’ve got a girl here?” he said surprised “While Satine is here with you?!” Marat gave him a desperate look. Sasha considered the situation and stared at Satine who was in the kitchen wearing only Marat’s Adidas shirt. “No!” Sasha said disbelieving it. “Oh yes!” Marat said laughing heading to his room.
15th September 2006
“Hello everyone!” Satine said walking into the Olympic Stadium where the Russian team was practicing ahead of the DC semi-final tie against USA. “Oh sweet Jesus!” Dima muttered “It’s the evil on high heels!” “Shut up Tursunov!” Marat said slapping him lightly on the head. “I’m not that devilish Mitya!” Satine countered slightly amused. “Yes you are!” he mumbled to himself. “Hey milaya!” Marat said giving her a lingering kiss. “Whoa!” exclaimed the guys in unison. “What the heck is that Marat?” Misha asked. “What was what?” Marat replied laughing. “You kissed Siss on her mouth!” Igor shouted “Why would you do that?” “They are some sort of an item!” Sasha informed grinning widely. All the guys seemed very surprised but after having swallowed the news they proceeded to congratulating them and eventually starting the teasing process. “So how are you planning to stay alive for the next weeks Marat?” Igor asked under his breath. Marat shot him with the eyes. “True Siss’, you have to keep him alive….we need him in the team!” Sasha added. “She can’t do that!” Dima protested with a silly grin. “Indeed she can’t!” Misha agreed. “How funny do you all think you are?” Marat asked upset. “We won’t end up killing each others!” Satine informed weakly “We agreed we won’t!” A burst into laughters was loudly heard from all of them. Satine and Marat shared a mischievous look and smiled. “You know why we won’t end up in dramas?” Marat asked them amused. “You’re asking?” Igor replied still laughing. “Because every time he pisses me off….I’d rather rape him than kill him!” Satine informed with the sexiest tune ever. The guys all looked at each others disgusted. “That’s when the sex making up becomes interesting!” Marat added. “I hate that guy!” Dima whispered. “Yes you certainly do!” Marat agreed.
24th September 2006
“Boss!” Andy said surprised “What brought you to the freezing city?” Satine smiled and came to greet Andy. “How are you Andy?” she asked. “Very well now!” he replied charming. “Good for you!” she said amused. “So what are ya doing here?” he asked “Has the DC became an ATP invent by any good luck?” “Nope I’m here with Marat!” she replied. “Oh, so you guys are friends again!” he said laughing “That’s my luck!” “Why is that?” she asked laughing. “Because your mercurial best friend bites when we come close to you!” he informed. “I bet he’ll bite even harder now!” Satine thought loudly. “What?” Andy asked. “Yeah well…he’s a caged animal, what do you expect?” she said laughing. “I don’t get how you can put up with him?” he said disbelieving “The other he was about to make me headless with his serve! He’s a scary guy!” “Scary guys are very useful to helpless and weak girls like me!” she countered. Pat McEnroe was passing by when he heard her and bursted out laughing. “If being helpless and weak are what you are; I have pity for whoever would attack you!” he said laughing. “On that note…”Andy said laughing “I shall go get ready to kick Tursunov’s ass!” “Do this!” Satine replied smiling.
In the lockers Marat was waiting for his match against James Blake to start when Satine walked in looking weird.
She sat on a bench moving excitedly on her place and stared blankly.
“Ok who told you what?” he asked like if it was inevitable. She gave him a look. “What?” she asked like if she had no idea what he just said. “Why do you look so weird?” he asked again. “I’m not weird!” she countered. “So stop wriggling like a kid!” he said “It looks like you wanna pee!” She gave him an offended look. “I’m good!” she insisted.
He looked at her puzzled and sat back changing his socks.
“Do you think we’ll end up killing each others?” she asked out of the blue. “I knew they’ll get into you those morons!” he exclaimed upset. She looked at him hesitant. “We are good for each others!” he said confident “Every person with some common sense thinks so! All the people around saw how we were meant to be together when we were still unaware of it! Come on milaya don’t start freaking out already!” “I won’t!” she replied composed. “Ok good!” he said leaning to kiss her. “Do you think I’m tough scary?” she asked again.
He looked at her startled; quickly thinking whether or not let this question unanswered.
“I think you’re an extremely smart person who knows how to get what she wants!” he replied carefully “Obviously you know how to handle different kind of situations; you’re a doer!” She considered him quickly. “Am I that scary that even my boyfriend fears to face me with my truth?” she asked.
He smiled and sat next to her.
“Well you are inspiring respect!” he said. “So are you!” she said “Bu’ I’m not afraid to tell you that you’re an ass when you act like a one!” “Have I ever hesitated telling that you were a bitch when you acted like a one?” he asked smiling. “You got a point!” she said smiling. “See…we’re good doing this!” he said kissing her cheek. “Yes we are!” she replied pleased.
That week-end Russia defeated USA 3-2 and clinched a final spot against Argentina.
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Post by Dina on Feb 9, 2009 17:31:07 GMT 3
Chapter 16
11th October 2006:
Moscow:
“Coming!” Satine shouted rushing to open the door.
“You are running late!” Allon exclaimed kissing her on the cheek “The matches will start soon and there’s a lot of work waiting for you there!”
“I know, I know!” she replied upset “But your dearest player is limiting my action area to his almost broken bed!”
Allon made a face and hid his ears with his hands.
“You know I can live without hearing those from you!” he sighed.
“Sorry baby-boo!” she replied playfully stroking his cheek.
“And I hate when you call me like that!” he sighed desperate.
“I think you’re cute!” she replied laughing as she reached the door and her coat.
“Milaya!” Marat shouted from the bed room “You’re abandoning me!”
Satine giggled and gave a look to Allon.
“Be ready at 1pm, I’m picking you back for lunch!” Allon informed him amused.
“The least you can do!” Marat mumbled angrily.
“I know; I’m a life saver!” Allon told Satine who was still laughing.
“Hi Siss’” Dina said getting into Satine’s office in the Olympic Stadium “Where did you leave your lover?”
Satine gave her a ‘very funny but not so much’ look.
“Allon is feeding him I suppose!” she replied while writing some players name on the scheduling board.
“I thought you weren’t in charge with this!” Dina said sitting comfortably on a couch.
“I am now!” she replied “I’m being meticulous!”
Dina gave her a look.
“So how’s it going with my bro?” she finally asked.
“I suppose it’s what happy nature people would call Heaven on Earth!” she said amused “It’s going smoothly!”
“Is this your way to say that you are having fabulous sex….and only?” Dina asked mischievously.
“Aren’t you supposed to be a little bit shy and innocent to even ask about this?” Satine replied laughing.
“Yeah well…I’m not asking any girl Marat used to toy with!” Dina pointed out “I’m asking Sissy…my very good friend!”
Dina smiled deviously and Satine laughed under her breath.
“Marat’s right!” she admitted “You’re growing up too fast!”
“I bet he wishes I stay twelve forever!” Dina replied amused.
“Well I think it’s a very good thing you don’t!” Satine replied “I like you better now than when you used to ask permanently about ice-creams! You have more interesting discussions!”
Dina bursted laughing.
“See, everybody appreciates mature people!” she said “So…is Marat coming to practice today, or he’s too good to bother practicing for a match?”
“I think he’s coming later on, brat!” Satine teased.
“Ugh! You guys spend too much time together!” she said disgusted before she left.
17th October 2006:
“Stop pouting brat!” Marat complained to Dina during diner at their parent’s “Losing in the semifinals is not bad! You still have time!”
“But I wanted to win!” she complained.
“Everybody wants to win!” Marat countered amused “Don’t be a drama queen!”
She gave him a look.
“Says who?” she asked sarcastically “I bet if you’ve lost your match today; you’d be forbidden for society!”
“You brat can’t help…” he was about to say.
“Enough!” Mikhail interrupted upset “What is it with you people? You can’t keep a civilized family dinner?”
“Sorry!” they both mumbled though they would’ve wanted to say more, much more.
“So you kids are all leaving after tomorrow’s final….where are you two going next?” Mikhail asked Marat and Satine.
“I’ll have to supervise Madrid of course….and Marat will come with me I suppose!” Satine teased.
“How can I stay away from you, love?” he replied sarcastically before he bent to kiss her with passion.
“Hum hum!” Dina coughed “This is a civilized diner…be generous enough to not give me disgusting nightmares material!”
Marat giggled.
“I’ll behave for your sanity, brat!” he replied amused.
“Thank you moron!” she added.
“Baby steps!” Satine exclaimed putting her arms on each one’s side “How long you came from!”
“Indeed; we’re improving!” Rauza agreed.
Marat groaned.
“You people should be happy that neither of us turned to junkies or killers….we are pretty nice kids material!”
“Sure you are my rabbit!” she said pinching his cheek.
“Mom!” he protested “Not in front of my girlfriend!”
“Get a grip Mikhailovich!” Satine replied “It’s something I’ve been used to in the last twelve years I’ve known you!”
He considered her for a second.
“True; my apologies…I forgot I’ve known you for so long!” he said amused “Though it looks like I’ve somehow met a very…new person!”
Satine blushed and dropped her dessert spoon which made every one burst in laughter.
“You behave or you’ll never see that ‘new person’ ever again!” she warned.
“My lips are sealed until you order for them to open up again!” he said executing himself.
“And you both are still alive!” exclaimed Mikhail “What a wonderful miracle!”
18th October 2006:
“What are you doing here?” Satine asked as Marat got into her office “Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready for your final or something?”
He gave her a naughty smile and shut down the curtains in her office before he faced her with the dirty grin again.
“No Mikhailovich!” she informed “This is unsuitable!”
“Is it?” he asked her smiling while getting closer to her “I thought you were enjoying the office Shamil gave ya!”
“I am! That’s why no such inappropriate activities you have in mind should be practiced here!” she replied trying not to look into his eyes.
“Oh come on!” he mumbled “The ladies final is not to be over yet!”
“I don’t care…we’re not…”she tried to say before he pressed his cold lips on hers.
Swiftly moving her to the couch, his hand curved around her elbow, moving slowly down her arm, across her ribs and over her waist.
Tracing along her hip and down her leg, around her knee. He paused there, his hand curling around her calf. He pulled her leg up suddenly, hitching it around his hip.
He stopped breathing. This wasn’t the kind of thing he usually allowed, it was out of character of him to let himself go in a public place. Despite his cold hands; she felt suddenly warm. His lips moved in the hollow at the base of her throat. She felt the emergency of his actions and thought something was wrong:
“Are you okay?” she asked.
He suddenly broke apart and gave her a burning look.
“I’m sorry…I should be able to control myself!” he murmured.
“You don’t have to do it every time!” she whispered smiling.
“Sure sure!” he replied firmly “It’s just….it’s…I…”
“What is it Marat?” she asked worried.
“Nothing’s wrong!” he sighed amused “Sometimes I just need you and…it feels like I must get my hands on you so you won’t drift away from me again! I know it’s silly.”
She smiled and caressed his forehead lovingly.
“No chance it would ever happen again!” she replied kissing his nose playfully “You won’t get rid of me ever again! I thought I made myself clear on that matter when we were sixteen?!”
He laughed and kissed her softly.
“You’re right!” he replied “It was a hell of a statement back then!”
A knock on the door interrupted them.
“Marat I know you’re there!” Sasha said from outside “You have to come get ready! The match’s about to start!”
Marat darted to the door and opened.
“See…we’re just discussing!” Marat told him “We are no animals!”
Satine giggled.
“Of course you are not!” Sasha said impatiently “Now come on!”
He came back to kiss Satine.
“Wish me luck!” he asked.
“You don’t need it!” she replied.
After the match and the trophy ceremony, Marat and Satine took a flight straight to Madrid.
23rd October 2006
Madrid:
“I can’t believe it Marat!” Tommy Haas hissed in frustration stressing on Marat’s name with his German accent.
“What can’t you believe?” Marat asked amused “That I’m finally with her or that you will never EVER have her?”
Tommy looked bewildered and sighed before he sat back next to Marat in the locker room.
“Well, now I can’t even try now that you took her out of the market for everyone!” he said slightly disappointed.
“Well she never really considered dating you anyway!” Marat reflected “So nothing’s really gone for you!”
“Why wouldn’t she wanna date me?” Tommy asked disbelieving “Who wouldn’t wanna date me?”
Marat smiled to himself but couldn’t hold his answer.
“First; your accent irritates her!” Marat chuckled “Second; who wouldn’t date ME?”
Tommy threw his wet towel on Marat’s face and left for the shower muttering in German.
“I said I needed to discuss it with him Fernando!” Satine said upset to her tournament manager in La Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open “Where’s Gerard Tsobanian?”
“He’s not here yet Satine!” Fernando complained “But I’m sure he agrees on that point; so would you please sign this so we can start the procedure?”
“Find me Gerard!” she ordered quietly.
Fernando sighed loudly in despair and left the office.
As he was leaving he crossed Marat who was standing at the office’s door waiting for them to finish.
“You’re here!” she sighed as he kissed her “Isn’t your match about to start?”
“Yeah in few!” he replied caressing her dimples “I love those!”
She smiled and gave in to his kiss willingly.
“Rough tournament here in Madrid, isn’t it?” he noticed.
“Indeed!” she replied sighing in exhaustion “I used to pull Gerard’s leg the previous years…I just never realized he had that much to do! He’s a mutant!”
Marat laughed and caressed her perfect little nose.
“I’m sure you’ll outdraw him!” he said confident “Were you looking for him with your guy earlier?”
“Yeah, I need to check some things with him!” she replied.
“He’s supposed to come watch my match…he shouldn’t be long!” he informed.
“Is he? That’s fantastic sweetheart! You’re a life saver!” she stated clinging herself to his neck to kiss him properly.
“You make it look like you’re the tiniest person ever, and I’m the giant you’re dating!”
“1,80m is not 1,93m!” she countered “I need efforts to reach your devilish lips without my heels on!”
“Right!” he laughed kissing again “You little devil on high heels!”
“Seriously?” she asked deviously.
“Seeeriously!” he replied sensually wandering his finger on her bare shoulders.
“Hum hum!” Gerard said from the front door “Wouldn’t wanna interrupt you people; but Nando said you were infuriated and about to burst on him like a volcano!”
Marat laughed.
“Be easy on the guy, milaya!” Marat said “You wouldn’t wanna be the witch of Madrid!”
“Go play your match!” she said dragging him out “Don’t wait for me for dinner though!”
“Why not?” he asked stupefied.
“Maybe it’s because there are four other matches on Centre Court to be played yet; including yours Mr!” she replied sarcastically “And yours might take longer, with your stupid head, your luck and mine!”
He looked at Gerard and both bursted out laughing.
“Hookay love!” he replied amused “I’ll speed it up for your sake, and will even win it! But you’re not leaving the Stadium alone by night!”
She gave him a look.
“I’ll go have diner with Moya since I’ve already told him I would, and then I’ll be back for you when you’ll be done!” he said all smiles “I’ll even bring you dinner! How great boyfriend am I so far?”
She gave him a look.
“You don’t need to feed me nor pick me up like a helpless woman!” she replied defensive “I can take care of myself!”
He gave her a livid look.
“Oh Jesus; there’s gonna be blood again!” Gerard whispered quietly “I knew they’ll end things up in a murder!”
They both glared at Gerard and glared back at each others.
“You are not leaving by night alone!” he said firmly “I insist on picking you up! End of discussion!”
She felt blood flowing up, but she knew there was no need to play the ‘super independent woman’ card with him; he never liked it, especially when it came to her safety.
“Fine!” she conceded “I’ll call you when I’ll be done!”
“You’re being reasonable now!” he mumbled “I didn’t like using my big voice though!”
She stared him up.
“Get out before I slice you in two!” she hissed.
He smiled and darted out of the office.
“I’ve missed being around you guys!” Gerard sighed amused “You always are so much fun to watch and listen to; you should be a TV soap!”
Satine inhaled loudly and hit Gerard slightly on the head.
“You roll your tongue seven times in your mouth before you open it again!” she informed smiling.
“I know!” he said sadly rubbing the back of his sore head.
Hours later, while Marat was celebrating his evening with his friends; Satine called.
“You’re bringing your devil on high heels?” Dima asked.
“I’m bringing my genius on high heels!” he replied all smiles.
At the corner of the Stadium Marat took off his phone to inform Satine of his arrival.
“Milaya; I’m out!” he said as she answered her phone.
“Coming!” she replied.
As he hung up; he dropped his phone to his feet. He bent down to get it, when he did headlights of another vehicle blinded him. The truck was honking so Marat would get out of the way but it was too late. Marat’s rent car was hit from the front and thrown to crash right on a wall.
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Post by Dina on Feb 13, 2009 3:13:52 GMT 3
Chapter 17
Later on that same night:
Dima walked silently to where his friends were sitting. Carlos spotted him and smiled gently as he gave him a cup of coffee. Igor stood up from the ground and took the cup his friend handed to him before he sat down again hugging gently the shaking body absentmindedly sitting next to him.
“You should have some coffee to warm you up a little!” Dima said.
Satine was still looking blankly at the ER gates in front of them.
“Or maybe you’d rather want some tea?” Igor asked her.
She just gave both of them a tormented look and leaned her heavy heady on her knees.
Dima sighed nervously and sat down the other side next to her.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine!” Dima tried to comfort her.
“Never say that again!” she snarled coldly.
Dima flinched.
“You can never be in a hospital and be sure of anything!” she said bitterly.
As Carlos was about to say something Sasha, Gerard and Allon stormed in wearing terrified expressions on their faces.
“Oh my God!” Allon said wary “What happened? Where is he? Is he gonna be okay?”
Everyone glared at him but none found any way to answer.
“The doctors are…they are trying their…best!” Carlos murmured.
“What happened?” Sasha asked.
“A trunk apparently hit his car and….crushed it into a wall.” Igor added.
“Jesus!” Gerard whispered horrified “Are you okay? You haven’t been hurt?!”
Satine glared at him furiously before her eyes pearled again.
