Taming the Tyrant (Book Boyfriends For the Holidays)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Tabitha

“Have you told him yet?”

“I wanna surprise him for the holidays.”

As usual, the conversation with my bestie was light and cheerful. I realized how much I missed her now that I was living full time abroad. When I came back to the US a few months ago we barely had time to talk. Today we were having a girl’s day, starting with brunch, and then we would go wedding dress shopping afterwards.

Three years away from her was too much. I wished I could take her to live with me in Russia, but she had her own business to attend. I was happy that she would come to visit for the wedding, which Zakhar insisted on having. I was content to continue being his wife with the way we were.

My mind came back to the conversation. “Moreover, he’s travelling now, and I won’t see him for a few more days.”

“Girl, I wish I could come to Russia to help you plan your wedding, but I have a very important deal with a Japanese Brand.”

I reached over and squeezed Linda’s hand. “Don’t worry. I’m hiring a wedding planner. Plus, it won’t be a big thing since I basically know no one there.”

“You must be kidding. You said his guest list is more than two hundred and fifty people, and there might be more.”

“I know, and I plan to cut that down to fifty. You and aunt will be the only ones there that I know.”

Linda sighed. “How about Kiev’s wife, she can help, can’t she?”

“I don’t know. I think she hates me.”

“Has she said anything?”

I shook my head. “No. That’s just it. It wasn’t something she did or said. It’s just her coldness towards me.”

“Maybe she doesn’t like black people.”

“No, she has a black friend she calls every day. I don’t think it has to do with race. It’s me who she hates.”

“Babes, be careful and talk to Zakhar about her.”

“I’ll do that when he gets back.”

“Maybe she thinks your stealing her husband. You said you and Kiev have bonded.”

A smile crossed my lips. “He’s the only one there who I feel comfortable with. Even the staff are offish. Kiev is nice. But the two of them live separately.”

“Doesn’t matter, they are married. She must be jealous of your relationship with her husband. Talk to her, reassure her that she has nothing to worry about. You’re going to need a female support system while you’re there.”

“You’re right. I’ll talk to her,” I agreed with another sigh. “That’s why I love you so much. Why don’t you and Aunty move to Russia?”

“If you can find me and Aunty a couple of men, sure, I’ll move.”

We both laughed out loud as she continued to joke about Aunt’s preferences in the male species and her long-time desire to marry a Russian oligarch. By the time we finished lunch and were heading to the wedding dress boutique I was feeling drained. Linda seemed concerned but I reassured her that I could take an extra half hour to try the three dresses I had already chosen.

I was returning to Russia in a few days to continue planning for the wedding and preparing for the Christmas holidays. I hated that I had to leave her again and I could see the disappointment on her face. We hugged before the attendant brought the dresses for me to try. I had just come out of the dressing room in the second dress when I felt a pain in my stomach. I winced and swayed, catching the attention of the attendant.

“Miss, are you alright?”

I pressed my hand to my stomach. “Ouch!”

My outburst also alerted Linda, and she rushed over. “Babes, what’s wrong. Is it the baby?”

I was breathing short as the pain stabbed my stomach once more. They both assisted me to the chair close by as Linda caressed my belly.

“Breathe slowly. Take a deep breath and exhale slowly,” She repeated when I was still taking short breaths. “Should I call the ambulance?”

I shook my head. “It might be gas pains,” I managed. “Feels like it.”

“I should still take you to the hospital,” she insisted. “Can you walk to my car?”

As I started moving, the pain stabbed me once more. “Ouch.”

An attendant along with Linda helped me to the car. We had walked out of the building and across the parking lot when I noticed the pain was gone. I told Linda as much, but she decided to take me to the nearest hospital just in case.

“Linda, I’m fine,” I pleaded with her. “Let’s go back inside. We don’t need to see the doctor.”

I was sitting in the front passenger seat, she reached over and buckled me in. “Shut up. We don’t know what that was, so I want to make sure my niece is fine!”

“And what if it’s a boy?”

“He’d better be damn fine. Otherwise, Aunty will kill both of us!”

She knew exactly how to lighten the mood so that I wouldn’t worry. When there was a lull in the conversation I reached into my bag for my phone and opened my playlist. BTS Jin’s I’ll Be There started to play.

“Girl, you didn’t,” Linda laughed. “It was just released!”

“Girl stop playin’, I know you got that shit on your phone too.”

She laughed. “And the new Super Tuna as well. I can’t wait for the album.”

“Babes, did you see the Japan pictures?” I asked. “That man is fine as wine. But I know Joonie is your husband.”

“I still got eyes you know, and Namjoon will be away for another year, so Jin’s gotto keep me company.”

We reached the hospital with me in a good mood and thinking the visit was unnecessary. It didn’t take long before I went in to see Doctor Benton and I asked that Linda accompany me inside. After the initial examination, the doctor wanted to have some blood work done but I told her that I would do that when I returned to Russia.

“So far everything seems fine. Have your doctor in Russia do a complete screening,” Dr. Benton advised. “I will prescribe some prenatal vitamins. Since you’ll be seeing your doctor in Russia, they will prescribe something for the gas. But for now, you can take mild antacids like Tums, Rolaids, or Mylanta.”

“Thank you doctor.”

“I’d advise eating in portions, especially beans and cruciferous veggies. Also, some dairy and whole grains might make you bloated.”

I nodded. “Yes doc. I’ll be careful.”

That was it. My first scare as a pregnant woman was gas. I can’t believe how painful the gas pains were though. I imagined actual labor pains and got a little scared. But the baby inside me was making me fall in love and I hoped that he or she would come out healthy – with little or no pain. I knew that was selfish, but the pain … the pain!