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Chapter 21-The Talk

Katerina Kolosov's POV

Falling in love with someone had never crossed my mind. But the thought of falling in love with Raphael scared me. In fact, it terrified me.

I stared sullenly at my cup of iced coffee and pursed my lips as thoughts ran through my head. Things like that couldn't happen this quick could it. I've only been with him for like four months. There was no way I could fall in love with him or anyone else that fast. It took years to do so.

Right?

I sighed heavily as I sipped from my iced beverage deep in thought and entered my living room to slump down in one of the sofas with a heavy groan.

Sighing, I frowned when my phone buzzed in my pocket and I fished it out to see that Raphael had texted me. You okay?

Unconsciously, a smile crossed my lips and I typed back a quick reply. Yeah. I knew why Raphael was asking and I did appreciate it. Exams were round the corner and the deadline for the project that Raphael and I shared was nearing as well.

My guess was that Raphael thought that I would go mad or insane due to the stress but so far, I was managing. Although barely.

You sure? We could have dinner this Friday after work.

I pursed my lips as I contemplated that idea. It would be fun and a little break from my hectic schedule. And seeing that today was a Tuesday, I had quite some time to study and catch up on whatever that needs to be done.

Humming as I typed out a response that involved me to agree, I sighed and grinned when Raphael replied with a smiley face. I choked back a laugh and shook my head. Good God, my boyfriend could be such a dork.

Smirking as a brilliant idea entered my mind, I texted back. I wonder that's how you would look like after dinner this Friday.

I stifled a laugh when there wasn't any response for quite a few minutes. I was wondering if Raphael knew what I was hinting at and how he would respond. Because if he couldn't tell that I was flirting with him, he was a lost cause.

Katerina, don't tease.

I chortled at his short response. It did look like he knew what I was talking about after all. That's a relief. Smirking, I typed back. Who said I was teasing? Maybe you would really get lucky...

Don't play games Katerina, I hardly appreciate it. Especially when I'm now in a meeting.

I burst out into laughter. Raphael was in a meeting and I was flirting with him? This was better than I thought. With an evil grin on my face, I typed out:

I'm really serious. Maybe this time, you would get to be really acquainted with me especially when this Friday, I don't intend to drink at all.

Snickering to myself, I waited for Raphael's reply and burst into laughter when he sent me a picture of his middle finger. Who would have thought that my boyfriend would be that crass?

"Is that Raphael?"

I raised my head to see that my mother sitting opposite me with a book in her hand and a cup of coffee in the other watching me with an endearing smile.

I nodded and decided not to reply Raphael and turned my attention back to my mother. "Yeah." I answered and mom nodded with a soft smile on her face before turning her attention back to her book.

Unable to help myself, I snorted inwardly when I noticed that my mother was reading one of her beloved historical romances. The sort that my dad liked to make fun of despite my mother's annoyance.

In silence, I stared at the family portrait that was hung above the fireplace where my family and I were all acting all silly and goofy. My dad was making a face that showed his displeasure with the idea of a family picture. His reason was what was the point of it when he saw us everyday.

While my dad had a grimace on his face, my mother had a large bright smile that made her glow. Charlie was in the midst of a scream as Sebastian lifted Buffy to lick her cheek with an evil and mischievous smirk on his face while my face was in a midst of a laugh at my siblings' antics.

I had thought the photo was ugly until my mother insisted that it was perfect and displayed it anyway despite all of our protests. It turned out that mom was right - as usual - that the picture was perfect.

Looking at the other smaller photos of my family that decorated the room, I couldn't help but stare at the one photo of my parents on their wedding day.

Simply put, the photo was captivating. Not because of how beautiful my mother's wedding dress was or how my dad seem to have a smile on his face (and not the usual scowl) but because of the way my parents looked at each other.

To anyone who noticed the picture, the only thing that they would take note of was the complete devotion and love my parents had on their faces as they looked at each other. The photo was taken when they were dancing and the total besotted expression on my dad's face as he looked down at my mom was one that never failed to make me stop and stare.

Of course, my mother was laughing and smiling away in the photo and all I could say was that they looked happy as hell. Seeing that photo made me sigh wistfully. Not because I wanted that but it made me glad that my parents loved each other so much that they were still together.

Even though my dad had quite a character and I had no idea how my mother handled him or Sebastian seeing that he was like a younger version of dad.

Without thinking, I blurted out. "Mom, why did you even like dad and chose to marry him?" I questioned curiously as I sat up straight on the couch and glanced at my mom. Once those words were out, I wanted to take them back immediately.

Fucking hell, I shouldn't have said anything.

My mom looked up at me and gave me a cheeky smile as she her cup of coffee back onto the table. "Why the questions Kat?"

I shrugged and glanced away, "Just curious."

