"Well.. that’s good, I think," she says, studying me over her coffee mug. "What did he say when you told him about her? How did he react?" she presses, her gaze fixed on me, searching for any sign of doubt.
"He seemed excited. He asked lots of questions about her hobbies and what she looks like." I recall Gerald's reaction, and how I consciously tried to interpret his questions as interest rather than something more sinister.
It's difficult, being a single parent dipping their foot into the dating pond. You want the other person to show just the right amount of interest—not enough and you know it's not going to work, too much and it's creepy—and potentially very dangerous.
Dominika leans back, her expression turning serious, "Well, be careful what you wish for, dear. I know I suggested this to you, but a single man who takes too much interest in yourdaughter is never a good thing." Her words strike a chord of fear in me. As if I need reminding the world is full of creepy, misogynistic assholes that prey on women and girls.
"I know. I worry about that constantly, but I really haven't gotten that sense from speaking with him. It seems more like he's trying to show he understands that I’m a single parent and that having my daughter as a priority in my life isn’t going to change just because of a relationship." I find myself defending Gerald again, wanting to believe in the good.
"Okay, well, make sure you know him first, before you introduce her to him. She's had so much instability already. And so have you," her voice softens, filled with empathy for our battered, yet resilient little duo.
"You think I don’t know that?" I snap back, a hint of frustration leaking through. "Of course I’m not going to meet him for the first time while she’s there."
"I know you know," Dominika says, squeezing my hand. "You really should wait a fair amount of time, though, until you’re certain about his intentions," she advises, always the voice of reason in my sometimes too-hopeful world.
"Well, you don’t need to worry. We've started talking about meeting in person, just the two of us. That should enable me to vet him properly," I try to reassure her, and maybe myself too.
"A few days together isn’t the same as day-to-day life. Just be mindful of that," she says. "I mean, I have a friend, Anoushka, who met a man from America. He took her away on a dream vacation and she fell head over heels, but then he turned out to be really abusive. Trapped her in his house. She ended up in a woman’s shelter after he beat her so badly she was almost unrecognizable."
Dominika's story sends shivers down my spine, the harsh reality of her words threatening to ground my fleeting dreams.
"You’re scaring me now, Dominika. You’re the one who encouraged me to do this in the first place," I retort, the fear and doubt starting to seep in.
"I know, I know. I just want you to go into this with both eyes open. I know how much you’ve been through. And I understand your desire for a new life that both you and Yara deserve. I just don’t want you to get hurt in the process. Luchenko may be a very bad man, but as they say, better the devil you know sometimes." Her sincerity is palpable, her worry for us genuine.
"You’re not suggesting—" I start, incredulous at the thought of ever going back to that life.
"No, never," she quickly clarifies, concern etching her features. "I don’t think you should be near him. Speaking of which, has he tried to contact you recently?"
"Not directly," I shake my head. "But I know he’s always near—him and his men. I feel like they’re constantly watching, waiting. We're at the part of his cycle where he's so busy with other things that he can't obsess over us, but it's only a matter of time, and I worry if I don’t leave soon, he’ll try to take Yara again," I confess, the weight of our situation heavy on my heart.
"Understood. And yes, my husband has mentioned how busy the business is at the moment. Just don’t jump into something worse because you’re scared of a ‘what if’ situation," she warns, her gaze steady on mine.
"Dominika, I love you but you’re sending me very mixed messages." I sigh, feeling torn between the promise of a dream and the reality of our past. My best friend's tendency to speak out loud can be great for generating ideas and analyzing options, but it can be very confusing once you've already made a life-changing decision.
"I know, I know. I’m sorry. Look," she sighs, squeezing my shoulder with affection, a gesture that feels like a lifeline. "I hope that you can appreciate I’m coming from a good place. There areso many things to consider here. And I just worry about you. I want the best for you. You’re my best friend." She smiles at me, her eyes kind. "Plus, I’ll miss you if you move all the way to the United States, even though it seems like that might be the best option for both of you."
Her words bring a small smile to my face. "You can always visit, Dominika. If Gerald has half the financial means he says he does, and from what I've seen on camera during our video calls, you could practically have your own guest wing whenever you wanted to see me!"
Her laughter, light and genuine, fills the space between us. "Well, wouldn’t that be amazing. Let’s go into this with a positive attitude. Just be wary, and take notice of any red flags."
As I nod, taking in her advice, the café around us buzzes with life, a stark contrast to the seriousness of our conversation. It's a poignant reminder of the world moving around us, oblivious to the impending decisions that could alter the course of my and Yara's lives forever—a fragile bubble that might burst at any moment.
Chapter 6
Alina
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 aboutit 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."