“I wasn’t in the car!” she whispered painfully.
“Oh…thank God then!” he replied in a strange relief “But where did the crash happen?”
“Outside the Stadium!” Dima said glaring at Gerard to shut up.
The tree guys were surprised and nodded quietly.
One hour later the gates opened and a middle-aged doctor walked out.
“You are Mr.Safin’s friends?” he asked.
“Yes Dr we are!” Dima replied.
“Is anyone from his family here?” he asked again.
“Humm…well we are his close friends!” Gerard answered “I’m one of his managers and this is his girlfriend!”
Satine was still quiet listening with an uneven breathing.
“Miss?”
“McAllister!” she replied recomposing herself “Satine McAllister! How’s Marat?”
“Well your friend isn’t in the best state right now!” he said honestly “He was bleeding a lot and got a severe contusion. But fortunately we were able to control the bleeding so we didn’t need to operate!”
“So is he going to be fine?” Sasha asked.
“Well…he was hit in his head and it’s not an easy matter!” the doctor sighed “We are hoping he’ll wake up within the next 48 hours which are our main concern now…if not, it might be something serious.”
Satine felt her head spinning.
“Can I see him?” she asked shaking badly.
“Sure…in some thirty minutes the time they get him settled in his room!”
“Doctor…please a moment!” Allon said “I’m Allon Karkhouri Marat’s other manager….he’s a public figure as you know…”
“Don’t you worry!” he replied smiling “Our patients’ privacy is guaranteed!”
25th October 2006
Satine has been sitting in that same couch in front of Marat’s bed counting the hours, the minutes and seconds. Her only concern remained under sharp focus.
Crying, worrying, wondering if the man of her life is ever gonna wake up were all the thoughts Satine avoided for 46 hours now. She kept herself busy with work from the hospital room, dispatching all her focus between time and work.
When Igor and Dima walked in the room that night; they saw Satine arguing still with Fernando on the phone about ridiculous issues. She hung up the phone on the guy and threw it down without notice of the boys’ presence. She was shaking at the edge of tears. She kneeled down to inhale and compose herself.
“Hum hum!” Dima coughed awkwardly.
“Hey Sissy!” Igor greeted.
She turned around surprised to see them. Not losing her temper she gave them both a look and picked up her phone from ground.
“You both lost your matches?!” she asked upset.
“Yeah…we…” Dima mumbled.
“Hope for your sake you didn’t lose on purpose!” she said between her teeth “Hope you’re not that fool to do such a thing!”
Igor and Dima looked at each other expressionless.
“You haven’t left this room for almost two days!” Igor whispered “Why don’t we go have diner? And maybe you could go to your hotel room and have some…rest!”
He said that last word as if it was a sin to suggest to Satine. As a workaholic and unable person to show her real emotions to people she couldn’t trust them with; he was afraid to complicate the matter by offending her.
She gave him a look and realized how awful she’d been with everyone since the accident.
“No thanks!” she replied softer “Marat’s parents are to be here in a couple of hours…Allon will pick them up from the airport….they might want me to be here.”
“Sure sure!” Dima whispered “We’ll wait here with you for them then!”
He looked at Igor for his agreement and they looked back at her grinning.
“So what was that earlier on the phone?” Igor asked amused “You’re still terrorizing that poor Fernando; even from the phone?!”
“You mind your own business!” she snapped.
They all sat and kept an awkward silence for several minutes:
“What did the doctor say today?” Dima finally dared to ask.
“No ameliorations!” she whispered under her breath.
“That’s been how long….” Igor tried to ask.
“46 hours and 34 minutes…that’s it!” she replied abruptly.
None of them dared to say more.
Two hours later Allon arrived with Marat’s parents. Seeing her son intubated and linked to heart rate and respiratory machines was something surreal for Rauza.
“He’s always been the strongest!” she sighed between sobs “Is there any chance he could wake up again?”
Satine looked at her and squeezed her hand lovingly.
“Of course!” she forced herself to appease a woman who she always considered as her own mother “He’s gonna come back to us! He has to!”
The guys shared looks and thought that when Satine came to this kind of desperate affirmations; it couldn’t be good.
“And you my dear?” Rauza asked again” How are you holding up?”
Satine wanted to lie and say as her usual that she was fine, but at that exact moment, to that exact person, she couldn’t.
“Excuse me!” she managed to say before darting out of the room.
She headed to the ladies room and locked herself in. Reality was slapping her in the face brutally. 48 hours did pass and the man who was the reason of her whole being was still unconscious, unable to wake up and hold her in his strong arms to reassure her and shelter her from all her haunting fears.
Still unable to shed a tear, she realized that her heart was bleeding for her eyes. Her breath turned uneven again which nailed her to the ground.
She thought about the grave sin she could’ve committed to have to endure all those losses and failures in life. How doomed can a human being get?
While considering her reflexions someone knocked on the door.
“Siss?” she heard Gerard whisper “Are you there?”
“Go away!” she demanded weakly.
“Get out of here!” he ordered “Marat’s vitals are improving; the doctor said he might wake up soon! You don’t wanna miss…”
Before he had time to finish she was already out.
“Is he gonna wake up?” she asked.
“The doctor thinks so!” he replied smiling.
“I hope for your sake that you’re not giving me false hope!” she warned pointing her finger to him.
“I hope so!” he said indulgent.
Two hours later Satine was still alone in Marat’s room. She’s convinced his parents to go rest in their hotel and promised she’d inform them if he woke up.
Sitting beside him, she linked her chilled fingers to his chilled ones and kissed their tips lovingly.
“Don’t you dare leave me behind!” she whispered.
Realizing she hadn’t slept for over three days, she let her head fall preciously on him and tried to avoid too much thinking.
Unable to help herself she was thinking about Marat’s engagement in his future tournaments especially the Masters Cup and the Davis Cup final. How in the world would they inform the tennis world of his real situation? How would his fans react whatever happens to him?
So far they only announced his withdrawing due to sickness and hid the truth from people who needn’t know; especially the media.
As she considered they might have to make public his health state she felt fingers running through her thick silky hair. She quickly reached for the fingers and held them tight in hers.
She turned the lights on of the little bedside lamp and tried to go bring a nurse or someone but his fingers didn’t let go of her.
He didn’t open his eyes yet but looked like he felt bewildered and sore because he was holding his bandaged head tightly.
“I’ll be right back!” she whispered “I’ll just bring someone…”
He tried to mumble something but couldn’t, still he didn’t let go of her.
“Ok, I won’t leave you now!” she replied tracing his lips with her fingers.
His fingers rested on hers and took them away of his lips. He painfully narrowed his eyes trying to open them up. As he did; he felt a mist upon them but it faded quickly. He then focused on what his troubled sight allowed him at the moment to perceive when he saw Satine’s face looking at him.
At first he felt dazzled by her stunning beauty; he only focused on her emerald big eyes, amazed by the very long lashes moving up and down with each of her nervous blinks.
He then noticed that she wore several confused expressions on her beautifully perfect features. She looked relieved and at the same time worried to death and scared. She also seemed to be impatient about something.
After analyzing what his eyes showed him he started analyzing with his brain the situation.
Where was he? What happened to him? Why does she look so worried about him and at the same time so loving? Nervously he realized that those weren’t the real questions he should wonder about: Who was that stunning creature leaning on him? But most importantly; who was he?
He suddenly wanted to scream because no matter how hard he tried to focus and remember; nothing seemed to make sense to him.
“You okay?” she asked as she saw the several confusions on his face “Are you in too much pain?”
Her voice! What a voice he thought. Melodic, tender and loving. It seemed to him that she didn’t always talk that softly; it seemed to him that she makes efforts to sound like that and yet, now she wasn’t. She couldn’t sound more natural, truer.
“Please…say something!” she begged him as her fear grew bigger.
“Where…am I?” he finally managed to ask.
“You’re in a hospital bed!” she said a little bit relieved that he still had this function to reason “I’m here with you!”
He wasn’t much surprised by the first response because it looked to him like he actually were in a hospital, but her second declaration was non sense to him. Why would this young woman tell him that? And again who was he?
“I’ll bring the doctor!” she said as she tried to free herself from her grip again.
“No please!” he murmured feeling a sharp pain in his throat “Stay!”
She willingly sat next to him and caressed his face delicately like he used to caress hers.
Suddenly he realized that he was holding her hand and felt the ridiculous of the situation.
“Please…tell me…what happened?” he asked cautiously.
“Don’t you remember?” she asked lightly surprised “You had a car accident outside the Stadium!”
“The Stadium?” he repeated under his breath “I don’t remember…anything!”
She looked at him surprised.
“You went out with Carlos and the boys for diner and came back…”
“Carlos?” he repeated in disbelief.
“Moya!” she informed him “Carlos Moya!”
He felt a terrifying frustration but dared to ask:
“Who are you?” he finally asked.
Satine froze. Was she dreaming? Was life still playing with her? For how long….
“Please…” he begged desperate interrupting her thoughts.
“You don’t remember who I am?” she asked barely saying the words.
He closed his eyes and felt them watering. He opened them again and realized that she was in the same state.
“I don’t know who you are.” He replied terrified “I don’t know…who I am!”
Satine moved away from the bed and stared at him in horror. He looked completely lost; dying to know.
“Nothing?” she whispered.
He nodded.
“Oh God!” she whispered and sat back next to him “It’s gonna be fine! You’re gonna be fine!”
He still looked at her unable to say anything.
“Look at me…I’ll be back in minutes!” she whispered looking straight in his eyes which didn’t recognize her “I’ll just bring a doctor to see you! You’ll be fine!”
He didn’t know why but he did trust this beautiful stranger.
As she left he tried to make sense of what was surrounding him. He saw a laptop on a near table. He assumed it was hers. He noticed a long black feminine velvet coat put on a couch next to him with a heavy handbag. He also noticed a clipboard where was written in purple and big letters ‘La Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open’. He smiled bitterly; at least he still could read.
Satine came back, slowly walking behind the doctor and a nurse. It seemed to him like she saw a ghost.
“Hello!” the doctor said “I’m Dr.Aznar, welcome back!”
Marat’s head spin suddenly. Did the doctor just talk to him in Spanish? He didn’t realize before that the girl spoke to him in Russian, and he was thinking in Russian!
“I understand what you just said!” he murmured confused.
“That’s wonderful then!” the doctor encouraged him.
“No...no that’s not what I meant!” Marat replied “I understood Spanish! She…you talked to me in Russian before! And now I’m still talking Spanish!”
Marat felt like he wanted to take all his wires away and run; run until he could see clearer.
“You do speak Spanish also!” Satine informed him in Spanish still “So do I! Amongst other languages we both master!”
He held his head again like if it could help him understand.
“Alright!” Dr.Aznar said calmly “Do you know who you are?”
“No.” Marat said painfully “Who am I?”
Satine walked closer and held his hand.
He hesitated before he let his hand in hers.
“You are Marat Mikhailovich Safin!” Satine informed.
Marat tried to link this information but nothing.
“You are Russian!” she added with a smile that looked to him familiar but unknown still “You are 26 years old; you were born the 27th January 1980!”
She looked at him hopeful but he still looked like he had no clue what she was talking to him about.
“And?” he asked waiting for more.
“And you’re a tennis player!” she informed him.
His eyebrows frown in surprise.
“A professional tennis player!” Dr.Aznar thought necessary to precise “The number one in the world actually!”
Marat wanted to scream, he wanted to close his eyes and open them again on his real life, his identity, his own memory.
Satine’s eyes started forming tears when Marat noticed it; he strangely felt a sharp pain to that picture he should’ve been indifferent to.
Instinctively he held her hand tighter:
“And who are you?” he whispered softly like if right then it was the most important information for him to know.
She looked back at him and stopped the tears in her eyes.
She’s brave! He thought. Too much!
“I’m Satine McAllister!” she replied smiling.
He felt disappointed to ignore such a beautiful name. He felt sad to be unable to link it to that splendid woman standing right next to him and who seemed to care enormously for him.
“Marat” the doctor said “We’ll have to do an MRI to understand what happened, if this….loss of memory is temporary or not!”
Marat wanted to scream again! How wouldn’t it be temporary? He needed to know! He couldn’t bear not to!
The doctor made an examination of him and seemed satisfied to the response of his body and his other vitals. The nurse took care of him in order to help him feel better.
“We’ll be back!” he declared.
As the doctor left Satine sat again next to him and held his hand again.
He didn’t know why; but he wouldn’t have stood if she had left too. It sounded silly and second degree importance, if not important at all; but he was happy she was there.
“I bet you wanna know more!” she said smiling that exquisite smile easily switching to perfect Russian again.
“Everything!” he murmured.
“I think it’s better if we follow your rhythm; you ask, I answer!”
“Do you possibly have all the answers I could ask?” he asked doubtful.
“Absolutely!” she replied with great confidence.
“Seriously?” he asked smiling.
She bursted out laughing and instinctively caressed his cheek.
He felt his skin burning to her touch; she was inspiring him too much feelings at the same time.
“Seriously!” she replied satisfied “Ask!”
“My family?” he wanted to know.
She looked at him in shock remembering she didn’t inform anyone he woke up.
“I should call them to let them know you’re awake!” she said as she noticed his bemused expression, she then looked at the clock and smiled again “Maybe I should wait the morning!”
He smiled but didn’t comment.
“Your father is Mikhail Safin and your mother Rauza Islanova!” she declared softly.
He looked at her with an intensive expression on his face but he still couldn’t remember a single name she mentioned.
“You have a younger sister; Dinara!” Satine informed.
“Do I?” he asked pleased.
“Yes you do!” she said amused “You two mostly fight childishly, but you love her deeply and are scared to death about her and don’t really appreciate the fact that she’s growing up! She’s becoming a woman!”
Marat made a face and smiled.
“How old is she?” he asked suddenly.
“20 years old!” she said.
“You were born in Moscow and still do live there even though your official residence according to the ATP is Monte-Carlo!” she said with a light smile on the corner of her appealing lips.
“What do they do with their lives?” he asked.
“Your father runs a sports club there; you actually started tennis there!” she said “You’ve been coached by your mother who also did coach several talented other Russian female players including Dina!”
“My sister plays tennis too?” he asked surprised.
“And she’s as crazy and amazingly talented as you are!”
He laughed and wondered what it was about, but thought he’d know soon enough.
“When did I start tennis?” he asked “Do I enjoy it?”
She smiled and made herself comfortable on his bed.
“You started around six! You’ve always said you played tennis because you didn’t know what else to do with your foot!” as she said that she was laughing out loud “But you actually are the most passionate! You enjoy it, but you don’t revolve your whole life around it! You enjoy the life you’ve been given coz’ you know you have only one!”
He realised that the woman sitting in front of him seemed to know him utterly, he wondered if he did know her that well. He also wanted to know what kind of relationship linked them together to seem to be so close.
“When you turned 13 your parents betted on you and sent you to Valencia in Spain….”
“That’s why I talk fluent Spanish!” he realized happy to understand.
She nodded smiling.
“And you?” he asked impatiently “How do I know you?”
She smiled and traced his lips again with her fingers sensually. It made him shiver again which only added to his big confusion and frustration.
She told him how they met and became best friends. She told him about his career, his other friends and previous girlfriends. She told him everything he wanted to know, everything he dared to ask for.
“Wow!” he sighed “That’s quite a life I had!”
“You have!” she corrected “You’ll remember everything I’m sure!”
“Why do I feel like you’re managing me?” he asked smiling “I don’t think you act like that with me!”
She gave him a look and sighed helplessly.
“Because I’m afraid that if I believe the opposite…you will stay like that!” she told him honestly.
He smiled and brushed that lock of hair from her eyes.
“And so what are you doing here with me in Madrid?” he asked distracting her.
She hesitated and told him the story about Julian and why she took the job with the ATP. He seemed to go through all sorts of emotions after she told him about Julian and her former boyfriends.
“So you’re here because of your job?” he asked finally.
“Partly!” she whispered “I’m here because I have to! And I’m here because I want to…I need to be here…with you!”
His eyes widened; he felt his heartbeat speeding up and his breath uneven. He didn’t understand why could react that way.
“This year for you and me was very…very complicated!” she admitted “You and me…well we… had sex one night when we were both drunk!”
He looked at her stunned.
“Wasn’t I with that Dasha girl?” he asked.
“Yes you were!” she replied shamefully.
She explained him everything, from that glorious drunken night to now.
He looked at her for a long time. Amazed, surprised, pleased, worried…he didn’t how he exactly felt. He didn’t know what he exactly felt for her.
“I see.” He finally whispered.
She looked at him and immediately understood what was wrong.
“Take your time!” she said calmly “We have time…I’ll help you remember everything…I’ll help you remember me…remember us!”
As she said that her phone rang.
She realized it was already 8:30am; it was Allon.
26th October 2006
“So you don’t remember me?” Gerard asked incredulous.
“No.” Marat admitted embarrassed “But I know who you are…Satine told me!”
As he pronounced her name; he felt such a peace.
“You filled him in about his 26 years of madness?” Allon asked amused.
“Mostly!” she replied relaxed now.
“You told him about…your…” Dima wanted to ask.
“Everything!” she assured them.
“You know about the THINGS you lived with this girl and you still can’t remember?” Igor asked in disbelief.
Marat looked hurt; he obviously was missing a lot.
“Cut it out you morons!” Satine warned “It’s not his fault if he can’t remember it’s my…it’s just the way it is!”
Marat gave her a look but didn’t comment.
“So aside that; you’re fine?” Sasha asked him before he turned to face her “He’s gonna be fine, right?”
“Yes he will!” she replied smiling politely.
“And what about his memory?” Dima asked again.
“The doctor said it’s most likely temporary; but he’ll need help to remember!”
“That’s your job!” Allon teased her.
Marat gave him a look.
“It’s because she knows you better than anybody else in this life!” he explained.
“Even better than your mother!” Sasha added.
Marat raised an eyebrow.
“Speaking of…did anyone of you explain to her and Misha?” Satine asked “I couldn’t do it by phone…it…it would’ve been unsuitable!”