Mom started grinning with a knowing glint in her eyes and gave me a bright smile. "Hmmm, your father is actually-"

"Because the first thing she thought of when she saw me, she thought of sex and how much she wanted to sleep with me because it was obvious, I'm amazing in bed." My dad announced as he entered the room with a smirk on his face.

Mom and I rolled our eyes at his response and mom continued. "Anyway, I married your dad because even though he was a cocky ass and a ridiculous man, he genuinely cared for me and respected me. Also he made me laugh and loved me in return."

My dad scowled at my mom, "What? Not even a mention about how good the sex was?"

At this, I cringed and shuddered in disgust while my mom glared at my dad. "Are you done?"

My dad barked out a laugh as he shrugged, "Hardly."

Mom scowled and gave him a frozen stare. "Oh in that case, it seems that you really love sleeping in the guest room huh?"

Immediately, dad's smug expression faded and he took on an annoyed one and turned silent. My mother turned back to me with a satisfied and smug grin on her face and continued, "Also, even though your dad may seem like a complete ass, he's actually a big squishy marshmallow."

I raised an eyebrow at that description while dad snorted before snuggling his head on my mother's lap. "What are you readin- Another of this sort? Are you serious?" He questioned and reached over for my mother's hand that held the book.

Mom rolled her eyes at dad's mockery of her book before pointing out. "I see that you've been using my body lotion."

Dad scoffed and shot my mom a disbelieving stare. "What the heck are you talking about?"

"I mean that if you wanted to use it, you should not have used the one with sparkles." Mom pointed out and to my amusement my dad quickly studied his hands and frowned, "I didn't use the one with that sparkly shit-"

Noticing his mistake, my dad sat up and snarled, "I didn't use your lotion!"

My mother hummed and took a sip of her coffee in response before replying, "Of course dear."

Dad growled before getting off the sofa and turned to leave. "Make sure you use the strawberry scented one next time!" Mom called out and dad slammed the door in response.

"Ha!" My mother grinned and placed both her mug and book back onto the coffee table. "Alright Kat, you were saying?"

My jaw worked for a while to come up with a response but none came to me. "I just- I was just curious." I finished lamely, not wanting to divulge anything else on my mind.

I could feel my mother studying me and she started quietly, a dreamy expression on her face as she spoke. "Your father was and still is the most exasperating man I've ever met. He may be an ass, rude and a lot of other things, but he's loyal to a fault and I could see that he genuinely loves me."

My mother paused before continuing, the dreamy expression never leaving her face. "When I first met him, he was downright rude and didn't give me a really good impression but time passed and I could see the other side of him that no one sees. The loving compassionate man and a romantic one too-"

At that, I wrinkled my nose in distaste and my mother cracked into a grin. "Don't laugh! Your dad is romantic even though he claims he isn't! If not why would he get my name tattooed on his ring finger when we got married?"

I chose not to comment and my mother smiled before frowning. "Right, where was I? What made me fall in love with him was that he put me first in his life and how he treated me with love and respect despite all my faults. And of course I love him despite all his faults as well. Don't tell your father but sometimes, I find them endearing."

Them referring to my dad's faults.

"But the swearing? I can do without them." My mom muttered under her breath and I burst into laughter.

Mom sighed and took another sip of her coffee before asking, "So why are you asking me this? Not that I mind." She added and all laughter faded from me and I turned silent.

"Do you love Raphael?"

My eyes swung up to meet my mom's hazel eyes from how perceptive she was. It was either mother's intuition or I was really really transparent. I sincerely hope it wasn't the latter.

"No," I started before taking it back. "I don't know." I finished quietly and studied my hands so that I could avoid looking at my mom. "It's not possible to love someone romantically in just five months."

My mother chewed on her lower lip and answered carefully. "Well. Falling in love is something that varies on everybody. It wasn't love at first sight when I met your father. It was certainly less than a year that I realised I fell for your dad but it's different for everybody."

"Grayson and Claire got married in a year despite knowing each other for just four months." Mom added as she referred to my dad's twin brother and his wife.

I remained silent and mom sighed before reaching out for my hand. "Look Kat, love is hard to find and it's a beautiful thing. And then again, don't rush it. It's obvious you got your father's skepticism and pessimism regarding a lot of things but I just would like to say that if you love and it is returned, don't lose it."

Mom offered a warm smile and patted my hand before pressing a kiss on the top of my head before leaving the room.

My mind was still burning with unanswered questions. However, I knew that I was the only one who could answer them.

***

A/N: Hi guys, so sorry for the late update! It's just I've been wondering when to get the mature scene in place and I couldn't decide. And I finally did. And it's the next chapter. Lmao. Anyway, I hope you guys love this chapter and give it a vote and a comment! Thanks so much for reading and I love you all for being so so patient! <3