Page 42 of The Fixer

“My girlfriend has never gotten a Christmas present, and I need help finding one.”

My heart nearly stopped beating as a burst of a laugh escaped me to echo through the layers of concrete around me. Aleksander was serious if his tone was anything to go by, and expectant silence prickled against my ear. Clearing my throat roughly, I forced myself to start walking as the absurdity of the conversation flooded my veins. “Well, you would’ve already been told to get something related to what she likes, right?” I couldn’t believe I was having this conversation with AleksanderfuckingMakovich, of all people. This guy threatened to kill Ophelia—hangs it over her head like it’s no big deal… yet, he can’t find his girl a present? “What about something of sentimental value? Something related to an important time to her.”

“… This has nothing to do with business, Sascha, and I would appreciate it if you’d keep this between us.”

My brows rose in surprise even as I agreed verbally; did Aleksander really expect me not to tell Ophelia he needed relationship advice?I mean, I won’t, but—

“Envre has worked all her life, so I was thinking of taking her on vacation… but I can’t actually take time right now. She and my father get along really well, and I know it’d mean much to the both of them. Envre is the only one who treats him like a dad.”

I stopped short as Aleksander’s voice rang between my ears, and he sighed harshly in frustration. When I blinked, I could practically see him pacing, and I felt a bit bad for him, to be honest. For the first time, he was a human being, not a puppet master. Aleksander had human problems that he had absolutely no control over; he was just really good at hiding them from prying eyes.

He went on, “My father invited us to Moscow, and she’s never been outside Saint Petersburg. This all happened before he got shot, though. I know he still wants to get together, though. I was considering sending her by herself and joining later. It would give them time together, and Envre has really helped my relationship with my father.”

I inhaled the deep, dank air of the car park and held it, flopping my head back to close my eyes andreallylisten. After all, I wouldn’t use this against him, but if it made him feel better, maybe Aleksander would be open to being lenient with Ophelia.

Everyone has an ulterior motive of some sort.

“Christmas is still two months away. If you’re unsure what to do, but want to include both of them… why not throw a small party? You, Envre, and your father, and your brother, maybe… the one that’s not a douchebag.” Aleksander chuckled even as I frowned, and I exhaled heavily before starting my trek to my car. “Not all gifts are material, Aleksander. Most of our most cherished memories are just that, memories. Having something physical to hold and look back on is only important because of the memories it brings with it.”

“Do you know what you’re going to get Ophelia? How did you make that decision?”

Pursing my lips thinly, I ground my teeth as I adjusted my briefcase strap against my shoulder. My chest tightened, a lump forming in my throat as I spotted my car around a support pillar. “To be honest, I haven’t thought about it. By the time we get back from America, it’ll be a few days to Christmas and… Frankly, I don’t want to plan for anything if something happens, and she doesn’t come back. That’s Ophelia’s greatest worry right now. Going to America isn’t something she wants to do. I don’t want to compound that bitterness with a Christmas present.” Twirling my keys, I paused to lean against the trunk of my car— the car she’d just willy-nilly given to me. “Even if I was going to plan something, it wouldn’t a material gift, I don’t think. In my experience, women like an equal balance of stuff and intention.”

“Why did you get her a ring if she refuses to marry you?”

I closed my eyes at this probe, remembering the decision that seemed so long ago. Everything before the coup was almost like a different life, and I cleared my throat roughly. “Ophelia will never marry me, and that’s okay. She has her reasons, and I respect that. I knew her view of marriage won’t change. I bought her the ring because I wanted her to be able to put on it whenever she wanted and be happy knowing it’s not the ring that ties us together.” Reaching to scratch my cheek and jaw, I smiled a little as an image of Ophelia sprung up behind my eyelids. “That’s the essence of a good gift. Making her smile and feel good every time she looks at it, no matter how much time has passed.”

“… I knew it was a good idea to ask you, Sascha. Thank you. I know that our previous encounters made me hesitant to call you, but I appreciate you giving me advice.” Aleksander’s voice lilted with true gratefulness as he continued, “If things continue this way, maybe, one day, we can share a drink as… associates. I have a guest today— otherwise, I’d invite you over.”

“I’m not going to ask, Aleksander, but it sounds like whatever outcome you’ve planned to the letter is hopefully a good one. That’s good. I doubt a man like you has many friends, but I’d probably enjoy that drink.” If Aleksander was true… if this wasn’t some sort of manipulation, and he was being honest maybe, Ophelia and I had a chance. “I better get a fancy, new robe if this is going to be a frequent thing, though. Mine’s getting tattered.”

My joke earned me another laugh, a louder, more heartfelt sound than before. Aleksander didn’t reply before hanging up.

I ground my teeth as I held my phone out. The screen darkened before going black, but my mind churned in confusion. If Aleksander Makovich wasn’t such a fucking asshole, we could’ve been friends; if that conversation was an indication, we might even have beengoodfriends.

But that was never going to happen. He was never going tonotbe an asshole, even if he didn’t mean to. This moment was fleeting and an indicator of absolutely nothing. Shaking my head viciously, I rounded my car to pull open the driver’s side door.I’m supposed to call Ophelia on my way to lunch, but I don’t know if I can keep my mouth shut about this right now. I’ll just call her before my next class.

29

Ophelia

“Why are you naked?” Aleksander Makovich didn’t wait for a reply, and I wasn’t particularly keen on giving him one beyond my slight glare. Shaking his head, he gestured me to follow him up the grand, curving staircase of his lavish home. “How was your flight?”

“It’s just a fancy plane.” My grumble tugged at the corners of my lips, that recent memory floated up behind my eyes. Adjusting my shoulder strap with asnapthat echoed off the marble, I raked both my hands through my hair in agitation. “What’s this about, Aleksander? Anything about America could’ve been an email.”

“It’s not about our trip to America.”

Curiosity slathered my ribs as my heart leaped into my throat. Aleksander didn’t elaborate as he led me to his office, and suspicion bubbled up to cloud my vision.

He pushed the door open smoothly, gesturing me in with a sweep of his arm.

One of the two armchairs in front of his desk was occupied, and I clenched my jaw hard. The man stood up before freezing, clearly taken aback by my lack of clothing. Goosebumps washed my arms and down my legs from the intense sweep of his wide, brown eyes. Clearing my throat harshly, I arched a brow as my lips twisted in a small sneer. He was quick to avert his eyes, but my skin crawled from the phantom of his gaze even when I dropped into the vacant chair beside him.

Crossing my knees, I flexed my toes to stop the tension in me from cramping my foot. Energy zinged up and down my spine.

Aleksander planted himself in front of the windows.

Across the vast expanse of his desk, he held all the power, but I was okay with that. I had no choice but to be, anymore.