Denis
Sophia. The name hits me like a hammer to the head. A beautiful young woman with long blonde hair just like hers, and the same name, too. When I heard it, it felt like a jolt of electricity. I looked at her more closely, seeing her in a new light. The resemblance is striking, though the eyes are different. My Sophia—or rather, not mine—was calm, kind, a little unsure of herself. I always felt the urge to be by her side, to protect her. This one is different. She looks at me with confidence, knows her worth, and I’m almost certain she wouldn’t let anyone cross her. I saw a spark of excitement in her blue eyes, even though her face wore an impenetrable mask of indifference.
I step outside, leaving her with that flustered young man, and take a deep, satisfied breath of the crisp, frosty air. This little town is perfect for a getaway, especially with a family. Unfortunately, I have neither a wife nor children. At nearly thirty, I’m still wandering the world, never staying in one place for long. I’ve had a few relationships, even considered marriage with the last one, but at some point, I caught myself constantly comparing her to the woman who’s lingered in my heart for years. Every time, I’d look at a girl and think, “Sophia would’ve done this differently,” or “Sophia would’ve said something else.”
How can someone love the same woman their entire life, ever since childhood? Even when she’s long been married to my cousin and has two kids. They’re happy together, and every year they invite me over for the holidays. I used to go sometimes, but then I realized seeing her was unbearable. It takes me ages to recover from those encounters. Now, I always find excuses to stay away.
My phone rings, pulling me out of my thoughts. I see my father’s number and grimace. Here we go again—he’ll try to convince me to come home, then lecture me for hours about why I haven’t settled down and gotten a “real” job.
“Yeah?” I answer, slowing my pace along the sidewalk, carefully dodging the few passersby.
“Denis, where are you right now?” he asks straight off, skipping any greeting. We haven’t seen each other in a good six months.
“Found a nice little town. I’m taking photos,” I reply curtly. “How about you? How’s everything?”
“Same as always, nothing’s changed,” he says, a sad note in his voice. “Looks like it’s the same for you.”
I let his jab slide. Since Mom passed, the holidays have been torture for him, I know that. He’s usually in a foul mood and irritable around this time. He never got used to living alone, without her. That’s another reason I rarely go home—because she’s not there. She was the closest person to me, and I loved her endlessly.
“I’m doing what I love,” I say defensively.
“If only it paid the bills, that’d be great,” he snorts, and I clench my teeth to keep from snapping back. “You need to come home, and I mean right now.”
“What’s with the orders?” I ask, surprised. “Did something happen?”
“What’s happened is that my only son is wandering the world like some drifter,” he raises his voice, and I don’t like his tone. “Isn’t it time to get your act together at thirty? How long are you going to keep bouncing from place to place?”
“Sounds like Uncle Sasha’s been filling your head with nonsense. You’re parroting his words.”
“Uncle Sasha and I are on the same page. And he’s got a good proposition for you. He’s got his eye on the daughter of an influential man. Marrying her would benefit both you and the company.”
Hearing this, I slip on the icy sidewalk and nearly fall.
“Are you serious? You want to marry me off like you did with Orest?”
“I remember you weren’t exactly opposed to it back then.”
“That was a different bride. I’d known Sophia since we were kids. I’ve never even laid eyes on this pawn of yours,” I grit my teeth. He knows exactly what buttons to push.
“That’s why you need to come home for the holidays. Meet her, talk to her—maybe you’ll like her. You can’t keep running around the world forever.”
He lets out a weary sigh, and I just roll my eyes. I know their plans all too well. The moment I show up, they’ll pressure me into marrying someone—anyone—as long as it benefits the company. Dad’s not so bad, but Uncle Sasha won’t let up. He’ll resort to blackmail if he has to. He’s capable of anything. And if they’ve set their sights on me, that’s a warning sign of trouble ahead.
“I’m not marrying anyone,” I say, trying to sound firm. “I’ll know when the time is right for me.”
“Consider that time now,” he says, the steel in his voice catching me off guard. “Don’t forget, we’re the ones funding your travels and accommodations. So do us a favor and bring some value to the company. Otherwise, all your accounts will be frozen by tomorrow.”
I can’t believe he just said that. Dad’s always been tolerant of other people’s choices. Has Uncle Sasha really brainwashed him this much? He’s gotten tougher since Mom died, but to this extent?