“Sure sure!” Sasha said “I told her…they should be here in few!”
As he said that somebody knocked on the door.
“Hello!” Roger said in English as he walked in with Mirka and Tommy.
“Hello guys!” Dima replied.
Marat wasn’t surprised to find out that he could talk and even think in English. No wonder since Satine is American and not Russian like he first believed.
“How are you doing man?” Tommy asked with a nervous expression “You scared the crap out of us all!”
Marat instinctively turned his interrogative eyes to his supposed- to- be- girlfriend.
“This is Tommy Haas!” she informed him in a spectacular American accent “He’s a German tennis player…hence the accent! You guys are buddies! And this is Roger…Federer”!
“Your biggest rival!” Dima added smiling “Your dolphin in the rankings!”
“He’s Swiss…hence the hair!” Igor said laughing.
Roger hit Igor playfully with the flowers bouquet he brought.
“Roger is one of your good friends besides being your direct rival!” Satine explained soberly “And this is Mirka Vavrinec his girlfriend!”
“Can I now ask why you gave him our profiles?” Tommy asked stunned.
“What’s wrong with him?” Roger asked worried.
Explanations were made which saddened them deeply.
“Man!” Tommy sighed “I don’t know what to say!”
“We’re obviously very sorry and sad to see what happened!” Roger added politely as usual.
“Thanks!” Marat murmured.
After they left; Marat’s parents came back. Rauza was extremely chagrined that her son couldn’t recognize her as well as Mikhail.
“You are not going to stay in Madrid forever!” Misha pointed out “What are you going to do?”
Satine didn’t hesitate.
“I’ll either take him back with me to Miami or Moscow near you guys!” she informed.
“And your job?” Gerard dared to ask.
“I don’t care about it now!” she said, and as she saw Marat about to protest she went on “They have a two years scheduled strategy to work with in my absence anyway! They don’t need me!”
“Don’t worry for that Satine!” Allon told her.
“I don’t worry; I know you’ll do the necessary baby-boo!”
Allon rolled his eyes and everybody laughed.
Marat was impressed to see how Satine was intimate with all his supposed- to- be -friends, he especially was amazed to notice how his supposed- to- be -parents considered her as a daughter, especially his mom.
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Post by Dina on Feb 23, 2009 5:15:11 GMT 3
Chapter 18
2nd November 2006
Moscow:
“I can take this!” Marat whispered to Satine as they got to his place in Moscow about a suitcase she wanted to hold.
She gave him a look and rolled her eyes.
“You can play macho whenever you’re healthy; but now, just let me do!” she replied “I wouldn’t want you to knock yourself out with it!”
“I’m fine now!” he protested.
“Not that much!” she replied softly “The doc said you must take it easy and not tire yourself too much! You are still very weak; that’s why you are going straight to bed!”
As they got into the room she ordered him to lie down and started storing his clothes only in their place.
“What about yours?” he asked surprised.
She considered him for a moment before she replied:
“I’ll be in the other room…I’ve been used to it before!” she replied gently.
“You don’t usually stay here with me?” he asked confused “I mean; since we…”
“Sure!” she replied “It’s just…I wanna give you time! I know you remember absolutely nothing…so it’d be just better if…if we keep a distance!”
He considered her quietly.
“It’s just…it’s just that I don’t wanna pressure you!” she added nervously “You know?”
“Perfectly!” he replied shortly.
They kept an awkward silence before he stood up leaving the room.
“You need something?” she asked quickly.
“I just wanna take some water from the kitchen!” he replied smiling.
“Oh…sure!” she replied embarrassed.
As he was making his way out he froze suddenly holding his still bandaged head fiercely.
“What’s wrong?” she asked already standing in front of him.
“It’s…it’s okay!” he replied smiling “My head is just a bit sore!”
“I’ll get you your pills!” she said.
“It’s fine!” he said slowly narrowing his eyes “Or maybe I should sit a little.”
She felt her heart about to get out of her chest.
“Yes you should!” she agreed.
She helped him get into his bed and tucked him in tenderly looking after him like a mother with her son.
“It’s my turn now to look after you!” she whispered caressing his forehead “You just le me do; ok?”
He smiled but took her hand off his forehead kindly.
“Is it some kind of pay back?” he wondered.
“Not really.” She whispered “It’s just that it’s how we used to work…taking care of each other! It has always been like that!”
“I wish I could remember.” He said.
“I wish you could too.” She admitted “Now just try to sleep, ok? It’s been an exhausting day for you…I bet you were a bit shocked by all those people at the airport earlier!”
He smiled.
“Is it always like that?” he asked again.
“Mostly! You usually have girls screaming at you…a lot!” she admitted “But today might’ve been different…your fans are worried about you!”
He smiled again but didn’t comment.
“I’ll let you rest!” she said heading out.
As she reached the door he stopped her.
“Satine?” he asked quietly.
“Yeah?” she turned back smiling politely.
He inhaled and asked:
“Do you feel like if it’s your fault what happened?”
She was startled. Even amnesiac he could read inside her like an opened book.
“Why do you ask me that?” she wondered.
“In Madrid…you told them it wasn’t my fault what happened!” he replied “It seemed to me since then like if you think it’s because of you that I can’t remember.”
He considered the expressions on her face before she could answer.
“It’s because you came back for me that night…”
“No!” he snapped “You don’t get to think that way! I can’t let you do!”
“But if you didn’t come…” she tried to say at the edge of tears.
He weakly stood up and reached for her despite her protest.
“You can’t say that to me!” he murmured holding her gaze “It’s not your fault! I’m the one who decided to come for you against your will…me being like that is not your fault! It can’t be!”
She looked at him again as he was pleading her with his eyes.
“Ok!” she whispered.
He craved to touch her again, to reassure her. He wanted so badly to caress her temples and kiss her nose and lips, but he couldn’t do.
“You’d better try some sleeping now!” she said again “You look awful!”
He laughed and executed himself.
3rd November 2006
Satine woke up before Marat and prepared some breakfast for him. His mother came by to check on him with Dina. He met his sister for the very first time since the accident.
“I think we look similar!” Marat finally stated as he watched his sister’s features for a while.
“You think so?” she asked amused “Who said the boy’s brain wasn’t working? I think it’s just fine!”
He laughed realizing what Satine told him about his little sister before.
“So?” Satine asked “Happy about your fourth title Miss Safina?”
“You can’t even imagine…” she replied enthusiastic.
They stayed for a couple hours and left.
As Marat was exploring his books collection; he suddenly heard Satine’s stifled sob from the bathroom.
He wanted to go check on her but thought that she maybe wouldn’t want him to, so he didn’t.
“Do you remember reading any of these?” she asked as she came back after a moment.
He looked up at her and tried to read her expressions on her warm perfect face.
“Not really.” He replied “I think I know the story of this one…but I absolutely don’t remember reading it!”
She sat next to him and smiled as she saw the book in his hands.
“Wuthering Heights?” she said with a wide smile on her lips “That one’s mine! You hated it…you used to say the characters I quote are ‘ghastly people who ruin each others’ lives!’ You think it is not a love story, but a hate story!”
He looked deeply in her eyes and smiled warmly.
“Though I don’t recall saying a word of this…I can’t help but agree!”
She bursted out laughing.
“You would agree with it, wouldn’t you?” she replied amused “You wouldn’t be able to live with yourself if you’ve ever tried contradiction on your expense!”
“It makes perfect sense!” he replied brushing a lock of hair from her eyes “Your eyes look green now.”
“It’s the fluorescence.” She informed.
He looked bewitched.
“They usually seem blue…they sparkle like emeralds!” he whispered moving closer to her “You are just…beautiful!”
Satine blushed which made him smile awkwardly.
“I didn’t mean to embarrass you!” he apologized.
“You did not.” She replied kindly “You just took me out of surprise!”
“Why?” he asked genuinely curious “Your beauty is so obvious…so naturally stunning…you must be used to be complimented! You must be used to people’s attention…to men’s attention.”
She made herself more comfortable on the thick soft carpet next to him.
“I don’t really know.” She murmured sincerely “People usually say I’m ‘hot’, they don’t say what you’ve just said…the way you did say it!”
He felt guilty but didn’t know why.
“Weren’t you used to hear it from me?” he asked hopeful and scared at the same time.
“You didn’t have enough time to say it…this way; I suppose.” She simply guessed.
“Oh!”
They kept silence for a while. It wasn’t awkward; just natural the way they usually are silent not feeling the need to speak, to have something going on.
He was just looking at her flicking the pages of the book, sometimes frowning, sometimes smiling or biting her lip sadly. He wanted so badly to relearn every single little detail about her as quickly as it was humanly possible. He was highly frustrated and guilty that she knew every thing about him, with an infallible memory; while he could only remember what he saw from the minute he woke up.
“What’s your favourite book?” he suddenly asked.
“You think I’m being adorably silly!” she whispered amused.
“Do I?”
“Yes.” She murmured blushing.
“I might agree with that again.” He teased “But I still wanna know.”
“It’s a Colleen McCullough novel.” She hesitated “It’s the…the Thorn Birds.”
He considered her for a moment and closed his eyes in reflexion.
“It’s about a woman who fell in love with…”
“A priest!” he went on smiling with satisfaction “I remember. Did I read it?”
“We read it together…we were 15!” she explained smiling with nostalgia.
“How does it work? Reading a book together; I mean!”
“We didn’t do it since we were teens!” she admitted “We read a chapter each…the other one listens!”
He smiled pleased.
“You want us to do it again?” she asked hopeful “If you want to; of course!”
She blushed again, he noticed. She wanted to do it with him.
“I’d love to!” he told her sincerely “I can’t seem to pass enough time with you!”
Her eyes widened and her mouth wide opened.
“You do?”
“Yes.” His answer was calm and sure “I don’t exactly know why, though.”
She seemed pleased and frustrated at the same time; he wasn’t sure why.
“I don’t think it’s ONLY because you were there when I first woke up” he spoke like trying to explain it to himself “When I’m not with you…I wanna be with you! All I want; is to know more about you…about us! I guess it makes sense for an amnesiac to wanna know details of his life but…”
“But what?”
“It seems like my need to know things about you is…vital!” he whispered “It obsesses me…I have to remember!”
“Why?”
“I don’t know!” he admitted sadly.
Her speeding heart beat suddenly slowed down. Disappointment, sadness; she didn’t exactly know what she felt.
“It’s okay!” she forced herself to sound true “You give yourself time…you have time.”
“I don’t wanna make you lose yours!” he whispered avoiding her gaze.
She laughed nervously and hid her head between her knees.
“If you had your memory; you’d knew I’d rip your head off if you said anything like that!” she murmured amused “So you’d never say it!”
“I’m sorry!” he apologized not exactly knowing why.
“You can’t say that I will lose my time with you Marat!” she gently said grabbing his forearm tightly “I must help you get your memories back, I want to! Because you are my life; and I’m supposed to be yours! You don’t remember it yet…but when you do; I wanna be here!”
He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know what kind of reaction she was expecting him to have. He wanted to hide her in his arms forever and never let go of her; but he couldn’t. Was it love? Was it attraction? Was he simply feeling good with her?
But he is supposed to love her; to be madly in love with her!
28th October 2006
Madrid:
“What do you wanna know?” Allon asked Marat when they were finally alone with Gerard.
“I am dating Satine?” Marat asked for confirmation.
“I think you are living with her now!” Gerard replied amused.
“And…do I…”
“Love her?” Gerard completed for him.
“Do I?”
“You don’t just love her!” Allon announced seriously “You are breathing because of her! She’s the one person you’ve ever needed and wanted! Yes Marat; you do love her more than anything in this life; you most certainly do!”
“Though it took you forever to realize it wasn’t just unbelievable friendship love!” Gerard commented.
“Was I sad when we weren’t together?” he asked tormented.
“Is sad enough qualification?” Allon asked Gerard smiling.
“No, I don’t think so!” he replied before he said to Marat’s intention “You were a mess! A total wreck! You could barely breathe, you could only step onto the court and hit the ball like a frustrated serial killer!”
“That’s extreme!” Allon commented.
“That’s the truth!” Gerard countered “Believe me Marat; if now you can’t remember; it doesn’t really matter because soon enough you’ll feel the same again! You won’t help it!”
“Marat; she makes you happy!” Allon added “That’s how you were finally happy, make no mistake! This isn’t a creepy addiction; she’s healthy for you!”
“True!” Gerard agreed.
Back to present:
“I want you to be here too!” he replied caressing her forehead with his nose before he kissed her hair and gently held her in his arms “I don’t want you anywhere away from me!”
“That’s how you feel?” she asked hopeful.
“Absolutely!” he replied sincere “But I still can’t tell you why!”
She laughed and made herself more comfortable within his arms.
“I think I might be able to live with that!”
“So can I come back to my questions?” he asked smiling.
“Ask me whatever you want!”
“Talk to me about your family!”
She kept silent for a while, hesitating.
“Hard for you to talk about it?” he guessed.
“Not with you.” She informed him “But it’s not the easiest thing for me!”
“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” He whispered to her ear.
She shivered and felt her head spinning as she was aware of his warm breath on her.
“No I will tell you! I need to fill you up with my life if I want you to get any close to the summer 2000!” she said playfully.
“What happened then?” he asked curiously.
“I’m counting on time to help you remember yourself!” she said amused “It’s something you’ve been trying to burry deep down your head for six years!”
He gently turned her to face him so he could study her face while she spoke.
“Alright; your family!” he said authoritarian.
She smiled thinking he was getting back to his old behaviour.
“As I told you before; my father is in politics! He’s today Senator of California!” she informed slowly.
“What’s his name?” he asked.
“Edward”
As she was speaking he was studying her face still; reading in her.
“And what’s your problem with him?” he asked smiling gently.
She looked him up and narrowed her eyes annoyed.
“It’s the way you talk about things that help me know how you feel!” he replied amused “It’s all on your face!”
“You are so annoying!” she sighed exasperated “This hasn’t changed!”
He kept silent and amused, waiting for her explanation.
“My father is quoting you ‘I an insensitive selfish asswhole!’” she replied.
Marat widened his eyes and bursted out laughing.
“I don’t like your father!” he stated.
“You wish you could show him how accurate your fist punch is!” she replied leaning her head against the couch “He returns your feelings by the way; but I don’t think he’d ever dare to punch you though!”
Marat smiled and considered her words and her face for a moment.
“He’s not a good father to you; is he?” he asked serious “That’s why I don’t like him I suppose!”
She was happy he would think like that. Whether he knew it or not; he still cared about her.
“True; he’s not a father at all!” she agreed and explained to him everything.
“I’m so sorry!” he whispered annoyed by what she told him.
Whatever it was he was feeling; he hated to know someone, especially her father; could treat Satine so badly.
“It’s alright!” she replied with a fake smile “As long as I’m away from him; I’m fine!”
He reached for her hand and held it tight; like if he would be able to take all of her sadness away.
“When you spoke about your mother; you always used the past tense!” he remembered.
“She’s dead!” she whispered.
As he didn’t say more she guessed he wanted the details but couldn’t ask her; it made her smile.
“A car accident!” she informed “I was 14!”
He still didn’t say a word.
“You were with me when I’ve been told she was in the hospital:” she informed “You held me close in your arms and you simply told me that you were with me!”
He smiled and tightened his grip on her hand.
“When she died in the hospital; I ran away!” she added “I went to the beach and you followed me. You didn’t say a word, you didn’t touch me; until you noticed I was cold.”
“What happened then?” he asked.
“You wrapped me in your arms and I didn’t stop crying!” she said “You held me in your arms on the beach the whole night; you didn’t say a word! You already knew me better than anyone else in my world!”
“I bet you already knew me as well!” he whispered a bit upset.
“Yeah I think I did!” she replied smiling gently so he would stop worrying and relaxes.
“And you used to come with me here in vacations?” he asked suddenly.
“Yes, why?” she didn’t understand the purpose of the question.
“You consider my mother as yours, don’t you?”
She saw where led his questions and smiled.
“She’s been like that for me ever since, yes!” she agreed “And I believe she feels the same way about me; as well as your father! He’s a much, much more decent man than my father would ever be! He’s great too!”
“It’s a good thing.” He murmured thinking quietly.
They looked at each others lost; none of them knew how long it lasted.
“It’s lunch time!” she realized awkwardly “I should feed you!”
“You’re not obliged to feed me all the time!” he said smiling.
“I like feeding you!” she replied heading for the kitchen.
After lunch they spend the rest of the day outside. Switching roles; Satine took Marat in a visit of the city and showed him his favourite places. People would stop if they recognized him; wishing he would recover fast and help his country again.
“What do people wish I’d help Russia again?” Marat wondered as they were having coffee in a restaurant he used to like “What were they talking about?”
“They were referring to Davis Cup!” she explained.
“What is this?” he asked stunned.
“A team competition.” She précised “You are the leader of the Russian team; you’ve beaten USA here in Moscow a month ago in the semis and defeated France before in the quarters”
“I usually play this competition?” he asked.
“Every time you are able to!” she informed “You led Russia to a victory in 2002, as I told you before you were injured in 2003 so you couldn’t play! In 2004, it was somehow a bit of a mess; you guys didn’t make it! And last year you got injured so they lost without you to Croatia in the semis!”
He seemed lost in his thoughts.
“So we’re playing the final this year then?” he concluded.
“Yes, you’re hosting it in Moscow in a month!” she replied “You’re playing Argentina!”
“Oh” he seemed apprehensive “Do Dima and Igor play in the team with me too?”
“Yeah they do!” she smiled “All the Russians do! But you are the number one in the world, and the number one player in Russia! The people love you here!”
“Because I’m number one?” he asked.
“I don’t think so!” she replied smiling softly “You are such a character, you are also very patriotic…”
“I am?”
“Pretty much!” she replied “And if it wasn’t for you they wouldn’t have won DC in 2002; Zhenya wouldn’t have been able to manage it on his own! Especially that Misha was still so young and inexperienced; he was just starting!”
