Chapter 8
Irina is red in the face from the cold, a colour rivaling that of her hair as it sticks out from beneath a honey-coloured beanie.
Villanelle laughs out loud when Irina swears at her in Russian for risking her life to save hers.
"You really need to learn how to let things go," Villanelle replies in Russian, her voice gruff.
Eve watches the two embrace, her heart expanding at the sight of Villanelle asking Irina if she is okay when she steps away from her.
“We can talk later. I have not said hello to Eve yet,” Irina states, striding over to Eve in a walk uncannily similar to that of a younger Villanelle’s and smiling.
“It’s so good to see you, Irina,” Eve whispers, her eyes tearing up, pulling Irina towards her for a hug.
“Well. Your girlfriend had something to do with that,” Irina mumbles, removing her beanie and shoving it into the pocket of her coat.
“Fiancée,” Villanelle proudly proclaims, taking Irina’s coat and hanging it up while watching her remove her boots.
“You’re joking. Someone wants to marry YOU? No offense, Eve. Have you heard her snoring? Or seen how much she eats? Even more than my dad used to.”
Eve chuckles, following Villanelle and Irina into the living room. “Surprisingly, yes and yes.”
“Irina?!”
Elena jumps up to give Irina a hug before watching her exchange a hug with Kenny.
“Who is this?,” Irina asks, looking down at Charley before turning around and nudging Villanelle. "Bin baby number two?"
“Ours. You can call her Charley,” Kenny replies proudly, his face breaking out into a huge grin as Irina looks at Elena who nods at her.
"Hi Charley. You're very cute. I bet this baby has beaten you in a crying contest already."
Villanelle scoffs at Irina's joke, setting out a plate out for her. Irina, noticing Villanelle's gait, asks her if she can talk to her privately for a second. Villanelle kisses the side of Eve's forehead and whispers that they'll be back shortly before apologizing and exiting the room.
"Is everything okay?," Villanelle asks Irina, detecting a change in her mood as she slumps against the wall of Eve's office.
"I'm sorry."
"For?," Villanelle raises her eyebrows and takes a seat in Eve's chair.
"I took you away from all of this. Living here, with Eve. I was so arrogant."
"Hmm. You were a little shit back then," Villanelle muses, her eyes running up and down Irina's face and recognizing the exhaustion there.
"You told me I had changed, when we saw each other last."
"You did."
"I don't feel like I have."
"You still hate me, then?"
A chuckle passes over Irina's lips and she shakes her head. "I never hated you. I was jealous of the attention my dad paid to you."
"And jealous of the fact that I knew Mandarin and you did not." Villanelle winks at Irina before adding, "I miss that asshole father of yours."
"He would be here, if he was alive. You would have invited him?"
"Oh no. Eve would have invited him if he didn't show up uninvited, first."
"Eve looks good."
"Do not look at her. She is mine."
Irina laughs at Villanelle's pout before clearing her throat and starting to speak again.
"She actually said yes when you asked her if she wanted to get married?"
"Are you really that surprised someone would want to be with me, forever?"
"No. I'm just surprised she waited for you," Irina replies matter-of-factly.
Villanelle frowns at this. "Why?"
"It's a lot to ask of someone."
"I didn't ask her to wait."
"But she did."
"Why do I have the feeling you are not talking about me and Eve? Do you have someone in your life who you are thinking about?"
"Excuse me?"
Both Irina and Villanelle look towards the door where Eve is standing, face slightly flushed at walking in on the private conversation.
"Dinner is getting cold and I think Charley is getting tired."
"Irina, can we finish this--okay then."
Villanelle watches Irina hurriedly walk by Eve with a quick apology as Eve nods in response. "Is Irina okay?"
"Yes," Villanelle replies, eyes focused on Irina's back as she walks down the hallway and turns the corner.
"Are you okay?" Eve's probing voice causes Villanelle to look down at her as the two stand in the doorway, little space between them.
"Yes. Seeing Irina is like seeing a ghost. I did not expect to see her alive after..." Villanelle closes her eyes, her breath shaky.
"Do you need to take a few moments to process?," Eve asks, her eyes brimming with concern.
"Not right now. I'm hungry."
"Maybe later?," Eve asks, her voice gentle in its inquisition before she presses a kiss to Villanelle's lips.
Villanelle nods, trying to deepen the kiss but Eve pulls away, laughing. "We can't, V. Not right now."
"Fine," Villanelle grumbles, rolling her eyes.
"I thought you said you were hungry?," Eve laughs again, amused at Villanelle's disappointed expression.
"I am," Villanelle shoots back, as she leans towards Eve to kiss her neck once and cup her breasts with both hands.
"Oh-," Eve gasps, her heart rate picking up and her body temperature rising.
"Dinner?," Villanelle asks innocently, pulling Eve down the hallway as Eve lets out an exasperated groan.