6. Chapter 6
Isit on my bed, staring at my phone screen as Gerald”s voice fills my ears. He tells me all about his latest trip to Dubai, describing the towering skyscrapers and shimmering desert sands. I”m transfixed by his words, imagining myself standing beside him, taking in the exotic sights and sounds.
”Alina, are you still there?” Gerald asks, breaking me from my thoughts.
”Sorry, I”m here,” I reply, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. ”It just all sounds so fascinating, and I guess I was daydreaming about what it might be like to visit a place like that someday. Can you imagine it? Riding on camels alongside each other in the desert? Fabulous.”
”Good. So you”re open to traveling and you clearly have a sense of adventure… because, well, I”ve been thinking about something,” he says, a hint of excitement in his voice.
”What is it?”
”Video and phone calls are great, but of course I want to meet you in person. Like, really meet you. I know we”ve talked about it in theory, meeting up somewhere down the line. But I think we should do it sooner rather than later. And I have the perfect idea.”
My heart races as Gerald describes the tropical island getaway he has in mind. I can almost feel the warm sand between my toes and the gentle breeze on my skin.
But then fear creeps in, as it tends to do. What if this is all too good to be true? What if Gerald isn”t who he seems to be? After all, it wouldn”t be the first time I”ve been tricked and trapped by a powerful man.
”Alina, are you still there?” Gerald”s voice breaks through my thoughts again.
”Yes, sorry. It just sounds...amazing,” I say, trying to sound upbeat.
”Ah, I knew you”d love it. We could have our own little paradise, just the two of us. Even if it”s only for a couple of days.”
My stomach tightens at the thought. I want to trust Gerald, but my past experiences have taught me to be cautious.
”Can I think about it?” I ask, hoping to buy time. After all, I don”t even have a passport. I also don”t want to seem too keen, like I”d just up and fly away to vacation with any old stranger I met off the internet.
Even a devastatingly handsome stranger who”s promising me and my daughter the world.
”Of course, take all the time you need.” His voice is kind. ”But I promise, Alina, this will be worth it. I want to show you how much I care about you. And,” he adds, as if reading my mind, ”I don”t want you worrying about anything when it comes to expenses or paperwork or anything like that. You mentioned you haven”t left the country before, and I would be happy to get a passport for you.”
My heart leaps at this offer, at what is probably a small kindness to a man like Gerald, but one that means so much to me.
The call ends, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Can I really take a chance on this man? Or will it just lead to more pain and disappointment?
I lay back on the bed, closing my eyes and imagining myself on that island with Gerald by my side. It”s tempting, so tempting. An absence of responsibilities, even if only for a couple of days. Exhilarating yet terrifying, like standing at the edge of a cliff and peering down.
Part of me longs to throw caution to the wind and dive into this new adventure with Gerald. To let him sweep me off my feet.
It”s as if he”s awakened something in me—a thirst for more out of life than just scraping by day-to-day.
The photos he shared of pristine beaches and elaborate hotel suites are so different from anything I”ve ever known. Sure, Luchenko provided a degree of opulence, but never an international vacation. That wasn”t part of the deal, and certainly not something his wife would tolerate.
But then I hear Yara”s voice in my head, reminding me of my responsibilities as a mother. I know I can”t just leave my daughter behind, no matter how much I long for adventure and connection. It”s selfish. Wrong. Dangerous. I barely know this man. What if he isn”t who he seems? I”ve been hurt before by men who made big promises they didn”t keep.
”Maybe I shouldn”t go,” I whisper to myself, feeling the weight of the decision ahead.
But then again, if I never go, I never stand a chance of creating this new life for us.
For Yara.
Needing advice, I once again meet with Dominika, this time at our favorite park. Sitting on a weathered bench surrounded by lush trees, I tell Dominika about Gerald”s offer.
Her face reflects both protectiveness and excitement as the breeze gently rustles her shag haircut. ”A tropical vacation with a handsome stranger? It sounds like a fairy tale,” she says. ”But Alina...remember what we talked about. Promise me you”ll be careful. Make sure it”s not a fairy tale with a dark twist. I don”t want you getting hurt again.”
I nod, knowing Dominika speaks from a place of love. ”I don”t plan to do anything reckless. But maybe...maybe I should take a chance. I”ve spent my whole life playing it safe and look where it”s gotten me. Don”t I deserve a little adventure?”