“Zhenya? Misha?” he asked “I think I just lost you here!”
“Oh Zhenya is Yevgeny Kafelnikov! He’s one of the first tennis players who made Russia’s notoriety; he’s six years older than you. He actually is one of your good buddies; you will see him soon!” she said “Back 2002 he wasn’t at his best anymore, he was going to retire and you made him a big favour by helping the team win the DC that year! It was his last attempt! Now he’s retired; he spends a lot of time playing Poker; he actually became a pro”
Marat was looking blankly at the people walking out in the street.
“And Misha?” he asked casually.
“Mikhail Youzhny!” she informed “You hang out with him as much as you do with Igor and Dima!”
“Why didn’t I see him in Madrid?” he asked.
“He had already lost his match and headed already to St-Petersburg to play the tournament!” she replied “You’ll see him soon here for the DC final!”
“Now who’s gonna play the team?” he asked confused.
“I didn’t wanna talk to you about it yet…”
“Talk to me about everything!” he demanded.
“Well it is the end of the season obviously!” she explained “You retired from your semis in Madrid; you were scheduled to play only BNP Paribas Masters Series in Paris, the Masters Cup in Shanghai and the DC final! But I believe you’ll have to withdraw from all of them!”
“Is it bad?” he asked.
“Not really!” she explained “You won’t lose many points because you didn’t play those same tournaments last year because of your knee injury”
As she spoke he examined unconsciously his knee.
“So it’s alright! But Roger who’s behind you might gain a lot of points; especially in Shanghai which he won last year!”
“What is it this Masters Cup?” he asked again.
“Another Masters Series tournament; but only the players who finish the year at the eight first spots qualify to it!” she said smiling “And there’s a lot of money and points involved in there! The end of the year is usually a blood field; every player dreams of the MC! And now that players think you will withdraw they are dying to get your free place!”
Marat smiled amused.
“If it makes them happy to battle for it; I don’t mind!” he said “How many times did I qualify for it by the way?”
“2000, 2002, 2004, 2005 but you withdrew because of injury and this year you are to do the same!” she said.
“I think it’s a good record!” he thought loudly.
“It’s a very impressive one!” she agreed.
“And what about DC?” he asked again “Who will play?”
“I suppose Kolya will take your place with Dima and Misha!” she said to herself almost “Don’t think Shamil will choose Igor yet…”
She tried to explain to him every little detail and told him about all the players he knew and was friends with. She explained to him in details what he’s achieved in his career and still needed to win.
6th November 2006
“Damn it!” Satine muttered as she was working on her laptop.
Marat who was rereading one of his books stared at her amused.
He learned a lot of things about her while they spent time alone. Once she took him to his parents’ house, and he actually felt like a total stranger there, comparing to her. She was extremely close to his parents especially his mom. He still couldn’t tell why, but he was glad she was that close to that universe where he once belonged to.
Every time she would ask him to do something he’d rather not do; she would say that magic sentence ‘because I said so!’ and make him do it still. She was allergic to pollen, she loved red roses and was crazy about pastry.
She took him one time to his (their) favourite pastry place, according to him; the best one in Moscow.
They would get there and choose each other’s order.
2 days ago:
“Come on!” she said enthusiastic as they were in the pastry queue “Let’s try, it’ll be fun!”
“If you say so!” he teased.
“A slice of apples crumble pie!” she suggested.
“Do I even like that?” he asked laughing.
“You adore it!” she confirmed.
“I don’t know.” He replied smiling “Do you think I can play the DC final?”
“The Doc said you could if you wanted to; you have time!” she replied “Lemon butter cream cup!”
“Humm…don’t feel like cream cup today!” he replied “You think the captain would want me to play?”
“If he thinks you’re ready and able to; he would!” she assured “Strawberry iced pie!”
“So disappointing!” he replied amused “No way I’ll ever touch strawberries again after yesterday’s jam! How can I know if he wants me to play?”
“I’m inviting him for diner tomorrow; he’s dying to see you again! He missed ya!” she said with sparkling eyes “Chocolate éclair!”
“Come on! I can’t pretend to remember; but I’m sure you’ve lost your touch!” he pulled her leg.
“Whiner!” she complained “Oh, I know! I know, I got it; I so have it!”
He gave her a wondering mischievous look.
“Chocolate Fudge with orange sorbet!” she said triumphant.
“You’re so good!” he replied laughing.
“I so know!” she replied satisfied.
They sat in a quiet table waiting for their orders; avoiding to be recognized.
“You said he’s been dying to see me?” Marat asked.
“Yeah!” she sighed “He loves you just like his son as well! He didn’t know when to come! Actually all your friends wanna see you but they don’t know how to react around you!”
He smiled.
“They told you?”
“Almost! And I didn’t insist on them to come, though!” she replied amused “You let me know when you wanna meet more of your people!”
“Thanks!” he whispered reaching for her cheek.
“I know!” she whispered back with a smile pressing his hand with hers on her cheek.
The waiter arrived so they both awkwardly drifted apart.
“Oohh this looks delicious!” she said smiling.
“I like this thing we do!” he informed.
She flashed him with that smile that blows him away.
“I think you ordered better than me!” he stated as he sneaked from her dessert.
“It’s delicious!” she agreed.
“Oh lemon!” he said enthusiastic “Next time I’ll order the same!”
“No you won’t!” she informed.
“Why?”
“I need you to order chocolate cake; so I can have some!” she explained sneaking from his cake.
“It doesn’t sound like a compromise; though!” he noticed smiling.
“You never get your way with me anyway!” she explained laughing.
“Seriously?” he wondered bemused.
“Seriously!” she replied laughing out loud.
“I don’t think I’ve ever got used to it!” he guessed.
“No you have not!” she agreed still amused “You just spend your time trying to resign!”
“Makes sense!” he mumbled.
Back to present:
“What’s wrong?” he asked laughing.
“I closed the window instead of saving the work!” she complained upset.
“It’s a shame!” he agreed amused “You’re not good with technology; are you?”
“I’m not; no!” she agreed pitifully.
Right there he had an instinctive urge to hold her in his arms and kiss her with passion; but he restrained himself to do it.
“I’ll help you if you want to!” he said.
“You used to do!” she told slowly “I wasn’t as independent woman as I used to be proud of saying I was!”
There again he wished he could take her in his arms and show her how proud he was that she chose him. He never thought he could want her so bad.
As he was about to confess it the bell rang.
“Must be our guest!” she said excited.
She darted to open the door.
“Shama!” he heard her say happily “Been so long!”
“Says who?” he heard a grave man’s voice reply “It’s your fault beauty queen…you disappear abducting my favourite boy!”
She was laughing heartedly as he approached to greet Shamil.
“Welcome!” Marat declared hesitant.
Shamil moved away from Satine and considered Marat for seconds. Without warning he moved towards him and hugged him fatherly.
“You look good!” he whispered reassured “I’m so glad you’re safe and sound!”
Marat smiled awkwardly.
“Nothing?” Satine asked about Marat’s memory of Shamil.
“I’m sorry; I don’t!” he replied to both of them.
“Well at least you don’t remember anymore all those torture hours on the courts I treated you with!” Shamil said lightening the atmosphere up “You and the guys like to complain about it!”
Satine rose an eyebrow smiling.
“Complain?” she repeated laughing “You mean whine and cry?!”
“Go easy on your man Satine!” Shamil protested playfully “He’s still recovering!”
“If you say so!” Satine replied smiling.
It was Marat’s turn to raise his eyebrow amused.
“Have a seat!” she said “Diner is almost ready!”
“I’m on a diet Sissy!” he half warned “Don’t spoil me; I’m begging!”
“I’d believe you if you really sounded like you’ve meant it!” she said disappearing in the kitchen.
“So how do you feel now?” Shamil finally asked Marat after a silent moment.
“Better!” he replied sincerely “Much better! Sometimes I feel dizzy; but that’s all!”
“Good!” Shamil declared “Will you be able and ready to play for us next month?”
Marat considered his question but didn’t have time to answer:
“You’ve lost your memory; but I’m sure the skill and the game are still there!”
“Maybe.” Marat said unsure.
“Certainly!” Shamil countered “Kid; do you wanna play for your flag?”
Marat’s eyes sparkled like a kid. He didn’t remember ever playing for his country; so this seemed to him like he was 18 again and he would play for the first time in the team.
“I do.” he simply said “But I don’t know if it’s a wise thing to do for you.”
“Leave wisdom to me Marat!” Shamil said amused “I’ve always been the one concerned with it so far!”
They heard a coughing from the kitchen.
“Counting the love of your life; eventually!” he added laughing.
Marat smile to the statement and to Shamil’s natural reflex to call Satine as the love of his life. He didn’t know why; but it reassured him.
“True.” He agreed smiling “So what? Won’t people and players think it’s wrong to put me in the team?”
“Marat; the decision to make belongs to me; only!” he informed “And no one ever contests anything I decide; no one can eventually!”
There was a humorous tone on that last statement.
“Anyways; I’m still giving you a week or two to recover more.” He said serious “Then you’ll have to ask Satine help you find your tennis bag and drive you to the Olympic Stadium to show me why you deserve to stay the number one player of Russia! Let’s not talk about the world ranking now; I know the season’s already over for you!”
“I agree!” Marat said satisfied.
“The duck’s ready!” Satine announced happily from the dining room.
“The duck?” Shamil exclaimed surprised “Young lady; you’re intending on killing an old man tonight!”
“You always think of the worst!” Satine pretended to complain.
“Well it’s because I already smell the delicious savour; I know I’ll die fighting with myself to take my hands off of it!” he stated “You’re too young to be such a terrific cook; you already know!”
“I’m sure she knows!” Marat said before she could say the same.
They shared a look and smiled.
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Post by Dina on Mar 13, 2009 20:25:33 GMT 3
Chapter 19
25th November 2006
“Hey!” Satine said walking into the living room where Marat was reading “There’s something we need to do!”
He looked up at her and smiled happy to see her.
“Like what?” he asked eagerly.
“The doc told me not to show pictures or videos of your life, so you can let your memory try working on its own! But it doesn’t seem to help you at all; and it’s been over a month!”
“So?”
“So you need some stimulation! Especially that you’re starting practice and you need to see how you used to play!” she said sitting next to him “And you really have to see what your life did look like before the accident!”
“Ok then.” He calmly replied.
“You were wondering when I’ll say that; weren’t you?” she asked suspicious.
He gave her a wicked smile for an answer.
She rolled her eyes and went to her room.
For a moment he worried; was she now upset?
She came back seconds later with DVDs in the hand.
“Allon and Gerard gave me those!” she informed “Tapes of matches; your finest and worst performances! And some classics…”
“Classics?” he sounded confused.
“You my friend are part of tennis history; you played some great matches in your career that are today considered as a tennis reference and amongst the classics!”
He smiled pleased.
Hours later…
“Sounds like I’m very moody on the court!” he finally stated.
She laughed out loud.
“Least you could say!” she agreed amused “I still can’t get how you managed to win that much titles and majors! Maybe I don’t know you that much!”
The last part sounded amused and teasing.
“No, I can tell you’re wrong for once!” he said smiling.
She laughed and proceeded showing him pictures. He finally could relate faces to names. He noticed for instance that Satine was a way more beautiful than all his exes gathered; which sounded quiet ridiculous since they were all superb women. He thought that he might’ve been blind literally for never realizing it earlier when they were mere friends. He also noticed that his body changed throughout years; he was skinnier.
Satine on the other hand didn’t change much; her perfectly warm and beautiful face was still the same; only looked wiser. Her dark hair was till as unbelievably long as when she was fourteen. But it looked like her feminine forms were a tiny little more obvious; especially the boobs. She was also taller; he noticed before that she was only centimetres shorter than him on high heels.
Flicking the albums pages; he stopped at one picture in particular: they were together on a beach, sitting on a towel very close to each other in a tight loving hug. He felt ashamed for seconds that he was lingering on her perfect body. She was in a violet bikini which brought out her splendid forms. He suddenly realized that her body might be even more beautiful than his fantasies.
“This picture was taken during our 2003 break in Crete!” she informed.
“That one.” He said quietly.
Satine wasn’t stupid; Marat wouldn’t blush the way she does when she’s embarrassed; but she knew him too well to understand when he was embarrassed himself, and she could tell why he was every single time. His jaw tightens, his eyes are leaky and his breath uneven. But the most obvious was the almost subtle way he does sweep away from her contact.
“I think it’s time to go!” she said releasing him from his embarrassment.
“Yeah!” he agreed quickly standing up “Who do you think will be there?”
“All the team!” she replied “It’s a DC final; everybody must practice and help!”
To avoid too much thinking; Marat didn’t stop asking about DC details and specifics on the road. He enjoyed watching the 2002 DC final tie with her earlier, and was very motivated to start the work.
Arriving at the Olimpiskiy he was able to put names on faces as soon as he saw the other players thanks to the photographic session he had with Satine. When he saw Kolya he felt an insight satisfaction remembering he did beat him weeks ago on that same court for the KC.
“Everyone!” Shamil shouted asking his players to gather around him “You don’t need me to introduce Marat to you, but he does need it! So…”
“I saw pictures earlier!” Marat admitted “I know everyone but you!”
As he talked he indicated Zhenya.
“Sure! I’m Yevgeny Korolev!” Zhenya informed “I’ve been your sparring partner in DC since the start of the season!”
“He’s our current boy toy!” Dima teased.
“Yeah!” Zhenya laughed half heartedly “I suppose I still am!”
“Those are the rules kid!” Igor added amused.
“Oh give the boy a break!” Satine sighed “You guys turned too old for those games!”
Zhenya mumbled a ‘thank you’ quietly to which Satine responded by a smile. Marat caught that and smiled as well.
“So who wants to start against Marat?” Sasha asked finally.
“Me!” everyone shouted too eagerly.
“They’re seeking revenge!” Satine whispered to him amused.
“They might get easily satisfied!” he sighed.
“Marat; don’t take it personally but they were asked not to spare you!” Sasha informed “The more you’re bullied, the faster you’ll get your reflexes back!”
“Right!” Marat agreed.
“Dima; start a warm up with him before!” Anatoly asked.
As the warming up finished; Shama went to Dima and murmured:
“You wake up the beast for me!”
Dima smiled deviously and nodded.
“Let’s start with my serve!” Dima said “Better trying to get you into the game by returning first!”
Four aces later…
“If only Marat could get his memory back and keep on returning that crap!” Igor sighed.
“You wish!” Misha replied laughing “It’d be so easy to sleep after a practice with him if he did!”
“You two are day dreaming!” Satine informed.
Marat got broken to love but quickly got the magnetisms of the game on the third game on Dima’s serve.
“Did he just return a 120 serve down the line under Dima’s eyes?” Shamil asked Sasha enthusiastic.
“He just did!” Sasha confirmed smiling “I think that might be easier than we thought!”
“I hope!”
Marat finally lost the set 6/3; happy with himself.
“That was good man!” Boris declared.
“I need to play much more!” Marat replied.
“Dima didn’t go easy on you; you are getting it back believe me!” Satine said.
“Yeah?” he asked unsure “Did it look like anything I used to do?”
“Yeah it did!” Zhenya replied “Especially when you threw your first racket in the air!”
Marat seemed confused.
“Believe me; sometimes it’s a really good thing when you do it!” Anatoly claimed.
After the practice was over the guys gathered around Marat and Satine who were quietly talking.
“So Marat?” Kolya asked “You coming tonight? I didn’t know if I could count you in; but you seem fine to me!”
Marat was startled; he had no clue what was the guy talking about.
“You mean you didn’t know if Satine would let him go!” Misha countered amused.
“If Satine would let him go to what?” she asked suspicious.
“To Kolya’s bachelor party!” Igor exclaimed excited.
Satine made a worried face.
“Damn! I totally forgot!” she replied annoyed “I promised Irina I’d come!”
“So he can come with us if you go!” Dima concluded.
“I wasn’t planning on forcing him to stay home!” she defended herself “I’ve never been such a dictator!”
The guys coughed and muttered amused.
“Ok maybe; I’d think about it twice if…if he…now I don’t think I have any right to!” she replied “Besides; it’s his decision not mine!”
“Thanks for involving me into this!” Marat finally said “Anyways…If you don’t want me to go…I won’t! It’s not because I don’t remember us; that you have no rights on me anymore!”
The last part was whispered.
She stared at him lost.
“Hum…no, right!” she replied awkwardly “But I’m bound to go; I promised…so if you do wanna go…just go!”
“She’s giving you permission!” Dima concluded regardless Satine’s glare.
“Besides…it’d be good for you to hang out with those morons!” she replied regardless their offended protests “Going out with them would be good for you!”
He looked at the guys and pulled her away from them.
“I like being with you; always!” he whispered “I wouldn’t wanna go out without you, regardless!”
She smiled and put her hands softly on his strong chest.
“You’ll have fun with them too; you used to do!” she said.
“Sure!” he replied too quickly.
Satine thought she could add more but he already came back to his friends.
“Who’s gonna pick me up?” Marat asked.
“I’ll come after I pick up Igor!” Dima informed happily “Masha let him off the hook since she’s going to Irina’s party!”
“Masha?” Marat asked smiling.
“My girl!” Igor replied “You know her very well; she’s a player too!”
After diner; Satine decided to go get ready when Marat decided he had to ask:
“What is exactly going this party to be like?” he asked out of nowhere.
“I think something like girls getting drunk and crazy!” she replied amused.
“No men?” he asked hopeful.
“Have no idea!” she replied satisfied with his attitude “But I don’t think Irina could get married without some potential substitutes to Kolya!”
Marat felt helpless.
“Fine!” he replied “Are you taking the car?”
“Nope!” she replied “Masha is picking me up with Dina!”
“Dina?” he almost shouted “My sister?”
“Herself!” she sounded teasing.
“My baby sister?” he insisted.
“Your 20 years old sister yeah!” she replied laughing “Give her a break!”
He mumbled something but shut up and went to get ready himself.
An hour later; Dima rang Marat to let him know he’s arrived. He walked out of the room to let Satine know he was leaving.
