Cairo. It was beautiful and I walked through the city with a constant smile on my face.
Yes, it was a dream come true. I actually never thought about coming here, but when I was offered the option, I took it with happiness and gratitude.
I had my arm linked through Misha's while Shurik, Eugene, and Stephan were trailing behind us. We all loved the city, especially in the evening. The streets were made of stone and so were the buildings that stood right next to each other, lining the streets. They were selling colorful scarves, and hats and rugs, while others sold large necklaces and other jewelry. Everything was bright and colorful.
We had already been here a week, and so far we took walks through the city every night. There was music and dancing and of course, because of our Russian blood we loved the singing and dancing and would join almost every band.
"You're having fun, Maria?" Misha asked me.
I nodded. "This is definitely a blast."
"Glad to see you finally stopped complaining, too." Stephan mumbled from the back and IÂ laughed.
I had on white high-waist pants and a sheer black lace crop top. For some reason, I was also covered with many bracelets, but I had gotten used to the strange styles the boys forced me to wear, and so my complaining had gone down. In fact, I almost liked the outfits. My outfit was completed with silver purse and black heels.
We sat down to eat at one of the street restaurants. Their food was surprisingly very good, filled with lots of rice and potatoes, and of course, spices.
While we were eating, Stephan announced, "We're going to Giza, we have some duties to attend to and of course, our little princess here will want to see the pyramids."
I shrugged. I'll admit, the boys were treating me like a spoiled princess, and honestly, I didn't mind a whole lot. When I first met them, I thought I would be living a complete nightmare, but this wasn't bad. I never asked them for anything, though, so they were simply spoiling me out of their own wishes.
"Oh, don't be too excited, sweetheart," Misha said, his mouth full with food.
"And why is that?"
He simply winked, but thankfully Eugene stepped in. "We decided for some stupid reason to go all out and go there on camels. Can you believe it? Stupid..."
He muttered a curse word and slammed his fist on the table causing a few of the restaurant guests to shoot us a glance.
I would have also muttered one or two unpleasant words but that would be highly unacceptable. I was treated with a lot of care, and I wouldn't want to say anything wrong now.
"Okay, get up! We're going." Stephan commanded and stood up.
I frowned. "We're going now? Right now?"
"Of course, Maria. We don't have time to lose, there's... more in store."
'Don't say anything, just do what you're told.'
I nodded and quickly hurried after Stephan and the gang. Ah, what a night it would be.
We came to a little tent. It was covered in red and white striped fabric and although the winds were tugging at it, the fabric never came loose.
As I was studying the merchandise in the tent, Stephan managed to rent, I assume, some camels.
And let me tell you, what awful little creatures they were. I was not an animal lover at all. In fact, I stayed clear of all types of animals, big or small. I just hated the smell, and the fur, and the drool... everything. So when I came face-to-face with an ugly, horrifying camel I couldn't help but express my disgust.
"Need help, darling?"
I sneered at Misha and attempted to climb onto the creature, but after watching my ridiculously embarrassing and unsuccessful attempt, Misha came over and helped me climb up.
"Aren't a fan of camels?" he asked with a grin.
"I guess you could say that."
He went off, laughing, to his camel and then got on with no problem. I shook my head.
I had no idea how to control a camel either. I hoped that it would kind of just follow the rest of its friends and I would just sit, uncomfortably, and wait.
Thankfully, we were able to get a tour guide, or camel guide, or whatever they are called, and he led the way, making sure the beasts stayed in line. After a few minutes, it was actually very... enjoyable. The sun was beginning to slowly set, and the way the camels swayed was very relaxing, like a lullaby. It was still uncomfortable to sit, but the beauty surrounding us as well as my mumbled prayer made the uncomfortableness unnoticeable.
"Alright, stop!"
Stephan's voice rang out through the evening air, and I think even the camels understood him.
"A few of us will be going off. The rest are going to the pyramids. All clear? Let's go."
I loved Stephan's very impatient attitude sometimes. He got things done very fast, efficiently, and never waited around for anyone. His word was the final word, and if someone got left behind then too bad.
Alexander was different, in the way that he contained a very cool, patient composure. He would make sure that his people knew what was going on, and he still got everything done quickly and perfectly, but it was just different. His patience was extraordinary.
The crew split up. All I knew was that I was in the group with Misha and Eugene, and I assumed that we were the ones headed to the pyramids. Indeed, I was right, and soon, the great Pyramids of Giza towered before us.
Ah... they were indeed beautiful. Masterpieces. Just... breathtaking.
As an engineer myself, I loved seeing the beautiful mathematical architecture of the pyramids. It blew my mind, that so many years ago these almost perfect, beautiful structures were built without any help of modern technology or material. It just awed me and I stood speechless, staring at the mechanics of the pyramids.
It's a wonder, how skilled and talented the human race can be.
What a wonderful, powerful Creator gave us such awestruck abilities.
"Hello! Maria?" Misha's voice rang through the air, and I turned to him, cutting off my thought processes.
"Yes? Must you always interrupt my thoughts?"
"Let's take a closer look?"
He smiled sweetly, and lend me a hand, and I felt a little guilty for snapping at him.