“I don’t believe you’d do that,” I say quietly.
“Denis, I barely have a say in anything anymore,” he sighs heavily. “Everything’s under Uncle Sasha’s control. I’ve mostly stepped back from the business. He’s calling the shots now, and he’s dead set on you marrying this girl. So I expect you home in a few days.”
He’s about to hang up, and panic starts to set in. If this is true, I’m screwed. Uncle Sasha doesn’t spare anyone, and he definitely won’t go easy on me. Looks like I’ll either have to marry or lose all financial support and say goodbye to my travels and carefree life.
“Wait, I can’t get married,” I shout, loud enough that a couple of girls walking ahead turn around with curious looks and quiet giggles.
“I’d love to know why not,” he asks skeptically. He was expecting excuses, no doubt about it.
“Because it wouldn’t be legal. I’m already married.”
I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind and close my eyes in exhaustion. What am I even saying?
“What do you mean, you’re married? When did this happen?” Dad sounds genuinely shocked.
“Just a few days ago,” I keep up the lie. “I met an amazing girl, and things moved so fast. I don’t even know how it happened, but we tied the knot almost immediately.”
“And when were you planning to tell me?” I hear the disbelief in his voice.
“I was going to during the holidays. Sorry it turned out this way. I didn’t expect to fall in love either. It just hit me like a tidal wave.”
“Spare me the romantic details,” he cuts me off and falls silent for a long moment. I hold my breath, waiting for his verdict. “Well, what can I say,” he continues with an uncharacteristic fatherly warmth. “I hope your wife can rein you in a bit and get you to settle down. I’ll be expecting both of you. You can introduce her to everyone.”
I hadn’t thought that far ahead.
“Uh, we probably can’t make it. She wants to celebrate with her family,” I try to wiggle out of it, though I already know it’s unlikely to work. What have I gotten myself into?
“No excuses,” he says sternly. “Either you come home with your wife—if you’re not lying—or tomorrow you’re on your own dime. And I’m sure your so-called chosen one won’t be thrilled with a suddenly broke husband.”
Man, he knows how to hit where it hurts. The Orlovsky family breeds nothing but sharks. I definitely take after Mom.
“Fine,” I grumble unhappily. “I’ll try to convince her. Expect us in a few days with your new daughter-in-law.”
“I can’t wait,” he says sharply and hangs up.
I’m almost certain he doesn’t believe me. He wants to see how I’ll squirm out of this. I need to come up with something fast.
I’ve got to find a wife, and quick. But where? In two days, it’s impossible.
I stop in front of the two-story hotel where I’m renting a room. The owners are a large family, and their income depends on the tourist season. They’ve got two grown daughters who work in the family business.
An idea strikes me out of nowhere, and I hesitate for a moment about whether to act on it. But I don’t have much choice. Money can buy a temporary, fake wife. There are a few complications, though—one of the daughters seems to have a fiancé, and the other… well, no one I know would believe I could fall for her.
Lost in thought, I walk into the hotel. There has to be a way out. I’m not just going to hand myself over to Uncle Sasha. Let him find another puppet.
“How was your day?” the round-faced owner smiles at me. She’s standing behind the small reception desk, jotting something in a ledger. “Find any good spots for photos?”
I often catch her working like this in the evenings. Outside, dusk is just starting to settle, and the rest of the family is nowhere to be seen. They’re probably resting while she works late.
“A few,” I shrug. “But tomorrow, a girl promised to show me an incredible view for some shots. She’s taking me to an abandoned monastery just outside town.”
At the mention of Sophia, my heart picks up its pace. I liked the girl, and I’m glad I’ll see her again.
“Oh, yes, there’s plenty to see up there. But I’m not sure you’ll be able to make it. The snow’s piled up pretty high,” the hotel owner warns.
“I’m not afraid of a little risk,” I smile at her and head up the stairs.
I don’t mention my idea to her. I’m pretty sure I could strike a deal for the right price. But I’ll wait a bit longer. Maybe a better option will come up.
I think of those stubborn blue eyes and can’t help but smile. She didn’t give me her number, as if she was afraid I’d stalk her. Now I’m starting to worry she might not show up at the meeting spot tomorrow. Worst case, I know where to find her. I made sure to remember the location of her little souvenir shop.