Her room’s door was half opened and he thought she was certainly ready by now as he was.
“Hum...Dima’s down…” he started to say when he saw her standing in front of her mirror in some red underwear about to put her dress on.
“I’m sorry!” he murmured confused “So sorry…didn’t mean to interrupt you…didn’t know you weren’t dressed yet!”
As he spoke he turned around and stood at the door.
“It’s ok!” she replied smiling “I’m decent now!”
“Sorry again!” he said embarrassed.
“No worries!” she replied walking towards him “Besides; it’s my fault, shouldn’t have left the door opened while I was dressing up! You couldn’t have known!”
She was now right in front of him.
She looked splendid! Since he knew her, it was the very first time he had the occasion to see her fancy dressed. She was wearing a black cocktail dress stopping before the knees. Her red bra elegantly brought out her chest and it matched perfectly with her red high heels shoes and glamorous red lipstick. Her curly hair held in a ponytail, the fringe tied on the head uncovered her sweet and warm perfect features. Her glimmering eyes never seemed so spelling, so dangerous.
For that instant she was standing in front of him; he had to find in himself the most unknown strength to resist touching this goddess of beauty who was supposed to love him. Why not? He asked himself: because he couldn’t cheat with her; as absurd as it could sound; he still wasn’t sure of his feelings for her. He wanted to kiss her and carry her to the bed behind. Never a sin seemed as sweet to him.
“Marat you okay?” she asked concerned.
“Fine, yeah!” he replied “Just wanted to tell you…what I wanted to tell you was…Dima’s down!”
She was very disappointed but worked very hard on hiding the feeling.
“Alright then!” she smiled “Go have fun! Get carried away with your party!”
She forced herself to sound enthusiastic and excited but she wasn’t. What did she have to do to make him see her, love her again, and want her enough to let himself go, even if he would never remember again? She could accept it, she would. But he had to see through first.
“Have fun too!” he replied bitterly.
He thought about other men who would see her in that party. What if she…
“Stop it!” he screamed silently “Don’t think about it!”
“Alright!” Dima said exasperated “What the hec’s wrong with you? Not that the things are always fine about you, but I’m ready to listen!”
“Satine.” Marat mumbled.
“Of course Satine!” Dima sighed amused “It’s always her!”
“So what about her this once?” Misha asked the eyes on a brunette on the stage.
“I’m not sure about my feelings for her…”
As he said that all eyes glared at him.
“You kidding, right?” Igor asked stunned.
“Not kidding.”
“I can not believe it!” Dima said “For Christ sakes Marat! You love that woman! How can you stop loving her at once?”
“Hello, the man’s memory’s gone!” Misha said.
“The memory yeah; but the love???” Dima exploded “Come on! Even if you weren’t in love anymore…living with her is enough…”
“I can’t believe you don’t feel anything anymore even after when you guys…you know!” Igor.
“We actually don’t!” Marat sighed before he sipped from his glass “She sleeps in the other room.”
“You mean you haven’t touched Siss since you lost your memory!” Misha asked stunned.
“Not once!”
“Well you should!” Dima advised.
“I can’t!” Marat replied “I don’t know what I feel!”
“Yeah well…you’ll know after you do!” Misha agreed.
“And if I don’t?” Marat asked perplex.
“You’ve always been very long to get things…you needed 12 years to get it the first time, so!” Igor declared amused.
As he spoke a trio of dancers came and sat on their table.
“Hey ladies!” Dima mumbled.
“You wanna dance?” the blonde asked Marat.
“No thank you; I’m fine!” Marat replied awkwardly.
“He’s got a girlfriend lady; get lost!” Sasha said as he arrived with more drinks.
She gave a look to the others; stood up, framed Marat’s face with her fingers and left.
“Wait…did that do you any effect?” Dima asked.
“No, not really!” Marat replied.
“Look man; you’ve got an amazing girl who loves you! She gave up everything to help you get better and stay with you!” Sasha said “She might be a very patient person…or at least she became patient…”
The others laughed about that.
“Don’t push your luck!” he went on “She might get fed up with it and change her mind because you couldn’t make up yours! Open your damn eyes!”
“Maybe you’re right!” Marat mumbled.
“What do you mean he didn’t move?” Elena asked disbelieving.
“I said he didn’t move! That’s what I meant!” Satine replied frustrated.
“And you were half naked?” Masha insisted.
“Yes!” Satine was getting angry now “I know it sounds presumptuous; but how in the world could he stand it? I wanted him so much!”
“Whoa! Gentle on my innocent ears!” Dina pleaded.
“I don’t get what more he needs?” Satine sighed “I mean; if nothing ticks in his head when he sees me like that…then I don’t know!”
“Remember that my bro got the slow motion when it comes to you!” Dina remembered her.
“Right!” Satine exploded “I’ll wait another decade before he dares to kiss me; and then maybe he’ll realize something’s there with him…”
“Ok; you’re gonna forget this night!” Masha announced “I’m getting you totally drunk tonight!”
“That will do!” Satine agreed drinking sharp the vodka in front of her “Whoa!”
26th November 2006
5:12 am:
Marat got back home hours ago; he and the guys had practice early so they didn’t stay up late.
When he came back Satine wasn’t home yet; he wondered how fun could her girls’ party go and felt annoyed that she wasn’t home yet. He waited for over an hour, trying to focus on some TV programmes but he couldn’t. He finally decided to get to bed; she had her own keys after all. But he couldn’t get himself to sleep.
As he was about to get up and ring her; he heard keys turning in the door’s lock. He hesitated but after a moment he reached for the door.
The one person who was trying to unlock was obviously unable to do it. He finally opened to find Satine on her knees trying with the door with wide opened eyes.
“Marat!” she exclaimed excited “You’re here!”
“Yes!” he snorted helping her on her feet but she wasn’t stable so he held her by the elbow.
“You are soooo beautiful; man you’re a hunk!” she informed.
He smiled.
“You are drunk.” He stated.
“Noooo! I’m not!” she countered before giggling guilty “Shuuut; don’t tell daddy!!!!!”
“I won’t!” he replied laughing “Let me give you a hand…you need to sleep!”
She suddenly turned around and locked her arms around his neck.
“I’m hungry!” she announced “I wanna eat!”
“Fine!” he replied letting go of her.
She stumbled into the kitchen and lightly hit a chair.
“I’m so sorry!” she mumbled to the chair.
Marat was making great efforts not to laugh loudly. She was even cuter when she was drunk.
She opened the fridge still giggling and found an ice cream cone and started it.
“You want some?” she asked smiling “It’s chocolate! It’s written on it, you can believe me!”
She handed him the cone and he took it distractedly while she sighed and let herself fall on another chair.
“You are too hot for your own good!” she whispered louder than she meant.
He was shirtless; standing very close to her.
“I’m sorry about that!” he said amused.
“You should be sorry for something else!” she replied trying to sound serious.
“Which is?” he asked. He didn’t know if she was really serious or just rambling.
“I am dying of love for you…and you? You can’t see it!” she sighed casually.
“Satine...”
“Why don’t you love me?” she asked rolling her eyes “I might be turning like my father…there’s nothing to ever love about him! I wonder how my mother fell for him?!”
He remained silent for a moment before she giggled again.
“One guy said that I was pretty tonight!” she exclaimed “Do you think I’m pretty?”
“Very!” he whispered smiling.
As he spoke he caressed he face, gently pulling her to him.
“You are very pretty too…”
His mouth covered hers and she stopped mumbling. He was sweet, gentle…Chocolate kiss. She pressed herself against him, responding with ardour.
Marat’s hands were running now on her bare shoulders; his lips were now…
“I must stop!” he whispered tortured.
He kept on kissing her, his warm lips on her vulnerable skin.
“Why?”
“I…I don’t know, but…”
His hands went down on her bustier.
“You are mine!” he murmured between kisses.
“I am!” she agreed.
“Shut…you’re drunk and exhausted. You have to get some sleep.”
She nodded willingly.
Without saying a word, he carried her in his arms and held her like that for a long moment. She already fell asleep.
She looked so peaceful and angelic. Snow white; he thought smiling.
He went to her room; and tucked her into bed. Lightly he planted a kiss in her hair and caressed her burning cheek before leaving the room.
It was the first kiss he ever remembered; and its effect was dazzling, he wasn’t so unsure anymore.
Hours later; Satine woke up with a terrible headache. She was home alone; Marat left her a note. Dima picked him up for practice.
She vaguely remembered the early morning events; but she was almost sure she only fantasized in her dreams, as usual.
Two hours later and five coffees after; she felt better. She decided she would go to the Stadium; after all she had no clue what were Marat’s plans for the evening, maybe he wanted to go out, maybe with his friends again…
As she arrived; Marat was hitting with Igor. He didn’t notice her arrival; he was extremely focused. She was happy to see he was playing his usual tennis. As he fired a backhand down the line; Marat turned to Shamil both looking pleased and satisfied.
“Have a break!” Shamil ordered.
As Marat headed to the bench he noticed her sitting behind smiling at him.
“Hey!” he said joyful.
“Hey champ!” she replied “It looked good down there!”
“Yeah I think it did!” he agreed “Did you sleep well?”
“I don’t really know…all I know is that I felt horrible when I woke up!”
He smiled.
“Yeah parties!”
She waited for him to say something but he just kept smiling.
“So, are you almost done?” she finally asked.
“Yeah, almost.” He replied still smiling “You wanna go out tonight?”
She was startled.
“Sure, sure!” she agreed “Where do you wanna go?”
“Dima told me about a restaurant I like; maybe we could go have some diner!” he said casually “You don’t have to cook every time!”
“I don’t mind!” she replied smiling lightly.
“Yeah, I know!” he replied smiling wickedly now.
Satine wondered what was getting into the guy; he sounded strange.
“I’m gonna make some phone calls until you guys finish; Allon is going crazy on my voice mail!” she informed amused.
“You really look nice tonight!” Marat mumbled at diner “Like every single time actually!”
He was flirting; she could tell because he was mumbling awkwardly about her look. She actually was dressed casually with her grey dress tied with a purple big belt matching her purple panty hose and grey boots. She looked casual and he was flirting like a fool.
“Thanks!” she replied happily “You don’t look too bad yourself!”
“I thought…maybe…it’s hot in this restaurant!” he was still mumbling “Are you hot too?”
“I’m fine!” she said amused “You should relax; you might cool down!”
She was enjoying his embarrassment; something told him it wasn’t unusual. They liked to whine up each other.
“Oh my God!” said a voice familiar to Satine but completely unfamiliar to Marat “I should’ve thought I might meet you here, it’s one of favourite places after all!”
Marat was sure he’s seen that girl somewhere; but he couldn’t put a name on the girl’s face. Satine showed him some picture where she was that day she displayed the albums to him.
“Heard you got involved in some accident again…you look fine!” she stated “But Gosh it’s your second one in three months! That must be some jinx!”
“Indeed!” Satine said making herself obvious to the girl who was trying to ignore her presence.
“You look fine too Satine!” Dasha commented “Hope you weren’t involved in the accident with him!”
“No, I was not.” Satine replied calmly “How are you doing?”
“Better than fine, actually!” Dasha replied “My friend is settling the addition, we were leaving!”
Marat gave a frustrated look to Satine.
“Baby” Satine said insisting on the word “This is Dasha; you might remember her face on the several pictures I showed the other day!”
“Oh!” Marat looked apologetic “I’m sorry; I didn’t…it’s nice to meet you!”
Dasha looked startled.
“What?”
“In the accident Marat had; he actually lost his memory…it’s temporary…hopefully!” Satine informed “So he actually can’t remember you!”
“What? How come? I can not believe it!”
“I’m sorry to let you know!” Satine said.
“My God, how come you can’t remember me…Marat?!”
“I’m sorry…” Marat began.
“It’s not your fault hon’” Satine said linking her fingers to his “You can’t help it!”
“Of course not!” Dasha agreed quickly “But what did he forget?”
“Everything!” Satine forced herself to say.
“Even you?” Dasha sounded startled but lightly satisfied.
“Yes Dasha, even me!” Satine replied upset “He didn’t even know who he is when he woke up!”
“Christ!” she mumbled “So it’s temporary?”
“Hopefully, yes!” as she said that Marat gave her a tortured look she tightened her grip on his hand.
“Dasha!” A man called as he stopped by their table.
“Oh, Roman!” she replied realizing she lost track of time “I think you know Marat; this is his friend…best friend…”
“Miss McAllister!” Roman said kissing Satine’s hand “It’s nice to see you again! Marat; how are you doing my friend?”
Dasha wanted first to tell him what happened to Marat; but she was surprised that he seemed to know Satine.
“You know her?” she asked abruptly.
“Who doesn’t know Miss McAllister?” he replied smiling “A living legend in the business world!”
“You are still mourning for that international business award Roman; aren’t you?” Satine replied smiling.
“Forever!” he said laughing.
“I’m sorry hon’; I’m being rude!” Satine said suddenly turning her attention to Marat “This is Roman Abramovitch…he’s one of the most successful businessman in the world currently!”
Dasha quickly explained the situation to her new lover.
“Damn it man!” he sighed “Such terrible news! I’m sorry you can’t remember!”
“Thank you…Roman.” Marat said politely.
“I think we should leave those two love birds enjoy the rest of their evening!” Roman announced to Dasha before he turned to Satine and Marat “It was a delight to find you here my dear! A total delight! And you Marat; I hope you’ll get better soon, really! When you’ll do, you’ll stop by London…I always expect you to come watch a game!”
Unwillingly; Dasha said goodbye and followed her boyfriend.
“London? The game?” Marat repeated confused “I thought he was in the business!”
“Roman’s the owner of the football Premier League Club Chelsea!” she informed “He’s a big gun!”
“Obviously!” he smiled “He seems to know a lot about you…”
“I won over him a couple years ago a business award; he doesn’t seem to get over it yet!” she said amused “The business field is a fierce land!”
“So they say!” he realized amused.
The momentum was totally gone because of his ex girlfriend’s interruption. He wanted to propose to Satine a get away week end after the DC final; a way to let her know that he wasn’t as careless as she was thinking lately.
Back home Satine was about to get to her room when her phone rang. She looked at the dialling ID and ignored it.
“Is it your work?” he asked trying to sound casual and not deathly curious to know who would call her that late.
“Nope!” she replied slowly.
He walked towards her and gently insisted:
“You wanna tell me?”
She sighed loudly.
“My father!” she replied abruptly “Just my father!”
“You should call him back…he might not be the best parent ever but you might wanna give him a living sign!” he said seriously.
“I don’t want to!” she replied sharply.
“Why? It wouldn’t kill you to let him at least know you’re fine!”
“Why do you care?” she asked angrily with tearful eyes.
He closed his eyes for seconds before he could answer.
“Because!” he replied quietly.
She considered him for a moment and gently cupped his face in her hands to kiss him.
She broke apart and waited for his reaction.
He sighed hesitant.
“Oh God…I’m so stupid!” Satine whispered in horror; he didn’t want her.
As she said that, his heart wrung; and this time he knew exactly why.
She wanted to run away and lock herself in her room when he firmly held her wrist and pulled her back to him.
“No, I was!” he replied sincerely.
Not giving her time to reply he quickly pressed her against the wall and slammed his mouth down on hers. He was burning out of passion and he could feel she was giving herself to him helplessly just like the latest night.
“You really kissed me last night…it wasn’t a dream!” she realized suddenly.
“Mmmh…you even kissed me back!” he replied smiling.
Not giving her time to answer again; he pulled her closer.
“Kiss me again…” he ordered quietly.
She did. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tighter with a smile. How was it even possible to forget Marat’s kisses…
“You knew yesterday, didn’t you?” he asked.
“Knew what?”
“That I wanted you…like I want you now!”
She blushed. He laughed.
“No…” she whispered.
“No? Liar! Adorable liar…”
He took her mouth. She melted, became folding and obedient under his lips, his hands. She closed her eyes, bewildered, she held herself to his strong shoulders. Slowly her hands slid under his shirt; she heard him moan.
“Come…” he barely murmured.
Gently, he dragged her to his room.
He suddenly took her lips again; a wild kiss that turned on the crazy desire in their bodies. They caressed each other, impatient.
Transported by passion he led her to the bed and undressed her softly, covering her whole body with tender kisses.
Strangely, she felt under his hands a familiar sensation. It was her Marat. He didn’t say much but she knew he wasn’t just having sex with her, but making love to her again.
Unable to restrain his feelings pouring down her body uncontrollably; Marat said what he felt; what he knew was true.
“I love you!” he said moaning “I love you so much!”
She smiled tearfully and he knew she didn’t need to say it back.
Pulling her closer to him by her legs; he kissed her lovingly as she let her head fall down out of pleasure.
They loved each other finally, with a favour that the torture of waiting had sharpened.
He slightly pulled away but she instinctively held him back:
“Don’t you move!” he murmured “I just wanna turn off the light bedside me!”
In the darkness, she felt sheltered, warm…She huddled herself against his burning body and closed her eyes. He pulled up the cover against her shoulders and pressed her closer, burying his face in her lilac hair.
“Are you good?” he whispered.
“Perfect!”
“Satine?” he called lovingly.
“Yes?”
“Is it always like that?” he wondered.
“Always like what?”
“Us…like that…together.” he précised pressing her even closer to his chest.
“So far; yes!” she murmured kissing the tips of the fingers running on her cheek and neck.
“It’s magic!” he informed.
“I know!”
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Post by Dina on Jun 12, 2009 22:03:28 GMT 3
Chapter 20
27th November 2008
The midday sunlight pierced through the curtains which rouse Marat. As he turned around in the bed; he felt a warm naked skin on his.
He smiled happily.
She was still there; the love night they had wasn’t an illusion, nor a dream. He stroked her hair and kissed her shoulder softly. She looked peaceful, a light happy smile on her appealing pink lips.
The latest night was magic; he couldn’t remember anything like that. He actually couldn’t remember anything at all but it was okay now. It was okay, because whatever is his life now, whoever he was in the past didn’t matter at all while she was with him, while she was his.
