Nikolai Vetrov
~•~
Elena stood beside me in a blue silk dress that cost more than most people’s rent. Her hand rested on my forearm the way she had been taught since she was sixteen.
“Постарайся не хмуриться, дорогая.” Elena murmured as she smiled at the camera currently flashed at us. “Люди подумают, что я вас утомляю.” [Try not to scowl, darling | People might think I bore you.]
“Они были бы правы.” [They'd be right.]
Elena laughed for the cameras.
When the photographer decided he had gotten enough pictures of us, she dropped her smile and we made our rounds. I hated events like this one; galas and charity auctions where people only participated in order to outbid each other.
But my grandfather wanted me to attend. He wanted me to take Elena with me too. Showing up with Elena wou