He helped me off of my creature and we walked over to take just a little closer look. It was quite scary being so close to one of the most astonishing man's creation. The closer we walked, the more goosebumps kept crawling up my skin from just imagining the ancient Egyptians designing and creating these...
I took my eyes off of the pyramids to look at Misha. He was also standing silently, which was rare, to look at the masterpieces. Eugene was nowhere to be found, but that's probably because he just wanted to be left alone.
A sudden wave of homesickness washed over me, and I closed my eyes. I imagined that Alexander was here with me, holding my hand, experiencing this view with me.
Oh, now I felt like I truly missed him. I felt extremely guilty for having such a great time, experiencing the world and all of the most wonderful sights without the man I loved. How I wanted him near me, oh, how my heart was breaking.
"You miss him?"
I opened my eyes, to see Misha's steady gaze on me, studying me.
I nodded. "I cannot..." I took a deep breath and continued, "I just cannot describe the pain in my heart from not having him right here with me. I want to experience the world with him, you know? Have my firsts be with him."
He stood silently, waiting for me to continue. He had gotten to know me so well these past weeks, he knew when I wasn't done explaining my feelings. I also knew he wouldn't let me go until I told him everything.
So, with a sigh, I went on. "But, I know that I would never have gotten the chance to experience all of this without your guys' intervention. Alexander is a man who likes to be stuck at work, or at home, and he wouldn't ever go out to see the world with me."
Misha nodded, and I frowned. He obviously didn't agree. I kept frowning at him until he also told me his thoughts.
"Maria, you've got to understand that he always stayed at home and at work. That's the life he knows, and traveling isn't really his type. But, he'd taken you to Italy. And then to Florida... he was getting there. With his power building up, he was bound to start traveling, because it would all have been way too much."
"I mean..."
"He was also getting to be good friends with Jordan Jonathan. The man has many ties in these Middle-East, African countries and so he would have come here eventually."
"Misha," I interrupted, "You've got to realize I was never aware of Alexander's power or the influence of his friends. To me, traveling the world with him was a completely alien idea."
He nodded with understanding.
"Now, come," he said, holding out his hand, "let's go take a closer look. And pictures that you'll show Alexander later."
I laughed and took his hand. I couldn't do much else, and no matter how hard I missed Alexander, I couldn't have him currently.
Misha took off, and I struggled to keep up with him. Did the man not realize that running in heels, in the sand was mighty difficult!
"Misha! Stop, let me take off my shoes."
He stopped, and I took off my shoes, but only after earning a million eye rolls from him.
He grabbed my hand again, and the pulled me with him, but I could actually keep up this time. Suddenly, we accidentally bumped into a fella who was casually walking around with his own camel, taking pictures.
"I'm so sorry, sir!" Misha exclaimed.
The stranger frowned at us, but replied, "It's no problem."
"We really are sorry. We should be more careful." I said.
The stranger kept frowning and looking at us strangely. "Oh, no, miss, it's really no problem."
We nodded and turned to leave.
"Miss!"
I turned around to the stranger, his furrowed eyes still scrutinizing us.
"Miss, if you do not mind, I-uh."
"Yes?" I asked.
"You just, remind me... of someone I've seen..." the man mumbled, looking closely at my face.
I raised my eyebrow. "Really? Who?"
He waved his hand. "Oh, it's no one, really. Just, you look... just like her."
I smiled. "Now I'm curious myself."
"This young woman, her name is Mrs. Vasilievna. She's the wife of my employer."
My heart and lungs and brain all froze for a moment. I had no idea what to do. Did this mean Alexander was one step closer in finding me?
"That's very kind of you. Unfortunately, we don't know her. This is my girlfriend, Kate." Misha butted in before I could blurt something out.
I managed to give a half smile and nod.
"Ah, well, you look like the mirror image of her. I could almost swear you were her when you ran into me. I'm sorry for taking up your time. Forgive me, please. Have a wonderful rest of your evening!" He waved with a very gentle smile, and we waved back.
"Hurry!" Misha called as he pulled me along, running.
We reached the camels, and he quickly pulled me on top of one, with him.
"Let's go!" He commanded the tour guide and he began to lead us back.
"Misha! Stop, I-"
"Silence, Maria! We must leave, and you must be silent." He snapped at me, in a harsh voice.
I quickly shut my mouth, careful to not make a single sound. Who knew what would happen if I did. After all, I was still a hostage and these were still very skillful, dangerous, and excellent threateners and attackers.
Soon, Eugene came galloping near us on his camel. I guess he realized something happened and raced back to find us. He exchanged a look with Misha.
Finally, we reached the rest of the gang. None of them looked happy, except for Shurik who was almost done creating one of his gadgets.
Everyone was silent, but many words were being exchanged through glances and expressions. I simply sat, watching every move and glance the men exchanged.
Finally, after a little, Stephan whispered something to the camel guider and we set off again. I knew to keep my mouth shut, although I really wanted to ask where we were going.
It wasn't hard for me to keep silent; being the wife of Alexander prepared me to be very composed, even when it could be difficult.
We arrived at the city, and left our nasty little camels behind, which I was very glad to do. We walked by foot for a while until we reached the hotel we were staying at.
"Time for sleep, my darling." Were the last words I heard before falling into a deep sleep.