Page 58 of Virgin Bratva Hostage

I have to go somewhere.

I don’t care what it takes—I will show her how sorry I am.

The visit to the jeweler goes well. I get lucky because he has exactly what I am looking for.

After that, I stop and choose the most magnificent pink and purple bouquet of exotic flowers that I can find. Then I get chocolates, takeout, a bright pink hoodie, neon blue sneakers, a glittering, body-hugging, short dress—also bright pink—and a really cute little t-shirt that saysprincess.

I basically just walk around the mall and pick up anything that is as bright and colorful as she is, anything that reminds meof her, and anything I think she will love. I just want to put a smile on her face.

Back home, I wait until Ruslana is in the shower, then I sneak into her room and spread the gifts across her bed. Along with a note that I wrote myself. Before I slip it into the envelope, I read it one last time, just to make sure I said everything I wanted to say—

Dear Ruslana, my butterfly,

I don’t blame you for your anger—I know I’ve been a complete idiot. The way I treated you was unacceptable and while it was unforgivable—I hope you can find it in your heart to see past it and accept my most sincere apology. I am so sorry.

You are the most beautiful girl I have ever met. Your color, your heart, your glowing energy—you shine beautifully and to know that I am the one who dampened that shine is painful.

Please, forgive me.

I am downstairs with dinner—if you would like to join me.

I will tell you again and again that I was a fool, and I will ask you a hundred times to forgive me.

Yours,

Avraam.

I hope she even reads it.

Slipping it into the envelope I set it on the bed and place the gold butterfly pendant, set on a delicate gold chain, on top of it.

It’s beautiful. I knew right away that I wanted to get it for her.

I hear the water switching off and after glancing over the bed, looking at the gifts, I know that they are a shallow attempt to grab her attention—what I really need is for her to read the letter—and then talk to me.

But right now I have to get out of here.

I bolt out of the room, just as I hear her footsteps.

Downstairs, I wait in the dining room where I have set the table with takeout for dinner.

All I can do now is wait.

In the letter, I poured my heart out and I hope she sees that.

Twenty minutes go by I am so tense I can feel my muscles spasming.

Is she going to come down?

Did she even read the letter?

If she doesn’t I will try again. I won’t stop trying because she deserves that.

I sigh, resting my head in my hands, starting to accept that this time it didn’t work.

“Avraam?” her voice is gentle when she calls my name from the doorway. I look up so fast, my heart thundering with hope.

“Ruslana—“ She is wearing the butterfly pendant, and the bright pink hoodie, and the neon blue sneakers. She looks so cute, dressed up in bright colors.

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