Interrupting his reflections; she pressed her delicate fingers on his splendid chest.
“Hey stranger!” she whispered smiling.
“Hey stranger!” he whispered back catching her lips in a passionate need “How you feel?”
“Still in Heaven:” she said laughing “And you?”
The question sounded full of anxious concern.
“I’ve never felt better as far as I can tell!” he teased “You had a dazzling effect on me!”
“I guess it’s not bad!” she said cuddling herself into his warm embrace.
“Not bad at all!” he replied rolling over her “At all!”
As he started kissing her breasts and blowing soft and warm breaths on her body; the phone rang.
“Damn!” he exclaimed.
“What time is it already?” she asked concerned.
“No idea!” he replied checking his phone “It’s Tursunov!”
“Great timing as usual!” she mumbled “Answer him, it might be important!”
Annoyingly he executed himself.
“What the heck do you want?” he answered.
“I bet you don’t even know what time it is!” Dima said amused.
“Bet you’re gonna tell me!”
“Marat; you’re late for practice!” Dima said annoyed “Two hours late! And Shamil’s face turned redder than his training suit!”
“No!” Marat exclaimed “Be right there!”
“Hurry!” Dima said hanging up.
“Practice?” Satine guessed.
“I’m so sorry!” he replied apologetic “I can’t miss it…”
“I know!” she replied smiling “You just go!”
He quickly dropped a kiss on her lips and darted to the shower.
As he got out of the bedroom, freshly showered and fully dressed; she walked out of the kitchen wearing casual jeans and a blue season sweater. Her wet hair was held in a long ponytail; soft dark curls dancing around her shoulders.
“You showered?” he exclaimed surprised.
“Yeah; in the other room!” she answered “I’m coming with you; there’s nothing to do here alone!”
He smiled happily and embraced her.
“I have our breakfast here!” she informed walking behind him.
“I don’t deserve you!”
“No you don’t!” she teased “But it’s okay I guess; I didn’t want better anyway!”
“Hell I’m lucky!” he replied amused.
28th November 2008
“Marat!” Satine shouted from the bathroom “Are you gonna get that?”
“Working on it!”
As the bell rang for the billionth time Marat opened the door to a tall man of a certain age with white hairs in a classy dark tux.
Instinctively Marat frowned:
“I’m sorry; you’re looking for someone?” Marat asked seriously in Russian.
"What did you just say?" the man asked in English.
"Your'e looking for someone, sir?" Marat repeated in English now.
“The hell I am!” the man replied “Where is she for God’s sake?”
“I beg you pardon?”
“Where’s my daughter?” Edward insisted.
“Who the hell are you and what are you shouting for at my doorstep freakin’ moron?!”
“Marat, calm down!” Satine said from behind “It’s alright; it’s my father.”
Stunned; Marat stared Satine down before frowning dangerously to Edward.
“I didn’t know!” he hissed.
“I know babe!” she replied dropping a kiss on his mouth.
“How in the world….” Edward tried to say stunned by the kiss.
“Father; what are you doing here?” she cut him off walking back into the apartment.
“It’s been months Sissy!” Edward replied following her “I am your father God damn it!”
“You are here in my place; I don’t allow you to talk to her like that!” Marat informed “I don’t wanna hear you talking to her like that ever again actually!”
“You are a one piece of c…”
“You shut up at once!” Satine interrupted him.
“Was he always that pain in the ass?” Marat murmured but Edward heard.
“You are acting weirder than usual Safin!” Edward commented.
“Marat lost his memory father!” Satine informed “You don’t know anything about our lives….don’t you dare criticize!”
“What kind of joke is that?”
“He had an accident in Madrid and lost the whole memory!”
“You gotta be kidding?”
“Do I look like kidding?” she encountered.
Edward paused and considered both of them for couple minutes.
“I didn’t have knowledge of that; I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright; few people know!” Marat said.
“So why are you here now?” Satine asked harshly.
“You don’t call me back; you don’t answer me when I call…I got worried!”
“That’s a premiere!” Satine said sarcastically.
“Sissy…”
“Father….just don’t!” she said painfully.
She turned away to hide her face; she felt the water work about to start.
“I think you should leave!” Marat intervened “She’s not ready to confront you!”
“None of your business Safin!”
“Wrong; this is my only business!” Marat corrected “You say another word and you have my punch in the face to ruin your politic image!”
Edward was fuming; he wanted to reply but he knew better.
“I am staying at the Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel. I’ll leave in two weeks….”
“You’re here for business?” she asked smiling sarcastically.
“I…”
“Go away!” she replied locking herself up in the bedroom.
“I’m sure you can see yourself out!” Marat said waiting for him to leave.
Satine was standing up facing the window.
When he walked into the room she turned around in order not to face him.
He slowly walked towards her and embraced her in a loving hug.
“He left.” Marat murmured kissing her softly on the neck.
“Good!” she choked.
She was shivering in his arms.
Slowly he turned her to face him.
“Talk to me!” he demanded gently.
“There’s nothing to say Marat…you’ve seen it all!”
“Yeah…but…how are you feeling now?” he enquired.
A moment of silence followed.
“I hate him!” she hissed.
She couldn’t meet his eyes as she said that.
“Yeah?” he asked hesitant.
“How can he treat me like that?” she asked “Am I really that bad daughter?”
“Of course not!” he replied vividly “You are not!”
“Then why is my own father being like that with me?” she was sobbing now.
“I think he’s just letting his pride and ambition dictate his feelings!” Marat said “But I’m sure he loves you…in the way he intends love…I suppose! And he most certainly does respect you for who you became and what you’ve achieved…no parent can ignore that!”
She looked him deep in the eyes and cuddled herself in the hollow of his neck.
“I’m so lucky to have you!” she murmured.
He smiled relaxing.
“No milaya, I am!” he countered happily.
Suddenly she stepped back and glared at him with widening eyes.
“What’s wrong?” he asked surprised.
“You’ve called me milaya!” she stated.
“Yeah I think I did; why? You don’t like that?”
“The first time you called me like that since the accident!” she said happily throwing herself back into his arms “I missed it!”
3rd December 2006
“How nervous is too nervous?” Marat asked Dima in the lockers before his DC second rubber against Nalbandian in the final.
“Well, the last time you played the man you’ve beaten him!” Dima reassured “You’ve done it several times already…you got an edge on him! So basically you can do it again!”
“I can’t even remember how it feels to play a DC match” he sighed “I can’t even remember how it feels to play a match at all!”
“Marat calm down!” Sasha advised “The Earth won’t stop turning if we lose one rubber!”
“If I lose!” Marat rectified.
“Stop it!”
Two hours later; Marat lost his match to David in straights.
“It was a really close match baby!” Satine complemented “You played great for a first match!”
“I lost.” He remembered her.
“Yes; but to David who is nothing like a medium player!” She added “And it is a DC Final; you just did great considering the fact that you played your first match since months and against a guy who’s a DC player type!”
He smiled at her and kissed her lightly.
“I’m gonna get my stuff so we can leave!” he replied leaving her.
“Where’s your man?” Shama asked as he walked into the lockers.
“Went to get his stuff!” she replied “He wanna leave!”
“Alright! Well tell him to get his butt in here by 8:00 am tomorrow!” Shama informed “I want him ready to kick asses!”
“You mean you’re making him play doubles?” she asked excited.
“Of course I am!” he said “Why on earth wouldn’t I? As far as I know he’s still my number one player though I put him second for this week because of tactics interests! And he and Dima are still my best doubles team…I’m counting on them tomorrow because I know they can make it!”
Satine looked at him and smiled mischievously.
“Count on you to let him know it all!” he added smiling back before he left.
4th December 2006
“Brilliant match babe!” Satine declared throwing herself into Marat’s arms after the doubles victory.
“Yeah, Dima inspired me!” he confessed “It was good not to be out there alone!”
“I’m so proud of you!” she said “You overcame yesterday’s loss and pulled out a splendid game today!”
“Thanks!” he whispered kissing her hair lovingly.
“Tell me the truth…you’ve enjoyed it; haven’t you?”
He gave her his corky smile.
“The way the crowd was chanting my name…over and over!” he said in a breath “It felt exceptionally great!”
She smiled back at him and kissed him lingeringly.
“You can never really get used to it!” she remembered “Especially in DC; living the moment with the crowd is one of the most amazing things ever in your job!”
“Yeah?” he smiled “Says who?”
She laughed.
“Says you!” she informed.
“I couldn’t agree more then!”
“You would; wouldn’t you?” she replied amused.
“I say there’s a game we don’t play enough together!” he announced.
“Is there?” she asked in a smile guessing his meaning “So we should remedy to it very soon!”
“Again; I couldn’t agree more!” he said laughing dragging her to the bed “See; I’ll always agree with this kind of reflexions!”
“Yeah I guessed so!”
5th December 2006
“You are going to bring the Cup; right?” Satine asked walking on him while he was dressing up in the lockers.
Russia and Argentina were even after Kolya’s loss to David. Marat was up against José Acasuso to hopefully clinch the victory.
Marat gave her a big smile and rubbed his hands on his face before he pulled her to him and put his nose on hers.
“I’m most certainly going out there to win it!” he whispered losing a bit of his focus in her eyes.
She kissed him lovingly and caressed his cheek.
“I have no doubt about that!” she reassured “I’m gonna leave so you can focus!”
“You’re used to this; aren’t you?” he stated amused.
“I know when you need me around and when you don’t!” she replied smiling.
“I always do!” he murmured to her ear.
“Yeah but right now; your game doesn’t!” she whispered biting his ear gently before she left.
3 hours later…
Marat was two sets to one up, two match points in the tie-break on his serve. The crowd was chanting his name and Russia’s name over and over with excitement.
Too nervous he blew the first match point on his serve with a forehand out of the baseline.
Seconds later; he didn’t realize it when Acasuso hit a forehand wide out, he found himself his arms in the air surrounded by all his friends jumping on him.
He won the Davis Cup for his country, again.
Exhilaration found him; he couldn’t remember anything better than this feeling, but Satine.
He turned around to face her but he didn’t have a chance to as the guys threw him up in the air. After they put him down he saw her standing behind his bench happily and proudly smiling to him. He wanted to go to her but he first had to go meet his opponents and greet them.
Minutes later he walked by his friends and the crowd to finally reach her. He gently cupped her face in his hands and was about to kiss her before she moved away.
“The media…we will start crying out for privacy!” she informed smiling.
“I forgot!” he sighed “I won’t be able to wait anymore!”
“Yes you will!” she replied embracing him lovingly “I’m proud of you champ’!”
“I’m happy!” he murmured to her ear before getting back to the court.
Two hours later…
Marat was having his shower in the lockers room after he and his teammates received the Davis Cup and celebrated it with the Russian crowd.
The other guys were still having fun, enjoying their victory all together outside the locker room.
As he was about to get out of the shower he found Satine walking on him.
All she was wearing was a bath towel wrapped around her stunning forms.
She looked at him deeply trying to capture his eyes. Her sensual gaze got him lost as usual in the sparkling emeralds that appealed him.
Gently, she dropped the towel revealing the magnificence under it, and locked herself inside the big shower with him.
Not paying attention to him, she walked to open the warm water giving him the most attractive and sinful view to look at.
He suddenly realized he was gasping for air and remembered to breathe. He lingered on the back she was giving him, studying the detail of her exceptional body. He breathed looking at the locks of hair falling from her bun down on her neck.
He slowly walked closer stretching his hands out to touch her.
Finally, he rested his hands on her bare shoulders and held them firmly as if to steady his shaky fingers. He felt more need of her as he realized her eagerness to his touch.
“What are you feeling now?” she whispered breaking off the silence.
“I want you!” he breathed.
“How bad?” she wondered.
“You’re killing me!” he informed in a tortured voice.
“Say it!” she demanded gently.
“I want you like I never I thought I could!” he murmured.
“So take me then!” she suggested.
The sin was too sweet, the offer too appealing.
The immensity of his sentiments scared him, made him almost hesitate.
The resting fingers on the bare shoulders were suddenly slowly running down her back to her buttocks. He gently caressed them and then tightly grabbed them.
He felt all her being shaking and trembling of desire. His lips landed on the back of her neck.
The kiss was from the master to the subject.
His lips slowly ran on her back; up and down.
The fingers moved from the back thighs to the breasts.
Pressing her back closer to him; his masterful hands made her surrender completely and utterly to him as his hands wandered from her firm and delicate breasts to her flat silk belly.
Quickly he made her turn in order to face him and his lips finally found hers.
The kiss was as wild as passionate. The woman under his hands came to life again. The ardour of his demonstration revived her body and made it respond to his.
Addicted-like, he wrapped her legs around his waist, held her up and pressed her against a wall.
Unlike the first time he made love to her; this time he knew exactly what he was doing, and knew exactly how to treat the body pressed against his.
He knew better how to enjoy it.
Transported by blinding passion; they both fell down on the slippery, warm, wet ground; loving and living in each other until they both took off from Earth to some place where they could stay forever.
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Post by Dina on Jul 6, 2009 22:23:08 GMT 3
Chapter 21
3rd January 2007
After a well deserved break in Malta, Marat and Satine flew to Sydney where Marat was scheduled to play the tournament.
“So what?” Marat asked.
Gerard, Allon and Dina looked at him quietly.
“People will understand that there’s something wrong with me!” he pointed out.
“He’s right!” Allon agreed “He’s supposed to know the majority of journalists that interviews him, as well as the players he encounters every time!”
“Yeah!” Gerard agreed “He needs to go public about his memory trouble!”
“I have to announce it first to the ATP head quarter; then we’ll take care of the medias and the fans!” Satine said.
“When will you do it?” the three men asked.
“We have a general meeting tonight in order to make some decisions concerning the newest season; I’ll let them know this evening!”
“I’m doing the right thing, am I?” Marat asked nervously.
“People we’ll figure there’s something wrong eventually.” Satine said “Better come clean first!”
Marat was having diner with the guys in a restaurant when Satine arrived.
“How did it go?” Dima asked the question before everyone else.
Satine smiled and sat down taking her sweet time.
“Ugh!” she sighed exhaustedly “Feed me first! And I beg for something fresh to drink; I’m melting with the outside heat!”
“Satine?!” Marat demanded impatiently.
“Oh! Yeah your thing!” she said nonchalant “They were absolutely and utterly shocked! DeVilliers was at the edge of a heart attack!”
Everybody stared at her in confusion. Was she kidding? Was she serious? Who knew?
“They were almost outraged that you were able to play the Davis Cup final and win it for Russia! “She went on sipping from Igor’s coke “They think you’re some sort of supernatural player, with supernatural powers!”
“Is that so?” Sasha wondered.
“I told them I was taking care of communicating this to everyone and they kinda calmed down!”
“I bet you enjoyed the scene!” Marat stated.
“So much!” she replied pleased with herself “I miss freaking out people like that; you should lose your memory more often; it’s the most fun I had since I got into the ATP!”
“Glad my misery’s making your day!” Marat sympathised.
The other ones were laughing; they all missed that jovial atmosphere.
“So now what?” Dima asked.
“Tomorrow I’m convoking a press conference with you, Allon and Gerard, and DeVilliers!”
“You’ll be part of it, or you’ll just supervise?” Igor wondered.
“Both; tomorrow is a new day at the office for me!” she said enthusiastic “I’m getting back to my job!”
“This year sounds better than the last one; it shall be even more entertaining with you around!” Dima cheered.
“I know, I know!” she said satisfied.
4th January 2007
“Ladies and gentlemen; thanks for responding to our invitation! The following press conference concerns Mr.Safin your number one in the world. Marat has some explanations to give concerning his withdrawals last year at the end of the indoor season, he might as well add a statement that will explain it all and shall easily highly surprise you!” Satine said at the press conference.
“Marat?”
“Hello to everybody; thanks for being here. What I have to say is not easy for me, but I wanted to come clean to everyone because I feel like I do owe it to you and my fans especially…”
“Did you use any drugs? Are you gonna be suspended?” one journalist asked nervously.
“It isn’t the matter!” Satine intervened “Please listen to Marat’s statement first; you’ll be able to ask your questions later on!”
“As Miss McAllister said; I’m not using drugs!” he replied amused “The matter still concerns my health; last November when I withdrew from Madrid’s Masters it wasn’t due to illness, neither was the case concerning Paris and Shanghai!”
The room got filled with tension and people sounded even more curious.
“Humm…I got involved in a car crash in Madrid outside the Stadium…and my case was quite serious. I woke up two years after but with some neurologic complications…I actually lost…I lost my memory! All of it!”
Questions suddenly darted to Marat; full of concern and confusion.
“People!” Satine interrupted loudly “Easy; raise your hands to ask, come on; just like school! And be cooperative; present yourself to him before; he doesn’t remember any of you!”
“Peter Bodo; Tennis Magazine!” the journalist presented himself “When you say you lost the memory…you mean you can’t remember anything…like; anything, anything??!”
“Right!” Marat confirmed “I can’t even remember who I am! But my family and friends are helping me out, filling my gaps! So I basically know everything that concerns me; I just can’t remember my past before the accident!”
The press conference lasted one more hour where Marat answered all the questions from the astonished journalists.
12th January 2007
“Ladies and gentlemen: Marat Safin!” Jim Courrier presented as Marat stood next to him after he won his first round match against Nicolas Mahut at the Australian Open.
J.C: Hey!
M.S: Hey!
Jim studies Marat for a moment; the crowd is laughing.
J.C: Well your game certainly does look the same!
M.S: Really? That’s a good thing I guess!
J.C: So you don’t remember me?
M.S: Humm…not really! Actually not at all! (laughing) But I know who you are…I mean I’ve been told!
J.C: You’ve been told we already played against each other in the past? (laughing)
M.S: Not that I recall! (smiling) I bet you’ll refresh my mind (laughing)
J.C: Davis Cup 99’ in Atlanta! Oh yes! It was the last rubber…I’ve beaten you…in easy straights!
The crowd boos him and whistles.
