Page 168 of Capuleto
"I'm progressing well according to my doctor. It won't be long before I'm discharged, although this time I've had to promise to obey the rest orders, or they've threatened to put me in a straitjacket for life." I offered a measured smile.
"Then we should find you a more qualified nurse than last time. Apparently, she was too lenient with you."
"My caregiver last time, although he had very little patience with my demands," he interrupted me, "was perfect, and I don't want anyone to take care of me other than Andrey," he concluded, raising a hand to find the hand of the nominated caregiver of the year. He entwined his fingers with my man's, and his face turned red.
With how much Andrey loved public displays of affection! I almost burst out laughing; it looked like someone had stroked his balls with a hedgehog.
Seeing the approval in my gaze, he relaxed a little. Watching two men like them, in love and willing to show their relationship in front of me, filled me with joy.
In my country, they wouldn't have been able to show affection openly. And that Aleksa had stepped forward, when Andrey told me he didn't want to say anything to his men, made me happy because my right-hand man had finally found someone he fit with and could enjoy a relationship with.
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously, adding a bit more emotion to the response.
"And you accept the double job?"
"What choice do I have? I don't trust anyone else to manage him."
"Then that's settled, I declare you patient and caregiver, you can juggle your two jobs," I winked, and they both smiled.
"The doctor told me the visit should be brief and I don't want to disturb you too much; the reason I wanted to be the first to come in is because I wanted to offer you an apology, Mrs. Koroleva."
I raised my eyebrows and attentively observed Aleksa's presumed discomfort.
"And why is that?"
"For doubting you when you didn't deserve it." That I did not expect.
"You were doing your job; doubting everyone and everything just shows you cared about R. If it weren't for that, my brother might not be pushing up daisies now, so you don't owe me any apology, rather, I owe you thanks. First, for making this stubborn Russian's eyes shine and giving him back a joy that should never have been taken from him." My man's cheeks turned even redder. "And second, for being so loyal to my husband, that says a lot about the man you are. I couldn't wish for anyone better for Andrey as a partner. You have my blessing."
"I... didn't expect this," he murmured, embarrassed.
"Good, because I don't think you'll hear me repeat it, I'm not one for this kind of display, so be satisfied and take care of my man until the end of your days."
Aleksa gave a low laugh combined with a sign of pain.
"At this rate, I don't know who will take care of whom. Damn ribs!"
"You could ask to have them removed like Cher, that way we avoid any trouble," Andrey murmured near his ear.
Aleksa frowned, and this time it was me who laughed.
"Ouch!" I complained, bringing my hand to the wounded area, covered by the bandage.
"You see! With your nonsense, you've hurt my boss, apologize," my husband's right-hand man protested.
"Your boss? She's mine!" my Russian retorted.
"Now she's mine too, she's earned my desire to protect her with my life," Aleksa said with total seriousness. Andrey snorted, and I thought they made a perfect couple, they'd never be bored.
Aleksa had the spark that blew up the ex-military man's iron control.
"I just hope my husband thinks the same as you. He might not want to stay by my side after what happened. He offered me the divorce papers; it would be as easy as asking me to sign them, as his signature is already there."
The Croatian-Colombian looked at me with wide eyes.
"Are you joking? If your husband doesn't want you after everything you've done for him and is capable of asking you to sign, I'll marry you."
The laughter that burst out of me hurt, especially seeing Andrey's scowling expression, which was priceless.