RussiaxReader: Trapped Part 2

"Dammit…" You mutter to yourself. "This doesn't make sense at all."

You were standing in the Red Square, a square smack in the middle of Moscow and known as Krasnaya Ploshchad. The freezing weather hadn't changed, and every snowflake sent a chill down your spine. You were examining a map, trying to figure it out, but it was just so confusing.

"Ah, so now the American is cold and lost."

You inhale sharply at the familiar voice and whirl around, finding yourself face-to-face with the charming Ivan Braginski.  

"Aw, shut up. I'm not lost." You grumble.

"Da, you are completely, utterly lost. I can see it in your eyes as you are attempting to read Russian."

"Durn you."

The Russian chuckles and places an arm on your shoulder, which makes you freeze. You silently hope that Ivan doesn't hear the squeaking sound you just made.

"Well, ________, where are you trying to go anyways?" He asks.

"Back to my hotel." You admit. "I'm pretty wiped."

"Oh, so you had a long day, da?"

You nod.

"Alright, where are you staying? I can take you back there." Ivan offers.

You sigh and study the map.

"The Kadashevskaya." You answer.

"I know where that is. I'll take you there." Ivan smiles sweetly and your cheeks redden.

"Thanks." You reply, a little hesitant.

Ivan opens his car door for you and you step in, clicking your seatbelt. Ivan slides in the driver's seat and turns on the engine, smoothly driving through the Red Square. You gaze out the window, trying to look at anything but Ivan, and your breath creates wispy clouds on the window. Before you know it, he pulls up in front of your hotel.

"Thanks for driving me. I'll…run into you later, I guess." You say, getting out.

"Da. I'd like to see you again." Ivan smiles.

You walk up the steps of the hotel before hearing, "Wait!" You slowly turn around and Ivan hurries up the steps.

"Did you drop this?"

He holds out a small journal, a gift from your friends before your trip to Russia.

"Oh, thanks. I thought it was in my pocket."

You accept it and slide the journal back into your coat pocket before nodding to Ivan and entering the hotel. You let out a long breath as the elevator rides up to your floor, and you rummage around for your room key before sliding it in the door. The door opens with a click and you sit down on your bed, taking your journal back out and examining it. You smile to yourself as a slip of paper falls out with a phone number written on it in neat handwriting. Maybe I'll call him…

(Time skip)

"Hello?" You ask warily.

"Oh _______, it's you! I was hoping you would call." You can almost see Ivan's smile at the other end of the line.

"Y-yeah, I found it. Thanks for returning my journal."

"No problem."

"Um, alright then…"

"Wait, _______?"

"Yeah?"

"I know of a restaurant called Café Pushkin. It is one of the most popular and delicious restaurants in Moscow. Would you like to come with me?"

You're speechless for a moment. Really? An expensive restaurant?

"Um…okay, thank you."

"You're welcome. I'll see you at seven, da?"

"Seven it is. See you there."

"See you there."

Wow…it seemed a bit like a date, but you don't want to jump to conclusions too quickly. Sure, Ivan was cute. But you barely even know him, having just met him last night, and now you were going out to dinner with him? Ha. But this restaurant? You flip open a brochure and read the English parts, your eyes widening at the reviews of Ivan's restaurant. Five stars…wait. Good for romance? No way. Well…there's nothing wrong with a little bit of risk.