M.S: The people don’t seem to agree with you! (laughing)
J.C: You really are traitors! (more whistling) Just to point out…this man demolished Lleyton here barely two years ago! You forget easily! (laughing) Alright; maybe I won in a five setter…and maybe it was a huge match…
M.S: Good for you! You must’ve been treated as a hero back then!
J.C: Yeah I have!
M.S: It was a long time ago though! (laughing)
J.C: Not only for me though! (more laughing) Alright; that was your first match here; since you can’t compare this to the previous years, how did you find it playing here in the Rod Laver Arena?
M.S: Honestly; it’s a great feeling! The court is just really nice…and I feel at my ease playing here! So I think the court must suit my game! And the crowd…well the crowd is just fantastic…and if as you said I’ve beaten an Australian here in the final two years ago…well it doesn’t seem like they’re holding any grudge against me! (laughing and screaming)
J.C: Yeah well, it was already two years ago, so! (laughing)
M.S: You’re right! (more laughing)
15th January 2007
“Seriously!” Satine cried as Marat held high out of her reach the bra she intended to wear.
“I am not giving you that bra until you say it!” Marat said firmly.
“I won’t say it and you know I won’t give up!” she replied jumping desperately trying to snatch the bra away from him.
“You don’t say it; you don’t get the bra!” he threatened “Seriously!”
“You’re an ass!” she jerked out “I need that bra; I don’t have any other one with the matching colour of that top! And I wanna wear that top!”
“Very well then!” he said smiling mischievously “Say what happened on that summer 2000 and you can get your thing!”
She considered him for a moment and smiled deviously.
“You really wanna know?”
“Yes I do!” he replied triumphant.
“And you’ll assume whatsoever I tell you?”
“I will!”
“You won’t blame me and go all crazy on me?”
“Oh come on Satine!” he said exasperated “Seriously!”
“Seriously?” she asked making the fun last.
“Seriously!” he sighed breathing louder than usual.
“After you won the tournament in Toronto on 2000; we went to celebrate altogether in a bar!” she started “The thing is that none of us really knew the city, nor the places to go have fun…so we’ve decided we’d get into the first place we could find…”
“And…?” he asked impatiently.
“And we did indeed!” she said smiling “The place was quiet crowded; but we were both so bewildered by your very first AMS victory that we actually did not notice what sort of crowd it was!”
He eyed her suspiciously.
“To make it short…I started making out with a guy… a really hot guy who was sober in comparison to us both but strangely he enjoyed it…it was like he was discovering a new world…a fabulous one!”
“Spill it!” he demanded furiously.
He was warming up with the seconds, she loved it.
“You thought a one night stand wouldn’t do much harm to your thing with Sylvia…and you were as drunk as a Polish!”
She broke off mid sentence and giggled until her eyes watered.
“You were in a mood for making out…and you stuck your tongue down the first blonde’s throat you’ve found!”
“Alright I kissed another girl while I was drunk…nothing major to grovel!”
“No Tsar of mine…I haven’t started the grovelling work yet!” she informed delighting every word she says.
“Say it now!” he demanded as his mind got dangerously closer to hers.
“You didn’t kiss another GIRL!” she informed mocking “You actually wish you did!”
Marat considered her for half a second and opened his mouth widely; petrified as facts dawned under him.
“No!” he screamed disbelieving.
“Yes; yes!” she confirmed triumphant.
“I didn’t!” he denied.
“I always thought you ALSO fancied men!” she said amused “See; Satine’s never wrong!”
“You’re devilish!” he hissed upset “I…I…can not believe it!”
“Do so, love!” she said laughing uncontrollably.
“And what about you?” he asked trying to sound dignified “You kissed a gay too!”
“Yeah well!” she sighed amused “Not sure he’s still gay after that kiss I gave him…he looked absolutely high after that! It sure might have had a stronger effect on him than smoking pot! Plus, I AM a GIRL and I KISSED a GUY!!!!”
Marat was fuming; he knew she tricked him beautifully. Exasperation was followed by anger, and anger was followed by attraction and attraction by desire.
He took suddenly a hold of her full lips, lost the bra in his attempt and dragged her passionately to the huge suite’s bed.
“You trying to forget you kissed a guy by kissing the hottest girl you’ve found?” she teased.
“Yeah, so?” he replied showing that crooked smile on his lips.
“So, we’re gonna be late!” she pointed out.
“Yeah, so?” he said again.
“So shut up and kiss me again, you moron!” she demanded amused.
He didn’t need begging to execute himself.
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Post by Dina on Jul 15, 2009 17:53:15 GMT 3
Chapter 22
18th January 2007
“Cara mia!” said a voice behind Satine.
She declared war to a locked drawer in her office and was trying to open it.
“Oh my gosh!” she exclaimed “Giorgio! What brought you to Melbourne?”
“You cara! You brought me to the end of the world because I need you!” he replied hugging her tight.
“Thought so!” she guessed “What is it this time? I’m telling you already...I won’t work on any new campaign; I’ve just restarted my job with the ATP and I can’t disappear again!”
“Va bene*! It’s not only you I want anyway!”
“Giorgio, speak English to me!” she demanded her eyebrow furrowed.
“I want your good friend who happens to be number one in the world -with a poor memory which is quite interesting but it’s not my point- to become my new sports Armani figure!”
She creased her eyebrow higher and considered him longer.
“Marat? You want Marat to work for Armani?” she asked disbelieving “Are you out of your mind?”
“Why?” he sounded so irritated “The man is breath taking! I f I fancied men- younger men obviously- he’d be my ideal choice!”
Satine couldn’t help but smile.
“Giorgio, Armani is classy, sophisticated, elegant!” she pointed out “It’s not trashy bad boy from Moscow! You don’t want your new ad to look like a Russian mafia movie!”
He laughed heartedly.
“Well maybe I do!” he replied “But let me point out as well that when that man slides himself into a tux he looks nothing like a gangster! At worst I’d give him a James Bond etiquette! And who wouldn’t wanna be compared to 007!”
“Giorgio...whatever!” she sighed “Maybe you’re right after all! What do I know about fashion after all?”
“You know it to the tips cara!” he replied laughing “Don’t be too hard on yourself! You still are the best...especially that you’ve forsaken all the people who need you in the field! You are even more desirable! You’re WANTED!”
She busted out laughing.
“You’re just treating my ego now, because you want me to work with you!”
“Well...I only treat your ego to convince you!” he précised “Because I only want you...and I want you because once again you’re the best! Stop making me say it; you already know!”
“Giorgio...not that you didn’t finally convince me; but Marat is not today in that place...he’s too concerned with his health...so!”
“I don’t take no for an answer cara!” he informed “Where can I find him now?”
“You’re difficult Giorgio!” she sighed “He’s busy now, about to start his match so, you might wanna enjoy some tennis before you call all hells’ furies on you!”
“It’s gonna be a fabulous new era cara!” he replied smiling.
5 hours later...
“I cannot believe you didn’t prevent your crazy stubborn friend to harass me about modeling!” Marat exploded into Satine’s office.
“I told him you wouldn’t be interested…it didn’t convince him!” she replied surprised.
“You should’ve told him something else! I have no freakin’ will to deal with these and you know it!” he insisted out of his mind “Now not only the press is harassing me about my memory but they think I’m becoming the new Armani face!”
“Alright… it’s no big deal!” she softened getting his humor “You just deny and end of story!” He wasn’t yet used to the media, his last two interviews were very difficult on him, he wasn’t yet used to the journalists aggressiveness and didn’t know how to deal with them. It had infuriated him in the past days and the Armani thing looked like the least he could deal with now.
“No! You’re supposed to intervene in these situations!” he sounded livid “You actually should’ve been there with me on that press conference and you weren’t!”
“I told you before that I wouldn’t be able to make it, I had another meeting with the board!” she protested weakly.
“It doesn’t matter; you should’ve been there!” he said before leaving.
19th January 2007
3:32am
As Marat arrived the hotel room, he found Satine already there she left the Melbourne Park 30min before him.
He stood at the entry of the bedroom door and stared at her activating herself around, ignoring him.
“You left without me!” Marat stated with a bit of surprise.
No answer.
“Now you are not talking to me!” he noticed almost amused.
He sighed loudly but still the ignorance was all the response he could get.
“I was a jerk...sometimes boyfriends can be jerks, it doesn’t mean you stop talking to them!” he pleaded sincere.
She quietly sat on the bed. “You get that I’m saying that I’m sorry, right?” he asked.
She stared him down.
“You yelled at me for no reason and then you walked away, and now you show up here!” she said defensively.
“Of course I show up, why wouldn’t I?” he replied as surprised as he was amused.
He considered her for seconds
“You don’t trust me?” he asked nervously.
“I do!” she replied confident.
He considered her again, remembered some of her natural issues and got everything dawning under his eyes.
“Well this is how it works; you fight sometimes, and somebody apologizes!” he informed.
“Well, how am I supposed to know that?” she wondered disbelieving.
He looked at her tenderly amused.
“You’ve never done this before?” he realised, it wasn’t really a question.
He didn’t remember himself what it was like in his previous relationships, but he still knew how it should work. “No I’ve never done this before!” she confirmed more upset than embarrassed.
“Hum...okay, alright!”
He walked towards her and stood still hesitating.
“Well this is...from now on; you can expect, that I’m gonna show up!” he assured her.
He caressed her face and she smiled at him happy and relieved.
“Even if I yell...even if you yell! I’m always gonna show up!” he précised seriously.
He smiled and caressed her with more tenderness.
“Okay?”
“Okay!” she replied beaming.
And so they kissed...
20th January 2007
“Where the hec’ is this woman?” Marat wondered as he was having a coffee with Dima down town “Why is she always so late?”
“Marat, if Satine ever happens to arrive to one meeting which doesn’t involve work, in time; then be sure something’s wrong with her!” Dima mumbled.
“This girl got some serious issues…I didn’t realise it before!” he added smiling “She’s got intimacy issues!”
“Holly crow! I didn’t know!” Dima teased.
“Seriously, I thought all what I’ve been told was exaggerated, but she’s really messed up!” he said calmly “I need to fix her!”
“You didn’t have enough time to do anyways while you’ve started dating, then you lost the memory and you didn’t even know how to handle her! “ Dima said smiling.
“I know!” he smiled back “She first needs to get over the daddy issues!”
“Yeah she does…but hello!” Dima said as he spotted a friend walking towards them.
“I suppose I should’ve guessed I’d meet one of you guys here in Melbourne, the Oz is still going on!” the friend said “How are you guys doing?”
“Great!” Dima replied “Marat was actually wondering how freaked out his girlfriend is!”
The guy laughed heartedly.
“Ecco!** I’ve heard somewhere you’ve finally got together!” he commented amused “But why wondering about her issues…you got used to them with years anyway!”
Marat smiled politely and felt tired to tell the stranger who obviously knew them well, that he was amnesiac.
“Mateo!” Satine called as she arrived “After all; you’re still a world citizen! Where have you been all these years?”
He hugged her and turned to look briefly but grudgingly at Marat.
“I suppose trying to avoid your new lover as much as possible!” he said half teasing half serious “I cherish my freedom and I suppose you do cherish his life! So I try not to recall our unfortunate misadventure too much!”
Satine and Dima laughed but Marat glared at him.
“What did I do to that Italian moron?” he thought.
“Why are you staring like some kind of lost puppy?” Mateo asked Marat amused “I bet you don’t like thinking of it too much either!”
“Actually Marat wouldn’t think of it since he can’t remember it!” Satine précised as she finally sat next to him and kissed him hello “He can’t remember anything at all, don’t you know?”
“The whole world knows!” Dima pointed out “He might just haven’t paid attention; that’s how he is!”
Mateo glared horrified and then his expression turned to amusement.
“I do know!” he said cheerfully “I remember overhearing some girl talking about it and mourning about it! Might be one of your former conquests!”
As he spoke he sat and took his ease.
“That must be weird!” he added more serious “For a guy like you…it must be tough!”
“Sometimes.” Marat murmured looking lovingly at Satine.
“Mateo Gargia is one of our good old friends, we know him from Valencia and we shared great moments together as well as in Miami where we were neighbours!” Satine informed him “He’s in business and politics too!”
“And why do I get the feeling that you are holding some sort of grudge against me?”
The three of them smiled at Marat.
“It’s a funny story, really!” started Satine.
“You say it’s funny!” Mateo protested.
21st May 2000 Miami- Satine’s apartment:
“What’s the matter with you?” Satine frowned her eyebrow as she spotted Mateo where he was in the street kissing another girl than his girlfriend.
“It’s my birthday cara!” he replied laughing “I’m having the fun I deserve!”
“You idiot!” she threw.
“Says who!” he replied sarcastically “The girl who dates at the same time; a fireman, a lawyer and a doctor!”
She smiled mischievously.
“It’s funnier when I do it, because I’m better at it than you are!” she informed.
“You say!” he protested smiling.
“Ugh!” Marat said walking in “I hate tennis!”
He let himself fall on the couch and covered his face with his towel.
Satine’s place was like some coffee shop or something back then. All her friends used to gather there and she loved to host.
“Va bene; I’m gonna ask!” Mateo said amused “Remind us why again?”
“Because I suck!” he declared formally.
Satine smiled and sat next to him.
“Don’t push it!” she advised “You’re taking out your break up frustration with Sylvia on tennis; that’s all!”
He gave her a look.
“This is our second split in a row within five months!” he complained.
“Oh get a grip!” Mateo sighed “Find yourself another one!”
“I bet tonight’s party will cheer you up!” Satine said.
“Oh, you know what, I’m gonna, I’m gonna be okay, you don’t have to throw a party for me.!”
“It’s Mateo’s birthday!” she reminded him.
He glared at her.
“Well if anyone should have a party, it definitely should be him!” He said.
Mateo’s place:
“Where’s Marat?” Satine asked Roger at the party.
“Last time I saw him he was wondering with the Jell-O shots in a tray!” he said amused “He was supposed to hand them down to the guests!”
She gave him an outraged look and slapped his head.
“I think you should go pin down Marat to the ground and tie him up!” Mateo suggested.
“Hello d-llo” Marat said loudly a tray half full with empty Jell-O shots in the hands.
“Somebody’s feeling better:” Roger noticed.
Satine glared at him dangerously.
“How many of these did you have?” she asked disbelieving.
“None!” he lied smiling.
“Stick out your tongue!” she demanded.
“Take off your shirt!” he replied laughing, he was a way gone!
She pinched him in the rib to force him. He eventually sticks out his tongue; dark green with Jell-O shot remnants on.
“Oh my God!” Roger gasped “These are pure shots of vodka!”
“Yeah! Jell-O just like mom used to make!” he said happy with himself.
“You nail to the ground!” she ordered him “Don’t move, don’t talk to anyone and don’t do anything more stupid!”
She stared him down and left.
Minutes later a group of very similar brunettes arrived.
Marat looked at them in disbelief.
“Okay…how many of that girl are you seeing?” he asked Roger.
“How hammered are you?” He asked rolling his eyes “These are Mateo’s sisters!”
“Hi Mateo’s sisters!” he called out to them.
“Stay put!” Satine ordered him from afar.
Two more shots of vodka later…
Three sisters are gathered around Marat, who is fidgeting with his phone
“What are you doing?” one of the sisters asked.
“I’m taking my ex-girlfriend’s name from my speed dialer!” he slurred.
“Aww!”
“No no no no, no it’s a good thing!” he replied fixating on the prominently displayed breasts of one of the three sisters” Why must we dial so speedily anyway? Why must we rush through life? Why can’t we savour the precious moments? Those are some huge breasts you have!!!”
22nd May 2000 Satine’s place:
“Thanks for letting us spend the night here!” Roger started as they were having breakfast “We were too spent to drive!”
“No problem!” she replied deviously “Especially that it seemed you didn’t tire too much when you got to bed!”
“No?” Debbie Mateo’s girlfriend asked amused.
“Shame Roger!” Satine laughed “You should sometimes get on top!”
Roger smiled.
“You’re devious!” he informed.
“You’re lazy!” she pointed out.
Marat walked in barely conscious.
“Ugh!” he sighed.
“Uh oh!” Debbie laughed.
“How you feelin’?” Satine asked.
“Well my place isn’t there anymore, because I drank it!”
“Where’d you get to?” Debbie asked “We lost you after you opened up all Mateo’s presents!”
“Yeah!” Roger remembered amused.
“Yeah, I ended up in the storage room… and…not…alone!”
“Woohoo!” Roger and Debbie cheered.
“Ahh…no woohooing, no woohooing” he demanded holding his sore head.
“I told you to stay put!” Satine reprimanded.
“So what happened?” Roger asked.
“Ahh…I fooled around with one of Mateo’s sisters!” he confessed.
Satine gave him a look.
“Well that’s not the worst part!” he informed.
Debbie gasped.
“What’s the worst part then?” Satine asked suspicious.
“I can’t remember which sister!” he said at the edge of tears.
“Are you insane?” Satine said getting up of her seat “I mean, Mateo’s gonna kill you. He’s actually going to kill you dead!”
“Okay! You don’t think I think of that?!” he replied defensive.
“How can you not know which one?” Debbie wondered “I mean; it’s unbelievable!”
“Was it Gina?” Satine asked.
“Which one is Gina?” Roger asked.
“The dark big hair with the airplane earrings!” Debbie informed.
“No that’s not Gina, that’s Stella!” Satine corrected.
“Stella!” Roger remembered.
“Really?” Debbie asked.
“You see? You can’t tell which is which either!” he said defiant “Shnahaaa!!!”
“Yeah, but we didn’t fool around with any of them! y’hhaahh, wlblaahh!” Satine said loosely imitating Marat.
“Veronica, look, it’s gotta be Veronica, the girl in the red skirt!” he said hopeful “I definitely stuck my tongue down her throat!”
“That was me!” Satine précised frowning.
He made a scared step back.
“Oh, look, when I’ve been drinking; sometimes I tend to get a little too overfriendly!” he said shameful “I’m…I’m sorry!”