Dominika squeezes my hand supportively. ”Yes, you absolutely do. And I am excited for you. I just want you going into this cautiously. Guard your heart, but if it feels right...go for it. You have to kiss a few frogs sometimes to find your prince… just make sure they”re not frogs that leave you with permanent scars.”
I smile, emboldened by my friend”s encouragement. I”ll move slowly with Gerald, but for the first time in years, I feel a spark of hope that something extraordinary awaits.
I return home feeling lighter than I have in a long time. I call Gerald, butterflies swirling in my stomach. When he answers, his deep voice sends a thrill through me as I imagine hearing it in person.
”I”ve been thinking about it, and I”ve come to a decision,” I say, my heart beating fast. ”I”d love to join you on the trip.”
Gerald lets out an exclamation of delight. ”Wonderful! You won”t regret this, Alina. We”ll have such an adventure together!”
He begins eagerly detailing his plans—the exclusive resort with private villas, the secluded white sand beaches, the candlelit dinners and couples” massages. I picture it all in my mind, allowing myself to get caught up in his enthusiasm.
Then Gerald”s tone softens. ”But most importantly, I want you to feel safe with me. Cherished. This trip is about exploring what we might have together, not the extravagance.”
His words melt my lingering doubts. Perhaps Dominika was right and my fairy tale awaits after all. I”ve protected my heart for so long, but now maybe it”s the time to open it to new possibilities.
”I trust you, and I”m excited to go on an adventure with you,” I say sincerely. ”I can”t wait to discover where this journey leads us.”
Gerald”s relieved exhale comes through the phone. ”You won”t regret placing your faith in me, Alina. Our adventure begins soon, my little lamb.”
Little lamb. His choice of words floors me, mirroring his nickname for me in my steamy dream about him. What are the chances? It”s like the universe is sticking a blinking neon arrow over his head and screaming ”Go for it”!
”Why did you just call me that?”
”Little lamb? You just have this pureness, innocence… cuteness about you.”
Wow. Even his nicknames are perfect. Although I know a few people who wouldn”t describe me as pure or innocent.
But my excitement is tempered by a nagging concern—leaving Yara, even for a short time. Though capable, she is only twelve, and we”ve scarcely spent a night apart. I”d leave her with my mother, but it”s strictly against the rules of her home, and there”s no way Yara could realistically hide out for several days without someone noticing her.
Sensing my hesitation, Gerald says gently, ”I know being away from Yara worries you. Tell me what would make you comfortable leaving her.”
I consider his question. ”I”d need to know she”s being cared for by someone truly trustworthy. And that I can still be close, even from afar.”
”Of course,” Gerald immediately replies. ”I”ll arrange for a nanny—someone vetted and capable of tending to Yara”s unique needs. You can video chat daily, and Yara can call anytime she wants. Does that work?”
I exhale in relief, touched by how sincerely Gerald tries to accommodate my misgivings. How he anticipated my concerns without me having to explain. ”Yes, I believe so, that sounds good. Thank you.”
”Yara”s wellbeing matters to me because you matter,” says Gerald. ”I”ll always respect your priorities and make them mine, too.”
Bolstered by Gerald”s reassurance, I gather my courage to speak with Yara.
I sit her down, taking her small hands in mine.
”You know I met someone special, Yara. Mr. Gerald. He wants to take us both on a trip soon, but I have to go and meet him first, to make sure it”s safe. You”d stay here with a nanny.”
Yara”s lip quivers. ”You”re leaving?”
”Just for a short while, sweetheart. And we can talk whenever you want.”
”Will he be mean like Mr. Luchenko?” Yara asks worriedly.
I squeeze her hands. ”No, my love. I don”t believe so. But remember, if anyone makes you uncomfortable, you tell me right away. Even if they say to keep it secret. Okay? And your grandmother will be close by as well. We”ll make sure you”re both safe.”
”Who is the nanny? Are they nice? Will they do dance routines with me?”
Her questions make me chuckle. I stroke her hair gently. ”We”ll find someone kind who will keep you company, I promise.”
Yara nods bravely. ”I”ll miss you Mama. But I”m glad you”re going on an adventure.”
I hug her tight, my hopes and fears intermingling.
I just pray that my trust in Gerald is warranted, and that our journey together will lead someplace beautiful.