“It’s okay!” she forgave.
“It’s okay!” Debbie added.
“It’s alright!” Roger murmured.
They all turned to glare at him half horrified, half amused.
Suddenly, Mateo walked in angrily pointing at Marat.
“Hey Mateo!” Roger said.
“Hey!” Debbie and Satine said joining Roger clearing out the main room was Marat was left alone.
“Can I talk to you outside for a second?” Mateo asked Marat firmly.
“Why can’t we talk here?” Marat demanded nervously “With…with witnesses!”
“I just got off the phone with my sister!” he announced.
“Uh...Which...Which one?” Roger asked.
“Laura!” he replied.
“Laura!” Roger repeated.
“Yeah!”
“Which one is she again?” Satine wondered.
“Why don’t you ask Marat? ’Cause he’s the one who fooled around with her! She told me you said you could really fall for her? Now was that true, or are you just getting over Sylvia by groping’ my sister?” he demanded through gritted teeth.
Marat pondered the two choices and looked around him.
“It’s gotta be the first one!” he said shaking.
“Really? That’s great!” he exclaimed hugging him “You and my sister sitting in a tree!” “Yup! I’m in a tree!” Marat replied sadly.
Marat’s place:
"Dear Laura: hi, how’s it going? This is the hardest letter I’ve ever had to write…" Marat was reading a letter. “What the hell’s the matter with you? How do you think Mateo’s gonna react when he finds out you blew off his sister with a letter?” Satine asked.
“Well that’s the part where you tell him I’m on Tour!” he replied smiling “When I’ll actually be in the Fijis!”
She took the letter from his hand and hit him with it on the head.
“Ouch!”
“You moron!” she said exasperated.
She put the letter down before she went on:
“Alright, look, look, you’ve got to do this yourself, okay? In person! At least you know her name. You just go to the house and you ask for Laura, okay? When whichever one she is comes to the door, you take her for a walk; you let her down easy and nice!”
She smiled at his lost expression.
“You know how to do that, you’ve done it already!” she reminded him “I showed you how to; remember Carla when we were 16?”
He nodded frantically.
“Okay!” he agreed before he panicked again “What if Laura comes to the door and I ask for Laura?”
“You’re in the Fijis!” she informed calmly.
Mateo’s Grandma’s house:
Marat nervously knocked his head before he had the nerves to knock the door.
He’s astonished to see Mateo opening it:
“Mateo, w-w-uhh, w-w-uhh, w-w-uhh, w-what are you doing here?” he asked surprised.
“Waiting for my grandma to finish my laundry, what about you?”
“I’m…uh…I’m here to see Laura!”
“You are so the man!”
Marat came in:
“Now, look” Mateo said hushing to a near whisper “Listen, listen, you gotta be cool, cuz my grandma doesn’t know about you two yet, and you do not want to tick her off. She was like the sixth person to spit on Mussolini’s hanging body! Yeah!”
Marat was glaring dangerously.
“Where’s Laura?”
“She’s right in there!” Mateo replied showing him all his sisters gathered around the diner table, all dressed in blue greeting him with the exact same enthusiasm; much to his dismay.
At diner time; Marat looks at the seven sisters surrounding him pondering the task before him:
“This Tiramisu is excellent, did you make it Laura?” he asked looking up for a reaction.
“No! I did!” the grandma replied.
“Oh…uh…it…it’s yummy!” he said awkwardly “So, Laura; do you like it?”
“Of course, it’s her favourite!” the grandma added.
Marat glared at her disbelieving.
“So, Laura; what else do you like?” he asked again.
“More grandma’s Tiramisu!” the grandma said again.
“Oh, would you, just, please!” he begged loudly to the grandma before he realized all eyes were on him “Gimme the recipe, cause this is great! It’s top notch!”
“That dies with me!” The grandma replied.
“So will I!” Marat said to himself.
After the diner Mateo and Marat were about to leave, all the sisters accompanied them to the door.
“You can say bye to your Laura!” Mateo suggested.
“Yeah sure!” he replied.
He turned to face all the sisters still not knowing who Laura was.
“Bye, Laura!” he cheerily waved to none in particular.
“You know, you can kiss her goodbye; I won’t bite!” Mateo teased.
Marat glared.
“Yeah…thanks!” he replied awkwardly.
He turned around again and faced them all hesitating.
He tried to get closer to one of them but changed his mind; he tried his luck three times actually.
“Marat?” Mateo asked “Don’t you know who to kiss?”
Marat faced him nervously.
“I’m not sure which one Laura is!” he whispered nervously.
All the sisters gasped.
“Look; I’m so sorry! I was very drunk last night…and you all…you look so similar!” he mumbled.
“I say punch him Mateo!” one of the sisters said.
All the others loudly agreed.
“Please ladies…calm down!” Marat pleaded “Mateo won’t punch him…he doesn’t want to!”
Mateo kept silence.
“Do you?” Marat asked surprised.
“Normally that’s what I would do…but I never thought you’d be on the receiving end of it!” he informed “Besides…I can’t punch you…you’re a way taller and stronger, so!”
“I can do it!” one sister said “I’m just a woman!”
“No no!” Mateo protested “He’s a friend…”
“Mateo, if you want to punch me, go ’head, I deserve it. But I just want you to know that I would never soberly hurt you or your family. You’re my friend ... and I would never do anything like this ever again!”
“Hey. Look he knows he did a terrible thing, and I…I believe him, he’s sorry!” Mateo said “But you got one more apology to make, alright? You gotta apologize to Laura!”
“Okay, absolutely, you got it” Marat looked around and realized he still couldn’t figure out which one was Laura. He looked at Mateo pleading, but found no sympathy.
“Carla; now you can punch him?”
“What?” Marat spins around only to get a face full of fist; Carla’s care!
Back to Present:
“I can not believe it!” Marat exclaimed.
“You even cried afterwards!” Mateo said laughing.
“Don’t push it!” Satine protested “He didn’t cry!”
“It’s the kind of things that always happen to me!” he realized “Isn’t it?”
“Kind of!” Dima agreed still laughing.
“Ugh!” he sounded disgusted “And what happened to your sister now?”
“Happily engaged!” Mateo informed.
“No, the one who punched me!” he précised.
“Oh, Carla remarried…she might divorce again!” he said smiling “She scares the crap out of her current husband!”
“Tell me about it!” Marat replied sarcastically.
“You were young and stupid, now it’s different hon’” Satine comforted.
“You just called me yesterday young and stupid!” he protested.
“Yeah, but there’s a reason for that…you can’t call a journalist a moron and you know that Marat!”
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Post by Dina on Aug 21, 2009 19:46:35 GMT 3
Chapter 23
It seemed to him strange, yet it felt familiar and natural.
He was sitting on his bed watching Satine playfully getting in through his window. She climbed on the tree and reached the upper window of the house.
As she gracefully put feet on ground she looked up and found him smiling to her; she flashed him back with that exquisite smile of hers.
She bizarrely looked younger, maybe it was because of the abnormally high ponytail held on her head. Her tiny jeans short and her white blouse tied above the hips made him feel like the space and time weren’t accorded to each other.
“I’m tired!” she whispered.
She stood in front of him and considered him for seconds.
“What are you waiting for?” she asked annoyed “Move! Make me some place I need to sleep!”
He executed himself, not exactly realizing why he did it.
She laid down next to him and quickly reached for his hand for a tight grip into hers.
“How do you think it will be the day we both go away from here?” she asked loudly “Without him poisoning my life!”
She didn’t wait for his response.
“I shall be happier!” she declared “Do you think I’ll ever be happy?”
This time she turned in the bed to face him, their hands still locked to each other.
“Maybe.” He murmured unconsciously.
“And maybe he will love me too someday.” She breathed only to herself.
But Marat heard her and tightened his grip on her hand and embraced her as if he was trying to tuck her to finally sleep.
His eye drops felt heavy when he woke up by a freezing sensation...
“Gotcha!” Satine shouted laughing.
She just poured water on him.
He realized then that he was on a beach, it was twilight and it was louder than usual. People were dancing around, young people. He recognized the atmosphere of a beach party.
“I got the impression that the lovely Camilla is totally and absolutely crazy about you!” she declared victoriously.
He had no clue what she was talking about again.
She didn’t give him time to answer again.
“Look; there’s Juanqui coming!” she said amused “In good company he is! Raquel must be crazier than I assumed!”
“Marat!” Juanqui said loudly to get his voice through the music “Camilla is getting hot on her own! You’d better join her man!”
“Oh this party is turning better than expected!” Satine breathed to Marat as she saw a young handsome guy approaching them. “Hola Sissy!” he greeted “Heard of your great results; congrats!”
“Thank you, Gabriel!” she replied softly stressing sensually on his name “The year was exhausting...now...I’m quite ready to get some...fun!”
The way she said it; made Gabriel blush instead of her, who said the words so provocatively.
“Yeah?” he asked hesitating “That’s...that’s nice!”
She stood up, leaned on Marat’s ear and whispered:
“Go find that horny girl of yours, and make sure that this night will be as memorable as mine!”
She then faced Gabriel.
“Ready to make me have fun boyo?” she asked smiling mischievously.
“C...Claro Sissy!” he mumbled.
“You sound cute when you mumble!” she informed laughing “Come, I’m gonna make an immortal of you tonight!”
She slightly brushed his chin and made to him sign to follow her.
“Naughty girl!” Juanqui said amused “See you later Marat!”
Marat was still looking at Satine disappear along a bonfire... He opened his eyes on a fireplace in front of him.
He was asleep on a couch and someone was sleeping on him.
Satine was wrapping herself around him, soundlessly asleep.
He looked around him trying to make sense of everything again; it looked like they were in some chalet, in a mountain perhaps.
He scrutinized Satine’s face again, her cheeks were wet. Was she crying before?
“She’s still asleep?” a young man who walked in with another blanket in his hands asked.
This time; Marat knew who he was.
“Leonid!” Marat whispered astonished.
“It’s freezing outside, thank God we found her on time!” he said as he put the blanket on Satine “I don’t even wanna think about what would’ve happened if we couldn’t find her!”
He put more wood in the fireplace and sat on the table in front of Marat.
“This man is a monster!” Lenya whispered “How can a father treat his daughter like that?” he asked astonished “Heartless as a rock!”
They kept silence for a moment. Marat didn’t know what it was about, but he had a feeling it was about Edward; Satine’s father.
“I believe we should take her back to Boston, or maybe you think of taking her somewhere else?”
“I don’t know!” Marat said truly.
“I still can’t get over the fact that he’s blamed her for what happened with that junkie Luke!” Leonid said out of nowhere again “Isn’t he supposed to know that the reason she consoled herself with drugs is him? He’s destroying this poor Siss’! What a waste!”
“Marat?” Satine whispered as she opened her eyes.
24th January 2007
3:46am
“Marat?!” Satine said trying to wake him up.
He opened his eyes and saw her again.
“You okay love?” she asked worried.
“I’m fine!” he mumbled.
He looked around him and this time everything made sense.
He recalled it when he and Satine went to bed hours before; he was exhausted from his victorious match against Nadal which took him to the semi finals of the tournament. He also recalled it when he woke up an hour later and felt Satine’s body against him and had an unstoppable desire to make love to her.
He remembered its details, the sweat, the moaning, her legs wrapped around his waist, the speed; slow and quick, the pleasure...
After that he put his head on her breasts and felt his eye drops heavier than ever...
“Your sleep was very agitated!” she informed.
“Yeah?” he asked trying to make sense of it.
“Very!” she confirmed “Tell me about it!”
He told her about the strange scenes he dreamed of and was relieved to find out that she knew what he was talking about and was excited about it.
“You remember!” she exclaimed kissing him “You’re starting to remember!”
“Is it so?” he asked hopeful.
“Yes!” she said “The scene where I came to your room through a window must be one memory of the many, many times I climbed to your window by night! I used to do that very often! Sometimes you climbed to mine too!”
“Really?” It obviously amused him.
“Yes!” she confirmed “And the one on the beach was a party in Valencia! We were celebrating the end of the scholar year!” He laughed happily and embraced her.
“I’m so happy!” she claimed embracing him.
“I’m happy too!” he announced resting his head on her chest again.
“What about the last one?” he asked suddenly.
“It was a stupid event...it doesn’t matter!”
He sat down again.
“How come?” he asked “What was Leonid talking about?”
She kept silence for a moment and reached the window silently.
Their hotel suite’s balcony was giving on the Melbourne beach. The sea was black and the moon reflecting on it like gold.
“I wanna know!” he insisted.
He was already behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist, his chin on the hollow of her neck, his lips caressing her jaw.
“You don’t need to remember that too!” she whispered softly.
“I do!” he countered as softly “I love you!”
She let her head fall back on his free shoulder and turned her face to his neck, hiding.
“Once, in 99’, my father came to me in Boston while I was still studying in Harvard...
1st April 1999
Boston
“What news do you have concerning your internship?” Edward asked his daughter during dinner.
“They granted my demand!” she replied proudly.
“It shall be an important experience on your professional profile.” Edward concluded with indifferent satisfaction.
“Of course!” she replied slowly.
“My friend John McAvoy told me his son Richard didn’t stand much a chance with you!” he explained “You should’ve given the young man another chance to...”
“Papa...”
“The McAvoys have been Senators in the family for generations, I ask you to reconsider the case, sweetheart!”
Satine looked at him weakly and nodded.
“Well, I came on a special purpose in here!” he informed “I didn’t wanna bother you with that, but now that you have reached your majority, you need to know!”
“I’ve been fighting on trial with your mother’s family since her death for her legacy, and now you need to step in so we can fulfil the procedure with you!”
“What?” she asked astonished.
“It’s our right Sissy!” he declared calmly.
She took a deep breath and talked again.
“Why on trial?” she asked as calmly as possible “Why would they want to prevent us from her legacy?”
“They consider that the way she died is inappropriate for us to inherit!” he said still calm.
“The way she died?” she repeated.
“They think that her car crash wasn’t accidental.”
Satine tried to make sense of her father’s words.
“What do they think?”
“They think she wanted to kill herself!” he replied looking straight into her eyes. She swallowed hard and talked again, shaking:
“What makes them say that?” she asked worried to hear his response.
“Sweetheart, you have to know that they believe your mother wanted to kill herself because I would’ve taken you away from her if she didn’t maintain her dignity and the family’s honour!”
After he talked he took a sip from his scotch and smiled at her.
Satine felt her head spinning, she started stifling in silence.
“I believe you must be wondering.” He said again.
“You think?” she replied out of her nerves.
“Your late mother had an affair with that ridiculous French poet, Arnaud Castaldi I think!” he replied quietly “It wasn’t the real problem actually, the issue was that she wanted to get away with him...and take you!”
He said those last words with quite an amusement.
“Of course, I couldn’t allow that!” he explained “You are my only child; the heir of the McAllister family! Unfortunately your mother turned barren after your birth, so she didn’t give the family the male heir we wanted...I could’ve grudged her for that but I didn’t! And she still had the nerves to wanna leave me and take you away! At least you’ve turned to a very competent and clever young woman thanks to the education you’ve received, normally you should be able to properly run the family business as you’re supposed to in the next couple years, according to our plans me and your grand-father who...”
“Stop talking!” she demanded quietly.
He considered her for the long minute she inhaled loudly staring at the void.
“What kind of man are you?” she demanded at the edge of tears.
Everybody in the restaurant looked at their table; wondering what was the matter.
“Satine Isobel McAllister; dignity!” he ordered “People are as aware of your impetuous tone as I am!”
She looked at him astonished.
“Is that all you care about?” she shouted “People noticing me cry out my disgust of you in public?!”
“Are you determined to make me a total laughing stock?” he replied a little bit louder.
“I am the laughing stock for believing that you were anything near to human race for all these years!” she shouted before storming out of the restaurant.
Back to present:
“After that, I went with Blair to a party where I met that guy Luke!” she replied.
Marat didn’t say a word since she started her story.
“What happened?” he asked under toned.
“We made out, he took me to his place...we had sex and used...drugs; several drugs in a dangerous quantity!”
She stopped to look at his reaction; he was still looking blankly at the beach.
“Two weeks later, Blair called you!” she announced.
He raised his eyebrow.
“You found me in his place...I had an overdose and my state was critical! But you found me in time and they saved me at the hospital!”
Marat’s breathing turned slower; his hand clutched the balcony’s rampart.
“After I got out the hospital, you sort of abducted me to Spain and locked us together in a house for two more weeks to help me detoxify! You saved my life for sure!”
He felt a need to sit down and think about all what she said.
“But the scene I remembered in the dream, what was that?” he asked nervous now.
“At the end of the year we went to Aspen together with the late Lenya, my father joined me then; he found out what happened to me and came to blame me and treat me with all names; claiming I was irresponsible, useless and that I was screwing my life like an idiot over drugs and so on! Of course he was totally oblivious to the reasons that pushed me into it in the first place!”
Marat was urging her to finish.
“The raw I had with my father was in the mountain, he managed to find me while I was skiing and he told me what he had to say...I guess I was so overwhelmed that I got lost in the mountain, it was snowing and it got darker and all! You and Leonid found me frozen and unconscious out there! That’s it!”
Marat felt several emotions running through him; sadness, fear, anger, astonishment... He couldn’t believe himself that he was thinking couple days ago about reconciling Satine with her father if possible! Now he knew he only must make sure she never has to see him again, make sure he doesn’t hurt her ever again! He feared for the life of the woman he loved from her own father; a monster.
He also started realizing that together, in their lifetime; they’ve shared much more than he possibly ever imagined.
He suddenly stood up and fiercely cupped her face between his strong hands:
“I will never let him hurt you again!” he informed “I will never, ever; let anyone hurt you again!”
She smiled peacefully and embraced him.
“I love you Marat Mikhailovic Safin!” she informed.
“I so do love you Satine Isobel McAllister!” he said lovingly “More than my life, I love you!”
He took her again in his arms and held her firmly but tenderly in his arms until they both fell asleep and forgot the scary disappointing past for some hours.
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